For the reader, I picked the Mature category for this story, since it is the leading theme, even though the story also explores a foot fetish. This is a standalone story, but I am working on writing more stories under the name Sugar Journals. If you have ideas for a setting, please contact me.
As always, all characters are over 18. Please leave feedback and vote.
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"Come on, grow up! You screwed up and you know it. You need to tell him the truth. He deserves that," I said to Derek, who was trying to concentrate on driving and moping at the same time.
We were on our way to his parents' house for our weekly dinner, which we had missed two weeks in a row. I was convincing him to tell his father the truth about his latest investment, which was supposed to bring us a lot of money, but it cost his father all he had given him.
"I promise to tell him on Monday. He is coming to the city for a meeting. I'll go see and talk to him. If I do it now, he gets mad, and then Mom gets mad at him, and the evening is ruined.
Derek's Mom was always on his side, no matter how badly he messed things up. We had been together with Derek for only a year, and I had witnessed a few of these battles already, so I knew he was right.
I gave in. "Okay, but remember you promised. Monday, you'll tell him."
We drove the rest of the way in silence.
I loved him, but this wasn't the first time he had done something like this. He was trying hard, but he just didn't have his father's business instincts. However, what annoyed me the most was that even though I had told him not to make the investment before discussing it with his father, he had chosen not to listen to me. I often forgot that he was five years older than I, because he sometimes behaved like he was five years younger.
Deep down, I knew that for me, this wasn't just about him losing the money his father had given. His failure had a direct impact on me. I knew very well that with Derek, I had gotten used to a lifestyle I wouldn't be able to have if I had been on my own or with someone else. My family wasn't as rich as his, and dating Derek had taught me that he always had money I could use.
I guess the truth was that I was prepared to dump him. When we met, I thought he was smart and ambitious like me; in addition to that, he had the looks and the money. Now it seemed that the only thing he had left was his looks. All ambitions he ever had were dependent on his father's money, and I was quite sure that it was also coming to an end soon.
When Derek pulled into the driveway, his father came to greet us.
"So good to see you, Renee," Mark said, hugging me. He was always polite and treated me like a daughter they never had.
"Always nice to see you, Mark." I gave him a peck on the cheek as it was our custom.
"Come here, my son." He pulled Derek close. "Good that you finally had time to come. Work keeping you busy?" They started to walk to the house.
"How are the investments doing?" I heard Mark ask, and all I could do was shake my head. He was in for a surprise on Monday.
Inside, Derek's mother, Angela, maintained her aristocratic demeanor that always made me smile. Her ridiculous behavior made me want to drop a curtsy to her, just to show her that I could see through her act, but I didn't. Instead, we exchanged pleasantries and engaged in superficial chit-chat, which was all we ever did.
I was convinced that she secretly hoped Derek would dump me and marry some rich princess from a neighboring county, and she could be a part of their court. I was probably the only thing in Derek's life where he didn't listen to his mother.
As always, the dinner was excellent. Angela liked showing off their wealth, even among family. I guess it was easy since all she had to do for the money was to get up every morning and breathe. From what I had understood, she hadn't worked a day in her life. Mark provided her with everything.
"How are your studies going?" Mark asked when we started eating. He was the opposite of his wife. Very friendly, always happy, and humane.
I had just started my studies for a bachelor's degree, and he knew I was aiming to do my postgraduate studies in medicine. Since Mark himself was a successful orthopedic surgeon, he was always keen to hear how my goal of being a doctor someday was getting closer.
"Good, thank you for asking. In fact, I have some questions for you about what courses you would recommend for me next year. If you have the time to give me some pointers." I always appreciated his opinion, and I wasn't afraid to ask.
Mark had always been friendly to me, and I liked him a lot. He came from a family of a long line of doctors and was an intelligent and ambitious man. He had studied in a prestigious medical school and had quickly become a respected surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He had his own practice and made good money not only through his work but also with his sharp business mind and investments.
"Of course, I'll help you anyway I can. We can talk after dinner."
Angela smirked as she listened to our conversation. "What about you, Derek? How are your investments going? I'm sure you are doing a great job," she turned the focus to his son.
Derek almost choked on his food, and I couldn't help but giggle. Angela looked at me, scolding, and Derek kicked me under the table.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what went into me." I apologized for my behavior, and it took every bit of my self-control not to burst into laughter again.
Derek changed the subject smoothly, ignoring his mother's question. "So, Dad, I heard that you are going to some event next weekend?"
Mark chewed his food and swallowed. "Yes, there is the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Gala dinner held in New York, and since we are one of the major donors supporting educational initiatives within orthopedics, we were invited."
"Wow, that sounds wonderful. Angela, you must be excited to go to such an event?" It had to be said in her favor that she was a distinguished charity worker, despite her dull personality. However, I quickly noticed I had said something stupid because everyone went quiet.
"No, I'm going alone," Mark said, clearing his throat. "My wife has another engagement that weekend.
"That's right. I'm hosting a small gathering for my closest friends here. We are planning a fundraiser for next month," she said in a dull tone of voice. I thought it best not to ask any more questions about the event because they didn't seem to have a common understanding about it, but Angela didn't let the subject go.
It was my turn to almost suffocate on my food when she suddenly blurted out, "Maybe you should go back to that site, Mark, and look for someone younger to be your companion in that precious Gala of yours?" She said it like she was just mentioning something about the weather.
"Angela, please. Not now," Mark said, pleading with her with his gaze.
Derek leaned toward me and whispered in my ear, "Mom found out that Dad has been visiting Sugarbabe dating sites," he chuckled.
I glanced at Mark. He was clearly embarrassed that his wife had brought the matter up in front of me, but I couldn't help it: the remark Angela and my dear boyfriend made sparked a naughty plan in my head.
Ever since Derek, emboldened by his father's financial generosity and success in investments, had poured a significant sum into a start-up company called Innovate Motion, which was developing AI-powered personalized fitness wearables, and lost his money when a competing company released their superior product, I had thought about a way to support myself if Mark would cut him off.
If I were Derek's parent, I would have cut him off, but even if Mark wouldn't do it, I wanted a more stable income to support the lifestyle I had gotten used to and perhaps even gather a little nest egg for the future.
Before meeting Derek, I had lived with a girl named Linda who had been a Sugarbabe for some rich older guy. She had had everything, the guy even paid her living expenses. During the time we lived together, she had often tried talking me into taking a Sugardaddy for myself. Before I had time to really think about it, I had met Derek, and I hadn't thought about the possibility until now.