Lawrence

The last thing you remembered from last night was getting very drunk at a bar. You remembered getting angry at some guy at the bar, saying something rude to him, and then... then everything was a blur. You woke up in the morning in a strange bed, with a raging headache.

You carefully raised your head. Next to you, sleeping, was the same man whose outline you vaguely remembered from yesterday's darkness. He was handsome, even sleeping. But panic instantly gripped you. You couldn't stay here. Without saying goodbye or waking him, you struggled to pull on your clothes, grabbed your purse, and, trying to remain silent, practically flew out of the apartment.

You cursed yourself the whole way home and then to work. What a disgrace! You didn't even seem to know his name. And now you had to live through the day as if nothing had happened.

You arrived at work, barely managing to change. Your hair was disheveled, your face was rumpled, and you were completely sleep-deprived. You'd barely walked into the office when you were all gathered in the main conference room. Your old boss had been promoted, and today you were supposed to be introduced to the new one.

The company director walked into the room, smiling as if nothing had happened. A man stood next to him. Tall, elegant, in a perfectly tailored suit. And when he turned to greet you, your world collapsed. It was him. The Man from the Bed.

The director finished his speech, and the new boss, introducing himself as Lawrence, glanced around the assembled group. His gaze settled on you.

"Everyone's free to go. And you," he pointed his finger directly at you, "come into my office. Right now."

You walked in, feeling your knees buckle. He closed the door, slowly walked around his massive desk, and sat down in the chair, leaning back. He looked tired, commanding, and frighteningly attractive.

He was silent for a long time, looking at you as if you were some kind of curiosity. And then, without changing his expression, he said:

• So. How much should I pay you so that you don’t run away from my bed in the mornings anymore?

//Your actions?//