His Terms

*Chapter 1: The Offer*

The lights in my apartment flickered.

Third time tonight.

I didn’t look up. I just held my breath and prayed the power would stay long enough to hit “submit.”

`From: careers@vanceholdings.com`

`Subject: INTERNSHIP OFFER – Finance Division`

My finger froze over my cracked phone.

I read it once.

Twice.

“Dear Ms. Elena Carter,

We are pleased to offer you...”

I got it.

Vance Holdings. The firm every business student kills for. Paid. Prestige. A way out of ramen and overdue rent.

I dropped the phone on my mattress and covered my mouth with both hands.

If I screamed, my neighbor would bang on the wall. If I cried, the power would die.

Then I scrolled.

`CEO: Damian Vance`

`Age: 35`

`Start Date: Monday. 8:00 AM. No exceptions.`

Photo attached.

Black suit. No smile.

Eyes that looked straight through the screen, like he already knew I was desperate.

Damian Vance.

Campus gossip flooded back:

“He fires interns for being late by 30 seconds.”

“Thirty-five. Never been married. Never been soft.”

“He’s fourteen years older than you, Elena. Don’t be stupid.”

Stupid.

Right.

I was 21. Broke. Tuition due in 3 weeks.

Stupid was the only option I had left.

I closed the email. The room went black.

Power outage.

My phone buzzed in the dark.

Unknown number:

`Mr. Vance wants to see you. Sunday. 6PM. Top floor. Alone.`

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