“He better be worth it. He better make you happy always, or I’m coming for him,” I said sternly as we both burst into laughter.
We hugged for a few more seconds, then let go when we were interrupted by a van pulling over across the street. Carrie’s fiancée, husband-to-be, stepped out from the passenger seat then made his way towards us. Carrie was beaming with excitement all the while. She deserved to be happy. If this was the man to make her happy, then I wasn’t going to stand in her way.
With the help of her fiancée, we quickly loaded the van. Carrie was good to go.
“Promise me you’ll visit.”
“I promise, Carrie, I promise.”
She took both my hands in hers, looked me straight in the eye, and hugged me one last time without uttering a word. She got in the van. They drove along the street into the dark.
I stood outside the apartment in thought for a little longer. Was I going to find a new apartment that I could afford? Or was I going to find a new roommate? The thought of living with anyone else other than Carrie was not welcome. I turned to look at the street one last time before going in and locking the door behind me.
My thoughts quickly drifted towards Elijah Fillmore and his five-million-dollar offer. Where did I see that face? Or was it the name? I wasn’t sure. I reached for my phone in my bedroom and typed in his name on Google. Images of him dressed in suits showed up, additional information about him was also on display. What really caught my eyes was his financial status. Damn! He was a billionaire, the CEO of a cryptocurrency investment firm.
It was then that I figured out from where I’d heard his name. A couple of months back, I read from a blog post about self-made billionaires that were single and sexy. What really caught my attention was the headline that read: Sexy, Single Billionaires That You Don’t Know About.
A million questions raced across my mind as I lay on my tummy on my cozy bed with my phone between my palms. Why was he interested and willing to pay all those millions on a nobody like me? Given his billionaire status, it was easy to imagine how women threw themselves at his feet. I kept scrolling through the additional information that Google provided and was shocked at how old he was. He was too fine for a 41-year-old man. Was he too old for me?
I drifted into a world of fantasy, imagining how I’d be able to afford my own place once I had the money deposited in my bank account. I’d be able to finance my art, pay for my rented apartment, maybe go for a vacation. I giggled at the thought of relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean, not having to worry about my life for a second.
Then Carrie crossed my mind. The thought that she got a better deal than me agitated me. Was she better looking, or was I just miserable, and life gave me what I deserved? I wasn’t going to let Carrie spoil my mood. Not today Carrie, not today.
I got out of bed, heading straight for the kitchen then logged on to the website using my phone. I had a message in my inbox that stipulated all the details about my meeting with Elijah Fillmore. I was going to meet him in a mansion just outside of town, an address was provided. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to go through with this whole thing. Everything was bittersweet, considering what I had to do to get the money, but I was okay with that.
I fixed myself a snack before retiring to bed to dream about money.
***
The date set for my meeting with Elijah Fillmore was finally here. I could have sworn time flew so fast since I accepted his bid of five million dollars for my virginity. I don’t think I slept well enough in anticipation of the day. I was too excited.
I jumped out of bed, hit the bathroom for a cold morning shower, dried myself, and came to the puzzle of what I was going to wear. I didn’t really have a problem with picking my outfit before today, but today was special. The pressure was getting to me. I tried and then dismissed several dresses before settling for a black and white sundress that perfectly fit me. I looked myself in the mirror then turned to my left so I’d see my hips. I was satisfied. Carrie’s words about being the most beautiful woman she’d seen echoed in my mind. They gave me confidence. I put on black flat-heeled rubber shoes and a pair of sunglasses to match. I loved the outfit. It showed so much of my character.
I left my once shared apartment with Carrie, got into my red Mini Cooper, turned on the radio, and set off for the destination. I was in the mood today. The sun was up, clouds were clear, all signs of a good day ahead, or so I hoped. I sung to Rita Ora’s Body On Me, shook from side to side in the driver’s seat in happiness.
About ten minutes later, when I pulled up at the planned address, my eyes were in disbelief. It was an abandoned warehouse about three miles off the main road. What is this? I wondered to myself as I got out of the car. I took off my sunglasses, taking in the scenery of the warehouse. I couldn’t understand what was happening. Did I get the address
