“Is everything okay?” he asked as he stopped a couple feet in front of her.
“I’m fine. There really was no need for you to wait for me.”
“Of course I was going to wait. It’s my fault you were injured. Are you sure everything is okay, or are you just telling me that you’re fine to get me to go away?”
“My tailbone is bruised. Other than that, I’m fine. I need to leave now,” she curtly told him as she turned away.
“I’ve been picturing you lying beneath me while I make you scream in pleasure. You know this will happen soon, right?”
His words stopped her in her tracks. She didn’t turn for several moments, causing excitement to begin stirring. Was she going to accept his offer? He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to or not. If she did, then his game would end prematurely. He wasn’t ready for it to be over just yet.
Finally, she turned with a genuine smile on her face that nearly caused him to stagger back a step. She had a natural beauty about her that shined with innocent pleasure. This was the first time he’d seen an expression of happiness on her face.
“No. I can very happily tell you that I was offered an incredible job yesterday with a wonderful company.” She took a step closer to him and poked him in the chest. He was so surprised by her surge of confidence that he didn’t think to stop her.
“You can take your job offer of prostitution and shove it up your a–”
“That’s enough,” he interrupted as he grabbed her hand and caused her to take several retreating steps, to which he followed, speaking in a controlled voice barely above a whisper. “I may like the fire in you, Ari, but don’t take my curiosity of you as weakness. If, or when I truly want to possess you, it will happen. Leave no doubt about that. You can have your small victory, but be very careful with what you say to me. There’s nothing on this planet I like more than a challenge. Just remember that when you play with me – you will lose.”
With those words he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the hallway with her mouth hanging open. He’d taken her small victory and squashed it.
Chapter Eight
“I have a meeting with the board of directors today, Mom. I’m excited. I think things are going to turn around for us,” Ari said with a big smile.
“That’s great, darling. I ate most of my breakfast today. I’m feeling much better. How was your night?”
“I got a job, a really great job as an assistant to the vice president of this prestigious electronics company. I may even get to do some traveling, but not for a while,” Ari answered excitedly. Her mother’s concerned expression confused her.
“I thought you were going to enroll back in school, Ari. You won’t be happy working as someone’s secretary. You’re far too talented and smart for that.”
“I promise you I’ll get back in school as soon as all of this is over.”
“Ari, most college students who drop out for one reason or another, find it impossible to get back to their studies. Life gets in the way. I will get my medical stuff figured out on my own. I want you to go to school and finish what you started.”
“I give you my word that I’ll go back. I can’t concentrate on homework and attending classes when I know you need help. Think of it from my perspective, Mom. Would you be able to just go on living your life if the situation were reversed? If I was the one lying in the hospital bed needing surgery, could you just pretend it wasn’t happening?” Ari challenged.
Her mother looked at her for several minutes as if trying to come up with the correct words, then glanced down. Ari knew her mom wouldn’t lie to her, so she chose not to say anything.
“I’ll be back by to visit with you but I have to run right now. I’m going to charm those board members and then we’ll get you into surgery and back on your feet before you know it. Everything has turned around now that you’re awake. Can’t you feel the good Karma in the room?” Ari said with a smile. She bent down and kissed her mother’s cheek, then walked from the room and made her way to the elevator.
Honestly, she was shaking inside. She was intimidated to meet with the panel of board members who could grant her a pro-bono surgery, but she wouldn’t show that. If she portrayed confidence then they’d see that the only right decision was to give her mother the operation she not only needed, but deserved.
“I’m here for a meeting with Mr. Coolidge and the board members,” Ari announced to the secretary stationed on the executive floor.
“Name, please?”
“Arianna Harlow.”
“They’re waiting for you now. Go through the door on the left.”
Ari tightened her purse on her shoulder and made her way to the door. She stalled when she walked through, seeing all the exceptionally dressed men and women sitting around a large oval table. One chair was available at the end. She assumed it was for her, but she didn’t want to sit until invited.
“Ms. Harlow. Thank you for meeting with us. Please, have a seat over there so we can get started.”
“I appreciate you taking the time to see me,” she murmured as she made her way to the empty chair. She should lift her head and make eye-contact with each person there, but suddenly her nerves were getting the best of her.
Each member of the board was a doctor, retired doctor, or important member of the community. They had high powered jobs, loads of cash, and Ari and her mother were nothing to them. For the first time she accepted that the outcome may not go the way she needed it to.
“We’ve reviewed your mother’s case and we have a few questions for you.”
Ari glanced up at the stern looking man sitting at the head of the table. The name plate before him announced him as Mr. Coolidge, who was the chairman of the board. If she could get him on her side, things would go a lot more smoothly for her. She’d done her research.
“I’m willing to answer anything, Mr. Coolidge.”
“Our pro-bono budget has been maxed out this month. We have many cases where patients don’t have enough insurance, or certain procedures aren’t covered. We take pride in offering more discounted surgeries than other places, but we do have to set a limit. After all, we are a business, and if everyone had free surgery we would go under. We’ve looked through your application and can see here that you aren’t currently working. How do you expect to contribute to your mother’s medical costs?”