After Landing a Sugar Daddy with Great Efforts

All men shared the same flaws. The sugar daddy I'd painstakingly ensnared lay beside me as I suppressed a shudder, forcing my limbs into the familiar choreography of counterfeit passion.

Every gasped-out "You're so handsome" tasted like bile on my tongue. It was actually disgusting.

1

"You're a gifted performer," Luke murmured, his fingers tightening around my throat like a living necklace.

"My feelings for you are genuine," I whispered, eyelids fluttering shut to hide the lie.

The words worked their magic-his grip slackened instantly.

"Really? You little temptress!"

Afterward, as he dressed in infuriating leisure, I arched into a seductive pose. "If I'm such a gifted performer to you, why not invest in my film? With that, we could meet... respectably."

His aristocratic brows knitted. "Impossible. Your performances are mine alone to appreciate."

A teasing finger tapped my forehead. "Your performance is far too captivating to share."

Clearly, he was lying. My nails bit half-moons into my palms.

But what could I do? Necessity caused by poverty made beggars of us all.

"It's late. Your wife will be waiting," I purred, rolling away from his hypocritical charming face.

"That hag?" His laugh grated. "She hasn't excited me in years. Only you can invigorate me."

His hands reached for me again. I endured his kiss like a martyr accepting final rites, which finally satisfied him.

"You did well today. Here's a bonus. Keep it up next time!"

Luke casually transferred some money to me. As I saw the amount, my smile became visibly brighter.

"Thank you for your guidance. Next time I'll surpass your expectations, Mr. Blake."

Yes, Luke was a married man, and his wife was even the biggest support in his career, but that didn't stop him from cheating.

2

All men have the same flaws, but I should thank them for this flaw. They were the reasons that I could find a way to survive.

Before his cologne had faded from my sheets, my phone lit up with maternal demands from my mom Liz Marsh. "Your father's medical fees are due. When are you sending money back?"

Money-always money. She had no idea how much I had to endure for the banknote's increase.

I sent the freshly earned sum to her without hesitation, then buried myself beneath weighted blankets.

Luke's discretionary funds barely covered my family's appetites.

I needed bigger prey to support my leeches' family.

The transferred sum temporarily sweet tone, but it quickly changed. "Jacob has a new girlfriend, and expenses are high again. As his sister, you should send more money home. You're working in a big city, so earning money should be easier for you than for us. I want to earn it myself. But I have to take care of your dad..."

Seeing these messages, I finally snapped. "Do you think I'm just a cash machine? Shall I bleed onto banknotes for you? Does Jacob lack limbs to earn his own keep?"

This wretched existence!

Instant noodles steamed as I dialed Julia Butcher.

Julia was the one who introduced me to Luke. The reason I ended up on this path was her.

She'd orchestrated my fall, yet I owed her my survival.

After eating, I changed into a fresh outfit, dressed myself up, and went out to meet Julia.

Julia greeted me with a hug. "You are really good at acting, aren't you? Luke adores you. He even calls you his muse!"

"His muse deserves better compensation," I countered with a smirk.

"What's wrong? Tell me, what's bothering you?" Julia ordered a drink, settling in for a long chat.

This indicated that I still had value to her. For those without value, Julia wouldn't waste a single word.

"The money's inconsiderable, but the risk is high. Not a fair game to me. I think I deserve more," I said, glancing at my freshly done nails.

As Julia's drink arrived, she took a few sips, calculating in her mind.

After a few seconds, she seemed to have figured it out and smiled. "You're right. True talent like yours warrants higher stakes. Just wait for my news. I'll see if I can find someone else for you."

3

Julia agreed readily, and I didn't hold back. "I don't mind if their ages, as long as they are rich and generous. You know, in this line of work, you have to save up while you still have the charm. Age will not be waiting."

I made no effort to hide my ambition. What truly mattered to me was money, regardless of who the man was.

"Since you're determined, it's easier for me to do the job," Julia said, taking a few more sips of her drink.

Her reactions seemed promising. I patiently took a sip of my coffee.

"Patience, darling. I'll make inquiries, asking them tonight. I will let you know by tomorrow at the latest."

As she stood to leave, her parting shot hit home, "Listen to me, dear. Some families are prisons. You hold the key." She said before leaving without waiting for my response.

I sat in the now-empty café and drowned her wisdom in bitter espresso.

I held the key? Did I? If only liberation were so simple.

I returned home in a daze, noticing a few missed calls. Since no one answered, Liz didn't call again.

She was busy taking care of my dad Tom Marsh, my brother Jacob Marsh, and maybe even my brother's girlfriend.

In her opinion, boys were the ones to carry on the family legacy. What was I? Just a burden.

I did study acting a bit, but the fee was unaffordable. When Tom fell ill, I dropped out. Now, I had nothing but a cheap resume.

The little acting skills I had were just enough to fool the sugar daddies.

Acting in a real production? Forget it. No fame, no resources-which was equivalent to no chance.

Besides, with my leech's family, there would be a little left for myself.

The best way was to follow Julia's advice, kept the sugar daddies happy, and got money from their pockets.

I'd thought about leaving it all behind, but Tom is the only one who truly cared for me. I couldn't just watch him suffering like that.

I needed to be patient. Save up enough money, and then take Tom for surgery. I'd be with him through his final journey, and after that, nothing else could bother me anymore.

As I was lost in thought, my backup phone rang. Could Julia be this efficient?

It was an unfamiliar number. I answered, and a voice so pleasant it could make one's ears swoon spoke on the other end. "Are you Rosie Marsh?"