Music for this chapter: The Smiths - Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
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Five: Lies by omission.
I walk out of my complex and see Christopher standing right at the bottom of the stairs. He was dressed in a classic black tuxedo that slim fitted his shaped muscles. Black slacks, white shirt and a black bow tie, his brown wavy hair perfectly unruly. This man exudes sophistication making my burning core throb eagerly.
He was looking at me so intensely, his gaze raking me like a wild lion desperate to catch the gazelle and feed off of it. He paid special attention to the front slit on my left thigh. I'm suddenly overcome with this overwhelming, electric pull that only he could provoke without even touching me.
I walk down the stairs, and he draws out his left hand for me to grab as I reach the last step.
"You look incredibly beautiful tonight, Alexandra."
"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."
"Please lead the way," he says, motioning for me to walk to the limousine where Peralta held the door open.
"Miss Summers," he says.
"Good evening, Peralta."
He nods and I smile back. I get in first, followed by Christopher. I scoot further just to make sure there's enough space between us. We are quiet for a moment, and I'm starting to wonder why Peralta won't start the car.
"Is there a problem?" I ask.
"Is the contract signed?" he looks down to my lap where I'm holding the papers.
"Actually, no. I wanted to get a couple of things clear before I did."
"Alexandra, why is a simple two-page contract not signed?" he looks pissed.
"Because I don't entirely understand your 'theoretically' simple two-page contract. There's no need to make a scene. I just have a couple of questions regarding two of the terms here," I grab the contract and search for them. "Section IV, on Article II states, and I quote,
"The promisor agrees to reject i.e. engage in any action or conversation not previously approved by the promisee"
, so I'm not allowed to speak to anybody, say anything or even go to the ladies-room without your permission?"
"Yes, but I thought you said you didn't have things clear," he snaps.
"Don't you think this is a little excessive? I, personally, don't like to be told what to do."
"Precisely. I don't need your audacious mouth tonight. What's the other term?" he asks, impassively.
I'm starting to get the hint that this won't end well. "Subsection 1 under Article V,
"Failure to comply with the previous terms of agreement will exonerate the promisee from responsibility if such party decides to invalidate this contract."
Ok, this is outrageous even for you," I tell him.
"All you have to do is sign on the dotted line, Alexandra. Why do you have to defy me?"
"I thought this was a negotiation, Christopher. Generally both parties should consent, but it honestly feels like your pushing to exert your control over me," I hold up both papers in the air.
"Alexandra, sign the contract or by God I-"
"You can't keep treating me like this, Christopher. You can't keep imposing on me," I interject.
His eyes darken and his hands are fisted as if repressing something. "I'm a businessman, it's how things work with me. I don't know how to be any other way," he says.
"Well, I can't sign this. This isn't what we mutually agreed on," I sit back, defeated.
"Look..." he pauses and rubs his hand on his forehead, "I'm not used to women second-guessing my decisions... not that I am proud of it," he adds when he sees me narrowing my eyes at him.
"You keep acting like an asshole around me, and I've only known you for three days, Christopher. How can anyone keep up with this behavior?"
"Well, I have a hard time being around you too. You keep on defying me, and I keep on fighting my need to have control," his jaw tenses.
"But you don't have to control me. I'm not
just
business, I'm an actual person with feelings and boundaries, and this right here is crossing the line," I put the papers between us.
"What are you saying?" he gives me a look of confusion.
"I need you to respect me. Stop bossing me around because I don't work you. All of this was your idea, it was your decision that we negotiated. Adding a couple of controlling and egotistical rules for me to comply is not ok," I finish.
I take a moment to breathe.
"I mean, is this the norm for you? Overwhelming women with your dominance?" I speak up.
"They don't seem to mind. It's the way I am."
"Yeah, well I'm not them. You need to slow down with your need to exercise power, or I can't go on with this."
He's silent for a while, lost in thought.
"It is almost impossible for me to act any differently from what I am used to. And yet here I am, Alexandra, not being able to give you up," he takes the papers and rips them in half. "You have my word I will keep my end of the negotiation just as we discussed last night, nothing less," he reassures.