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MadisonandIhavebeen dating for about 3 weeks now, catching moments here and there between her demanding work schedule at the hospital and the part-time work she does at the local clinic. She explained to me that though her father is helping to put her through medical school, she still pays for her living expenses, namely food and rent. She also manages to send some money back home to an elderly aunt who helped raise her when her mother passed away.
The problem is-- that leaves Madison precious little time for me.
That has to end. I want Madison in my life and these mere glimpses of her aren’t enough. I need to be front and center in her world, not a mere afterthought to be squeezed in at her discretion. I’m about to change all of that but must handle the matter delicately, present it in a way she’ll find acceptable.
As we dine at a cozy, upscale Italian restaurant in Manhattan, I slide the envelope across the table to Madison.
She gives me that adorable, ‘What the hell is this?’ look.
“Open it.”
She does as told, examining the contents of the envelope. She freezes and fixes me with a hard stare. “What’s this all about?”
“Consider it a loan, Madison. One you can repay once you’ve completed your residency and start your private practice.” I nod at the check. “It’s just a loan, it comes with a promissory note and all applicable terms.”
She raises a brow as she picks it up and takes a closer look. Her lovely hazel eyes go wide. “Are you kidding me?”
“I never kid about money,” I say in a very serious tone. “If you don’t pay it back, I’ll send two guys around to break your lovely legs.”
A laugh escapes her. “Sebastian, this is a hundred thousand dollars. You’re loaning me this in exchange for what?”
I smirk. “Relax, it’s not what you think, missy. I’m loaning the money with interest and expect to be paid in full after seven years.”
She sits back in her chair, leaving the check on the table. “And what do you get out of this?”
“My girlfriend can give up that job at the clinic and focus her time on medical school and,” I smile broadly as I lean forward, elbows on the table, “me.”
She folds her arms across her chest. “That’s very kind and generous of you, but we’ve only been dating for a month. What if in a couple of weeks, we broke up?” She hikes a brow. “Should I expect the two guys to come and threaten to break my legs if I don’t return the money in full?”
I laugh despite myself. I find myself doing that often in Madison’s company. “First of all, that comment was clearly a joke. Second of all,” I go silent and just gaze at her for a moment, letting our feelings speak for themselves. “We both know that the only thing that will change in two weeks, is that we’ll be even more crazy about each other. No one’s breaking up.”
“Hmm, maybe.” Her head lulls to the side as she gives me that sexy-as-hell smile. “It’s very sweet and tempting, but I pride myself in making my own way in this world. This is…” she gestures at the check, “too much, too soon.”
My smile falls away and I look at her in earnest. “I’ve never made this type of offer to anyone, Madison. Don’t take it lightly. I want, no, I need to see more of you. I respect and admire your desire to pay your own way and to help out your aunt.” I lower my tone while increasing the intensity. “But frankly, it’s getting in the way of what we both want more than anything. And that’s spending more time together.” I push the check closer to her. “Take the loan, Madison. You’ll pay it back when you’re able to. It’s as simple as that.”
Slowly, her resolve begins to melt away and her arms unfold to rest on the chair. “It’s not that simple, Bash. The clinic is severely underfunded and serves a low-income community. If the medical students don’t work there, they go without. Sometimes, when there’s no money left in the budget, I offer my services for free because that’s how desperate they are. I can’t leave them shorthanded.”
“I know, babe, which is why I made a sizeable donation to the clinic to keep them afloat and fully staffed for the next twelve months. ”
Her hazel eyes fly wide. “You did what? When?”
“Yesterday, you’ll probably hear about it when you go in tomorrow.”
Her eyes tear up. Perfect! That’s exactly the response I was banking on when I concocted this plan. I need to endear myself to Madison, make her fall so deeply for me, that she’ll agree to anything that I ask of her. This is essential for my plan to work.
“Sebastian, I…that was so incredibly generous of you.” She shakes her head. “Why?”
“What do you mean, why? I need to see more of you. I know your time at the hospital is non-negotiable, but now the clinic can manage just fine when you cut back your hours.”
Shaking her head in disbelief, she says, “I’m overwhelmed, Mr. Petrosky. I can’t believe you’d do all of this just so we can spend more time together.”
“I’d move heaven and earth for that. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”
Laughing, she replies, “I think it would take a lifetime to figure you out.” She takes the envelope, but adds, “I’ll take the loan as a bonus for saving you from that little car wreck.”
I chuckle as I spread my hands wide. “There you go, payment for services rendered.”
“You’re getting off cheap now. Wait till I start my private practice, you’ll hardly be able to afford me.”
