Contracted Desires

CHAPTER 3: Conditions of Participation

Emma sat stiffly in her chair, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. The past three days had been a never-ending cycle of demands, deadlines, and the cold, clipped voice of Alexander Steele.

Over the speaker, his voice crackled: "Miss Brooks. in my office. At this moment."

Emma groaned and saved the half-finished report to her screen. She picked up her notes and took a moment to iron out the wrinkles in her blouse before heading to his office.

Alexander barely looked up from the paper he was carrying as she entered. Emma began to see the faint glints of irritation that surfaced when things didn't live up to his unachievable ideals, despite the fact that his face remained expressionless.

"Did you look over the figures I sent this morning?" he inquired without introducing himself.

"Yes," she said firmly and gave him the revised report. "I double-checked the projections and corrected the supplier data where there were inconsistencies."

Alexander's eyebrows raised slightly as he skimmed the pages. "Amazing. But the next time, catch these problems early. Second chances are not something I pay for.

Emma swallowed a counterargument. She was unable to choose between being irritated by his constant criticism and being wildly motivated to prove herself by his seldom compliments.

In an attempt to get away before he could find anything else to criticize, she replied, "Is there anything else?"

Alexander's sharp eyes met hers as he leaned back in his chair. You're adjusting better than I thought you would, Miss Brooks. I hope you can keep going.

Emma went back to her workstation, her thoughts racing. She wasn't sure whether she should be proud or worn out. A force of nature, Alexander Steele was erratic, cunning, and unrelenting. She was surviving somehow.

The stress in the office was evident the following morning. Emma couldn't help but notice the staff members' secret looks and whispered conversations.

The rumors made it to her desk by noon. One of the assistants murmured, "Have you heard?" next to the break room. "Davenport might pull out."

Emma had a sick feeling. She was aware that the biggest shareholder in Steele Enterprises was Davenport Investments. The business might sustain catastrophic losses in the absence of their assistance.

Her assistant showed up at her desk while she was still digesting the implications. "Please come to the boardroom, Mr. Steele requests. At this moment."

Emma ran down the corridor, her heels clicking against the slick floor. Alexander was standing at the window with his phone held firmly to his ear as she walked into the boardroom. He had a stiff stance and a more icy countenance than she had ever seen.

He snapped, "Yes, I’ll handle it," and hung up.

With his jaw cclenched he turned to her and stated, "Davenport is thinking of taking their money back. Charlotte Grey is to blame.

The name made an impression. Emma had heard about Charlotte, a glitzy socialite with a reputation for charm and wit who had once been Alexander's fiancée. She appeared to still be connected to Alexander.

"What does she want?" Emma inquired warily.

A thin line formed in Alexander's mouth. "Make use of leverage. False rumors about my instability are being pushed by her. Investors are hesitant to support someone who seems untrustworthy.

Emma paused. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

His gaze softened for an instant. "Not just yet. But be prepared.

There was an odd, unnerving tension in the air after hearing the mysterious words.

The lights of the city spilled through the windows as Emma worked late that night in the eerily still workplace. When the sound of footsteps pierced the stillness, she was deep in a spreadsheet.

"Still here?" She was surprised by Alexander's voice.

He was standing next to her desk with his tie untied and his sleeves turned up when she looked up. She briefly forgot to breathe since it was the most unguarded she had ever seen him.

"Just finishing up," she answered, shutting down her laptop. Are you in need of anything?

He didn't respond right away. Rather, he pointed to his office. "Come with me."

Emma followed him, her nerves jangling. He led her inside, shut the door, and gestured for her to take a seat.

Unable to conceal her anxiety, she questioned, "What’s going on?"

Alexander's face was unreadable as he leaned on his desk. "I’ve been thinking," he said in an unusually quiet voice. "About how to handle... the Charlotte situation."

Emma waited, feeling more uneasy every second that went by without any word.

"I need stability," he added in a thoughtful tone. "Something that sends a clear message to the board and the public." He stopped, his piercing gaze meeting hers. "I need a wife."

Confident that she had misheard, Emma blinked. "A wife?"

"Yes," answered Alexander calmly. "Getting married would be a statement of commitment and dispel any uncertainty regarding my private life. Stability is important to investors.

She chuckled incredulously. "And you think I’m the solution?"

He said bluntly, "You're resourceful, discreet, and unattached to any rivals." "Money is also necessary. It is advantageous to both parties.

Emma's fists clenched. "You want to save your company by marrying me?"

He said, "Not just for the company," in a quiet voice. "Your sister's medical bills aren't going away, Miss Brooks. I can look after them right now."

His remarks caused her to feel angry and hopeless. "You believe you can simply purchase me? Do you consider me a commodity?

"It’s not like that," he continued, his voice becoming softer. "This is a commercial agreement. Nothing more.

Emma's chair scraped the floor as she leaped to her feet. "Can you hear yourself at all? I'm being asked to sacrifice my life for your convenience.

Alexander's eyes become stony. "Convenience is not the point here. The goal is to survive. For us both."

Emma stormed out of his office, her heart racing. Her steps faltered as she approached the elevator, but she didn't stop until then.

She was scratched by the harsh reality. Alexander was correct; she urgently needed the money. Her sister's condition was getting closer to disaster with each day that passed without care.

She hesitated when the elevator doors slid open. It was impossible to walk away, yet it felt like capitulation to turn around.

In her pocket, her phone buzzed. When she took it out, Nina had texted her:

"I was missing you at the hospital today. I know you're trying your hardest, so don't worry about the bills."

Emma's eyes stung with tears as she held the phone to her chest. Alexander's icy reasoning reverberated in her head and crept more into her ideas.

She took a shuddering breath and turned to return to his office.

He was still sitting at his desk, a printed contract on the glass top, when she walked in.

"I’ll think about it," she responded, her voice almost audible above a whisper.

Alexander leaned back in his chair with a slight smirk on his lips. "Miss Brooks, take your time. Not too much, though.

With the contract tucked under her arm, Emma left with a heavy heart. She was entering Alexander Steele's world, not only consenting to a marriage. She also doubted that she would make it through.