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An Exquisite Experiment: The Exquisite Collection, #1
An Exquisite Experiment: The Exquisite Collection, #1
An Exquisite Experiment: The Exquisite Collection, #1
Ebook118 pages1 hourThe Exquisite Collection

An Exquisite Experiment: The Exquisite Collection, #1

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Beneath the elegant poise of Lexus, a gifted ballerina, lies a simmering desperation. Threatened by a career-ending injury and imminent eviction, she is drawn to an enigmatic job ad promising $10K for two weeks of work. In the face of dire circumstances, it's an opportunity she can't decline.

Plunged into the heart of an intimate and psychologically charged experiment, Lexus loses her identity, morphing into a pawn on a chessboard manipulated by unseen hands. Through intense trials that test her resilience, she straddles the precipice between submission and self-preservation, challenging the boundaries of her psyche.

A veil of mystery envelops the experiment and its architects, their intentions as obscure as a moonless night. Compelled by desperation and curiosity, Lexus stumbles further into their labyrinthine design, uncovering aspects of her desires that darken her self-perception.

Standing at the crossroads of self-indulgence and self-discovery, Lexus must grapple with the aftermath of her choices. Will she succumb to the intoxicating pull of her dark desires, or emerge from the crucible as an indomitable spirit, forever changed?

Immerse yourself in Lexus's riveting journey, a story that straddles the line between a steamy psychological drama and a stirring exploration of personal boundaries. An unorthodox blend of women's fiction, this tale will compel you to question your own limits, even as it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherEidyllio Publishing
Release dateJun 8, 2021
ISBN9781648930263
An Exquisite Experiment: The Exquisite Collection, #1
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    Book preview

    An Exquisite Experiment - Sappharia Mayer

    Chapter 1

    The ad was innocent, and I stared at it for what felt like the hundredth time. Ten thousand dollars for two weeks of my life felt doable. Besides, interactive personal explorations sounded interesting. 

    So the internal argument had gone for the last four days. A notice of eviction on my door was the last straw to throw me over the edge, I reminded myself as I stared at the plain-looking office building.  

    I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The click of my cane was swallowed up in the ambient noise of at least a hundred people. Each one had a band on their arm with a number on it. Some huddled in groups, others sat alone as they hunched over a clipboard. The sight was bizarre, but I understood it. 

    Good afternoon, a woman behind the tall receptionist desk greeted me. 

    Afternoon. I… um…

    You’re here to answer the experiment ad, she filled in. 

    I nodded and smiled. 

    Do you have your invitation?

    Yes, ma’am, I replied and handed her the odd barcode paper which appeared after I’d taken three online quizzes. 

    Thank you, Miss Davenport. Here’s your number. You are required to wear this band on your left arm until informed to take it off. It identifies you as an invitee and your credentials for the buildings.  Here are some forms we need filled out. You can do them now or at a later time, she said as she handed over the packet.

    I looked down at the bundle and nodded.

    If at any time during the final decision process you are asked to leave, you must return everything. Anything missing out of this bundle, including forms, will incur a thousand-dollar fee.

    Wow. You’re serious about getting everything back, I replied as I picked up the package.

    Quite, she replied but smiled up at me. The first round will be done in a group. Please listen for your number. Good luck to you. 

    Thank you, I said as I turned back toward the room and watched the crowd. 

    The last thing I wanted was to make small talk, but I knew better than to appear anti-social. So I made my way to a high-top table, set the package down, and leaned my cane against my leg. Then I pulled out the number. 

    Here’s hoping two six eight is a lucky number, I muttered as I wrapped the band around the top of my left arm. 

    I guess that depends on what you call lucky, a male voice said from in front of me. 

    Right now, I call ten thousand dollars in two weeks lucky. 

    He chuckled. Ah, the money is the draw for you. 

    I shrugged and glanced at his arm. 

    Don’t worry, I’m not your competition, he said and handed me a bottle of water. What happened to the leg?

    Ruptured Achilles. 

    Is the story good?

    If you’re a dancer, it’s sad and amazing. If you’re not, then it’s just sad.

    He nodded. 

    The one profession where pain is how you know you’re doing it right. 

    I shook my head. 

    All athletes and artists must feel pain to know they are doing it right, I replied. 

    How do you mean? 

    Without pain, you can’t know ecstasy.

    Interesting insight, two six eight. 

    I laughed. Great, so now I’m a number. A faceless embodiment of a possible experiment, I said and smirked. 

    And how does that make you feel?

    Anonymously intrigued.

    Chapter 2

    "G ood afternoon. We have everyone checked in and can begin the process. A couple of administrative notes before we begin. If we choose you, you will have exactly thirty minutes to wrap up your affairs for a minimum of two weeks. You’ll note in the information provided prior to your arrival, this could be extended for up to two months. Is there anyone here who cannot, or would choose not to continue longer than two weeks?"

    Hands went up around the room. 

    Very good. If you will all form a group to the right, that would be splendid. You are now group one. Our attendant will take down your numbers and then lead you through to the next stage. 

    People shuffled around the room. Some moved to make a path while others formed into the group. 

    Is there anyone here, should you make it past the final decision stages, who could stay longer than one full quarter?

    I scowled at the question. I’d put everything into storage right before showing up here today. The last of my money paid for a year, and I hoped I would be back at my dance company before payment was due next year. If two weeks paid well, I wondered what additional time would pay. It wasn’t like I was missing anything. The dance company couldn’t afford my physical therapist, and my medical bills, even after insurance, were more than I could fathom. With little thought, I raised my hand. 

    Excellent. Those who could stay for a full quarter, please form a group over here. 

    I smiled as the minuscule crowd worked its way toward me.  

    Looks like I was lucky enough to be in the right place, I muttered. 

    Here’s hoping you feel lucky after all the decisions are made, the man across from me replied and, with a slight nod, passed me to walk through the double doors in front of us. 

    Everyone else, please form a group in the center. 

    The mass majority of people formed a group in the center of the room.

    These three groups will be as important as your number. You’ll see a person coming around with a colored ribbon to attach to your arm band. Group one, your color is red. Group two, your color is green. Group three, your color is yellow. Once you have your colors, please proceed to the room through those double doors. There are refreshments for each group based on your colors. In addition, you’ll be called first by your color then narrowed down by your number, if necessary. Are there any questions?

    Great, I said with a shake of my head. I think I just volunteered as tribute.

    It can’t be that bad. Besides, they’ll feed us and house us. It’s better than where I was thirty minutes before I walked through those doors, the woman beside me said. 

    Sorry to hear it, I offered. 

    Don’t be. I’ve made lots of bad decisions. Maybe this one will be a good one.

    Let’s hope, I agreed and forced a smile. 

    A young man handed me a green ribbon. I attached it to the arm band and picked up the package

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