Intense

“Thank you,” she says.

I put out my hand and she places hers in mine. We shake softly. “Good to meet you,” I say.

“You too,” she answers, looking away.

I sit down across from her and place the contract down on the table between us. There are pens in a small holder at the edge of the table and I can’t help but smile to myself. These people are professionals.

“Are you nervous, Aria?” I ask her, knowing the answer.

“Yes,” she admits. I find that endearing.

“Why?”

“I’ve never done this before.”

I raise an eyebrow, a little surprised. “Never?”

“Never,” she confirms. “I’ve never been an... escort before.”

Interesting. I lean back in my chair and watch her, studying her. She does look more nervous than I expected and she’s having a hard time making eye contact, probably from her nervousness. Finally, I get her to look at me, and she smiles.

“What?” she asks.

“Just looking at you. You’re not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “This is my first time, too.”

“Really?” She sits up. “You’ve never bought an, uh, escort before?”

“Never,” I say. “You’re my first.”

“Well then. I’m glad we can do this for the first time together, then.”

“Me too,” I say. She smiles and I can’t help but feel warm toward her.

“What’s this?” she asks, taking the contract.

“I’m not totally sure. I think we’re supposed to sign it.”

She starts reading over it and I study her as she does it. Her eyes narrow a bit and she subvocalizes ever so slightly. That suggests to me that she needs glasses normally, and they probably wouldn’t let her wear them. I make a note of that for the future.

She looks up at me and smiles, blushing. “You’re watching me,” she says.

“Sorry. Does that make you uncomfortable?”

“No, I mean, this is just weird.”

I laugh. “Very weird,” I agree.

“Did you read this yet?”

“Not yet. I glanced at it in the hallway. Most of it seems like pretty standard legal stuff, NDA and the like.”

“NDA?”

“Non-disclosure agreement. I use them a lot.”

“What do you do?” she asks, cocking her head.

“I founded World Line. Have you heard of it?”

She perks up again. “I know that company. You guys manufacture a bunch of stuff. Lots of medical equipment.”

“That’s right. I’m surprised you know that.”

“I wanted to be a doctor for a long time.”

“What happened?” I ask, and regret it immediately.

She looks down at the contract. “Life,” she says, and I feel like an asshole. She goes back to reading, the moment lost between us.

What a stupid question to ask. I know she’s clearly not a doctor, though I can’t help but wonder why she’s doing this. From what I can tell, she’s normal, though very attractive and intelligent. I don’t know her at all though, and people have their reasons. It’s just another mystery I’ll have to unravel. I want to get to know the real girl sitting across from me, not just the girl she’s going to pretend to be. I don’t want her to be some slave that makes me happy. I want to own her completely, not just because I’ve spent money on her.

It’s a dangerous feeling, but I can’t help myself. She finally makes it through the contract and signs her name at the end before spinning it around toward me.

“Thanks,” I say.

“You’re welcome.”

She watches me as I start reading. I glance up twice before smiling at her. “Your turn to watch me?” I ask.

“Exactly.”

I can’t help but grin and she smiles back. “I’ve tasted my own medicine and it is bitter.”

She laughs. “A friend of mine used to say that a long time ago.”

“It’s a good one.” I flick the pen, twirling it around my fingers, an absent-minded gesture. “Go ahead and watch if you want. We might as well get comfortable with each other.”

“Good point,” she says, and puts her chin in her hands. “Don’t be shy, Ethan. I’ll just sit here quietly, judging and such.”

I laugh and shake my head. She’s clever and funny once you get past her nervousness.

I go back to the contract and begin to read.

The Syndicate

Herein, Ethan Locks (“The Client”) and Aria Taylor (“The Seller”) enter into a legally and emotionally binding contract with The Syndicate. Breaking of any stipulation, in spirit or in letter, results in a voiding of this contract. Consequences will be swift and merciless. Nothing protects a bastard, a cheat, or a thief.