It was supposed to be an ordinary evening—just a casual invite from my boss to join him by his pool for some drinks and a chat about work. I had been with the company for years, rising through the ranks with hard work and dedication. We’d had plenty of professional conversations before, and I assumed that’s all this would be. A chance to discuss my future at the company and possibly hear about some new opportunities.

His home was everything you would expect from a man at the top of his game—sleek, modern, and effortlessly elegant. The pool shimmered under the soft glow of the garden lights, and the atmosphere felt relaxed, almost welcoming. I felt comfortable as I accepted the glass of wine he handed me, chatting about the usual topics—my projects, his expectations, where I saw myself in the future.

But then, without warning, his tone shifted. He set down his drink, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach churn.

“You’ve been doing great work,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “I think you’re ready for the next level.”

I smiled, grateful for the acknowledgment. “That means a lot,” I replied, genuinely pleased with the praise.

But then came the words that completely took me off guard.

“Tell you what,” he said, leaning in just a little closer. “I’ll ensure you get that promotion, the one you’ve been working so hard for.”

My heart raced as I met his eyes, unsure where this conversation was going. He wasn’t done.

“I only have one condition,” he added, his voice dropping even further, almost a whisper. “One night with me, and it’s yours.”

The world seemed to stop. My mind went blank, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him, unable to comprehend what I had just heard.

I knew my marriage was something he was fully aware of. He’d met my husband before at company events. He knew my commitment to my family. Yet, standing there by his pool, he acted as if that didn’t matter. It was as if my loyalty, my vows, my marriage were nothing more than irrelevant details in a transaction.

I felt a rush of emotions—anger, disbelief, betrayal—and an unsettling mix of confusion. How could he ask something like this? How could he think that I would consider such an offer?

I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. He waited, his eyes steady, watching me closely as if this moment were a mere negotiation. He didn’t seem to care about the moral implications, about the commitment I had made to my husband, or about the trust I had built within the company. All he wanted was my answer.

I took a step back, the weight of the situation sinking in. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath me. The career I had worked so hard to build was now tied to something I never thought I’d face.

The pool, the warm night air, the expensive surroundings—all of it felt suffocating now. How could something so personal, something so intimate, be reduced to a business transaction?

He leaned forward slightly, sensing my hesitation, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer him. Not like this.