Assariyah Page 5

  There was no doubt that Dino and I have a special connection but I don’t love him as much as I love Cameron. In fact I don’t think I will ever love another like Cameron, but I cannot deny how blessed I felt with Dino. We understood each other on so many levels. Dino could have been my second chance at love but he belonged to Isabella.

  I took the cowardly way out and decided to write D a short letter.

  Dear D,

  Where do I start? This shit is so hard for me. I feel like you were my second chance at this love thing, but our hands are tied. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for always being there when I needed you to be. Your love, your support, our bond, our time together… absolutely priceless. Know that I will cherish what we share in my heart forever. Don’t look for me and don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine, promise. Sorry I couldn’t stick around, I hate goodbyes. Take care and find a way to be happy.

  Love always

  Your Rose xxx

  I left the letter and the phone Dino gave me for my first job in a visible spot on the breakfast table and left Dino’s apartment for good. As I walked down the street I could not shake the strange feeling that I was being followed, but whenever I turned around to look behind me there was no one in sight. I told myself that I was probably just being paranoid and shook it off. It was probably just nerves. I had no idea where I was going but I knew that I couldn’t stay. It would be unfair to put Dino in that comprising situation. This time round I really had to stand alone. I was tired of always losing or hurting the people I loved.

  I had the money I earned from Double D and I had to make that paper stretch. I did not have a clear plan in mind, but I figured that if Isabella was able to set up Precision all by herself there was no reason why I couldn’t generate my own work, if I moved strategically. I just had to be in the right place at the right time and I was bound to find someone who had the money to spare to taste my goods.

  You can judge me all you want, but I had to do what I had to do. I don’t plan to live this life forever so I’ve got to do whatever it takes to reach the top. I’d be damned if I lived this life just getting by.

  I was about to enter the underground station when I noticed the signs to the post office on Raphael Street. I ended up in the post office and, after queuing for a good while, it was finally my turn. I asked the cheerful guy at the counter for a fifty pound postal order. I made the postal order payable to ‘HM Prison Service’ and wrote Lacey’s full name and prison number at the back. I had to include my name but I did not want to use my real name so I used an alias. They also required a return address, I wrote down a fake but valid address on the envelope. I knew Lacey would know that the funds were from me. She did not have any family on the outside, so I was confident that she would put two and two together and work it out. I didn’t want my details in the system. I wanted a clean break but I couldn’t abandon Lacey in that shithole. I gave her my word and I refused to let her down. With a little change heading her way I felt slightly better. Only God knew what was in store for me.

  I left the post office and made my way back to the underground. That cold eerie feeling I’d felt earlier was back. I was convinced that someone was following me. I could practically feel them breathing down my neck. I looked around but I could only see London’s busy crowd. Everybody was in fast forward mode. I didn’t spot any familiar or particularly strange faces. I really had to stop with this paranoia shit. I had to get myself together. I needed a clear head without any distractions, because if things went as I hoped tonight would be a working night for me.

  I jumped on the underground and looked up at the tube map with hesitation. I had to pick a destination, but where? After agonising over the map for a few minutes I was drawn to Leicester Square. I recollected the ‘W’ hotel on Wardour Street. It was a very trendy and luxurious hotel and if my memory served me correctly the hotel bar had the best cocktails in town.

  After a couple of stops on the tube, it was time for me to get off and I was glad to say the least. Once the doors opened, the crowd waiting on the platform scurried onto the carriage like rats. I practically had to fight my way off. The experience brought back memories of my hatred for the underground. Way back before I went to prison I swore that I would never step foot on the underground for as long as I lived. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a baking hot day, the smell on the tube carriage was overpowering. To make matters worse someone had thrown themselves in front of the train at an earlier station, so we were held in the tunnel for a long duration. It was so bad that I nearly passed out. When I finally stepped off the tube I was beyond relieved. I promised myself that I would never step foot on the underground again. That was the day I bumped into Cameron and he bought me my first ever diamond earrings. I was in disbelief, I mean he barely knew me and spent twenty-eight thousand pounds in cash on me. He swore that I was going to be his wife. At the time I thought he was mental, but he was right. I nearly was his wife, till I fucked it all up. Anyway that was in the past and here I was getting off the tube.

  Before heading to the ‘W’ I stopped at one of the many phone shops. I needed a phone and just wanted a pay as you go option. However, as soon as I walked in the shop the sales assistant bombarded me with all the contract deals they had on offer. If only he knew that I had zero credit history over the past seven years and HMP Holloway was my previous address he would have saved the both of us a lot of time.

  After disappointing the over enthusiastic sales assistant with my pay as you go option he moved on to his next prey. I walked away from the shop with a simple phone that had all the functionality I needed to make and receive calls. I left for the ‘W’ and made a reservation for two nights. After I paid the cash and the formalities were out of the way I made my way up to the room.

  I glanced at the alarm clock, it was just after 2 p.m., I figured that Dino would have been back home by now and read my letter. He had no way of contacting me. I knew he would be hurt that I did not wait for him but I also knew that he would understand that this was the best way for both of us. It was easier this way. We both needed a clean break but that did not stop me from missing him. I crashed on the bed and immediately appreciated the luxury of their super comfortable bed. Before I knew it I found myself drifting off to sleep.

  Later on that evening I slipped on a black and red bodycon bandage dress and teamed it up with a pair of patent nude five inch heels. The dress accentuated my curves and the shoes elongated my perfectly toned legs. I did my make-up and applied my Mac Ruby Woo lipstick for the kill. I was officially ready to knock them dead. I made my way down to the hotel bar and ordered myself coconut Ciroc with cranberry juice. I sipped on my delicious drink while people watching. I was open to anyone who looked like they had money to burn, but I wanted to avoid those that were ostentatiously dressed if possible. I was more interested in the low key guys who displayed subtle notes of wealth. Those were the ones that had the real money and I planned to swim with the big fish.

  I was finally ready to make my move. I spotted a dashingly handsome man who was wearing a fitted dark suit. I noticed him watching me, but I figured he was the shy type. I gave him ample amount of time to come over to me but he stayed put. After backing down a few more glasses of Ciroc I was finally ready to move in on him. I walked over to him, swaying my hips gently to the beat of the music.

  “Hello I’m Rose,” I said, stretching out my hand to him.

  “Hello, I’m Aaron Bridges,” he replied, shaking my hand.

  I clocked the yellow gold Rolex on his wrist and was filled with hope that he could line my pockets up nicely.

  Aaron Bridges was a very handsome man. With his piercing brown eyes, strong jaw line, deep dimples, great height and toned build to match, he was almost too handsome. Men like Aaron Bridges were usually not available but I did not see a wedding band on his finger. However, that did not necessarily mean that he was single. To be honest whether he was married or single was really no concern of mine. If he
had money the way I thought he did, I was willing to do whatever it took to make him part from it.

  “So Aaron tell me why a handsome man like you is all alone tonight?”

  Aaron smiled slightly, “I should be asking you why an attractive lady like you is drinking alone?”

  “Nice try, I asked you first,” I said, laughing.

  “Well if you must know, my wife was driving me crazy and I needed some space.”

  “Oh I see, is that why you’re not wearing your wedding ring?”

  “No, I don’t wear rings, she made me tattoo her name on my groin instead.”

  “Ouch.”

  “It wasn’t that bad actually.” He laughed.

  “So are you going to tell me why you’re here?”

  “Well tonight I can be a great stress reliever for a husband whose wife is driving him crazy.” I whispered in his ear, while rubbing his groin.

  He didn’t back away which was a good sign. I felt his hand on my ass.

  “Are you for real?” he asked me.

  Taking Aaron’s free hand I led him out of the bar.

  “Where are we going?” he asked.

  “I’ve got a room here and I’m about to show you how real I am. The question is can you afford my realness?”

  “Lead the way beautiful,” he said, kissing me.

  When we reached my room I fumbled in my bag for the room key. After a few minutes I finally managed to get the door open. I hung up the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign outside before closing the door. I was genuinely attracted to Aaron, so I hoped he was in for a long night. A full night meant more money and I needed as much as possible so I could finally start afresh.

  “So, Mr Bridges, it’s five hundred for oral, a grand for full penetration and two grand for the night. What would you like me to pleasure you with?”

  “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to pay for sex. I can get that shit for free darling,” he said in a rather condescending manner.

  “I’m worth every single penny and a whole lot more.”

  “Is that right?”

  I took off my clothes and stood naked in front of Aaron, knowing full well he wouldn’t be able to resist my treasures.

  “Tell you what, start with oral, depending on how good your mouth is we’ll go from there.”

  Normally I would have found Aaron’s cockiness repulsive, but in a weird way his arrogance kinda turned me on. I moved over to where Aaron was standing and slowly undid his belt buckle and zip. I pulled down his trousers and boxers. The name Annabelle stood right out in bold letters.

  “Annabelle huh,” I said teasingly.

  “Less talking and more sucking.”

  Without saying another word I took his well-endowed penis in my moist, warm mouth and got down to business. Within seconds I had Aaron Bridges shaking and begging to fuck my pussy. I smirked with satisfaction as I rode him and myself into pure ecstasy.

  The next morning when I woke up Aaron Bridges was still lying next to me, the throbbing sensation between my thighs served as a reminder of our fuck fest.

  “Good morning Mr,” I purred. “I believe you owe me two grand.”

  “Good morning tiger, I owe you a lot more than two grand, but I made it clear I don’t pay for sex.”

  “You’re shitting me right?” I asked, dismayed.

  “I shit you not.”

  “You fucking bastard,” I yelled, raising my hand to slap him.

  “Calm down,” Aaron said, restraining me.

  “Calm down… I’ll fucking calm down when you pay me.”

  “Ooh I love that filthy mouth.”

  “Fuck you… pay me.”

  “And there was me thinking you liked me.”

  “Aaron, I haven’t got time for this. If you’re not gonna pay me, then just get the fuck out.”

  “The problem with you women is that you don’t listen, you’re always guns blazing. I told you from the start that I don’t pay for sex. I didn’t force you or make you do anything you did not want to do. However I meant what I said, I owe you a lot more than two grand. I have a proposal for you. I don’t pay for sex but I have a lot of wealthy clients who would be more than interested.”

  “What are you saying?” I was absolutely livid, but my interest was piqued.

  “Listen, I’ll send clients your way, you keep one hundred percent of the profit.”

  “And why would you want to do that exactly?”

  “It’s simple, I get the goods from you for free whenever I want. I have a house in Fulham, it’s yours if you want to save on hotel fees.”

  “Why would you do this?” I asked, still not quite believing what I was hearing.

  “I told you, it’s simple. Your pussy is gold and will help me close a lot of deals. So what’s it to be… two grand now or my proposal?”

  CHAPTER 9

  So here I was with this proposition hanging over my head. I pondered over Aaron Bridges’ offer. It almost sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch. Here he was offering me free accommodation with the promise to send regular clients my way. He wasn’t even interested in taking a cut of the money I earned. All he was requesting in return was to be able to sleep with me. He wanted me at his disposal.

  It’s like knowing that you are about to make a deal with the devil, something deep within your soul is willing you to say no but when you look around there are no angels to save you. You have to save yourself and that means doing whatever it takes. I know for most people selling their body is too high a price to pay, but I was already in the game. I would be taking a huge risk there was no doubt about that. Aaron Bridges was nothing but a stranger to me and I was about to put my life in his hands. This business is not danger free but you do whatever you can to minimise the risk.

  When I was at Precision Escorts I had a rule and that was to never let those suckers know where I laid my head at night. If I said yes now I would be totally vulnerable, I would have no safe haven. Everybody knows that you do not shit where you eat but when you’re in a messed up situation like I am now, you find that sometimes you’ve got to break your own rules.

  “So what’s it to be?” Aaron asked, interrupting my battle with my inner self.

  “I can’t lie Aaron your offer sounds very tempting, but I can’t help wondering what the catch is,” I replied, biting my bottom lip.

  “I’ve told you there is no catch. You’re an attractive lady. You’ll be good for my business, but I’m not going to beg you.”

  “Okay Aaron, I’ll take your proposal, but under one condition.”

  “And what may that be?”

  “I get to decide when this is over. At the first sign of trouble, I’m out.”

  “Relax Rose, you’re not my prisoner. See yourself as my business partner.”

  “Haven’t you heard it’s bad to mix business with pleasure?”

  “Oh not this type of pleasure,” Aaron said, pushing my head down.

  After giving Aaron his blowjob, I jumped in the shower and scrubbed myself clean with the Bliss products the hotel had to offer. “What are you getting yourself into Assariyah?” I heard myself saying out loud but the voice that came out sounded so much like my mama’s. I knew how disappointed and ashamed she would be, but sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do to get to where you need to be. Well that’s what I told myself for comfort, but deep down I knew I was still a lost soul ready to do whatever if the price was right. It’s crazy because I was brought up so differently. My parents grafted and worked honest jobs and here I was planning to live in a man’s house that I didn’t even know.

  He mentioned that I wasn’t his prisoner, but he was wrong. I was imprisoning myself. Each time I allowed myself to be violated I was destroying myself. So I guess you’re wondering why I continue to live this life? The answer to that question is; I keep reminding myself that this is only temporary. In order to end this vicious cycle I was in, I had to play the game wisely. I could only hope and pray that by the time I was r
eady to stop, I won’t be too far gone.

  Aaron dropped me at his house in Fulham. It was a beautiful five bedroom terraced house. The entire place was decorated in black and white decor. It had a very sophisticated flair to it.

  “This place is amazing Aaron, I still can’t believe you’re letting me stay here for free.”

  “Believe it, because it’s happening.”

  “What happens if your wife walks in when I’m here? That shit is gonna get very ugly.”

  “Hardly, she doesn’t know about this place.”

  “What? How the heck does your wife not know that you own this beauty?”

  “That’s exactly how I want it, the less she knows the better.”

  “You’re shady as hell for that Aaron, if you can keep something this big away from your wife. I can only wonder what your intentions are for me.”

  “You don’t have to wonder, I made it clear and simple for you. As for my wife not knowing about this place? I have to protect my interests. Women like her come into a marriage with nothing and want to leave with everything. I’m just protecting my assets.”

  “You’re wrong to keep this from her Aaron.”

  “Say what you want but as the African proverb goes, ‘If a snake bites you, it’s from your own cloth’. If I don’t allow her in, then she cannot spit her poison.”

  “If you feel that way then why did you marry her?”

  “Enough of the questions already. Relax, make yourself at home.” He left me with a set of keys and made his exit.

  The first night at Aaron’s house was a restless one. Those fucking nightmares would not leave me alone. I was a wounded animal in an open cage. I tried so hard to forget prison but the memories always came back to haunt me. Why did I think it would be so easy to forget? I always said a quick prayer for Lacey, knowing that she was far worse off than I was. I owed this shit to myself and I had to do whatever I could to help Lacey. I reminded myself that I was doing this to be better. I wouldn’t be at the bottom of the pit forever. My life would not always be pitch black, soiled and dirty.