On 4/19 (On 4/19 and Beyond 4/20) (2 page)

Chelsea sat fidgeting, waiting in a massive office alone for several minutes. Without question, it was the most luxurious setting she’d ever been in. The desk was sleek and modern, and she noticed, extremely orderly. Only a laptop and a small stack of folders were there. No photos or personal effects were in sight. Behind the desk was an entire wall of windows overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. One of the newest and most impressive buildings in the city, the Keller Industries building was touted as the latest in modern architecture and design. She’d seen a story on the local news about it recently. KI was a company Chelsea had heard of but knew little about. The thought struck her; she should have researched the company before the meeting. Such an oversight caused her to become agitated. Surely they wouldn’t expect her to know anything about the company. It wasn’t as if this were an actual job interview. Sighing, she forced herself to relax. “This is no big deal. If you want, you can leave at any time,” she assured herself.

Still, feeling more nervous than she did prior to her last two meetings, Chelsea could only wonder if this would be her official meeting with the gentleman. In the past week she’d met separately with a man and a woman. The man, Mark, met her in a coffee shop. Pointless was
all she could consider the meeting to be. He stammered and asked awkward and seemingly unproductive questions. A few days later, Irene, the same woman who ushered her into her current meeting, met her for lunch. Irene was the most serious, no-nonsense woman she had ever had occasion to meet. Chelsea found that she liked her straightforward approach, but many times felt inadequate in her responses to Irene’s probing. Obviously she answered both of their questions satisfactorily enough considering she was about to embark on a third interview. With such pre-screening, she had to imagine the wealthy gentleman to be quite particular, a thought that heightened her discomfort.

When the door to the office opened and a man appeared, Chelsea exhaled loudly, realizing this would not be the final meeting as she had hoped. This man was younger than the last. She stood, but he waved his hand at her, indicating she should remain seated. Extending his hand, he introduced himself as John before taking a seat there on the same side of the desk as her. As this was clearly not John’s office, she wondered if this was a precursor to the actual meeting of the – she struggled for the right word – candidate maybe? Or was she the candidate? This entire thing was becoming muddled in her mind.

For just a moment John surveyed Chelsea. Her photograph by no means did her justice. As lovely as he considered her in her photograph, in person, she was quite stunning. What was the same, however, was the twinkle in her eyes when she smiled, the one thing that caused her to stand out over the others. When she stood as he entered, he found her to be somewhat shorter than he imagined. Surprised at his oversight, he realized he’d not noticed her height listed on her profile, so finding her no more than five and a half feet caught him off guard. Typically, he was drawn to taller, leggier women. But since this was not his usual intention, such a thing would surely not matter.

John was right to the point. “May I ask you, Chelsea, why have you chosen to participate in such an unconventional arrangement?” Her shy grin softened his demeanor almost immediately. Clearly, by the way her eyes shifted away from him, she was embarrassed by the entire situation.

“I am in my last year of school and have lost my funding. It’s either this or take out a loan. I would rather not graduate with such debt.”

“I admire that.” Looking down, he noticed how her hands fidgeted in her lap. Of course she was nervous, and upon discovering that, a wave of compassion for her dilemma washed over him. Having put in five years toward her degree, he respected her determination to graduate without student loans. Immediately he was impressed with her. Each question he asked, she responded politely and professionally, as if she were in a job interview. Not once did she give him the look, the one he was so accustomed to, the one indicating she was available if only he would say the word.

As the man drilled her with question after question, Chelsea could hardly concentrate on what he was asking. From the moment he began, she found herself in awe of him. He was even more handsome than she considered him to be upon his arrival. His eyes were hazel; more green than brown, and his hair was dark, nearly black with streaks of silver running along his temples. Upon closer inspection of his face, he was a little older than she presumed him to be when he first entered. Whatever his age, he was one of the most handsome older men she’d ever seen. His suit was dark and perfectly tailored to fit. He wore no tie, and his starched white shirt was unbuttoned at the top. There was a sophistication and confidence about him that caused her to become unusually nervous. With the other two interviewers, she hadn’t felt that way. But with John’s serious demeanor and straightforward questions, she was regretting the entire idea. She felt awkward and unsophisticated in his presence, but mostly, she felt overwhelmed.

While speaking with her, John found Chelsea to be even sweeter in person than she seemed in her photo. This was no want-to-be model or actress. Her dialect revealed she was not from L.A. From the sound of it, it was Midwestern; Missouri or Oklahoma would be his guess. She wore her hair short, just below the jaw line, and with each movement of her head, it would bounce and swing, almost playfully so. Parted on one side, her bangs were long and hung over her right eye. It was thick and sandy blond, a hair color he usually did not prefer, but on her, he found it to be well suited. With each answer, she looked at him without hesitation, batting large brown eyes his way. As beautiful as he found her to be, he had no concerns that he might become attracted to her. If anything, she
reminded him a bit of Brittney, Mark’s oldest daughter. The thought of that kind of involvement with someone so young repulsed him and caused him to question if he were as crazy as Mark proclaimed him to be.

His last question gave her cause to stop and ponder. What were her goals after graduation? Tilting her head and making a little tsking noise, she admitted, “You know, if you would’ve asked me that question this time last year, I could have answered it easily. I wanted a corporate job in the private sector. Now, all I can say is that I want to change the world.”

Intrigued by her response, he leaned in and queried, “How might you do that?”

“I wish I knew. I suppose that’s yet to be determined.”

After a moment more of lighter, more casual conversation, he knew for certain she’d be well suited for him. His earlier discomfort was settled. John realized that with Chelsea tagging along, he could introduce her to an entire business world and social network that would help her make a determination for her future. With the contacts at his disposal, she would be well-positioned for a career upon graduation. She impressed him in every way.

“So, Chelsea,
if
we were to enter into a contract for the next year, how much would you anticipate I pay you?”

“You?” Was he the older gentleman? Impossible, she thought. John was not at all what she expected, but if she indeed understood him correctly, then such an agreement would be much more bearable than she anticipated. Since completing her online profile, Chelsea had tried to imagine what it would be like to enter a party or restaurant with a really old man. She imagined it would be uncomfortable, as people would surely stare and make false assumptions. Nearly blushing at such a thought, she had to admit their assumptions would not be false at all. Truly, she’d be with the man for his money and he with her for her youth.

Wondering at her surprise, he replied, “Yes, me.” Since entering the office, he assumed she knew he was the… He stopped mid-thought, unsure of what the proper terminology would be for parties to such an agreement. Employer was the only term that seemed suitable for his part. With that term in the forefront of his mind, he proceeded in his
typical professional manner. “How much will you require me to pay you for your time?”

Stammering a bit, she said, “Well, tuition is approximately seventy thousand. I know that’s a large amount, but any portion of it would help.”

He had to hide a grin at her response. With such poor negotiating skills, maybe she wasn’t the businesswoman he suspected her to be. “So you’re saying you don’t want me to pay the entire amount?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know.” When she thought this would be some filthy rich, ancient man, the amount seemed less excessive. But suddenly, she felt less certain.

Similar to how he felt at her response to his first question, an unusual wave of compassion came over him. Before, it was her embarrassment that caused it, this time, it was the fact that she was struggling with a moral dilemma. “Let me help you settle your dilemma.” He nodded. “Seventy is agreeable to me.” Rubbing his chin, he looked at her intently. “What about other expenses? How will you live?”

Quickly, she assured him, “Oh, I’m looking for something part-time in order to cover other expenses, food and whatever else I need. I have roommates, so that lessens what I need monthly.” Since losing her receptionist job just days before, Chelsea had already put in applications at every local business near her apartment and campus. At that very moment, she was supposed to be in an interview for a job that seemed quite promising. Having had to reschedule the interview, and based on the disapproving tone of the woman she was to meet, Chelsea had to believe the job wouldn’t likely be hers.

“Between school, studying, and a part-time job, do you anticipate having time for a social schedule? What about travel?”

“Travel?” A lump formed in her throat causing her to feel as if she were choking. Logistics of travel, rather the
implications
of what travel might mean caused her to panic. “I didn’t know travel would be involved.” Of course she knew that. It was on the news report. “Wait. I mean I suppose I knew, but I haven’t thought about it as I should.”

“I travel often. Of course we can work around your school schedule, but if you have a job that will likely cause a problem.”

Realizing she’d made a mistake in considering such a crazy agreement, she stood. “Mr…” She realized he never told her his last name. “John, I apologize, but I think maybe I have made a mistake.”

Standing with her, John could hardly comprehend what had so drastically altered her disposition. He thought he detected a hint of fear in her eyes. “Are you opposed to travel? Is that your concern?”

“No, not to travel specifically.” Hesitating, she found that she was embarrassed to voice her concern. To consider traveling with a man of John’s age rather than some decrepit old man changed everything. Of course he’d expect more than she would be willing to offer in their relationship.

“What then?” Their talk seemed to be going well prior to the topic of travel, so her sudden discomfort had him baffled.

“I’ve been very clear in both of my prior interviews that I’m not interested in a sexual relationship. I believe there may have been some misunderstanding.”

Smiling at her, he assured her, “I’ve never paid for sex, and I don’t intend to start now. That’s not at all the arrangement I’m looking for.” Motioning for her to sit, he clarified. “When we travel…” Realizing they had yet to come to an agreement, he added, “
If
we enter into this agreement, we will most certainly have separate rooms. I can assure you, you’ll be safe with me.”

The fact that he hadn’t flinched at such a large amount of money, actually, he already agreed to it, caused Chelsea to reconsider her reconsideration. After all, it was only for a year. Determined to set the record straight early on, she again clarified, “I want to be upfront on the matter. I
will not
change my mind about that. It’s non-negotiable.”

“I understand, and once again, I respect you for your convictions.” Quietly, John studied Chelsea. Never in a million years would he have expected a girl such as her to show up for the interview. He expected sweetness certainly, but this girl was light years beyond sweet; she was truly innocent. He could read it in every expression of her eyes and each gesture of body language. Already she tugged at his heart, in that he felt true compassion for her predicament. Also, he admired her so greatly for taking such a stance, when most any other girl would likely think it
par for the course. He could hardly imagine finding another girl whom he might respect as much or desire to have in his company for the next year. For some reason, that certainty both reassured him and disturbed him at the same time.

John shifted in his chair and crossed his right leg over his left. Leaning back, he said, “And I want to be upfront about the terms that I expect you to agree to.
If
we do enter into this agreement, it will be for one year only. After that time, we’ll have no contact. I have neither desire nor intention of becoming involved on any romantic level. Am I clear on that?”

Chuckling a bit, she replied, “Very clear.” Because of his good looks and certainly due to his wealth, she had to imagine he was considered quite the catch. Obviously, by the stipulations he set forth, he was protecting himself from something he must be quite the expert on. If he knew her better, he would have no fear of that. She’d been in L.A. for nearly five years, and in all that time, had not had even one date. It was by her choice. Just as he expressed, she had no desire or intention of becoming romantically involved with this man, no matter how handsome she found him to be.

Reaching over to his desk, John picked up a folder. “This is a draft of what I will have drawn up as an official contract. Take this home and read through it. Determine how much additional money you’ll need monthly, and we can discuss it over dinner Friday night. If, after further consideration, we both feel this will be a mutually beneficial arrangement, we can sign the contract then.”

Taking the folder, she nodded. “Will you contact me as to where to meet you for dinner?”

“Expect a call from Irene.”

Back in her room sitting on her bed, Chelsea read through the contract. It was what she anticipated, other than the strong terminology regarding the time after the expiration of the agreement. There was no question about it, after the end date, he’d refuse any contact with her. It suited her well anyway. As a matter of fact, the entire arrangement suited her. She would conclude her final year of school with no debt and
hopefully well fed by a handsome businessman. Whatever his motives were for entering into such a deal, that caused her no concern. All that mattered was that she found relief in knowing she wouldn’t have to borrow such a large sum of money when the time came and tuition was due, or even worse, have to return home without finishing at all.