The Gilded Cage Contract

Chapter Two: The Lion's Den

The taxi came to an abrupt stop before the New York glass-and-steel sky-reaching building of The Royal Association. Silvia's heartbeat pounded in her chest to a hysterical pace to New York's ceaseless hum. Her eyes fixed upon the building; she viewed its glassy, sleek facade placed in stark contrast to her building's red, worn bricks. It was in another universe, in an unimaginable sphere of money and power, and she was about to go inside.

She paid the cabbie, shuddering slightly while she smoothed bills rumpled in her hands and stepped out onto the slick sidewalk. This section of town pulsed with an energy that snapped around her. It was an energy that was fueled by drive, by drive cold-blooded, by power exercised in an iron hand.

She walked towards the door to the building, her steps ringing off spotless white marble. Within was an airy, expansive hall, an orchestra of reflective glass and muted colors. Cool and crisp was indoor atmosphere in stark contrast to outdoor humidity.

A uniformed guard was standing behind an ultra-minimalistic reception area desk, his eyes scanning the reception area with practiced ease. He watched her approaching him, his eyes not blinking.

I can help you, ma'am, ' he said, in a voice that was assertive but respectful.

She went on in low tones, 'I am here to see Mr. Sinclair. '

The guard arched an eyebrow at her ragged skirt and nervous manner, then asked, 'Have you an appointment? '

"No," Silvia confirmed, her face flushing. "It is something serious. It is regarding my mum."

The guard's countenance smoothed slightly. He was used to identifying desperation, naked stuff that lingered around people like an albatross. "I have to inform you that Mr. Sinclair is an incredibly busy man. He does not take in people who have not booked appointments."

"Please," Silvia pleaded in supplication, her voice trembling. "It is life or death."

The guard lingered, his eye darting between Silvia and the ranks of elevators. He sighed, reaching to take his hand off his desktop. "I'll call to check to determine if his assistant can fit you in. But don't count on getting in to see him."

He spoke in hushed professional tones in his cell before hanging up. "His assistant should be with you in just a minute. Please have a seat."

Silvia sank down in a worn leather chair, eyes fixed on the opening door of the lift. Her eyes watched it glide to the side to reveal a woman in black pants. Her hair was slicked to the back in an austerity pointy style, and her eyes were as cold as a blade.

"Ms. Rossi?" Ms. Rossi answered in detached economical sentences.

Silvia stood, pounding in her chest. "Yes."

"I'm Ms. Davies, Ms. Sinclair's assistant. Please come with me."

Ms. Davies led her through sets of hallways lined with offices with glass partitions and minimalist modern furnishing. The smell of luxury cologne and hushed murmurs hung in the air.

They reached double doors that reflected a shiny glow. Ms. Davies came to an abrupt halt in front of Silvia. "Mr. Sinclair is in conference. He'll call in to take your call when he has finished. Wait here."

She opened to an expansive office in every respect. From floor to ceiling, glassed windows lined the walls with an awesome metropolis view. The furniture was modern in style and sleek in design, with leather and chrome in perfect balance. Towering in the center was a giant-sized desk reflecting metropolis lights off the reflective top.

Silvia stepped in, drinking in everything with her eyes. It was an unimaginable reality of power and money to which she was not yet accustomed. It was something to which she couldn't get used to.

She waited, staring fixedly at Ralph's private office door. Silence in the office was stifling, to be broken only by the subdued whir of the air conditioner.

Finally, the door creaked to reveal Ralph Sinclair. He was an imposing presence standing over Ralph with slick black hair behind his head, piercing grays narrowing in scrutiny. Wearing an immaculately tailored black suit that hugged his broad shoulders and slender body

He paused, his eyes scanning the room before settling in turn upon Silvia. His countenance was cold and detached, his eyes devoid of sentiment.

His professional voice spoke the single word that opened his request. "Ms. Rossi." The principal authorized me to bring this pressing matter forward to you.

Silvia's breath was held. Her leaden legs felt leaden. "Yes, sir. It is about my mother."

Ralph instructed Silvia to sit down on the leather chair that was placed before her. "Say everything to me."

She attempted to convey her mother's sickness alongside the expensive transplant costs and her helpless situation as she sat with trembling hands. She exposed herself to all three emotions: vulnerability blended with fear and ended in sheer desperation.

Ralph sat motionless while listening with unchanging facial expressions that did not allow Silvia to read his emotions. He remained motionless throughout the whole time their eyes remained fixed on each other.

You have my full understanding, Ms. Rossi, about your situation, he said with his soft vocal tone. You truly regret being unable to provide assistance to you now.

Silvia's heart sank. She should have known better to have thought otherwise, yet she had clung to a thread of hope. And now this was wrecked.

She made a respectful request to Sinclair while holding onto the belief that he had power over her existence.

Ralph's gaze grew softer, while his facial muscles stayed resolute. "I apologize, Ms. Rossi. But I have things to take care of myself. I can't just transfer money."

Silvia nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. She saw. She was just among millions, just another desperate woman in search of rescue.

"Thank you for sitting down to talk to me, sir," she gasped, rising to bid him goodbye.

"Wait," Ralph snapped, his tone piercing.

Silvia paused, turning around to him.

"I have something to show to you, Ms. Rossi," he informed her, his eyes sparkling with an intense brightness that caught in her throat. "Something that can put an end to everything."