CHAPTER 2: The Meeting

“Sit.”

Just one term. No asking involved.

Kai sat down fast, without thinking. Across from Mr. Ashford’s desk, he slumped into the seat.

The lamp threw dark shapes over the teacher's face. His chin stood out, hard and defined. Those eyes - like they’d slice through anything. Every little thing he did felt tight, like nothing was left loose.

Expensive perfume hung around, thick yet sharp. Not sweet - just cold, almost harsh. This put Kai more on edge, his old clothes itching like they didn’t belong. His skin crawled under that polished smell.

“You’re late,” Mr. Ashford said again. He leaned back in his chair. “That tells me you don’t value time. Mine or yours.”

“I didn’t know when to—”

“Excuses are worthless.” Mr. Ashford’s fingers tapped the desk once. “You came here because you need something. So tell me. What is it?”

Kai’s mouth felt parched. Where could he even start - trying to describe that kind of hunger to a guy who seemed born with everything handed to him? Maybe it was pointless.

“I need to pass my classes,” Kai said quietly.

“Everyone needs that. Try again.”

The words held fast. As Kai sat there, his fingers clamped down on his legs beneath the tabletop.

“I need money.”

“Better.” Mr. Ashford cocked his head slightly. “So… how much you owe?”

Three grand. For rent. Then there’s power, water... Kai cut himself short. What made him think this random person deserved any of that?

“Will what? Kick you out?” Mr. Ashford’s expression didn’t change. “You’re already living on borrowed time.”

Warmth shot into Kai's cheeks. Alongside it came a blend of embarrassment and irritation.

“Then why am I here? You clearly don’t think I’m worth—”

“I didn’t say that.”

The break came fast - sudden, decisive.

Mr. Ashford got up - smooth, almost quiet, like every step was planned. Kai felt it before he saw it: someone near, way too near. The man circled the desk without rushing. Then halted just at Kai’s side. Breached his space. Didn't say a word.

“You have potential,” Mr. Ashford said. “Buried under all that weakness and fear. But it’s there.”

Kai glanced up - bad move.

That icy stare froze him on the spot.

“I can tutor you,” Mr. Ashford continued. “Not just academics. Everything. How to carry yourself. How to stop being a victim. How to survive.”

“I can’t afford—”

“I’ll pay you.”

Kai blinked. “What?”

“Three thousand now. More later if you prove useful.” Mr. Ashford crossed his arms. “You’ll work as my assistant. Help with grading. Research. Whatever I need. Consider it a scholarship with conditions.”

This wasn't right. After all, teachers never gave cash for no reason.

“Why?” Kai asked. “Why me?”

A spark flashed across Mr. Ashford's face - maybe a hint of humor slipped through.

“Because you’re weak. Desperate. Easy to shape.” He said it so casually. Like commenting on the weather. “Most students here are spoiled. Lazy. They’ve never had to fight for anything. You? You’re hungry. That makes you interesting.”

The words should've stung. Actually, they did sting. Yet somehow - they seemed truthful.

Kai’s words trembled - just a bit - as he asked, "What's the twist?".

“Smart question.” Mr. Ashford returned to his desk. He pulled out a paper. “The rules are simple. You follow my instructions. Always. No questions. No complaints. If I tell you to be here at six in the morning, you’re here. If I assign extra work, you complete it.”

He pushed the sheet over toward the desk's edge.

“You don’t skip classes. Don’t fail assignments. Don’t embarrass me or yourself. And most importantly—” His eyes locked onto Kai’s. “—you don’t get attached. This is a transaction. Control and survival. Nothing more.”

Kai squinted at the sheet - felt more like an agreement than anything. Real conditions listed line by line. When to show up. What they’d expect from him. How much he'd get paid and when.

Shaking, his hand moved toward it.

“If you sign this,” Mr. Ashford said, “you belong to me until you graduate. Your time. Your effort. Your complete obedience. Understood?”

His words. They kept coming back to Kai. One after another, they just wouldn’t stop spinning around.

Every gut feeling screamed to bolt. Yet this felt off - overwhelming, almost crushing.

Yet three grand might get him out of trouble. Or who knows - this icy, scary guy might show him how to quit playing victim.

Kai grabbed the pen.

His fingertips grazed hers when he passed it over. That contact stretched just past a heartbeat.

Kai's pulse raced while he scribbled his name.

Mr. Ashford grabbed the sheet, shut it tight by folding - then tucked it away in his drawer as if he'd scored a hidden prize.

“We start tomorrow. Five AM. This classroom.” He pulled out an envelope. Thick. Heavy. “Your advance. Don’t waste it.”

Kai grabbed the cash, his fingers trembling.

“One more thing.” Mr. Ashford’s voice dropped lower. “If you break any rule, even once, the deal ends. And I’ll make sure you regret ever walking through that door.”

The danger stayed above like a shadow.

Kai got up. His legs almost gave out.

"Get set," Mr. Ashford told him.

Kai walked out of class. Inside his jacket, the letter felt like fire. Thoughts raced through his head - none made sense. He didn’t know what to think.

What’d he actually signed up for?

So why was a piece of him feeling lighter?