Bought by Mistake: A Deal Signed In Desperation

a's

the one hundredth time that day, I wiped my hands on my

to complain as my rent was due in five days, Josh needed new medication, and the e

e sat at the corner booth, not

t the pot on the warmer, rubbing my temple as I glanced around the diner. It was past 1

ounter for a second so

ng out from the kitchen.

with a smile I didn't quite feel. The couple barely noticed m

ours, and then I could go home. Well, that's if you could call a tiny on

the rag, and started wiping down the s

nfamiliar voice. I looked up and found the man from t

I said c

each his eyes. "You always

hift, just to co

ould be doing something better than

er for me?" I asked

be I

ess it comes with health ins

ion. "You've got some

knew about that before answe

say I represent a company that scouts talent. Modeling, specifical

t interested in being someon

ble. "It's classy with private clients. You would be paid w

. There was a name I didn't recognize on it, no webs

ounds s

fair. But so is your situa

wer because he

e, pawned my laptop, and skipped meals to pay for his last round of treatment. I was twent

me to play games

mber. They'll set up a quick meeting. You say yes, and

at him. "F

a quick smile and walked

that was just me, standing there with a busine

't the one getting collection calls at midnight

ve me. My apartment was dark when I got in, so I tiptoed past the couch where Josh

kitchen, where I stared at the card fo

nswered, her voice

our card for a mode

name,

ne," I a

Mr. Felix said you might call. Can

t's past midn

opportunity is real, Aria.

mpty. I looked at the bills on the table; they were overdue. F

eel, the kind of place rich people smiled for photos at its frontage. I felt o

lished table where a man in a gray suit sat, probably waiti

e motioned me over to the seat

uction. We're not going to waste time. You were scouted for

is the key word. Nonetheless,

rd before aski

upfront with another ten at completion, and if it

numbers, and it

m I expected to

be trained, dressed, and instructed. You can think of it as a method ac

heck was real. I could feel it, heavy

Standard NDA. You agree to follow instructions

and written in small print. My head

is home to rea

offer. If you walk ou

e paper, and the ch

Then, as the reality of what that money would do

I si

cked up in one hour. Pack a small bag of only

ed. "Wa

e residence. The client prefers to

You didn't say an

contract, Ms. Lan

without reading it. I wonder wha

ave a c

me. "You alre

toothbrush all in one bag. Then I kissed Josh goodbye, t

0 a.m., a blac

the door, and I just sat in the back,

kly as we drove through a tunnel

we going out of town?" I asked

At last, a huge mansion that was lit up like a palace emerged into our view,

tuxedo open

e. This way, plea

I followed him up

ke roses and money, with marb

long hall, then s

will come for you sh

ed behind me

a what I'd signed up for. A few minutes passe