Lies, Mistrust and Fairy Dust

by Xavier Neal

  “20.” Aiden's smirk radiates confidence and excitement. By his expression it's obvious that this is one of his most important tricks yet. His own robbing the president's daughter. His personal Holy Grail. From the overly anxious looks he's giving me, I'm guessing he hasn't received all the praise he deserves.

  “It's a great program,” I compliment. “What's Peter look like at let's say...fifty?”

  The group snickers as he glares at me. Aiden quickly clears his throat and shakes his head. “I'm not allowed to put Peter in the program.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because if I wanted to grow old I wouldn't have become king of The Lost Boys,” Peter's remark wipes away the remaining smiles. “Now, enough with the parlor tricks. Shouldn't you be getting to the office? Don't you have training to flop?”

  After a short glare in his direction, I take my paperwork and name badge from Eiden. Pulling my hair to the side, I stare at the photo of myself on the badge and feel my stomach twist. Please. Oh please. Don't let me flop like Peter's expecting.

  Belle hands me a black over-sized purse where I slide the paperwork inside. “What are you bringing to deposit?”

  Justin glances at Eiden, who pauses his breakfast eating once more to slide over a small silver briefcase. In one swift motion, he opens it with a flick and exposes an array of gorgeous gems.

  With a cocky smirk, he says, “I'll pick one.”

  “Are those the jewels you stole from the pirates?”

  His smile extends. “Yup.”

  “The ones that were worth risking my life for?”

  Quickly, the look of pride erases itself.

  Peter chuckles. “Point Darling.”

  I sigh and back up towards the front door. “That's my cue to leave...”

  The walk to work is brief and the cool morning air helps soothe the overwhelming overheated feeling pumping through my system. Approaching the beautiful glass door, I take a brief look inside at the pristine and prestigious people inside. Most of them are wearing variations of my attire, but all look like they graduated top of business school or were passed down investment knowledge from their parents. Flop. I'm so gonna flop at this training.

  I lift my head in an attempt to appear to have more confidence as I enter the building. The security guards that are stationed right beside the door seem to be the first place, I should stop. To the one on the right I mumble, “I'm um… I'm here for training?”

  He lifts his eyebrows. “Paperwork?”

  “Right,” I mutter to myself before fumbling through my bag.

  He takes what I offer, giving me a chance to read his name badge. Tim. His name is Tim. Just like my father. I glance away as my stomach drops. I have to get a grip. I can't let his name distract me. To make me this sad. No. Stay focused Peyton!

  Tim speaks into his earpiece. “New employee.” After handing me back the papers, he says, “Someone will be with you in just a moment.”

  In a whisper I say, “Thanks.”

  Uncomfortable by the silence and what feels like a parental stare coming from him, I fiddle with the red hair and glasses. Thankfully we're greeted by a beautiful, blonde whose hair is dangling at the front of her chest, redirecting my attention to her obviously bought and very paid for boobs. Her thin waist line with legs for days only further makes me feel out of place here. I swear, Belle would've fit in a hell of a lot better.

  “Hi! I'm Tammy!” She squeals, her high pitched voice reminding me of the cheer captain from my school, who looked right through me every time we crossed paths. “And I'm going to be your trainer for the next three days!”

  “Awesome...” my voice whispers through gritted teeth. Forcing a cheerful, fake smile on my face I bob my head around. “I'm so excited to get started!”

  “Perfect!” She snatches my paperwork from me, giving it a brief glance. “Good. Looks good. Put your badge on.”

  I pull it out, unsure of exactly where to pin it when I notice her’s is nestled close to her chest. So that's how high value investments get made.

  “We always wear our badge. One of the most important things to remember. Also...” her hand pulls on my blouse so my boobs are more exposed. “We always give the customer what they want...” With a cheesy grin she spins around on her red heels and struts across the marble floor. “Follow me...”

  Doing so, I observe my surroundings, moving slowly enough for the camera not to streak as it records. There are large side windows that are letting in the perfect morning light. Long wooden desks with clerks behind them. Most are women whose style mimics Tammy's and a couple of gentlemen, who look like Justin did before I left. The décor is modern with so much glass everywhere I'm afraid I'll break something before the con is up. To my surprise I see a woman walking around with champagne flutes filled with a gorgeous sparkling liquid. Drinking while giving them your money to hold onto doesn't seem wise.

  “To the left are the clerks. They primarily deal with opening new personal checking and savings accounts. To the right they primarily deal with business accounts. Setting up new ones and maintaining them.”

  Heading up the winding stairs I grip onto the railing. Heels and stairs are not a good combination for me. At. All. The way Tammy struts in hers it's like she came out of the womb in them. Intimidated much?

  “On this level are a set of offices as well. It's specifically for loans.” My eyes shoot over down the hall to see one man in an office with his door open and in the office next to him a woman clicking away on her computer.

  “And at the top level,” she announces as we reach it, “this is where we make the investments and keep the deposit boxes.”

  Following behind her I notice the hallway splits into two directions. I glance down the hallway to the left and see a security guard patrolling, an office door cracked open, and a wall that looks like it slides open.

  “To the left is Missy. She's in charge of setting up new safety deposit boxes. The wall beside her is where the items are kept.”

  “Is there...some sort of price limit to the items that you hold?”

  Tammy stops texting on her phone. “Nothing worth less than a quarter of a million is allowed.”

  That's insane. Just...crazy!

  “There's also an executive bathroom that direction for exclusive clients only.”

  “Got it! Do not pee in there.”

  “To the right you'll find Mark. He's in charge of investments. Only six figures and above.” Before I have a chance to say anything she further instructs, “Follow me.”

  While I hate feeling like a lost lap dog, I'm thankful our conversation is minimal. Her phone seems to be more important than making sure I know what I'm doing, which is fine by me. I only have to do this for a couple days. With her lack of guidance, my screw ups will be easy to blame on lack of attention.

  She stops at the bottom of the stairs and looks up from her device. “P.J., right?”

  “Yes-”

  “Cute. You'll get the hang of everything before you know it. Don't take this the wrong way, but most likely the girls aren't going to be too welcoming, not because you're a newbie, but because you're transferring to another branch. Don't take their bites too personally—or mine for that matter. Just territorial.”

  “Understood. I-”

  Tammy holds up a finger. “You'll start working with the clerks on opening new accounts. Brandy will be in charge of you. You should be familiar with the program we use, 4267 Hayward, but in case you've forgotten they'll give you a refresher. That'll take you through lunch. We'll reconvene after that. I have a meeting to attend, so I'm only going to ask this once. Any questions?”

  The information that was just thrown at me has my head swirling, but if I've learned anything from my new family it's sometimes it's just better to wing it. “Bathrooms?”

  She points to what looks like an uninhibited corner of space on the side of the business accounts. “Employees restrooms, lounge room, powder rooms, and cafeteria are located that way, down
the set of stairs.”

  Without so much as another word she clacks her heels away and I'm standing alone. Is it wrong to hope Brandy is easier to process than Tammy?

  After several unbearable hours, my stomach complains heavily that it's lunch time. A well-deserved lunch time if you ask me. Just as I'm dismissed by Brandy, who for the record is meaner and louder than Tammy, Justin strolls in. Immediately Tammy's at his side, making sure he's delivered a glass of champagne, and has all of her attention. I watch as he tosses his head back in flirtatious laughter, which seems to encourage more women to flock his direction. The sight of them eating him up, tripping over themselves to hear his every word, makes me boil and I need to get out of the building even faster than before. Suddenly my skin starts to heat seconds before it feels like there's a set of nails gripping my heart so tightly I can't breathe. What is that? I struggle through the feeling and push myself out of the building onto the sidewalk, right into a brick wall. When did they put a brick wall there?

  Looking up, my eyes land into the sharp green eyes of the wall I hit. This isn't good. Not good at all. Politely I squeak, “Sorry.”

  Landon David adjusts his jacket. “You okay, gorgeous?”

  “I-”

  “You look more than okay to me.” His eyes drink me in, swallowing up everything he can. Now I feel uncomfortable for a different reason. “Gorgeous in deed.”

  “Thanks?”

  He glances down at my badge. “P.J. Cute. Lunch. Shall we?”

  Was that an actual question? I know I have to be nice to this guy, after all he is our target more or less, but at the same time I'm in no mood to entertain another mark. It's already been a really long morning. And watching my boyfriend drown in gorgeous, tanned beauties damn sure didn't help anything.

  “I'm flattered, really, but I only have a little less than 30 minutes for lunch and―”

  “You work at Collin Sterling, don't you?”

  “Kinda. I'm new. I-”

  “Just a moment.” He lifts his finger to me. He pushes a button on the cell in his clutches before saying, “Yes Tammy. Of course it's good to hear from me.” At that level, is that even arrogance anymore? “I'm great. Here's the thing, I'm taking P.J. to lunch. We'll be back in a little over an hour. Of course I'll walk her in. Of course. As always Tammy.”

  My mouth drops slightly.

  With a smug expression he asks, “Any other excuses or shall we?”

  His attitude is enough to make me wanna gag, not to mention his overwhelming cologne that makes me feel like I'm rolling around in laundry detergent. Annoyed, I glance at the big glass windows to see Tammy wrap her arms around Justin's, doing her best to pull his attention down to where her shirt is unbuttoned. My chest aches severely again and I pretend to adjust one of the buttons on my shirt, which is actually the camera Aiden installed. No need for him to watch this.

  Sweetly I push my read hair behind my ear. “Lead the way.”

  Landon takes my hand and leads us to a restaurant just two blocks away from where I'm pretending to work. He insists on a table outside, orders for both of us, and then starts the conversation abruptly. “You don't look as excited to be out with me as I thought you would've.”

  Without thinking, I snap, “What would give you the impression I would be excited?”

  “Because-”

  “Because you're attractive? Because you're most likely crazy rich with the pull you had at my job? Or because no one ever tells you no?”

  For a moment he merely stares. Did I just shock him silent? Damn it! Peter was right. I'm flopping this day all over the place. All I had to do was giggle and smile in his face, eat out of the palm of his hand and instead I word vomited on him. I blame Justin for that. It's still hard to see him throw himself at women and know it's all pretend.

  Landon cocks a smile. “You're the first female to speak to me in such a manner.”

  “That cause your Armani suit to wrinkle?”

  He lightly chuckles. “Anyone ever tell you that you look adorable when you're fussing?”

  The remark causes my lips to part though I have nothing to say in return.

  “You're right. I'm not used to the word no. I don't have an appreciation for it.” Isn't that the reason some people spend years in prison? “However, it is my mistake to treat you so poorly. Forgive me?”

  Needing this moment to try to not screw everything up with him, I nod. “Forgiven.”

  The waitress drops off our waters and he asks, “So...P.J...what's that short for?”

  “Priscilla Jamie.” I'm so not a Priscilla any more than I'm a red head.

  “I like P.J. better.”

  “Me too.”

  “So P.J., you don't know who I am or don't care?”

  With a shrug I sigh, “A bit of both?” The words create tension on his face and I know I have to undo it. “I mean, I don't know exactly who you are, but I don't care either. There's a saying that reminds us who people think we are and who we actually are, is two different people. I’d rather get to know who you are than what the world thinks you are.”

  “The world knows me as Landon David, Event Consultant.”

  “Why does that sound like fancy words for party planner?”

  He chuckles again, a sound that I'm warming up to. “More or less. I cater to very high clientele. Mayors. Socialites. Even foreign diplomats. I live to entertain.”

  I wave a hand in the air giving him my attention. “Go on...”

  Landon begins painting extravagant portraits of the parties he's thrown, the company he keeps, and the large amounts of money he plays with just as our gourmet sandwiches are delivered. The more he talks the more I'm reminded that this is what Nick was afraid of turning into. A spoiled rotten brat with too much money and time on his hands. I'd been doing a great job of pushing thoughts of Nick to the back of my mind before this, but I can't any more. I can't believe what I had to do to him to get that perfume. Leaving him like that ate away at me at first, but being kidnapped by pirates somewhat took over those thoughts.

  Winding down from his tales, he takes a breath, the first one I can recall, which leaves my ears at peace for a brief moment. Very brief.

  “So did you just get hired by Tammy?”

  “Actually I'm just training at that location. I'm being transferred to the one right on the outskirts of the city. The branch that's by The Darwell Chateau community.”

  “I actually have a house out there.” Shocking. “Such a shame though.”

  “What?”

  “That I'm going to have to move my safety deposit box from one branch to the other.”

  Confused I wipe my lips. “And why would you do that?”

  Landon leans forward on his elbows. “So I have more excuses to come and see you.”

  Helplessly, I smile at the comment. “What do you keep in your security box?”

  “That my dear...is second date material.” Figures he'd try to weasel his way into another date with me, considering the fact he snaked me into this one. “Tomorrow night. I'll send a car to pick you up.”

  My first instinct is to politely tell him no, to insist I have a boyfriend, but I know better than that by now. If anyone can be useful it's my job to keep a connection to them no matter how repulsive I may find them. Work is work. Besides, by the time I get home I'm sure they'll have figured out a reason to send me on this tortuous date whether I want to or not.

  “Maybe...” the word causes Landon to smile.

  “Maybe?” I nod. “Maybe it is then...” He pulls out a business card from his wallet. Handing it over he says, “When maybe turns into a yes whether it be in an hour or 1 A.M. Call me.”

  My fingers slide the card into my purse and I playfully wiggle my eyebrows. It's nice to always have the upper hand in these situations, especially since I don't anywhere else in my life.

  **

  The minute I return to the apartment from what turned out to be an even worse afternoon than morning, I see Justin sitting at th
e kitchen table in a backward chair, dress shirt sleeves rolled up, tie loose, and concentrated on reassembling a gun of some sort. Beside him Eiden, who's in a backwards baseball cap, sports jersey, and jeans remind me of when we first got to know each other. When times were simpler.

  I lock the door behind me. “Honey, I'm home...”

  He glances over his shoulder and smiles. “You look beat.”

  Belle who's on the couch next to Aiden, looks up from the book that's sitting in her lap. “To say the least.”

  “Maybe that's because I spent the day in the toy box with Bitchy Barbie,” my remark causes slight snickers. “I mean this with the utmost respect, but Belle would've been better suited for this one.”