Rachel Pays the Rent -- ch 2
Rachel felt her stomach knotting up as she drove to the office for her first day of work. She hadn't slept much the night before. Her and Rob had gotten into a huge argument the night before about her working for Tony and Frank. He didn't want her going to work for them because he knew what was going to be expected of her. She knew it too. Yet when she pushed him for an alternative, he had nothing. Neither had any income, and Rob wasn't even trying to get a job. Rachel had looked all over the city. No one was hiring. She could have gotten a job at some fast food place. But that wouldn't have come close to paying the rent, let alone all the other bills that had piled up.
She got dressed that morning as Rob lay in bed, pretending to be asleep. After working for the engineering firm for almost twenty years, she had an extensive wardrobe to choose from as she dressed for her first day. She wanted to dress as modestly as possible, while still looking professional. She chose one of her favorite blouses and skirt that she didn't think would be provocative. What she didn't realize was that she was one of those women who could have worn a burlap sack, and she would have still looked provocative. She was just one of those women men lusted after, no matter what she was wearing. She finished her outfit with her 4" black heels.
Rachel hadn't reached the top step to the front porch of the Victorian house when Frank opened the front door, greeting her. "Good morning Rachel." He said with a smile, his hand extended.
She took his hand and shook it. "Good morning."
"Right this way." Frank said, very businesslike. He led her into Tony's office.
"Good morning Rachel." Tony greeted her as she walked into his office and then stood in front of his desk. She noticed he had removed any chairs from in front of his desk. "I drew up a contract. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to work here Rachel. I'm sure a woman with your skills and looks can find work elsewhere."
Rachel started to panic, thinking they were withdrawing their offer. "No Mr. Conklin. I really appreciate the offer. I've looked. There aren't any jobs out there right now." She had just confessed her desperation to a pair of circling wolves. "I don't know what is going to be required of me. But I need this to keep our condo."
"I know you do." Tony assured her in a gentle, reassuring voice. "I have no doubt this has been extremely difficult for you. What with your husband unwilling to work." Tony wanted to do everything he could to establish her hopeless position.
Rachel dropped her head in shame. "Yes sir. It's been difficult."
Frank stood behind her smiling as the thought, 'You have no idea how difficult it's about to become bitch!'
"Here is the contract between us." Tony shoved the contract across the desk to her. "You can read it if you want. But it basically says that as long as you serve us as our personal assistant, performing any tasks asked of you, your rent will be waived for that month. Any time you wish to end this contract, you may do so. But you will forfeit your condo immediately, and will have five days from the ending of the contract to vacate the condo." Tony paused. "But of course you are more than welcome to read the contract for yourself."
Rachel's heart was pounding so hard she felt herself shaking as she picked up the contract. She looked at each of the pages, pretending to read it. But in reality her mind was racing so fast she couldn't have focused on what it said if her life had depended on it. And to a certain extent, it did. "Everything looks in order." She said, pretending to be calm and businesslike. When in reality she felt like crawling out of her skin. She wanted to run. She had to focus on controlling her breathing.
"If you'll turn to the last page, you'll find where you need to sign our agreement." Tony said as he handed her a pen.
Rachel took the pen and signed the contract. Then each of the brothers signed in their designated places.
Tony took the contract from her and put it in his top desk drawer. "Excellent! Now that we have that taken care of, let's get to work." Tony's demeanor changed completely. He pointed at a small bar in the corner on the other side of his office. "Pour Frank and I a drink. A couple fingers of bourbon for each of us." Tony turned his attention to Frank as Rachel was left to figure things out for herself.
"We have a couple of inspections coming due at our Parkside building." Tony said.
"I know. I think we should run over there today and walk through the building to see if there's anything that needs to be taken care of." Frank replied.
Both brothers were watching Rachel as she fumbled with pouring them each a drink. She had difficulty finding the glasses. When she finally found the glasses, her hands were shaking as she poured the bourbon. She turned and brought them their drinks.
"Where's the ice?" Frank asked. "There's nothing worse than warm bourbon." He looked at his brother. "I'm not sure she's going to work out bro."
"Unfortunately, I think you're right." Tony replied as he opened the drawer of his desk and pulled the contract out. "Look Rachel. I really do sympathize with your situation." He grabbed the contract with both hands and held it like he was going to tear it up.
"No! Wait! Please!" Was all Rachel could get out. A wave of fear swept over her at the thought of being homeless.
Frank stepped in front of her. "How badly do you need this job Rachel?"
"I need it." Was all she could get out before she started sobbing with head bowed.
"Look at me." Frank ordered her. "Show us how badly you need this job."
Rachel stood there, staring at him. She knew what they both wanted. In the back of her mind she'd known it would come to this. She had just held out with a glimmer of hope that it wouldn't. She looked down at her blouse, her hands shaking as she began to unbutton it, sobbing softly as she did.
The brothers watched in silence as her resistance slowly vanished. They both knew by the end of the day she would be theirs to command for as long as they wanted her.
She slid her blouse off her shoulders as the brothers stared at her like the predators they were. She couldn't bring herself to remove anything else. She felt like she was suffocating from the humiliation.
"What are you waiting for?" Frank taunted her. "Do you want to keep your condo or not?"
