Chapter 3

• I've given them all the same answers, a very vague one at that.
• "Well, I'm studying business and media at university and..." Lory leans forward in her seat and shakes her head, resting her hands on the large mahogany desk.
• "No no, my darling, not what you are doing right now. What is your truest and deepest desire? If the sky were the limit if anything were possible. If you were granted a wish for a life, what would you be doing in it?" I pause for a moment and really think, but the answer comes out of my mouth before I can reel it back in.
• "I would love to write; I've always thought it would be incredible to be a screenwriter, you know, writing for television and movies. But I'd also love to write books" My cheeks immediately redden once the words are out. That's not something I've ever told anyone before, not even Poppy knows. I don't want to look over at her and see her reaction, in case she thinks I'm an idiot. Lory grins, this was apparently an answer she wanted.
• "Beautiful, just beautiful. And obtainable as well, many of the men are looking for women like you who appreciate the arts. They want someone who sees the world in a unique way and can actually hold an intelligent conversation. You need someone who is able to give you the luxurious life that you deserve; so you don't need to work tireless jobs to pay the bills when you can instead be writing and creating your dream life. I can find you someone really special, Amelia. I can find you someone who will go out of their way to make sure you are treated like a queen. Now doesn't that sound like something you want?" I mentally tell myself not to fidget with my hands and my fingers as she awaits my response. I nod my head, of course that's what I want, I think that's what everyone wants out of life. But not everyone gets it like this.
• "Do you have any questions dear?" Lory asks me with a beaming smile. Uh yeah, about a million, but I'm having trouble saying the words.
• "Uh, how would this all work? If I decided to do it?" I ask, trying not to mumble my words.
• "You would fill out a form telling us about yourself, then we make you a profile and our system will match you with the people we think you would be compatible with. And because I see something in you that just delights me, I would personally go through your matches and choose the one that I think would be best for you" She reaches into her desk drawer and takes out a stack of papers attached to a white clipboard, like one you would fill in at a doctors office.
• "Um, one more thing, would I have to be uh, you know, sexual with these men?" My voice stutters as I ask the question and I can feel my cheeks burning red as I watch Grace's reaction, one of slight amusement.
• "Well that is something you would need to discuss with your match. If both you and your partner decide that you are happy with your match then you would begin a process of negotiation. This is where we sort out things you are and aren't willing to do, nights you are available for dates, certain rules your match may have for you, that sort of thing. This is also when we discuss what kind of payments you would be getting from your match" She gives me a lot of information in one statement, but one of those bullet points jumps out at me.
• "Rules?" I squeak.
• "Some of our clients prefer to have a set of rules for their match, a list of personal preferences as to how you would behave with them, what you would wear or eat, things they would allow you t do, etcetera. It's one of the ways we like to make things easier and it does help our matches last for longer than most other agencies; better to get these things out in the open than discover you aren't on the same page" Her lips stretch back into a gentle smile, I take a deep breath. Poppy reaches over to my armchair and gives my hand a soft squeeze.
• "I know this is a little scary, but trust me girl, this is going to be the best thing that's ever going to happen to you. You deserve more than what your life has been giving you lately, and it's not like you're doing it all on your own. That's one of the great things that Lory and her team do; they are constantly giving you support and help, they are on your side." Poppy reassures me gently.
• "That's right. We are here for you through every step of the way. And if you decide that this isn't for you, then you can walk away at any point" Lory leans her body slightly over the table. I'm very overwhelmed. There is no way that this whole thing is as good as it seems, I can feel from somewhere deep down inside me that this is a bad idea.
• "Okay, I'll do it."