Mallory slid the contract over to me, then the pen. I stared confused at the papers, my eyes in slits as I tried to read the documents without picking them up. Obviously futile, I relented and grabbed the papers, carefully dragging my eyes across every inch of it.

"Don't take too long, dear," Mallory interrupted, an amused smirk playing on her lips. "After you sign it, we'll need to discuss a few more things, and then you'll have yet another contract to sign."

"Why?" I questioned, setting the contract down in front of me.

"Why I have another for you to sign? Well that pertains to the discussion we will have after you sign the first contract."

She sounded so calm, nonchalant, as if this was normal. Oh sure, it's completely natural to invite a barista from a rundown coffee shop to a fancy, French restaurant by giving her a check worth more than her yearly salary, buy her dinner, and then ask her to sign a contract before revealing the reason why you invited her in the first place. Perfect. Sense.

Jeez, why me?

Sighing, I picked the papers up again and read.

Confidentiality Agreement

This confidentiality agreement is effective as of the___ (day) of _____ (month), by and between _____________ (potential employee) and Mallory Morgan.

WHEREAS the potential employee agrees to maintain complete and total confidentiality of all subjects and topics of discussion between Mallory Morgan.

THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THEREFORE, the potential employee hereby agrees to abide by the following terms and conditions.

1. Confidential Information.
Everything that is spoken of while this contract is legally binding and in effect, the potential employee agrees to retain all verbal confessions as confidential information, slanderous or not. Confidential Information shall include any information disclosed, whether orally, written, or by any other method of communication, media, and technology. Confidential Information disclosed orally shall be identified as such within five (5) days of disclosure.

2. Potential Employee's Obligations.
A. Potential employee hereby agrees that Confidential Information is to be considered strictly confidential and proprietary to Mallory Morgan the potential employee shall hold the same in confidence, shall not use confidential information other than for the purpose of its business with Mallory Morgan, and shall not disclose it to anyone, including (but not limited to) relatives, immediate family, and friends.

B. Confidential Information furnished in tangible form shall not be duplicated by the potential employee except for purposes of this Agreement. Upon the request of Mallory Morgan, the potential employee shall return all Confidential Information received in written or tangible form, including copies, or reproductions or other media containing such Confidential Information, within fifteen (15) days of such request.

3. Term.
The obligations of the potential employee herein shall be effective today and from the date Mallory Morgan last discloses any Confidential Information to the potential employee pursuant to this Agreement.

4. Authorized Disclosure.
The potential employee shall have no obligation under this Agreement with respect to Confidential Information which is or becomes publicly available without breach of this Agreement by the potential employee; is rightfully received by said employee without obligations of confidentiality; or is developed by the potential employee without breach of this Agreement; provided.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

_______________________
_______________________

Mallory Morgan
Mallory Morgan

I pinched the bridge of my nose. My god, she was completely serious about this contract, but what was she wanting to tell me that was so freaking "confidential".

Could it be something about her campaign in two years for Senator? There have been rumors about it.

Or maybe her husband is having an affair.

Holy hell. Maybe she's divorcing him!

No, I mentally slapped myself. Don't be a ridiculous twat, Esme. It's probably nothing, she just wants to make sure you won't spill what happens to a reporter for pocket change.

"What happens if I don't sign it?"

"Then I take my check back, we discuss trivial matters over our meal, and then we go separate ways as if we have never met."

Mallory Morgan was so methodical, so composed. She had everything planned out. How many times had she done this? I wasn't sure if I wanted to find that out.

Picking up the pen, I printed my name on the top line, then signed the bottom line, just as Mallory's was, even if it was printed onto the paper rather than handwritten.

I sat the pen back down, then handed over the papers to Mallory, who took them with a small smile of triumph on her lips, and placed them back in the briefcase.

She sat the briefcase back down on the floor, then neatly folded her hands on the table between her fork on one side, and knife on the opposite. "Now that that is out of the way, why don't we get down to business, shall we?"

I was sure she was being rhetorical, so I absentmindedly nodded my head and gnawed at my bottom lip.

"And since you signed that contract, I do not believe I have to emphasize that this conversation is strictly confidential."

"No."

"Good," she smirked, "Now, do you have any questions, or would you rather me bluntly tell you the reason why you are here?"

"The second option, please," I said immediately.

Mallory seemed pleased with herself as her lips curved even further. "I need another toy, and I think you would fit in just nice."

"A toy? Like a... like-"

"Yes, like a slut. The only difference is that I am not only paying for your body, just for your obedience. You must be at my every beck and call-"

"So what you're saying is," I spoke lowly, anger boiling in the pit of my stomach. "that I'm your personal whore." I spat the word with venom, as if it were the most disgusting thing having left my mouth. "I will not allow myself to be degraded like this! Just because I have a shitty income and you're married to the governor, doesn't mean you can act like a pretentious bitch with a 'holier than thou' attitude." I stood from the table suddenly, the legs of my chair scraping against the floor. "I won't take with this from someone like you. I don't care who you think you are, but-"

"Enough," she hissed, a furious storm raging in her eyes. "You will sit yourself in that seat like the young adult you are, end this little scene you have made, and listen carefully to what I have to say next. Is this understood, Miss Holland?"

My eye brows furrowed as I stared at Mallory, astonishment lining my face. She had no right to speak to me in that way, yet here she was: audacious enough to believe that I would listen to her. But, she was right. I would sit down and listen because her gaze and voice and just herself was intimidating.

Sliding back into my seat, I folded my hands in my lap, wringing my hands repeatedly, and ducked my head down in embarrassment. I felt like the perfect (well, as close as possible) picture of submission.

"Thank you," Mallory spoke, her tone firm and obviously strained to retain her anger. "Now apologize to me, Esme, and then to the couple besides us, whom is still staring intently at you."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, keeping my gaze low.

"I didn't catch that, dear: louder so I hear you."

Lifting my head slightly, I peered up at Mallory shyly, then murmured a little louder. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, who?"

"Mrs. Morgan, I'm sorry Mrs. Morgan."

"'Miss' will do just fine, darling," She quipped. "Now apologize to the others."

I turned slightly in my seat, sniffed my nose, and glanced at the couple seated besides us. They were just this cute, little elderly couple, and suddenly I felt even worse. I had disrupted their dinner.

"I'm sorry for my behavior," I apologized sincerely. "I hope I haven't ruined your dinner."

The little, old man chuckled loudly, his laughter booming off of the walls all of a sudden. "Oh dear! You haven't done anything of the sort! You actually provided a burst of entertainment for the Misses and I. I should be thanking you!"

Nodding my head, I offered the man a light smile before turning back to Mallory, who was studying me with curiosity burning in her eyes that soon flickered to determination.

"Are you ready to listen to me now, dear?"

I tipped my head down. "Yes."

"Good. Now as I was saying, you will be at my every beck and call. When I command you to do something, you will obey as if your life depends on it.

"Well, I am sure your life does depend on me. You are virtually working yourself to death and, as I know full and well, you are receiving hardly anything in return: working yourself to the bone. But with the income I will provide you, you will be more than capable of paying your bills after quitting both of your jobs.

"That being said, while you are not fulfilling my wishes, I expect you to be a picture-perfect citizen of this town and be awaiting my call."

She paused, and for a second I thought she'd continue, but it seemed as if she wanted me to comment. I didn't necessarily have much to say. It was all too much. I had to quit both jobs, not that I was complaining.

What would I say when they asked my reason for quitting?

Oh, sorry, Mrs. Mallory Morgan wants me to be her personal whore slash lap-dog, and I have to be ready for whenever she needs me, so I can't work.

Yeah...right.

"Shall I continue, darling? Or do you wish to simply read the rest of my requirements in the next contract?"

"I'll read the rest, I guess," I mumbled, apprehensive and nervous at the same time.

"Wonderful!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Then we can aquatint ourselves with one another and discuss trivial matters."

I wasn't sure why, but I wanted to slam my head into the table, repeatedly, until I passed out. No offense, Mrs. Morgan.

"Okay, fine."

The rest of the "meeting" went slowly. She asked me stupid things that seemed irrelevant and all too personal. Mallory questioned me about my family, my past relationships, and my current relationship. She even had the audacity to ask if my boyfriend was "adequately pleasing" me. Who asks that?

I left early due to work, and when I checked the clock and noticed I have forty minutes to get to work, I practically rushed out of the dining room, Mallory following me with the "contract" so I wouldn't forget it, said my goodbyes, and drove off.

Everything was too fast. I couldn't keep up with it. There was no way I would, or could, make a life-altering decision like that this quickly. I would have to read the stupid contract and take a few days to figure everything out. Mallory Morgan could wait for my answer.
__________
Mallory on the top.