Terms and Temptations

and dollars and a job. All I had to do was m

aid

sister

I'm about

entry clerk with the lowest pay in a small town in NYC, I couldn't s

approaching, the only person I alwa

, he had done so many things for me that would have made any normal

er talked about dreams and I guess he just wasn't my type, but

what he calls me. "You look

I am, t

he said bringing out a

, you are

for to

ught-" just then

d. She's in the hospital." I get up m

everythin

an from my desk into my b

what's

could mutter as I das

that come to mind as I stand by

ag

-------

al doors, "Where is she?"

a look of worry pla

shing past doctors, nurses, and patients, the smell from the hospital feels intoxicating, bri

e is. "R

me. "She needs to rest. She just had a relapse

ill have t

st want her to be fine"

so frail,

mom having to work single-handedly to raise us was livid. The bills kept pulling up, chemo was so expensive. I had to ju

ang the bell as a cancer survivor, we had been told

mom, she is all the way in Texa

a first deposit

debt I know I

ure out the next move, a p

ere any way

ssary pride. But I can't take money from some

d. At the first r

o

nhale, as if she had be

e there b

resh my bank app, praying the numb

lking towards me. "Ma'am, we need th

rd. "How lon

itates.

ne vib

mil, let

pride would never allow m

I hea

ng so

e cuts through the r

to see doctors rushi

her, but ha

nder control!" A young doctor, covered f

ol? Then why does it s

shaking, and I am literally struggling to brea

rying to steady my phone as I hov

emember

curling around it.

and I mak

da

he had sounded desperate, worried

he found out what I am about

see someone take over his lineage. I have never been in supp

hoose her?

ft curves, accentuated hips, a woman in every s

driver announces, pull

. I wanted it tomorrow, but she was in a hur

nd spot her immediately

, but I raised a

chair across from her

, voice stead

ow sudden this is, I've consider

phone on the table and back. "But

ot one to receive conditions. I

my lap, tilting m

my gaze.

irst deposit

slightly, studying her. "But how do I kn

have nowhere to run. I just....need a little for som

her posture, the slight tension in her

hing else. I can'

art tom

ly noticeable,

at a p

just need a little more time to ta

w l

She bites h

Five day

f, my bodyguard

before she can seco

eave, I do some

over hers. Jus

you,"

-------

gh books, I replay today's events. It all ha

balcony. The cool evening air wraps a

feel fu

e, a world without limits. Chefs, chauffeurs, any

uld never conceive again after Sinclair. I was termed wh

arly. My son, the only piece of me that remained. I am proud o

ade the ri

how ar

-shouldered and strong, he has had his fair sh

e. Just t

. "You are always

en I blurt out "When a

ringing this up. One of these days, I swear, I'll start avoiding you

red a new personal secretar

A brief wave of anger f

u do that?" His v

ll.

y out of my affairs. I

his gaze fixed on mine "You

up. "Mum, what

r, adjustin

ould know by now that everything I

u.

d eat out tonight." I say t

or a moment wit

ays, not qui

tells me he already suspe