“Well, duh! You deserve it. You have an exceptional track record, and they’re lucky to have you. Why else do you think I twisted Sebastian’s arm to give them your name?”
“You twisted his arm?”
“Nah. He’s seen you, and he knows what you’re capable of. It didn’t take much.”
I’m practically slugging down my drink. Out of happiness? I don’t know.
But I know I should’ve made it stronger. My nerves and excitement are mixing together in one confusing mess. A new phase of my life is about to begin.
Lily asks, “Did they send over a contract? Because that’s standard.”
“Oh, yes, I see it here. It looks pretty in depth.” Hmm, contract. It’s a normal thing, but this one is many pages long.
Lily says, “Well, hopefully you’re substantially paid, and then you won’t have to bartend anymore.”
“Hey, I like bartending,” I say sifting through the many pages.
“I know, I know. But there’s a lot more to life than just getting dudes drunk.”
Lily never really understood how much I love the environment of the club. It’s so empowering watching the girls have guys at their fingertips so easily, and I envy their boldness so much. Without this opportunity I might’ve been a only a short time from dancing myself.
I let it slide. “Well, I’m going to negotiate my contract. There’s no way I’m not going to try to squeeze a little more out of them.”
“Then they don’t stand a chance!” Lily says, laughing.
I’m laughing, too. “Hey, Lily, in all seriousness, please do tell Sebastian how very grateful I am.”
“You got it, babe.”
We hang up, and I have time to think about what’s just happened.
My life has changed overnight. I am officially a part of the biggest political firm in town.
Taking my drink with me, I crawl out of a little window that leads to the fire escape. It’s my favorite spot to sit and to just engage with the city life and lights below.
The cold metal feels good against my hot skin. I haven’t been able to calm down since this afternoon.
How will I ever work in the same environment as Cameron, Adam, and Chase? Their energy is intense.
But hey, at least I got my foot in the door.
Nicole
Now that I’ve had time to peruse the contract, I’m in a state of shock. It has all the usual details like my pay and my vacation, but then at the bottom there’s a portion that details what they will require of me sexually.
It kept me up all night, reading that damn thing. Now I know that the guys are up to no good: they want me for more than my political prowess; they want my body too.
And according to the contract, that means I’ll have to submit myself to them any day or night they call on me. They decide how I’ll dress, and it makes vague references to how I socialize, and…kinks. I will have to do as they say in order to gain my own political influence in this town.
I shake my head, trying to hold myself together.
I know that to get ahead in this industry, people have to do uncomfortable things, even illegal things, sometimes. But I always thought I would maintain my integrity no matter what.
Now this contract is laid before me and normally, I would just refuse—but there’s something about these guys that has me intrigued. At the end of the day they’re all business, so to speak. They’re not creepy, or coercing me into anything. They’ve laid it all out right here, and I’m free to say yes or no. It’s just what this particular job is.
But it’s more than just business, isn’t it? Deep inside me I’m incredibly curious. Those men are powerful. They can have anything they want, so why me? What is it that they see in me? That they’d put this all right here for me so suddenly, I get the sense that they know something about me I don’t, even after one meeting.
I’ve decided that I can’t just say no, but also that I have room to negotiate. So I set up a meeting today to sit down with all three of them to knock out the details one by one.
It may be awkward, but I’m determined to shine. I have a new outfit picked out from Bebe.
I’m wearing a little black dress with killer heels. This time I’ll be prepared. This time I’ll be in control.
At least that’s what I’m hoping.
I take a cab to the building downtown. It’s a short ride, certainly not long enough to let me gain some courage.
Once I’m out of the car, I stand on the sidewalk a minute, look up at the building, and try to remember who I am. I’m going to have to negotiate like hell to get this thing done my way.
Entering the now familiar lobby gives me a rush of excitement. I go up the elevator, and the doors open to Tiffany.