Chapter 4: The Deal
747 Words
Over the course of three days, she thought and pondered heavily. In the morning, she went to work at the coffee shop as usual, and in the evening, she just cried. After contacting her home, she found out that everything the man had said was true. Her mother was seriously ill and in a coma. If he hadn't arranged for her mother's transfer and found a skilled doctor, her mother might not be alive anymore.
Today was the day he told her he would come for her answer. She finished work and hurried back to her room quickly, afraid he wouldn't wait for her and she might miss this opportunity.
***
At five-thirty in the afternoon...
Click! Creak!
She slowly opened the door to her room and found him sitting in the same spot. Today, he seemed to be in an especially good mood.
"Mr. Mackie, have you been waiting long?" She tried to speak calmly, afraid of doing anything that might displease him. If she upset him, he might refuse and go back on his word.
"Not long."
"Oh, okay. Would you like some water? I brought you an iced matcha."
"I don't drink matcha."
"Oh, okay. Would you like anything else? I can go out and buy it for you."
"No need."
"Okay, Mr. Mackie."
He glanced at his wristwatch to check the time.
"I don't have much time today. I need your answer within five minutes."
She quickly put down the matcha and stood up straight to face him.
"Is there any agreement?"
"The documents are on the table."
She slowly picked up the papers and began to read. As her eyes scanned the details, they widened in shock. He then reviewed the terms with her again.
"First, as my companion, you will receive a monthly allowance of $30,000, not including other gifts or expenses I decide to provide."
"Second, I will cover all your expenses, including your tuition, until you complete your bachelor's degree."
"Third, you must not have any relationships with other men. If I have other women, you must not be jealous or possessive. Additionally, you are responsible for protecting yourself. If you get pregnant, I will not acknowledge the child as mine."
"Fourth, I will ensure your mother receives the best possible treatment, no matter how expensive it is."
"Fifth, you must obey me and do whatever I say. You are not to call or message me unless I contact you first."
"While you are my companion, is there anything I wrote incorrectly or anything you want to add?"
"N-no, but can I request something?"
"Go ahead."
"Can I continue working as usual and return to my job at the pub? Also, please don’t let my parents know that I accepted your offer... to be your companion."
"Isn't what I’m giving you more than enough?"
"Uh, yes, it’s more than enough. But I’m worried that one day you’ll get bored of me and leave me. I need to have savings."
"I'll allow you to keep working at the coffee shop, but you don't need to work at the pub. I'll increase your allowance by $10,000, making it $40,000 a month. Is that acceptable?"
She hesitated, biting her lip as she thought deeply.
"Don't bite your lip. And while you're my mistress, you must take care of yourself."
"S-sorry. Okay, I'll just work at the coffee shop. And about my mom…"
"I already told you, consider it a special sponsorship. You don’t need to worry."
"Thank you."
"Anything else? I don’t have much time to talk today."
"No, nothing else."
"Then sign it."
She nodded, took the pen, signed her name, and handed the papers to him.
"All done."
"Tomorrow, someone will pick you up at nine for a medical check-up. I'll also make some changes to your room. You don't mind, do you?"
"Uh, no. I don’t mind."
"Good. Someone will sort out your room tomorrow, and I’ll come see you again."
"Understood."
"Get ready. I’ll come by after I finish my business tomorrow."
"Yes, Mr. Mackie."
He spoke curtly and then walked away.
As soon as the door closed behind him, she collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.
"I really have to be his mistress, don’t I?" she sobbed.
Tears streamed down her face as regret filled her heart. She hated the thought of losing herself to a man she didn’t love, but for her mother’s sake, she felt she had no other choice.
"I’m sorry, Dad Samuel… Mom Patricia…"
- Writer
