4 $100,000 Kiss

I slowly and very very carefully turned the doorknob before pushing it open. I walked in nervously with my head down, afraid of what I might see.

"You can look up now." Said a very seductive voice.

I jumped at the sound and looked up. That's what struck me. I was faced with a face carved by God himself. It was the kind of face that even the most handsome actor would die to have.

Symmetrical, sharp jawlines, alluring eyes and even with his dark suit on I could see his toned body. He was a model straight out of a magazine..no like a god of Beauty "Adonis".

The way he was sitting behind his large desk made him look 100 times more irresistible and sexy. He was definitely way more good-looking in real life. His photos in magazines did not do him justice. His elegance was radiating all the way towards me and his quiff styled hairstyle made him look even more handsome. His perfect lips made me wonder what it would feel like to be kissed by it. I imagined this is what guys from romance novels would look like. Suddenly I was imagining what his body would look like under all those clothes and how his toned body will feel. I smacked myself inwardly before my thoughts got even dirtier. I really should read fewer romance novels, they were definitely corrupting my mind.

"Ahmn.." I cleared my voice before greeting him "Good Afternoon your Highness. Prince Elijah. I'm Hayley."

"Come sit," he said with his deep husky voice.

"ah, yes.." I replied as I hurriedly walked towards the chair across him, almost tripping on thin air.

I inwardly cursed and lectured myself to act more professional but it was close to impossible as I could feel his hot gaze on me.

Or maybe I was just imagining it...

"You seem a bit sick, miss Hayley Sertori." he said with a wide smile.

I immediately touched my face to find it was burning hot and that's when I knew my face must be beet-red. One of the bad traits of having pale face, whenever I feel even the tiniest bit uncomfortable my face would look as if I just finished running a marathon. I quickly made a mental note to donate more blood.

"Tell me about yourself." He said, keeping his gaze on me. He was burning a hole through me.

I pulled myself away from my thoughts and gave him my soft smile. I prepared myself to answer his question. I had practiced all night of what I was going to say and I had perfected it from my other 6 interviews.

"I've always been an organised person. Since my school days I've been an active member of event managements.... " before I could say any more, Price Elijah cut me off.

"Miss Hayley, that is not the answer I'm looking for. I want to know the real you, not someone you created in your head." He said harshly with a hidden hint of tenderness.

"I..I..um.." I murmured, I searched my whole brain for how I was going to reply to him but it was completely blank. For the first time and that too in my most important interview, I was left wordless.

Throughout all the interviews and the net, this was the sort of expected answer.

"hehe!" I could have almost missed it but did I just hear him laugh.

I looked up at his face. He had a look of amusement and I assume he enjoyed seeing my troubled face. He really was quite cruel, no wonder those girls from earlier looked like they had a breakdown.

"What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

"Ah, could you please repeat your question?" I was a little taken aback. I had to make sure I was hearing things correctly, I just couldn't trust myself today with my thoughts moving to all the wrong places.

"You heard correctly the first time, Miss Hayley. I'm quite interested in knowing you." He said calmly, he didn't look like he was joking so I didn't know what to think of it. This was really getting a bit weird. Was the Prince alright but he didn't look tired nor drunk so why was he asking me such a weird question.

"Well..in my free time I love to read, watch movies and eat."

"Food is my best friend!.."

I excitedly answer. Genuinely feeling at ease but soon realizing the atmosphere around me.

"You're quite different from other girls, aren't you." He said it as more of a statement than a question.

"I guess so," I replied, still feeling quite confused.

"Alright we're done with the interview." He declared.

"I don't understand…?"

"Does this mean I don't qualify?"

"You lack the qualities. But I can give you this job under one condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"Become my mistress for a month." Prince Elijah replied confidently with an unreadable expression.

Saying this he added more insult to my injury "I'm offering you $100, 000 for every simple kiss."

"Has anyone told you this, Prince. You're a Devil in Disguise. A big one at that!"

So what! Even if he is the Crown Prince, how dare he talk to me as if I was some kind of a prostitute.

With these few sentences he spoke, I had lost all my earlier respect for him. Notwithstanding being in close proximity with the insulting devil, I abruptly stood up.

I turned my back on him to leave and mustered up the sternest voice I could find.

"I may not be rich and powerful like you but I do have something that you've probably never heard of. Dignity and Self - Respect."

"And I also won't be needing this job. Thank you!"

I guess good men can only be found once in a blue moon.

I shot towards the door and reached out my right hand to grab hold of the doorknob.

"Wait."

I dropped my arm and turned to face him.

"The job is yours."

This time he was plastered with a satisfied smile and his gaze had turned human. Left side of his lip slightly lifted up, while he remained gazing at me.

"I just insulted you. Shouldn't you be mad."

Confusion had clouded my mind.

He laughed a little and gave a little bow.

"Forgive me for my earlier action, Miss Hayley."

"Congratulations. You successfully passed the test."

Robert suddenly came out of the side door, which I assume was where he was secretly listening to our conversation from.

"But. Why this test?"

Prince Elijah came forth and sincerely replied.

"Because I hate women who disrespect themself."