As Mr Rowley leaned back in his chair, his demeanour shifted slightly, a small smile playing on his lips as he regarded me thoughtfully. His green eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves coursing through me as I waited for his response.
The atmosphere in the room grew more intense, signalling that our conversation was about to delve into a more serious topic.
"Well, Miss Walker," he began, his voice smooth and measured, "I called you here because I see potential in you. Despite being young, you're ambitious, and driven - qualities that are not easy to come by. But, no matter how unjust, I know that talent alone is not always enough to succeed in this world."
His words hung in the air, leaving me with a sense of anticipation mixed with a touch of confusion. I found myself grappling to understand his intentions.
"I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Rowley. What do you mean?" I asked, furrowing my brow in genuine curiosity.
His chuckle was soft, almost paternal, as if he found my innocence and confusion endearing.
This was not the route I was expecting this conversation to go. Not that I knew where it was going, anyway.
"What I mean, Miss Walker, is that sometimes in life, opportunities present themselves in unexpected ways. And I have an opportunity that I believe you might be interested in."
My heart quickened its pace, the suspense of the unknown was starting to get me. "What kind of opportunity?" I ventured cautiously, unsure of what to expect.
Mr. Rowley leaned forward; his gaze intense as he locked eyes with me. "I'll cut to the chase, Miss Walker. I have a proposition for you - a business arrangement if you will. But I must warn you, it's not conventional."
My stomach twisted into a knot, a blend of nervousness and curiosity swirling inside me. I found myself momentarily at a loss for words, trying to process the significance of Mr. Rowley's proposition.
"What do you mean by 'arrangement'?" I asked, my voice barely audible, revealing the whirlwind of emotions churning within me.
He reclined in his chair once more, fingers interlocked in front of him, his gaze fixed on me with a pensive air. "I have a proposal for you, to become the CEO's... What's the term youngsters use nowadays?" He paused, though it seemed more for dramatic effect than genuine confusion. "Sugar baby?"
My heart plummeted as his words sank in, disbelief washing over me like a tidal wave. "A s... sugar baby?" I echoed, my voice tinged with incredulity.
Mr. Rowley nodded calmly; his expression unreadable. "Yes, Miss Walker. In exchange for certain... companionship and services, I would provide you with considerable financial support, mentorship, and guidance to help you achieve your goals."
I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me, my mind reeling with disbelief and shock. This was not at all what I had expected when I walked into his office.
I struggled to process his words.
"But... why me?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling slightly.
Surprisingly, Mr Rowley's demeanour softened, a touch of sympathy appearing in his eyes. "Because, Miss Walker, I see potential in you. I believe with the right support and guidance, you could go far in life. And I can offer you opportunities that you might not otherwise have access to."
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling heavily on my shoulders.
My hands tightened in the armrests, fighting my initial instinct to bolt from his office, to escape this surreal situation before it engulfed me completely. But before I could gather my thoughts or muster the courage to voice my intentions, he held up a hand, urging me to stay seated.
"Before you make any hasty decisions, Miss Walker, allow me to provide you with more details," he said, his voice steady and persuasive.
I hesitated, torn between fleeing and hearing him out. My mind was racing with a thousand thoughts and fears. The precariousness of my situation loomed over me like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of the challenges I faced.
What happened with my parents, leaving me in the most absolute ruin…
And now, the ruined flat I worked so hard to get was evicting me, slated for demolition to make way for a newer, grander building. The money I had saved from my previous job was dwindling fast, barely enough to sustain me through my internship and the meagre earnings that followed. My life had become a tangled mess of financial woes and uncertainty, leaving me grasping for any semblance of hope.
Perhaps, that was the reason why I didn't leave the office that day.
As if sensing my turmoil, Mr Rowley leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "I know about your situation, Miss Walker. I've had you investigated."
My heart sank as the weight of his words settled over me. He knew… – the eviction, my dire financial straits… But did he know about the past that I had hoped to bury?
"I hope you'll pardon my intrusion into your privacy, Miss Walker," Mr Rowley's voice cut through the silence, his tone measured and composed. "But you must understand, this proposal is rather unconventional and delicate. I needed to ensure that I was choosing someone worthy of my trust. Consider it a compliment, if you will, a testament to your integrity and character."
"Trust?" I echoed, my confusion evident in my voice. "But what about my parents..."
My heart beat fast in my chest and my breath accelerated, my anxiety grew. All that I had been carefully trying to hide, now was completely exposed, just like that. To the person that perhaps was the one I wished the most that would never find out.
"I'm aware of your family's situation as well," he interjected smoothly, his gaze unwavering. "Rest assured, it's all accounted for in the offer."
As he paused, his eyes seemed to bore into mine, dissecting every nuance of my reaction. "Now, Miss Walker," he resumed, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "before we proceed further, I want to emphasize the importance of our discussion. I'll outline the terms I have in mind, and I would certainly entertain your inquiries with utmost discretion. However, it's imperative that what we discuss here remains strictly confidential. Do we have an understanding?"
The seriousness in his voice was unmistakable, a firm departure from the cordiality that had characterized our conversation thus far. It was a warning, a reminder of the delicate balance upon which our discussion rested.
With a deep breath, I nodded, agreeing with his request for confidentiality. At least that, I could decide. I did not want to get on his bad side.
"Good," Mr Rowley said, his tone firm yet not unkind. "Now, let me lay out the details of my proposal for you, Miss Walker. You see, what I'm suggesting is a unique arrangement that will benefit both of us immensely, and it's my belief it will be quite seamless for you."
He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.
"I propose that you become a companion, a confidante, and a partner in certain social functions," Mr. Rowley continued, his voice steady and persuasive. "In essence, what I'm suggesting is that you step into the role of a trophy wife, Miss Walker."