I'm going on a date for $500.
It is 9:30 pm when I sit down at the dining table. I feel uneasy about leaving the triplets in the hotel room. They are sleeping, so hopefully, they will remain asleep when I come back.
I push a bang out of my eyes. I am dressed in my finest silks, a scarlet dress, a face full of light makeup, and matching high heels. I have already notified Dugard that I would come, but the date must be short so I could return back to the children. But here I am, impatiently waiting for his arrival.
When he does come, he is four minutes late. His eyes scan the luxurious restaurant and I wave in recognition. With a brief look of pleasant surprise, he hobbles over to me with a grin and sits down in a chair across from me. As I take in his cheekbones, full lips, and smooth complexion, I faintly smile. "It is nice to see you again, Miss. Reed. Sorry, I'm late. Got stuck in some phone calls."
His voice is clear and rich; my heart beats faster. Then it's silent for a moment as he waits for a response. I wasn't focusing on his words as I'm only able to crack out an awkward smile. "You look gorgeous." Dugard compliments.
I feel my skin turn clammy. "Thank you."
When our "date" begins, it is plain awkward. Dugard seems to be very fixated on my body other than anything. Showering me with compliments about my fit body, remarking how beautiful I am, inquiring about my personal life. I feel mentally scattered, so filled with nervous anticipation. Dugard seems to have a slight bit of respect as he never once mentioned my daughter or my other troubling parts of my past.
I just can't stop thinking of all of the baby clothes I could buy for the triplets. I couldn't hold a conversation, only giving vague and curt answers to his questions about my personal life, while my thoughts danced in infinite directions.
When the waitress approaches us, I'm ravenous.
"Order anything you want." Dugard orders in a cool voice. I smile at him eagerly, feeling like a spoiled child. I do. I purposely look through the menu for the most extravagant delicacies and order.
The waitress looks at me with wide eyes as she hastily writes down my order. "Yes, ma'am? Anything else?" She says in a professional voice.
I shake my head as I ordered enough. I face Dugard, seeking his reaction. But I'm disappointed to see that he is grinning proudly at me. "Great job, you're learning quickly." He teases. His amused smirk causes a shudder to surge through my abdomen. I can't help but smile at him.
"Thanks," I mutter.
It takes a full hour for our lavish meals to be served to us. I see the platters of food. A handful of oily hors d'oeuvres. A plate of delicious little shrimps, fried to a crisp. A thick, well-done steak drench in sauce. Mashed potatoes drowning in rich gravy. A side bowl of cheesy mac n' cheese.
'cheese.
All of the food is mouthwatering and my stomach starts to rumble.
"Thank you, Miss." Dugard tells the waitress with a charming smile. For a brief second, I see the waitress blush before walking away with a silly smile.
So Dugard is a lady's man, I suppose. I roll my eyes.
As I begin to eat, Dugard decides to get down to business. "So I suppose we should start to discuss the arrangement." He speaks to me in a serious tone, his eyes locked onto mine. Though this date is lackluster and lacks all semblances of a date, I did not expect him to speak to me like a business client.
"I would like to spoil you," His voice becomes husky. His eyes grow ever so intense. "Cars, penthouses, private jets. Lavish vacations, VIP seats to fashion shows, red carpets walk. All the things that women like." He encourages. I feel more and more tempted as he speaks. "I will give you enough money that you will need for your three kids. $500 to $1000 to a million, all of that could be yours."
"If?" I probe.
"If you continue to date me and marry me."
Instantly a giggle escapes my lips. Soon as this giggle left my throat, a high pitched song of amused laughter riddles my body. Several onlookers look at us curiously. Marry? What kind of prank is this? I think of Nancy and laugh harder. I never knew she had such a wicked sense of humor.
But Dugard's expression never changes and my laughter gradually stops.
"I'm not saying marry me now. But soon. For now, I want to take care of you. Anything your heart desires, I will give without question." Without waiting, he places a firm hand on my left hand. "I have a mansion with eight rooms. All the way in Los Angeles. Your triplets will live an opulent life, you don't have to think of getting a job. Bills, rent, mortgages. All will be a non-issue. Your daily life will only revolve around busying yourself with sweet Margarita, shopping, getting manicures, and lounging by the sparkling swimming pool. You will not have to lift a finger when you are with me, every single need you have will be taken care of. Life will be nothing but privileges and goodness for you."
I didn't know how to feel. I am tempted to live a lavish life such as the one he promises, but I'm not sure about marriage.
Dugard gives me a sympathetic smile. "I just want to help you out, I prefer not to see such a lovely woman on the streets with three children." Dugard traces his fingers on my skin, sending a tingling sensation through my nerves.
"Christopher…" I breathe.
My mind races wildly with all of the things that come with marriage. Commitment. Affection. Sex. Children.
Children.
I only have one single ovary that is somewhat functioning. The doctors have informed me that I have a small chance of becoming pregnant ever again.
Then my mind recoils with realization. The money offer, the payment, the gifts.
"You want me to be your sugar baby?" I ask in a hushed whisper, not wishing for any eavesdroppers to judge me.
Dugard nods intently. "You can call that. But I think of it as me giving you the world and you just take it." He gives me a squeeze.
My chest heaves up and down as the temptation overflows through me. $500 to $1000 to a million. I could provide the children with such a prosperous life. A life full of privileges and luxury. The childhood I never had.
Dad, after getting custody of me, tried to give me a normal upbringing. I would get a $50 allowance and I had a trust fund. Dad would not give me everything I asked for and I had to work small jobs once I turned fourteen to earn money on my own.
Dad only paid for my college once I graduated at 18 and he left me to defend myself afterwards.
But here I am, almost broke and struggling to find work with three babies to take care of. Now, I'm sitting in a luxurious hotel, being offered thousands of dollars by simply attending a date. I did not want to speak to Nancy, Dad, or Melissa as I wanted nothing to do with Seattle. All of them have a small semblance of what I left behind.
My thoughts flood my head in a rush. Everything is happening so fast. I did not expect any of this to occur. "How much will you pay me?" I demand hastily.
Dugard chuckles with amusement. "It's not just money, sweetheart." Giving me a flirtatious wink, Dugard gives me another squeeze, this time harder. "Intimacy and all of the gifts and vacations you can ask for. As long as you are a faithful and loving partner to me, you will have no worries in life." He vows.
"Every date will earn you $1000, how does that sound?"
I want to answer, but I have more probing thoughts in my head that need to be answered. "Why?" I whisper.
"Because you're too beautiful to be on the street."
I blush at that remark. "Thank you, but why? You just met me!" I point out.
Dugard grins lovingly at me. "Nancy showed me all I need to know. Your story just touched my heart so much, then I saw how gorgeous you were. I thought a woman with this much turmoil deserves a happy ending. Don't you think everyone deserves one?"
I nod. "Of course." I flush. "I guess I just never thought I would get married on my first date with a man."
"Well, Mila. I like to think of myself as a man of uniqueness. I like to give those around me a little shock in their lives." He gazes intently in my eyes. "So what is your answer?"
My answer is spontaneous. "I will," I say without a second thought.
The next chapter will come soon. Reviews and thoughts.
