Chapter 1The Sadist

My desk mate, Tiffany, is basically a princess. On the last day of school before summer break, she asked me, "Should I go to Paris or Tokyo for the next three weeks?"

I asked her, "Should I go back to my grandma's in Idaho to dig potatoes or detassel corn? Eight hours a day, two hundred bucks, cash."

Tiffany, in a fit of pity, offered me a gig. She said her cousin, also a rising high school senior, had a serious gaming addiction. Apparently, he was desperate for someone to discipline him, to literally beat the addiction out of him. He wanted to hire a tutor who could get physical.

The pay? Two grand a day, room and board included.

Tiffany even thoughtfully provided me with a starter kit: a ruler, a riding crop, and a thick leather belt.

I followed the address to a mansion in the hills. I rang the bell for what felt like forever before the door finally opened. A handsome guy with bleached blond hair scowled at me. "You're a girl?"

I slapped him across the face. His artfully arranged bangs flipped to the other side.

"Don't be sexist," I said sweetly. "Respect women."

He was stunned. "Did you just hit me?"

I gave him a deep, formal bow. "My apologies. Tiffany told me this is how you like it."

He stared at me for a solid ten seconds, his eyes darting away. A slow blush crept up his neck. "Damn it," he muttered. "How did she know I..." He cleared his throat, suddenly flustered. "F-fine, come in."