Chapter 2 The Deal with Fate

Scene 1 – The Morning Light

Setting: Richard's luxury penthouse bedroom, early morning

The Manhattan skyline glittered through the wide glass windows as sunlight spilled into the room. Rebecca stirred beneath silk sheets, her body aching in ways she'd never known before.

Her eyes blinked open, panic flooding her as she saw where she was a vast bedroom, modern, cold, untouched by warmth. Beside her, Richard Smith slept, his dark hair tousled, his arm draped carelessly over her waist.

Rebecca's heart thudded. What have I done?

She tried to slip out of bed quietly, clutching her dress from the floor. But then she froze her eyes falling on the stark red stains on the white sheet.

Her breath caught. Shame burned through her. He'll know...

Scene 2 – Richard's Realization

Richard stirred, sensing movement. His sharp eyes flicked open, trained immediately on her and then down to the bed.

The silence stretched. His gaze darkened as it landed on the stains.

Richard (low, stunned): "You... were a virgin?"

Rebecca clutched her dress to her chest, her cheeks burning.

Rebecca (stammering): "I should go "

Richard (sitting up, voice rough): "You came to me... like that... and didn't say a word?"

Rebecca's throat tightened. Tears pricked her eyes.

Rebecca (softly): "It doesn't matter. You'll never see me again."

Richard's expression hardened, but behind his eyes, something flickered regret, maybe even guilt.

Scene 3 – The Transaction

Rebecca hurried to dress, but before she reached the door, Richard's voice stopped her.

Richard (coldly composed): "Wait."

He picked up his phone, typed something swiftly, and moments later, Isabella's voice came through the speaker.

Richard: "Transfer one hundred thousand dollars. To the young woman leaving my penthouse. Immediately."

Rebecca turned, frozen.

Rebecca (whispering): "One hundred... thousand?"

Richard (flatly): "Enough for whatever it is you needed. Consider it... payment for the night."

The words cut her deeper than she imagined.

Rebecca (furious, voice shaking): "Payment? You think that's why I was here?"

Richard (cool, unreadable): "You wouldn't be the first."

Rebecca's eyes filled with tears, but she lifted her chin stubbornly.

Rebecca: "I didn't want your money. I wanted... to survive."

Scene 4 – Rebecca's Resolve

Rebecca snatched her bag, ignoring the phone notification that confirmed the transfer.

Rebecca (whispering to herself): "This money will save Dad. That's all that matters. After today, I'll forget him. Forget this."

Richard stood silently, watching her with a strange expression. For a moment, he almost called her back. But his pride kept him still.

Richard (muttering under his breath): "She's just another mistake."

Rebecca walked out of the penthouse, her heels clicking against marble floors, her heart heavier than even though her bank account now carried enough to change her life.

Scene 5 – The Empty Penthouse

Richard poured himself a drink though it was barely morning. He stared at the untouched glass, his mind replaying the night before the innocence in her touch, the truth written in blood on his sheets.

Richard (to himself, bitterly): "Damn it... Why her? Why now?"

Jason called, his voice cheerful.

Jason (over the phone): "So, another nameless beauty? Or did this one at least stay for breakfast?"

Richard (dryly, eyes fixed on the sheets): "No. She was... different."

Jason chuckled, not understanding. But Richard wasn't laughing. For the first time in years, something had shaken the billionaire who thought he could buy and control everything.

Scene 6 – Rebecca's Father's Surgery

Setting: Hospital, early morning

Rebecca rushed through the hospital doors, clutching her phone with trembling fingers. The hundred-thousand-dollar transfer glowed in her account like an impossible dream.

She met with the doctor immediately.

Rebecca (breathless): "Please schedule the surgery. Today. Money isn't a problem anymore."

Doctor (surprised): "That's... wonderful news, Miss King. We'll prepare him for the operating room right away."

Rebecca leaned against the wall, fighting tears of relief. She peeked into her father's room, where Adams lay pale and weak.

Rebecca (softly, squeezing his hand): "You're going to be okay now, Daddy. I did it... I found a way."

But as she spoke, her stomach twisted. She couldn't tell him the truth of how she'd earned it.

Scene 7 – Tuition Paid in Full

Setting: University bursar's office, afternoon

Rebecca slid an envelope across the counter, her student account statement tucked inside.

Bursar Officer (checking computer): "Well, Miss King... it looks like your tuition has been paid in full. Even ahead for the next semester."

Rebecca exhaled, relief washing over her again. Students behind her in line whispered, noticing her sudden ability to pay thousands.

She ignored their looks, her hands trembling as she clutched the receipt.

Rebecca (whispering): "I can finally breathe."

But then, Jessica's words echoed in her mind: One night could change everything.

Rebecca hugged the receipt to her chest, wondering if the change would haunt her more than it helped her.

Scene 8 – Richard's Restlessness

Setting: Richard's penthouse, night

Richard sat alone in his sleek, silent living room, the city glowing outside. Jason had invited him to dinner, Lauren had called twice, but he ignored them all.

His gaze drifted to the decanter of whiskey untouched on the table. He rubbed his temple, restless.

Richard (muttering to himself): "Why do I keep thinking about her? She was just... a girl."

But no matter how many times he told himself that, he saw the red stains again. He remembered her trembling, the way she hadn't asked for anything.

He swore under his breath.

Richard (angrily, to himself): "She's not my responsibility. She got what she came for."

But deep inside, a whisper gnawed at him: What if she didn't?

Scene 9 – A Friend's Concern

Setting: Rebecca's dorm room, late night

Rebecca sat curled up on her bed, staring at the confirmation emails from the hospital and the bursar's office. Her future had changed in twenty-four hours but her heart felt heavier than before.

Jessica entered, carrying takeout.

Jessica (concerned): "You look like you've seen a ghost. Did something go wrong?"

Rebecca (quietly): "No. Everything's... fixed. Dad's surgery, school... all of it."

Jessica (sitting beside her): "Then why do you look like you want to cry?"

Rebecca hugged her knees.

Rebecca (whispering): "Because I can't stop thinking about him. About what I did."

Jessica (softly, after a pause): "Do you regret it?"

Rebecca (eyes filling): "I regret that it had to happen. I regret that I lost something I can't ever get back. But... I'd do it again if it meant saving Dad."

Jessica hugged her tight.

Jessica: "Then don't hate yourself, Rebecca. You did what you had to do."

But Rebecca's silence said she wasn't sure she could ever forgive herself.

Scene 10 – The Cliffhanger

Setting: Richard's office, next day

Richard sat at his towering desk in the Smith Enterprises headquarters. Isabella, his PA, entered with a file.

Isabella (professional): "Here are the reports you asked for, Mr. Smith. And about last night... should I eras e her details from the system?"

Richard's jaw tightened.

Richard: "No. Keep her on record."

Isabella (raising an eyebrow): "Sir?"

Richard (firm, though conflicted): "Just... do it."

As Isabella left, Richard leaned back in his chair, staring at the skyline. For years, he had controlled everything: women, business, his own image. But for the first time, something had slipped past his control.

Rebecca King.

He muttered her name under his breath, almost against his will.

Richard (softly): "Who are you, really?"