by Aria Ford
That evening he didn’t enter the bar. Instead he went down the street and entered some very exclusive, expensive shops. Some of his favorites were Coach, Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Olympia and Burberry. He stopped by Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Kate Spade, Mulberry, Versace and of course, Cartier. In each shop he requested their on-staff designer and showed them a picture of Gabrielle he’d surreptitiously captured with his cell phone. It showed her general size, assets, and of course, her unique coloring. He had everything he’d ordered delivered to one of the suites on the same floor where he was staying, and had that room put on reservation for the next two weeks. He was baiting his line, and Ms. Standish would be worth every penny.
Chapter Three
Arran performed his morning routine and made a few business phone calls. He knew his game was off, however, and realized there was a certain silver-haired blonde responsible. This was completely out of character for him. He’d have to resolve this before it interfered with his family’s investments; that simply could not happen.
Late that afternoon, he dressed very casually and went down to the bar. There were only a few guests there that time of the day. He feigned interest in a soccer game that was playing on the massive flat screen behind the bar.
Soundlessly, the doors from the kitchen parted and his vigilant eye picked up on Gabrielle’s entrance. She was carrying a shallow tray stocked with olives, lemons, limes, and other drink garnishes. The bar was obviously preparing for the night crowd to begin descending. Although the casino never closed, guests naturally followed their internal clocks and slept in late, hung out at the pool, and then filtered to the casino, shows, and bar in the evenings.
Gabrielle’s back was to him and as she slowly filled the various stations with her condiments, she kept her attention to what she was doing and didn’t look up. When she finally came close to him, Arran spoke up.
“I received your envelope, although it wasn’t necessary,” he began what he hoped would be a longer conversation.
Her head snapped up and she smiled. “I appreciate what you did for me. I know it was only due to you that I kept my job. Let’s just say a certain windfall came my way and naturally, I wanted to settle my debt.”
“You are most gracious,” he said and meant every word.
“Just the way I learned to do things. You never leave a debt unsettled.” She was arranging the glasses and he thought he could detect that she might be dawdling, just the slightest bit.
“Gabrielle, I was wondering whether I might ask your guidance in something?” he leaned toward her.
“What’s that?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“I find that my business may require that I spend more time here in Las Vegas. While the hotel is fine for short stays, I thought I might purchase a more permanent abode.” He looked for signs of emotion to cross her face, but her expression remained impassive.
“Okay, are you looking for a house or a condo?” she asked.
“Oh, definitely a house,” he hastened to clarify. “I require a good deal of space and, of course, security. This would not be possible under a joint ownership.”
“That makes sense,” she answered, done with her chore and now standing with one hand on her curvaceous hip. Her face held a contemplative frown. “I have to admit that I’ve not lived here that long and don’t really have any recommendations. However, you could ask the concierge for a realtor referral.”
“I was hoping for somewhat of a more personal arrangement,” he began.
Her face was instantly suspicious. “No, I think you have me all wrong. I know some of the girls here are, well… offer escort service, but that’s not me.” She began to back away.
Arran’s hand reached out involuntarily, as if to hold her in check. “I beg your pardon. I did not mean to suggest that you were anything at all of that nature.” He breathed more gently when she stopped again. Intentionally, he lowered his voice now so she would have to come closer to hear. “I was looking to hire a personal assistant; someone who would select a location for me and oversee the necessary details of preparing it. I prefer a female because she may also serve as my companion at these business dinners – completely proper, I assure you. After our recent, well… transaction, shall we call it, I know you are a woman of great character and integrity. Therefore, I am extending an invitation to you to accept the position with a starting salary of, shall we say, two hundred and fifty thousand. Of course, I will provide transportation, wardrobe, etc. suitable for the requirements.”
Gabrielle’s head was cocked. “Why me? I don’t have the credentials for that kind of job,” she asked suspiciously.
Arran had anticipated this, though. “As I said, you proved your integrity. I require the utmost loyalty and confidentiality. This…” he swept his hand toward the gaming floor, “is hardly the place where those are easy to find.”
Gabrielle had to admit that he had a point. It felt too opportunistic, though, and her inner voice was telling her to go in the other direction. “I don’t think so, but I appreciate your asking.”
There was disappointment on his face but she wasn’t sure what motivated it. It didn’t matter. She had seen enough of these dark-skinned foreign zillionaires to know that they valued women lowly and had private jets at their disposal for get-aways. Although the money and benefits were unbelievable, she knew better. If it seemed too good to be true, it was.
“I am most disappointed,” he said. “You realize that in my country, women would kill to have that position?”
Gabrielle couldn’t help herself. “Perhaps that’s where you should look, then,” she returned saucily and headed back to the kitchen.
She busied herself there as long as she could. Eventually, Ben stuck his head through the door and called out, “We got tables out here.” She had no choice; her job was tenuous as it was. She needed to get out onto the floor and do what she was being paid to do.
She peeked through the doors and saw the sheikh was still in his seat, watching the television overhead. Doesn’t he have better things to do? she thought to herself. With a deep breath, she pushed through the doors and headed toward her tables.
The first table had a couple, both of whom looked very uncomfortable. The man was pleasant looking and in a suit while the woman kept swallowing and tapping her nails on the table. Honeymooners, Gabrielle thought to herself. He ordered a scotch and she a vodka collins. Just like I thought, she thought.
The next table was ringed with men. By the look of their clothes, she assumed they were businessmen, in town for a convention. Lots of these guys stayed at the cheaper motels on the edge of town but came in to the Bellagio for what it had to offer. They always looked out of place and played conservatively. They also always left dead broke.
The next table held a single man and as Gabrielle approached him, his back was to her. She moved to his side and laid down a cocktail napkin before him. “What can I bring you?” she asked.
“Hello, Gabrielle. I told you we’d meet again,” came the voice, and Gabrielle’s head jerked up as she saw who it was. Her worst fears were confirmed as she looked at the face of Carl Smithers.
“Get out of here!” she spat automatically in a hard whisper. Her hands began to shake and the nightmares from the past began to filter into her current reality.
“Oh, now that’s not too nice,” Carl grinned, his teeth were yellow and one was broken off.
“I said get out. I’ll… I’ll… call security!” she tried desperately.
“And what will you tell them?” he mewled in a cajoling tone. It was the same tone he’d used in trying to get her to slide her panties off. “You going to say your daddy is here?”
Gabrielle thought she would faint. She spun about without answering and headed back to the bar. Ben noticed her hands and looked to her for an explanation. “You okay?”
“The man at table eleven has had too much to drink. Cut him off!” she spat in a desperate voice.
Ben looked at the man
and back at her. She was visibly shaken. “Consider him cut off,” he agreed without argument.
Gabrielle heaved a sigh of relief, picked up the tray with the drinks for the first two tables, and went off to deliver them. She thought she had pulled that off rather neatly. Carl would hang for a few minutes and once he noticed he wasn’t going to be served, he should leave. Or so she hoped.
None of this went undetected, however. A pair of dark brown eyes and raised black eyebrows had watched her carefully. Whether she liked it or not, he had already come to think of her as his own property. He was a man who looked out for his property. He glanced momentarily at Alahan who nodded very slightly. He would see to it Gabrielle wasn’t bothered again – at least not tonight.
Gabrielle continued to quiver with fear and the realization that she was no longer in hiding. Where can I go? she thought. She finished delivering the drinks and headed back to the bar. This time, however, she walked straight up to Arran. “Is that offer still open?” she asked.
“And of course,” he answered, trying to keep the satisfaction out of his voice.
“When do I start?
Chapter Four
The elevator opened onto the floor with the Chairman’s Suite and Arran waved his hand for Gabrielle to exit. Alahan followed as he escorted her down the hallway to the suite he had reserved for her in advance.
He unlocked the door and handed her the keycard. “After you,” he said.
Gabrielle walked into the beautiful suite with its designer touches and felt completely out of her element. “You know, I could stay at the little apartment I rent in town,” she hurriedly said but Arran shook his head.
“No, your hours will be irregular and sometimes long. It would be far more convenient for you to be close at hand,” he pointed out and Gabrielle nodded, although not without reservations.
“Well, we can try it for the time being,” she allowed.
“I think you will find everything you need in the bedroom closet. I’ll leave you for now to get settled in, but tomorrow morning I’d like you in my sitting room at nine so we can begin reviewing your duties and planning an agenda.” He bowed from the waist and left, Alahan striding behind him.
“Oh, Sheik!” she called after him.
He stopped and turned toward her. “Yes?”
“What do I call you?”
“As I said earlier, you may call me Arran,” he said, looking as though he thought they’d covered all that.
“Just thought I’d double-check. Maybe an employee should call you by your more formal title?”
“Arran will be perfectly fine. Goodnight, Gabrielle,” he said and disappeared into his own suite.
* * *
Gabrielle was up early and in the shower. When she opened the closet, her jaw dropped. There weren’t just a few dresses in there; there was an entire wardrobe. She pulled out a sequined strapless evening gown with a matching cape. She held it up to herself and looked in the mirror. It was her size! She tugged out shoes and sure enough, they were all in her size as well. How did he know I’d accept? A tall chest with drawers held what must have been hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry. There were matching handbags and shoes coordinated for each outfit. Another dresser held lingerie. Gabrielle had never seen, much less had the use of, quality clothing like this. She hadn’t even dared to go into the shops where it was sold.
She selected a conservative pantsuit in navy blue with a crimson blouse. Its collar was embroidered with tiny, colorful flowers and it set off her coloring beautifully. She tapped on Arran’s door promptly at nine.
A butler opened the door to admit her and showed her into Arran’s sitting room. If anything, it was even more elaborate than her own quarters and she took it all in as he was pouring himself a thick, Turkish coffee. He had offered her some, but she shook her head.
“I don’t eat breakfast,” she said quickly and realized it was more due to a lack of budget than anything else.
“Very well. Let’s begin, shall we?” he smiled in a charming manner and took a seat opposite her on a brocade sofa. “Before you is a case. Open it, if you will?”
Gabrielle opened the red leather case on the coffee table. It contained several things.
“These are yours to keep,” Arran said, sipping his drink.
Gabrielle began to protest but he quickly waved her silent. “You must have the proper tools to do your job,” he said.
She found a new Apple laptop and iPhone. There was also an envelope that contained a check for $10,000.
“Your first paycheck,” he said briefly as though it was of no consequence. “You also have a line of credit at almost any store in town. Just walk in, select what you need and they will bill me.” He pointed at a slender wallet and she opened it to find several credit cards. “For incidentals,” he commented. “In the pocket, you’ll find a set of car keys to a red Ferrari that you’ll find parked downstairs. It’s yours as well.”
“I can’t accept all this,” she began.
“Gabrielle, we both understand your sense of integrity. These are yours as part of the job, nothing more. There will be no repayment. Let’s consider these a signing bonus, if you will.”
Gabrielle’s suspicious nature was triggered. She sat back on the sofa and contemplated all that lay before her and down the hallway in the closet. “I didn’t thank you for the unbelievable wardrobe. It’s all, too, too much, Arran.”
He set down his cup and looked at her. “It’s nothing compared to what I’d be willing to give.”
Gabrielle didn’t know how to take that, so she chose not to say any more on that topic. She reminded herself that could always give these things back. Right now, however, she needed to look after her own safety and Arran certainly presented the least hazardous of the two opportunities. Carl was hanging around downstairs, to be certain.
“Now then, let us discuss the gentleman who upset you last night in the bar. What is he to you?”
Gabrielle could have kicked herself. She should have known this was coming. “No one.”
“I think, dear Gabrielle, you do not give me credit. It would take an idiot to not have seen your reaction to him. If he affects you, it affects me. I insist you tell me who he is.”
Gabrielle shut the case and looked out the window over the landscape of hotels and neon lights. Without looking at him directly, she pulled at her hair and said, “He was my foster parent.”
“I see. Not a very good one, I’m guessing?”
“No, not a very good one. A very bad one, as a matter of fact.”
“His name?”
Gabrielle looked at him. This could be a dangerous situation. This man is very powerful. “His name is Carl Smithers. I don’t know how he found me, but I suspected he’d show up one day.”
“And this Carl Smithers,” he said the name with disgust on his lips, “would it be fair to assume he treated you in a manner that was inappropriate?”
Gabrielle nodded, her eyes filling with tears at the memory.
Arran stood and came over to sit next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders. “Listen to me. I am not without connections and shall we say, some level of immunity in this country. Say the word and he will disappear forever.” His voice was low, serious, and possessive. Gabrielle picked up on this.
She shook her head. “No, leave him be. I just don’t want to run into him again, especially if I’m alone.”
Arran patted her shoulder and withdrew his arm in a true, gentlemanly fashion. “I anticipated as much.” He snapped his fingers and the door opened. Alahan entered, followed by a woman roughly Gabrielle’s age. “This,” he motioned to the woman to step forward, “is Serra. She is a member of my personal security team and now is assigned to be your companion. She’s highly trained and is always armed. She will look out for you at all times.”
Gabrielle shook her head, “No, no, this is ridiculous. I don’t need a bodyguard. No offense, Serra.”
“Ahhh, but indeed you do, Gabrie
lle. You will, as my assistant, from time to time be entrusted with large amounts of cash and other confidential papers. I cannot put you in harm’s way and that’s why Serra will accompany you.”
“Why do I need a bodyguard? Why do you need a bodyguard?” she asked bluntly.
“I do not have eyes in the back of my head and neither do you. This is quite common among… among people in business.” He seemed perfectly accepting of this.
“Not the people in businesses I know.”
“Please, Gabrielle, accept my word for this.”
She nodded. He was her employer. How could she argue? “Well, then, Serra, how do you do?” she offered up, trying to strike up some sort of friendship. Serra was cool, but politely nodded. Arran flicked a finger and both bodyguards quietly slipped from the room. It occurred to Gabrielle that this was a man who was accustomed to having people wait on him. It was a completely foreign feeling for her and she wasn’t sure whether she liked it or not.
“Now then,” he began again, “I want you to get to know me well. You must learn my point of view and where my goals lie. You will be called upon at one time or another to make decisions on my behalf. For this reason, you must understand what I would say if I were there.”
Gabrielle nodded. This made sense.
“First, it would please me if you would begin to eat breakfast, even if it is only juice and coffee. We will have breakfast meetings and you will want to blend in and not be conspicuous. Later this morning we will take a drive and look at a few properties that have been proposed by a local realtor. I want you to offer your true opinion when I ask you—never hesitate to be honest with me. Your integrity is one of the qualities I admire most about you. I also value your opinion and intend to use your American perspective as a precious commodity. Please always feel free to ask me questions, however personal. Again, I wish you to be completely aware of who I am. Do you have any questions so far?”