Rapine: Abducted by the Billionaire Read online

  In case the conflict is not resolved, a termination of this CA should be envisaged where all formal indications of the relationship should be removed for both Parties, as practically as is possible.

  6. Final Provisions

  (a) The provisions of this CA may be amended only with the mutual written consent of the Parties.

  (b) No party may incur any cost, expense or liability in respect of the other Party without that other Party’s prior written consent.

  Signed this ______________ day of _________________, ______

  ____________________________________

  Julian Stone

  ____________________________________

  Cheryl Lynn

  Oh my God. This is insane, a companionship agreement? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I scan back to the communication subtitle. Daily face-to-face interaction will be maintained between the Parties. Regular e-mail/phone communications will be maintained between the Parties. Intimate encounters between the Parties will be agreed upon by mutual consent but are not an integral part of agreement. I don’t know about this. I’m feeling apprehensive. Julian is trying hard to get me to spread my legs in a very formal way. Dispute resolution in Geneva! Maybe I am in Switzerland!

  Julian notices that I am deep in thought. “Read the second page,” he says gently.

  I take a deep breath and go on to read the second sheet of paper.

  TERM SHEET

  This document constitutes a binding agreement between Cheryl Lynn and Julian Stone. It is understood that the parties will negotiate in good faith and enter into a formal “Companionship Agreement”, which more thoroughly outlines the rights and responsibilities of the parties. In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

  1. TERM: The term shall be from March 14, 2014 until June 14, 2014.

  2. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

  a) Julian Stone will pay Cheryl Lynn a companionship fee of $12,000,000, partitioned as $4,000,000 per month.

  b) Cheryl Lynn will be provided with bonuses and gifts as agreed upon by Julian Stone.

  3. TERMINATION

  a) If Julian Stone terminates the companionship agreement, he will not be liable for providing any future payments or benefits after the termination date.

  b) If Cheryl Lynn terminates the companionship agreement, she will not be liable for providing any further companionship services.

  ____________________________________

  Julian Stone

  ____________________________________

  Date

  ____________________________________

  Cheryl Lynn

  ____________________________________

  Date

  Oh my God. He wants to pay me an insane amount of money to spend time with him? I’m not a high-class escort.

  “I know what you may be thinking,” Julian raises his eyebrow as he gazes at me. “But this is unlike anything I’ve ever done. Sure I’ve hired elite courtesans and escorts in the past for companionship, dining, travel, or sex, but I’ve never tried a formal companionship agreement. So, what do you think?”

  “I don’t mean to flatter you, but why would you need to hire a companion or pay for sex?” I ask, wide-eyed.

  Julian lets out a thunderous laugh. “Well, these women really deliver. They are focused on treating the man like a sovereign and on playing a very feminine role. Many women these days have the ridiculous assumption that they are equal to, or even, above men.”

  I shift uncomfortably. “$12,000,000 is a lot of money.”

  “Well, what better way to spend my fortune than on a strikingly beautiful woman as yourself, and if you decide to be with me, which I’m extremely confident you will, it would be well worth the initial investment.”

  “What do you expect from me for such a large sum of money?” I ask quietly.

  “Like it is written in the agreement, I simply expect you to spend time with me every day until the end of the term. You are not expected to have intercourse with me. I will pay you $4,000,000 at the beginning of each month.” Julian explains while gazing at me with intensity. “I have amassed a great fortune and I’d like to spend it before I pass on and would also like to eventually produce an heir to take over my fortune and power. However, I haven’t met any woman who fits my criteria as producer of my heir. I’m in no major rush at the time.”

  I am lost for words. I sit there stunned staring at the companionship fee listed on the term sheet.

  “Even though you are not expected to have intercourse with me, I have this for you.”

  He pulls out a sheet of paper from his inside suit pocket and hands it to me.

  I scan through it. It’s Julian’s blood tests, confirming him free of STDs.

  “For your own sanity,” he says as I hand him back the paper. “Any questions?”

  “No questions right now,” I whisper.

  “Good. Are you ready to sign, or shall I give you some time to think it over?” Julian asks me confidently.

  Well it’s pretty obvious that if I don’t sign he will never let me go, but if I sign I will get to go back to Derek. And that is a lot of money. “Um…I’m ready to sign,” I respond quietly trying to hide my excitement about inheriting a small fortune and being able to go back to Derek soon.

  “I’m a very straightforward man, and this agreement ensures we both get what we want, so I’m glad you have agreed to my terms.” He signs and dates both sheets and then hands me his Montblanc pen. I sign on the line above my name on both sheets.

  He takes the two sheets and examines my signature and smiles with satisfaction. “You have online banking set up I presume?”

  “Um…yes,” I respond shyly.

  “I’ll be back.” He leaves and within minutes is back with a Stuart Hughes Diamond Studded MacBook Air and photocopied sheets of the agreement and the term sheet. He hands the originals to me.

  “Well then, today I will send you the first $4,000,000 for this month using Interac e-Transfer. Write down your e-mail on the back of this sheet.”

  I write down my e-mail on his copy of the agreement, and he smiles even broader. “Good. I’m glad we settled this so quickly. Here is your laptop for managing your online banking.”

  He hands me the laptop, I take it warily and place it on the table feeling overwhelmed and suddenly getting a mild headache. “Do you have some Advil?”

  Julian lets out a chuckle. “I find it interesting that any time we are about to make progress in our relationship you ask for an Advil.” He gazes at me with fascination. “Ok I’ll go get you some Advil, and while I’m at it, I will send you the funds.”

  I gulp and nod my head in agreement. He leaves and I am swept away in thought. $12,000,000 is a huge amount of money that any woman with common sense would not resist. Of course I can do this. I can spend time with this man. I sit there mystified by this man, paying me simply to spend time with him.

  After ten minutes, Julian comes back. “Here is your Advil.” He hands me an unopened bottle of Advil and a bottle of water.

  I open the Advil and pop two into my mouth and wash them down with a few sips of water. “Thank you.”

  Julian points to the laptop in front of me on the table. “Please, check your funds at this time.”

  I power up the laptop, go to my online banking website, and login. Once I login, it tells me my current balance on my savings account is $45,000, Derek’s last money transfer to me. He always transferred $40,000-$65,000 per month to my savings account for maintaining myself for him, but considering how wealthy he is, it’s like pocket change for him. Julian is offering me $4,000,000 per month.

  Julian is standing across from me, so he doesn’t see my laptop screen, and I’d rather he not see my pitiful net worth. I look at my checking account, telling me I am $4,000,000 richer, thanks to Julian. I can’t help but smile coyly. “Thank you. I see the amount in my account.”

  Julian smiles. “Good, then were settled. I’
ll expect you’ll be ready for an evening spent with me starting at 8:00 p.m. For during the day, I trust you’ll enjoy reading the books provided.”

  “Yes.”

  He takes my wrist gently and kisses the dorsal of my hand. “Have a good day.” He places the plate of breakfast that was at the other end of the table in front of me. “Please have breakfast.” Then he leaves promptly.

  I consume my breakfast. Once I finish, I recall that I must inform my family and friends of my whereabouts. They must be worried about me. I go and grab my iPhone from the bedroom, then send off an e-mail to everyone.

  To: All Contacts

  ----------------------------------------------

  From: Cheryl Lynn

  ----------------------------------------------

  Subject: My Whereabouts

  ----------------------------------------------

  Sorry I haven’t been in touch. Derek and I have broken off the engagement, as I’m sure Derek has already informed you. It has hurt me deeply. Therefore, I had to take a little R&R vacation away from everything. I will be back in the middle of June. Until then, love you and miss you all very much.

  Love Cheryl.

  Sent from my iPhone

  ------------------------------------------------

  I go back into the living room, with iPhone in hand, and select a book to read for the rest of the day. Now that I think of it, I haven’t read a good book for a long time. I was always running around maintaining myself for Derek, and had only a chance to flip through magazines and newspapers. I grab the wild life book I was reading yesterday off the shelf, curl up on the couch, and continue reading where I left off.

  About an hour later, the Spanish maid brings a hot cup of tea. “Green tea, miss.”

  “Oh, thank you, I’ll take that.” I take it from her hand and go back to reading. I don’t bother trying to converse with her anymore. She later interrupts me again to bring me lunch, which I consume and then go back to reading.

  The wild life book has me completely engrossed, and I begin to understand Julian’s way of thinking and behaving. Actually, I begin to understand why the majority of people think and behave the way they do, regardless of how civilized they are. Sure, humans are a more advanced species of animals but we’re still animals. There’s always that desire to give into our primal instincts.

  The Spanish maid interrupts me. “Miss, you should get ready to see Julian.”

  I glance up from the book. “What time is it?”

  “Almost time to see him,” she says in her Spanish accent. “Your dress is in the bedroom.”

  Wow, the time went by so fast. I’ve been reading this wild life book the whole day.

  I get dressed, go to the dresser, and look into the mirror. I see my reflection and stand shocked. The dress is a gorgeous red, Valentino evening dress. It looks stunning clinging to my body in all the right places, showing off my curves. Very hot. The kind of dress Derek would love. My heart is suddenly struck with an aching pain that I have forgotten for the past day. I miss Derek so much. I have no choice now but to remain strong, spend time with this man, and then I can leave as the agreement ensures.

  For some reason my heart is pounding as I stare at myself in the mirror, knowing that I must spend the evening with this ever persistent man who abducted me and is holding me against my will.

  I guess I should put on a little makeup. After all, Julian is paying me a large amount of money for the pleasure of my company. I grab my purse, and inside I find Chanel mascara, lip gloss, blush, mints, a travel-sized brush, and a travel-sized bottle of Chanel perfume. I put on some mascara and lip gloss. I pop a mint into my mouth. I spritz on some perfume on the sides of my neck. That shall do.

  I go into the living room and wait for Julian to arrive. The longer I wait, the more nervous I get. What is he planning? What will we do together? What will we talk about? Thoughts are running wild in my head as I wait for Julian and twiddle my thumbs in nervous anticipation. He better not pull any moves on me!

  Julian enters the living room. My jaw drops open. He looks very sharp and handsome. He is wearing one of his expensive-looking tailored suits, and some expensive-looking watch glittering from his wrist.

  I quickly force my gaze to pull away from him. I don’t want to be caught gawking at him. I love Derek, and Julian needs to know that and stop persisting.

  “Good evening. Shall we get seated for dinner?” Julian says without anything more than a quick glance in my direction before he heads into the dining room. I follow him and take a seat across from him.

  “This is our server, Barbara,” Julian says formally. A European-looking, brown-haired woman smiles warmly as she serves us appetizers and explains in detail what she has served us. With every plate she explains the food in detail. After dessert, Barbara leaves us to be alone.

  “I’m glad you sent your family and friends an e-mail informing them of your whereabouts. However, I don’t like the comment about your feelings. Next time keep your feelings to yourself.”

  “Okay,” I nod in submission.

  “Would you like some wine?” Julian questions me as he gazes at me with intrigue.

  “I’d rather not.” I reply.

  “That’s fine, then I’ll leave you,” Julian responds abruptly. “Have a good night.” He leaves without another word.

  Wow that was quick. If all I need to do is have dinner with him every night during the term, then I can do this. This is easy.

  I lay awake, thinking about Derek and the strange rules laid out by Derek’s secret society. It appears secret societies allow men to commit rapine. But I’m left wondering: If Derek really loved me he would do anything to get me back, even if that means informing local authorities? It just doesn’t make any sense. After a while of brooding this over, I drift off to sleep.

  The rest of the week is the same routine. I read during the day, and have dinner with Julian in the evening. He remains quiet during dinner and simply asks me how I enjoy each dish.

  I get numerous e-mails from my mom, Yula, and Tanya trying to comfort me. I don’t bother replying back to them, as I don’t want to get too emotional.

  I don’t know what hurts me more: Julian hurting Derek and taking me away from him, or Derek not notifying authorities. He hasn’t even e-mailed me back yet which hurts me even deeper.

  On Saturday, after dinner, Julian invites me to have a seat in the living room. I take a seat on the couch. He goes off and brings back two glasses and a bottle of unopened red wine, sets them on the coffee table, and seats himself beside me. “Please have some wine with me tonight.”

  I oblige and nod my head. “Okay.”

  He opens the bottle, pours both of us a glass and hands one to me. “It’s a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1997.”

  I take a sip. It tastes rich, crisp, and delicious as it tickles my tongue.

  He takes a sip and then gazes at me. “Have you done much traveling?”

  “I’ve done quite a bit.” What is it about very wealthy men and travel?

  “What is your favorite place in the world?” he asks with curiosity evident in his voice.

  “I liked Italy very much,” I respond quietly.

  “Oh yes, it a beautiful and romantic place.” He takes another sip of wine. “What do you like to do?”

  “My passion is painting.”

  “Women make excellent artists.”

  “You think so?” I murmur and take a sip of my wine. “I always wanted to be an artist.”

  His eyes light up. “Well, although humans use both sides of the brain, each of us has a dominant side, which makes up for a substantial part of our personalities. A study by Kevin Ho, clearly found that women are significantly more right-brained than men. Roger Sperry, who won the 1981 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work with split-brain research, discovered that right-brained thinkers are naturally more creative, artistic, intuitive, and emotional. Men are more left-brained and therefore more logical, analytical, ration
al and objective.”

  “Interesting,” I reply, genuinely intrigued. I take another sip of my wine.

  Julian takes a sip of wine. “The scientific explanation about the disparity between men and women centers on the fact that men and women have evolved for different tasks. Men have evolved as the hunters. They had to be focused on hunting prey, a perilous task that has required them to develop a sense for risk and aggression. Women stayed close to home and were focused on relationships.”

  I nod in agreement. “Yes, men and women are different in many ways.”

  Julian takes a sip of his wine. “Charles Darwin taught that the disparity between men and women were due partially to sexual selection. He taught that men must prove themselves physically and intellectually superior to other men in the competition for women, whereas women must primarily be visually and sexually attractive. In one of my favorite books, The Descent of Man, Darwin spoke of cultures that require men to fight competitors to keep their wives. The winner gets the woman.”

  Julian gets up, grabs a book off the bookshelf and opens it to a certain page and places it on my lap. “Read, aloud, the whole text under the subtitle Law of Battle,” he commands.

  I read the text aloud. He points to a certain paragraph and commands me to read it aloud again.

  I do as he commands. “For the Guanas of South America see Azara, it has ever been the custom among these people for the men to wrestle for any woman to whom they are attached; and, of course, the strongest party always carries off the prize. A weak man, unless he be a good hunter, and well-beloved, is seldom permitted to keep a wife that a stronger man thinks worth his notice.”

  Well, that’s pretty much what Julian has done. He thrashed Derek, and carried me off as his prize. He isn’t getting the main prize though; my legs are tightly closed.