Page 15 of Ensnared
I gently pulled my hand from his grasp, shaking my head. "No," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "We'll never get jobs in finance again. You know it's true."
The weight of our situation settled over the room like a heavy blanket. Colson's twenty-four-hour grace period was nothing more than a cruel illusion of choice. He knew, as well as we did, that I had no real options. We were all tethered to him - our jobs, our home, our very livelihoods hung in the balance.
I thought of Logan, how Colson had given him his first break as a financial analyst when even his Yale degree couldn't open doors. And me - fresh out of college, stepping into a role at Ashworth Financial as if it were the most natural thing in the world. What had seemed like a stepping stone now felt like a trap.
Rising from the couch, I squared my shoulders. "The answer is clear," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I'll accept his proposal, but it will be beneficial to all of us."
My father's frown deepened, lines of worry etching themselves deeper into his face. "You can't push Colson into making deals. He's a master at negotiation."
"I'd rather wash floors on my hands and knees than see you both working for me," I shot back, a surge of determination flowing through me. "Did you ever consider that? I'll be running the Ashworth household once I marry Colson, and I will be your boss. I won't allow it."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I saw the realization dawn in their eyes - the understanding that this wasn't just about me anymore. It was about all of us, about carving out whatever small victories we could in a game where Colson held all the cards.
As I stood there, facing my family, I felt a shift within myself. The fear and uncertainty were still there, but alongside them grew a steely resolve. If I was going to step into Colson's world, I would do it on my own terms. I would find a way to protect my family, to ensure that this sacrifice meant something.
Tomorrow, I would give Colson my answer. But tonight, in this room with the people I loved most, I made a silent vow. I wouldnavigate this treacherous path ahead, and somehow, someway, I would come out stronger on the other side.
I stayed up all night outlining my demands. Colson would finance my family’s dreams. If I had to be strapped to him for the rest of my life…or his, he would make it mutually beneficial. When I emerged from my room, my family were eating breakfast.
One Saturday a month my parents were off from working for a half day. It was these days that we all ate together, enjoying each other’s company. But this morning, I had other ideas. I would discuss with my family what they wanted and give Colson my demands. They were small requests for someone like which I hoped Colson would approve.
After breakfast, I spent the next couple of hours getting my thoughts together on how I would present my requests. Once I had rehearsed several times, I got dressed.
I stood in front of my mirror, smoothing down the fabric of my chosen outfit. The dress was a soft, light cotton in a delicate shade of peach that complemented my skin tone. It fell just above my knees, with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline that was feminine without being overly revealing. A subtle floral pattern in cream and pale green danced across the fabric, giving the dress a fresh, summery feel.
I slipped on a pair of cream-colored sandals with a small heel, enough to give me a bit of height without sacrificing comfort. The shoes had delicate straps that crisscrossed over my feet, adding a touch of elegance to the ensemble.
As I gazed at my reflection, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The girl staring back at me looked soft, approachable, even vulnerable - a stark contrast to the turmoil I felt inside. This outfit was a careful choice, designed to present an image of the perfect, demure fiancée Colson might expect, while hiding the steel in my spine.
I took a deep breath, reaching for a simple pearl pendant necklace - a gift from my parents on my eighteenth birthday. As I fastened it around my neck, I tried to draw strength from it, a small reminder of who I was and where I came from.
My hands shook slightly as I applied a light coat of lip gloss, the final touch to my carefully crafted appearance. I knew that in just a few moments, I would be walking across the lawn to the Ashworth mansion, to Colson, to a future that both terrified and challenged me.
"You can do this, Joey," I whispered to my reflection, using the nickname that felt like armor against the world. "You're more powerful than he knows."
With one last glance in the mirror, I turned away, ready to face whatever Colson had in store. The soft swish of my dress against my legs felt like a countdown with each step. I was walking into the lion's den, but I was determined to show that this lamb had teeth of her own.
I made my way across the expansive lawn, each step felt heavy, laden with the weight of what was to come. The Ashworth mansion loomed before me, growing larger and more imposing with every stride.
As I reached the grand entrance, Orville appeared, as silent and impassive as ever. He opened the door with a slight bow. "Thisway, Miss Shaw," he intoned, leading me through the familiar corridors.
My heart raced as we approached Colson's office. Orville knocked once, then ushered me inside before disappearing like a ghost.
I froze in the doorway, momentarily stunned. Colson stood behind his desk, but gone was his usual impeccable suit. Instead, he wore crisp slacks and a polo shirt that highlighted his broad shoulders. It was jarring, this casual version of the man I'd only ever seen buttoned up and formal.
Colson's icy blue eyes met mine, then slowly traveled down my body, taking in every detail of my carefully chosen outfit. I fought the urge to squirm under his intense gaze. As his eyes returned to my face, he licked his lips in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Josephine," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You look lovely. Please, have a seat."
I moved towards the chair in front of his desk, hyper-aware of his eyes following my every movement. As I sat, smoothing my dress over my knees, Colson leaned against his desk, arms crossed.
"I trust you've had time to consider my proposal," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "I have," I replied, proud of how steady my voice sounded. "And I have some... conditions I'd like to discuss."
Colson's eyebrows arched, a mixture of surprise and intrigue crossing his face. "Conditions? Well, this should be interesting."He leaned in slightly, his icy gaze intensifying. "Do tell, Josephine. What exactly did you have in mind?"
As I opened my mouth to speak, I realized that this moment would define everything that came after. I was about to challenge one of the most powerful men I knew, to lay out terms for a marriage that was as much a business arrangement as anything else. The Joey who had walked across that lawn was gone. In her place sat Josephine, ready to negotiate for her future and her family's wellbeing.
