Red Hourglass

by Scarlet Risqué

  I didn’t want to end up back on the streets, but I couldn’t go on serving two masters. I’ll have to make a decision.

  * * *

  “Roses! I don’t have to ask who these are from,” said Mimi in her high-pitched voice as she bent over and sniffed the flowers. “Smells like the countryside. What’s the occasion?”

  “It’s my birthday.”

  “Oh yeah! Happy birthday!” Mimi winked at me. “In that case, lunch is on me. Let’s go.”

  “Just a sec,” I said. I slipped the white envelope into a drawer and grabbed my bag from under the desk. “Ready.”

  We took the elevator down to the lobby and walked over to Café Ristretto.

  “Scar, grab that table.” Mimi pointed to table in the corner of the patio. “I’ll go inside and get lunch. What do you want?”

  “Coffee and a bagel with cream cheese.”

  “Is that it? Don’t you want a treat for your birthday? A piece of cake? A muffin? Something sweet?”

  “No. I’m not in the mood for anything sweet.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

  I took out my phone and looked at the calendar. Everything will be different this time next week. What am I going to do?

  “How are things with Conan?” Mimi asked as she sat down with our lunch. “Do you still have that situation under control?”

  “I think so. I’m just working a job, like you said.” I took a bite of my bagel. “I haven’t spent much time with him recently. He’s been really busy getting ready for the Zhong Yuan meeting next week.”

  “Miller too,” said Mimi, biting into the sandwich that was almost as big as her face. “I’m so over this assignment. I can’t wait to get out of Wilmar … they’re such bloodsuckers!”

  “Yeah, it won’t be long now.” My appetite disappeared and I picked at the edges of my bagel. “Do you think we’ll be able to stop the merger?”

  “Of course we will. I can’t wait to get on to the next mission. I hope it’ll be more fun.”

  “Have you ever thought about getting a normal job?”

  “What can we do besides work for the White Queen?” Mimi took another bite of her sandwich. “Our identities aren’t real, neither are our qualifications. We’re only trained for undercover work.”

  “Yeah, but we are educated, and we have real secretary experience now from the bloodsuckers,” I said. “I guess I was just thinking about what we would do if something ever happened to the White Queen … and we had to get real jobs. But you’re right. We’re agents and that’s that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure Vanus is going to take over someday anyway. At least I hope she would. I like living a double life, it’s fun playing with people. I wouldn’t trade it for a normal, boring life. I can’t imagine working a nine-to-five job in an office just to pay a mortgage for the rest of my life.”

  “Yeah, I guess that’s out of the question.” I sipped my coffee. “But at least we’d have our freedom.”

  “Scar, you worry too much. The White Queen will never abandon us. She’s not like our parents. My parents left me in a brothel when I was sixteen. I was put into this tiny pink room and sold by the hour. I only escaped because I begged one of the johns to sneak me out when he was done. I’d been wandering the streets for days … in a skimpy dress … when the White Queen found me. She saved me … and you too. She made us who we are.”

  “Mimi, I never knew. I’m sorry.” What else don’t I know about her?

  “Thanks, but I’m over it now. It took me a long time to accept that my parents sold me into prostitution. They never valued me as their child. The point is that if you find your mother you may not like what you find. I think you’d be better off letting it go. She’s probably not even in New York … and she could be dead.”

  “I know, but I still want to know what happened to her. I’m prepared to accept reality … whether she’s alive or dead.” I looked at the half-eaten bagel on my plate. Meals will be hard to come by if I end up homeless again. I finished the bagel and drank the rest of my coffee.

  “Okay, it’s up to you, but dwelling on the past is no use. Let’s go back to the office,” said Mimi, shoving the rest of her sandwich in her tiny mouth.

  * * *

  I took a cab home with my vase of roses. I ran upstairs and dug through my files, looking for the passport.

  I found the envelope Vanus gave me at the start of the mission and dumped everything out onto the floor. I kneeled down and scattered the papers until I found the passport. I opened it to the page with my picture. If only I really were this young woman called Scarlet Walters. I examined the passport. It seemed real. I guess I’ll chance using it to go to Canada.

  The White Queen gave me my new identity, and her name was also on my bank account. She could take away my new life as easily as she’d given it. If I go to the police they’ll just send me back to her. I looked at the roses. I want to run away with him, but there’s no escaping her. What am I going to do?

  Long Weekend

  Conan told me to be ready by seven on Thursday morning. I set the alarm for six, but I woke up at five. I took a shower, got dressed, and ate breakfast.

  My bag was already packed. I tidied the apartment and double-checked everything. Have I packed everything I need? Check. Did I put out enough food and water for Milky? Check. Is the stove off? Check. Are the windows locked? Check. Do I have my ID? Check. Do I have my passport? Check. Will it work? God knows.

  I began pacing the floor and Milky followed me. I picked her up and gave her a kiss. “I’ll miss you my sweet little thing. I won’t be gone too long. Don’t hate me,” I said as I put her down in her favorite spot on the sofa.

  If the White Queen finds out that I’ve left the country, who knows what she’ll do to me. I opened the kitchen window just enough for Milky to escape in case I didn’t make it back.

  Conan pulled up outside at eight on the dot. I grabbed my suitcase, locked the door, and ran downstairs. Autumn leaves caught in little eddies swirled around me as I stepped outside.

  Conan was wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt and black jeans. He looked more handsome than ever.

  “Hello darling,” he said, opening the door and taking my bag. “I’ll just put this in the trunk.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I hope you’re ready for the long ride,” said Conan as he sat into the driver’s seat.

  “How long will it take?” I asked as I buckled my seat belt.

  “About seven hours. Don’t worry, we’ll stop for lunch.”

  * * *

  As we drove over the Rainbow Bridge into Canada, I pushed the button to lower the window. Feeling the power of this natural wonder—the roar of the water cascading down, the wind—made me feel free. I took a deep breath and it was as though the falls washed away all my restraints.

  I handed Conan my documents before we got to the border. I braced myself for trouble as the officer looked in the car and checked everything, but it was pretty fast and easy. I guess turning up at the Canadian border in a BMW has its advantages.

  I looked at Conan. He was beaming and I leaned over and hugged him. I wished we could stay in Canada forever.

  We turned into a tree-lined driveway and drove a quarter mile. The car stopped in front of a charming old cottage that had been converted into a boutique hotel. It was called A Night to Remember.

  “We’ll just check in and drop off our bags, then we have a few wineries to visit,” said Conan as he got out.

  The cottage had an old-world charm and an eclectic interior. The decor was mostly Balinese, including a few stuffed parrots, but there was a stunning antique red kimono hanging on the wall going up the beautiful staircase.

  The porter took our bags to the room and we spent the rest of the day touring wineries. We had dinner at a seafood restaurant before going back to the cottage.

  * * *

  Our room was a perfect romantic hideaway with thick Persian rugs, a fireplace, two armchair
s, and a four-poster bed. There was even a huge Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.

  I heard a muffled ringing from inside my small suitcase.

  “Conan, I’m just going to change.” I grabbed my suitcase and went into the bathroom.

  “Take your time.”

  “Thanks,” I said as I closed the door.

  “Hello.”

  “What are you doing in Canada?!” Vanus shrieked. “You should’ve told us before you left! Why haven’t you answered your phone all day?!”

  “I’m sorry Vanus. I packed my phone in my suitcase and forgot about it,” I lied. “I didn’t think I had to tell you. Conan asked me to come here for the weekend and it would’ve been fishy if I’d said no. The merger’s so close and I didn’t want him to suspect anything. We’ll be back in New York Sunday night. How do you know where I am?”

  “What?! I gave you that phone! I always know where you are … or at least where your phone is!”

  “It won’t happen again.”

  “It better not! Make sure you tell us before you go on any more trips! We didn’t know if you’d been kidnapped or run away!” Vanus hung up.

  I knew the White Queen must’ve been furious. Vanus wouldn’t have screamed at me like that otherwise. A beautiful future with Conan was on the other side of the bathroom door, but I feared that I’d never get away from my past.

  I washed my face and changed into a pink baby doll nightie. I went back into the room and curled up on the bed next to Conan.

  “You look lovely as always,” he said.

  “Thanks. It’s nice being in the country. I’m glad we’re here.”

  “Me too. Things are going to be hectic when we get back.”

  * * *

  I awoke to the sound of birds chirping and slowly opened my eyes. The morning light was glimmering off Conan’s bare skin.

  I wriggled out from under the covers and got my passport. I turned to the page with my photo and studied the facts of my current identity. I didn’t want to go back to the States. I wanted to rip up the passport and be free of the mask I had to put on each day. I wanted to be myself with Conan.

  I finally understood why Raven chose to risk her life to be with her lover. She was such a ravishing beauty that she was hated by a lot of agents. I’d always thought that she wanted to leave because she felt ostracized, but now I understood that she was courageous—she was running to her love, not away from the petty jealousy that made her life so hard sometimes.

  It occurred to me that Raven could’ve cut off her own tattoo and given it to Misty to bring to the White Queen. Maybe the whole scene in the cafeteria was a ruse. Maybe Raven was still alive. I traced the hourglass tattoo on my back. Will I be able to trade my tattoo for my freedom? There were so many questions without answers.

  Conan stirred in bed. I put my passport back in my bag and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash up.

  Conan was sitting on the edge of the bed, the blankets barely covering him. He looked like a Roman god who’d stepped out of a painting.

  “Scarlet, come sit beside me.”

  I sat down and reached out to touch his chest. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world sitting next to this living god.

  “I have a surprise for you,” said Conan.

  “What is it?”

  “Here.” He took a seashell box out from under the blankets and opened it in the sunlight. There was a heart-shaped red ruby ring inside.

  “Will you marry me?”

  I covered my mouth in shock as I stared at the sparkling ring. Will I risk it all for Conan’s love?

  “Yes … yes … yes …”

  “Scarlet, this ring symbolizes my love for you.” He lifted my dainty left hand and kissed it before putting the ring on my finger. “When you look at it, I want you to know that I’m here for you.”

  In that moment, I was pure living joy, bliss. I felt like anything was possible as long as we were together. Conan claimed me as his own. I would be the angel at the side of this sublime creature. This must be divine love … divine happiness … transcendence.

  “Do you like it?” He smiled and squeezed my hand.

  “I love it!” I held my hand out to admire the gorgeous red ruby.

  “I saw it months ago. I kept going back to look at it.”

  “How long have you had it?”

  “A few months. I took it everywhere, waiting for the perfect moment.”

  “Oh Conan.” I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him all over his face. “You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world!”

  Our bodies entwined in the warm glow of the morning sun, hungering for each other. His tongue pushed between my lips and into my mouth. He twirled it round and round like a cyclone as I breathed his breath. He held me to his chest with his strong arms and squeezed my legs with his muscular thighs. I felt his heart beating against me as his burning erection pressed into my stomach. He slipped his hardness inside, and we made gentle love staring into each other’s eyes.

  “I’d love to stay here all day,” said Conan, “but I’m famished.”

  “Me too.”

  We took a shower and went downstairs for breakfast. The dining room was lovely and colorful. The tables were set with china and golden cutlery with bone handles. We had organic scrambled eggs and sausage, and we finished the meal off with fresh coffee.

  “I’m so happy you said yes.” Conan smiled.

  “I’m so happy you asked.” I looked at my ring. No one had ever given me anything so beautiful … or made me feel like Conan did.

  “Cream?” he asked as he lifted the silver creamer.

  “Thank you.” I moved my cup in his direction. The cream swirled in my coffee until the two liquids merged into each other, becoming golden brown. I understand now. Conan brings new colors, new wonders, into my life. He shines the light of love where only darkness has lived for so long. I reached under the table and took his hand.

  We explored the cottage grounds after breakfast, walking hand in hand in reverie as we enjoyed nature and each other. I’d never felt so relaxed, so happy. Can this be real?

  * * *

  It seemed like evening descended in a few short minutes, but we’d been walking around for hours. We ate a quick dinner before returning to our room.

  “Have you ever thought of running away?” I asked as I flopped on the bed.

  “From what?”

  “The rat race. The clockwork routine of a workaday life.”

  “No,” Conan replied matter-of-factly in a deep voice. “Without work, what would we do?”

  “I don’t know. Live in a cottage and spend the rest of our lives enjoying days like today.”

  “I think I’d run out of things to do if I lived in the country.”

  “Okay, have you ever thought about living in a different city?”

  “Not really, but I might consider relocating to one of our other offices. Although, we are at HQ, and if I become CEO I’ll have to live in New York. What’s gotten into you?” Conan nudged me playfully. “Is the Big Apple not good enough for you anymore?”

  “I enjoy the city, but I just think it could be nice to live somewhere else … another country even.” The White Queen had many international connections, but I didn’t think even she could bribe all the world’s police forces. I just wanted to run to somewhere safe, where she couldn’t reach me. There must be someplace where the law favors justice.

  “Perhaps, but now it’s time to relax,” said Conan as he pushed me back on the bed.

  “I don’t know,” I teased him, pretending to sit up.

  “Oh no you don’t. Just close your eyes and relax,” he whispered in my ear. He rubbed me between the legs, moving his fingers in ways that corrupted me.

  “Ah.” I moaned in pleasure.

  “There you go.” He slipped his fingers in my panties. “Let all the tension in your body go.”

  “Okay,” I purred.

  “Now, just focus on my fingers,” he said as
he worked harder at the tip. “Feel them pressing into you, bringing you pleasure.”

  “Oh yes … yes,” I whimpered. “I want you inside me, please.”

  “Not tonight sweetheart,” he said as he kissed me.

  “I’m going to make you come with my fingers.” He gently slid his fingers into the vortex of my wetness.

  “Ah.” Blood was pulsating through my little girl as she throbbed in heat, clenching at his long fingers as I arched my back and grabbed the sheets.

  “There, there … go easy.” He pushed his fingers deeper and harder into me.

  He was going in and out, making me dance to his heavenly rhythm. I moaned uncontrollably as I climaxed with his strong fingers inside me before withering into a sweaty heap on the bed.

  “Good girl.” He removed his fingers from my wetness and held me around the waist.

  I was exhausted and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  * * *

  The romantic dining room was full of couples. The hostess took us to a table and suggested the mushroom and goat cheese crêpes for breakfast. The sweet melon served on the side was perfect.

  “Let’s go back to the room when you’re done with your coffee,” said Conan.

  We went to our room and fell on the bed. I loved the tightness of his solid arms around my hips and his skin next to my skin. The feeling of us wrapped in a blanket, blending together, was the sweetest feeling in the world. I felt like we were floating on a soft cloud. I drifted with him up into the sky, looking over the mad world.

  A single tear slipped down my cheek. I took a deep breath to stop the rest from pouring out. I know this is just a dream. Maybe we were lovers in a past life … maybe we can be lovers again in another life. My feelings for Conan were so strong that it was hard to breathe. I thought about being suffocated by my stepfather as he pressed his thumbs into my neck and squeezed my windpipe.

  I’d lost myself completely in my latest false identity—the persona I needed to be to get another job done for the White Queen. I was no longer Mary, or even Janet. Conan fell in love with an illusion … and I fell in love with him. I’d lost control. He held all the cards now. I was the loser in this game of love. I was in his bed, in his room. I was trapped in the gray wolf’s territory.