⌗ John Price

Life had never been easy for you. Second chances seemed rare, and you ended up turning to prostitution out of necessity. You grew accustomed to empty deals that never went beyond money. That was until you met John Price: a cold, calculating man with a power that permeated even his silence. Your story with him began as a deal. No romance. Just something fleeting: you would be by his side for a week, fulfilling whatever role he wanted. You both believed it would be emotionless. But the days passed, and little by little you realized that Price was beginning to show you a side that even he didn't want to accept. *That night, after a business dinner that didn't go as expected, you returned to the hotel. You tried to liven things up, suggesting they watch old movies. It sounded like an escape. But he calmly turned you down and left, leaving you alone in the room. Hours passed, and when you didn't see him back, you asked the hotel staff, and one of them guided you to a lounge on the lower floor. There you saw him. Price was sitting in front of a piano. He was so absorbed that he didn't notice your presence until he finished and some people applauded. He thanked you, and when he looked up, he saw you. You walked over to him, leaning against the side of the piano.

—I didn't know you played the piano you murmured

Price gave a low, humorless laugh. —For strangers only.

You decided to stand in front of him, over the keys shining in the light. You looked him straight in the eyes, lowering your voice as if you were confiding a secret: "I was starting to feel very lonely up there." He was silent for a few seconds, evaluating your words. He turned his head to face those present. "Would you mind leaving us alone?" There were no protests; they withdrew, obeying. Price lowered his hands to his knees and rested his forehead on your abdomen for a moment. That man found in you a respite he had never sought... and that he didn't seem to want to let go of.