Chapter 2: A Proposal in Red
1039 Words
Chapter 2: A Proposal in Red
Isla stood in front of the floor-length mirror in her small bedroom, chewing her lip as she debated her outfit choices. Red, he had said. But she owned only one red dress, a sleeveless A-line that hugged her waist and flared around her knees. She’d worn it once to a college fundraiser but never again. It felt too bold, too loud. Too much and also too cheap!
She was going to meet a billionaire and had to look her best so as to not be looked down on.
But Damien Carter had requested red. And something about him his intensity, his confidence, that commanding voice made her want to obey, just this once. Since she didn’t have a choice, she wore it.
She paired the dress with her most modest heels and a sleek ponytail, trying to balance allure with professionalism. She found it funny that she wanted to please a man she had just met After a final look in the mirror, she grabbed her tote and headed out. She realized this was the same bag she carried the last but didn’t have much of a choice as she didn’t have any other one. All her bags are either peeling or old fashioned.
The Carter Enterprises building stood like a glass monument in the center of Rivergate’s financial district. Sleek, modern, intimidating, and most importantly, Eye catching. Isla paused on the sidewalk and stared up at the sheer height of it. Fear creeping in.
“What am I doing?” she muttered.
But she walked through the revolving doors anyway. Not like she had a choice tho
Inside the lobby was a vast expanse of marble and glass. The air smelled like lavender and coffee, and a receptionist greeted her with a polite but puzzled smile.
Of course she would be puzzled, what was a low class lady doing in Carter Enterprises anyway? If not to beg or seduce men!
“I’m here to see Mr. Damien Carter,” Isla said, trying not to sound nervous. “He asked me to come by at noon.”
The receptionist’s brows lifted in surprise. “Name, please?”
“Isla Monroe.”
The woman typed quickly, then nodded. “Mr. Carter is expecting you. Elevator to the top floor.”
Isla swallowed and stepped into the elevator. As the numbers rose, so did her anxiety. Top floor. Of course. Because Damien Carter never did anything halfway.
The doors opened to a private suite of offices, and Damien stood there leaning against the edge of his desk like he’d been waiting for her.
He smiled. “You wore the red dress.”
“You gave me instructions,” she said.
He motioned toward the plush seating area near the tall windows. “Come. Sit.”
Isla perched carefully on the edge of the couch. Damien remained standing, his presence larger than life. Today he wore navy, and it made his gray eyes even sharper.
“Do you know what kind of business I run?” he asked.
“Real estate. Investments. Luxury goods, I think.”
He nodded. “Good. But that’s only part of it. I also have partnerships in media, fashion, and brand development.”
Her eyes widened. “Fashion?”
“I’ve been looking for a new face for one of my campaigns. Someone fresh. Real. Someone people can relate to.”
Realization bloomed in her chest. “You want me to model?”
“I want you to sign a contract.”
She blinked. “What kind of contract?”
“One that benefits us both.”
He crossed the room, took a folder from his desk, and handed it to her. Isla opened it with trembling fingers. Inside was a thick legal document with several clauses, but one title caught her eye.
Ninety-Day Contractual Relationship Agreement.
Her throat dried. “Is this a joke?”
“No.”
“You want to…date me? For business?”
“Not date. Be seen with me. Accompany me to events. Stay at my residence. In return, I’ll fund your career, get you into the modeling circuit, and pay your family’s debt.”
Isla stared at the papers.
“You said you needed a break,” he added. “I’m offering one. Ninety days. You walk away after that unless you choose to stay.”
She looked up. “Why me?”
“Because you’re honest. Unfiltered. And people will believe that I could fall for you.”
A silence stretched between them.
“I don’t sleep with men for favors,” she said quietly.
Damien’s jaw tensed. “That’s not what I’m asking. Everything physical if it ever happens…..will be your choice.”
She bit her lip. “What if I say no?”
“Then you leave here with nothing,” he said plainly. “And I go back to dealing with wolves in heels.”
She glanced back at the contract. The idea was insane. Completely irrational. But for the first time in months, she felt like someone saw her.
“I want to read it thoroughly,” she said.
He nodded once. “Take your time. My lawyer can walk you through it tomorrow.”
Isla rose to her feet. “You’re serious about this?”
“As serious as I’ve ever been.” Of course, Damien Carter never jokes.
She turned to go but paused at the door. “Why ninety days?”
Damien’s expression softened, just slightly. “Because if we make it to day ninety, I’ll know if it’s real.”
Isla left the building with the contract pressed against her chest, her heart thudding with something dangerously close to hope.
Something told her that red would not be the last bold thing she wore for Damien Carter.
Isla went home, laid down for hours but yet couldn’t sleep. She was to go for her shift but yet she couldn’t get herself to go. Her mind was occupied with the thoughts of being a superstar model but most importantly, thought of being with Damien Carter as his ‘partner’.
Being his partner meant access to luxury, She thought.
Isla slept off after about 5 hours or thinking.
- Writer
