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The Scheme

Natalie clicked the door shut of the presidential suit and faced Gia. Natalie eyed her up and down and nodded. Now they were truly identical.

Natalie made Gia wear a black strapless dress identical to hers. Gia was made to wear Natalie’s expensive make-up and do her hair to match Natalie’s hairstyle. Natalie’s plan was foolproof. All Gianna had to do was pretend to be Natalie for one night and give up her virginity to a total stranger.

Piece of cake.

“Are you sure this is going to work? He’s bound to notice I’m not you,” Gia said.

"Gia. Just do as you're told and keep Ezra company for the night, and your mother's medical bills will be taken care of," Natalie coaxed just outside the luxurious presidential suite.

Natalie Bentley had found a way to freeze Gia’s savings and block her from getting a loan from her parents for her Mother’s medical care. She’d suddenly gotten sick four weeks ago. The doctors don’t know what’s wrong with her which makes it worse. She needs loads of tests and care.

Gia bit her lip hard. Gia was one of the many maids working for the wealthy Bentley family, one of the richest and most influential families around. Gia was the only one to have a striking resemblance to Natalie. Gia never imagined she'd be pushed this far—to share a bed with a stranger!

Yet, the thought of her mother, ill and helpless in the hospital gave her no choice but to give in.

“I’ll do it but it doesn’t make sense why you need me to do this,” Gia said.

Natalie smiled, “You don’t need to think, Gia. Just do it or your Mother’s blood is on your hands.”

“What do I do if things go south?”

Natalie scowled, “Don’t worry about Ezra. He’s too intoxicated to realize the differences between us. As long as you keep that ugly birthmark behind your neck hidden we should be good.”

Natalie took a step forward and scanned the butterfly necklace resting on Gia’s chest. Gia gasped when Natalie cut the chain off her neck.

“That’s mine!”

“You can have this back after you finish your assignment. Understood?”

Gia hid her scowl. Natalie was in charge now. Natalie stepped aside, urging Gia to take the first step. Once Gia disappeared into the most expensive room in the hotel Natalie made her way to the elevator.

She dialled her Mother’s number.

“Natalie?” Hanah Bentley replied on the first ring.

“She’s gone in.”

“Remind me how this will get us Ezra Warren’s money? You could have slept with him yourself, gotten the pictures and be done with it!”

“Ugh, Mom. I told Ezra I was a virgin in the beginning to entice him. I’m not. This was my next best bet. Tomorrow, everything will fall into place and our plan will be in motion.”


Nudging open the door, Gia was met with a dimly lit room, the air thick with the stench of alcohol, and expensive cigarette smoke.

“Ezra?” Gia whispered.

What if he left?

Before she could utter another word, she was powerfully yanked to a solid chest. Gia gasped and stared at the solid blue eyes of an Adonis. His perfectly chiselled jaw and full lips stole the words from her mouth. He radiated maturity and dominance.

“Where did you go?” Ezra asked.

He didn’t sound or look drunk to Gia but she could tell something was off about him. Like he wasn’t in complete control of himself.

“I…I…uhm, had to take a call.”

“I’ll take care of you, sweetheart.”

Ezra slowly backed her into the bed. Gia’s heart beat hard and fast. This wasn’t how she envisioned her first time. Ezra gently pushed her straps off and brushed the satin dress off her curves. He was toned and defined. He must spend hours in the gym getting ripped. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, just a pair of pants. As soon as her dress was off, her flesh pressed against his and melted.

Ezra closed his mouth on her skin and sucked her shoulders. He moved to her neck and then kissed her jawline before eventually covering her mouth. Gia had never been kissed so too thoroughly. She struggled to keep up with him. He held the back of her head as his tongue explored her mouth and took her to places she had only read about in books.

Gia's internal battle continued. What would people say when they found out she sold her body for money? She let the stranger’s body cover hers and take total dominance over hers. It was hard to have noble thoughts when the pleasure kept coming. Ezra flipped her underwear aside and slipped a finger into her.

Gia cried out.

“You’re so tight, Natalie” Ezra grunted, plunging his finger in and out of her.

Gia could barely form words. Gia was inexperienced so she relied on the stranger’s skills and ability.

For a brief moment, Ezra stared into her eyes. Gia thought he might catch her for being a fraud but he kissed her instead as he lowered himself to her entrance. He was rough at first slamming his thighs against hers and sinking his teeth into her flesh. For a moment she forgot where she was but it was impossible to escape the stranger’s rock-hard body pounding into her delicate frame. He was rough yet delicate when he traced his hands on the sides of her long legs, wrapping them around his waist so he could penetrate her deeply.

This man was nothing like she imagined she allowed her mind to venture so the inevitable could take place; her pleasure and his.

Hours later Gia slowly sat up. She stared at Ezra sound asleep on his belly. He’d taken her to places she’s never been and she’ll never see him again. It felt unfair. She wished she could wake him to say goodbye and say sorry for not being who he hoped—gathering her scattered clothes, shoving her belongings into her bag absentmindedly, not noticing the delicate jade pendant that slipped in among her things. She had done her part it was time to go.

Gritting her teeth, she glanced back at the deeply sleeping man, his chiselled muscles exposed as the thin blanket hugged his waist. Not daring to linger, she hurried from the room. She took the elevator to the ground floor she didn’t think about how she would get home in the dead of night but she couldn’t stay in the hotel. When she got to the lobby she found Natalie poised and elegant as always. She stood from the plush couch and smiled brightly.

"I hope you’re happy,” Gia snapped.

“Oh don’t cause a scene. Judging by your hair, Ezra didn’t suspect a thing.”

Natalie cast a disdainful glance at her, her eyes landing on the exposed, pale nape of Gia's neck, the marks marring her skin revolting her further, but it was evidence of a job well done. Natalie tamed her jealousy by reminding herself that she would have Ezra for as long as she felt like when the deal was done.

Pulling out a black bank card, she flung it at Gia with a vicious warning. "Keep tonight's events to yourself. If anyone finds out, I swear you'll regret it!"

Gia nodded, the bruises left by the man burned her skin like delicious fire. This night would remain with her like a tattoo permanently stained on her skin.


The next morning, Ezra's eyes fluttered open. As he sat up, the woman beside him let out a soft whimper, drawing his gaze. He didn’t remember bringing anyone to his suit last night. Ezra checked his rolex on the nightstand. It was after eight in the morning.

“Ezra,” a soft voice said.

“Natalie? What the hell?”

Natalie rubbed her eyes, clutching the sheets tighter, her gaze flitting between shy and panicked as she looked at the man before her.

“Don’t you remember? After the party last night. We came up together.”

“Fuck,” Ezra ran a hand through his hair.

A piece of information Natalie told him the only time he ever took her out came to mind. She was a virgin. He didn’t remember touching this girl or seeing her last night.

“Natalie, what the hell happened? I’m not a teenager anymore I don’t get drunk.”

Natalie sat up and frowned. “You made love to me… you were so dominating you made me take pictures. Remember?”

“Excuse me?”

Natalie pulled out her phone and showed Ezra the pictures she took after Gia left. She made sure to get the side where she didn’t share the same birthmark as Gia just in case she needed to back up her story. She smiled brightly at Ezra.

Ezra knew what these pictures meant. No one had ever come close to him. He could lose favour with his ageing Father if things got out.

“You need to leave,” Ezra said.

Natalie’s jaw dropped. “You’re kicking me out? After everything?”

Ezra kicked the sheets off and there on the white bedsheets lay the evidence he needed if he indeed needed any. A red blood stain told him he’d taken this girl’s virginity. It was something sacred and he didn’t even recall it happening.

“I need to think. My driver’s going to take you home. We’ll talk later.”

Natalie smiled. She walked up to Ezra, cupped his cheeks and pressed her lips against hers.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll find a way to fix this. I know your engagement to Esmerelda Hopkins is in a few weeks. I’ll be a shame if she finds out now, huh?”

His arranged engagement would have sealed his seat as president of his Father’s manufacturing company. Now he had to change gears.

As Ezra was about to vacant the presidential suit he noticed his precious white stone pendant wasn’t with him anymore. The white pendant was a keepsake his Mother had prayed for in a temple when he was a child on one of her many adventures. It was round with the Warren family's secret insignia etched onto it.

He had to find out what happened last night more than ever.

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