Billionaire Devils Club-Palm Beach

by Ashley Woods

  Kristen pulled to the gate and pushed the intercom button. There was no answer.

  Melanie looked at her like she was crazy, “What are we doing here?”

  Kristen simply said, “I am looking for Gregory, I cannot get him out of my head. I need to see him.”

  Melanie became mad, “We are supposed to be looking for Linda. What is wrong with you? You are acting nutty about this guy. I know he is cute. But, come on. Get real! Is he a member?”

  “No, I don’t think so. He said he’s just a guest. Probably has a relative or a friend who is a member. I think he is too young.”

  Melanie laughed, “Just take me back to the Penthouse you lovestruck fool. You are useless to be of any help in your condition. I am going to make some calls.”

  As they drove back, they swung by the disco. Linda’s car was no longer there.”

  “I wondered if they towed it?”

  “Linda probably went shopping somewhere. She is a grown-up, I don’t why you are thinking the worst.”

  Melanie stepped out of the car when they reached her place, “I will keep you up-dated. No point in driving around.”

  Three hours later, Kristen was getting ready to go for jog, when Melanie called. She now sounded calmer, “I just spoke to the rental company. They said that a woman brought Linda’s car back to the airport counter ten minutes ago. She then walked over in the direction of the domestic plane terminals. She didn’t even take the rental lot bus.”

  Kristen said, “Well, that sounds like good news. So, I guess Linda has left to go back to California.”

  “Maybe she did. I walked into her room and all her things are gone. She must have packed up while we were at the diner. She must be mad at me about something. This is so WEIRD!”

  “Good. Case solved. Now I need to figure out how to find Gregory. I was going to take a run down his road.

  Melanie was not interested, “Good luck with that girl. I am taking a flight back home today too. This has been too wild of a week for me. I will keep you posted.”

  Kristen ran up and down the roads by the northern end, twice, and still did not see Gregory.

  The next day she woke up right after dawn, to do it all again. Kristen was slipping on her gym shoes, when Melanie called her from Los Angeles.

  Kristen answered, “You are lucky I am up early, otherwise I would be hanging up on you right now.”

  Melanie ignored the comment, “I got the weirdest text today from Linda. She said that she has gone to live with her rich aunt in Colorado, and that she did not want to talk to me anymore. I have a key to her place and tried to open the door. But, it looks like the locks were changed. All the window shades were even pulled down.”

  Kristen was concerned, “That’s definitely more than strange. I wonder why she is doing this?”

  Melanie grew angry, “If that witch does not want to be my friend. Then that is fine with me. She then laughed, “I will give you a call Kristen if, and when, I ever come back to Palm Beach. Bye Kristen, good luck with Greg, you’ll need it.”

  In the following days, Kristen still didn’t see Gregory out at any of the places, on or off Palm Beach. She wondered if he was married to that woman, and if that creepy house belonged to her. She recalled what her landlord said when she first met Gregory at Club Colette. Maybe he was someone that she should keep away from.

  Kristen always believed that when things happened, they were meant to be. She also hoped she would know when someone was bad for her. Unfortunately, she was still working on that talent, and had a long way to go.

  Due to Easter being in late March this year, the season was headed for an abrupt finish. The whole island was festive, day and night, and even with the right connections, it was nearly impossible to get dinner reservations.

  But, you could sense it was shutting down, as people slowly disappeared and the events tapered off the Shiny Sheet’s social calendar, until it was blank.

  After a short rest, the society pages would resume to reflect the summer galas in the Hamptons and Newport, as the crusty crowd ventured on. These figureheads shunned the thought of being in Palm Beach at any other time, and only showed up in the appropriate months.

  Others, had their own way of celebrating the end of the season and the re-birth of spring…

  On Good Friday, a large group of men assembled at the north end of the island. As the tides rolled in, they huddled together smoking cigars as they watched the evening shadows turn the water to black.

  Three limousines soon lined up in front of them, and they simultaneously ground their stubs into the pavement and piled into the vehicles.

  After a short cruise down Ocean Drive, the group alighted in front of a mansion located on a narrow-hedged street. The white cement wall, adorned with a large alabaster vulture, concealed their presence as they entered the building.

  The men were excitedly greeted by several youthful hosts attired in white, and wearing name badges. They helped slip off the men’s shoes, and then knelt before them with their heads bowed.

  A man with curly gray-blonde hair walked to the front and addressed the group, “Welcome to my home gentlemen. Today, it is serving as the local preview station, and I am sure that you will find everything in order and to your liking.”

  An older man walked up to him and shook his hand.

  “Seriously Joe, we are not off-shore somewhere at one of the other hideaways. Aren’t they a bit young? This isn’t how we do things.”

  “They are of age, and of course, all are certified. I hope that you approve of my choices for the spring collection,” Joe replied with a chuckle, “It wasn’t easy to find such perfection.”

  Another man laughed, I prefer to stick with the older and broken-in choices for my stable. The rest of the men smiled knowingly.

  Joe frowned, “As you wish my friend. You are correct, sometimes the pros are more creative and easier to control. And, as always, the decision is left up to you men. I am just here to enhance your experience.”

  The group proceeded to walk in front of the assorted youth. Some reached down to stroke their hair and hold their heads up in their hands, as they studied their bone structure and teeth.

  After they were done with the examination, the older man picked up a clipboard from the table and began jotting down names. He then passed the list down the line as each man wrote in their preferences. Joe was then handed the results.

  He looked down at the document, “Very well gentlemen, I will see that the preparations will be taken care of for the next step. Then, your choices will be delivered to your respective playrooms. Thank you for coming this evening.”

  He then clapped, and the youth rose and walked up a circular staircase. The men watched their bodies closely as they ascended. Joe followed behind them, and mid-way he turned his head.

  “Gentlemen, you know your way out. Please enjoy some refreshments before you go, and of course have a Happy Easter and a safe return up north.” A loud bang was heard as a heavy door closed on the upper level…

  On Easter morning, as Kristen walked to the church services at Bethesda-By-The-Sea, she decided that she would make her return to Illinois right away instead of staying into April. Even though it was still a bit cold up north, she knew when it was time to go.

  She called up Melanie that evening and relayed her plans. She added that she would start flying out to Los Angeles more, to party there instead.

  Kristen inquired, “So, did you hear anything from Linda yet?”

  Melanie became huffy, “I told you she is no longer my friend. I am still confused. I was thinking about her texting that she was living with an aunt, and I never heard before that she even had one. As far as I know, both her parents are dead and she never spent Christmas with anyone. She always said she had no relatives. No pets either.”

  Kristen laughed, “She is too shallow to be the pet type. You know Linda could be a bit weird. And she was definitely a ridiculous flirt. What a man-eater.”

  Melanie said
, “That is right. No man was safe that came near her.”

  She added, “Just give me a day’s notice if you fly out to Los Angeles, and I will do the same. Maybe, I will even visit you in Chicago sometime. Au revoir.”

  Kristen drove back to Chicago a few days later. She liked the idea of being less accessible, and living the true island life, so she kept the Palm Beach house lease open.

  She decided that she would go back to the island whenever she had a whim, and hopefully, to have a fiery tryst poolside with Gregory. She could barely afford it, and it would be costly having the two places, but she needed that spontaneity. It kept things more exciting!

  6 BOTTOM FEEDER

  After only a week back home, Kristen felt like she needed to re-invent herself, otherwise she was going to jump out of her skin. She was concentrating again on her career, and now that she had a Journalism degree, a few of the top fashion magazines wanted to take her on as a regular contributor.

  They planned to pay her well and liked that she had a fresh outlook with regards to the industry and trends. This extra income was certainly welcome, and would help to feed her voracious wardrobe needs, and demanding lifestyle.

  It was a big mistake returning to Chicago, the cold air was lingering under the thirty-degree mark and the ground was still frozen stiff. But, Kristen could tell a late spring was coming here at some point, because she had the irresistible need to party, and it was only a Tuesday night. Her girlfriends also did not have permanent boyfriends at the time.

  Her best friend Suzie drove the group to their favorite place on Rush Street, and they commandeered a choice table by the piano player and ordered Chocolate Martinis. The place was almost empty, except for the Rose Girls circling about.

  Suzie remarked, “Where is everyone? This isn’t going to be good. Let’s just get one drink and try somewhere else.”

  Kristen was sipping her martini, when one of the rose girls handed her a large American Beauty.

  Kristen looked surprised. “This is for me? Who sent it?”

  A man walked up to her. He was very, very, good looking, and was dressed in a dark gray business suit.

  Kristen fingered the stem. “You sent this? Do I know you?”

  “You know me now. I’m Robert, I am from Los Angeles. Where else is there to go in “This here horse town?” Do you want to go down the block for some jazz? I have a driver outside.”

  “My Mummy told me not to talk to strangers,” Kristen coyly answered, “I’m staying here. You can go by yourself, I am sure you will be just fine.”

  Kristen turned her back on him and shoved her half empty glass toward the bartender.

  “Here let me get that. Make it a double for the lady, and all her friends, and give me a Jack straight up. And bring some more roses too.” He pushed his way in, clearing off the glasses on the bar.

  Kristen looked annoyed, “Why should I even bother talking to you? You’ll just be on a plane tomorrow.”

  “No, I’m here for a while, I’m setting up a new branch for my company in Chicago. The babes are stuck with me for now. I’m going to become a fixture and make some lives miserable.”

  He pleaded, “Come on, let’s do something wild.”

  Kristen took a look at him, and figured he was harmless. She was really bored, and the evening's outlook looked pretty dismal, so she said, “OK, I’m game!”

  Robert clapped his hands, “Hey, you know what girls? I don’t even know her name.”

  “What a Vamp,” laughed Suzie, “You don’t even let men know your name anymore.”

  “It’s Marilyn Monroe,” Kristen said cynically.

  Suzie burst out, “It’s Kristen!”

  “For that information, you get another drink.” Robert gave Suzie a kiss on her cheek.

  "Seriously Kristen, there is a really great private party going on right now a few blocks away. A friend of mine from Hollywood is throwing it. Do you want to go?”

  Kristen looked at him suspiciously, and said slowly,

  "I thought you said we were going for jazz.”

  He said, “The party will be more fun. Let’s go.”

  “Where’s your jacket?” Kristen handed him her coat check, and Robert walked off to retrieve it. She discussed her plans with her friends, and they encouraged her.

  As she started to leave, they called out, “You go girl!”

  Normally, Kristen would never hook up with a man this easily. It wouldn’t be safe. But, when they dressed as well as he did, and had a limo waiting, she didn’t see an issue with it. She was also edgier and felt more daring these days. The driver opened the door, and they got in.

  Robert looked hesitant, “Now, this might upset you, but I really need to go back to my hotel first and get my cell phone. I can't live without it." He then tried to kiss her.

  Kristen pulled back, “No you don’t Bub. Maybe I should just stay here with my friends.”

  Robert laughed, “That’s the perfect nickname for me. I’ll love it more when I hear you moaning it out loud.” He got out of the car and went to sit in the front seat next to the driver.

  “Whoops, I forgot my coat.” He handed the driver his slip, and he went back in the bar to get it.

  Kristen was feeling a bit mean now, “You know Robert, I don't know if I should trust you. You are good looking, but you kind of have a pasty and pale appearance, and you really don’t look like you are from Los Angeles. Did you just get out of prison or something?”

  Robert reached up toward the rear-view mirror and turned it directly at her. She watched his face in it, and thought he looked surprised at her, like she was right; like she was on to something.

  “Maybe you had better go Kristen,” he said drawling her name out. He then turned the mirror back and pushed the button to close the privacy partition. He waved as it blocked her off.

  By then, the driver had returned. Kristen knocked on the middle window and said, “I am sorry. I won't insult you anymore."

  Robert re-opened the partition, turned his head and flashed a big grin, “Now that's better Kristen. That's what I want to hear. Play nice."

  He opened the door and went back to sit close to her. Kristen let him put his arm around her shoulders and was now feeling quite cozy and adventurous.

  They only drove a few blocks and ended up at the Intercontinental Hotel. Robert graciously helped her out, and they held hands as they walked into the spectacular lobby.

  Robert said, “Kristen, Take the elevator to the 4th floor, I’ll meet you in the hallway. I have a big suite. You are going to love it.” He pulled out his phone and walked over to a corner.

  Kristen stared at him " Is the party in the hotel? I thought you said your phone was in your room?"

  Robert nonchalantly answered, "Guess, I was wrong." Then he laughed, I am your one-man party! I just need to change my shirt, then we’ll go.” He motioned to her be quiet and started speaking into his cell.

  Kristen felt foolish and duped, as she pushed the elevator button. She waited upstairs in the hall for him a full ten minutes, before she heard the bell announce his belated arrival.

  They walked in silence to his room. He inserted his key card, “Don’t worry I’m not going to touch you. I just want your company tonight. Let’s have a quick drink, then we’ll go.”

  Kristen did not know why, but she felt a strong attachment to him, and was willing to do whatever he wanted now. She went off to the restroom and had to go through his bedroom to get there.

  She noticed on his bed table, that there were a few boxes, and red heart gift wrap paper was lying on the floor.

  One of the gifts was a man’s watch, that was sitting propped up in its box. The bed was messed up, and it looked like he had just had an “afternoon delight” with someone else. And, that was probably why he wasn’t all that interested in her tonight.

  “Oh, how lovely for him,” Kristen snidely remarked. She read the little gift tag on the box, “I love you so much sweetheart! Love, Jeannie.” The watch w
as cheap looking, maybe worth twenty dollars; tops. Kristen now realized that she would just be wasting her time with him.

  She went back to the other room and was surprised to see Robert sitting back comfortably with a large cocktail. He did not even ask her if she wanted one.

  She sat next to him, “Seriously, what about that party? Are we still going there?”

  Robert promptly got up and went into the bedroom for a minute. When he came back, he had a DVD, and was now wearing a pink T-shirt and tight black jogging shorts.

  He went over and inserted the DVD in the player, and now sat down in a chair on the opposite side of the room.

  The picture came on the screen showing two figures wearing clown costumes and holding whips. Kristen could not distinguish their gender.

  She looked away disinterested and said, "Is everyone into S&M these days? What is it with you guys? You are all so twisted! If we aren’t going to the party, aren't you at least going to make me a drink?"

  Robert intently watched the movie and totally ignored her. He was really starting to annoy her with his inattention. He then inserted another disc. This one was in German with subtitles, and pictured a man wearing a baby bonnet and a diaper, sitting inside a bird cage.

  Kristen groaned, "Oh, come on Robert. That’s too much, I’m leaving."

  “Please don’t do that. I am supposed to have a late meeting downstairs with some people. That is really why I came back. Then we are off to that party. I have to go back in my room first and get dressed again.”

  Robert’s actions were all over the place. Kristen wondered if he had a major case of AD&D and was obviously off his meds. It was either that, or he was an over-grown child, “Probably both,” she laughed to herself.

  Moments later, Robert emerged wearing a very flashy pin-striped suit. Kristen gave him an approving look.

  They went down to the hotel restaurant, and Robert walked up to a table with two men. They immediately ordered appetizers and started to talk about business. Through the snippets of conversation, Kristen was now learning more about Robert.

  It seemed, that he was the head of an investment company in Los Angeles. His companions were there to benefit from a takeover, that he was waging on a smaller company. He was in town to raise more money to buy its stock.