Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 9

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint**

Ten million dollars.

Gracia.

My cheeks felt like they were on fire. It wasn’t just my face; the heat coursed down my neck, spread across my shoulders, and even reached the tips of my ears, which had turned a vivid shade of crimson. This was the unmistakable sign of my fury—a simmering rage building up inside me like water boiling in a pot. I could feel the anger thrumming beneath my skin, poised to erupt like a volcano at any moment.

God, I detested everything about this moment.

The embarrassment was suffocating, wrapping around me like a heavy cloak. I was crushed under the weight of shame, confusion, and a paralyzing helplessness, particularly because I couldn’t recall the events of the previous night. All the while, that arrogant jerk had treated me like I was just another desperate girl who had crawled into his bed, begging for his attention.

No. Absolutely not. I was not the villain in this twisted tale. I was the damn victim. Yet, I had sat there, silent and passive, letting him walk away while I bit back my words like a fool.

And now, here I was, simmering in a cauldron of regret, my pride bleeding out like a gaping wound.

“Ahem. Miss,” a voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

I snapped my head up, glaring at the assistant—or whatever title he held. He wasn’t even looking at me, which was a small mercy, considering I was wrapped in nothing but a blanket.

“Please, ma’am,” he continued, his tone even and polite, as if he were discussing the weather. “Get dressed so we can discuss the price and—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I interrupted, my eyes narrowing dangerously. “Or I swear to God, the door won’t be the only thing I throw something at next.”

He flinched slightly, retreating a step as if my words were a physical blow. “But, Mr. Reed said I should give you whatever you ask for. He never does anything for free.”

“What do you people take me for?!” I spat, still clutching the blanket tightly to my chest, my teeth gritted in defiance. “Do I look like a sex worker to you? I don’t care if your precious Mr. Reed is some hotshot rich guy who never does anything for free. I am not for sale.”

Chase’s eyes widened in panic. “No one is taking you that way, Miss. I swear, it’s not like that.” He glanced down at the floor, clearly flustered. “Mr. Reed just insists on compensating you for last night. He doesn’t want it to be unfair to you.”

I nearly scoffed at the absurdity of it all. Unfair to me? Was he referring to the same man who had just humiliated me? He didn’t even like me—why would he care about fairness?

“I don’t want his money. Just leave now.”

“Ma’am, could you please just name a price? I’ll get in trouble if you refuse to accept the money. He’ll think I failed to do my job properly.”

I stared at him, my jaw clenched tight. How was that my concern? These people weren’t listening to me. They didn’t care about my dignity; they just wanted to check off a box and be done with me.

Fine. If the only way to end this circus was to play along, then I would do it my way.

“Okay. You want a price?” I said, my voice taut with tension.

Chase nodded eagerly, his eyes bright with hope. I inhaled deeply, wrapping the blanket tighter around me as if it could shield me from the absurdity of the situation. “Then give me ten million dollars. That’s my price,” I declared firmly. “Ten million dollars. If he wants to pay me to soothe his conscience or keep his ego intact or whatever twisted reason he has, then that’s what it’ll cost him. Take it or leave it.”

I braced myself for disbelief, laughter, or perhaps a door slammed in my face. Instead, Chase simply nodded once, his expression unflinching. “Okay, ma’am. Please, your account number.”

My jaw nearly dropped to the floor in shock.

Wait. What?

He had to be joking. There was no way this was real.

I approached the mirror, gasping at my reflection. My hair was a wild tangle, and my neck bore vivid pink splotches. Hickeys trailed across my collarbone and even down the gentle curve of my chest. It looked as though someone had taken their time marking me. My thighs hadn’t escaped either; faint bruised kisses dotted my inner legs.

“I—” I began, but a sharp sound interrupted the silence of the room. I jumped, my heart racing as my hand flew instinctively to my chest.

My eyes darted around until they landed on my phone, buzzing violently across the floor where my clothes lay in disarray.

I stumbled forward, reaching for my bag. My fingers found the phone, and a single glance at the screen twisted my stomach into a tight knot.

I stared at the name, and just seeing it made my hands clammy with dread.

I didn’t want to answer. God, I didn’t want to hear his voice. But I knew better than to let it ring out. With a deep breath, I swallowed hard, steeling myself, and pressed the green button.

“Y-Yes… father?”

His voice came through the speaker, cold and commanding. “Come home this instant, Gracia. You have ten minutes.”

Click.

In the wake of chaos, Gracia finds herself standing at the precipice of a life she never envisioned. The whirlwind of emotions—rage, humiliation, and confusion—has left her reeling, but amidst the turmoil, a flicker of defiance ignites within her. By demanding ten million dollars, she not only asserts her worth but also reclaims a semblance of control over a situation that had spiraled out of her grasp. The absurdity of her request becomes a catalyst for self-reflection, forcing her to confront the reality of her circumstances. It is a moment of empowerment, albeit wrapped in layers of pain, as she grapples with the lingering effects of betrayal and the weight of her past.

Yet as the phone buzzes ominously with her father’s call, Gracia is thrust back into the harsh reality of familial expectations and obligations. The cold command of her father echoes in her mind, a stark reminder of the life she has been trying to escape. In that moment, she realizes that the journey ahead is not merely about the money or the humiliation she endured; it is about breaking free from the chains of her past and forging her own path. The ten million dollars represent more than just a financial transaction; they symbolize her first step toward autonomy and self-acceptance. As she steels herself to answer her father’s call, Gracia understands that across the distant skies lies not just hope waiting to be found, but the promise of a new beginning, one that she must fight for with every ounce of strength she possesses.

In the next chapter, the stakes are about to rise as Gracia finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of her father’s demands while grappling with the fallout from the previous night. With ten million dollars suddenly on the table, she must confront not just the implications of her impulsive decision but also the reality of her strained relationship with her father. Will she comply with his orders, or will she stand her ground, fueled by the newfound sense of power that comes with her unexpected windfall? The tension is palpable as she weighs her options and considers what it truly means to reclaim her agency.

As Gracia prepares to face her father, the looming question of Mr. Reed’s intentions hangs in the air. What does he want from her now that she has placed a staggering price on her dignity? Will he see her as a victim deserving of respect, or will he continue to treat her as a mere pawn in his game? The chapter promises to delve deeper into the dynamics of power, control, and the complexities of human relationships, all while Gracia grapples with her identity in the aftermath of a night that has changed everything. Readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions as secrets unfold, alliances are tested, and Gracia must decide who she truly is amidst the chaos of her life.