The tall building of the hospital bustled with people coming and going. Claudia stood outside the doctor's office, took a long shaky breath and walked in
"Hello, Doctor. I need a pregnancy test," she said, her voice shaky.
"Are you a student?" the doctor asked.
"No, sir. I graduated . Here's my ID."Claudia replied as she headed him her fake ID praying he doesn't push further
"Okay, go and get your blood tested."the doctor said
Claudia blinked in confusion. "I need a blood test too? Isn't that too much for just a pregnancy test" Claudia murmured under her breath and added loudly "how much is it"
"$100," the doctor replied.
"Why is it so expensive?" she muttered under her breath, then spoke louder. "Doctor, is there no cheaper option?"
"You don't even have $100? Why not tell the man to take responsibility?" The doctor shook his head visibly annoyed "Here, this is $50. Don't you have that much at least?"the doctor said as he brought out two tests kit
Claudia fumbled through her back and then it hit her I didn't come out with any money because she was in a rush
"this is so embarrassing"she mumbled
"If you don't have the 50$ please leave I have other patients to attend to" the doctor said as he carried the test kit
"Wait"Claudia suddenly said as her mind flashed back to the man from her one-night stand and the words he had spoken so casually: "Here is my card. It's payment for your service. It should be enough to last you a lifetime."
"Doctor, I think there's money on this card," she said quickly, pulling a sleek black card from her bag and handing it to him. The moment his fingers closed around it, she snatched the pregnancy test kit from the table and dashed out of the office.
"Hey, your card!" the doctor called after her, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at the card in his hand. "A supreme black card… You need at least $50 million to qualify for one of these," he muttered, looking down the now-empty hallway in disbelief.
Back in the small bathroom stall she had found down the hall, Claudia stared at the two red lines on the test kit. "I'm pregnant," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "What am I going to do now?,am not even done with college and mom will kill me if she finds out"Claudia said as she slit down the floor tears flowing down her face
Two months earlier, the towering Richard's Hotel loomed over the city streets. Claudia stood outside, nervously fumbling with the hem of her dress.
"I can do this," she told herself, before stepping into the grand lobby.
"Hello," she said to the receptionist.
"Hi, how may I help you?" the woman replied with a polite smile.
"Um… I wanted to know if your hotel is hiring cleaners," Claudia said, looking down at her shoes.
"I'm sorry, we don't need cleaners right now. But…" The receptionist paused, studying her. "Are you a college student?"
Claudia felt a knot tighten in her stomach. If I tell her the truth, she won't give me the job. I have to lie. I can't lose this opportunity. I need to pay my college tuition and send money to Mom, or she'll force me to marry that old man.
"No," she lied.
"Okay, there's a part-time job at the club as a server."
"The club?" Claudia asked, surprised.
"Yes. It pays $1,500 per night. Are you interested?"
"Yes, ma'am! Thank you. Can I start now?"
"Yeah, sure. Go to the end of the hallway on your left,you'll see the club director. She'll guide you."the receptionist said smiling
"Thank you. I really appreciate it," Claudia said, hurrying down the hallway with a mix of nervousness and desperate hope.
Claudia took a deep breath and knocked on the director's office door.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
She walked in, her heart pounding. The woman behind the desk looked up from her laptop.
"Good day, ma'am," Claudia greeted her.
"Yeah? Who are you, and how may I help you?"
"I was directed by the receptionist to meet you for the part-time work at the club."
"Oh, okay. Here's your uniform. Go change."
Claudia took the clothes and stepped into the bathroom. As she put them on, she muttered, "Why is it so short?"
She stepped out a moment later. "Ma'am, I'm done."
"Okay, one more thing. We're expecting a very important client tonight, and you'll be his server. Please don't offend him."
"Okay, ma'am."
"Miss Gina here is your coordinator. She'll guide you."
Claudia nodded and followed Miss Gina out of the office. They walked for a while before reaching another hallway.
"Here's Mr. Richard's private room. Here are his drinks. Good luck, and please, try not to offend him," Miss Gina said before walking away.
Claudia took a deep breath and entered the room.
There he was a tall, handsome, well-built man with striking ocean-blue eyes. For a moment, she stood frozen, staring at his god-like figure. Snap out of it, Claudia. He's way out of your league, she told herself, shaking off the daze.
She placed the drinks on the table and turned to leave when he suddenly grabbed her. She struggled to break free.
"Help me," he mumbled, fumbling with her zipper.
"Sir, you're drunk," she said, trying to pull away.
He grabbed her hands and pinned her against the wall. "They drugged me. Please, help me. I'll pay you."
"I can't. Please… I've never done this before."
"Please. I'll be gentle," he said, dragging her into the inner room and pushing her onto the bed. He captured her lips in a kiss that tasted sweetly of roses. She couldn't resist and lost herself in it.
Later, Claudia's phone ringtone jolted her awake.
"Claudia, where are you?" her mom yelled through the speaker.
"Mom, I-I-"
"Quit stuttering and get your ass down here this minute!" her mother snapped before the line went dead.
Claudia looked around the unfamiliar room as memories from the night before flooded back. She clutched her head. Why does my head hurt so badly?
A sharp pain shot through her lower body as she tried to stand. "Agh! It hurts!"
She quickly dressed and was about to leave when her eyes caught something on the bedside table a black card with a note attached:
"Here is my card. It's the payment for your service. It should be enough to last you a lifetime."
She grabbed the card and dashed out of the room and out of the hotel.