Blake's lifestyle took a luxurious turn as he settled into his new role, going to work in a chauffeur-driven car, adorned in meticulously tailored suits, and presenting himself at the pinnacle of sophistication. The transformation was impressive, and he reveled in living his best life, a far cry from where he began.
The undeniable perk of his job, however, was his enigmatic boss, Rose Shelley, who made a habit of going out of her way to do nice things for him. One afternoon, amidst the relentless workload, Rose approached Blake's desk and dropped a squared object.
"Open it," she instructed, her mood inscrutable as ever. Blake, accustomed to the concrete wall of her emotions, opened the box to find an exquisite wristwatch inside.
"It's for you. I hope it suits you. Either way, you are not to take that off again," Rose stated bluntly.
"Uh, sorry, ma'am, but aren't the gifts getting a bit extravagant? I'm not a watch person, but this looks really expensive," Blake expressed his genuine concern.
Rose's face betrayed a rare glint of emotion, her eyebrows furrowing as she stared at him. "Do you not like it? I don't know men's style, but I was betting a Rolex GMT would do the trick. Or do you want another one?" she asked, disregarding Blake's concern.
"No, not at all, ma'am. It's just that I appreciate all you've done for me, but... how will I pay you back?" Blake voiced his concern, aware that such generosity likely came with a catch.
Rose's response was unapologetic. "For someone as handsome as you are, you really aren't the brightest, you know that?"
"I'm sorry, excuse me, ma'am?" Blake replied respectfully, trying to mask his bewilderment.
"Why didn't it occur to you since you got the job? It's been weeks, and now you start to contemplate if my generosity is just a ruse to rope you into something?" Rose questioned, her tone holding an unexpected edge.
"Also, can you not address me as 'ma'am' again? If anything, 'my lord' feels more like it," she added with an air of nonchalance, leaving Blake flabbergasted and speechless.
Blake's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I assumed it was for business, ma—"
"My lord, Blake. I told you to drop the 'ma'am.' Now answer my question," Rose interrupted, her eyes piercing through the dimly lit surroundings.
"I... I'm not entirely sure," Blake admitted, genuinely uncertain about the purpose of the evening.
Rose leaned back, her gaze never leaving him. "You're here because, despite your initial skepticism, you've proven to be an interesting diversion."
Blake's confusion deepened. "A diversion? I thought I was hired for my skills and qualifications."
Rose chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Blake's spine. Something about her laughing made him see all sorts of red flags.
"Oh, your skills and qualifications were a prerequisite, but Iife can be boring and I find the diversions often more intriguing. You've become my diversion, Mr. Shelton."
Blake tried to mask his discomfort, realizing that the lavish gifts, the luxurious lifestyle, and even the job itself were part of a carefully orchestrated plan by Rose.
"As my diversion, your role is to accompany me, entertain me, and perhaps, if you're lucky, enjoy more interesting perks," Rose explained, her tone devoid of any apology as she stared into Blake's eyes.
'Well, no shit,' Blake thought, seeing no hesitation when Rose uttered those words.
The revelation left Blake grappling with a newfound understanding of his position. He was more than just an employee; he was a piece in Rose's strange game, and the rules were not entirely clear.
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