Chapter 3 THE MANSION'S CALL

(THE NEXT MORNING) "Why are you giving me such an amount? It's little." Riley said rudely to the man she left the club with, "Common girl, I paid you for what you worked; we didn't have sex; you only gave me a hand job," the man replied. And so, fucking what,you cummed, didn't you? "You were sexually satisfied, weren't you”? Riley replied angrily, raising her voice.You have to add up to this," Riley said, throwing the money on the bed. “And if I don't want to, what’s going to happen? You better take it and get the hell out," the man retorted. Riley, who was already upset and disappointed at the money the man gave her, picked up her handbag and the money on the bed, heading out of the room. She yelled, "I hope you get robbed on your way home, scumbag.” “Get the hell out, bitch," the man said to Riley,who had already left the room. A few minutes after Riley left the hotel premises,some young men dressed in black came into the hotel. They met the receptionist and requested to see the person in room 303. As midnight struck, these men, clad in black from head to toe, moved with calculated precision. With silent determination,they reached room 303. The man sat alone in the room,where Riley had just left a few minutes ago, when the door cracked open, revealing the ominous silhouette of the intruders. Immediately, the armed robbers stormed in and surrounded the man, trapping him in a web of fear. Without wasted effort, the robbers stripped the room bare,their hands clutching jewels, cash, and other precious belongings. As quickly as they appeared, the armed robbers vanished into the night, leaving the man alone in the darkness.

(RILEY'S HOME)

The next day, when the morning was cold, Riley lay wrapped beneath her duvet, still raveling over yesterday's stress. Through the daze of drowsiness, she heard the familiar voice of her friend Maggie, breezing into the room with playful curiosity. "Why on earth are you still huddled up in bed?" Maggie's voice twirls with jovialty. Riley, turning to face her friend, marbled sluggishly, "How did you even get in here?" Maggie chuckled. "Nana, let me in, of course!" Maggie is Riley's close friend. She is full of life and positivity. She effortlessly spread happiness and goodwill to those around her. She has contagious laughter that fills the air with positivity and warmth. With her easygoing nature and caring spirit, she’s the epitome of a true friend who brightens the lives of those around her.

Seeing her friend, Riley sat up, still wrapped in her comfy duvet. "Hey, what's up?" Maggie asked, her tone laced with interest. "Where were you last night? I tried reaching you, but no luck," she continued. "Oh, I just went to the club," Riley replied coolly, though Maggie's concern was sensed in her voice. "Riley," she began, her tone now serious, "I thought you said you were done with that whole stripping stuff." "Yeah, I know, but I need the money," Riley explained, rising from her bed and moving towards her wooden chair. "Nana's diabetic; she needs treatment, and I've been trying to find a decent job," she added, giving Maggie a pleading look. Maggie, now standing up from the bed, clapped her hands together playfully. "Well, speaking of decent jobs," she said with a mischievous grin, "I might have something for you." "Really?" Riley's face lit up with hope. "What kind of job?" "It's a caregiver job," Maggie replied, with a stern tone. "A caregiver, Jon?" Riley exclaimed, uncertainty creeping into her voice. "But I haven't done that before; besides, I still have Nana to take care of." "Don't worry about that; you're not taking care of an old person; it's a young guy, actually. Okay, let's just say it's an assistant job; you will be assisting him till he gets better," Maggie said, smiling roguishly. "What!! A young guy? ,Why would a young guy need a caregiver if he is crippled?” “Riley asked with concern.". Common Riley stopped being so dramatic; he was involved in an accident and just needs someone to help him out with some personal things,” Maggie replied, walking close to Riley on the wooden seat she sat on. “Hold on, Riley said with her eyes closed. When you say personal things, do you mean bathing him andnd.... C’mon Riley, Maggi,Maggie cut her short; you are not bathing anyone; he is not crippled; you would just assist him with some errands; that's it.“ Maggie said, moving the second chair close to Riley, “Look, you really need this job,and the pay is quite huge. I'll send your CV to the person who told me about it, and hopefully, you'll get called for an interview." "Hmm, it's fine. I will give it a shot." Riley murmured “That's what I want to hear,” Maggie said, giving Riley a playful look. (IN THE HOSPITAL) "Hey, Dr. Matthew, how are you doing? It's good to see you today." Lucas was greeted with a faint smile. “It's good to see you, Mr. Lucas. How have you been feeling after the last treatment? Do you feel any better?” Dr. Matthew responded by taking a look at Lucas' legs. ‘I feel a lot better than yesterday, Doc,” Lucas responded. “I’m glad to hear that; nevertheless, you'll have a physiotherapist to help you with some stretches and exercises to help you heal quickly,” Dr. Matthew replied. A FEW MINUTES LATER IN RILEY'S HOME "Maggie I just got an interview for the job,Riley said over the phone. Maggie had already left her place. "Hmm, so soon—that was fast,” Maggie replied. “I hope this one goes well," Riley asked with a worried tone. “Don't worry, relax, Riley; it will be successful." Maggie reassured her. Okay, fine, Mrs. Motivation Riley said it jokingly. Two days passed, and it was finally the day for the interview. When she got to the address on the mail,it was a house and not an office. "Hmm, the interview is taking place in this mansion?" Riley asked herself,breathing in and breathing out. She got to the mansion gate,about to push the gate open,but the gate opened itself. "Oh, nice," Riley smiled. It was a big mansion,crafted in gleaming marble with lush greenery surrounding it. Its grandeur was unmistakable, reflecting the wealth and opulence of its owner. Riley walked into the entrance door, still talking and admiring the exterior part of the mansion. Then she heard a masculine voice say, “You can come in and sit,” through the intercom. Riley let herself into the house and couldn't stop admiring the beautiful interiors in the living room. Just as she was about to get seated,a cute-looking young man with expressive eyes and a genuine smile that lit up his face walked down the stairs. "Riley, right?” James asked. "Yes sir,my name is Riley Collette." Nice to have you, please sit, James beckoned. James is a cute young-looking man, whose striking handsomeness, complemented by his captivating curly black hair and gray eyes, adds to his charismatic aura. He has been Lucas' friend for a long time and also offers valuable assistance and guidance in Lucas' business affairs. Riley felt comfortable with his friendly demeanor, which makes him effortlessly charming and approachable. “I guess you already know why you are here,” James said, walking towards the cushion to sit on. “For an interview, I guess,” Riley said, looking at how cute James was looking. “Exactly”, so let's just go right to it." James said, crossing his leg over to his other leg and relaxing well on the cushion. “You would be assisting my friend,just helping him go on errands and help with some little stuff till he gets better. He is an able-bodied man, but he just needs someone to help him run some errands before he fully recovers,so if you are interested, you would resume tomorrow. Are you in?” James asked with a serious tone.