"Please, come in, Ms. Willows."
"It's been a while, Mr. Arden." Sherry greeted politely as she stepped into the room.
"Is there something you're unhappy within the contract?" Arden asked, gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Yes," Sherry replied with a calm but firm tone."I'd like to renegotiate the benefits stated in the agreement."
Arden leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smile. "Not enough, huh? I'm not surprised. Let me tell you; our boss isn't exactly known for being generous. Since we work together for a long time, I might as well be upfront with you—our boss is a hardcore workaholic. Did you know I once had to pull an all-nighter on Christmas Eve? Christmas!" He sighed dramatically before adding, "My girlfriend broke up with me that night because of it."
Sherry couldn't help but let out a small, awkward laugh. "That sounds awful. I'm sorry to hear that!" she said, not knowing what else to say to his unexpected confession.
Arden chuckled wryly and shrugged. "Well, that's just how it is around here. Rye — I mean, Mr. Mavis — isn't someone who likes too many people buzzing around the office. That's why he only keeps me as his assistant. Lucky for me, though, now that you're handling all those fancy cocktail events, I actually get to go home at a decent hour every night. Honestly, Ms. Willows, you've been a lifesaver!"
Sherry managed another polite smile, though her thoughts were already drifting elsewhere. Arden's chatter was starting to veer into personal anecdotes and office gossip. She realized he must be one of those people who could talk endlessly about anything and everything. While endearing in its own way, it wasn't exactly why she was here. As Arden continued rambling about his endless overtime woes and his theories about their boss's quirks, Sherry cleared her throat softly, hoping to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"Ah!! My apologies! It's been so long since anyone listened to me talk." Arden said sheepishly. "So, Ms. Willows, you want to renegotiate the benefits? Honestly, I agree that the benefits outlined in the contract are inadequate, especially considering the exhausting late-night work. That's why I've already negotiated with a few major fashion brands to introduce you as a magazine model for their upcoming collections. Of course, it will depend on your capabilities."
"Thank you, but that's not what I meant." Sherry replied, trying to interject.
"Hmm? Then do you want to get involved in films instead? It just so happens that a movie directed by last year's 'Film of the Year' winner at the C Film Festival is seeking our company's investment. We could recommend you for the casting session."
"No!!" Sherry shook her head vigorously. "That's not it!"
"Oh!! I get it now! That house is too small, isn't it? I'll arrange for a larger one. No, better yet, I have sent you the listings and let you choose for yourself. Rest assured, all properties under Mavis Corporation are stunning."
"No!! I… I want…" Sherry stammered, growing increasingly flustered.
"Want something?"
"I want to convert everything into a monthly allowance."
Arden froze, scratching his head and rubbing his ear, wondering if he'd misheard.
"Umm… are you saying you want to exchange all your houses, roles, and magazine shoots for a monthly stipend?"
"Everything except the house. I want to trade the rest."
Arden was at a loss for words, staring at the woman before him with disbelief. Most actors would kill for roles or magazine features, yet here was Sherry, asking to turn them all into cash. Arden had seen some of the smaller films she'd starred in-her acting wasn't bad, and her looks were striking enough to represent the company without shame. Who would've guessed she'd make such a baffling request?
A whirlwind of questions spun through the assistant's mind.
"You can bring this up with Mr. Mavis. Have a nice day."
Sherry, feeling uneasy in the awkward silence, quickly excused herself and left. Arden watched her go, rubbing his temples as a dull ache began to settle in his head.
"Finished with work already? You look like you've been through the wringer." a voice broke his thoughts.
Arden sighed deeply, his weariness evident. "Mr. Mavis, how about giving me a raise?"
"A raise? Your yearly salary could buy a house outright, and that's still not enough for you? So, tell me, what's troubling Mavis Corporation's star assistant this time?" Mr. Mavis asked, half-joking but clearly curious.
"It's Ms. Willows!" Arden said, shaking his head. "She's asked to renegotiate the benefits in her contract."
"Ah, so she thinks the terms aren't generous enough? Fine, just assign her a few extra projects from our investment portfolio and call it a day. Problem solved!" Mr. Mavis replied with a casual wave of his hand.
Arden hesitated, then sighed again, his tone heavier this time. "It's not about more projects or better terms. Ms. Willows made a... highly unusual request."
Mr. Mavis arched an eyebrow, leaning forward with newfound interest. "Unusual? Just how unusual are we talking?"
Arden glanced at him, clearly debating how best to explain, as if the words themselves might sound too absurd to believe.
"What exactly is her demand? Does she want me to split my fortune with her?" Rye asked, unwrapping his favorite strawberry candy with a nonchalant air, preparing to pop it into his mouth.
"Ms. Willows has requested to convert everything except for her house into a monthly allowance." Arden replied, his voice calm but tinged with disbelief.
The candy slipped from Rye's fingers, landing on the desk with a faint thud. "Two million a month aren't enough for her?"
"Based on our prior investigations." Arden continued, frowning slightly, "Ms. Willows has no debts, no dependents, and no investments of any kind. She's been on her own since being expelled from the orphanage at sixteen. There's no logical reason for her to make a request like this. It just doesn't add up."
Rye leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes as he drummed his fingers on the armrest. "Well, it's not exactly a crisis. Just handle it and carry on. There's a major party the evening after tomorrow, and she needs to attend. Make sure everything's in place for that."
"Got it, Boss!" Arden replied, straightening up, though the unanswered questions still loomed heavily in his min The next morning, Arden arrived at Sherry's rundown apartment. It was the first time a man had ever visited her home, and she was clearly flustered unsure of what to do, even within the familiarity of her own space.
Arden, knowing about Sherry's difficult past and her history of abuse, understood her unease. With a gentle tone, he took the initiative to start a conversation, slowly easing her nerves.
Coming from a modest family with a normal upbringing, Arden had lived a straightforward and comfortable life. But stepping into Sherry's dilapidated apartment was a shock, he couldn't help but gag at the overpowering stench of mildew that filled the air.
"Ah, sorry about that. I must've eaten too much this morning." he said quickly, trying to mask his reaction.
Sherry, seeing through his excuse, smiled faintly. Without a word, she handed him a glass of water, her quiet gesture carrying more warmth than any reassurance he could offer.
"Mr. Mavis has approved your request. The total commercial value of your acting roles and magazine cover shoots amounts to $9 million, which will be transferred to your account on the 2nd of each month."
"That's fantastic!" Sherry said, her voice trembling with relief and excitement.
"Today, I'm here to help you pack and prepare to move into your new home." Arden informed her, his tone brisk but professional.
"So soon?" she asked.
"The evening after tomorrow, there's a significant cocktail party. Mr. Mavis will officially introduce you to the elite circles as his girlfriend. The etiquette instructors are already waiting at your new house, so we need to get moving."
With a sharp clap of his hands, Arden signaled four tall men in sleek black suits to enter the apartment. They immediately began combing through Sherry's belongings, assessing what could be kept.
Arden's gaze landed on her wardrobe and modest collection of cosmetics. His expression hardened, and he frowned slightly before issuing a decisive order. "Throw everything out."
Sherry froze, her heart racing. Years of thriftiness made her deeply attached to every item she owned. Seeing her possessions so casually discarded sent her into a panic, and tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.