CHAPTER ONE.
DIANE'S POV
I didn't want to do it. God knows I didn't. But sometimes life doesn't give you choices. Especially if you don't have MONEY and POWER.
The smell of antiseptic hit me the moment I stepped out of the elevator. Polished floors, White Walls, the soft beep of the machines, it all made my throat tighten. I clutched my bag like a lifeline.
I should have slammed the door at Amelia's and Ron's smug face and told them to rot. But here I was heart-pounding and legs moving on their own because sometimes desperation walks you straight into your worst nightmare.
When I got home that night after their job proposal, the house was a mess–as usual.
Beer bottles, cigarette ashes, my father's curses echoing off the peeling walls. I'd planned to slip past him. But the second I stepped inside, I heard my mother pleading, then came a crash. I ran to the sitting room and saw her on the floor. Her hands pressed against her cheekbones, blood trickling down her face.
I looked up at my father with disgust. "Isn't it enough that you have another family?" I shouted.
My father staggered forward, rage on his face. He raised his hands again ready to swing them. At that moment, I grabbed the nearest thing available and swung it on his head. He stumbled back cursing but my face remained emotionless.
I knelt beside my trembling mother. She just stared at me with those tired eyes. And that was it. She had sacrificed a lot trying to give me a family. But I was done. I was going to do anything. Sell my body. Sell my soul. As long as I will get Power and Money.
A gentle touch on my shoulder startled me. "How may I help you ma'am?" A young nurse holding a tray of metal equipment flashed a smile at me.
"I am here to see Mr Benson." I replied, trying to mask the sudden sadness overwhelming me.
" It's down the hall, Room 534," she replied.
I stood in front of the room. Breathe in, breathe out. It's going to be fine. I pushed the door open and there he was. Liam Benson.
I almost didn't recognize him at first. The sharp suit, the same slicked back hair. He was still high-fashioned. The golden boy as he was called back then in college. Even though I only spent a year in college, his face remained memorable. He stood by the window, back-turned to me.
I cleared my throat. "Mr Benson?" My voice cracked. He turned, slowly and deliberately. His eyes met mine and for a moment neither of us said a word. Back in college, he was all edges and high. Girls threw themselves at him and I knew he enjoyed it.
"Miss Diane Heyes?" He asked his voice polite, but it didn't reach his eyes. I nodded. A single twitch of his jaw told me he didn't enjoy this anymore than I did.
He gestured to a chair by the bed. A woman in her late fifties laid there, pale and small. An oxygen mask was worn on her. That feeling of watching a loved one being sick was something I could relate to. Even though I wanted to ask about his relationship with the woman and why he cared, I just couldn't.
I sat, my bag still clutched to my chest. Liam sank into the chair across from me. Elbow resting on the arms of the chair, eyes boring into mine.
"I will get to the point. Your blood work matched. You are the closest donor we have found in a year."
I swallowed . My throat felt raw. "I know, I whispered. The words sounded pitiful. But what else was I supposed to say? Congratulations?
His eyes flickered to my bag or maybe to the way I kept grabbing it like it would save me.
"I'm not going to pretend this is charity. He said flatly. I am willing to pay. Generously. But.." he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a slim file. Like a contract agreement.
My stomach twisted. "But?"I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He placed the contract on the table between us, pushing it close enough for me to see my name printed on the first page.
"We don't want media attention. No last minute change of mind. No leaks to the press. You sign this, you get the money."
He said and leaned back.
"How much?" I forced myself to look at him. I knew the Benson's could afford any amount, I just wanted to be sure.
"How much do you want?" Twenty thousand? Thirty thousand? Name your price...he paused. For a second his eyes softened, then gone before I could catch it. "You have to sign today."
I looked at the contract. My hands trembled. I needed time to think it all over again. Was I really ready to face the complications that might come along with the surgeries? What if I die? How would mama survive? These thoughts ran through my mind. "Excuse me, I cut through the silence, I need a few hours to think this through."
"Sure, but your decision has to be today." There was hesitation in his voice. It was almost as if he was begging. I gave him a nod and headed out.
I sat in a quiet corner thinking about my choices.
"Hi", a deep masculine voice said.
"What are you doing here," I asked without raising my head.
"I am here to check how it's going." Ron replied.
As he sat down beside me I couldn't help but look at him. His eyes–damn those eyes. They still got to me no matter how I hated them.
"Diane, wait." I froze as he grabbed my wrist . His thumb brushed against my pulse. Did he feel how fast it raced?
"What do you want again Ron?" I straightened my spine as I turned to him. He gave me that half-smile that made me weak.
"I know this is all a mess but after the job, you don't have to go back to that dump you know? We could... Start all over."
I scoffed. "Start over? After you cheated on me with Amelia?" He winced, but didn't let go.
" I'd messed up. But I never stopped caring. Look at you.. you are still you. Strong, stubborn... still beautiful."His fingers brushed my cheeks and for a stupid, split moment I leaned into it. The memories of us–when we were seventeen, sneaking kisses behind the donut shop, him swearing he'd protect me forever. It all clawed at me.
"I have to go," I whispered, pulling away before my heart did something stupid. He didn't stop me, but his eyes said he knew I did think about it. Maybe I would.
I stared at my reflection on the large mirror on the wall of the toilet. My long black braids clung to my damped cheeks. My eyes were swollen and red. My shirt stuck to my skin. I looked like someone whose world was crumbling down, because it was. And I couldn't do anything to stop it.
Suddenly, I heard voices. Lesbians? Were they making out? Here? My thoughts went wild. I leaned in trying to eavesdrop.
"She thinks he still loves her". That voice, I 'd recognize it anywhere.
"She doesn't know it's all a plan. Stupid girl, she would fall for it." She continued
I moved closer, my heart in my throat. Through the crack in the door, I saw Amelia standing there, another woman was with her.
"Well, you guys should take it easy. She is my step-sister." The other woman turned out to be Patricia.
"I can't wait for Ron to rip her off all the money she is getting. I don't mind us going to Mexico together." Amelia said with a devilish smile.
My eyes widened. My stomach dropped. They planned this all along? I clamped my hands over my mouth trying to control the tears threatening to fall. Amelia. Ron. Patricia. They had been playing me like some desperate gullible fool. And I'd almost let myself believe them, especially Ron.
I glanced through the contract in my hands. I was done being powerless. Money and power I'd said I'd sell my soul for it. Maybe I still would. But this time it would be on my terms. And God help anyone who thought they could outplay me again.