Chapter 4

Rachel

I took a deep breath, trying to gather the strength to count. "I... got fired, Mel," I admitted, my voice breaking at the end.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "What? What do you mean, fired? What happened?"

I told you everything, from the meeting that morning, the absurd accusation, to the exchange of words in the boardroom and, finally, the moment I was sent away. As I spoke, anger and despair bubbled up inside me again, but there was something comforting about sharing pain with someone who cared.

"This is nonsense!" Melissa exclaimed, outrage clear on her face. "You were fired for something you didn't do? And even worse, you were being harassed by that idiot of a boss, and they still had the nerve to accuse you?"

I nodded, feeling the tears welling up again. "Yes, and now... I don't know what I'm going to do. I needed that job, Mel. I needed it to pay for my mom's hospital, and now... now I'm left with nothing."

She grabbed my hands, squeezing them tightly. "We're going to find a solution, Rachel. I know everything seems lost right now, but you're not alone, okay? We're going to find a way out of this, together."

Melissa was sitting next to me, her gaze determined and hopeful. She seemed as steady as I was lost, and her words were like a beacon of light in the darkness. The feeling of helplessness was beginning to give way to a spark of hope, although I was still struggling to believe in it.

“Rachel, look,” Melissa began, her voice calm and encouraging. “All is not lost. There is one thing you can try. I know it might sound strange, but… have you ever thought about signing up to a high-end escort site?”

I looked at her, confused. "Like this? You mean… work as an escort?”

She nodded, apparently understanding my hesitation. “Yes, exactly that. I know it seems like a difficult and perhaps even uncomfortable path, but the fact is that these platforms can pay very well, and this could help you raise the money you need.”

Shock took over me. The idea was so absurd and out of my comfort zone that I could barely process it. “Melissa, I have no experience with this. And how do you think I could get involved in something like that?”

She looked at me seriously, but also with a gleam of hope in her eyes. “Rachel, I understand how intimidating this can seem. But consider the alternative. You are in a desperate situation, and this could be a quick way to make money. Additionally, there are many sites where you can control your own conditions and set your own limits.”

I nodded, still trying to process the proposal. “But what about the risk? What if something goes wrong? I can’t afford to make mistakes now.”

Melissa grabbed my hands, squeezing them tightly. “I understand your fear. It's a difficult decision, and it's natural to have doubts. But think of it as a temporary opportunity. You don't have to commit to this forever. Just to resolve the immediate situation.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to imagine what it would be like to sign up for a site like that. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming, but there was also a part of me that was desperate for a solution. I knew I needed to do something, and this proposal was, as strange as it seemed, one of the only real options I had.

“And how do I start?” I finally asked, my voice thick with a mix of resignation and determination.

Melissa smiled, relieved that I was open to considering the idea. “First, you will need to do some research. There are several websites that offer this type of work. It is important to find one that is safe and reputable. Most of them allow you to create a profile with photos and descriptions of yourself, and you can define what you are willing to do and how far you are willing to go.”

She paused, giving me time to absorb the information. “You can start by taking some good quality photos and creating an attractive profile. Remember, you don’t have to commit to anything until you’re sure it’s what you really want to do.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope. “Do you think it can really work?”

Melissa looked at me with an encouraging look. “There’s no guarantee of anything, Rachel. But honestly, you are in a situation where you need a quick solution. Sometimes life forces us to make difficult choices, and this may be the fastest way to get the money you need now.”

I stood up, feeling a new determination rise within me. “Okay, Mel. I am going to try. I don’t see any other way out at the moment.”