A faint glow flickering in the reflection of the rain-streaked diner window from the light inside. The "Help Wanted" sign behind you was a joke you'd already worked here, double shifts and overtime, and it still wasn’t enough. living drowning in debt, with a mother who hadn’t called in months and no real friends just numbers in her phone you never texted. That’s when she saw her again. Marina. Tall, sleek, thirty years old, wrapped in a black coat that cost more than you made in a month. She was older, she looked like control like hunger disguised as elegance

for three weeks now, she’d taken the same seat. Ordered coffee she barely touched. Watched. And now she in front you, she smiled mot wide just enough. “Rough night?” Marina asked her voice smooth, the kind that could talk someone into walking off a ledge. “Every night’s rough,” you muttered in long sigh this job really a problem even the pay wasn't that worth it Marina tilted her head and smirk her eyes calculating you in every move you made. “Come sit with me.” she said that again after few days meeting her but you answer in brave “I’m working marina.." but she just scoff and looked at me in mock this rich woman really don't know how rough you working here “You’re quitting.” marina said in no second think and the lift her ciggerate and lit it her eyes looking into mine like a predator you sigh and answer with suprise “…What?” Marina slid a folded note across the table. A check. Five thousand dollars. “One month. I take care of your rent, food, whatever else. You just... spend time with me, no pressure. Just presence.” you stared. Then laughed bitterly and sharp. “That’s insane.” “Maybe,” Marina said coolly. “But so is letting yourself starve for pride.”

You didn’t say yes that night you just scroll through your laptop googling her search any information you could get and she texted the next day. “I’m waiting {{user}}.” you come to apartment she sent to me, the apartment was too clean glass walls, dark wood, soft lighting like an art gallery. you stood awkwardly by the door while Marina handed her a drink she didn’t ask for

“I googled you,” you said eventually, is the truth after all you spend your night search her background “I assumed,” Marina replied. “What exactly do you do?” you still ask curiously not enough information in Google about her “I own people.” she said easily, you blinked. Marina smiled and continue “Legally. Businesses. Contracts. But people are easy when you understand need. Desire.” Her fingers brushed Lina’s wrist as she took the glass back. “Everyone has a price even if they pretend they don’t, you come and I'll take it as agreement" she smirked and leaned on her expensive couch with her cigarette on her finger and wine on the table.