by Dark Angel
Now I’m wishing I had told him that it might have been easier to just move in—that this going back to my apartment over and over to get things was time consuming. Because an hour after our conversation, that’s exactly what I had to do. Trek all the way uptown and get my stuff.
But, no! Don’t you dare tell him that.
Seven.
That’s how many times I’ve had to go visit Simon. Go give him progress reports on the I.E.
Thank God Simon has no way of knowing that I’ve actually tried it on. That I’ve had sex with Ethan on the I.E. Thank God he doesn't know just how utterly realistic and life-changing that device is—how much it’s going to revolutionize pornography as we know it.
But still, he has questions. He has threats.
“Aren’t you telling me that you’re the one who's going to be the face of it?” Simon asked me on the last time that I went there to give him my report. “That you’re going to be the star?”
I nod my head. I didn’t know what else to tell him. He dipped his head onto his desk and used a $100 bill to do another rail. When he was finished, his eyes were bloodshot.
“So, you’re not only taking the money that I’m paying you to infiltrate Illicit Entertainment,” Simon said snidely before taking some coke and using his fingers to slide them over his gums. “But now you’re also going to be a star again?”
I shrugged. There wasn’t much I could do to respond to him in a way that he’d be satisfied.
“I hired you for a job, Ms. Roman,” Simon said to me, getting up from his chair, his body already tweaking. “I expect you to carry it out or be prepared to face the consequences.”
I mean, each time I see Simon, it’s pretty much the same formula every time around. I give him my progress report, which isn’t that much progress, and then he gets upset at the lack of progress and follows by threatening me.
That’s the same thing that happened this time. I’m hoping that’s the same thing that happens next time, and the time after.
Although last time, Simon ended the meeting by glaring at me.
“For three months, I’ve asked you to get me a copy of the prototype!” he yelled at me.
“They only have one working copy!” I yelled back at him. “Not even he’s alone with it. I’d have to sleep with half the office to get them to turn the other way while I take it,” I shot back.
The thing was, and I had been thinking this for a while—once we get close enough to the launch date, maybe that buggy old prototype that they were working on would get me out of this mess.
“Never mind about stealing the physical prototype now,” Simon said however, dashing my hopes. “It’s too late to do anything with it. What you need to do is get me the underlying computer code that runs the software,” he said. “A copy that actually fucking works. Unlike your brain, which doesn’t apparently.”
I remember looking at him and blinking.
“Simon, how do you even expect me to do that that?” I asked him. “I barely know how to use SnapChat. Last time I tried I brought what you said was junk.”
But all Simon did was look at me and smile evilly.
“If there’s a will, there’s a way darlin’,” he hissed. “This is what happens when you dilly dally on getting the prototype. If you had just gotten that, it would have been a lot easier. But I guess you’ll have to be extra clever now. Or maybe you want me to just call Robert up on the phone so you can say hi?”
I nodded and left.
Little does he know that Walter and I already had the plans once… and the beta computer code… all downloaded on a USB drive. But by the time I gave it to him, it had become junk.
But yeah, I guess I keep that information to myself. I’ll also keep to myself that Walter and I talked about whether we even want to try again to steal the computer code, or we try for the physical prototype. I don't want to tell Simon any of our plans. It’s the only way I can keep some sort of control over this fucked up situation.
I don’t know what else to do, okay?
I can’t let him point Robert in my direction. Not after what he put me through. I mean, I ran away from porn and moved across the country to get away from him.
On the other hand, I can't betray Ethan.
Not after everything we’ve done.
Not after I’ve fallen in love with him.
Three.
That’s how many months have passed since I’ve first infiltrated Illicit Entertainment. It’s been three months of filming simulated sex for the virtual reality marvel that is the Illicit Escape. Three months where I’ve become the face of the new product. Three months where I’ve fallen in love with Ethan.
I know what you’re thinking, babe, and you don’t need to worry.
I’m not having real sex on set. Ethan isn’t having to watch me fuck another guy.
Anytime a real cock is needed, guess who’s filling in?
That’s right. Mr. Kane himself.
But even those times are really for still shots, or when the viewer maybe wants to look down and see me blowing them, you know? Like we don’t use a real cock for much because for the first time, the viewer is moving from viewing to participating.
It takes POV porn and goes one step closer.
But that means in filming, I only ever really film anything by myself.
It’s harder than I expected. If you don’t believe me, try pretending to have sex without anyone having sex. Like try scrunching your face in an orgasm when there’s no cock inside of you and without using your fingers.
But we only ever film maybe one day a week. The rest of the days are photos, touching up some shots, and other housekeeping.
Filming porn for virtual reality, where the user expects to have the sensation and experience of having sex with me is actually a very lonely endeavor. I’m actually spending a large amount of time in front of a green screen holding ridiculous poses.
The other day, I spent five minutes holding my hand in front of my mouth as if I was grasping a cock and guiding it inside. The day before that, I must have lay there for ten minutes with my legs spread out as they used my image and then moved it around in their computer systems to get it ideally pixelated for the I.E. experience.
It’s safe to say that being so close to sex, but not having real sex is enough to make me want to jump Ethan when we get home.
Afterwards, I go take a bath while Ethan fixes dinner.
Then we cuddle on the sofa and watch TV.
Well, let me actually correct that. Ethan watches TV and I lie in his arms, feeling them surround me and keep me safe. I like the sex, but smelling his cologne and feeling him wrapped around me is probably the most satisfying feeling I’ve had in years. I usually fall asleep there and he carries me to bed.
Every night.
One.
That’s how many weeks I’ve known that I’m pregnant.
I know, right!
I’m pregnant!
I mean, yes, I’m happy. It’s okay. Don’t worry, this is so a good thing.
Oh, yeah, I first found out when I missed my period. I’ve never been late in my entire life. It has always been on the dot. And somehow, I just knew. Something was up.
One home pregnancy kit later, I knew that my body’s sixth sense was spot on.
And no, Ethan doesn’t know. I’m sorry, hun, but I need you to keep one more secret from him for me. You can’t tell him this until I tell him.
And I haven’t told him just yet because I’m still not sure what to do about Simon.
I mean, I would love to go and tell Ethan and have him pick me up in happiness. I’d love to start buying baby things with Ethan. I’d love to start teasing him about naming our little boy Wilfred and our little girl Juliana and watching him cringe at those names.
But I can’t.
I either have to wait until Ethan releases his prototype, or until I can get Simon off my back.
But I don’t know how to get out of this situation and so I’ve bee
n keeping quiet.
I can’t lose Ethan. But I have a baby to think about now too.
Twenty-Four.
That's how many hours Simon called me and told me I have to get him an I.E. Prototype just now.
I’m serious. He called just now.
It’s Monday morning and Ethan is already at work.
I don't have to go in till later on today to meet with the graphic designers and so I was able to see when Simon called my phone.
When I picked up, he was curt.
“Babes, I gave you long enough to get me what I fucking want. The product goes live in two weeks and I’m done waiting,” was his way of saying hello. “You have 24 hours to get me my fucking shit that actually works this time before Robert gets a nice little FedEx with all your fucking information, right down to your address and daily fucking schedule.”
I froze as I heard him and tried to comprehend what he was saying.
“I know exactly how many nights you spend at One57 and if I wanted to, I’d know exactly what fucking color underwear you were wearing, so please believe me that I am deadly serious,” he said over the phone. “24 hours. No more.”
I stand there for a long time feeling ill.
Wondering not just about myself. But about Ethan. And to top it all off now, about the baby inside of me.
Ethan
“The initial marketing efforts will be through broad-based Internet advertising as well as direct television advertising,” Cheryl is speaking on the line and her voice is coming through on speakerphone.
It’s the afternoon and I’m sitting with my feet up on my desk listening to the people on the call. There’s probably about forty people all told who dialed in to the final two weeks before go-live. We got people from all different areas of the fucking company: Operations, Finance, Marketing, Legal, and R&D are on this call.
And tying it all together and holding us in check is none other than Cheryl —Personal Assistant to the fucking stars. My fucking personal assistant.
“What channels on the television spectrum are we targeting?” someone from Marketing asks Cheryl over the conference line.
There’s a pause. I know Cheryl is prepared for this question. It’s not like someone tripped her up or anything.
“We’re targeting prime time spots on all broadcast networks as well as contemporary movie channels that target the 18-44 demographic,” Cheryl says, reading off her list. I nod to myself. That sounds like a pretty good lineup.
What?
Oh come on, don’t look so fucking shocked. I’m sure prime time television has no fucking problem running ads for a virtual reality porn player. I mean, have you looked at what they put on television recently? Fuck, this shit is exactly what the audiences are waiting for.
“We also have cross-promo licensing deals with all major fast food chains across the country as well as—” Cheryl would say more but all of a sudden my head jerks toward the door as it flings open.
I immediately put the call on mute. Then I put it on hold. Whatever is about to fucking go down does not need to be interrupting this important fucking call that's going to make me billions of dollars.
Jesus. I don’t know why I’m so fucking jumpy all of a sudden.
I realize how silly I’m being when Brittney walks in.
Instead of armed thugs being led by Simon Conners, it's the most beautiful girl in the fucking world walking in wearing a tight dark blue wraparound dress.
I know what you’re wondering right now, and fuck you for wondering, but yes, my cock does twitch a little bit seeing the fabric of Brittney’s dress cling to her fucking perky and full breasts and the rest of her slender body.
“Brittney?” I ask her. I mean, despite wanting to fuck her, I’m a bit surprised. She’s never surprised me at work like this before. “What’s going on, babe?” I ask.
She takes several steps toward me, her face determined.
“I need to withdraw from the project and end my association with Illicit Entertainment,” she says, as if she’s rehearsed this on the way over. “I need off the team.”
If she had stood there and told me she was growing a third fucking tit I wouldn't have been more shocked than I am at that moment.
I stand up, more because this moment is too important to be fucking sitting down.
“What do you mean?” I manage to ask her, not even sure I heard her right.
She shakes her head, and it looks like she might burst into tears at any point.
“You heard me, Ethan,” she says to me. “I need off the IE team. I’m sorry, but I can't be involved any more.”
I walk around the desk. This isn't a fucking employee problem anymore. This isn't a Human Resources case at this point.
No.
This is something wrong with my girlfriend.
There, I don't care if she has trouble realizing that. Or doesn't want to admit it or whatever.
I fucking love this woman, and right now there is something that's bothering her.
“Babe, what the fuck is wrong?” I ask her and she’s about to answer when I realize she’s probably just going to say the same thing she has already. I stop her. “Wait,” I say and take a step toward her.
She looks up at me and there's the briefest flash of hope in her eyes. As if there's some way that maybe I can sort this out for her.
“I don't want to hear what the problem is if you can’t tell me, but know this babe,” I tell her and wrap my arms around her, bringing her close. “I will be with you no matter what the problem is. Hell, if you fucking killed someone I’ll be there with you to bury the fucking body.”
Brittney trembles and I pull back from her so I can look her in the eyes.
“Fuck the world, babe,” I tell her, my eyes piercing into her. “It’s you and me fucking forever,” I say with finality.
Brittney stares at me for a long, long time. Her eyes widen as if she’s realizing something for the first time. She uses her hand to wipe away some tears before they can form.
“Listen, I know you did fucking porn back in Los Angeles, but guess what? We’re a company that sells porn, so it’s fucking okay!” I exclaim and she laughs for a second. Bingo. I’m on the right track.
“I know there was probably some other shit that you’re not telling me, but listen to me, okay?” I say, and Brittney nods as she looks at me.
I take a deep breath. Fuck. Sure, I’ve told her I love her. But I’ve never put it in this way before like I’m about to do.
“I really don't care what the fuck you did, are doing, or will do, as long as you let me be around you,” I tell her and she gasps.
“I know I sound like a fucking pussy for saying that and don’t worry, you won't fucking walk all over me or something, but Brit, whatever it is, I’m always next to you because I fucking love you,” I finish.
Another fucking long pregnant pause.
She takes a step over and gets on her tiptoes. Her mouth comes to mine and she kisses me.
Long and fucking hard.
The kind that sends blood to your cock.
When she pulls back, she’s smiling.
“I love you too, you big romantic bear, you,” she says with a smirk and twinkling eyes.
Fuck. She’s back.
“So no more talk of leaving?” I ask her, trying to hide my smile.
“Uh-uh,” she says shaking her head.
“Good,” I tell her, turning away, trying to not look like a fool. “Then scram. I got work to do.”
Brittney kisses me one last time and turns around to walk away. I go to my desk and unmute the call.
But the line is silent. I wonder if they’re already done? They can’t be. The call was supposed to be for another half hour at least.
“If you’re wondering what happened to the call, I told everyone we’d reconvene when we never heard you answer any of our questions,” Cheryl says from the door to my office.
I turn around. She’s standing there holding her tablet and loo
king at me.
“When you didn’t answer even me, I decided you had probably jumped off without telling me,” she says as she walks in, her eyes looking around. “Which is a very odd thing to do, even for you, considering the importance of what we’re planning here Ethan,” she finishes with.
She’s looking at me closely and I know what's fucking coming.
“I got caught up, Cheryl…” I start to say but she fucking cuts me off.
“Yes, I saw her heading to the elevator when I started coming this way. She looked happy,” Cheryl says and raises her eyebrows at me. “Quite different from the way she looked from my office when she came up.”
“She wanted off the project,” I tell Cheryl, not knowing why I’m fucking explaining myself to her. “But I talked her into staying.”
“I see,” Cheryl says with a deep breath as if smelling the room. “I’m glad you didn’t sleep with her to make the point.”
“Are you smelling for fucking sex smells, Cheryl?” I ask, not sure where this conversation is headed. “Is that in your bag of tricks nowadays too?”
“I’m sighing, Ethan,” Cheryl says rolling her eyes and walking to the window. “Because I don’t think you realize what you’re falling into here.”
“What?” I ask, walking to the window too. “You still think she’s the one who's going to steal the prototype for Simon?”
“No, Ethan,” Cheryl says turning to me. “It doesn't matter if she’s the one who's stealing the prototype, but at least you need to be honest with her.”
I pause. That stops me short.
“You need to tell her the truth about what you’re doing,” Cheryl says to me. “Because you’re in love with that girl, and regardless of what she’s up to, she’s in love with you.”
I still have nothing to fucking say. It’s not like I have the high ground anymore.
“And if you really love her, the least you can do is be honest about yourself and what you’re doing. At least to her,” Cheryl finishes.
I’m silent as she looks at me for another second.