One

The warm water from the shower cascaded down Yalda's exhausted body almost sensually; it seemed to trail its way down every curve and edge. The luxurious bathroom was foggy from having been in use for more than thirty minutes, but she didn't seem to care, or at least she didn't seem to notice.

One would think she was reminiscing about the pleasurable happenings of the previous night; sweaty bodies moving as one, sensual screams bouncing off the walls of his bedroom, his fingers applying just the right amount of pressure on her throat.

However, her thoughts had drifted off to the very beginning. Her brain was once again reminding her of how it had all started; of how young, stupid, and reckless she had been. Or perhaps she hadn't been stupid; perhaps she had just been desperate.

It had been four years ago; she had been in college then. Having lost her parents during her teenage years, she had been forced to live with her distant relatives, who were almost abusive. As expected, she had left them once she was old enough and in college.

The first two years in college seemed to have been the hardest for her at that moment. She had been desperate, struggling with part-time jobs and studying just to earn enough to sustain herself.

And of course, every now and then, she would need to blow off some steam.

Her middle-eastern roots made her beauty stand out most times, from her olive skin to her full and wavy black hair which cascaded down her back gracefully, and her slim yet curvaceous figure. Her looks made the guys attracted to her, and most often, she got invited to their parties.

It had been a frat party; she could still remember how the air had smelled of cigarettes, alcohol, sweat, and cheap cologne. She hadn't minded any of it; she had simply let herself get lost in the moment as she swayed her curvaceous hips to the rhythm of the beats which blasted mercilessly.

The plan had been simple; she would get drunk, and then she'd get laid, and she'd spend the next day nursing a hangover. And when all was done and dusted, she'd return to her struggling life.

However, a girl had walked up to her. She had looked like every other girl around; she had a provocative dress on, had tons of piercings, streaks of dye in her hair, and heels tall enough to compensate for her 4'8" height.

"Sup?" She had said to her.

And perhaps if she hadn't been slightly tipsy, she would have noticed that unlike everyone else, her breath was free of the smell of alcohol or cigarettes.

Her striking green eyes had raked over her figure almost appreciatively, and she had smirked.

"What are you doing tonight?" She had asked.

Of course, Yalda had shaken her head and was about to tell her that she intended to get laid tonight, but not by a chick as hot as herself. But she hadn't gotten a chance to respond before she had spoken again.

"You could make a lot of cash tonight, you see." She had told her, "I'm talking huge cash here."

That had immediately sobered her up. She had her complete attention.

"What do I have to do?" She had asked.

The girl had shrugged as though it was nothing at all.

"Ditch this lame party and come with me." She replied simply.

Yalda's brow arched suspiciously.

"And how do I know you're not going to kill me if I do follow you?" She asked her.

One could never be too careful. After all, such terrible things happened every day.

"I guess you'll never know till you tag along."

There was something about her, something that told Yalda she was for real. Perhaps it was her arrogance, or perhaps it was the boredom in her eyes; it was almost as though she couldn't wait to get this done and over with.

She nodded before her rational thoughts could stop her.

"Alright then," she had said.

She had followed her out of the cramped-up house into the cool night, and across the road had been a black SUV parked; it had been so sleek that it had almost blended with the darkness.

Her heart had been pounding heavily as she got into the SUV, but she had assured herself that all would go well, and if it didn't, she would wind up in the news like those victims of assault and murder. It wasn't like she had anything to lose after all.

She had repeated that to herself over and over and over again. And she had composed herself as the girl had led her into a luxurious building. They had been received by an elegant young woman who seemed all professional and serious. She had been too entranced by the luxury surrounding her that she hadn't noticed the girl leave.

"This way," the woman had said, just as she turned around and begun heading towards the elevator.

She had snapped back to her senses and had hurried after her as fast as her heels would let her. And though her heart continued to pound heavily, she had remained calm as the elevator smoothly took them to the top floor; a penthouse.

Her heart had fallen to the pit of her stomach when the elevator came to a halt, the door opened with a soft ping, and the lady walked out elegantly.

They stepped into the penthouse, and there, a man with devastatingly striking grey eyes sat on a black leather seat watching their entry. His demeaning gaze raked over her slowly before flickering to the lady.

"Is she to your liking, sir?" She had asked him.

She hadn't realized her breath had begun faltering. She stood there staring at him, drinking in his looks which seemed too good to be true; from his dark tousled locks to his pale skin and very appealing facial features. He may have been seated, but she could tell that he was a tall man, lean, yes, but well-built.

He looked nothing older than thirty. He looked rich. He looked... powerful.

"She'll do," he replied.

His voice was smooth and clean. And there was an eloquence to the way he spoke; like a man who was used to speaking and having people listen, not just listen, having people hang onto every word he said.

"Then I'll take my leave now," the lady said, "Have a good night."

He had simply nodded.

And she had stood there, her breaths had become shallow and almost nonexistent. Her heart had begun pounding even more heavily, and her body had begun trembling slightly.

The sound of the elevator closing quietly told her that she had been left alone with him. And for some reason, the wanton area between her thighs tingled in anticipation.