Chapter 9

• “Meet me in my office now!” Jay instructed as he rushed his way into his office, like a rat running from its prey.
• Scared of what could have happened, Ivy was not sure if she was ready for another issue with her boss. She obviously came earlier than he did and there was actually no way he would accuse her of being late.
• “Yes Sir!”
• It was a cold morning but all of a sudden she felt hot, uncomfortable and nervous. She took off her old-time black jacket that she had worn on her light blue shirt so she could feel better.
• And made her way straight to his office to avoid being summoned the second time. She knew how impatient he could be.
• “Sir, you called me,” she said as she stood right in front of his desk with her heart pounding like it was about to fall off her chest.
• “Yes I did. Have a seat.”
• Ivy must have thought she was dreaming, why was he trying to be exceptionally nice? He had never spoken to her in such a cool manner, not even going as far as offering her a seat in his office.
• “No Sir, I'm fine standing,” she hesitated.
• “Well if you ask me, I’d advise you sit because what I’m about to say is crucial and I need all your attention.”
• In less than two seconds, thousands of questions steered up in her mind. If she had done something wrong she would have known and won’t even be surprised.
• Now, he was even making matters worse for her because she was feeling more nervous and uneasy as goosebumps spread through her body.
• “Sit down,” he offered again, pointing at the seat he had in front of him.
• This time she knew she needed to really sit, her legs could tell and maybe if they had mouths they would have told her.
• “S—Sure Sir,” she said right immediately, adjusting the chair so she could use it.
• “Good. How much is your mother's surgical treatment?”
• She wasn't so sure she heard him right, or maybe her ears were likely failing her.
• “S—Sir?… The doctor said it’s $5000,” she replied.
• “Not such a huge amount,” Jay whispered within.
• “I didn't hear you, Sir,” she responded as she only knew she said something but wasn't sure what he had said in particular.
• “Nothing. If I recall, your salary for working here is $2500.”
• “Yes. It is sir, I was hoping I could get an upfront payment for two months. The doctor gave us just two weeks to get things done or else she might not make it.” Speaking about her mother’s situation had the effect of tearing her up, she could feel her eyes as they got blurry, soaked with tears.
• This time was different, Jay was calm unlike other times. He was calm to see through her pain, he noticed how she tried to hold herself from crying as she bent her face downwards.
• “It’s fine, let it out,” he said as he gave her a rather pitiful smile.
• It was not fine for Ivy, mere words were not doing it for her. She needed money as fast as possible.
• For all she knew, things had not been okay since her father’s business collapsed and since her brother, Dave died.
• Her world had torn apart.
• The only thing that was giving her a glimpse of hope was the fact that she now had a job, a well paying job for that matter.
• Getting up from where he sat, he went to her and gave her a pat on the back as he saw how red her face had turned.
• He thought of how he was going to tell her his plans without making it feel like he wanted to use her plight against her.
• Jay knew she was perfect for the job, she respected him and most importantly she needed the money and definitely won’t want to do anything that would destroy her chances of making enough money.
• “Ivy, what if I told you I have a solution for you?” He let out.
• “You could make about $25,000 right away if you’re ready.”
• Ivy was in disbelief, she rose up her head to look properly at him. She didn’t know what he was driving out.
• Thinking within, if he was trying to get her to sleep with him for money. But looking at him, she knew he was a man of class.
• Jay picked up the cheque book in his drawer, “So let me know, are you in or out?”
• She didn’t know what her answer should be, she only wanted the money. And maybe if she knew what he wanted in return, she could decide if she should accept or not.
• “Sir, I do not understand.”
• “Well, I have a job for you that would make you $50,000. You’ll get a part payment of $25,000 if you’re in for it.” Jay said.
• “$50,000? A job?” Of course, that's a huge amount and it rang in her ears.
• “Yes! You heard right. A job.” he replied as he rolled the pen through his fingers.
• “May I know what the nature of the job is, Sir?” Ivy inquired using the back of her palm to wipe across the tears on her face.
• “Hm… okay. So I need a girl, like a wife,” he announced, wondering if that came out right or not.
• “A wife? I still don’t get it sir,” Ivy replied as she sat up on the chair.
• “It’s simple, you play the role and get paid,” he responded “Okay, let’s look at it this way. I need a girl to act as my girlfriend and then wife, pending the time. While you on the other hand need money to sort out your mum’s bill and other things. With that, we can solve each other’s problems.”
• Ivy was speechless, it was indeed a good offer but she wasn’t sure if she could do it. It was a dilemma and she was caught in between.
• “It’s no problem if you don’t want it,” he said, opening his drawer to return the cheque book.