8. My Paycheck

Elena

Taking a step back in an attempt to create some distance, I failed miserably, twisting my ankle in the process. I didn't fall too far as he caught me by the waist and pulled my flush against his sweaty chest. He smelled divine.

Sure, there was the musk of sweat, but there was also something expensive about his scent. I couldn't quite place it, but I knew he wasn't a man of small means.

The question I had intended to ask him flew out of my mind as I stood in close proximity to him, his presence overwhelming. I wiggled out of his grasp as the announcer approached, likely to tell him about another fight scheduled for another time.

I tried to catch his eye as I left, but he seemed engrossed in his conversation. I hurried out of the room, feeling flustered and uncertain about what just happened.

**

I was back to square one. I had no money, and my job being needlessly demanding, I was also in desperate need of a timeout. Two days ago, Pablo called me while I was in class. I had l