Chapter 1: The First Compromise
The stale air of Megha Goyal's rented studio apartment that she shared with her college friend, Brie, felt as heavy as the weight of the debt that her family was buried under. When Covid delayed her graduation, the student loan she had taken kept bloating.
Living in the US wasn't easy. It felt like ages ago when Brie and Megha were looking for a shared apartment near the college. Brie's boyfriend, Erik's dad owned an apartment near the college. That meant Brie could get to stay rent-free and Megha got a decent apartment for an extremely low rent. Now, as money was running out fast, she had to prioritize food over rent. She had no choice but to talk to Erik about getting his dad to write off the loan, at least till she found a job.
She found her opportunity when Brie went to New York to be with her family for the Christmas holidays. She had asked Erik if they could talk because she needed help and he had come over.
"What's the matter Meg?" he asked after she had made chai for the both of them, knowing he loved the Indian style ginger-chai over the 'chai tea' that was locally sold.
"It's about the rent," Megha began, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew she would have to tread carefully, but she also knew she had nothing to lose. "I'm running out of money, Erik. I can't keep up with the rent. I'm scared I'll be on the streets soon. You know with Covid delaying the graduation, my student loan has grown and money is running out. Things will be fine once I graduate and get a job, but right now, things are extremely tight." Megha said and her grip on her mug tightened.
Erik, seated opposite her, leaned forward, his expression softening. "I don't want you to worry about that, Megs. I got you."
"Thanks Erik, I don't know what to say," Megha started, "I really, really appreciate it."
"Come on, Megs. We're friends right? Any friend of Brie is my friend."
"Of course," Megha said smiling in relief.
"You know, Megs, Brie thinks the world of you. She can't stop talking about you - your guts to relocate to another country, your self-reliance, your pride and of course your Indian beauty. On the last one, I can't argue with Brie."
"Really? She embarrasses me. I think she is film-star gorgeous. I am just a simple Indian girl."
Megha laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing. "And thank you, Erik. I am lucky to have a friend like Brie... and of course you too."
"Don't mention it Megs," Erik said patting her leg, "same terms as Brie then?"
"What do you mean same terms?" Megha's brows furrowed in confusion. She took a sip of her tea, the sweet ginger flavor lingering on her tongue as she waited for Erik to clarify.
Erik chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Brie didn't tell you how we got to be a couple?"
Megha shook her head. She had always assumed the two knew each other from before their college days.
"Brie and I knew each other, but we weren't a thing. But when you two were looking for an apartment, anything close to the college was so expensive, even sharing rent would have been impossible. The market rent of this apartment is about $2,000 per month plus utilities."
Megha almost choked on her tea - that was four times the rent she was paying. "But how...? I know she doesn't pay rent and I only pay $500."
Megha said, the confusion evident in her voice.
Erik grinned, running a hand through his messy blond hair. "Exactly, Megs. You see, Brie and I, we came to this understanding. If she was my girlfriend, I could tell dad he can't charge rent from my girl."
"Makes sense," Megha said smiling and blushing slightly.
"That's when we started dating. It was a win-win for both of us, wasn't it?" Erik said, his eyes never leaving Megha.
Megha felt the blood rushing in her ears as understanding dawned on her. She'd heard stories of girls who sold themselves for money, but never in her wildest dreams had she thought she'd be in the same situation.
"You know, you are much prettier than Brie," Erik continued, his voice low and husky. "I think your parents must have been gods to have created a masterpiece like you."
Megha felt her body flush with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.
"What are you saying, Erik? You're asking me to... to sleep with you in exchange for rent?" she stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.
Erik leaned back in his chair, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Don't be so crass, Megs. It's not like I'm asking you turn into a prostitute or anything. It's just a little fun, a little give and take. You get a place to stay, and I get to have a little fun with a hot little Indian goddess."
Megha's mind was racing. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
The air in the room seemed to suddenly become too hot, too thick. Megha's chest felt tight, her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird. "You're fucking kidding me, right? You're asking me to whore myself out just so I can keep a roof over my head?" She spat the words out, her voice laced with anger and disbelief.
Erik chuckled, a low, wicked sound that sent shivers down Megha's spine. "Don't be such a prude, Megs. It's just a little fuck every now and then. You're not a virgin, are you?" Erik asked, his eyes roaming over Megha's body, lingering on her breasts.
Megha couldn't believe what was happening. She was in shock, anger, and yes, a little bit of fear. But there was something else too. A spark of defiance ignited within her. She might be in a shitty situation, but she wasn't going to just roll over and take it.
"Fuck no, I'm not a virgin," Megha snapped. "I'm just not a whore either. I won't fuck you for rent, Erik. Wait till Brie gets here and I tell her. You're disgusting."
"Have it your way, Megs," he said shrugging. He took the last sip of chai, set the cup down and stood up, "dad expects rent to be paid promptly... that would be next week." Megha's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Erik walk out, leaving her alone in the apartment. She slammed the door shut behind him, her body trembling with rage. She punched the door, cursing under her breath. "Fucking asshole!"
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and anger. How dare Erik? How dare he think she was so desperate that she would sell herself for a place to stay?
She thought about calling her parents, telling them everything, but what good would that do? They couldn't help her, and she didn't want to worry them.
But as the days passed, and the rent due date loomed closer, Megha found herself in a tough spot. In desperation, she decided to call Erik again and reason with him.
If she could just get a few more days, she was sure she could find a solution.
"Erik, please," she pleaded over the phone, her voice tight with unshed tears. "You know I'm not like this. I'm just... I'm just desperate. Please, give me till the end of the month. I promise I'll find a way to pay you back."
"How?" Erik said calmly, "you are still a student and won't be graduating for another six months. The student jobs you do barely feed you. Tell me how you plan to come up with the money and I will speak with dad to give you more time."
"I don't know yet, but I will figure it out, I promise." Megha pleaded, her voice wavering.
"You know what, this is not a topic for a phone conversation. Let's meet and talk." When Megha hesitated, he continued, "come on Megs, I won't force myself on you. How about meeting in the cafe below your apartment? My treat."
Erik suggested, his voice smooth and persuasive.
Megha exhaled slowly, trying to calm her racing heart. She couldn't just let this go. She needed to find a way to make him understand. "Okay, fine. When?"
"I can be there in about 40 minutes if that works for you."
---
An hour and a half later, the coffee came and went, but there was no solution in sight. He hadn't made that obnoxious suggestion. All he wanted to know was how she planned to come up with the money, a reasonable ask. She knew, as a foreign student, her options were limited and she had no way of taking another job...certainly not one that would help her raise $500 in a week.
"Look Megs. Forget what I said the other day for a moment. Come up with another suggestion that would make it worth my while. Dad's already let go of $1,500. How do I convince him to let two girls live in his apartment rent free?"
Megha thought, her mind racing. The coffee shop was warm, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air, but Megha barely noticed.
"You are right, maybe I should find another place to stay," she said running out of ideas.
"Really? Where do you plan on finding a place for less than $500? And how do you plan to pay that rent and deposit? Dad didn't take a deposit from you if you remember." Erik reminded her, "You'd have to give a month's rent as security. Where the fuck will you get that kind of money?"
Megha sighed, running her fingers through her hair, tugging at the ends in frustration. She knew Erik was right. But she also knew he was enjoying this, enjoying her desperation.
"Look," Erik said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I don't want you to be out on the streets. I don't want that on my conscience. But I need something in return. Something... substantial."
Megha could see the hunger in his eyes, the lust lurking just beneath the surface.
"Think about it dispassionately. The only other option for you is prostitution. That's illegal, unsafe and you would have to sleep with multiple strangers to come up with that kind of money. On the other hand, we are already friends and know each other. Being my second girlfriend isn't illegal, it's not unsafe and I won't hurt you. It could be fun, Megs. Think about it." Megha's mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest. She was running out of time and options. She could either sell herself on the streets, or she could sell herself to Erik. It was a fucked up choice, but it was her only choice.
"Fine, Erik," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You win. I'll... I'll be your girlfriend. But only until I find a job."
A slow, smug smile spread across Erik's face, his eyes gleaming with triumph and lust. "That's my girl," he said, his voice low and husky.
He reached out, his hand cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing against her soft skin. "You won't regret this, Megs. I promise."
Megha felt a shiver run down her spine, a mixture of fear and anticipation coursing through her veins. She knew she was playing with fire, but she had no other choice.
"Let's go up and have some fun." he said caressing her cheeks.
By the time the elevator reached their floor, her revulsion had given way to a strange excitement, she couldn't explain. She was a mixture of fear and desire, her heart pounding in her chest, her breath coming in quick gasps. Erik wasn't bad looking. If he wasn't Brie's boyfriend, she might even have hit on him. She felt like she was betraying her friend when they entered the apartment, closed the door and his lips found hers.
She was surprised to find how soft and gentle his lips were, his touch tentative, like he was asking for her permission. She kissed him back, her lips parting slightly, her body relaxing into the kiss. His hands moved from her face to her back, pulling her closer, his body pressing against hers.
She could feel the hardness of his body, the muscles in his chest, the bulge in his pants. She wondered if this was what Brie felt when they were together. Erik's hands slipped under her shirt, his palms flat against her skin.
He broke the kiss, his lips trailing down her neck, his teeth nipping at her sensitive flesh. She gasped, her eyes fluttering closed, her head falling back. She felt his hand cup her breast, his thumb brushing against her nipple through the thin fabric of her bra. She moaned, her body arching into his touch. She could feel the heat between her legs, the wetness pooling in her panties.
The next thing she knew, they were naked, in her bed and his head was between her legs, his tongue lapping at her folds, his fingers pinching her nipples. His tongue delved deeper, licking and teasing, tasting and exploring. She could feel the pleasure building inside her, her body tensing, her breath coming in quick gasps.
It didn't take long. In less than 10 minutes, she was on the brink of an orgasm.
"I'm going to come, Erik," she warned, her voice breathy.
Erik's mouth didn't stop its relentless pursuit, his tongue flicking against her clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her body. She cried out, her body arching off the bed as the orgasm ripped through her. Erik gripped her hips, holding her in place as he continued to lap at her, milking every last drop of her pleasure.
When she finally came down, she was a trembling, panting mess.
Erik stood up, his cock jutting out, hard and ready. He grabbed her ankles and pulled her towards him, her legs dangling off the edge of the bed, his cock rubbing against her opening . She could feel the wetness of her juices on his cockhead, the sensation sending shivers down her spine.
And then he was in her, filling her, fucking her, enjoying her, his hands squeezing her breasts, his mouth on hers, the taste of her own pussy on his lips. He was rough, but not too rough, his hips slamming against hers with a rhythm that drove her wild. She could feel every inch of him inside her, feel the friction, the heat, the pleasure.
With every thrust, he was picking up the tempo, moaning in pleasure in her mouth. Five minutes later, she felt another orgasm start to build in her. She didn't want to beg, but she silently wished for him to wait for her, to cum when she came. She was close, so fucking close. She could feel the pressure building, the pleasure coiling in her belly, ready to explode.
Erik was relentless, his cock pounding into her, his body slapping against hers, the bed creaking in protest beneath them. She could feel the sweat dripping from his body onto hers, their skin slick and sliding, their breaths mingling in ragged gasps.
And then she went over the edge, screaming into his mouth, her body convulsing around him as the orgasm tore through her.
"Oh Fuck, Megs," he groaned, his body tensing, his hips pistoning into her as he came, his cock pulsing and throbbing inside her. He collapsed on top of her, his body shaking with the force of his release, his cock still twitching inside her.
"You on the pill right?" Erik asked, panting, as he pulled out of her, his cock still glistening with her juices.
Megha nodded, her chest heaving, her body still tingling with the aftershocks of her orgasm. "Yes, I am." She lied, making a mental note to get a 'morning after' pill and start taking anti-pregnancy pills.
He grinned, a wicked, satisfied smile that sent a shiver down her spine. "Good. I hate using condoms."
He fucked her two more times through the night and then every day till Brie returned. Once she returned, the relationship took a new turn when she had to join both of them in bed.
She had hoped it would come to end when she graduated, but finding a job was proving harder than she had expected. The hospitality industry was among the worst hit during Covid. The massive layoffs had meant a lot of experienced folks looking for jobs. Finding an employer willing to sponsor the work visa for a fresh graduate with no experience was nearly impossible.
Over the past few months, she had applied to 100s of places. She now had just a few months left to find a job and get a work visa. If she failed, she would be going back to India, buried under the burden of the loan, her parents' debts and no means to make ends meet. Prestige Grand was pretty much her last hope.