Chapter 2 Chapter 2.

(Rebecca)

I thought long and hard, my eyes scanning the cafe as if the answer would materialize from the steam of someone’s latte. Then, there it was, right at the counter—a striking young woman with an aura of allure I desperately needed.

I hurried over, awaiting the young woman to finish placing her order. “Hi!” I waved, a broad smile plastered on my face.

Her charming smile faltered as she scanned me. “And you are?”

“The perfect candidate,” I murmured to myself. It slipped out before I could think twice. She was everything I needed to finish my application—hot, sexy, and marketable.

“Excuse me?” Her sharp voice cut through my racing thoughts like a knife.

“Can you give me your picture? I’ll pay,” I blurted, surprising even myself with my audacity.

“What?!” She exclaimed, eyes wide, clearly taken aback.

Grabbed her drink, she opened her purse, and I found the perfect hook. “Are you really going to throw away the ideal way to fill up this purse?” I gestured toward her purse, hopeful she'd bite.

She shot me a glare, skepticism painted across her features. I responded with my best winning smile, trying to match her intensity with charm.

“Fine!” Her reluctant surrender caused my heart to leap, only to plummet when she followed it with the next words. “Four thousand dollars.”

“What?!” I burst in disbelief. Where in the world was I going to get that from?

“Do you want to do business or you're just here to test my patience?” she challenged, a hint of annoyance creeping into her tone.

Reigning in my composure, I offered, “Wait here. I’ll grab my phone from that table.” I pointed at my cozy spot, praying she wouldn’t see through my ruse.

She took a sip of her drink, making it clear she wasn’t interested in small talk.

Chalking it up as a win, I walked back to my table, my mind racing with options. An idea struck me and without hesitation, I picked up my phone and called Daniel.

“Babe?” he answered, instantly shifting into a tone that was half curiosity, half concern.

“I need some extra cash. I’m out shopping,” I said, cutting straight to the chase, my heart pounding in my chest.

There was a noticeable silence, likely him processing the sudden shift in my decision.

He finally heaved a sigh, probably too out of words. "How much do you need?" he asked, his tone weary.

"Four thousand dollars," I answered, a mix of determination and desperation threading through my voice.

"Okay, you'll get it now," he said, and the line fell silent.

Within moments, my phone buzzed with a notification. He had sent the money.

I sauntered back to the young lady at the counter, my heart pounding. "Your account details?" I asked.

She rattled off her information. As I transferred the sum of four thousand dollars to her account, my stomach tightened. It was a significant risk, but I couldn’t let my chance slip away.

Once the deposit was confirmed, she pulled out her phone from her bag. "What kind of picture do you want?" she finally asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"Something hot and irresistible," I replied, offering a casual smile.

She paused, scrolling her phone before looking up at me. "What for?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Don't worry, it's not for a criminal act," I assured her.

She scrutinized me for a moment, then resumed scrolling. “Even I don’t think a cleric’s daughter would do anything criminal.” she said, and even though those words bugged me, I forced a smile. That's what my Dad has painted me as—a saint.

Her words, "and you are," flashed in my head, and I turned to her. “So you do know who I am,” I said, suddenly defensive. “Then why did you ask who I was earlier?” I folded my arms.

She didn’t respond, her focus on her phone unyielding. Clearly, this girl had an attitude problem that matched her business sense.

“Is this good enough?” she finally asked, turning her phone toward me.

I quickly scanned the picture. It was good, but not quite what I wanted. “Do you have something hotter?” I challenged, my tone more assertive than I intended.

Her brow furrowed, an unspoken question swirling in her eyes as she silently contemplated my request. I wasn’t sure I liked being judged, especially given the delicate nature of what I was doing.

After several more minutes of scrolling, she displayed another image. This one was stunning: the model lay slightly on a bed, almost nude, with a sultry expression that could captivate even the most indifferent of hearts.

“I’ll take this,” I said, suppressing a mix of eagerness and anxiety. She nodded, her expression unreadable.

Moments later, the picture transfer was successful. Relief washed over me; I had what I needed.

“It was nice doing business with you,” I smiled, extending a handshake. “And I hope you understand the importance of keeping your mouth shut.”

She accepted my handshake, her grip firm and calculated. “Me too,” she responded, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

I turned away, heart pounding in my chest as I made my way back to my table. Sitting down, I pulled out my phone and navigated to the application site once more, determined to complete my submission. Fingers flying over the keyboard, I finished entering my information and hit ‘submit’. The words flashed on the screen: “Please wait while we review your application.”

Review my application? They’re selecting? I couldn’t believe it; a twinge of frustration coursed through me. These guys have to be kidding me.

With a deep breath, I picked up my bag, ready to begin my journey home. Just as I stepped out of the café, my phone buzzed loudly, the vibration almost rattling my nerves. A notification glowed on the screen: “Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the game. Please report to the studio tomorrow at 10 AM sharp.”

I stared at the screen, disbelief mixing with a rush of exhilaration. This could be it—my ticket out of this mess. My heart raced at the thought, but then another wave of anxiety washed over me. How on earth was I going to get through Daniel?