By the time Amara stepped out of the Bennett Group building, she didn't know whether to scream or cry.
So she did neither.
She just walked.
Fast.
Her heels hit the pavement with sharp, angry clicks as she replayed the meeting in her head.
You're a risk.
Your business is barely surviving.
I haven't decided what to do with you yet.
She stopped abruptly.
Who does he think he is? she muttered under her breath.
A security guard nearby glanced at her. Amara quickly straightened and forced a smile like nothing was wrong.
But everything was wrong.
She dragged in a deep breath and pulled out her phone.
No missed calls.
No new orders.
Nothing.
The small spark of hope she had walked into that building with?
It was gone.
Just like that.
By the time she got home, the sun was already beginning to set, casting a dull orange glow through her small window.
Her space felt tighter than usual.
Quieter.
Lonelier.
Amara dropped her bag on the chair and kicked off her shoes, not bothering to arrange anything.
For once she didn't have the energy.
She walked straight to the kitchen and opened one of the food containers she had prepared earlier.
Cold.
Untouched.
Unpaid for.
She stared at it for a long moment.
Then quietly closed it again.
I can't do this today, she whispered.
Her phone buzzed suddenly, making her flinch.
She picked it up quickly.
Unknown number.
Her heart skipped.
Again?
Hello?
Miss Okafor.
Her expression immediately hardened.
Of course.
Mr. Bennett, she said flatly.
There was a brief pause on the line.
As if he noticed the tone.
I assume you got home safely.
Amara blinked.
That wasn't what she expected.
Yes, she said slowly. Was that all?
No.
She rolled her eyes slightly.
Of course not.
I have a proposal for you.
She almost laughed.
A proposal? I thought I was too much of a 'risk
You are.
The calmness in his voice irritated her more than if he had shouted.
Then why are you calling me?
Another pause.
Then
Because I'm willing to take calculated risks.
Amara leaned against the wall, folding her arms.
And what exactly does that mean?
It means, Lucas said, his tone smooth and controlled as always, I'm not offering you the contract you applied for.
Her stomach dropped.
She knew it.
She knew it.
But somehow, hearing it still hurt.
Okay, she said quietly. Thank you for letting me know.
She was about to hang up when
I'm offering you something else.
She froze.
What?
A trial.
Amara frowned.
Explain.
For the next two weeks, you'll supply a smaller quantity to one of our partner outlets, he said. If you meet the standard, we move forward.
Her mind started racing immediately.
Two weeks.
Smaller scale.
A chance.
But if I fail? she asked.
Then we end the discussion.
Of course.
Nothing with him came easy.
Amara pushed herself off the wall and started pacing slowly.
And what's the catch?
There's always a catch, Lucas replied calmly.
I'm listening.
You'll operate under strict supervision.
She stopped walking.
Supervision?
Yes.
Her eyes narrowed.
By who?
A pause.
Just long enough to make her suspicious.
Then
By me.
Amara blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then she laughed.
Actually laughed.
Oh, that's funny.
I'm serious.
No, I'm serious, she shot back. You want to supervise me? Do you think I don't know how to run my own business?
I think, Lucas said smoothly, that your business needs structure.
The audacity.
The audacity, she muttered aloud.
Is that a yes or a no, Miss Okafor?
Amara went quiet.
Because underneath the irritation, the pride,the anger
This was still an opportunity.
A real one.
Two weeks could change everything.
Her rent.
Her reputation.
Her future.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Then exhaled.
I don't like you, she said plainly.
There was a slight pause.
Noted.
But I need this.
I'm aware.
She opened her eyes again.
And I don't take orders well.
That, he said calmly, I've already noticed.
Despite herself, Amara almost smiled.
Almost.
Fine, she said finally. I'll do it.
Good.
I'm not done, she added quickly.
Silence.
Then
I'm listening.
If I succeed, she said firmly, you don't just 'consider' the contract. You give it to me.
A beat.
You're negotiating?
Yes.
With no leverage?
I have leverage, she said. You called me.
That
That made him pause.
And she felt a small spark of victory.
Interesting, he murmured.
I'm serious.
So am I.
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Then
If you exceed expectations, Lucas said slowly, the contract is yours.
Amara's heart skipped.
Exceed?
Not just meet.
She hesitated.
That was harder.
Much harder.
But
I'll do it.
Good.
When do we start?
Tomorrow morning.
Her eyes widened.
Tomorrow?
Yes.
That's too soon, I need to prepare
Be ready by 8 AM.
Amara scoffed.
You don't even know where I live.
I will.
She blinked.
What does that mean?
It means, Lucas said calmly, I'll send you the address tonight.
The address for what?
A pause.
Then
My place.
Amara went completely still.
I'm sorry, what?
If I'm supervising you, Miss Okafor, he continued smoothly, it makes sense that we operate from a controlled environment.
Her grip tightened on the phone.
You want me to come to your house?
Yes.
No.
Silence.
Then
No? he repeated.
No, she said firmly. I'm not coming to your house. This is business, not whatever this is.
It's efficiency
It's weird.
It's practical.
It's inappropriate.
Another pause.
And for the first time
Lucas sounded, slightly amused.
You're overthinking it.
And you're not thinking enough.
A quiet chuckle slipped through the line.
And that irritated her even more.
Miss Okafor
Amara.
The correction came out before she could stop herself.
There was a brief silence.
Then
Amara, he repeated.
Her name sounded different in his voice.
Lower.
Softer.
More intentional.
And she didn't like how that made her feel.
Be at the address by 8 AM, he continued. Or we forget the deal.
Just like that.
Back to business.
Back to control.
Amara clenched her jaw.
You really don't like making things easy, do you?
No, he said simply. Easy things don't last.
She exhaled sharply.
Fine.
Good.
I'll be there.
I know.
The call ended.
Amara stared at her phone for a long moment.
Then slowly lowered it.
His house? she whispered.
She shook her head, already pacing again.
This man is mad. Completely mad.
But even as she said it
Her heart was beating faster.
Not from fear.
Not entirely.
But from something else.
Something she didn't want to name.
The next morning was going to change everything.
She just didn't know it yet.