Behind the Contract

Ten Thousand Dollars

Gabriella

And then a voice came from behind us, firm and commanding.

Enough!

I raised my eyes and there he was.

Tall, composed, and impossibly at ease. His suit perfectly sat on him. It was dark and neat, complementing an effortlessly handsome face.

For a few seconds, the room went quiet.

Then

The tall collector scoffed. “And who are you?”

He didn’t answer.

He walked closer. Not fast. Not slow. Just sure.

“How much?” he asked. voice low but commanding. “Let her be.”

The men laughed.

“Mind your business,” the short one said. “This is serious.”

Mr. Davis’s brows furrowed. “Sir—”

“Don’t,” the stranger cut in, calm but final. “How much?”

“Ten thousand,” the tall one said.

He nodded once.“Account number.”

The red-capped man smirked. “You think we came here to play?”

“Give it to me.” the stranger said.

The tall collector reached into his pocket and brought out a scrap of paper. He wrote some numbers on it and slid it across my desk.

The suited man picked it up and took out his phone.

Shelby leaned closer to me. Her voice dropped. “Gabriella… that’s him.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“Mr. Davis biggest client.” Shelby replied.

My heart thudded.

He typed slowly. Deliberately.

The collectors exchanged looks.

“Don’t embarrass yourself,” the short one said.

Then a phone buzzed.

The red-capped man checked it. His face brightened at once.

The tall collector grabbed the phone and scrolled fast.“…It’s complete,” he said quietly.

The short one muttered, “You’re kidding.”

The tall man looked up at the suited man and smiled, then he turned to me. “You’re lucky,” he said flatly. “Very lucky.”

As they walked out, the tall one glanced back at me. “Don’t push your luck again.”

The door slammed shut.

I exhaled shakily.

“Thank you,” I said quickly. “Thank you so much. I’m grateful. I…I’ll pay you back, I swear—”

He looked at me. Said nothing. Just gave a small nod, his eyes holding mine for a brief moment.

Then he turned to Mr. Davis. “Your office.”

Mr. Davis nodded immediately. “Yes. Right this way.”

They went in together.

Shelby grabbed my arm.“That’s Mr. Ethan Blackwell,”she said.“ He owns chains of companies. His files alone keep this office running. He’s… a big deal,” she added.

I stood there, my mind jogging between what just happened and what Shelby said.

Then it suddenly clicked.

“Oh my… I remember now,” I said, barely above a whisper.

The door opened a few minutes later.

“Mr. Davis,” he said casually, “I also want to review the Compliance Renewal files for state contractors. I’ll need updates within two weeks.”

“Yes, sir, we’ll assign someone—”

“Her,” he said, pointing in my direction.

My heart skipped. “Me?”

“Yes,” he said after a pause. “You’ll handle it. I need someone who’s used to pressure.”

I didn’t sit like a compliment.

Mr. Davis nodded quickly. “Of course, sir. Miss Gabriella will do that.”

Without another word, Mr. Ethan turned and left.

Shelby turned to me, eyes wide. “ You’re going to be working with him? Gabriella, do you realize what that means?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

The office was nearly empty by evening. I packed my things slowly. I was tired. My thoughts kept replaying the scene from earlier over and over.

I stepped outside with Shelby.

Then, I saw him again.

He was across the office. Leaning against a sleek black car. Calm. Like nothing had shaken him all day.

He looked up when we got closer.“Miss Gabriella,” he said.

I paused. “Yes, sir.”

He glanced at both of us. “You’re done for the day?”

“Yes,” Shelby said quickly. “Thank you for earlier.”

He shook his head slightly. “It had to be done. Things were getting loud.”

He opened the back door.

“Let me take you home, if that's okay.”

I hesitated. “Oh, we’re fine —”

Shelby stepped in. “Please,” she said. “We’re really tired. We’d appreciate it.”

I gave in.

The air smelled clean and fresh inside the car.

“Where to?” he asked.

Shelby gave her address. Then I said mine too, almost under my breath.

The car moved.

No one spoke.

“You’re both quiet,” he said.

“We’re tired,” I answered.

“I figured.” Mr Ethan said

Shelby’s stop came quickly. She smiled as she stepped out.


“Thank you again,” she said.

She leaned back in for a second and whispered to me, “Relax. Don't fumble this”

The door closed.

The car drove on.

The silence stayed.

And somehow, it felt different now.

Streetlights flashed across his face. Sharp jaw. Calm eyes.

“You owe ten thousand dollars,” he said casually.

“I know… I’ll pay please,” I whispered, gripping my bag. I had been waiting for him to mention it.

He looked at me, one brow lifting slightly.
“How?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. “..I’ll work,” I said finally. “I’ll save.“

He gave a quiet, amused breath. Then watched me. Closely.

The car slowed down. Almost stopping.

“I don’t want your money.”

I looked up, startled.

My chest tightened.

“I don’t get—” I stopped myself. My voice faltered. “I mean—”

Silence.

He turned fully toward me now, calm, unhurried. Certain.

“Marry me.”