Sabrina

Be my mistress.

The words rang in my ear like a broken record.

Having Adrian at my apartment had always been a dream but now it was a nightmare.

A nightmare I still couldn't believe I was having.

No matter how hard I juggled two jobs, long shifts, dancing until my back ached and my feet blistered, I couldn’t dig myself out of the hole.

And Adrian? He didn’t even need to blink to throw down enough money to make it all vanish.

I hated him for that.

I hated that a part of me wanted to call him and say yes.

Ana plopped down next to me during our break at the café, stirring her iced coffee with a suspicious look on her face.

“You’ve been acting weird,” she said. “And don’t say it’s finals. That's a lame excuse.”

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just tired.”

Ana leaned closer, her brown eyes sharp. “You’re not fine. You’ve been distracted all week. You skipped shifts, you’re pale, and—” She lowered her voice. “Is there someone threatening you? You’ve been glued to your phone.”

I stiffened. “No. There’s no one.”

Ana frowned. “Uh-huh. Right. I saw you glare at your phone yesterday.”

As if summoned by her words, my phone buzzed in my apron pocket. I ignored it, but Ana raised a brow. “See? There it is again.”

I excused myself to the storeroom and checked my phone.

Adrian: Eight hours left, Sabrina.

I deleted the text and shoved the phone back into my pocket like it burned.

When I returned to the counter, Ana’s curious gaze was waiting. “What took you so long? You’re red as a tomato.”

“Heat,” I muttered, avoiding her eyes.

She didn’t buy it.

By the time I finished my shift, the sun was setting, and my head was pounding. I walked home, mentally calculating if I could squeeze in another night at the club without collapsing.

But when I turned the corner into my street, something was off.

Half my neighbors were outside, huddled together, whispering.

I rushed forward in panic, “What’s going on?” I asked Mrs. Knowles who lived two doors down.

“They sold the building,” she said, shaking her head. “Some big-shot company bought it. We have a month to pack up.”

“What?” My voice cracked. “What do you mean, sold?”

She sighed, looking stressed.

“Some man came by, said the building’s under new management.”

She pointed at the notice on the wall.

Property Purchased by Marks Holdings.

All tenants must vacate within 30 days unless otherwise notified.

My blood ran cold.

Marks Holdings?

That's just one of the companies owned by the Mark's family. How? Why?

My phone buzzed again.

Adrian: Five hours for you, thirty days for the poor tenants. It all depends on you.

Enraged, I ran into my apartment and closed the door. I dialed his number with shaking hands.

He answered on the first ring, his voice smooth and amused. “Angel.”

“Did you seriously buy my building, Who does that?” My voice shook with fury.

“Someone who doesn't like people wasting his time,” he said simply.

“You’re insane! You can’t just—”

“I can. And I did. Unless you decide to make this easier.”

“I hate you,” I snapped.

“Good. Hate me all you want. I’m outside.”

I froze. “What?”

“Look out your window.”

I turned, and there it was. A Tesla car. Sleek, black, impossible to miss. Neighbors were staring, murmuring like they’d seen a celebrity.

Typical of him to flaunt his wealth.

My heart pounded as I grabbed my jacket and stormed outside.

I yanked open the passenger door.

“You,” I hissed.

He didn't look fazed. “Get in, Angel.”

“No!”

“Sabrina,” his voice now dangerously calm. “You are causing a scene.”

Indeed, everyone was staring at us and they were not bothering to hide it. I would surely be the topic of gossip for this week again.

I hesitated but climbed in, slamming the door.

“You’ve lost your mind,” I spat. “Buying my building?”

“You call that a building?” He looked disgusted.

“What about the people who live there? They don’t deserve this!”

Adrian turned his head slowly, his dark blue eyes locking on me. Calm. Dangerous. “They’ll find somewhere better. Or you can make sure they stay.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

He leaned in slightly, his tone serious.

“Say yes, Sabrina. Be mine, and I’ll make this building yours. No evictions. No debts. You’ll live like you deserve.”

I stared at him, my chest rising and falling too fast. “You can’t just… buy me.”

“I can,” he said, his voice smooth like silk. “And you’re worth every penny.”

My breath caught, fury and fear swirling in my chest. I had not just ruined my life but dragged others down along with me.

And yet, a dark part of me whispered: Just say yes

“I can't believe this,”

I reached for the door handle, but his hand shot out, gripping my wrist, not rough, but unyielding.

“Stop running from me,” he murmured, his face inches from mine.

“I don’t want—”

“Don’t lie.” His gaze dropped to my lips, and my breath caught.

He pulls me in a searing kiss. A kiss so harsh and deep, it has me clinging onto him.

“You’re so fucking infuriating!” He growled in the kiss, “you’re driving me crazy here, angel!”

I hated that I kissed him back, pulling him closer even as my mind screamed to stop. His hands slid down to my thighs and his fingers dug into my flesh hard enough to leave bruises. The idea of him marking me in such a way made heat radiate to my cunt.

I broke away first, gasping, my lips tingling. “You—”

“You have until this night,” he said, his tone final. “Say yes, and this building is yours. Say no, and everyone suffers.”

I flung the door open and stumbled out, heart racing, his kiss still burning on my lips.

A tall muscular man dressed in a dark suit entered the driver’s seat and drove the car away, leaving me feeling like a slut.

My phone buzzed again.

Adrian: Four hours left.