It was a dark, busy cold evening,
When Jace walked into the "Monarch Lounge" a luxury underground bar where billionaires alike, come to chat, chill and discuss business deals.
Jace had just returned from California earlier that day, and upon arriving home, he was introduced by his father to several business partners. They were all full of questions, wanting to know about his college life.
Jace, feeling tired and bored in the evening, decided to go out for a drink.
When he got to the bar he sat at the counter, everything going on in the bar at the moment seemed useless to him, he had come in to ease stress and not chit chat. On the other side of the counter was Charlotte, the gorgeous-looking bartender.
Charlotte poured him a shot of tequila, and he kept requesting more. On drinking his 7th shot, he thought to himself "What better way to ease stress than a good sex?" Jace would kick-start a conversation with Charlotte the bartender.
Jace POV
You look like you don't belong here," I said,
She smiled and replied "Neither do you"
What time do you close?" I asked.
She hesitated for a second. "Midnight."
I checked my watch. 11:17pm.
Good," I said calmly. "Room fifty-five. The Royal Crest Hotel. It's down the street."
Before she could speak, I added " Five thousand dollars, for your time."
She stared at me quietly for a while.
"I don't-" she started.
"You don't?" I asked softly.
"Need it? Want it? Or don't believe me?
"Yes actually–" she replied.
" Five thousand dollars is a lot of money, I would need to work extra shifts for four months to earn that much."
I pulled out two thousand dollars cash from my wallet and slid it on the counter towards her " Upfront payment, see you by 12, room fifty-five, don't keep me waiting."
"You don't even know my name" she said
"Why don't you tell me in the hotel room, see you by midnight."
Charlotte – The Knock (Room 55)
The hotel dazzled at night, with calm music, quiet atmosphere and too expensive for someone like her.
Charlotte stood in the hallway with a thought on her head "Five thousand dollars is a huge sum of money, it would cover the rent, her mom's nursing home bills and calmly be able to support Bruce, her "boyfriend" after all it was just for one night.
Charlotte was lost in thought, when a hotel staff member approached her "Good-day madam her you by any means lost or are you trying to meet up with someone?"
"Yes actually–" she answered
"I am trying to get to room fifty-five"
ohh that's a vip room, alright it's on the 3rd floor, you can either use the stairs or make use of the elevator.
"Thanks so much, I should get going."
On reaching room fifty-five, she stared at the door for a minute while she took a deep breath and finally knocked on the door.
The door opened slowly, and there he was.
"I knew you would come, the only problem is you are five minutes late, but I will let it slide."
"I don't stay long," she replied.
"I get to decide when you leave, come in."
He took off his robe, wearing only boxers.
Walking towards the bathroom, he said softly "Take your clothes off and join me, be fast."
She had no choice but to do as requested and upon walking into the bathroom, she stood quietly at the door.
"Common do I have to tell you everything, and by the way why are your panties still on? Take them off and come into the bathtub."
"Can I please have a moment to process all this? By the way, you entered the bathroom with your boxers on" she said
He stood up just for her to realise he was naked and his cock was already hard.
"Ohh myy–" she reacted with her mouth wide open.
"Never seen a cock this big? This must be your lucky day, now get in, you are wasting too much time."
Charlotte slowly loosens her bra and gently takes off her panties.
"Nice boobs and clits," he said with a straight face.
She stepped into the bathtub and they both sat on opposite sides looking each other straight in the eye.
"Now what next?" She asked
"Now is the time I get to know your name," he replied.
"I am Charlotte, what about you?"
"That's not important, you do yourself good by not knowing who I am" he said
"Huhhh–" she started
"Am I understood? And also I ask the questions you don't"
"Understood" she replied
"Good girl, now suck my dick" he ordered.
Charlotte's POV
I moved closer, grabbing his cock and teasing it with my tongue.
I attempted to put the whole thing in my mouth but it was too big to fit.
"I kept throbbing his cock in my mouth"
His groan echoed all over the room "ahhh such a good girl," while his fingers were teasing my nipples.
I tried telling myself this was just for the money. Just a moment. Just something to get through. But my hands trembled anyway and my p***y gave in.
I was feeling soaked already just by the sound of his deep groan and his fingers on my pussy.
He stood up and lifted me, while I wrapped my hands around his neck and my legs around his waist.
He threw me on the hotel bed, I grabbed his neck tightly and wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him to myself on the bed. He fell heavily on the bed breathing hard.
He pressed his lips on mine hungrily,
I moved closer to him reciprocating the kiss, enjoying the moment of his rough passionate kiss, he hovered above me without breaking the kiss. I gently opened my legs, his cock rubbing against my p***y.
He groaned as the kiss became intense. As he licked and sucked all over my body.
He would grab the duvet and pull it over our heads.
Aftermath-Room fifty-five 6:30 AM
It was daybreak already and Jace's phone was buzzing with messages from the company, his father and his girlfriend "Malory" all wanting to know where he was.
He woke up and tried getting up when he realised Charlotte had her hands wrapped around him and her head lying on his chest, like he was her boyfriend or something.
"Hey get up, what the f**k is wrong with you" he said as he tried waking her up
"Ohh no daddy, it's too early I want you please don't leave me" she said as she was still clearly under the influence of the deep sleep she had as a result of the sex they had the previous night.
He pushed her without hesitating "This is why I don't fuck with cheap hoes, one taste of my d**k and luxury they fall in love so fast" he said feeling so full of himself.
"I am sorry, I wasn't in my right senses" she apologised.
"Very clearly you weren't, absolute nonsense" he responded.
As he picked up his buzzing phone,
"Ohh shit I have a meeting to be at by 7, damn my Dad called" he said frustrated as he rushed out of bed and immediately put on his tuxedo and Louis Vuitton loafers,
Without saying a word he threw ten thousand dollars at Charlotte, she was shocked as she counted it
"I am confused, you said five thousand dollars, why give me double and by the way you gave me two thousand earlier at the lounge so you are only meant to give me three thousand" she said, confused.
"Nice to see you are good at math, I pay double the price when the sex is double as good as my initial expectation" he replied.
"Wow–, you are insane" she said, still trying to process what he just said.
"I would take that as a compliment considering I am running late."
"So can I at least get to know your name?" She asked.
"No you don't get to know my name, make sure you are out of the room by nine, unless you can afford to pay for another booking which clearly you can't" he said as he walked out slamming the door behind him.
Jace would arrive at the office, where he would be greeted by staff members and business partners.
It was the 20th of April the grand opening of "The Sovereign Galleria"
A two-million square feet six-story building
Owned by Edward Norman "Jace's father."
The entire office team was meant to arrive at the location of the event together, which is why Jace had to arrive at the office on time.
"Son, where have you been? I was going crazy looking for you, going missing on a big day like this is unethical and you must adjust to the requirements" Edward said as he finally found Jace in the company's hallway.
"I went out for a drive, before I was time-conscious it was already late so I decided to pass the night at a hotel" Jace replied to his father's caution.
"okay that's not a problem, hope it was a luxury hotel?" Edward said, smiling at his son.
"For sure it was, I only do luxury" Jace replied as they both laughed and went opposite directions.
Jace would go to his office to pick up a call "Hey babe" Jace said as he answered the call.
"Where in the world have you been or what was so important that you couldn't reply to your girlfriend's text, ohh let me guess you were too busy with work? Well guess what I called your office by 11 f**king PM at night and they said you had just landed in the evening so you didn't show up at the office, you probably were out somewhere else f**king another girl and telling her how good you enjoyed it."
Malory "Jace's college girlfriend" kept nagging over the phone.
"Common baby, do we have to do this always? I had a lot of visitors to attend to and chatted about how my college life was. I obviously was gonna get tired so I went out for a long drive and my phone battery was really low. You know I would never do anything to hurt you." Jace said with a sweet calm voice trying to calm her down.
"Yeah right, you player you ain't fooling me anyways I was only calling to tell you that the credit card you gave me just started declining all of a sudden" Malory said.
"Wait hold on a minute, the cards never decline unless they run dry of money, so what you are basically trying to say is you have completely exhausted a five hundred thousand dollar card in barely a week?"
Jace said in utter shock.
"Yes duhh, that's not a big deal and never dare you raise your voice at me again all because I spent all the money you gave me, or are you forgetting I have to look good for you? Maybe you should do better at raising the money from five hundred thousand which is clearly not enough to about a million dollars or two" Malory followed up.
"You're really something else, but nevertheless you are my girlfriend, and I will always give you the best. Your debit card will be credited with two million dollars. Let's talk later. I need to get going. Love you." Jace said
"Love you too baby, and lastly never leave me unread," Malory said smiling as she hung up the phone.
A knock on Jace's office door "Who's there?" It's me, sir, your secretary.
"Ohh come in, any problem?" Jace asked.
"No sir, "Your father asked me to inform you that you'll be delivering the opening speech at the inauguration of The Sovereign Galleria."
"Without consulting me?"
She shifts slightly.
"No, sir. I was instructed by your father to inform you after the confirmation."
Jace stands slowly.
"I assume the press has already been informed about this arrangement."
"Yes, sir."
"Then I suppose I have no other choice but to give an opening speech."
The entire office arrived at the inauguration ground together.
The first car door opened.
Out stepped Mr Norman.
His presence always sent shivers, because he had built an empire that seemed unbreakable.
"Mr Norman!"
"Sir, this way!"
He lifted a hand, smiling the fake and practiced smile he put on for cameras. He had built empires and buried scandals.
Then the second door opened.
Jace stepped out.
The reaction shifted.
Upon stepping out of his car,
"That's the son."
"The future CEO."
"He rarely attends public events."
Jace was immediately greeted with flashlights, paparazzi, and journalists. Everyone wanted a glimpse of Jace, the heir to his father's empire who had just returned from California.
"Stand straight," Edward, "His father" murmured low enough that only Jace could hear. "They're watching."
Jace didn't look at him.
"I'm aware."
Bodyguards and armed security personnel immediately stepped in to escort them through the entrance, where a large glass door opened slowly in front of them.
The mayor of Atlanta approached first,
"Mr Norman, this is extraordinary. The city hasn't seen development like this in decades. You really outdid yourself this time around."
"It's only the beginning, I have my eyes set on something bigger, something that would send shock waves round the nation." Mr Norman replied with a smile on his face.
Another investor turned to Jace.
"Mr Jace Norman, we're honoured you could represent the next generation."
"I am here to support the vision and together with my father send the nation into a frenzy."
Please everyone settle down, as we welcome on stage Mr Jace Norman.
The room was filled with applause and more importantly. The investors were watching. The press was watching. The board was watching. It was the first time he would appear in a public event, so everyone was full of excitement and curiosity.
"Good morning," he began smoothly. "Today isn't just about the opening of this big infrastructure. It's about legacy, it's about bringing development and expansion to Atlanta, development unlike any other in the whole nation."
Jace had started pretty well, receiving nods of acknowledgement from the mayor and senators present.
He continued, "The Sovereign Galleria represents strength and Stability. A symbol of where Norman Enterprises and Atlanta, Georgia is headed-"
"Mr Norman!"
The interruption from the crowd, A female reporter.
"Yes?" Jace replied evenly.
"Before we discuss expansion," she said sweetly, "would you care to address concerns regarding your past leadership performance?"
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Edward's facial expression tightened.
Jace replied. "I'm not sure what you're referring to."
Another reporter stood up.
"The university raping scandal, Mr Norman."
A third reporter's voice followed.
"The cocaine possession investigation during your second year at California University?"
More murmurs round the crowd.
Cameras shifted attention, zooming in on Jace's face.
The mood in the room changed instantly.
From celebration, to instant doubt.
Jace kept his voice level. "Those allegations were addressed years ago."
"Were they?" a male reporter pressed. "You were named in a list of students under review for distribution of heroin and other unlicensed drugs."
"That list was never proven," Jace replied.
"But your name was on it."
"And cleared," Jace shot back.
The first reporter stepped forward slightly.
"How can investors trust your discipline when you failed to lead your university football team to nationals? Records show you skipped mandatory practices."
Jace inhaled slowly. "University mistakes don't define executive capability."
"Oh?" another voice called out. "Then perhaps you can clarify where you were last night, Mr Norman?"
Jace's hand tightened and his facial expression was scared. around the podium.
"That's irrelevant."
"Is it?" the reporter asked, raising a tablet.
The screen lit up.
Photos, clear and undeniable.
Jace is exiting a bar, Late and Alone.
"The supposed heir has returned," the reporter continued, "but it seems his habits returned with him. Can a man who spends his nights in bars truly manage an empire?"
"I mean this is an empire where the Atlanta government is a major shareholder, and needs to be handed over to someone disciplined and hardworking, not a spoilt billionaire's son." The reporter continued.
"You're confusing an inaugural event with professional incompetence."
"Were you alone last night, Mr Norman?" the reporter pushed.
"That will be enough," Edward said, voice low but commanding. "This is an inauguration, not a trial."
But the damage was done. And no one knew this better than Mr Norman.
The narrative had shifted, Investors weren't clapping anymore. They were questioning the future of Norman Enterprises.
"Enjoy the evening," Jace said coolly before walking off stage.
The drive home was silent.
"You embarrassed this family," Edward said.
"They exposed you." and you gave them leverage.
"You think shareholders invest in potential? No. They invest in stability. Discipline."
"I can handle the company," Jace said.
"You can't even handle a podium without looking like a coward."
Inside the house, Jace barely made it to his room before Edward spoke again.
"You will be married within the week."
Jace blinked.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"That's absurd."
Edward poured himself a drink. "Public perception must change. Immediately."
"I'm not marrying someone to fix a headline."
"You will marry to prove responsibility."
Jace laughed. "You don't seriously expect me to-"
"You will," Edward cut in. "Or you will forfeit your position as successor."
"You'd strip me of the company?"
"I would protect my empire."
Edward stepped closer.
"You want to inherit Norman Enterprises?" he asked calmly. "Then you will demonstrate maturity."
"I don't love anyone," Jace said.
"This is not about love."
"It's about control."
"You have one week," Edward continued. "Find a suitable wife. Sign the papers and she must be from this town, to present stability."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you will no longer be my heir," Edward said as he walked away.
Charlotte had gone to the bank to deposit $10,000 Jace had given her.
Because she didn't want her boyfriend "Bruce" to get his hands on the money knowing very well that he would squander the money on gambling.
Charlotte went to her apartment straight from the bank.
The second she pushed the door open, she was immediately greeted with a slap to the face from her boyfriend.