There was a knock on the door.
Nyla is wearing her favorite white dress with pink flowers on the hem covered with a long-sleeved cream bolero jacket. Her hair is in a slightly messy bun, and with cream sandals on her feet.
Her bruises have faded a bit and the swelling of her face subsided. She's no longer limping but prefers to use flat sandals for comfort. However, her sutures need a week or two before they can be removed.
Mr. Grant picked her up at 8:30 in the morning. The boss will meet with her at nine before he proceeds with his other appointments.
"Ms. Burnes, as with all typical powerful bosses, our boss is intimidating. Please bear with him and focus on getting your message across."
"You're kind. Thank you, Mr. Grant."
"Good luck."
He led her to a big office with a wide desk for the President. Big desktop monitor, nameplate, penholder, laptop, etc... Three elegant gray couches in the middle of the room, painting displays on the walls, a coffee corner near the window, and two doors inside, probably a washroom and spare room.
"Excuse me, sir." Mr. Grant said to the President.
Right there, behind the desk, was a physically attractive man, with short sides, long top fringe up hairstyle, smoothly shaven sharp jaw in a smart and expensive-looking suit. His eyes are mesmerizing, green hue with flecks of blue and hazel. He's handsome but more than that, he exudes an air of power and influence over others.
Yes, her instinctive obedience may kick in if this man threatens her. That's her weakness. Her trauma will be the end of her. Let's not forget, he, again, is a very attractive man. She really is a masochist. Or simply dumb. Oh well...
"Mr. President, I would like to introduce Ms. Nyla Burnes. Ms. Burnes, this is Mr. Callum Humphrey, President of White Hat Financial."
The president extended his hand to shake hers. She clasped his. She felt electricity flowing through her body.
Mr. Grant continued, "Ms. Burnes was living with Mr. Curt who is now on the run. She said she didn't know about the loan but according to our records, she is the co-maker."
"I—", she started talking and both men looked at her in a snap. She flinched.
"I really didn't know. I promise." She lowered her eyes.
"Ms. Burnes, please see these documents and tell me if those are your name and signature." His voice is low and intimidating, but for the life of her, it seems soothing to her ears.
She looked at the disclosure statements, payment schedule, terms and conditions, and photocopies of their identification cards, and right there in the co-maker line was her name and her almost identical signature.
Her heart is beating fast. It looks like her signature but she doesn't remember agreeing to this.
'My ID... how... when did it get photocopied?' She felt helpless. She looked at the two men who were staring back at her.
After a while, the president said, "Mr. Grant, please give us a moment alone."
Mr. Grant left.
"There are legalities involved in this situation. This is a legit company. We are not simple shark loans. Our interests are fair and monitored by the Global Lending Commission." He walked around his desk to go near her. He leaned over her.
"Are you seeing the predicament you have here?"
"Yes sir..."
He raised her chin and looked all over her face.
"Tell me, what can you offer me? I mean, normally it could be your body but..." His eyes settled on the small stitches near her temple and yellowish bruises all over her face. "You are still healing from your lover's beatings and you just came from the hospital for an emergency operation. I'm sorry for that." He went around and back to his seat.
"Ms. Burnes, I would like you to think of what you can do since you are bound by these documents. Until you find Mr. Curt, you will be burdened by this responsibility."
He stared into her deeply, like drilling his words into my brain.
"We are a legit company anyway so even if I don't do anything, the laws will take action for the company. However, let's just say there's something special in you that has drawn me. But you know, I will leave the decision in your hands..." He tapped his index finger on the desk.
"I have another offer... You're the first I've offered this to…" He stared at her for about a minute. He seems to be contemplating what he was about to say.
"To make it clear… I want you to be my woman. We'll talk of terms if you decide to agree. But for now, that's my off-the-record offer." He was about to push the intercom when he remembered something.
"Oh by the way, when I said my woman, I meant the whole package."
He pushed the intercom and asked his receptionist/secretary Heidi to send Mr. Grant in.
"We'll talk again in a month, or earlier if you feel like telling me your decision."
And their meeting ended. Mr. Grant drove her back home where she was left with her thoughts.
'What just happened there...? Was I asked to be the president's... what do you call it... hmmm, escort? He mentioned my body... is he suggesting that I whore myself out to him?! Did he even look at me and my rag-doll body of stitches? He's weird.'
She suddenly stopped and realized.
'Oh, I shouldn't be mad at that. I should be mad that he suggested for me to be the payment! I'm really stupid... It's like I never learned.'