Heels clacked rhythmically on the cold pavement despite her nervous steps. She hugged her coat tighter around her as she scanned through the lavish buildings built on the boulevard located at the top tier section of town. To be honest, she felt immediately out of place and embarrassed when she came out of the taxi only to realize that the road was filled with shining, private, branded cars that she could only drive in her wildest dreams.

A small puff of cold air escaped her tinted pink lips, eyes fixated on the name of the five star restaurant written in a calligraphy-styled font. She had read and seen articles about this infamous restaurant from food magazines and had listed it in one of the places she would like to eat at on her bucket list. She didn't expect she would actually dine here so soon though.

The pinkette still couldn't believe she's doing this, but she had already come too far to turn back now. After all, this meeting could make or break her entire future. Sakura steeled her nerves and took even breaths despite the cold night of early winter. It's now or never.

Squaring her shoulders, Sakura took careful, prideful steps towards the restaurant doors and the doorman immediately welcomed her inside. She sighed at the rush of heat in the building before letting one of the waiters take her coat, revealing her red dress that accentuated her exotic features. It wasn't her most extravagant and expensive dress (heavens no! she'd never even wanted to spend a single penny on any clothing aside from the ones intended for day-to-day uses) but this was the best she could fish out of her closet full of baggy t-shirts, pants, and shorts. And here she wondered why people called her a nerd.

"Table for one, ma'am?" asked the maître d', making her break her preliminary scan among the crowd in search for her date.

"Uhmm, actually I have a reservation," she said meekly.

"Of course, may I know under what name, ma'am?"

"Actually he said I should show you this," taking out her purse, she fished out the simple black envelope that appeared with her mail prior to her agreement to this date. She handed the letter to the old man and waited patiently as he carefully unsealed the envelope. Sakura only had the chance to catch a quick glimpse of the content- which was a black business card with nothing but an intricate red drawing of some sort of pinwheel before the maître d' hurriedly placed it back in. To the old man's credit, his voice didn't quake despite the sudden paleness of his features and the small trepidation that ran down the side of his head.

"My apologies, ma'am. If you would please just follow me, I will direct you to your table," he stretched out his hand to the side and Sakura couldn't help but notice how he bowed lower than he should.

Brushing off what she observed, Sakura followed the maître d' as he led her around the restaurant. She noticed how they skipped the tables and led her towards a flight of stairs decorated with a red carpet. The lights were dimmer on the second floor and it didn't take a genius to know that it was meant for private diners. It both made her feel secured but even more nervous at the same time. The maître d' stopped at one of the private booths and moved the curtain aside, gesturing with his arm inside.

Swallowing, Sakura took a cautious peek through the semi-transparent curtain before letting out a sigh of relief to find the table empty. Graciously, she settled herself on one of the chairs, feeling her weight sink onto the lush cushions.

"Would the ma'am like any refreshment while she waits?"

"Oh uhmm…" she stammered, eyes shooting everywhere in barely controlled panic. "I-I would like to try your mango milkshake, please. And- and some water would be nice."

"Very good ma'am," bowed the maître d' before taking his leave.

Once the old man left, Sakura released the breath she had been holding in for a while. A mango milkshake wasn't exactly the best drink to calm her nerves, nor was it the most appropriate drink to start a date but since she's finally here, she might as well satisfy her sweet tooth even if the single drink has a price that could buy two or more of her subject's manuals.

She thanked the waiter who returned with her drink and her heart fluttered at the sweet concoction. It seems that the reviews didn't disappoint. Sakura wasn't exactly surprised nor disappointed that her date hasn't arrived yet, she was, after all, thirty minutes early. She supposed it would make a good impression since her date really is some bigshot with enough dough to burn on a single night at a restaurant like this. The soft piano playing at the lower floor filled the entire building with a romantic ambiance- even though the purpose of her date was far from anything romantic. Her verdant eyes shifted from the intricate design of their walled, private booth, the utensils that could probably pay off her rent for months, the flowers arranged in a way she was a familiar with after taking all those summer jobs at the Yamanaka flower shop; before settling her sights down through the glass window that granted her a view of the lion fountain of the garden below.

Too lost was she in her thoughts that she didn't realize that she was halfway done with her drink and the thirty minutes left on the clock was gone until she felt a presence beside her along with the curtains being drawn aside.

Sakura popped the straw from her delicate lips and bit her lips in reflex when she finally came face to face with the man she had been exchanging emails with for the last few days. He stood regally in front her, his large body built absolutely exuded dominance and power that she felt deep within her bones. His long, dark, wild mane suited him perfectly that it further accentuated his aristocratic face.

Deep inside, a part of her squealed with immense relief. She was nervous that he didn't come out as bad as he thought he would be, appearance-wise, because of how anonymous his profile was. She had beat herself up quite thoroughly at how stupid she was for accepting him so recklessly. She should've known better to lay a smidgen of her trust to someone who refuses to show a picture of themselves. But then again, he was very professional and on-point when she started exchanging mails with him. And the agency confirmed that he had no ulterior motives.

"My apologies for making you wait," his deep voice reverberated around their private booth that it made her snap from her trance.

"N-No, it's okay. I arrived too early," Sakura offered a small smile despite her inner jitters as he took his seat across from her, setting his briefcase beside his chair.

She couldn't help but stare at his tailored suit and expensive-looking shoes. Making her realize how insignificant her red dress she luckily snatched out of a thrift shop one day compared to him.

"At least your punctuality doesn't disappoint," he sat himself down with practiced ease, showing off the fact that he is quite familiar with the lavish things surrounding them.

"I try," her lips curled a little bit more before stretching her hand across the table, "It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Uchiha Madara."

"Likewise, Ms. Haruno Sakura," he leaned in, taking her small hand in his larger ones before turning it up to press a kiss over her cold knuckles. Though she was no stranger to dates and basic etiquette, it's still rare nowadays to experience someone kiss her hand. After kissing her knuckles, Madara's lips continued to linger. His surprisingly soft lips hovered over her bones, his thumb caressing the soft skin almost tenderly as his darker than black eyes looked up to her. Sakura felt her breath hitch at the intensity of his shameless stare. "You look more beautiful than you were in your picture, my dear."

"Flatterer, aren't you?" she found herself giggling a bit, "But I must suggest that we not jump to words of endearment so soon, Uchiha-san."

An amused smirk graced the corner of his lips before pressing his lips to her hand once again, this time a bit longer than the first before finally letting go of her hand. Madara resumed a straight posture despite resting his broad back against the cushions of the backrest as he crossed his legs.

"What say you we get on to business, Sakura?"

"Please do."

Madara reached down to gather his briefcase, shifting the code and opening the lock on his lap before fishing out a document. Sakura's heart hammered in her chest and her nervousness returned when she realized what the words printed on the white papers could be. Deftly, Madara set the document at the center of the table before turning it so that the letters could face her instead. "Feel free to take your time to read. If there are any corrections or things you would wish to add or change, please do speak up. I have brought a lawyer with us tonight to oversee to it just in case. If you find these terms satisfying, then I need you to sign your signature on every page and one more over your printed name at the last page."

Nodding, Sakura did took her time in reading the document. Too occupied to notice that a waiter had arrived to bring them their best wine Madara had ordered earlier, she failed to notice how his dark eyes raked her form not hidden by the table or the document. Her green eyes would dart critically across the words, making her unconsciously bite on her lower lip- a habit she had grown with over the years. Her cheeks would tint every now and then, making Madara smirk from behind his wineglass at the thought that she had most likely turned to the page that discussed their preferences in bed. Madara's eyes fell onto her lips and he felt himself lick his own lips at the thought of what they would taste like.

Finally, she nodded and turned back to the first page. Madara offered a pen for her to take and she thanked him before she started signing on each page. When she was done, she settled the pen on top of the document before turning it to face Madara this time. He stared at her in silent question for further reassurance, only to be answered with a curt nod. Of course she would agree with his terms; since he included her own conditions prior to their engagement. Convinced, Madara took up the pen and began to sign on every page as well. Once finished, Madara let her see the document again before locking it back in his suitcase before passing it with a silent whisper through the curtain of the private booth.

Madara reached out to grab hold of her hand, smirking as he caught her off-guard and relishing the way her cheeks tinted pink once he pressed butterfly kisses across the back of her hand and then to the pulse of her wrist.

"I'm looking forward to our meetings, love," he said, lips moving across her skin, sending a shock of electricity up her spine as he stared up at her with his dark, smoldering gaze.

Feeling bold, Sakura batted her lashes coyly at him, "Please take good care of me, daddy."

This time, it was Madara's turn to feel the electric impulse up his spine and on his neglected organ below, "Of course, baby girl. I'll take good care of you. I'll take very good care of you."

He slowly straightened from his seat, letting his lips linger a second longer before finally letting go of her hand. Not long after, a waiter came and introduced himself as their server as he handed them their menu. Madara coaxed her to order anything she wants and made sure to not let her spend a single penny that night. Not even on that mango milkshake she ordered earlier.

They made polite conversation. Asking trivial questions and basics like their age and whatnot that they would've already known from their profiles. Uchiha Madara was a single, thirty-eight-year-old businessman managing his own private business with his younger brother. Apparently his brother was the one who convinced him to go through this in hopes that he would relax a bit away from the stress of work. While she, Haruno Sakura, was a single, twenty-two-year-old medical student who's striving to achieve her dream to become a surgeon. Unfortunately, passion alone couldn't provide the educational and day-to-day needs of a disowned college girl like her.

"Is there something wrong?" Sakura asked when she finally noticed Madara's stare as they ate.

"You seem to be a very smart woman to pursue a noble cause. It baffles me why you continue to pursue something of high financial demand considering your situation," he answered, swirling the amber fluid in his glass.

"You already know my story, Madara-san. Unfortunately even a scholarship isn't enough to cover all of my educational expenses and I refuse to give up just because I couldn't fish out a few bucks," she said in a serious tone, eyes locking with his that he saw the fire of determination in those green depths, "I tried working triple shifts for a few months, but my body can only handle so much stress and sleepless nights. This engagement of ours is far better than playing as a hooker- I refuse to fall so low."

Madara's eyes twinkled at that, "No regrets then? No friends or any distant relatives to turn to?"

"This is my problem. I lick my own wounds," Sakura grounded her simple answer, before bringing up another glass of mango milkshake. Her eyes hooded in a sultry way as her tongue darted in search for the straw seductively at him, "Besides, just because I'm in a crisis doesn't mean I don't know how to have fun anymore."

The dark-haired man's heart hammered strangely in his chest and he felt a heat deep inside him rekindle like an old flame.

"Will you drink some?" he motioned for the bottle of his brandy.

"I'll drink some with you," she smiled as she lightly pushed her goblet towards him and let him fill the glass partially. Sakura lifted the amber fluid to her lips and her brows frowned slightly at the strong taste that immediately overfilled her tongue.

Madara chuckled, "Not fond of this stuff, are you?"

Sakura gulped down a glass of water greedily before embarrassingly pressing a napkin around her lips, "Not really. The only luxury I get to experience with alcohol only ends at cheap tequila they served during the freshman party."

"I'll have to apologize by the way. I must have greatly inconvenienced you for suggesting to meet me here. It's very far from where you live near the campus, isn't it?"

Sakura shook her head no, "It's alright. I'm already here anyway. In fact I should be the one apologizing. A rich and very busy businessman such as you, would have been greatly inconvenienced with our meeting."

He heard the silent test in her words, and Madara couldn't help but feel even more invigorated as he talked more with this woman. She's most definitely not like what he expected out of a broke college girl desperate for a sugar daddy's dough. She's undoubtedly smart, and possibly cunning. Anyone would have already fallen prey if they didn't know what to look. She's like a lioness etching the boundary of their relationship. Never mind that they already have a documental agreement, she's basically saying that she's not the type to be submissive- that she is no prey and will not hesitate to test him.

Normally this would make him doubtful and would see it as a nuisance. He is, after all, a man who doesn't like to be challenged. However he couldn't help but feel impossibly turned on by her.

"Dear Sakura, for me, a chance to talk relaxedly like this, is a luxury not even my money can buy."

When her verdant eyes twinkled at him, he knew he passed her test.

.

"This is my stop," Sakura announced.

Madara's eyes narrowed disapprovingly at the shabby building they dared to call an apartment complex. Looks like his baby's condition wasn't exaggerated like he thought. Though her background was perfectly combed like the agency said, for a man like him, a situation that promised no doubt is more suspicious than one that actually has doubts. Looks like he knows what he'll be spending on his baby next.

"Thank you for tonight, daddy."

A smirk graced his lips as he reached out to grab her chin, making her turn her head so close to his that their noses were practically touching.

"Now, now, love, as much as I would love to hear you call me that, why don't we save it later in bed, hm?" he kept his eyes locked onto hers as his thumb caressed her plump lips, "I may never force a woman against her will, but if you keep poking the tiger in its cave, it will eventually come out to bite."

He playfully bit her earlobe for emphasis, making Sakura's heartrate double in response. She supposed that she really hit the jackpot when she learned that this man was not only loaded but definitely handsome to boot! Is he really only thirty-eight years old?

Sakura pulled back gently, eyes hooded with a sultry look before kissing the corner of his lips, "I think it is wiser to save it for later."

She rolled the words over her tongue suggestively. Seeing another twitch of his lips, Sakura leaned in to press a harder kiss at the corner of his lips teasingly. A surge of satisfaction welled within her when she heard a male groan as she pressed her lips to his skin before making a trail down to the line of his jaw. She felt his hand make a grab for her thigh, pulling her closer to him and she responded by draping her leg over his lap. Exposing more of her unblemished skin as the action hiked up her dress.

She pressed open-mouthed kisses to his neck, all the way down to the edge of his collar and noted the way he shivered when she touched a particular part of his neck. Storing away that bit of information, Sakura playfully bit that part before pulling back, as quick as it came. When she looked back up to meet his eyes, she felt another shiver run up her spine at the raw lust that reflected in his dark depths. She's no stranger to the throes of passion and lust but never had she gazed upon a look that made her knees melt even if she was sitting.

Determined to return the favor, Madara's large hand trailed down so that he was touching the bare skin of her thigh before giving it a squeeze as he dove for her neck. It was his turn to shower her kisses, lips pressing and lingering in search of her pulse point. Her hand went up to his shoulder for support, not pushing nor pulling as she suppressed a moan at the feel of his skillful mouth. However her efforts were left in vain when Madara darted his tongue out to lick a trail up the side of her neck, stopping only at the corner of her jaw. It was a silent promise for what's to come and it set a fire between her legs at the thought of it.

Doing the opposite of what she did, Madara finished by showering butterfly kisses all over her cheeks and across her nose, making her giggle at how ticklish it felt before kissing her at the corner of her lips. Sakura couldn't help but smile as he returned her tease.

"Good luck at school, love. I'll handle everything," he promised. "My banker will contact you sometime tomorrow to settle your new account. Feel free to spend the money on whatever you want with it."

Sakura blinked, "But I thought that you'll pay me weekly? We just met."

"I know, but think of it as a reward for showing me a good first impression."

"You're too kind, Madara-san," she batted her eyelashes at him, making him smirk.

"Anything for my baby girl," he took her hand and kissed her knuckles for the nth time that day. His hand reached out behind her to open the car door, "I'll see you next week, love. I'll call you."

"Have a good night, daddy," she bid teasingly as she pressed a loud kiss on his cheek, making a smacking sound as she parted.

Madara laughed lightly and squeezed her thigh again before letting her go, "Goodnight to you too, baby girl."

Sakura slid from her seat and out to the cold night air, tucking her coat around her. She walked up a few steps and looked back to see her new sugar daddy from the window slightly rolled down. He casted her a wave and she returned the gesture before he rolled up the car's window. The shining black car thrummed to life and drove off back to the main road.

When she was finally out of her dress and heels and onto her loose tank top and shorts, she dived face first on her squeaky bed. Groaning at how uncomfortable it was as she tried to move to a better position. Her heart hammered in her chest as she granted herself a moment of reflection. It's definitely too late to turn back now. She needed this arrangement. Working three jobs a day is never going to cut out for her again. Balancing her time is not going to work anymore as well, either she would have to give up her boring waitress jobs entirely or give up her time to study. Sakura vehemently refuses to consider the latter but her cost of living refuses her to give up the former either.

At least that's one problem down for the count. She'll cross the other bridges once she gets there.

Despite the screams that echoed throughout the underground, dungeon-like halls, Madara's steps were light and almost giddy with each stride. He stopped at the heavy metal door where the guards immediately bowed and opened for him to enter. The door closed behind him and the screams were replaced with shivered sobs and chest-aching pants. Madara stared unblinkingly at the man tied securely at a lone metal chair under the heat of a spotlight. His hair and clothes were damp with sweat, tears, and a bit of piss, and blood caked his limbs and pooled at his feet below.

"BOSS!" the men standing on-guard around the helpless man shouted in conviction followed by a practiced bow. The man visibly shook more and his breathing went more ragged. Madara returned their greeting with a nod before motioning for them all to leave.

"Brother," Izuna greeted from behind the metal cart that displayed an array of blood-stained pliers and saws. He walked around after cleaning his hands and arms with the water basin and alcohol, free from blood and mucous, and gave his older brother a brotherly welcome hug, "To what occasion do I owe you for coming all this way?"

Madara snorted at his brother's sarcastic tone of speech, "I just felt like it."

It was Izuna's turn to snort before his eyes flickered at the cherry-colored lipstick staining the collar of his dark shirt. Izuna rose a brow at him, "I take it went pretty well?"

"Oh indubitably," he chirped, making Izuna's brows rise.

"You seem awfully cheery. Was she better than you expected?"

"Oh she's far better than I could have ever expected."

"Is she beautiful?"

"She's gorgeous," Madara answered immediately.

"And? How was she?"

"I wouldn't know yet, but I think I won't be disappointed," his cuspid glinted in the darkness with his smirk.

Izuna rolled his eyes at that, deciding to stop his prodding. He definitely doesn't want to know what's probably going on his brother's mind right now, "I'm glad everything turned out well on your end."

"And I thank you for arranging our engagement."

He waved off a hand in dismissal, "You needed it, brother. What better stress reliever there is than in the comforts of a woman? Besides, with this arrangement, we have better security on her background."

Madara nodded agreeably before pointing with his chin at the man sobbing behind them, "And how about you? How's everything been doing?"

Izuna let out a frustrated sigh, "The little shit still won't talk. I suppose it's not much of a surprise. He's branded after all."

Madara listened as he walked closer. The stench unfazed him as his dark eyes stared heatedly at the scar on the man's right shoulder with the design of the Senju crest. Branded- only those who were sworn to utmost loyalty are granted such a mark with the simple process of searing a hot metal onto their skin. It's a mark considered higher than having one's entire body decorated with tattoos.

"Don't give up hope yet, brother. We've cracked harder nuts in the past," Madara said nonchalantly as he approached the metal cart. He shed off his suit and draped it neatly on the nearby chair before loosening his tie. "You just need to know which buttons to press at the right moment to make them squeal."

"I'm never really good with interrogations," Izuna shrugged, "I should've called Obito in here."

"He's on break, let the kid have a little fun," Madara playfully swung a broad-beaked plier to his side before crouching down at the Senju. His thousand-ryo shoes stepping over fresh and old blood, "Fortunately for you, little Senju rat, I'm in a rather good mood today so I'll be doing my brother service by finishing this earlier than scheduled. I have to make preparations for my baby girl you see. But… it's still your call if you want to drag this thing longer than I can grant you mercy with."

With chattering teeth, the branded Senju goon spit between freshly pulled out teeth and onto Madara's feet, barely missing his shoe.

"…F…Fu...ck y-y…you," he cursed shakily, pathetically.

Madara sighed as he clamped the plier at one of the man's big toe before yanking it out forcefully in one clean pull without warning.

Will continue depending on your responses.

Ciao~!