Negotiation

The smirk on Rosa’s face told me she had been planning this moment the entire time. She toyed with my spare clothes like they were the most tantalizing prize in the world, dangling them just out of reach as if to remind me how utterly powerless I was. I couldn’t hide the tension in my voice as I asked, “Alright, Rosa—what do you want?”

She tilted her head, pretending to think, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, it’s quite simple, really,” she said, stepping closer. “I have a research project—biomechanics, to be specific. You’ve heard of it, yes?”

I blinked, unsure where this was going but already dreading the answer. “Biomechanics?”

She nodded, circling me slowly, her heels clicking against the floor. “Every department has been raving about your… assets lately. And as luck would have it, the dean’s email hinted you’ve offered your unparalleled generosity to interdepartmental collaborations.” Her voice was thick with implication, each word dripping with amusement.

My stomach tightened. “And I assume you’d like me to... collaborate?”

She grinned, stopping directly in front of me, her eyes flicking briefly down before returning to my face. “Oh, I would like much more than that, Avery. But yes, I want you to pick my project.”

I frowned, unsure whether to interrogate her or just let this humiliation play itself out faster. “What kind of collaboration are we talking about?”

“Oh, we’ll get to specifics later,” she said breezily, waving her hand like discussing it now would ruin the fun. “Consider it a surprise. But if you agree…” She dangled my pants mockingly. “I might be persuaded to return some of your clothing.”

I couldn’t decide what was worse: her phrasing or the electric charge in her voice. Either way, I was cornered. I sighed through gritted teeth, knowing my options were practically nonexistent. “Deal.”

Rosa’s eyes widened briefly, clearly surprised by how quickly I caved. Then, like clockwork, her grin returned, sharper and more smug than ever. “Good boy,” she purred, her tone low, velvety, and utterly dripping with condescension.

I groaned internally, biting back the urge to snap at her. The sooner this nightmare ended, the better.

With a deliberate slowness that could only be described as theatrical, Rosa reached into the bag at her feet. There was a palpable sense of suspense in her movements, the kind that made my pulse race. My heart leapt at the thought that she’d actually give me my clothes back—that maybe, just maybe, this humiliation was finally over.

She pulled out... a small hand towel.

I stared. Blinked. My mind struggled to process the absurdity of the situation as she held up the diminutive scrap of fabric with all the pomp of someone presenting a crown jewel.

“This... is it?” I managed to choke out, my voice cracking as I gaped at her.

“What? Were you expecting more?” she teased, her grin somehow widening. “You should be grateful. I was going to give you... a sock.”

“It’s barely a towel!” I blurted, the words escaping me before I could stop them. My voice rose in pitch, disbelief coloring every syllable.

Rosa chuckled softly, clearly relishing every inch of my despair. “Take it... or leave it,” she said smoothly, dangling the towel just out of reach, her grin practically glowing with malice.

I stared at her, my pride waging war against my utter desperation. Finally, with the heaviest sigh of my life, I snatched the towel from her hand, glaring as I wrapped it around my waist. It barely fit, the threadbare material riding so high on my thighs it might as well not have been there at all. My face burned with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

“Oh, you wear it well,” Rosa teased, her tone almost admiring. “Very... flattering.”

“Are we done here?” I snapped, adjusting the minuscule piece of fabric for the tenth time.

“Almost.” She reached for my pants again, holding them up like a trophy. “I’ll take these, though. Consider them collateral. When you’re ready to discuss my terms in detail, you’ll know where to find me.”

“What?!” I took a step forward, but Rosa wagged a finger at me.

“Tsk, tsk, Avery. A deal’s a deal. I gave you some clothing, didn’t I?” She winked, then turned on her heel with an infuriatingly graceful stride. “See you soon, Professor Finn.”

Before I could respond, she disappeared out the door, leaving me alone in my office, armed with nothing but the inadequate towel. I stared after her, my frustration boiling over. How the hell was I supposed to make it home like this?

I groaned, running a hand down my face. This day just kept getting worse. And now you need to get home, armed with nothing but the tiniest of towels.