by Rhea Wilde
“Oh my gosh! Mr. Livingston—”
“It’s all right. Angel, if you wanted me out of my clothes, you know that all you had to do was ask.”
He winked at me as he removed his shirt and tie after throwing his jacket to the side. His body was just as hard and defined as it always was. It stirred some kind of arousal inside of me but not one that I could act on until he told me to do so. But lately, he hadn’t told me to do anything.
“Mr. Livingston, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“You haven’t slept with me in a few days. Is there something wrong?”
“Why do you assume that something is wrong because we haven’t slept together?”
“I don’t know. Most men usually take advantage of me.”
“I’m not most men, Angel.”
“Yes, you’ve made that very clear. But I assumed that you would at least want to have some intimacy with me after our initial encounters. Was I not up to your standard?”
Thomas stared at me without responding. His deep green eyes were locked upon me and I swallowed nervously, wondering if I had said the wrong thing.
“My body is yours,” I said. “Those are the words you asked me to say.”
“Yes, I did ask that of you.”
“Then what changed? Am I out of line for asking, Mr. Livingston?”
He scoffed then took a sip of his wine. His eyes shifted to the side as he looked into the burning flames near us.
“Are there other women?” I asked him.
“There were. But not anymore.”
“And what makes me so different?”
I watched the reflection of the flames in the pupils of his eyes. The fire danced in the green like some kind of organic work of art. I could see the thought in his eyes as he tried to figure out what to say to me.
“I think you’re a little tired of hearing about Gabrielle at this point,” he said.
“Marcus said that she was an excellent dancer. What could I possibly have to offer that she couldn’t?”
“...I met Gabrielle at one of the many social functions you attended. She wasn’t a great dancer but she immediately caught my eye. I asked her if she wanted to learn and she did. She went through the motions and she was by my side. But she left.”
“Why did she leave?”
“Some things are just not meant to be, Angel.”
He turned to me and I felt uncomfortable as I looked into his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Livingston. I didn’t mean to pry—”
“Honesty, Angel. That’s what makes you different from everyone else. That was clear to me when I saw you walking along the street the night I met you. And over the past ten days, I’ve seen something in your eyes that tells me nothing but the truth. You want my money. I want your body. Every other woman I’ve met brings along with her a bunch of needless complications that I haven’t been able to figure out even with all of the money in the world.”
“You don’t have all of the money in the world.”
“I’m trying to get it, Angel. I’m trying real hard.”
Thomas turned his attention back to the empty void of the flames as he took another sip of his wine. Even though he told me that I was being honest with him, it still felt like I was holding something back from him. It was apparent to both of us that the reason I was here was because of the money. So why was I so conflicted? Why was I even considering not taking Anthony’s offer? Why were Thomas’s feelings suddenly a consideration?
The silence in the suite didn’t offer me any relief from what I was feeling inside of me. I didn’t want to spend my last night with him like this. I didn’t want to say goodbye by doing nothing at all.
“It’s our last night together,” I said. “Will you be taking advantage of this opportunity, Mr. Livingston?”
I stood up in front of him, blocking his vision from the fireplace he seemed so captivated with. I closed my eyes and started to move my body in front of him. There was no music and no sound. There was only a rhythm beating inside of my head that motivated me to try and get Thomas to do something to me.
I had never tried to seduce a man just for the sake of having him. And that’s when I realized it. This wasn’t just about the money. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I was falling for him. It was convenient that he happened to be the richest man I’d ever met. But this wasn’t an attempt to try to get deeper into his pockets. He was different. And it stirred feelings inside of me that made me desperate for him to want me.
When I opened my eyes, I could no longer dance so seductively. I couldn’t look at him to try and entice him like so many men before. I didn’t want him to have his way with me so that he could get his money’s worth. I just wanted him.
Thomas looked up at me and took one of my hands. Slowly, he pulled me down and I took a seat next to him.
“Thank you for your services, Angel,” he whispered to me. “But I won’t be requiring them from you any longer.”
I felt my insides wringing inside of me. I did my best to hide the emotion from appearing on my face. I didn’t know if he could sense my disappointment but I wasn’t even sure if he even cared at this point. Just as intrigued as I was by Thomas, he was just as confusing. When I first met him, we were having sex in the back of his limo. After less than two weeks, we were doing nothing but laying quietly next to one another.
With my contract now seemingly fulfilled, this was how it would end. I could think of nothing else to do to try and convince Thomas to sleep with me. Not even on our last night together. I gave up. Unable to think of anything else to do or say, I simply nodded to him and leaned next to him, and enjoyed the peace of the penthouse suite I would now have to leave.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Livingston.”
Chapter 20
I woke up early the next morning. It took me a few seconds to stop myself from getting ready for a dance lesson. Now it was time to move out. I enjoyed breakfast and the view from above one last time. I stuffed the last payment Thomas had given to me into the briefcase. I wondered how I would remove my wardrobe from Thomas’s closet when there was a knock at the door.
“Good morning, Miss Angel,” William greeted me. “Mr. Livingston informed me that you will be leaving us.”
“Yes, that’s right, William. I’m having a little trouble with my things and—”
“Mr. Livingston provided you with some luggage as a going away present. If you’d like I could assist you and—”
“No thanks, William. Just give me a moment and I’ll be on my way.”
I took the luggage set Mr. Livingston had provided me with and proceeded to pack my things. I couldn’t deny how heartbroken I was. There were so many things running through my head. I didn’t know what it was exactly but I didn’t want to leave. I was so accustomed to everything but I couldn’t figure out what exactly I was going to miss most. I took one last view of the morning skyline through the window and sighed. I looked at my apartment in the distance in the slums and whispered to myself.
“Time to go home.”
William helped me with my things and we were on our way back to the apartment where my real life was waiting for me. Knowing that I didn’t need to worry about rent for a long time certainly made it easier to return. I didn’t have much time to savor riding around in the limo. Before I knew it, we were back in the unsavory part of the slums that seemed so distant.
I stood in front of my apartment building as William helped me with my things.
“Well, I suppose this is goodbye,” I said.
“It was my pleasure, Miss Angel.”
I looked up at the calmness in his face and smiled. I leaned into him and hugged him, wrapping my arms around him tightly. I had to do my best to stop my emotions from pouring out of me but even then, my eyes started to well up. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Thomas. This would be the closest I would get.
William’s limo drove away and I felt the e
yes of everybody fall upon me as I worked my way to my apartment. Immediately there to greet me was my landlord, who I could finally pay the rent I owed him.
My apartment was different from how I remembered it. After living in a penthouse suite, it was a lot more cramped than I remembered. I didn’t even think there was room for me to fit my clothes in the closet. But it was an adjustment that I was going to have to make. At least, for the time being.
The business card Anthony had given me was burning a hole in my purse. I contemplated when would be the right time to contact him and I hesitated even though he told me that he would always be available. But something else was holding me back. I was still thinking about Thomas.
I sat in my apartment for the rest of the day. Pizza delivery wasn’t as glamorous as room service but it satisfied me just the same. Only a few hours back in my apartment and already I felt like my body was letting go.
Anthony’s business card was sitting on a table next to my cell phone. Night had finally come. There was no need for me to go back out onto the street. There was also no party for me to attend. I laughed as I thought about how my talents on the dance floor were now useless. But I only did it because deep down, I missed doing something that I enjoyed.
There was no point in waiting any longer. I picked my phone up and slowly dialed the number. I hesitated for a second before putting the call through. I swallowed as I placed the phone against my ear and waited for a response.
Someone picked up but there was only silence. I swallowed, nervously waiting for a voice.
“Yes?”
“Anthony. Anthony Westgate.”
“Can I help you?”
“T-this is Angel.”
“Angel…” he paused before he continued. “What can I do for you?”
“Your offer… I accept.”
“Very good, Angel. I’ll make arrangements with my driver and have him pick you up.”
“That won’t be necessary. Just tell me where you are and I’ll be there.”
I was slightly embarrassed about another limo coming out to this part of the city. Taking a taxi to wherever he was would spare me the shame of revealing where I actually lived at.
“Very well, Angel. You know where to find me.”
“I do?”
“I’m at The Exquisite, Angel. Where else would I be?”
“Of course. I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.”
“Take your time. Alina and I will be waiting.”
The call ended and I slowly lowered the phone from my face. It was time to get ready for the last two clients I would ever serve.
I wasn’t sure what they were expecting from me. It was clear that I was more than just Thomas’s personal assistant, even though it wasn’t stated explicitly. But that was the keyword. How explicit they intended on being tonight, I wasn’t sure. This was an opportunity that I couldn’t mess up.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror at what I had become. I had been doing this for so long. At least, that’s what it felt like. I never imagined I would be given a bundle of cash and the chance to finally walk away. The money Thomas had given me would last a long time but not forever like the money Anthony was proposing.
There was something off about the woman I saw in the mirror. Gone was the innocent young girl just trying to make a living. In her place was a woman, an ordinary brunette, that was apparently more special and luckier than other average women like me. I finally noticed what was different. I was changed because of my experience with Thomas. I had gotten the opportunity to meet a wonderful man and make more money than ever. I had learned to do something I enjoyed. It was a quiet confidence. An enthusiastic happiness that was resonating from me.
As I applied my makeup, I started thinking about my time with Thomas. It was simple. I missed him. After spending ten days with him, he was more than just a client. But I couldn’t let my feelings complicate things. Not when I had so much to focus on tonight.
I put on a black dress that Thomas’s money had purchased. Knowing that I would never be able to look like I was worth a million dollars, I finally took a cab back to The Exquisite for my date with destiny.
It was strange not pulling up to the extravagant hotel in a limo. But as soon as I exited, it didn’t take long for the hotel staff to treat me like some kind of royalty. They must have been informed of my arrival and they were familiar with me after spending so much time with Thomas.
“Mr. Westgate is awaiting you in his suite,” the concierge said to me. “Shall I take you to him?”
I nodded my head and was quickly escorted through the hotel to Anthony’s suite. We took the elevator. It was in the exact same direction as Thomas’s. The only difference is that it stopped one floor short. When we got to the door, the concierge left me and I was standing there alone. I rang the doorbell of the suite and anxiously waited for someone to answer. The door moved open and standing there was the familiar beautiful redhead.
“Hello, Angel.”
Alina winked at me as she stood there in a stunning red number. I was so used to seeing her in such elegant dresses. Tonight, she was wearing a red minidress that accentuated her body from head to toe.
“Please, come in. Anthony and I are glad you could make it.”
“Of course.”
I nodded my head as I stepped into their suite. It was just as excessive as Thomas’s but not exactly the same. Thomas’s suite had a warmth to it that I couldn’t describe. In here, the wood panels on the walls and floors had a darker finish. There was no fireplace and the lights seemed dim. Even the view didn’t look the same, as if we were on a completely different side of the building.
I watched as Alina made her way to the bar. Then I turned and noticed Anthony walk into the room.
“Angel. I’m very excited to see you.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
I nodded my head and Anthony started to laugh.
“Please, Angel,” he said. “You don’t work for Thomas anymore. Alina and I will have none of those unnecessary polite formalities. That’s not what we’re paying you for. Speaking of which…”
I noticed the suit Anthony was wearing but not what he was holding in his hand. A titanium briefcase was attached to his hand and I watched as he placed it on a nearby table.
“Just in case you’re still skeptical,” he said.
He clicked the briefcase open and it was like a radiant light emanated from inside, illuminating the room. I had never seen so much money in my life. Anthony didn’t waste any time in taking out the stacks of cash by the handful. He placed each stack on the table neatly next to one another. Just when I thought any more money couldn’t fit inside, Anthony would dig his hands back in and pull some more out. It was like the inside of the briefcase was connected to some bottomless money pit.
When he finally finished, the money on the table looked comical. It was a gigantic brick of green staring back at me.
“And you can have the briefcase as well,” he said as he winked at me.
I had to stop my mouth from hanging open at the sight of all of the cash. What I had made from my time with Thomas was barely just a sliver of the mound of money staring back at me. And this, all of this, would be mine.
“Would you like something to drink, Angel?”
Alina interrupted the trance the money had put me in. I shook my head and looked up at Anthony, still not sure of what I was seeing. Alina made her way next to me as she sipped a glass of red wine. Anthony took a step closer to me and looked me up and down.
“I have a confession to make,” he said. “I know that you were more than just Thomas’s personal assistant. Let’s not insult our intelligence. It was clear that you had some type of intimate relationship. Is it wrong to assume that, Angel?”
“No. No, it isn’t,” I said, curious as to what exactly Thomas had said to them about the nature of my work.
“For some strange reason, Thomas decided not to rehire you. I can’t figure out why. But that does
n’t matter any longer. What does matter is what you’re willing to do for Alina and I…”
He took another step closer and trailed a hand along my neck. I shuddered as I felt his fingers lightly press against my flesh.
“I’m almost embarrassed to tell you why Alina and I were so interested in hiring you,” he said. “I don’t want to offend you.”
“You won’t offend me,” I said to him.
“Then I won’t waste any time then. One night. You do whatever Alina and I ask of you. You belong to us. In the morning, you can walk away with the briefcase and the money. Do we have a deal, Angel?”
“Yes.”
“You know… I am in the mood for some kind of formality. Call me Mr. Westgate.”
“As you wish, Mr. Westgate.”
“Uh,” Alina sighed. “Taking advantage of the poor girl. Angel, pay no mind to his ego.”
“I’m sure Angel is willing to work a little harder for her payment. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes… Mr. Westgate.”
A smile came across his face as he moved in closer to me.
“I’m not like your last boss. I don’t believe in the need for excessive paperwork. So, let’s start with a kiss, Angel. Yes, that seems appropriate. We’ll seal the deal with a kiss and you can forget all about your last boss.”
Anthony’s face crept closer to mine. There was something strange about the last thing he said to me. He kept mentioning Thomas. It was understandable that he would bring up the man that introduced me to him. But the way he said it rang a bell in my head.
I was still thinking about Thomas. It was stupid. He was just a client. But I couldn’t get my mind off of him, even with so much money staring back at me. The feelings I didn’t want to believe I had were still there. And with Anthony now moving closer to me, I felt a feeling building in the pit of my stomach that made me unwilling to continue.
“What’s the matter, dear?” Alina said. “Is Anthony’s breath unpleasant? That happens more often than you would think.”
“Is something wrong, Angel?” Anthony chimed in. “You look like you’re under the weather.”