C2 RULES

"Oh my god, no. Rosalyn wouldn't get away with that kind of nonsense. Her head would spin from the speed at which I turned her in to the Department of Labor.

I took a big breath and relaxed the tense muscles in my neck. The employer typically behaved honorably. Customers had to follow the regulations. Rosalyn gave us the option to end the contract if a particular client harassed us and still paid us. No one was made to have sexual contact. Ever. It was a girl's decision, and if a customer acted strangely in response, he could take his business somewhere else. So I respected Rosalyn in that manner. Although she occasionally had temper tantrums, at least she stood up for us. My palm was wet as I rubbed it on my jeans. I turned the doorknob. "I should get going," I said. "I still need to see how my dad is doing and check in on him."

Victoria, thank you once more for doing this. I'm incredibly appreciative, and it means a lot to me. Before I carefully closed the door, she gave me a hug.

The Florida sun suffocated my face. I would only have one more task left before I was no longer an escort. I didn't despise my job. In actuality, I found it to be rather enjoyable. I enjoyed sipping expensive champagne while playing dress-up. I was hired to go to formal balls with men who had no dates. Win-win. Right?

The issue was that I had made a promise to myself and was now reneging on it. I detest failing to meet my goals. I wanted to marry my prince and raise a family. I would never tell my future children that I was an escort. even if I hadn't screwed up my clients.

Under me, a taxi cab's wheels were turning. People were walking along the pedestrian lane as cars blurred by. As the hospital could be seen through the window, the cab came to a complete halt. I gave the driver my money and ran outside to see Dad.

When I entered his room, he was awake and cheerful. He was donning one of those hospital gowns, although it was a different shade this time. As soon as he spotted me, his face brightened up. I gave him a sincere kiss on the cheek while grinning and approaching.

He looked at my face with an arched gray brow, as though something needed to be evaluated. The question, "Where did you go?"

My tummy grumbled. He despised my professional decision, but my father and I had a deal that I would always be truthful with him. I took a sip. " I went to Joy. She requested that I cover a shift for her.

His lips tightened into a tiny line, and his face darkened. Did you schedule that meeting with the college advisor?

I straightened my shoulders and seated myself on a chair that was nearby, by the edge of his bed. Still not. For joy, I'm undertaking this. She is ill and unable to work.

"Sick? What is she holding?

Shit. If I told anyone about her botched boob job, she would kill me. My bottom lip was bitten. I'm not sure.

Is this the way you advance in life? By hanging out with idiots who have trouble finding dates?

My nose was filled with hot air. Even my own father was beginning to question me now that I wasn't making out with anyone. That kind of girl wasn't me. Before having sex, I believed in love and chemistry. And right now, sex doesn't exist in my universe, just like love doesn't. I raised the issue. Do you believe I have had sexual relations with these men?

Why wouldn't you be? Who the hell pays for a simple talk and a date?

Words struggled to come to me. He didn't understand, and I had long since had enough of justifying my position. Do you believe that everyone can discover love as easily as you and your mother have?

He remained silent. The strongest love that has ever existed was between him and my mother.

I was fortunate to grow up in a household that loved me, but who else did that? Their romance was an accident. It was naive of my dad to think that love came easily because such a close link simply didn't exist anywhere else. Think it's that easy? Most people spend their entire lives deceiving themselves by meeting the wrong people. The majority of the other half of marriages should also end in divorce, as half of all marriages end in divorce. It's a pretend game, marriage. Since dating is a nightmare, I don't blame my clients—in fact, I think they're wise to stay single.

I was abruptly troubled by my negative words. Had I actually started to think it was all a joke? My dad's lips started to smile, but I had already raised my hand to cover my mouth.

He raised his head and crossed his arms. "If you're not open to falling in love, you can't."

Love is a waste of time. Pins poked me in the underarms. Why was my love life, or lack thereof, currently up for discussion? I swiftly shifted the conversation. Joy is ill. If I let her down, she'll lose her job, so I have to be a nice buddy.

The sneer must have vanished from his face as he realized he was losing the battle. "Victoria, I'm sure that agency has dozens of escorts. Can't another person take charge in its place?"

It's one final job, I insisted. "I don't want her to become unemployed. She is my best friend, and losing her job would break her heart. Likewise, our friendship would be over.

He scowled and cocked his head downward. Like I had done previously with Joy, he flashed one finger in front of me. "One final task. After that, you start studying and get your ass in gear.

When he finally consented, I put my hand over his. "After this, I swear it'll be over. But for the time being, I want you to put your worries aside and concentrate on getting healthier, okay?"

"I will. You pay attention as well. After enrolling in college, you start studying. Be like me, Victoria girl, not like me.

"Too late for that!" I chuckled. I have to go to the dry cleaners. I promise to return in the morning.

"Victoria?" Eyes as focused as mine belonged to my father.

I stopped clattering. "Yes?"

He gave my hand a squeeze. I said, "Thank you."

I could make it happen. I was paying his hospital fees and would do so for the upcoming few weeks. Only two or three weeks have passed. What could possibly go wrong?