It was supposed to be a casual evening—just a friendly invitation from my boss to join him by his pool for drinks and conversation. He often entertained employees outside the office, and I thought nothing of it. Maybe he wanted to discuss work, maybe he just enjoyed playing the generous host. Either way, I accepted, unaware of the shocking proposition that awaited me.

The evening started off normal enough. The setting was breathtaking—his backyard was like something out of a luxury magazine, with glowing lanterns, a sleek infinity pool, and soft music playing in the background. He poured me a glass of wine, and we talked about work, the company, my recent projects. I thought he was just being a supportive mentor.

Then, the conversation took a turn. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a smoother, more intimate tone. “You’ve got a lot of potential,” he said, watching me closely. “And I think it’s time you got the recognition you deserve.”

I smiled, feeling proud for a moment. “That means a lot coming from you,” I replied.

But then he said it.

“One night with me,” he murmured, taking a sip of his drink. “And I’ll make sure you get that promotion.”

I froze, my mind struggling to process what I had just heard. At first, I thought it was a joke—some horribly inappropriate attempt at humor. But the look in his eyes told me he was serious.

“You know I’m married,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shrugged, completely unfazed. “I do,” he admitted. “But that doesn’t have to matter. This is business.”

A sick feeling settled in my stomach. I had worked hard to get where I was, believing my talent and effort would be enough. But in his eyes, my success had a price—and he was the one setting it.

I gripped my glass tightly, my pulse pounding in my ears. The ball was in my court now, and I had a choice to make.