MEETING II

Confusion beamed in my eyes as I read the contract's text several times. Something was missing from the contract, like a page describing the nature of my job, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the one omitting it, judging from the number of times I've skimmed through the contract.

I look at the woman whose face was so serene with a frown. "Miss..."

"Khloe."

"Miss Khloe," I corrected myself before continuing, "I'm a little bit confused."

She arched one brow in perplexity, "The contract is very explicit. What's your confusion?"

"Yes, it's very clear, but I'm having trouble figuring out what my job entails."

A side of her lips curves, "That's cause your job is transitional."

Transitional?

As the word reverberated through my head, I felt even more uneasy. Having my job change subsequently wasn't something I had hoped for, and something about this felt off.

"If you had read carefully, you would've seen where it's clearly stated in section D that your job can only be revealed to you once you've successfully signed this contract," she continued.

"Huh?"

I inclined even more on the table and scanned through the part of the contract she mentioned in more disarray. I had missed that part of the contract since I was more focused on knowing the details of my job.

I looked at her skeptically after glancing through it carefully this time, making sure not to miss any important information, and asked, "Why so much confidentiality for a job offer? I don't get why I have to sign a contract of ownership before I get a job."

Her indifferent stare even as I aired out my thought got me somewhat tensed, but I didn't back down. Something told me if I were to push even more, I may get the answer I search for.

"Is there something illegal I have to do? Cause Zeke didn't mention anything like this when he proposed this job offer to me," I continued, but a change in her facial expression muted me.

She looked at the contract in front of me, before her eyes came back once more to my face. "For a girl whose family is going through a lot, you're too cautious," I heard her say.

Cautious? I only want to know what lay ahead of the job offer so I could prepare mentally and physically for it.

"I don't think I have to remind you of your difficulties or what can happen to your father if you can't pay back your debt..." she continued.

A frown crept unto my face. The thought that my life, including all my plights, was an open book to these people annoyed me. And it is even more annoying that she's trying to gaslight me with my family's situation.

"You poor folks are something else. Even when you've been presented with a wonderful opportunity, you still find it so hard to make a go at it. If our terms and conditions aren't agreeable to you, Miss Abigail, you have an opportunity to reject this offer," she said calmly, but I could've sworn her tone had a bit of impatience in it.

Her icy comments abruptly brought to mind my family's predicament and the urgent demands that required quick attention. Yes, there was something about being owned by these individuals that made me uneasy, but that sensation was nothing compared to losing my dad. That would be nerve-wracking for every member of my family.

Just as the attractive woman was about to remove the document, I swiftly grabbed the pen.

How worse can this job be in comparison to my dad's life?

I'll just have to trust Zeke to repay the favor of saving his life.

Hesitantly, I signed where party B's signature should be.

She gave me a sneaky grin before pulling another contract out of her purse to replace the one in front of me.

"You made the right decision, Miss Abigail. The nature of your job is clearly described in this contract, as indicated in the original contract."

I noticed that she now had a more cheerful expression than she had before I had signed the first contract, and I became even more anxious about what was inside the document I'm holding because I know I would be powerless to refuse what was within.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the document and started scanning through it. The contract's substance was overwhelming, but I made a valiant effort to keep my fleeting composure.

What have I done?!

She noticed the change in my expression cause her eyes never left my perplexed face, but she didn't utter a word.

As my eyes proceeded to scan every line of the paper I held, I immediately felt the weight of the deal I had earlier signed. No wonder the benefits of the first contract were so generous. My suppose job is something I could have never imagined.

I am to seduce a man, and even worst, I'm to seduce him within a year.

Minutes of silence ensued between us, until Khloe finally said, "Everything you need for your task has been prepared. We only need your presence."

My gaze fell back to her, in shock about what I had just seen from the contract. I could suddenly tell why I was feeling so uneasy about signing the first contract of ownership.

No! It can't be.

"As stated in the contract, all the benefits will immediately be given to you; a safe resident for your family members, your father's safe return back home, and the settlement of your family's debt, not to forget the monthly pay for sufficient living and a comfortable learning environment for your younger brother, Dylan Mckay."

I stiffened. "You tricked me!"

She shot me a dreadful look, one that held more than a thousand swords and I gulped. "You signed out of your free will, Miss Abigail."

My throat suddenly dried. "I can't do it. I can't seduce anyone. This is not what I had in mind when I came to you."

"We will fulfill our end of the bargain, and I urge you to fulfill yours, hence the penalty would be severe," she ignored my protest.

"And let me remind you, Miss Abigail, your entire existence now belongs to us for a year immediately your signature was imprinted on that document, which means you either have to do what we ask or face the consequence which will also involve your family."

We?

My family?

Oh God!

"Also, your contract will be effective from tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I trembled slightly.

She inhaled softly when she saw my startled expression. With a calm tone, she spoke, "Miss Abigail, I didn't mean to scare you earlier. I feel the need to inform you that your job isn't as terrifying as it sounds. We're not forcing you on our client and I think you understand what I mean since you're an adult. Your presence is all we need. You just have to show up at places we want you to."

I felt some of my nerves calm as I listened to her, but a part of me still had doubts about her sudden relaxing words.

"That's it?"

She nodded.

I bit my lips as I contemplated her words.

As though sensing my fleeting emotions, Khloe said, "Your father has already been released, Miss Abigail. This is how sincere we are."

I look into her eyes for a few seconds. The fact that my father was back home safe and sound made me feel better and I hesitantly accepted the offer. "Okay."

"Good. As I said earlier, your job is transitional, so you'll be hearing from us sooner than you think."

I gave a quick nod, and she retrieved the contract in front of me before standing to her feet.

"A copy of the contract will be given to you later on, Miss Abigail," she stretched her hand toward me, and I quickly got to my feet, receiving her hand. "We look forward to working with you."

"Likewise."