The Ideal Deal

31

Summer's POV

"How have the two of you been?" Daniel asked.

I answered, "We're managing well, thanks for asking."

Ana, one of the members, questioned, "Any bumps in the relationship as yet?"

"Slight disagreements once in a blue, but nothing that couldn't be talked out and fixed," Dominic answered.

Lumiere spoke, "No disrespect, but the Circle is having some doubts about your marriage. We find the timing a bit odd, though we have heard from the press your reasonings behind it."

"The Circle wants genuine couples. Here, we are all a family, and we need that from you," Christopher, another member, spoke.

Daniel's wife, Zara, added, "We need to trust you. We have a task for you, but first, we need confirmation of your actual relationship." I looked at Dominic, who looked at me for a second before looking at Zara. He wouldn't even look at me for long anymore, and I couldn't help but feel hurt that he wasn't speaking to me anymore. I actually really enjoyed his company and felt lonely without it. The two months that Dominic and I had been living together had been the most genuine time we spent together, but this month had been very shallow compared to the first month. I decided not to think about our situation and, instead, focused on Zara. "Summer, what is a nonmaterialistic thing you value a lot right now, and if the answer is Dominic, that answer is void right now."

I thought deeply about the question before answering, "My virginity."

"Why?" Zara questioned.

I answered, "I value it because I want to share that moment with someone special- someone I'd be in love with."

Ashley, another member, nodded, "Which is why we don't know why you still have it if you're married to the person you're supposedly in love with. Is there a reason?"

Besides Dominic not liking me in that way, "No," I shook my head. "I guess we just haven't found any time to get intimate. We've been so caught up in work that we haven't really been putting aside time for fun things this month."

Dominic added, "Our jobs mean a lot to us. They're things that we enjoy doing, and we also want our companies to thrive beyond our parents' expectations."

Zara nodded before asking, "What about you, Dominic? What nonmaterialistic thing do you value, besides Summer?"

"A family," Dominic answered, and I immediately began wondering if that's why Dominic had been distancing himself from me. He wanted a family, but our marriage wouldn't allow him to actually find someone that he could fall in love with and have children with. He probably was having regrets about marrying me because of that, and I couldn't blame him.

"Why?" Daniel asked.

Dominic answered, "I always wanted a wife and two children. I like the idea of it, and I'm willing to accept the struggles that come with it. For me, family is foundation. It's stability and security. I'll not only have children to hand over my businesses to, but also to love and care for. I want to teach them proper values in life and make sure they turn out better than I did. I want the school games and/or performances. I want the graduations, the proms, and the talks about everything. Family is everything for me, especially now that I have lost two that I really cared about."

The Circle nodded in response, and I couldn't help but feel bad that I was depriving him of the opportunity to have a family. He obviously cared a lot about having one in the future, but I was in his way from finding true love and building the foundation he wanted.

Daniel spoke, "Family means a lot to us as well. We want you two to make love to each other tonight with a condom, which is what you'll be using as proof of the sex. A room will be provided for you, and you'll have an hour."

"Wait, seriously? In here? Tonight?!" I frowned.

The members of the Circle nodded, and I could see the seriousness in their eyes.

Lumiere clarified, "We won't be watching. We're not into that." The members of the Circle then chuckled at Lumiere's clarification. "The room has already been decorated for you both and will be very secluded. You both already clarified that there's nothing holding you back except for a lack of spare time, so we expect that you fulfill this task."

George, another member, added, "Failure to do so will result in excommunication."

I looked at Dominic, who returned the same worried look.

Daniel informed, "Sabrina, the maid here, will show you your room. Remember, you have an hour."

A blonde maid smiled while cocking her head to the right. Dominic and I stood from our chairs and followed the maid in silence. Once we were shown our room and the maid left, Dominic closed the door and walked over to me.

He whispered, "You don't have to-"

"No, it's okay," I shook my head. "We need answers."

He pointed out, "But you won't enjoy it if you don't have feelings for me."

I sighed, "It's okay, Dominic. I'm already stopping you from having a family due to being married with you. We both agreed to join the Circle, so we both have to endure the consequences that come along with it. I'm taking away something from you, and now you're taking something from me. It's only fair."

"But this won't feel right. It's like forced sex," he argued. "I can just masturbate in the bathroom and nut in the condom."

I pointed out, "My residues won't be on the outside of it. Plus, there should be a little bit of blood, no?"

Dominic sighed as he thought about our predicament. "We can find another way. I really don't like the idea of you being forced to have sex with me."

I shook my head, "Just don't think of it like that. You'll be getting your release, and I'm fine with doing this. Yeah, it's going to be a bit awkward, but we can try to enjoy it so it doesn't feel that way. Okay?"

He nodded his head and stared at the door that led to the bathroom. "You can shower first," he offered, and I nodded. Tonight would be special if only Dominic had the same feelings for me that I had for him, but at least I would be giving myself to someone I cared about, even if our level of care was different.