The Bargain

Hazel Fox stood before the huge glass doors of the Moore Conglomerate headquarters, her heart pounding in her chest. Her father's debts and condition had brought her to this moment, a meeting with the enigmatic CEO, Elijah Moore. It hadn't been easy securing a meeting with him, but after hours of being put off by his secretary and forwarded to different numbers, she was able to speak to him. When she finally got to him, told him who she was and explained that she urgently needed to speak to him, the man himself scheduled a meeting for the next day at noon. 

She had woken up that morning with a great feeling of nervousness and anxiety. She didn't know how the meeting would go, but she hoped everything would work out just fine. 

The building loomed before her, so high as if its sole intention was to make whoever was looking at it feel small. Its sleek, modern design stood in stark contrast to the struggling company she ran with her father on the other side of town. Even though Fox and Co Corporate had once been excellent, it was nothing compared to Moore Conglomerate.  Hazel frowned. She couldn't help but feel small and insignificant in the face of such grandeur, even if it was for a man whom she disliked. 

As she entered the lobby, the air seemed to crackle with a charge, you could hear the low vibrating hum of the people as they went about their daily business.  The polished marble floors reflected the glow of the overhead lights, and busy executives hurried past in their expensive suits with an air of confidence and success. Hazel's heart raced as she approached the reception desk. 

"Good day. I have a meeting with Elijah Moore." She spoke bluntly, not showing her nervousness. 

The receptionist looked up with a well-rehearsed smile.  

"Welcome to Moore Conglomerate. Could I have your name please?" 

"Hazel Fox ." 

After a moment of tapping on her keyboard, the receptionist nodded and gave her another star-studded smile. 

"You may proceed to the 27th floor, Miss Fox. Mr. Elijah is expecting you." 

Hazel's stomach churned as she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 27th floor. The ascent felt too slow, each floor passing like an eternity. She took a deep breath and her mind filled up with thoughts of her father’s health and his debts and, just like that, her anxiousness dissipated and she was ready to face Elijah head on. After all, her father’s life was involved. 

The elevator doors opened to reveal a sleek, minimalist corridor. Hazel took a deep breath and walked towards the towering double doors at the end. The gold plaque showing the CEO’s name in big bold letters screamed out money at her. With a shaky hand, she knocked softly. 

"Come in." A commanding voice called from within. 

Hazel pushed open the doors and entered the office. She bit her tongue. The design of the large space was peppered with art of various designs, no doubt rare and collectibles. The high ceilings of the room complimented the sunlight that filtered into the room and clothed it with its warmth. Then last of all, the view from the 27th floor overlooking the ceiling was breathtaking. She could have stared at it for hours but, alas, Hazel was snapped out of her trance by a deep masculine voice. 

“Miss Fox, I presume.” Elijah Moore spoke with an air of authority, watching her with his piercing blue eyes.  His presence was just as the rumors said. Imposing. Hazel smiled his way and gave him a nod, still standing rooted in place. 

"Hazel, please have a seat." he said, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk. 

Hazel nervously took the offered seat, her hands trembling slightly. She could feel the man’s calculating gaze studying her. Of course, he knew why she was there already. He could smell the desperation in her, but regardless, she steeled her mind and looked at him with an aura of confidence. 

“Champayne or bourbon?” He asked as he gestured to the mini bar that Hazel hadn’t noticed when she entered the office.  

She shook her head. 

“No, thank you. I don’t drink.” 

Elijah shrugged and continued, his voice cool and composed. 

"From what you said earlier, I understand you're here on behalf of your father, who owes a considerable debt to me."  

“Yes sir. The reason I came to see you is to plead for an extension on the loan. You see, my father is not well, but I was hoping we could get a little more time to arrange the payment." Hazel explained, trying her best to maintain composure and convince the man. 

Elijah leaned back in his chair, his expression unchanged.  

"I'm well aware of the situation your father's company is in, it is no secret. However, I'm afraid I cannot offer an extension. Business is business, and debts must be settled." 

Hazel's heart sank and desperation crawled up her throat. She racked her brain about what she could say to him to change his mind. He was known for being shrewd and decisive, and his reputation loomed large in the corporate world. At this point, she was willing to go on her knees and beg. 

“But Mr. Elijah.” She began but was cut off by the imposing man. 

“I respect your father. I really do, but he of all people should know that an extension will only prolong the inevitable.” 

“You will still get your money. I’m not saying that I won’t pay you. I.” 

“Look, I prefer to deal with matters swiftly and efficiently. I don’t believe in slacking off and doing nothing. Plus, this isn’t the first time that I've given your father an extension. If he couldn’t pay up then, what makes you think that he would do so anytime soon?” 

“Because I’m here. I promise you that I personally will bring all that we owe you. Not a dime will be missing.” 

Elijah stared at her for a second more and sighed.  

“Like I said, I don’t like slackers. You have about a week to bring the money back or else legal actions will be taken against your father and his company. So if you have nothing else to discuss, I would like to get on with my work.” 

“You cannot do this to me! My father is sick. He might die with all this stress. Please, I need an extension to pay you back and also put him in a hospital.” Hazel shouted, her anger seeping through her words. 

Elijah shot her a look. Arrogance and foolishness, he thought to himself. Hazel recovered from her small mistake and composed herself. 

"I apologize for that. What I meant to say was, is there any other solution? Some other way to settle the debts?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Elijah pursed his lips and groaned at nothing in particular. 

"Actually, there is an alternative I'd be willing to offer. You see, I've been impressed with your tenacity in seeking a solution and I know that anyone related to Gerard Fox is a hard worker. I could use someone like you here. I can offer you a position in my company. That way, you can pay off his debts with your salaries and maybe be able to put him in a hospital.” 

Hazel's brow furrowed in confusion. Was this man saying what she thought he was? 

"You mean a job?" She mumbled back at him. 

Elijah nodded.  

"Precisely. For someone like you to summon the courage to come here today, it means there’s more to you than bark. You could work for me, help manage some of my affairs. Consider it a chance to repay your father's debt through service." 

Hazel eyed the man and bit her lip, torn at the offer. On one hand, the job could help her sort out all her problems, but on the other, the idea of working for a man who seemed to live and breathe business intimidated her. Not to mention all the horrid rumors she had heard about him and his family. 

"I understand this is a lot to take in. You can give me an answer in a day’s time. Think it over carefully, instead of repaying the debt in money, you'll work for me without pay until the debt is settled. It's a win-win situation.” 

Hazel paused at his tone. It sounded like he knew something that she didn’t, but she let it slide. She couldn't deny the appeal of the opportunity, as uncertain as it was. The idea of working without pay was scary, but apart from that, what was she going to tell her parents? She knew that she had to make up her mind and in the end she did so. She extended her hand to Elijah with an unwavering look in her eyes. 

"I accept your proposition, sir. I'll work for you." She said, her voice steady. 

Elijah stared at her hand but took it anyway in his. 

“Excellent. Welcome to Moore Conglomerate. You start tomorrow." 

Before Hazel could respond, the door swung open.  

“Dad, I need to talk to you.” An arousing voice filled the room. A voice Hazel paid no attention to. 

Elijah gave her a curt nod, giving the go ahead to leave the room. With the deal struck, Hazel's nerves tingled with excitement and a tinge of fear. She didn’t like the idea of working for a man, but this was better than nothing. As she strode confidently towards the door of the office, she didn't notice the man coming her way. She only realized it when she bumped into him, causing the documents in his hands to fall to the ground. 

“Are you blind?”  

The growl reached her ears before the voice of irritation did. F*ck. She was in trouble.