A Deal Proposed

“As you know, lately the business has been struggling.” He begins. “With the world crying about global warming and climate change it's no wonder we are beginning to get hammered by the media. Nobody wants to deal in fossil fuels anymore, nevermind that there is currently no viable alternative. Anyway, to make matters worse, I am being undercut at every turn, not to mention having long time customers tell me no. Me! Can you believe it?” He asks, blatantly hoping I will blindly agree with him.

“Well, with the growing shift towards eco-friendly maybe we could branch out, throw some money in research and development and maybe get ahead of the …” 

“No. No. No. we aren’t doing that. I have one way to help with this and that's to make a deal with the devil that is killing my business.”

“You’re going to make a deal with the environment?” I ask, sarcastically.

“What? No, stupid girl. Austin Aves has put forth a deal and I mean to accept it. The only issue is you.”

Me? How can I be an issue here? I don’t even know what is going on.

“What does he want?” I ask, curiosity starting to take root.

“You. For a minimum of a year.”

“Wait what!?” I almost shriek. “What, as some sort of servant?”

“You could say that.” My father responds, an ugly sneer coating his face.

An uneasy feeling takes over me at this point.

“He wants you to be his live-in mistress. Finally something you might even be good at.” my father leers. 

I thought that this would be my chance to prove myself by bettering the business, not by spreading my legs!

“I won’t do it.” I say, determination filling my voice.

“You will. You will do it for the sake of the family.”

“So you are okay with me selling my body so that the business will stay afloat?”

“I’m not okay with it damn it. But he is offering to stop any and all attacks on our business and he is offering you one point five million dollars for the year and one hundred thousand dollars per month after. If you had any love or pride for this family then you would do this with no questions asked.”

My jaw almost hits the floor.

Is that how much he thinks I am worth? That means … that I won’t be stuck listening to Dad anymore. I could afford a decent apartment.

Almost in defeat I reply “Can you give me some time to think about it? It is a year of my life, and it's my body.”

“He gave me two days. I’m giving you twenty four hours.”

I nod and turn to leave, But just as I reach the door my father speaks up once more “I advise that you don’t take that long.

A conversation strikes up between my father and his lawyer just as I close the door. Pulling my phone out I flick a text message to my best friend.

Hey Kenzie, Need 2 chat. U free?

Not even a few seconds later my phone dings in response.

Sure girl. Mine works.

Gr8. I’ll bring the tequila. Cyu soon.

I hold my head high as I leave the office building. Thoughts of everything I had just learnt running through my mind.