Bound by debt

Chapter three

THE DEVIL'S PROPOSAL.

After what happened last night, I should have stayed in bed.

But the cold reality was harsher than my pain.

The bakery was dying. My father's dream,my only legacy, slipping through my fingers like sand. I have no time for grieve.

If I didn't secure the bank's mercy today, I would lose everything.

My heels echoed loudly against the pristine marble floor as I matched towards the front desk.

"I need to see Mr Ethan Caldwell," I said, forcing the tremor out of my voice.

The receptionist didn't even glanced up. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No," I answered firmly. "But I won't leave until I speak with him. It's urgent."

Without waiting for permission I turned on my heel and made my way past her, my heart thudding painfully in my chest.

This was my last shot.

Either I saved the bakery today, or I'd be Another name in the prison ledger--- just as the lawyer warned me.

There were no options left for me.

I had been working 9-to-5 shifts in my late father's bakery, barely scraping by on a $30 salary that couldn't even cover basic bills, let alone pay off towering debts.

No real jobs, No real savings, just my father's shattered dream dumped in my lap

As the first child, the weight of it all suffocated me.

My chest felt tight as the elevator climbed higher and higher.

When the doors slide open, I stepped out and headed straight for the massive office at the end of the corridor.

I didn't knock, I didn't hesitate.

I pushed the door open--- and immediately froze.

"Yh… urghh… Ohh, yes… f**k, f**k!"

The loud moaning was deafening.

A woman, head tossed back was gripping the edge of the desk as Ethan Caldwell hammered into her from behind.

I recognized him immediately.

The same guy that treated me like a w***e at the party, guilt ran over my face at that very moment.

I couldn't tell if he recognised me too, but even if he did, he kept a straight face to it.

His trousers were shoved down to his knees, and the woman--- a light-skinned, rail-thin beauty, had her legs thrown wide open over the polished desk.

Their bodies moved in a savage rhythm, the woman's bare breasts bouncing with each rough thrust.

It was raw, Unfiltered, Animalistic.

I stood frozen, horror and mortification flooding me.

"Oh my God," I gasped, instinctively slamming the door shut behind me.

The woman turned towards the door, laughing breathlessly. "Looks like you've attracted another groupie," she said, teased, her manicured fingers tracing Ethan's chest.

"f**k, ueah--- get out," Ethan groaned, releasing a final thrust inside her.

He grabbed a bundle of cash and tossed it at her along with her crumpled dress.

The woman huffed, pulled her tiny outfit back over her nakedness, scooped up the money, and tossed her hair with a sneer as she strutted out--- shooting me a filthy look as she passed.

I was still staring at the closed door when his voice cut through the silence.

"Come in," Ethan barked from inside.

Hands shaking. I walked in.

Ethan was buttoning his shirt slowly, the movement lazy and deliberate, exposing hard lines of muscle as he watched me with casual indifference.

"You've got ten seconds to tell me who you are and why the hell you barged into my office," he said, irritation sharp in his voice.

I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning with humiliation. "I- I'm Elena Harper," I stammered, clinging to the reason I was there. I'm here about my father's debt to your family."

Ethan stared at me like I was some puzzle he couldn't decide whether to solve it or throw it away.

"Your father," he repeated slowly. "The men who owed my family enough money to buy a private island."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Well?" He gestured lazily. "Come in and sit, or are you too shy?"

My gaze flicked around the office, anywhere but him. But my eyes landed ---horrifying--- on a used condom discarded carelessly on the desk.

My stomach lurched violently.

I tightened my grip on the straps of my bag, willing myself not to bolt.

Ethan chuckled darkly.

"Guess you've already seen a little too much," he said mockingly. "Care to join next time?"

"I--- what, sir?" I stuttered, heart hammering.

He smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

Without urgency, he pulled his pants up and fastened then, sliding his crisp white shirt over his broad shoulders, fastening each button slowly, tauntingly.

"I didn't think you'd be the type to blush, Miss Harper," he mussed.

"You came here for a reason, didn't you? Or were you hoping for a private show?"

" No! I mean… " I swallowed, tightening down the burn in my cheeks. "My father… he's gone now, I'm here to fix his mistake. I'll work for you… any position you have available. You can deduct my salary towards the debt."

Ethan let out a low, mocking laugh. "You think you can stroll in here, after the disaster your father left behind, and I'll hand you a paycheck?"

"I'm not asking for favors," I said wearily. "I'll work hard. Whatever it takes."

He tilted his head slightly, as if weighing my words.

"Whatever it takes?" His voice dropped to a low, dangerous murmur.

"Yes, sir," I said, my voice barely shaking.

Ethan's gaze darkened.

He circled me slowly, a predator appraising prey.

The thin chiffon blouse I wore clung to my body, hinting at the curve of my breasts, where my fitted pants accentuated my slim but curvy figure.

"You've got spirit," he did firmly, voice almost admiring. "But spirit means nothing in my world unless you can take the heat."

"I can handle it… sir," I said, trying to hold his gaze.

He studied me for another long, agonizing moment, then finally said, "Come back tomorrow."

I blinked. "Wait… does that mean… ?"

"It means," he cut in sharply, "you need to leave now."

I stumbled back a step, turning towards the door, my heart still galloping.

But before I could reach it, the door burst open… slamming against the wall with violent crack.

I froze mid- step, spinning around, half expecting to see another one of Ethan Caldwell's… guest.

___