I walked out of the salon to my mom's car feeling like a goddess. My hair was sleek, my nails gleamed, and I couldn't stop admiring my reflection in the side mirror. For the first time in a long time, I looked expensive. Like the women in magazines, like someone who had it all together.
The truth? I didn't.
I had just used money from a man I barely knew—a man who told me to call him Daddy. I didn't even know his real name. All I knew was that he paid for everything without blinking, and I let him.
Weird? Definitely. But in that moment, it didn't feel wrong.
I stopped by the supermarket to grab a few groceries before heading home. As I pulled into the parking lot, my phone buzzed from my bag. I glanced at the screen: Mom.
I answered with a sigh. "Hello?"
"Star! Where are you? What happened? Did you get the job?"
Her voice was panicked, like she'd been holding her breath all day.
"I'm coming home," I said, trying to sound calm. "I'll explain everything when I get there."
"What—"
I hung up before she could ask more questions. I wasn't ready to explain what had really happened—not over the phone, and not before I figured out what I felt about it myself.
After grabbing a few bags of groceries, I drove home in silence. My stomach twisted with nerves, and not just because I knew she'd be waiting for answers. I was questioning myself too. About what I did. About who I was becoming.
I pulled into the garage, turned off the engine, and sat in the car for a second before getting out. I wasn't ready for the confrontation waiting inside, but I couldn't avoid it either. Mom had a way of seeing through every lie I tried to tell.
I carried the groceries into the kitchen and dropped the bags on the table.
"Mom, I'm home!" I called as I walked toward the living room.
She looked up from the couch and did a double take. "Whoa, girl—were you at a job interview or a red carpet event? You look damn gorgeous."
"Thanks," I said, forcing a smile. "Can we talk?"
She leaned forward, interest piqued. "You got the job?"
I hesitated. "Not exactly. But I got... an offer. It pays more than the cleaning job. Like, double. Maybe more."
She narrowed her eyes. "What kind of offer?"
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words—but there weren't any.
"My boss… the guy I interviewed with… he asked me to be his partner. Not business partner. A... personal one."
"Personal how?" she asked sharply, already sensing where this was going.
I stared at the floor. "He wants me to... help him. With his sexual needs. In return, he'll pay me."
Her reaction was immediate.
"Prostitution?!"
"No!" I said quickly. "It's not like that."
"It's exactly like that, Star!" she snapped. "You're talking about selling your body for money. Do you even hear yourself?"
"I haven't said yes!" I shouted, more to defend myself than anything else. "I just—I was confused. I wanted to talk to you first."
She stood up, her eyes blazing. "I always knew you were reckless, but this? This is dangerous. It's disgusting. You're 26 and have never worked a real job in your life. And now you think sleeping with some rich guy for money is a good idea?"
"You don't understand," I muttered.
"Oh, I understand just fine," she said coldly. "I bust my ass every day to keep this house running. I've sacrificed everything to make sure you had something—and this is how you thank me? By selling yourself to the first man who flashes a wallet at you?"
"It's not like that," I whispered.
"You think just because you're broke and pretty that this is your only option? You think just because you enjoy sex, it makes this okay? It doesn't. You keep acting cheap and no man will ever respect you, Star. Not even the one paying you."
She turned and walked off to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
I stood there in the middle of the living room, stunned.
What had I expected? That she'd understand? That she'd nod and say, "Go for it, sweetie, let that man pay you for sex"?
No. Deep down, I knew this would be her reaction.
But I wasn't lying—I hadn't said yes. Not yet.
The offer was still in the air, waiting for me to either accept or walk away.
And that's what scared me the most.
Because despite everything my mom just said… I was still thinking about it.