Suave

by C. A. Bell

  “You’re going to sign it? Seriously?”

  “Why not?”

  “One, because you don’t understand what you’re signing. Two, this could be a scam. And three, no one signs a contract without reading it thoroughly, or at least understanding what it says. You could be signing your organs over for all you know.”

  She shrugs. “So, don’t sign. I am.”

  The woman scribbles her signature across the bottom of the last page.

  Wanting to jump up and shake her furiously for being so stupid, Monica contains herself and instead strides over to the receptionist.

  “What is this?” Monica says, laying the papers down on her desk. “And how did you get my name and address?”

  The receptionist stands, pushing her chair back with her calves. “All will be explained.”

  Monica rests her hand on her hip. “Explain, then!”

  Heading across the spacious waiting area in her high gloss red stilettos, she smiles at Monica and says, “Come with me.”

  She follows her up a flight of stairs and along a wide corridor until she stops outside an office door and knocks.

  “Yes?” a muffled female voice calls from behind the closed door.

  “It’s me.” the receptionist says, pushing the door open.

  Still annoyed at not knowing what’s going on and eager to find out what this is all about and who this Fiona is, Monica steps forward and pokes her head around the door. Seated behind the desk is a woman looking over the top of her stylish spectacles.

  “This is Monica.”

  She nods to the blonde as she pushes the bridge of her glasses up her nose. “Ah, do come in.”

  Entering, Monica smiles, inspecting the woman. Her straight cut grey bob is immaculate and her red lips are the same shade as her spectacles. A dark rouge. She is beautiful, and it intimidates Monica.

  “Take a seat.” she says, gesturing with her hand to the chair across from hers.

  Monica sits. “Look, I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but who are you and how did you get my name and address? What’s all this about?”

  “Let’s start with a proper introduction. I’m Fiona Anderson, the person who invited you here tonight.” she says, holding her hand out for Monica’s.

  She takes it. “Monica.”

  “So, you want to know what this is all about?” Fiona asks, closing her laptop.

  Monica nods.

  “I have been given your details by a third party. I am not allowed to disclose who, but that’s how we got your name and address.”

  “Right. So, what do you want with me?”

  She takes her glasses off and cleans them with a small cloth. “I want to offer you a job.”

  “I already have a job.”

  “Yes, I know. But surely that humdrum day job is getting boring now?”

  “It pays the bills.”

  “What if I told you I could offer you a much more exciting job and more money than you are on now?”

  “I’d ask what the catch was.”

  “There’s no catch. I am just in need of a beautiful woman to take the place of an employee who has just left.”

  Monica remains silent and waits for her to go on.

  “Before I can explain the job and position, I need you to sign this.” She pulls a piece of paper out from one of the drawers and slides it across the desk towards Monica. It’s a non-disclosure agreement, binding her to keep whatever is said between these four walls private, or legal action may be taken. She debates with herself. She’s usually very good at keeping secrets, but not knowing what she will hear if she signs makes her question herself.

  Curiosity gets the better of her. “Do you have a pen?”

  Fiona smiles and hands her a biro.

  After scrawling her signature on the bottom of the page, Monica hands it back to her, along with her pen. She tucks the agreement into a folder on her desk. “Fabulous. Now, I run an agency called Femme Fatale.”

  Monica envisages women holding machetes and guns in tight black outfits. She grins to herself.

  “We are an agency that deal only with the elite. We investigate, perform surveillance and set traps of seduction for the suspected unfaithful.”

  Excitement raises Monica’s eyebrows. “Wow... this stuff actually happens? I mean, you set blokes up to see if they will cheat on their other halves?”

  “It’s not as straight forward as that. But yes, we do have cases where we are asked to set honey traps. Or as I much prefer to call them, Femme traps.”

  “Wait. Are you asking me to be a honey? Is that the job?”

  “Yes and no. There will be times when I’ll need you for traps, yes. But I’ll also need you to do surveillance and investigative work too. And just for the record. We don’t call ourselves honeys. We aren’t an escort agency. We prefer Femmes. It’s much classier.” She winks.

  Oh my god! Is she for real?

  “But before you discard my proposal, let me tell you more.”

  Monica shifts in her seat, eager to hear what else she has to say. “Okay.”

  “There will be numerous benefits for you. We will provide you with new transport. New clothing. You’ll only work when a job comes in, and we will double your current salary.”

  Monica’s cautious side kicks in. “Is this some sort of scam? How can you afford to double my salary and give me all of that if this is a part time job?”

  “Like I said before, we work for the more privileged of people.”

  “And this is all genuine, really?”

  Fiona nods.

  “So, you want me to spy on people and possibly seduce them into bed?”

  Fiona’s eyes widen. “Not into bed. Seduce them enough to get real evidence that they would. But none of my ladies ever have sexual intercourse with them. Most of the time, they get all they need on their cameras and then excuse themselves to the ladies and leave. But all of this will be covered in your training, should you accept the job.”

  Monica runs her hands through her hair, contemplating what to say next.

  “Do you have any information I can take home and read?”

  Fiona shakes her head. “Afraid not. And I’ll need an answer from you before you leave.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “That seems a bit hasty. I mean, there’s a lot to consider and think about.”

  “Maybe. But they are the rules of the establishment, I’m afraid.”

  “Well, can I at least step outside for a moment? Just to digest the information and get my head together.”

  “Of course you can.”

  Monica stands and heads for the door.

  “Oh, and one more thing. You will have to quit your current job. I need my Femmes to be available any minute of the day.”

  Monica nods as she closes the door behind her and heads for some fresh air, in the hope that it will untangled her mixed thoughts. Leaning against the wall outside, she tries to straighten her head.

  Okay, what the hell do I do here? It sounds fun. Kind of dangerous and exciting. Way more exciting than going to the office and sitting there rewriting all day. And twice my current salary.

  She starts to pace the pavement, kicking a stone up and down the path.

  I could actually buy my flat. Stop renting and actually own it one day. But me, a Femme Fatale? Why have they approached me? I’m nothing special. Who’s this third party?

  Monica continues to debate with herself a while longer until coming to a decision. Marching back into the building before she has a chance to change her mind, Monica heads for Fiona’s office. Straightens her jacket she takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.

  “Come in.”

  Monica opens the door.

  “Ah, Monica. Have you come to a decision?”

  “Yes, I have,” Monica says as she takes her seat. “I’d like the job.”

  Fiona’s eyes glisten as a smile lifts her lips. “Fabulous.”

  “What about
those two other women? The ones who were sat with me in the waiting area? Have they been offered the job as well?”

  “No, they haven’t. My receptionist has dealt with them both and sent them on their way. I must confess, the whole situation in the waiting room was a test. Both those ladies you met earlier signed that nonsense contract. And women who sign contracts without question are not the type of women I need. You, on the other hand, didn’t. You have a cautious attitude, and that’s what I want and what you need in order to be a Femme.”

  “I’d like to think so. However, I don’t think the decision I just made was very cautious.”

  “Can I ask what swayed you?”

  She smiles wistfully. “I remembered something that my dad told me before he passed away. He told me that life was too short, and I should grab every opportunity I can, and sometimes throw caution to the wind.”

  “Wise words.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Feeling her throat swell at the thought of her father, Monica distracts herself from crying, asking what she needs to do now. Fiona retrieves a file from the desk and gives it to Monica. “I need you to go through this and sign before you leave.”

  Standing from her chair and heading for the door, Fiona says, “I’ll let you have a while to go through it.”

  Monica nods and opens to the first page.

  ROLE

  Femme – Fearless, Elegant, Mistress for Members of the Elite.

  DESCRIPTION OF WORK

  Covert operative for elite private investigation agency required to undertake various assignments as per client’s request.

  The role of a Femme will require you to undertake your duties to the fullest of your capabilities in order to fulfil the assignments and maintain the agency’s reputation.

  KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

   Undertake assignments as directed by agency management, which include, but are not limited to, surveillance, recognisance, evidence gathering through written and digital means, and undercover operations.

   Keep accurate records of all investigation details to the standard prescribed by the agency.

   Undertake assignments at varying times as client requires, which will include, days, nights, weekends, and unsocial hours.

   Maintain your physical and mental health to a sufficient standard in order to efficiently undertake the role as a Femme.

   Always meet deadlines as specified in each bespoke remit.

  The second page is a load of legal waffle stating that this organisation is top secret and no one, not even your husband if you have one, can know. Coming to the end, Monica shrugs. What’s the worst that could happen?

  Taking the pen conveniently left by Fiona, she signs where stated just as Fiona walks back into the room.

  “Here you are,” Monica says, handing her the signed documents.

  She flicks through the papers as she sits down. “Lovely. I’ll just sign now, and then get Amelia to get you a copy.”

  “So, what do I need to do? When do I start working?”

  Fiona clips the lid onto her pen. “My, you are keen. I like that. First of all, you will need to quit your job. So, I suggest you give notice first thing tomorrow. Once you’ve done that and worked the time stated in your contract we will need to get you into the office to go through things in more detail.”

  Monica frowns. She’d forgot about working notice for Read Reid.

  “I think my contract says I have to work three months notice.”

  “Well. Let’s just see what my persuasive ways can do for you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just give notice tomorrow, and let me know the outcome. I need you to start ASAP, Monica.”

  Fiona rises from her chair, prompting Monica to do the same before gesturing for her to follow. They head for reception.

  “Amelia, can you get me a copy of this for Monica?”

  The receptionist smiles, nodding before heading to the printer.

  “Now. Remember. First thing tomorrow.” Fiona says, examining Monica from over her red frames.

  “It will be the first thing I do.”

  “Good girl. That’s what I like to hear.”

  Amelia slips Monica’s copy into an envelope and seals it before handing it to her at the same time as giving Fiona the original.

  Fiona leans closer and whispers, “Here’s my number. Call me directly. And you will need an alias. Think of a new name and a fake job description so I can put it on your Femme file.”

  Monica takes the sophisticated-looking card and nods before heading off. Pushing the heavy office door open, she’s filled with apprehensive about what she’s just done. But excitement overrides the anxiety with each step away from the building, curling her lips into a smile.