The Contract

Matt’s POV
“I don’t know… Wasn't it a little much?”

“Do you want the little bitch in your lap or not?”

“I do… But…”

“It isn’t the time for second thoughts, Matt. I did whatever needed to be done. She will be at your door in no time.”

“Maybe we don’t need her anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“Anton is really close to breaking. Maybe last night I finished him for good.”

“Whatever, just don’t make it easy for her. Let her beg. I want her to be miserable.”

“You are always so dramatic, aren't you?”

“What can I say, it's me. Ciao!”

“Bye.”

When we hung up, I was still feeling restless. Making her come to me was one thing, but having her dad beaten for it was another. But it already happened, there's no point crying over spilled milk.

When I first heard about it, I was so in shock, I went to the hospital right away and was nearly caught by Alice. Good thing I came up with the lie that I was there for her, so she believed it. It was easy to fool her; a couple sensitive sentences, a small charming look, and she was buying it every time. But she was a tough nut to crack; I thought she would be mine a million times by now. Somehow, she resisted. That was the only thing that kept her from becoming boring. It wasn't that I wasn't attracted to her; it was the challenge that made it so sweet. A test of control. She wasn't just another conquest; she was the one Anton wanted, and she was the one he couldn't break—yet. If she was so difficult for Anton to keep, she was the only woman worth having. That was the only thing that mattered.

As long as it made Anton furious, I was always in the game. When I went to his office today to see how Alice was struggling, he was arrogant as always. He hadn't a clue what was going on under his nose. His beloved assistant was about to risk everything to save her dad’s ass, and when she was ready to gamble, I would be around to go all in.

When I went to Alice’s apartment, everything seemed to work according to plan. She was getting more miserable by the hour. Drunk and sad. That was a phase that could lead me to what I desired. But not yet. If I let her spill everything there and didn't push her until the very limit, she couldn't be miserable enough to do everything I want. So I deliberately mentioned how she was different from the other girls. And she bought it. So she couldn't ask for the money. But the thing I wasn't expecting was to see Anton at her door. He was hopeless.

When I saw him from the peephole, the plan flashed in my brain right away. She was half unconscious from the cheap wine she drank. And she only had a robe on. It was simple. I peeled off her robe and revealed her spectacular body in her underwear. It was my first time seeing it, so I had to fight the urge of touching her. But not now; she'll be mine at the end anyway. I just needed to let Anton see it now. The rest could be filled up with his imagination and my very detailed depictions.

And if I know my impulsive, dumb-ass brother well, he wouldn't bother to ask her anything. He would just act like a fool. And when he does that, I would be here to pick up the remains of whatever was left behind from his legacy. And maybe, I wouldn't even need Alice to complete my plan at all. Maybe I could leave her out of this from now on. And this thought, somehow, made me feel a little better after all.

Alice’s POV
Next day I woke up with a blinding, hammering headache. I dragged myself to the kitchen and managed to take some painkillers. What did I drink yesterday? Was there rat poison in it? I was feeling half dead.

I hardly managed to shower and get dressed. Meanwhile, yesterday’s memories were coming back partially. I knew Matt came by. I knew we talked, and the last thing I remember was him caressing my hair. And that was where the film cut off for me. And there was a vague memory of Matt talking to someone on the phone, I guess. And that was all. I shouldn’t have drunk that much.

When I left the house and started walking to the metro, Mum called.

“Honey?”

“Hi, Mom.” I didn’t know what to tell her.

“Is there any good news?”

“Not yet. But… I have a couple of ideas. Don’t worry, I’m handling this.”

“Are you sure? We have two days left. Maybe we should just leave town and hide somewhere.”

“Mom, you said yesterday that you saw suspicious men around the house. I think they are following us; running away wouldn’t be a solution. But don’t worry. I will find a way.”

“Okay, honey, I trust you. God bless you, my little angel.”

“Thank you, Mom, bless you too.”

Yeah, I had no idea. But I couldn't bring myself to tell her. Yet. I still had two days. A miracle could happen, right? God, if you hear me, it’s time to show yourself, okay? I’m out of options. I will take anything, anything, just let me save my family. I’m not important. You can take my life right here, right now, but just let me save my family.

After my small monologue with God, I took the train and managed to make it to the office earlier than normal. I went to the office kitchen, as always, to prepare the coffee. But when I entered, I saw the coffee pot was half full and warm. Somebody made coffee? But I came pretty early. It can't be Mr. Alonzo, can it?

I went back to his office and softly knocked on his door.

“Come in.”

A curt voice answered from inside. So he was here. I opened the door unwillingly. He was sitting in his chair, leaned far back, his fingers touching each other like he was pondering something.

“Ms. Wonderland, I was waiting for you.”

“Me, sir?”

“Yes. Come in. I have something to discuss.”

What could there be to discuss after yesterday? That he so rudely denied my request. But, maybe he was feeling sorry. Maybe he had changed his mind and would give me the money? Suddenly, a wave of hope washed over me. God, I knew you were listening. Thank you!

I went in right away. He showed me the guest chair in front of his desk, and I sat.

“So, Ms. Wonderland. I have been thinking since yesterday…”

He really regretted it, then? I was looking at his mouth with hope and expectancy.

“Maybe we could find a way to help you with the request you made.”

“Really, sir?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much, sir. If you do that, I will be in debt to you forever.”

“Yes, when it comes to the debt…” He stood up and slowly started stepping around his desk.

“You know that I am a businessman, and I handle all of my deals according to my professional mindset, including relationships.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So, in every business deal I make, I offer a price for an asset…” He reached my chair. Now he was towering over me.

“I understand, sir,” I said.

“That’s why I returned your request the first time: because I thought there was nothing you could offer in return for my money. But, I guess I have changed my mind.”

“You have?” He sat in the chair opposite mine. He leaned forward toward me, his hands resting on his legs.

“Yes, Ms. Wonderland. There is one thing I can ask from you in return for my money.”

“Whatever. I take it, sir. Whatever you want. I will give it to you. I will do it…”

“I think you should hear it first, before giving empty promises.”

“These are not empty promises, sir. I can do anything.” I was desperate, and if he wanted me to shoot someone, I might even accept that.

“Anything?”

“Anything! Please tell me what I should do?”

“Ms. Wonderland, I can give you the money you wanted—even more—for a three-month service contract. As my special escort.”

“Escort? You mean like your twenty-four-hour assistant or something?”

“No. An escort as in a lady comforts a gentleman in every way he wants. Physically and emotionally.”

I thought a bucket of ice-cold water had been tossed over my head; otherwise, there could be no explanation for the sudden chill that stabbed my skin from every direction.

“Excuse me?” I must have heard him wrong.

“What? You were just saying you could do anything. Comforting a handsome, rich man couldn’t be the worst-case scenario crossing your mind, right?”

“So you are offering me to be your mistress or something?”

“My slave, to be precise. I am offering you to be my slave for three months, and I will pay you $1 million.”

I jumped to my feet. I was fuming now instead of feeling cold. I felt like I could burn the whole damn building down.

“How dare you! You disgusting, despicable man!”

He stood up, too. Now he was looking down at me again. I swished my hand to slap him in the face, but he caught my hand in mid-air and pulled me close. His nose was nearly touching mine. His eyes, large as golf balls, somehow looked more furious than me.

“What now? You became virtuous overnight? You were willing to throw yourself under me or my brother when we were in Hawaii. What changed? Maybe you don’t need this money that much after all?”

I pulled my hand from his grasp hard. While cradling my hand in my other hand, I looked desperately at the monster before me to see a glimpse of the Anton I knew. But he wasn’t there. No, this man standing before me right now was something else, some ugly, malicious being who looked like Anton, that’s all.

“You are insane,” I said as I was slowly stepping back towards the door.

He sat back in the chair and patted a pile of papers on his desk.

“The contract is here, Ms. Wonderland. You have 24 hours to think. Then this offer will not be available anymore.”

“Take your offer and shove it somewhere it can fit.” I turned my back and ran away from the office. I hardly managed to get my coat and bag.

I ran out of there for my life.