Page 164 of Roberto

“They won’t,” I said frantically. “I promise you it will never happen again.”

“It’s too much of a risk,” he said as he handed me the cardboard box. “Good luck.”

I stood there in shock as he turned his back on me and walked away.

Even if Ihadcontinued getting a paycheck, I didn’t make nearly enough to pay for my apartment, much less food or utilities.

Once the money from my father stopped coming – which happened immediately – I was faced with losing my home. Even a single month’s rent payment would wipe out all my savings.

I sat at my kitchen table in shock, terrified I would never be able to get myself out of this mess –

Until my fear gave way to hatred.

FUCK him.

I’ll show him.

I don’t need him, or my mother, or anybody.

I’ll make it on my own.

That was when I decided I would survive no matter what I had to do.

I took stock of what I had.

A degree in Economics and experience at an investment bank, which might have gotten me a subsistence-level job –

Except I couldn’t imagine my former boss recommending me to another employer.

In fact, he would probably warn themnotto hire me.

However, it just so happened that I had a contact list of well-to-do men…

Men who had attended my fetish parties…

Who enjoyed being tied up, whipped, and humiliated…

And who had repeatedly asked if they could pay me to give them what they wanted.

I called the first guy I thought of.

I told him I had quit my day job and was now offering my services for hire.

“How much?”he asked eagerly.

I hesitated, then forced myself to sound confident. “Three thousand per hour.”

That was Hong Kong dollars – the equivalent of $385 US per hour.

“And no sex,” I added firmly.

He immediately said he wanted three hours and asked if I could come to a hotel room that night, which he would pay for.

I said yes.

Before I left to meet him at the hotel, I had booked seven more gigs – enough to pay my rent for the month.

And my utilities.

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