Win or Lose

Amelia realized she needed an ally. Someone that she could trust, and a friend she could count on.

She wondered deeply if she would choose Dylan or Ady. Dylan seemed nice. In fact, he was too good to her considering she was a newcomer. Unlike Ady who wasn't that nice, she was frank but the words she spoke were only the truth.

"Wanna drink?" She went to Ady's room and asked.

Ady smiled. "I won't say no to that."

Ady was a petite young woman. She had brown hair, brown eyes and had freckles on her cheeks.

"How long have you been working here?" She asked.

Ady's room had a small balcony, enough for the two of them to fit in. It had a round table with two steel chairs and surprisingly, the tiny space was surrounded with plants and flowers.

"Six years. I came here when I was sixteen. My mom sold me after my dad and brother raped me. She said it was my fault for seducing them so I have to pay for my sins." Ady chuckled after taking a sip from her beer bottle.

"Do you still see them?"

Ady nodded. "That old hag comes here every month asking for money. I told her she won't get a single penny from me but she never listened. My brother will also come here with his friends. Imagine, he's a college student now and friends with some wealthy asshole."

Mia's heart broke for Ady. "Did something happen?"

"A few days before you came, he asked Mama that I serve them as a scarlet." Ady paused and emptied the beer in her hand. "Mama agreed."

Ady broke into tears. "He was bragging to his friends about the things he did to me when I was sixteen. I want to tear him into pieces. If killing someone is not a sin, they'll be dead by now."

Mia couldn't believe Ady's experience with her family. At least, her aunt took her in in exchange for the money she received from Harry Grayson, so she was still lucky.

"I'm sorry, Ady."

"Don't be." Ady smiled. "So what's your story?"

At first, she was hesitant, but she had to tell someone about herself. No one knew that she was a daughter from a wealthy father, and it was time that at least one knew about it.

"My mom died when I was seven. She was a mistress, not by choice. My father deceived her when they first met. He told her he was single and just some small-time businessman. But it turned out, he's a married man and a business tycoon." She sighed.

"Do I know him?" Ady asked.

Mia nodded. "He's not like Nicholas Hudson, but I think you know him. Harry Grayson."

Ady's eyes widened. "Oh, my! The Harry Grayson? The most decent businessman of 2023?"

She nodded. "Yep. That's him."

"Lia, do you know the reason for him winning that award? That's because for the past ten years he was never involved in a scandal. They said he's too clean, even his company."

She chuckled. "I know. I met him when I was seven. My aunt asked him for money to keep her mouth shut. Thanks to that I was able to study until college. But I was never allowed to tell anyone about our relationship. Aunt Molly keeps the money and paid the school fees, but I had to work for my personal expenses"

"So she mistreated you?"

"I think she considered me more like their housekeeper than a relative.

They chatted a little more about their personal lives and drank six bottles of beer. It was her second time drinking and she's still sober.

"What's your plan with Mr.Hudson?" Ady asked.

"I don't know. He's someone I can't stand."

"But he's interested in you. It's the first time he comes back asking for the same girl."

She frowned. "You mean—"

Ady nodded. "Different girls every night. But the thing is he never had sex with any of them."

She was surprised. She thought Nicholas was a womanizer, sleeping with anyone who could warm his bed.

"He's here to just play with the girls, but he never asked to have sex with them. He pays a lot, though. They said he has a girlfriend. I don't know."

"If he already has a girlfriend, why would he do those things? It's gross."

Ady's face lit up and had a mischievous smile on her face.

"Hey, how about you seduce him? I think you can do it. Make him sleep with you."

"W–What? Are you crazy?" She exclaimed.

Ady laughed. "Why? Because you're a virgin?"

Her eyes widened. She didn't expect Ady to know because it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"I know Mama told you to never tell anyone about it. But she told Mr.Hudson."

"Why would she tell him?"

"Simple. He's rich. And none of the girls here have slept with him. So Mama thinks maybe he needed someone clean. If he pays for you, you're lucky."

She wasn't sure what to feel about it. If she wasn't in that kind of situation and Nicholas Hudson chose her, maybe she would jump for joy. But it's different. He would just pay for her body, and there's no dignity in that.

"If I were you, I'll make sure Nicholas will buy me. You don't want to end up like me, right? Would you prefer some fatty to be your first?"

She shook her head. Ady had a point. If she were to be sold, then she would prefer someone like Nicholas Hudson. At least when she remembers her first time, it wouldn't be that bad.

"D–Do you think I have a chance?"

Ady smiled. "Yes! You just have to make sure that Nicholas will always want you. Seduce him, but don't sleep with him yet. Make him crave for you."

"I–I don't know how. We still have that stupid game and he's surrounded with girls whenever we meet."

"Then used that chance. I'll help you. If he's using those girls to tease you, then use your charm to bewitch him."

She was unsure if she could make Nicholas be her first, but in the world she was into, everything was a game. And win or lose, she just had to play along with it.