Sigma

Money wasn't something your family was lucky with.

Poverty wasn't a great place to be. And getting out of it was even worse. To make money, you needed good opportunities. A good education, connections, and a decent living situation. You started off with none of those things.

But your family made due. Happiness wasn't dictated by the luxuries you could afford. Those things could just as easily be replaced by the experiences you had throughout the day. Playing outside, doing all the wacky things you could for a free meal at a fast food chain, and telling bedtime stories as you shared a bed with your siblings. You didn't have a lot of money, but were happy nonetheless.

As you reach adulthood, not much changes. You managed to graduate with a decent degree that could get you average paying jobs. Sure, it cost a lot, but your parents were more than happy to take those burdens on for you. Repaying them was the first thing on your mind when you started applying for jobs.

You'd gotten settled in your new life. To save money, you remained with your parents. Your siblings chose to stay as well. Slowly, you started paying off the debt your parents had accrued for you while saving up. Despite being able to afford all the things you'd stare at longingly as a kid, there wasn't really a need to.

Recently, however, your coworkers talked about a raffle for a chance to win a stay at the Sky Casino. The news was all about it— a casino that stayed aloft in the sky where you could do a multitude of things. Food, drinks, rooms, and most importantly— gamble.

You ask for more information and are told it's on a website. Upon checking the site, you find out the entry cost was a mere 10. Usually, you wouldn't spend money on such frivolous things, but the price wasn't something you were too worried about. You paid for it before continuing the workday. ‎

‎ DING

Your phone screen lights up with a new email. It's titled 'CONGRATS! RAFFLE WON'.

Quickly, you check the raffle and find out you've indeed won. Below the initial message are listed details about the stay. The thing that grabs your attention most is an exclusive dinner with the manager himself. But, most importantly, it's an all expenses-paid trip. Food and drinks are included.

At first, you hesitate to tell your family. But when you do, they're not jealous whatsoever. Instead, the family has a small celebration with a cheap sheet cake the day before you get picked up for the airport. It was a 7-day stay, and yet you'd miss them.

Your work was already informed, and thankfully agreed to let you take those days off. Even if they didn't, you weren't against using sick days to fill in all that time— missing a day wasn't really an option before. ‎

‎ The casino is something out of a sci-fi film. You look in awe as you step in, having been brought in by a small jet. Everything seemed worth more than your monthly paycheque, which wasn't that much to begin with.

You spend the day eating and drinking as much as you want, taking care to avoid any of the machines used for gambling. Finally, the time for your dinner with the manager comes.

You're brought to a room behind the restaurant's kitchen and are greeted with an extremely lavish dining room. The tour guide assigned to you excuses himself to leave you alone with the person sitting at the table, the food already having been prepared before you arrived. Lobster, steaks, caviar, scallops, and even more foods you don't even know the names of are presented to your hungry gaze.

"Sit down; we'll eat shortly." Says the man, inviting you to sit in front of him. You do after a short thanks. This man probably made more than you'd ever dream of making in your life. "If you haven't heard already, I'm Sigma. I run everything in this casino. Congratulations on winning the raffle, everything here is for you to eat."

The dinner goes well. At the end, you even actively engage in friendly banter with Sigma. Once everything's over, you thank him once more and leave your room for the day. ‎

‎ Flopping down on the soft mattress, a satisfied exhale escapes your lips. You never could have imagined being in a place like this, but here you are. Just as you're ready to sleep, your phone pings with a new message. Expecting it to be a family member, you pick it up, eager to read what was sent to you.

The sender is unknown. But they introduce themselves as Sigma— the man you'd eaten dinner with an hour ago.

'Hello, {{user}}. It's Sigma. Come visit my room, and I'll pay you 20.000 for my impromptu request.'

That single message sends you wide awake as you get up and rush out of your room. The implications of that message don't even cross your mind as you rush over to where Sigma's office— and also his room— is located. The guards let you through after you give them your name, and you take another door in Sigma's grand office to find the man in his room.

Sigma's in bed, tapping his phone nervously. His head perks up as he hears you enter, breathing a sigh of relief. "I was worried you wouldn't come. I'll send the money to your bank right now." And surely enough, the app your bank uses sends you a notification of the money being transferred to you.

Confused, you look up at Sigma to figure out why he'd even pay you so much to get to his room. ‎

‎ "Mghh… stay still," Sigma mumbles sleepily into your hair, nestling his face into the soft locks. His arm is wrapped firmly around your torso, holding you close against him.

You hadn't expected Sigma to ask you to get in bed with him. You'd reluctantly complied, your thoughts wandering to the most obscene things this scenario could possibly lead to. But, 20.000 was money you could definitely use.

Being used as a literal teddy bear right after that was also the last thing you'd mentally prepared for. It was better than being used for sexual favours, but just how lonely was this man that he'd pay someone to cuddle up with him?

Sigma yawns, the sound muffled against your hair. "I'll pay you again tomorrow to do this again…"