45 A Desperate Proposal
I stepped into Sebastian’s spacious office, my heart hammering against my ribs. The morning sun streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting dust motes dancing in the air. Sebastian sat behind his massive desk, his attention focused on documents before him. He looked up when I entered, his stern expression immediately softening.
Haze!” he greeted, rising to his feet. “Please, make yourself comfortable.
His secretary bustled around, straightening papers and removing empty coffee cups, perched awkwardly on the edge of a leather chair, clutching my purse in my lap
“Will you need anything else. Mr. Sinclair?” the secretary asked.
“That will be all, Vanessa, Sebastian replied.
She nodded and left, closing the door with a soft click.
Silence stretched between us. Sebastian studied me with those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling small in his enormous office with its minimalist decor and obvious displays of wealth and power
“About those clothing designs I commissioned,” Sebastian began, breaking the silence. “Have you made any progress?”
My face heated. The supposed commission had been my excuse to see him, nothing
more.
“Actually I swallowed hard. “I need to be honest with you, I don’t have any designs Fready. That wasn’t really why I wanted to meet
expected irritation, perhaps even anger at being deceived. Instead Sebastian suply nodded and settled back in his chair
I appreciate your honesty” he said calmly. “What can help you with, the
His unexpected understanding gave me courage. “May I sit? gestured to the more comfortable chairs in the sitting area
Sebastian rose unmediately “Of course”
We moves to the seating arrangement near the windows. The city sprawled below us, tiny cars and people moving like ants far beneath
Ineed to borrow some money, I blurted out before my courage failed me
Sebastian’s expression didn’t change. 1 sec
It’s for something important, I hurried to explain. “Something I can’t lose
“Your mother’s bracelet: he supplied
blinked in surprise. “Yes. How did you know?”
You mentioned it was being auctioned. And I pay attention to what matters to you,
Hazel:
His words sent an unexpected warmth through me. I pushed it aside, focusing on the
task at hand.
“The bidding has gone much higher than I anticipated, I explained. “I think Ivy is
behind it trying to hurt me one more time.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened slightly at the mention of my stepsister. “How much do you
weed?”
I took a deep breath “Fifty million.
The number hung in the air between us. I held my breath, waiting for him to laugh or
stow shock at such an outrageous request
Sebastian was silent for several moments, his expression unreadable. And this amount will solve your problema completely?”
Yes I whispered, scarcely able to believe we were discussing such an astronomical
Me fudded her. “Very well?
hly ever godesed You & lead it to me? Just like that?
One stone wal
No lector a
persion about repayment plans
Relief washod over me so strong meves prickled with tears Ibimked them back
fariously
I don’t know what to say admated. Thank you seems madesquale
It’s only money, Hazel Sebastian replied, bas voice soft. Your happiness is worth far
more
Such a casual dismissal of an amount that would change most people’s lives forever. It
was a stark reminder of just how wealthy and powerful Sebastian truly was
I fumbled in my purse and pulled out a folder I drew up a contract, I explained, my voice steadier now that we were discussing business. I wanted everything to be formal and proper
Sebastian took the folder, something like amusement flickering in his eyes. “You came
prepared.
“I need to do this right.” I insisted. “If I fail to repay the loan within five years, my
company becomes yours.”
Sebastian’s eyebrows rose as he scanned the document. Your company as collateral? That’s unnecessarily risky for you, Hazel?
It’s all I have of value, I countered. “And I need you to know in serious about
repayment
He set the contract down on the coffee table between us. “And if I don’t want your
company”
Everyone wants Evening Gala I said with more confidence than i lelt. Cur growth projections are excellent and our client list is expanding. It’s a valuable asset
sure a is” Sebastian agreed. “But that’s hot what asked, What if i don’t want as collateral?
frowned. Then what would you suggest instead?
Sebastian leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “No collateral. Just your word that you’ll repay ine when you can.
the
“That’s not a proper business arrangement, I protested
“Perhaps I’m not interested in a proper business arrangement with you.” His voice dropped lower, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
i squared my shoulders. I won’t be indebted to you without clear terms. I need
boundaries.
Sebastian’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Boundaries. Yes, you’ve made that quite
clear
He picked up the contract again, flipping through the pages. “Five years is a long time. Your company could triple in value by then.”
“Which means I’ll have no trouble repaying the loan,” I pointed out.
Sebastian nodded slowly. “Or it means I’d be getting a bargain if you default.”
My stomach tightened. “I won’t default.”
Your determination is admirable,” he said softly. “But business is unpredictable. What happens if factors beyond your control prevent repayment?”
“Then Evening Gala becomes yours,” I repeated firmly. “Those are my terms. I won’t take charity, Sebastian: Not even from you. Especially not from you.
He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes unreadable. “Why especially not from
me?”
The question caught me off guard. How could I explain that accepting charity from hám felt more dangerous than from anyone else? That it would create a dependency! couldn’t afford?
“Because you already have too much power, I finally answered honestly
Something flashed in his eyes-surprise, perhaps, or appreciation for my candor
Very well Sebastian said after a moment Laccept your terms
He reached for a pen from the coffee table and signed the contract without further hesitation. The case with which he committed to lending me fifty million dollars was
staggering.
“The funds will be in your account by this afternoon” he said, handing the signed document back to me “Will that be soon enough for the auction?”
Inodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. I’d been prepared for negotiations, for conditions, for interest rates. Not for this simple acceptance.
Thank you! I finally managed. “I’ll repay every cent.”
“I know you will: His confidence in me was both flattering and terrifying.
I tucked the contract carefully back into my folder, my hands trembling slightly. “I should go. I’ve taken enough of your time.
Sebastian stood when I did. “You never take my time, Hazel. You occupy it.
The distinction felt important somehow, though I couldn’t articulate why.
“Still,” I insisted, “you must have important meetings waiting.”
“Nothing more important than this,” he countered smoothly. “Nothing more important than you.”
There it was again-that intensity that both thrilled and unnerved me. The way he made me feel like the center of his universe with just a few words.
I cleared my throat. “Well, I should let you get back to work anyway. I’ll…I’ll call you once the auction is over.”
Sebastian walked me to the door of his office. “I look forward to it
He reached for my hand as I was about to leave, bringing it to his lips in that Fold-fashioned gesture that always flustered me. His lips were warm against my skin.
his eyes never leaving mine.
One more thing he murmured against my knuckles. “When you win that bracelet. Ist like to see you wear it
It wasn’t quite a request, wasn’t quite a command
“Maybe I whispered, gently pulling my hand away
A walked out of his office feeling like 1d just made a deal with a force of nature powerful, unpredictable, and impossible to control. Fifty million dollars was now at my disposal, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the true price might be higher than Ed
calculated
The contract in my purse felt heavy, like a promise I wasn’t entirely sure I could keep Bun t’d done what had to do. My mother’s bracelet would be mine again, and I’d worry about the consequences later
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