Burned to Ashes

1.

According to Archie, the reason he chose me as his lover was because I was "more untainted" than other women.

At the age of 20, relying on my looks, I dropped out of school and signed with a small-time modeling agency, becoming a mediocre freelance model. Back then, I was arrogant, always believing I could achieve great things.

Under my agent Johnny's persuasion, I borrowed over 700, 000 from online loans, lavished gifts on everyone, and tried to climb the social ladder, dreaming of fame. After more than a year, I hadn't earned much money but was drowning in debt.

I still remember that day at a suburban real estate opening. After the event, Johnny pulled me backstage, handed me 2, 000$, and a skimpy outfit. That was the day I was sent to Archie's bed.

I heard he was a famous tycoon in Skyvale's entertainment industry, owning several modeling agencies and deeply involved in film investments and international casinos. His side businesses were countless, and he was well-connected in the underworld. There were at least hundreds of women who were eager to get into Archie's bed. However, he had a special fetish that he liked "clean" women. No wonder Johnny chose me.

After that incident, I began to try every possible way to make plans for myself. I needed to find a reliable benefactor, not some nouveau riche with more money than sense, nor a boastful second-generation rich kid. I knew Archie was the best choice. He wasn't just wealthy and powerful; he was also incredibly handsome.

2.

Once there was a first time, a second time followed. Johnny, having tasted the benefits, hovered around me like a persistent fly, claiming he wanted to introduce me to other bosses. But I would never agree. I eventually changed my phone number and never returned to the company. I had to keep myself "cleanliness" at all times.

I began investigating Archie's every move, and after a few months, I discovered that on the fifth of every month, he played golf. I knew it was a gamble, but I didn't care.

When I appeared before Archie in sportswear, I boldly declared, "Mr. Hewitt, I've kept myself untainted."

Archie tossed his golf club to the caddie, removed his white gloves, and looked at me with disdain. His eyes were scrutinizing, with a hint of curiosity, and his cold gaze was suffocating.

Over the years, there have never been a few people who have wanted to get into his bed. But I'm the first one to be so bold.

He suddenly smiled, waved his hand, and called his assistant over.

"78 Maple Street." This was the first villa Archie gifted me.

I thought I had succeeded, but I was wrong.

After gifting me the villa, Archie disappeared. I asked his assistant several times, but the responses were always cold. He told me I should be grateful that Mr. Hewitt noticed me, but I shouldn't expect him to keep me by his side.

It was a month later that Archie truly decided to choose me. During that time, rumors spread that Archie had offended someone, and several rivals had teamed up against him, causing all his entertainment companies in Skyvale to shut down. Archie hadn't been seen for a long time.

That night, just as I changed into my pajamas and was about to head to the bedroom, Archie suddenly appeared.

3.

He looked travel-worn, with creases in his suit-a meticulous man like him would never allow such a thing to happen.

Before I could express my confusion, he approached and gripped my chin, his gaze dark and brooding. He asked, "Are you still clean?" I thought he wanted me.

Since he was my benefactor, I naturally used all my charms to serve him. I nodded and clung to Archie, and he didn't push me away.

I figured few could resist the allure of youth, not even Archie.

Just as things were about to ignite, there was a loud knock on the villa door.

Archie's expression darkened, and he pushed me away. He pulled on his coat and instructed me gravely, "Don't let anyone know I'm here," then headed upstairs.

The knocking grew louder. It was the middle of the night, and if I didn't open the door, it would surely disturb the neighbors and eventually lead to the police being called. I threw on a robe and opened the door. Only to have four or five burly men with steel pipes burst in, pushing me aside and searching the living room.

I was really frightened. However, recalling Archie's instructions, I took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs, "How dare you! Do you know who I am? If Oliver gets to know this, you'll be in serious trouble."

The men exchanged confused glances, probably thinking they had the wrong place and had mistakenly entered Oliver's residence.

Oliver wasn't someone to be trifled with in Skyvale, and with my convincing act, they believed me. No one would dare brag about such a thing. The men didn't even dare go upstairs and left in disgrace.

Archie upstairs had witnessed everything.

After they left, my palms were sweaty, but I heard applause from behind me. Archie walked up to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and tilting my chin up. It's the first time I've seen him free of his ferocity in such a long time That night, he had pinned me to the sofa, leaving me exhausted from his intensity.

Later, his assistant told me I was lucky; over the years, I was the only woman Archie had taken a liking to.

I was 22 when I got involved with Archie.

4.

In truth, even before getting involved with Archie, I knew his business dealings weren't clean. In the criminal underworld, few people are. Wanting both wealth and peace of mind is a rare luxury.

I was so afraid of being poor. For me, being able to hold on to such a powerful person as Archie is already good enough. But I hadn't anticipated how complicated the underworld could be, nor how many people wanted to drag him down.

That day, I was to accompany him to a cocktail party. As usual, after getting dressed up properly, the driver drove to the villa to pick me up. It was a business event held at the most luxurious Crystal Heights Hotel in Skyvale, akin to the Ritz in New York.

Unexpectedly, Archie had a last-minute issue and couldn't attend, but I ran into Johnny, whom I hadn't seen in ages. He was still working as an agent at the same modeling agency, engaging in the same questionable dealings. But then again, without his resilience, how could he have survived in the industry for so long? Despite his constant bowing and scraping, I figured Johnny must have made quite a bit of money by now. Sending one young model after another to other people's beds, the brokerage fees from this must have lined his pockets.

When he saw me, he quickly walked over and pulled me aside. After glancing around to ensure no one was watching, he hesitated for a long time.

I always hated when people spoke in half-sentences, and I was getting annoyed. "Johnny, if you have something to say, just say it." He hesitated a bit more, then leaned in and asked, "Jolene, are you planning to stay with Archie?"

What did he mean by that?

But Johnny didn't elaborate. With so many people at the party, he left after dropping that line. I was puzzled but didn't dwell on it.

When I walked out of the hotel, the driver hadn't arrived yet. With nothing to do, I decided to take a stroll and headed towards a nearby alley.

In front was the grand Crystal Heights Hotel, but behind it lay a row of bungalows. Walking through the alley, feeling the dampness seep through my shoes, I felt the dampness beneath my feet.

After a few steps, I noticed some figures ahead. It was too far away to see clearly. But his movement clearly showed that he was holding a steel pipe and smashing it hard onto the head of another man. The man fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

I'd heard stories about the underworld, but I never expected to witness it firsthand. I gasped and turned to leave. It was best not to get involved in such matters.

But the sound of my heels was too loud, and the man clearly noticed me. I quickened my pace, hearing footsteps behind me.

Just as my heart was racing, a man suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me along.

In that instant, my heart, which had been in my throat, suddenly settled. The warmth from his grip soothed my anxiety.

We ran to the side of the hotel, where several security guards were stationed, and the pursuers stopped following. Nothing else happened that night. After running with me to the side of the hotel, he took a look at me and said in a calm tone, "A girl had better be careful when she's alone." With that, he turned and left.

I met Darin when I was 23, having been by Archie's side for over a year.

5.

Back at the villa, I was still shaken, surprised that such blatant acts could occur in the city.

In the middle of the night, as I was sleeping soundly, a familiar sandalwood fragrance wafted into my nose. I knew Archie had arrived. He carried a faint smell of alcohol, likely from a recent social event.

Archie never announced his visits beforehand; he came whenever he pleased. That was the unspoken rule of being with him.

I made sure he was comfortable, and afterward, as I lay on his chest, ready to tell him about the day's events, Archie spoke first.

His voice was low and deep. "Mr. Thomas from Entertainment Hub is quite fond of you."

I sat up abruptly, staring at him in shock. I wasn't naive; I understood the implication behind Archie's words.

Yet he remained unfazed, his expression unchanged. Rising from the bed, he put on his shirt, adjusting his cufflinks while observing me from the corner of his eye.

He was waiting for me to speak.

I remembered Henrik from Entertainment Hub.

After Johnny had introduced me to Archie, Henrik was the next wealthy patron he suggested.

In his forties, about five foot seven, with a paunch, Henrik had a penchant for young models and starlets.

So what now?

Was I to be passed on to Henrik next? I wrapped myself in a coat, leaned against the headboard, and for the first time, I defied Archie. "I'm not just a transaction."

I watched as Archie's deep eyes turned cold, his features sharpening.

Archie picked up the black suit jacket. When he reached the door, he stopped and said to me in an icy tone.

"Jolene, I like smart people."