The law office was on the forty-second floor. Glass walls. Views of the Sound. A receptionist who looked at me like I'd wandered in by accident, which I basically had.
"Maren Cole for Mr. Voss."
She blinked. "Of course. Right this way."
The conference room had a table that sat twenty. I sat at one end. Alexander sat at the other. Between us, a stack of paper forty-seven pages thick.
His lawyer was a woman in her fifties. Gray hair. Good suit. She wouldn't meet my eyes.
"Page by page," Alexander said. "Take your time. Ask questions."
I read.
Page 1: Definitions. Companion, Principal, Term, Services.
Page 2: Term. Five years from date of signing.
Page 3: Compensation. Debt payment upon signing. Tuition and fees paid directly to University of Washington. Housing provided at 1420 Western Avenue, Unit 3B. Stipend of $2,500 per month for personal expenses.
Page 4: Duties. Accompaniment to social, professional, and cultural events. Reasonable advance notice required. Appropriate dress and demeanor expected.
I read faster.
Page 12: Companionship Services. The Companion shall present herself as the Principal's companion at all designated events. This includes but is not limited to conversation, introduction to business associates, and general social engagement. No sexual services are required or expected under any circumstances.
Page 19: Compensation Structure. The Principal shall maintain direct payment arrangements with the University of Washington. Housing costs shall be paid directly to the building management. Stipend shall be deposited monthly to an account in the Companion's name.
Page 31: Early Termination. Should the Companion terminate this agreement prior to the five-year term, the full original debt amount of $47,328.57 shall be immediately due and payable, plus compound interest at 8.9% APR from the date of signing. Should the Principal terminate this agreement without cause, the Companion's debt shall be considered satisfied in full and she shall receive a severance payment of $50,000.
Page 44: Non-Disclosure. The Companion shall not discuss the terms of this agreement, the nature of her relationship with the Principal, or any private matters observed during the term with any third party, including family members, friends, or media. Violation results in immediate debt reinstatement plus liquidated damages of $100,000.
I looked up. "This is insane."
Alexander didn't react. "It's thorough."
"No one would sign this."
"You're considering it."
My thumb tapped against my forefinger under the table. I counted. Forty-seven thousand. Five years. Eight-point-nine percent if I leave. Freedom if he leaves.
"You could end this anytime," I said. "Just decide you don't want me around anymore, and I get fifty thousand dollars and no debt?"
"Correct."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because if I end it, you'll have done nothing wrong. And I don't punish people for my mistakes."
I looked at his lawyer. She finally met my eyes. Pity. Clear as glass.
I looked away first.
"What about after?" I asked. "When the five years are up. What then?"
"Then you're free. You have a degree. You have five years of experience in a world most people never see. You have connections. You have no debt. What you do with that is your choice."
"And you?"
"I watch. That's what I do. I watch people become what they're capable of."
I thought about my mother's kitchen. The laminated bill. Tatum's Mercedes pulling away. The couch I slept on. The way Brent looks through me like I'm a piece of furniture that came with the house.
I thought about forty-seven thousand dollars for air. For existing. For taking up space in a home that stopped being mine the day my father died.
"Can I have a pen?"
Alexander's lawyer flinched. Just slightly. Then she slid a pen across the table.
I signed every page.
When I finished, Alexander stood. Extended his hand. I shook it.
"The keys to 3B are at the front desk," he said. "Take today to move your things. Tomorrow we have a flight to New York. Pack for three days."
He left.
I sat in the forty-second floor conference room, forty-seven pages of contract in front of me, and realized I'd just traded one cage for another.
This one just had better furniture.