The Bargain

   “Crystal Dante.” He repeated as he sank into the leather seat, no wonder he felt he like knew her. she looked so much like her damned sister and it got him wondering. “So, you are Crystal? Cassandra's sister?” he nods hauntingly.

“Yes I am.” Crystal answers a little bit mortified, she felt ashamed on her sister’s behalf and Kayden looked like a good man, he didn’t know her, yet he gave her audience. “I’ve come here to apologize on her behalf, we are very sorry. She told me everything, that she planned to defraud you, but I believe it was because of her dire condition.”

“What could be so dire that I should suffer for?” his steel eyes were now locked on her innocent ones. “Her ideas are inexcusable but our mother is very sick and since we are poor, we cannot afford the hospital bills. I promise you; she didn't do it on purpose.” She answered quietly.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but it wasn’t my fault. Why should I suffer for something that I didn’t cause?” He queried but now Crystal had fallen silent. “Perhaps, she is my girlfriend, she could have told me, I was more than ready to do anything for her. But I’m afraid that’s not her only excuse, was it? The thing is Cassandra covet my properties, she wanted even my life.”  She let out a sigh, he wasn’t ready to bargain.

His eyes said it all, he meant every single thing, and he does not seem like the type to easily compromise.

“I'm sorry but your sister has to pay for what she did to me,” the thought of her alone made him irked. “She will have to go to prison and learn some lessons.”

“My mother will finally die of a heart attack.” she breathe out, it seemed more like a forced sigh. “I beg you Mr. Smith, I would do anything.”

“There is nothing I can do miss Crystal, now it is either you leave my office or I’ll have to call security.” Her lips quivered as she stared into his silver eyes hopelessly.

“Please, I would do anything; I was told I cannot pay a bail because you-" A sharp ring from the intercom interrupted her, Kayden picked up the phone running his hands in his hair, following a frustrated pattern. “Yes, I know, thanks for informing me, Laurie.” his frown deepen.

“Thank you.” he dropped the phone and turned back to Crystal, an idea came whizzing in his mind, and it had better work.

“You want to save your sister so bad?” she nodded.

“Yes please...”

“You will do anything?” he repeated and she nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Get up from your knees.” He watched her get up slowly, adjusting her dress, a bruise already forming from where she knelt. He then decided he needed to see what kind of dress she was wearing and the hoodie is making her look like a beggar.

The dirty piece of material.

 “Take of your hoodie.” He ordered, it was so sudden, she didn’t have time to prepare herself. She looked at him unbelievably at the command, she did not understand nor did she complain, she was wrong, he was like the rest of them.

   She took off her hoodie revealing a thin strapped white gown, the bodice of the gown hung to her body tightly. The dress looked pretty on her; but just like the hoodie, it was slightly stained and that didn’t sit well with him at all.

    Her next move surprised him; she flung her arm backward to undo her zipper. “Stop... no.... Jeez.” he stuttered, his eyes widening astonished. “I didn't ask you to strip, lady.”

“Oh! I thought you wanted that other thing.” he scoffed disgusted at her thoughts. “I must look like some sort of sex crazed pervert, right?” he asked, his voice slightly bothersome. “I’m not down that bad.” Crystal’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment as they silently stared at each other.

 He cleared his throat, breaking the silence between them. “Come sit here,” He ordered motioning for her to sit on one of the small chairs that laid opposite his desk; she stumbled towards him and sat just like he had ordered.

“How old are you?”

“I'm twenty-two years old.” As soon as he heard that his lips curved in a satisfied smirk; he was scared she was going to turn out a teenager as her sister was only twenty-five.

“As you must know, I’m very rich and powerful. I can make your sister rot in jail for the rest of her life.” Her eyes narrowed painfully at his words.

“But she didn’t do anything yet, you can’t possibly do that.” She argued.

 “Yeah, you want to feed me on some human rights bullshit, don’t you?” He snickered. “In this world, the law sides money and I have that money. No matter how huge the pothole is, dropping a few thousands and they will come up with something themselves.”

Crystal’s heart quickened in her chest; she knew he was right but will he, do it?

“You can’t do that.” Tears gathered in her eyes, for her mother Cassandra is everything, learning Cassandra went to jail will surely kill her for real this time.

 “I can, but you can change that?” Was it hope, but something glimmered from the darkness of her eyes.

“How? I said I will do anything.”

“Yes, I know, and that is why I will be fair to you, Crystal.” He pushed himself closer to the table. “Your mother is sick right? And you can’t afford the bills?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t care what she has got or how expensive it is, I’ll pay.” Her eyes widen in shock, she shook her head, she probably didn’t hear it right.

“W-What?”

“Listen closely, I’ll drop whatever charges I had laid on your sister and I will provide funds for your mother’s medical treatment but only on one condition.” she froze waiting for the condition, hoping it is something she could give, something she could sacrifice. She would do anything or even everything for her family. 

“Marry me, Crystal.” it first came like a bullet whizzing past her ears.

“What?” Of all the things that lingered on her mind, this was not it. She hadn’t expected it, especially from someone who was once her sister’s lover…But that doesn’t matter now, does it?

“Your mother's bills will be settled, whatever hospital intensive care unit is needed she will get the best doctors and even your sister has the opportunity of not being an ex-convict...only if you agree to marry me.” something stir up in Crystal's stomach, it was fear.

“Why?” she asked in a small and unsure voice and then he burst into laughter, a mocking type of laugh that made her sick to the stomach.

“Of course, not because I love you or anything, but because I don’t have a choice and as desperate as you are but of course look at the benefits.” He paused slightly, studying her doubtful form. “We will be married for two years and we will discuss also our terms and conditions.”  

   She was confused but she knew one thing.

This was a lifetime opportunity to settle her mother's health conflicts, she might never get this chance ever again. It doesn’t matter if this was the right thing to do or not, she has to do it and then again, it’s just two years.

Kayden is truly being fair to her.

She wiped a stray tear and looked at him confidently.

“Okay, but you have to put our agreement in black and white.” she was demanding, it was a turn off, especially since he knew she had no right to even ask for anything but maybe this could be a better way to get revenge from Cassandra.

“You shall have it with a lawyer to sign our agreement.” The intercom rang again and he picked it up. “Ok Laurie, just hold them for a while.”