ere etched in his mind. She tortured herself with unanswered questions, trying to understand why fate had seen fit to put this man in her p

sion in the air. The conversations seemed lower than usual, and some glan

able and turned to find M

to the back," Mila whis

ed. "What's

ome on."

a followed Mila into the back room.

His impeccable suit was a stark contrast to the drab walls and messy shelves. He seem

breathed, her

, his expression as impassive as the day befor

slipped away discreetly, leaving th

he asked, her voice

losing the distance between them.

her discomfort. "I don't see why. Last

ce. "It's not about last night. It's a

step back, her back hitting the s

mother, her illness, the loans you took out to pay for her treatme

elt stripped bare, exposed in fron

y..." she

simply, as if it were the most normal thing i

r her fear. "This has nothing to do with you

re wrong. Now that our paths have crossed, ev

outh to reply, but

sum that you will never be able to repay with your waitress salary. Your landlord will give

t. She knew it was all true, but hearing it fr

that? » she whispered, t

hes from hers. "Because I can solve all yo

him, disconcerte

letting a heavy silence se

be mine. F

er legs wobble and had to lean aga

» she repeated

I say, you will be with me at events, and you will play the role I assign to you. In exch

m, looking for a sign that he was joking, that he was testi

inally blurted out,

. But I am also your only solutio

was saying. But the words stuck in his throat

o make your decision," he added. "

he turned and left the room, leaving Iri

tears falling silently. How had she gotten to this p

nder's words still weighed on her shoulders. His mother

y, darling?" » s

hiding her dismay. "Go

new her life had just changed forever. And tomorrow, she had to