Chapter 1 - It’s a YES

“I’ll be home by 7 p.m., and you’re not allowed outside after that, understand Jamie?” he said, his gaze is a mix of intimidation and something almost pleading. I was sure it was more threatening than anything else.

I turned away and headed back to my room. Eros is the type to assert his authority without concern for anyone else.

Yes, you heard it right… Eros Tadashi, the prime model for Lewd Magazine, a publication renowned for fueling the fantasies of people of all ages.

For almost three months now, I’ve been his stay-at-home partner.

*Flashback a few months ago…

I did a quick pictorial for L World Magazine, which is similar to Lewd Magazine but caters specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community. The shoot was with a friend who had transitioned and is now identified as male.

What started as a fun side job quickly turned into a regular gig, and I found myself enjoying it. It was extra cash, and I was screened for a collaboration magazine where I was paired with a guy.

When he walked into the room, I was in awe. He had an alpha presence combined with a strong yet delicate look. The shoot was a departure from my usual work: no skin exposed, just a sweet, wholesome vibe that was surprisingly refreshing. He was gentle and charming, a big deal in the industry, if I can put it that way.

“Today’s the last day of the pictorial. We’ll be graduating soon,” he said, glancing at me through the mirror. The glam team was still working on my hair, and as we continued with our shoot, we chatted casually.

“I’m planning to earn a good amount after graduation, but I don’t want to go into the corporate world or take over the family business,” he said, his voice low and contemplative. “I’m not sure where I’m headed after college, but I need to do something to survive. After all, I’m human—I need to earn a living.” I struck a playful pose, trying to match his tone with my own youthful enthusiasm.

“Are you thinking about applying for jobs?” he asked, giving me a look that suggested he had an offer in mind. “I’m considering getting a small apartment near a convenience store so I can buy instant food and work remotely,” I shared.

“Well, you could stay with me,” he proposed. “I can provide everything you need; you just have to be with me and—” He didn’t finish his sentence.

Without a second thought, I accepted his offer.

*Present

I went to my room and looked at my laptop, I saw the email again from the L World Mag with my name on it. It says *An invitation for Jamie Nagamori.

I didn’t notice that Eros was already behind me, he grabbed my chair – looked at me from my face, my body and down to my soul. He gave me an intense kiss, as if he was about to take my soul. I gasped as his hands cupped my boobs, I snapped out of it when I remembered that he needed to go outside and that his car could be waiting outside already.

“We can continue later—right now, you should get going,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. I wiped the lipstick stain from his lips and adjusted his necktie.

“Get dressed; I’ll take you with me” he said, stepping out of my room to wait.

I wondered if he thought I was planning to leave the house and visit L World Entertainment about their invitation.

“It’s not necessary for me to go with you, Eros. I’ve never done anything without your approval—I won’t go there,” I said, my gaze fixed on the car window.

“I just want you with me, in case I feel the urge,” he replied.

He meant sex. He was bringing me to his workplace, but I’d remain in his dressing room, unseen by others. This wasn’t new; when he suspected I might be travelling for a modelling gig, he had me join him on a shoot, where I stayed in his van. His reasoning? In case he wanted sex, at least I’d be there, ready to satisfy him.

I looked at him and smiled, hoping he could see the uncertainty I was feeling. I wasn’t sure if I was happy, sad, or angry—maybe all at once. I had expected my life after college to be chaotic, but I never imagined it would lead me to this. Is this really what life has become?

A messed-up life.

I spent the time in his dressing room, watching a film or two and scrolling through social media updates. Had I known the shoot would drag on this long, I would have brought my laptop. A few minutes before 7, someone knocked on the door. I considered hiding, but it was Eros’s manager, Galvin.

“Jamie, it’s Galvin,” he said as he entered. “Just checking to make sure you’re okay. The shoot will be extended for at least another hour. Want to grab a bite?” He held up a box of takeout and invited me to share it with him. I hesitated; part of my arrangement with Eros was to eat with him or join him for every meal.

“Eros said you should eat and not wait for him,” Galvin added, noticing my indecision.

Galvin had been a good friend to Eros since their college days and became his manager after graduating. He knew of my existence but never pried into my relationship with Eros. He acted casually around me, which was oddly comforting. After all, I had few friends left, and with the invisible chain Eros had bound me with, it seemed like I had none at all.

“How’s the food?” Eros’s voice surprised me.

“It was good. I ordered your usual,” Galvin replied, handing him the separate box. Eros looked at me and asked, “Are you enjoying the conversation?”

I knew he was probing for something, though he tried to sound casual. “We were discussing Lewd Night at the end of the month. I shared the theme with Jamie, and she had some brilliant insights,” Galvin said. He mentioned that he would present these ideas during the preparation meeting with the media team the next day.

I cleaned up and waited for them to finish eating. While checking my phone, I noticed a call from an unknown number. Curiosity got the better of me, so I gestured to them that I needed to take the call and headed to the van to speak privately.

“Just send it via email as I instructed,” I said into the phone. Eros had entered the van and sat close, clearly trying to overhear the conversation. “Thank you for your call,” I concluded.

I asked, “Do you want me to put it on speaker next time?”

“No, not necessarily,” he replied. “I trust you’ll share the details of the call.”

I explained that the call was from a job I had applied for virtually. They wanted me to work as a media planner for corporate events. “Just let me see the details first,” Eros said, and I nodded in agreement.

That’s how things worked with us: every potential job had to be reviewed by him first to ensure it didn’t conflict with his preferences. Sometimes, I wondered which opportunities would pass his approval and which wouldn’t.

This job was a bit different. I hoped he would let me take it.

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