Worthy: Cassius and Faith

3. Saved

“Let’s begin,”Gina said. “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?”

“No.”

Gina tapped on her tablet. “Do you drink, vape, or use any illegal drugs?”

“No, I don’t. I never have.”

“Would you be willing to submit to a drug test?” Gina asked.

When I nodded, she continued, “Are you currently in a relationship?”

“No.”

“Do you identify as heterosexual?”

“Yes,” I said.

Gina kept typing. “How many sexual partners have you had?”

My cheeks started to feel hot. “None.”

She looked up from her tablet. “You’re a virgin?”

“Yes.” My cheeks went from hot to nuclear.

“Have you ever given or received oral sex?” she asked.

“No.” Was it possible to crawl under the table and die?

“Have you ever had anal sex?” Gina didn’t bat an eye.

“No.”

“Have you ever kissed a guy? Or a girl? Or anyone?” Gina sounded genuinely intrigued.

“Sammy Stevenson in the eighth grade,” I admitted. “We played Seven Minutes in Heaven and I got stuck with him in a closet. He jammed his tongue down my throat then felt me up, too—in case you want to write that down.”

“Thanks, I will,” Gina said, fingers flying over her tablet. “So no oral, no anal, no vaginal penetration, and the only guy who ever felt you up was Sammy Stevenson in the eighth grade.”

“That’s right.” I sighed.

Gina looked up from her tablet. “How is that possible?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’m listening,” she said.

I fidgeted in my seat. “I’m focused on taking care of my brother. He’s been really sick. He has a rare type of cancer, and it’s been… a lot.”

She nodded sympathetically. “You said he was, what, fourteen?”

I nodded. “He got diagnosed when he was twelve.”

“I’m so sorry.” Gina sounded like she meant it. “Are you his legal guardian?”

“No, not officially or anything—but my mom isn’t really in the picture. She couldn’t handle it,” I explained. “He’s been sick for a couple of years. It’s been a lot to help him keep up with his schoolwork, take him to all of his appointments, and get him into this trial.”

“I appreciate that,” she said. “That’s a lot for you to handle on your own. He’s lucky to have a sister like you.”

“Thanks.” My eyes welled up. I hadn’t done a great job of taking care of Lucas—we’d ended up homeless twice—but I’d tried my best. “Like I said, he’s the reason I’m here. The clinical trial he’s in is super expensive, and it’s working. But I can’t afford it.”

“I can help you.” Gina caught, and held, my gaze. “But my client is very demanding and particular. So, although I understand your situation, I need a crystal-clear picture for my assessment. Your sexual history, or lack thereof, is critical. Would you be willing to submit to a physical examination to prove your virginity?”

I swallowed hard. “Yes.” It would be humiliating, but I had nothing to hide.

“And also for an STD screen?”

“Yes.” My cheeks burned so much I could’ve skipped using Kylie’s blush.

“Great.” Gina’s slender fingers flew across her tablet as she typed in a note. “And I understand that you’ve been consumed with your brother’s health, but I still think there’s something else going on here. Your physical history is important, but so is your emotional one.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

She raised her gaze to meet mine. “I need to understand your choices, Faith. People who run businesses and countries and have sick family members—they still have relationships. So why are you really a virgin? Is there some sort of background I need to be aware of?”

I blew out a deep breath. My friends often asked why I never dated anybody, and I always said the same thing: I was too focused on taking care of my brother. I didn’t have time for relationship drama. Which was true, but it was only part of the truth. I needed this job. And I had a feeling Gina wouldn’t be satisfied with only a half-truth.

“I never wanted to get pregnant,” I blurted out. “My mom had me at fifteen, and she was a disaster. She said she got pregnant super easy and always warned me that I’d end up just like her. I really didn’t want that to happen.” I looked down at the table.

“Is she that bad?” Gina asked.

I didn’t look up. “Yep.”

“Thanks for sharing that with me, Faith. I appreciate your honesty.”

I nodded. “Now that I spilled my guts, do you think you can tell me more about this job? Is it legit? Were you serious about the signing bonus? I really need that money…”

Gina put down her tablet. “Yes, I’m serious. My client is extremely wealthy. He has specific requirements, and so far as I can tell, you meet them. This could be quite lucrative for you—life-changing, in fact.”

My palms started sweating again. “I’m listening.”

“He’s the CEO of a global empire,” she continued. “He’s opening a private club for billionaires. He retained our agency to find appropriate candidates to work at the club. This is a long-term assignment. They are looking for a commitment of a minimum of six months, but there will be a bigger signing bonus if you agree to stay for a year. And there’s a pay differential that you might qualify for.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s a pay differential?”

Gina regarded me. “There’s a signing bonus for regular club workers. For candidates who possess certain features, it’s higher.”

I held my breath.

“The client wants virgins, and he’s willing to pay top dollar. For virgins—like you—there’s a two hundred fifty thousand dollar signing bonus.”

I shook my head, trying to clear it. There was no way I’d heard her right. “I’m sorry?”

“You heard me correctly,” Gina said. “Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is the signing bonus if your virginity is confirmed, your criminal record is clean, and so is your health screening. It’s also dependent on you committing to work and live at the club for one year.”

“A whole year?” My head was spinning.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Gina said. “But the client wants us to move quickly, and I think you’re perfect for this job.”

“You do?” I couldn’t keep the disbelief out of my voice. I was unemployed and homeless. I was desperate. I was wearing bubblegum-scented lip gloss I’d had to mooch off my friend.

“You’re a beautiful young woman, Faith.” Gina smiled at me for the first time. “It doesn’t sound like you’ve had an easy life, but God blessed you in other ways.”

“I-I don’t know if I can commit to a year,” I stammered, “my brother needs me?—”

“If you accept the terms, you’ll be able to take great care of your brother. I can wire you the signing bonus by the end of the week,” Gina said matter-of-factly. “And when the contract expires at the end of the year, you’ll get an even bigger payout—seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This is a million-dollar offer.”

My jaw dropped open.

“So, what do you say?” Gina asked. “Are you interested?”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t breathe. A milliondollars. Oh my God, Lucas could have all the treatment he needed. I could afford to move him into a private room. I could afford to get him a tutor. I could afford to… eat.

I swallowed hard. “Of course I am. Where do I sign?”

Gina started talking about the particulars, about contracts, STD tests, and timeframes. I tried to listen, but all I could think about was the money. All I could think was, we’re saved.

It was only later that I realized something important.

I still didn’t know what the job was.