The Contract [Closed for Firmhanded_Daddy]

[sexymistress]

One week ago…

"No! No, they can't be serious! This is my family's land, it has been for years! They can't take it away, we own it! "

"I'm sorry Miss, I don't know why anything is happening, I'm just serving you with the papers telling you of the eviction."

"They aren't getting away with this. You can tell them that I think this about their papers!"

Ripping the folder of papers in two, she threw them at the sly man in a suit before closing the door firmly and locking it. This had been in her family's name for as long as the town had been around. They were the first settlers in this part of the town and no one could take that away. Hell, the town had declared her house a historical landmark.

Walking into the den, Calliope called the family lawyer and several other lawyers until she was finally put in touch with the asshole that was planning on destroying the home and using the land for some kind of filthy profit. All she had to do was sign a contract at the beginning of the week and her house would be safe.

Apparently, though she had gotten sole ownership of the house following the death of her parents two years before, Calliope had not been informed about the cost of running such a home. Her lawyer her taken a lot of the family's money in order to keep the bills paid, but that left very little for the staff and for the property taxes. She didn't make nearly enough to pay everything on a monthly basis and the staff slowly disappeared one by one. That was when this monster had scooped up her family's home and land so quickly and easily in an auction.

She had been out of town for a couple of weeks to make arrangements for her home and to try and start a bed and breakfast in the historic building. Something to bring in a profit and lower the cost of living. Her lawyer hadn't gotten in touch with her and the auction had carried on without her knowledge and her childhood home had slipped from her fingers. Now, all she had to do was sign a contract and she would be safe. Able to open the home up as she wished.

Present day…

Pacing through the front hall, her black heels clicked against the old hardwood flooring. She didn't want to have to deal with all of this, but she had no choice. These strangers didn't know anything about the memories and history in this house or how valuable it real was to the town.

Dressing in a casual suit, Calliope (Callie as she was known by her friends), the skirt falling down to her knees and the crisp white blouse tucked into it. Her long red hair was up in a loose bun, a few loose strands hanging out of it to make it seem as though she wasn't all business. Holding the locket around her throat she kept walking back and forth until the old door bell rang.

Counting to ten in her head, she walked to the door and opened it slowly. Eyes looked at the man standing before her before she took a step back and opened the door wider.

"Please come in sir, could we hurry things along though? I've had a hard time sleeping the last couple of days and I would like to lay down for a while."

Leading him into the office, she sat down on one side of the desk and motioned for him to sit on the other, folding her hands carefully on the desk. Callie patiently waited for him to make the next move.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

One week ago

It was perfect. He could not have worked this out better himself. A historic landmark, a real piece of history and the family of prominence had fallen from grace. The back taxes left the only surviving relative of the family deep underwater and unable to pay them. The financial situation had been resolved with an auction. He had scooped up the property for a steal to be quite honest. The entire area was coming apart. Houses were foreclosing left and right and thus very few could afford the sticker price on such a valuable landmark.

His plan was already in motion. Two possible outcomes and both would leave him with a wonderful prize. Either he would demolish the old draconic structure and turn it into a profit mill, or he would pluck the lovely homeowner from her seat of prominence and put her on her knees where she belonged. There was no bad choice here, life was good.

The lawyers had seen to the details. From what he had been told the young woman was a striking sight, and her fury had been a wonderful thing. Something about the eyes when a woman was angry, it made that woman bloody enchanting to behold.

Oh he would have her, and love every moment of it.

Present day

The firm knock at the door announced him. The sun was still making an ascent to the mid day’s perch. Light green eyes squinting in the light. It took around ten or so seconds for her to come to the door. The reports of her beauty were not exaggerated. Quite the opposite really. The loose white blouse and the knee length skirt were a conservative look but she was no doubt a woman underneath. He could almost feel her curves melting against his hands, it made his groin tingle just thinking about it.

She lived up to the fiery reputation red heads were so often labeled with. His hand was outstretched for a handshake but she just strode right over him as if he were some simple fool or a corporate boot licker. Oh this was going to be all sorts of fun.

He could see the hints of weariness in her. The telltale bags beneath her eyes, the blood shot eyes, the slightly casual bun her hair was gathered in. She was already showing weakness, that immediately put him in a position of strength. He barely held back a feral grin.

She spoke of hurrying things along and turned on those heels of hers and strode into the house. He took the time to appreciate the way the hells stretched out her calf muscles, the barely contained indignity and rage that gave her steps a certain staccato to it. Her day was just about to get worse, she had no idea.

His outstretched hand smoothly slid into his short light brown hair. Natural sun bleached strands of blonde kisses the brown strands. His hair was cut neatly, a crown covering his skull. His strong jaw was clean shaven until it reached the point of his chin. He bore a goatee that was meticulously trimmed. It betrayed his heritage before words even tumbled from his full lips. Strands of red, brown, and blonde streaked through the neat facial hair.

“Fair enough. I’ve no interest in wasting either of our time.”

No title or honorific, she had shown him blatant disrespect so she would get no respect in return. It was all business, just as the outer shell of the man presented. His voice was deep, but soft. Like the distant crack of thunder echoing off the hills. There was just a faint lilt in his voice, hinting that his heritage led across the pond. It was too faint to identify for certain but it was a toss up between Ireland or Scotland.

She led him to an office room and he sat in the offered chair. Pulling out a leather folder he set it between them.

“If time is so pressing sign on the dotted line and you can have your rest.”

 

[sexymistress]

Honestly, there was nothing that seemed more outlandish to her then loosing her family's home and heritage. Hadn't the lawyer thought about that at all? As soon as this contract was signed and over with, Cassie knew that he was going to be looking for a new job. She was not going to deal with that kind of thing and would not put up with that kind of nonsense. This was and always would be her home.

This house was a landmark in the village and always would be. The people would revolt if it was going to be pulled down and to pieces. That would and could never happen. Besides, where was she supposed to go? She didn't have the money to pay for rent in a crummy apartment. She needed her home, otherwise she would be dead on the street within weeks or months. A year, tops.

Cassie was not going to play as a pawn in the games with him. She was not gong to give him the luxury of seeing her in pain and seeing the total weakness that was running through her. She wouldn't show that her heart was pounding so loudly she was scared it would pop right out of her chest. Tugging at her blouse, she smoothed a hand across the black skirt and easily walked through the house with an air of confidence and sophistication. All she had to do was sign the contract after a quick review and she would be able to get this scum out of her home.

Swallowing a yawn as she walked through the long and beautifully ornate halls, she attempted to draw strength and happiness from the walls. Those walls had seen more then she ever would and they could make her feel better, stronger. The heels clicked against the wooden floors, the sound echoing in the confides of the hall.

"Lovely. Now, please do not touch anything. The way things are have been like that since i can remember and I would not like to have to clean before I get to lay down and get rid of his headache I feel forming."

Cassie didn't have the time nor the patience to wait and see what he sounded like. He seemed to look reasonable enough and acted like a reasonable man. Why would he want the house anyways? Sliding into the larger and more comfortable looking of the chairs, she took the thick contract form him and shook her head.

"I'm not an idiot sir, I don't sign anything before at least reading the important parts of it."

Flipping the pages, the words swam before her eyes as she blindly began crossing things off and writing in points before turning it back towards him. It had been done mostly at random to try and at least look like she knew what the hell was happening.

"I've made a few revisions and additions. If you are happy with them then I'll sign it. "

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He couldn’t help but smile as she took the contract from him and began browsing through it. She didn’t hit the roof immediately, and there was no lawyer present. She was obviously swimming in deep waters, and she didn’t know how to swim. If only she knew what she was about to sign, he could picture the reaction already.

Instead she took the document and began to make handwritten revisions to it. He perked a brow slowly as she started writing things in on the expensive, thick parchment. He sat in silence as she dissected the contract and added her own words in place. When he was handed back the contract he couldn’t help but smirk. Luckily the paper hid his amusement. It looked like a child had turned it into a coloring book.

He took his time looking over the language, looking at the terms she had altered. By the time he was done it took every ounce of will he had not to just laugh at her. Oh this was too good. He did not confirm her words with his own. He simply placed down the document and flipped to the last page, signing it. She had no idea what she was getting into and her ‘revisions’ had simply made things worse on herself. He passed the paper over to her and nodded his head to indicate she should sign, but then he broke his silence.

“I should not accept these revisions, but you belong here and I do not want to take your house from you. So I am willing to work with you.”

Then he sank back into the couch and waited for her to sign, looked on her casually. He could not wait to get started, he could not wait to break her.

 

[sexymistress]

Never before in her life had she needed to sign a contract like this. Everything she had signed had been a short term basis and something that would easily be broken or talked about. This, this was important and her entire life relied on the basis of this report and contract. Sighing deeply, Callie tried to at least make it look like she had some idea with what she was doing. More or less, she was trying her best to keep the professional air and to not look like a total fool.

In every movie and contract signing she had seen in her life, the person always made revisions. They constantly reworded and rewrote sections of the contract to suit their needs better then before. So Callie tried to mimic those images, even shaking her head and muttering to herself about unacceptable points and compromises that could be made. To anyone that had ever properly signed a contract, they would be able to tell it was a bluff and she was going into this as blind as a bat.

Crossing her arms, Callie leaned back against her chair, watching his reaction as he read through the revisions. Some of the things had seemed odd and out of place, things about piercings and tattoos. Those she had removed without any question, why would she have to do those things to keep her house? As he finished flipping through it and signed the last page she cleared her throat a bit and sat up straighter. That was it? No debate about the points she had taken out and changed? "Everything is to your liking then?"

Words were barely out of her mouth before he spoke, shutting down her question easily enough. He wasn't supposed to accept her changes but he would anyways to appease her. Picking up the pen slowly, Callie looked down at the contract once more. Taking a deep breath she signed the page and turned back to the front page and pushed it over to him, standing up.

"Pleasure doing business with you sir. Now, if you will excuse me. I am going to lay down and try to get rid of this monster of a headache."

Walking to the door, she moved to open it, allowing him to leave the room before her, expecting him to be on his way now that their business was finished.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He watched in silence as she signed the contract. As she set the pen down he could not help but chuckle to himself. Perhaps he should feel bad, after all he was grossly taking advantage of this young woman’s plight, and her gross lack of knowledge. The truth was though he was teaching her an important lesson. There were times when you needed to bluff your way through something, and times when you had to suspend your pride and simply admit ignorance. He had a feeling she would be much more careful about trying to bluff someone in the future.

He could tell by the way she reacted, or rather the reactions she did not give that she had no idea what she had just done. Maybe he should feel bad, but he didn’t. It was her responsibility to know what she was doing, or get the advice of someone who did, say…. A lawyer. Welcome to the joys of homeowner ship kid. Where one bad choice could be a living nightmare for years to come.

He stood with her as she dismissed him. Her words pulled a wicked smile to his lips. Nodding his head softly he spoke in a low, almost ominous tone. “It has been a pleasure, but I assure you the pleasure is not yet concluded.”

He walked to the door without elaborating on his statement. She rambled on about her headache and needing rest. He couldn’t agree more. She was going to need to be rid of that headache and be rested for tomorrow, it was going to be one of the hardest days she has ever had. The contract safely tucked in the protective folder under his arm he turned in the frame of the door. His eyes drank her in once more, savoring her figure, he could almost feel her skin beneath his fingertips. Oh the pleasure has indeed just begun.

“That is a good idea. Rest up now, tomorrow is going to be a long day and you are going to want to be focused and alert or it will just be worse on you. I will see you tomorrow Callie.”

He turned, walking on his heels leaving her to her thoughts, and her rest.

******************

The next day

Knock knock knock knock.

The sound disturbed the silence of the early morning. It was barely seven in the morning and there came that delicate knock for a second round. It was not the same as the brash, forceful knock the man she had met yesterday had offered, for indeed it was not the man.

As the door was opened a young woman was the owner of that knock. She wore a pleasant smile, just enough well blended shading to accent her lovely face and draw attention to her lips and eyes. Her clothing was modest, a button down sweater that left plenty to the imagination, but also did an amazing job of displaying her full bust beneath the clothing.

She was radiating this sense of tense excitement, barely restrained, but also a sense of calm purpose. When Callie answered the door she spoke in a clipped, excited tone.

“Calliope?”

When she confirmed her identity the blonde woman threw her arms around her frame and exclaimed in a bubbly tone.

“I am so happy to meet you sister! You will meet the rest later. Sir Shane sent me to help prepare you. Oh you are so beautiful! You will look stunning in the uniform.”

The young girl literally bounded into the room, a suit case quickly dragged along behind her.

 

[sexymistress]

Well, that wasn't as hard as the young woman had feared. She had managed to get through that without much pain at all. Smiling to herself as she set her pen back down, she looked up at him innocently. He seemed pleased by her offers and what she had finally signed everything. Running a hand over her pounding forehead, she tried her best not to look too nervous about his looks. He didn't seem like the kind of person to be trifled with, but she wasn't going to let him scare her. This was her home and Callie was not going to go easily.

Signing a contract like that had been nothing, she was glad that she hadn't spent the money to hire a lawyer. Callie believed fully that she had done the right things, she had read enough about the items at the library and knew what she had gotten herself into. She didn't have the money to spend on fancy lawyers and everything else. After all, she could read and she had read through (alright, skimmed through) most of the contract. She had a good idea that it meant she owned the house now, no ifs ands or buts about it.

"I beg your pardon? " Callie turned to look at him as she walked along, trying to figure out what he meant. What about the pleasure not concluding? She was going to relax, maybe take a long bath before she jumped into bed and slept until her head stopped pounding for days on end.

When they finally arrived in the main hall, Callie rose an eyebrow at him. "What are you talking about? I don't have any plans for tomorrow, I don't need to do anything that I don't wish. You have no need to come back tomorrow, the contract has been signed. Good-bye." Closing the door behind him firmly, she locked it all and watched from the window as he left. Pulling the elastic out of her hair, she climbed the stairs tiredly, kicking off her shoes and going into the bathroom and soaking before curling up in bed.

It had been some time since she had slept so soundly and blissfully, knowing full well that she owned everything in her lovely home and the only house she ever wanted to live in.

-------------------------

Knocking. Constant knocking that wouldn't go away no matter how long she ignored it. Groaning the young woman slowly rolled out of her bed and tugged a robe over her simple silk nighty. She was going to skin the person alive. It was still dark outside! Who the hell was this crazy!

Growling under her breath, Callie opened the heavy door, still half asleep. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were red from being woken so rapidly. "What the hell do you want? Who the fuck are you? Get the fuck off my land before I call the cops. " Moving to slam the door in her face, the other girl was hugging her tightly.

Eyes were wide as she stood awkwardly, on hand holding the door handle, the other trapped by her side. "It's Callie. Who the hell are you. Get off of me." Trying to shove the girl off, Callie frowned deeply and closed her eyes, begging for the nightmare to end.

"I'm sorry, you have the wrong house, I'm not a sire. Get out of my house this minute before I throw you out and call the cops!" At her words about a "sir", Callie rose her eyebrow, "What fucking uniform? Who the fuck is 'sir Shane'? No, no get out of my house!"

Walking over, she grabbed the girl's free hand and dragged her back towards the door, "Out, get out! If you don't I will scream until I wake the whole town and the cops will be here in minutes. Now. Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Fucking. House. You. Crazy. Bitch."

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

The girl paused in the door looking something like a well kicked puppy. Then she pursed those insufferably pouty lips and clicked her tongue.

“oh no no no. That won’t do at all, Callie. First off you must not have read the contract well. This is not yours just yet. Not for a year yet, and second off, such words will see you punished quite severely. You must learn to speak like a proper young woman or Sir Shane will punish you.”

A slight grin, and a hint of a giggle flitted from her lips. She wrapped it all up with a conspirator’s whisper.

“Though being punished is not without a hint of fun in itself.”

“Now we do not have much time to get you ready. You will want to look your best for him!”

The young bouncy girl was hard to shut down, she was just one of those individuals whose spirit just was consistently buoyant. If she could be bouncing down the halls while making sure that Callie was following she certainly would have done so. As it was she was gasping in awe at every twist in turn while half pushing Callie toward her bedroom.

“Now which one is yours? He said he was going to let you keep it, if you were well behaved. Oh! Do you have a shower in there? You will want to make sure that everything is perfect. Oh this is going to be so much fun!”

 

[sexymistress]

Eyes narrowed at the preppy and overly awake girl who was freely wandering about her house. "Do not click your tongue at me, I said get out. I don't know why the fuck you're here or what kind of drug you are on, but I want you out now."

Eyes rolled as the young woman kept talking about the contact and owning the house, "NO, I own this house. It's mine, I had it signed back over yesterday, I know what the fuck I own and don't own. You're mistaken and I'm afraid that I'm not changing the way I speak because some little bitch tells me to at four in the fucking morning."

Arms stayed firmly crossed as she glared at the silly behaviour of the adult standing before her. Slamming the door, Callie stumbled along as she was shoved. "Stop fucking touching me you little pansy! Let go of me or so help me--I am keeping my room and you're getting the fuck out of my house before I call the cops. You are pushing the limits. I'm not telling you where anything is, I'm going back to fucking bed. STOP TOUCHING ME."

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

It seemed that she finally managed to dampen the young perky girl’s spirits. She looked at Callie with a pout that was obnoxiously pretty. The young girl was not wearing hardly a bit of make up, was not particularly put together yet but she still managed to be beautiful. She was the sort of girl who most women hated. One of those who required almost no work to catch the eye, and when she did really put work into it, she stopped traffic. Now she was turning those charms on Callie, the pout was in full swing.

With a soft sigh she came to a complete halt. She fixed Callie with a serious look and dug into her jean pocket. She pulled out a cell phone and held it out for Callie, nodding to it. “Feel free to call the police, sis. When they get here I will show them a copy of the contract you signed yesterday, and then you can have them tell you what I have already told you. You signed a contract stating that you would own the house free and clear after a year of working for Mr. McDonald. If he signs off after a year you get the house, if he does not then you and the house belong to him. You really should have read what you signed.”

She held out the phone, her gaze was confident and firm with a touch of sadness glittering in her gaze. When she spoke again her voice was soft. “I am just trying to help you. He is not a hard man to work for as long as you follow a few rules. He is actually very generous, and kind. I have never been happier than I am serving him. If you do not tow the line however, this is going to be a long year for you sis. The choice is yours.”