Chapter2- the contract
799 Words
Even the chair in front of the desk of Justin Cartier was too nice to touch. Smooth leather, ideal curves, as though it were the property of a man who had never had to pay tuition bills or hungry refrigerators.
Justin noticed.
"Sit," he said, calm. Not cruel. Not gentle. Just final.
Liana sat upon the tip of the chair side, like she could be called away at any moment. Her hands were tied in her lap. She was oppressed by the sense of the room that seemed to drop down on her, by the sunlight that came falling to the polished floor, by the dark bookshelves with books that she would never read bulking above her. There was a slight odour of cologne--clean, manly, dangerously intoxicating. Her heartbeat betrayed her.
Justin picked up a tablet that lay on his table and looked at it. Then at her. Then back again.
"You are in college, I started. Which one?"
"Westbridge."
His forehead became only a little higher. "Prestigious."
Liana was willing to smile, but the smile that came was forced. "On paper."
"How much are your fees?"
The question took the air out of her lungs. She hesitated. "I..I don't see how that.."
"How much?" he repeated evenly.
She swallowed. "Two million naira."
Justin didn't react. Not a blink. Not a breath.
Her chest tightened. They all reacted to that figure. Everyone except him.
"And housing?" he asked.
"I commute."
"Daily?"
She nodded.
"Food?"
She hesitated. Justin leaned his head a little, and sighed, a little gesture which caused her face to blush. Eat well, you do not eat, he noticed. Not an accusation. Just a fact.
"I... I can work," she blurted, hasty. Cleaning, running errands, etc. I'll learn."
Justin looked, alert, cold, and calculating. As a man who gets to know markets, nothing misses.
Thousands of people would enjoy working with me, he said. "Why should I hire you?"
Liana's throat constricted. Because I'm desperate. Because I'm drowning. The reason I was slapped today and nobody cared. But she didn't say any of it.
Instead, she lifted her chin. "Because I won't steal. I won't lie. I will never surrender when it becomes difficult.
And the eyes of Justin grew dark with interest, but not with benevolence.
Silence stretched.
Then he surprised her.
I did not want to employ anybody, I said.
Her heart sank.
I was seeking a solution, he added, and turned to the window and clasped his hands behind him. The city was spread below them, small, confined, governable, possessed.
My board would succeed in having an heir, he said. Succession is needed in my family legacy. Unfortunately..." He stopped, and went on: I have not found cooperation of nature.
Liana's breath caught. Slowly, she realized.
"Sir… I…I don't think…"
Nothing yet, “, Justin said turning back to her. "I'm asking a question."
Her palms were damp. "What kind of question?"
How much, he said, voice low, but piercing the silence, would you go to stay in college?
The room appeared to have been made out of glass.
Liana rose. "I should leave."
Justin didn't stop her.
"Your cheek," he said instead.
She froze.
"It's red," he said. "Someone hurt you today."
Her throat tightened. She despised that he had caught a glimpse of her weakness. She detested the fact that she was exposed.
I am fine is what she said, but she was not.
He nodded once. "You're not."
He went back to his desk and punched a button.
Ready the guest room, Grace, the voice sounded instructions to my ears, mechanical, positive.
I cannot stay here, she said to herself.
"You aren't staying," he said. "You're leaving with an offer."
He came out a folder out of the drawer. Not thick. Not dramatic. Just clean, precise, final.
She scanned the contents housing, tuition, allowance, medical care, everything financed.
In exchange for...
Her fingers trembled.
That would be crazy, she thought, and looked straight up.
Justin met her gaze evenly. "So is the world you live in."
Tears blurred her vision. "I didn't plan my life like this."
"Neither did I."
She closed the folder. "I need time."
Until the next day in the morning, he said. "No pressure. No, thou hast sayst no, And take it proud.
The idea of campus, whispers, not being paid the fees, and her mother with her tired smile all flew through her head.
"What if I say yes?" she asked finally.
Justin's jaw tightened.
Anyway, then everything changes, he said.
Liana walked out of the mansion at sunset with her chest tight, her mind going round. Justin Cartier sat gazing at the vacant chair she had left in the study and wondered why, this time, the solution he had come upon was so horribly human.
- Writer
