Chapter 4 I Don't Need Your Insult
1222 Words
After the supervisor left, the office was silent, just the two of us inside.
The man's gaze remained on me, making me uncomfortable. "Sir, what exactly do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my tone polite.
His voice was cold, and his eyes were just as distant. "My name is Blake Baxter. I'm here to discuss a business proposition with you."
Business?
I frowned, utterly confused. I was just a broken dropout. What kind of business could I possibly have with him?
Blake pushed a document towards me.
"Take a look. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, let me know, and I'll have my lawyer make the necessary changes."
His tone was like that of a king giving orders to his subjects, not allowing any room for refusal.
It made me uncomfortable, but remembering how the supervisor had treated this man, I reluctantly picked up the contract.
But as I read halfway through, I couldn't hold back my anger any longer.
He wanted me to be at his beck and call! And he expected me to live with him!
How was this anything but an offer to be his mistress?!
I slammed the contract down on the table, my fury barely contained. "I don't need you to insult me like this!"
My eyes stung, and I felt a lump in my throat. I couldn't believe this.
Yes, I had no parents, but that didn't give anyone the right to humiliate me.
I would never forget the time a man who claimed he wanted to sponsor me slid his greasy hand across my skin.
It was just disgusting!
That feeling of nausea, starting in my gut and rising to my throat, made me want to retch.
Now, I would never let that happen again!
Blake spoke calmly. "Did you even look at the terms? I can arrange the best medical care for your grandmother at a top-notch nursing home. I can even get you the best ballet instructors. Ever heard of the Freedom Dance Studio? I can get you a recommendation there. Besides, I can sponsor you all the way through college until you graduate."
His tone made it sound like he was certain I would agree!
Just as he expected, my feet were planted firmly.
The Freedom Dance Studio was the best in the city. Most importantly, the most famous ballet master, Katrina, was a mentor there!
And Ella could get the best treatment...
It was so tempting.
"Huh," Blake let out a mocking chuckle. "And of course, the most important thing—I can give you the money you need to survive in this city."
Every word he said felt like a sharp needle piercing my heart. But... he wasn't wrong. I needed money. I needed everything that could support my dream of dancing.
"I don't need you to sleep with me. I just need you to be available whenever I need you and to stay by my side."
"So, are you going to sign?"
Sign it?
His offer was like a forbidden fruit that was hard to refuse. I didn't need to sleep with him, but I could get all of this.
"What's the time frame?"
"There isn't one for now. Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?"
I clenched my fists and then released them. He was right. I wasn't in a position to negotiate.
The humiliation weighed on me like a heavy stone, but I had no choice, so I picked up the contract again.
My pride would have to take a back seat if I wanted to achieve my dreams.
After finishing reading the contract and making sure nothing seemed like a trap, I picked up a pen and signed it.
I knew I was giving in.
'What's the harm in it? I don't have to sleep with him, and I can still get what I want,' I thought.
Of course, I knew I was just trying to comfort myself. Deep down, I still felt a mix of anger, shame, and helplessness.
It was as if a giant stone was pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
Every hurtful word felt like a whip lashing at my dignity.
As I stared at the contract with my name on it, I asked the question, "Why me?"
"I have my reasons," Blake replied.
He held out his hand, and I looked at him in confusion.
"Your phone."
I handed over my old, worn-out phone, and Blake began tapping on it. After a while, he paused.
"It's a bit slow," I explained, embarrassed.
After a few moments, he resumed his task. I realized he was entering a number and making a call. His phone rang, and after a moment, he hung up.
He handed the phone back to me. "This is my number. When I contact you, you must answer and be ready whenever I call."
I bit back the angry retort that was on the tip of my tongue, swallowing it instead.
I signed the contract, and I agreed to the terms.
"Understood." After cooling off a bit in the office, my dizziness subsided.
With that settled, Blake strode out of the office, the supervisor quickly rushing up to him with a smile on his face. I followed behind them, not sure if I should go back to work or leave with him.
The supervisor called back to me, "Carly! Keep up!"
I had no choice but to follow, feeling like a filthy mess compared to the two corporate elites walking ahead of me.
I stared at Blake's broad back. His suit looked incredibly well-tailored, fitting him like a glove.
The fabric looked soft and expensive.
His hairstyle was meticulously groomed, not a hair out of place.
Even his shoes were spotless, impossibly clean.
If there was any wind, the dust around them would surely stain them.
I had a feeling that following him would lead me to a whole new world, but whether it would be good or bad remained to be seen.
'Who exactly is he?' I wondered.
I'd heard stories from Lily about men who seemed well-mannered on the outside, but were wild players behind closed doors, especially with girls like me who had no power or background.
Because if something happened to us, they wouldn't have to take responsibility.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
I'd been completely blinded by those tempting terms and hadn't considered any of this!
Lost in thought, I didn't notice that Blake had stopped.
I bumped right into his back, rubbing my nose which now felt sore. When I looked up, I saw that I had left a human-shaped smudge of white dust on his expensive suit...
"Oh, sorry..." I mumbled.
I stared at his suit, mentally calculating how much it would cost if he made me pay for it.
"You can go back. I'll consider your proposal," Blake said to the supervisor, turning to look at me. "Quit those jobs—at the coffee shop, the construction site, and the nightclub."
I stared at him, wide-eyed. "How do you know so much about me?"
"Doing a background check before signing a contract is standard procedure," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Quit those jobs. Now."
"Why?" I shot back, annoyed by his commanding tone. "Are you gonna pay me or what?"
- Writer
