Haven

by J D Worth

  “Yeah, I think that’s exactly the problem here.”

  I bark out another loud laugh. “Just because I don’t fall in line with Georgina’s ridiculous lifestyle choices or follow every harsh, controlling command my grandmother demands of me, does not make me the misfit of my family. They don’t know what to do with me. I’m awkward. I don’t fit into their assigned boxes. Georgina’s entitled socialite behavior overshadows my own academic path. My father doesn’t like to hear her whine, so he gives her whatever she wants. She wants the world. All I want is to be a normal person for once. I don’t want my monetary station to dictate my life or how I’m treated. I don’t know what normal is when I’ve lived like royalty all of my life. I want to experience time for myself without the family obligations and pressure I endure in my daily existence. So no, I didn’t want Tyrell to carry my bag. And I’m not what you think.” I fall back in the makeshift dental chair and close my eyes.

  “Then what are you?”

  “Exhausted. I’m in need of a respite. My senior year consisted of all-nighters, countless papers, and excruciating exams.”

  “You’re this tired from … studying?”

  I give him a side-eye behind my sleepy lids. “Yes. I finished my last exam today and wrapped up my internship at J. P. Morgan. After I completed my freshman year, my grandmother thrust me into a summer internship that turned into a three-year gig, so it’s been nonstop for me all through high school.”

  “You sound like a college grad, not high school.”

  I snort to myself. “I’m sure you’ve seen your share of the business elite blowing off steam while working here, but that’s not how things actually run. The heavy lifting comes with the territory. My Manhattan prep school is one of the most challenging in the country. The school is brimming with heirs to the wealthiest and most predominant families. That includes the offspring of politicians, business tycoons, and leaders of the major industries running our country. Our junior and senior years are on par with freshman and sophomore coursework at most college institutions. Accelerated learning and multiple tutors are the norm. Our course load has to be demanding. They dump everything on us. We’ll be running the world one day.”

  “Congratulations, Princess.” His inflection is neither belittling nor insulting, almost as though a tide is turning in his mind. I blink back. He’s the first to regard my success. “Are accolades that foreign to you?”

  “I don’t need accolades from my family. My own hard-earned success is enough for me.” Slowly moving to a sitting position, I gaze up to him.

  “Yeah, but I bet you wanna hear how proud you make ’em.” His skeptical eyes dash over my disheveled appearance. My shirt hangs free from my skirt. My ponytail is loose and wild from a long day on the road. While relaxing in my car, I popped several buttons free on my stiff dressy top. “How come I only heard ’bout the bad stuff? Maybe you’re simply blowing off steam like any other—”

  “Nope. Do I pass your absurd test? I’m tired and wish to retire for the evening.” I stretch out my arms and draw out a devilishly long yawn. “Happy? You’re boring me to bed.”

  “The party hasn’t even started. We’ll have to see how much havoc you plan to pull here.”

  The phone rings, pausing our building tension. He stabs the intercom button, asking in a gruff voice, “Yeah?”

  “Miss Aster’s room key is ready.”

  “Thanks, Mary Jo.”

  He stares at me. The room silences, amplifying the ticking clock behind us. Neither of us part from our intimate positions.

  Striking a low growl, he says, “You’re gonna be trouble for me, aren’t you?”

  “No!” I push off the chair. The back hits the metal desk in a clang.

  He snickers as I scurry ahead. I grab my key card from Mary Jo. The sheen in her eyes makes me pause in my step. “I’m terribly sorry for the delay, Miss Aster. Someone in your party must’ve picked up your room key. I issued you a new one. The other card won’t grant access to your suite.”

  “Thank you. Was it Georgina or Mrs. Aster who requested the card?”

  “I can’t tell. Only that they checked you in. I didn’t personally hand out that key card. Mrs. Aster warned if everything isn’t perfect, I’ll lose my job.”

  “Mary Jo, clearly this wasn’t your fault.” I keep my voice calm, propelled to soothe before the Asters carpet-bombs the staff tomorrow. “Mrs. Aster made the rounds, so I can imagine what a long night it’s been.” Her lack of nervous laughter tells me everything. “Are tensions that high already?” She doesn’t reply. I rest both arms on the counter in front of me. “Things are going to get much worse.” The pinkness in her cheeks lightens. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a plan of attack. Start with white lilies. You’ll need three huge bouquets for Mrs. Aster’s room delivered with her breakfast.” I offer a kind smile.

  “She has ordered a special breakfast served at eight in the morning for the guests,” Mary Jo replies.

  “Whatever she asks, address her needs first. Instead of cowering, flip the switch and treat her like a queen. Seek her approval. She won’t know what hit her when you bowl her over with your excellent customer service. You’ll need two employees dedicated to Mrs. Aster and one to Georgina. Tomorrow each will be barking orders nonstop, and the ordeal won’t be pretty.”

  “Will you be in need of an assistant as well, Miss Aster?”

  Except for Green Eyes, the staff are treating me as an adult, not like a child who constantly needs reminding of my place in New York. The massive slipup takes a few seconds to settle in my brain. All thanks to Green Eyes for swiping that dossier on how to deal with me. She’d be phoning my grandmother now and tattling on me if she had a chance to read the dirty play book.

  A smirk plants deep in my face. Taking away Lilith’s fun has never been so easy. “Ah no, but thank you for asking. Expect Mrs. Aster to start hammering the staff at five in the morning like a drill sergeant. Make copies of all relevant local vendors so your coworkers don’t have to scramble. She’ll make them. She only upgraded the tech at the front desk, so clipboards will come in handy. Make sure her assistants jot every one of her requests down, even if they seem ludicrous. They’ll likely be moving the guest chairs an inch to the left, and then back again for a solid three hours.”

  She tries to smile, but it’s a sad attempt. Her job remains on the line for the next twenty-four hours. “Anything else?”

  “Things will go smoother if your coworkers avoid chitchat and eye contact with her. I pretend she’s a vampire. Makes things easier, so you might want to spread that rumor.” I hold up two fingers for the additional staffing needed and add a third for emphasis. She whips out her phone, calling for reinforcements.

  I turn, bouncing into Green Eyes who chuckles under his breath. He braces my arms with his hands. “Yeah, you’re gonna be a shitload of trouble for me.”

  “You’re not even on duty. You don’t have to concern yourself with me tonight. Tomorrow your hands will be full, but not from me. Lilith and Georgina will give you the run around, so go catch up on your sleep, big guy.” I brush past him, snatching my bag in the process.

  He laughs while Tyrell strides beside me, offering his white glove. I grip my bag handle and send Green Eyes a bright smile. We pass the bustling staff preparing for the big show. One conference room is dedicated to assembling the second round of gift baskets to welcome our guests joining us tomorrow. The large baskets overflow with expensive bottles of French wine, Beluga caviar, and the finest truffles from Belgium.

  Green Eyes follows us into the elevator. Hovering into my personal space, he towers over me.

  I ask, “Is this really necessary?”

  “I’m escorting you to your room.”

  “Right.”

  When Tyrell steps onto my floor, Green Eyes widens his stance, blocking my exit. The doors shut behind us. I remark, “Look, I know what is on the line for my family tomorrow. I’m the one who has th
e most to lose. I promise you I have no plans to cause any problems for anyone.”

  No emotion passes over his face.

  “Fine, if you’re going to act like a Neanderthal, I’ll treat you like one.” I grasp onto his shoulder to steady myself while I lean down and peel off a heel. “However, cave men don’t use the word ‘accolades,’ so what college did you blow off?”

  “Boy, you’re sassy.”

  I gaze up before plucking my other heel off. “I’m sassy because I speak the truth? What do you call a man who does the same?”

  “A Neanderthal.” Stifling laughter, his chest vibrates. His heated breath pours over my neck like honey.

  “At least you’re honest.”

  “MIT ranks up there with Harvard, right? Is that good enough for a Neanderthal to blow off in your books?”

  Not knowing if he’s playing me, I can’t help grinning. I grab my heels and stand up, losing two inches of height in the process. I crank my chin up that much more. “Don’t go chasing married rich men, and you’ll be fine.” I duck around him and press the button to open the door. Tyrell stands wide-eyed, gazing back at us. I shuffle out with Green Eyes on my heels. He takes a stance in the quiet hallway, letting Tyrell escort me to my suite.

  “Thank you, Tyrell.” Handing the rigid bellhop a hefty tip, I offer, “Mrs. Aster has retired for the evening. You can relax.”

  “Thank you, ma’am, but we aim to please.” His posture remains ramrod-straight.

  “Tyrell, did you happen to serve in the military?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Eight years in the marines. Based out of Jacksonville, North Carolina at Camp Lejeune.”

  “Am I sensing the military did not prepare you for the likes of Mrs. Aster?”

  “Ma’am, in relation to my employment, it’d be best not to answer that question.”

  “Here’s a little irony for you to chew on. Mrs. Aster owns a resort in the South, but she can’t stand the heat. She’s returning to New York tomorrow evening.”

  He wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. “God bless the great state of North Carolina.”

  A sweeping grin breaks upon my face. “I completely agree.”

  “Ma’am, you have a pleasant evening.” He bows his head and returns to the elevator. Green Eyes keeps his unrelenting gaze upon me until the elevator doors close.

  Green Eyes rattles something deep inside of me. Therefore, I take my frustrations out on the door, shoving with more force than necessary. An empty wine bottle careens across the floor, smashing into another.

  Wishing I could screech at the top of my lungs, I settle on grinding out, “Georgina.”

  The suite sparkles into focus. A heavy layer of glitter and confetti coats every surface including the curtains, the sofas, and the tabletops in the ultra-posh white decorated room. Vile and phallic gag gifts add unwanted décor. Empty bottles of wine and champagne litter the room. I count fifteen during my quick pass of the disarrayed suite. I swerve around room service carts full of day old food. I almost trip over my own feet when I stumble across a large inflatable rainbow unicorn in the back corner with a dildo horn. I shake my head in disbelief. Georgina had a hell of a good time using my suite as a party pad all week.

  Shoving three room service carts into the empty hallway, I’m thankful nothing is broken or stained. I rush to the bedroom. My king-sized bed is a rumpled mess. The room is littered with more empty bottles. Lifting my duvet up to straighten the bedding sends a cloud of confetti glitter into the air, raining more gold over everything.

  Housekeeping can wait until morning.

  Exhausted, I melt into the plush mattress, hoping to dream of enchanting shades of green. The same eye color of the intriguing stranger. I pull the covers over my head, hiding from the fast approaching hurricane. All I have to do is survive one more day. The hardships I’ve endured the past few years have not prepared me for what I’ll have to face tomorrow. My father is remarrying, and I’m the last trace of my mother left in this world.

  2

  In a sleep-deprived daze, I fumble across the glittered suite to stop the incessant door knocking. Instead of room service, Fredrick, our personal stylist for the wedding, has been unleashed upon me. Dressed like a rock star, he rushes in with a slew of bags, a rolling rack, and an attitude fitting of a diva.

  “Hello, darling. I’m Fredrick.” Fredrick rests his hands over his heart while eying the empty bottles and sex toys. “Holy lush, I found my favorite Aster!”

  I spread my hands out wide. “Yes, I drank all these bottles of wine and champagne. Here I am, not comatose. This is seriously the highlight of my life.”

  “We all have our talents, my dear! However, you were absent when I swung by yesterday to introduce myself.” He swipes gold glitter from my cheek as I chuckle with absurdity. “Georgina flew us in early and gave us those glorious gift baskets. My assistants and I downed at least six bottles of that fantastic French wine. If I knew she had this trashy soiree going on, we would’ve crashed the party. Connor and Sissy are always up for a good laugh.”

  “Georgina loves to throw parties. Partying may be her only talent.”

  He smirks. “She left lots of goodies.”

  I try not to gag. “You mean that giant unicorn in the corner with his very proud dildo?”

  “Obviously! That is so fabulously tacky, I must buy one for Sissy. I spy a cord. Please tell me the unicorn vibrates.” Chuckling, he begs with his hands.

  “Is it supposed to?” I ask, giggling.

  He pats my cheeks. “Oh, sweetie…”

  I sigh. “I’m so glad I was in New York.”

  We share a laugh as he parks his hands on his black leather-clad hips. A silver studded belt and silver-buttoned black vest enhance his gray dress shirt for an edgy look. Several corded silver pieces hang around his neck and pop out against his dark creamy skin. He slicks his black hair back like a male model. The smile lines around his attractive face places him mid-thirties. “There must be more of that fine wine laying around. We could get an early start with our own celebration.”

  “You’re definitely not from New York.” I grin at the unexpected turn of events. Every stylist there kisses Georgina and Lilith’s asses, yet here he is, enraptured with me.

  He aims his fingers to the ceiling, ready to rile up a concert crowd. “West Coast, baby. L.A. all the way.” His motions to my unhindered mass of curls and wrinkled school uniform. I muffle laughter. “We’ve already defiled unicorns, so what do we have going on here? A little … Lolita action?” He rubs his hands together. “I can work with this. The glitter adds a new layer of naughtiness. Wait, you are eighteen, right?”

  “Yes, my birthday was a few months ago.” I turn, hiding a smirk. “Vladimir Nabokov wouldn’t approve.”

  He lets out a long whistle. “That man was kinky as hell. You know it was him, not his character Humbert Humbert, who wanted a little nymphet on the side. That’s how I always interpreted the salacious masterpiece. Sorry, darling, this X-rated mess is spinning too many unsavory thoughts in my head.”

  The vapid mix surrounding Georgina’s circle is always too much to bear, but Fredrick knows his literature. “You snag my favorite stylist honor. I need housekeeping and loads of caffeine. Would you like anything? I’m not sure wine is on the menu this early, but we’ll fetch you plenty for lunch.” Fredrick fakes a pout and winks while I dial room service.

  Fredrick claps his hands together the second I finish. “What are you waiting for, you tasty little tartlet? Shower now.” Grabbing one of his bags, he points to the bathroom.

  “Fredrick, it’s only ten in the morning. You interrupted my plan to sleep away the day.”

  “How’d you sleep in the first place? I’m surprised giant dildos didn’t run you down in your dreams. By my count, there are nine. I’m rather adventurous, but I’ve never ridden a unicorn before.” I grimace. Rolling his eyes, he steers me towards the bathroom. “Unicorns are those dreamy unattain
able men and women we always lust for. They have super powers like they’re uber-rich, ungodly beautiful, unbelievably hung, or deliciously curvy. Real curves now. Injections or implants don’t count.” I giggle. “Everyone wants a unicorn. Few actually get their own.”

  “I see.” A weighted sigh leaves me as I peel off my shirt. I sparkle in the sunlight. “Damn, I look like a unicorn threw up on me.”

  “Huh, you’re literally covered in gold. I guess it’s true about that infamous Aster golden touch. How magical!” He grins. “There is glitter and rainbows everywhere I turn. I’m still buzzed from last night, so everything is fantastically blurry today.”

  “That’s one way to conquer today.” I snicker as I lift up my shimmering arms. “How do you get glitter off your skin? I cannot show up like this. Not one speck!” I glance down to my bare legs, greeted with the same shinny horror.