Betrayal (Infidelity Book 1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,79
is given one client,” Karen explained. “As you could assume, if a client is assigned to an agreement and it doesn’t work out, if we then assigned that same employee to another client and the two clients know one another, it would be easy for the second client’s confidentiality to be compromised. Therefore, we do our best to make compatible matches.
She straightened her shoulders. “I’m rarely wrong.”
“I don’t have any say in who…”
“No, Miss Collins. That would require your reviewing client’s profiles. You’ll be introduced to one client and one client only.” She pulled a three-page agreement from a folder and laid it on her desk.
The agreement was already completed with my name and today’s date.
“If you sign this agreement of intent, you’ll be agreeing to a medical examination and psychological evaluation, to be completed today. Contingent upon the results of those evaluations, by signing this agreement you also agree to a one-year relationship with the client to whom you are assigned. One year from the date you are contacted with your assignment, you and the client must mutually agree to continue the relationship or the relationship will be discontinued.
“The only exception to this rule, the only way it could be voided, is physical abuse. To date that has never happened with Infidelity. As I’ve said, we research our clients. However, I’ll give you a card with a number. If abuse is ever an issue, call the number on the card, not the local authorities. This exception makes null and void your length of contract, and removes you from our employment with financial compensation, but it does not remove you from the nondisclosure or confidentiality of Infidelity. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
She pointed to a clause on page two. “Then please initial here.”
“During the agreed-upon one year,” Karen went on, “you agree to keep yourself monogamous with your client. That means that you will not date or have relations with another man or woman. Doing so could create a media scandal for your client. We’ve never had bad press and we don’t want to start. With some clients, the introduction of a significant other is best handled slowly. With others it is done on a faster schedule, like ripping off a Band-Aid. We have a public relations department that helps each client with his or her own unique situation.”
“Her?” I asked.
“Yes, our clients are both men and women. Our employees are both men and women. Do you agree to being faithful to your client for one year?”
I began to wonder how many of the people I’d met or people I’d seen on television or in social media were in fact clients and employees of Infidelity.
“Miss Collins?”
“Yes, I agree.”
“Are you currently in a relationship?”
While I should have thought of Bryce and the announcement Alton had planned to make at my party, my mind went to Nox.
“No, I’m not.”
She pointed again. “Please initial here.”
As I read through the agreement, the increased moisture of my palms made the pen in my grasp more difficult to hold. Nevertheless, I did hold it and I did initial. When we came to the final line, the one asking for my full legal signature, I took a deep breath and penned: Alexandria Collins. After all, if I were to own this decision, Alexandria would be coming along for the ride.
A few hours later, Karen escorted me down the secret elevator.
“Alex, I’ll be in touch with you. I know that your classes will be beginning shortly. This process takes time. We won’t have the results of your evaluations for at least a few days. After that, the pairing, while not rocket science, is an arduous procedure. Infidelity’s success is contingent upon a successful coupling. It could take weeks or longer if the perfect client has yet to join our organization. Please do not contact me. I’ll contact you. Once we learn the results of your evaluations, I’ll inform you of your employment status. Other than your reimbursement for your time today, financial compensation begins then. The five thousand dollars for today will appear in your bank account in the next three to five business days. We thank you for your time.”
“Thank you, Ms. Flores.”
We shook hands as she left me alone to enter the main elevator. With each floor of my descent, I wavered in my resolve. Twenty-four hours ago I’d never heard of Infidelity. Forty-eight hours ago I was walking away from Montague Manor. I straightened my shoulders. Alton and Adelaide would never know how I’d ensured my education.