Chapter 1: Easier

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Chapter 1: Easier

Sirena

"Hey Sirena, Clark from the agency called, and asked that you call him back right away." I look over to my friend and roommate Nika and frown in question. "I wonder why he's calling me. Unless Mr. Wells wants to see me again tonight. But that would be out of character for him. Once a week is his routine." Nika shrugs her shoulders. "Maybe he really likes you." I snort, picking up my school bag and moving to the door. "Yeah, right. Mr. Wells is not that kind of guy. He's too much of a control freak. I guess we'll see."

Nika and I are both sophomores at Ellemore College. We met and hit it off freshman year when we became roommates. We both have similar backgrounds. Our families are both from small Midwestern towns. Her father is a factory worker, and her mother works at a grocery store. My mom and dad both work at a diner. My dad is a line cook, and my mom a waitress. When I received a scholarship to Ellemore's music program in Chicago, I took it. My parents didn't want me to leave. They aren't the most supportive. My dad thought that I was wasting my time. He and my mom wanted me to get married and have a litter of kids— I wanted more.

So last August, I packed up my meager belongings, bought a bus ticket, and made my way to Chicago. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I love it now. Befriending Nika made it easier. We're like sisters, though we look nothing alike. Nika has beautiful cocoa-colored skin, lush lips, and long legs. My height is average height, and I have light brown hair and green eyes. Nika is stacked, whereas I'm more athletically built. I'm slim with small breasts, a tiny waist, and a rounded bottom. My skin is olive-toned. I have high cheekbones, cat eyes, and lush Angelina Jolie lips.

Nika and I were having issues making ends meet my sophomore year. With books and food expenses, we ran out of money fairly quickly. Our scholarships only covered a percentage of our classes, and loans would only cover so much. That's when a friend recommended that we join an escort agency to become sugar babies. Nika joined right away and was assigned a man. Vernon Kyle is a very sweet older man who loves lavishing Nika with everything. Their contract became exclusive several months ago. Nika is not allowed to be with another man until the contract expires.

It took me a little more convincing since I wasn't comfortable with "dating" strange men for money. Unfortunately, desperation drove me to the agency several months later. The diner my parent's worked in went up in flames one night. The police report said someone left one of the coffee machines on. The owners are blaming my dad, and he hasn't been able to find another job. My mom was able to find a job at a grocery store, but they weren't making ends meet. One day my mom begged me to come back and help. I just couldn't do it. Instead, I sent them money from as many piano gigs that I could secure. However, that was still not enough. I was stretched too thin. With taking care of my family and paying my own bills, it became a struggle.

So I gave in and joined Nika at the agency. It turned out to be better than I expected it to be. I was placed with two men. One was an attractive entrepreneur man in his forties, named Mr. Elliot. Mr. Elliot lost his wife to cancer a few years ago. When he contracted with the agency, he was simply looking for companionship.

The majority of the time, he would talk about his wife. He would take me out to restaurants and discuss literature with me. One day he was sad, I was vulnerable, and we ended up sleeping together. He cried afterward. He felt so guilty that he almost canceled the contract. Thankfully, I was able to talk and reason with him. I've been helping him get through his grief slowly. I felt so bad for him. The poor man was not ready for intimacy.

My second contract was with Mr. Wells. Mr. Wells is a grouchy curmudgeon of a man. He in his mid-sixties. Fortunately for me, he's gay. He made me fill out a confidentiality agreement when he told me. When I asked him why he didn't come out, he became very upset. He said that he had appearances to keep up and that he didn't want his family's name dragged through the mud. I wanted to argue with him that times had changed, but I let it rest. After all, who am I to judge? So I go out in public with him and pretend to be his new girlfriend. I'm sort of known now as the go-to person for the sad cases. Who knew being a sugar baby could be so vanilla?

I always imagined that I would meet a gorgeous jet setter who would sweep me off my feet. Then reality sets in. Why would a gorgeous rich guy want to pay for an escort? I run my hands down my cute blue summer dress. I am wearing my hair in a loose messy bun. It's the middle of May in Chicago. After such a harsh winter, the weather is a perfect seventy-five degrees today. The trees are sprouting new green leaves, and the breeze brings a hint of warmth that promises an early summer. School is almost over. It's finals week. I can't wait for it to be over.

After school, I take a cab to the agency.