“Not that moment. But the worst part was that the hot food and water on crotch incident was just one of many. I was forever spilling stuff on people. I think I have a natural tendency to do things like that when I’m nervous.”
“Thanks Danielle.” I finally said when the laughter had subsided.
“Thanks? For what?” She asked.
“For this. For always making me laugh. I really am grateful to be here you know.”
“I know you are. Now, what about that other job you applied for? I never got the chance to ask you about that.”
“Oh, well I haven’t heard anything yet although they said that I should be hearing back soon. I have absolutely no idea if I’ll get it though. You know what it’s like – they’re always so vague with these things. I could’ve been brilliant or awful – either way they keep their cool. Well it’s actually for The Sunrise Casino – you know that big one with the pool that wraps around it?”
“Of COURSE I know Sunrise Casino. Everyone knows about it! I actually tried to get in there once, this was years ago when I first moved here, but it seemed everyone had the same idea as me. I didn’t get in and then I got the job at Palms Casino and I’ve been so happy there that I haven’t bothered trying to get in again. But what a cool place.”
“Well, they ran this online contest asking for social marketing ideas. I did a bit of research on the place and put a few things together and sent in my proposal. I have to say, for such a big and fancy casino, their social media presence isn’t all that great. I think that anyone who wins that contest will do a better job than what they are doing now. They’ve basically ignored that side of their marketing completely. So it was quite easy to come up with some ideas. And it was so much fun. I love doing things like that. Sometimes half the fun is in the planning.”
“Half the fun is in the planning? You are SUCH a nerd at times Jane. So, what happens if you win?” Danielle asked and I punched her on the arm. She was always mocking me for the nerdy things that I did. I was the type of girl who always had her nose in her book and who got excited when someone mentioned the word Scrabble.
“Well if I win then I’ll get to lead the casino’s social media campaign. It will be quite a big job and I’m assuming it will go on for quite a long time. Also, I hear the money’s pretty good. But like I said, I have no idea if I’m going to get it. Also, I have a feeling millions of people applied for it. I’d hate to be the person in charge of going through all those applications.”
Danielle whistled. “That place is one of the hottest casino’s on the strip already. If they sort out their social media they are literally going to explode. We did that at the Palms a few years ago and we went from quiet to busy within weeks. I tell you – if people see it on social media then all of a sudden it becomes the place to be. That casino is already doing so well without it – can you just imagine how crazy it’s going to be when they up their game? I hope you get it girl. This is the perfect job for you. Little Miss Organizer and Planner.”
“I certainly hope you’re right.”
“Now, will you relax a bit with me? You’re far too uptight and ruining this beautiful day. Also, I have a surprise for you.” She winked at me and I frowned back.
“A surprise? What does that mean? Oh no, I hope you haven’t organised for some stripper to come?”
Danielle laughed. She had done that once before to a friend even though it wasn’t her birthday and it was hilarious to be on the outside watching in, but not at all funny for the poor girl who had to endure it all. “No, no. I wouldn’t do that to you. But I really do have a surprise for you. In about half an hours’ time. So until then, sit back, relax and enjoy your cocktail.”
“But what is it?” I hated not knowing things. Surprises were always good when they happened but there was nothing worse than knowing that something was going to happen and not at all being prepared for it. Also, I was about to lie down in a bikini and it wasn’t quite the best time to have other people walk in. “Can I keep my clothes on in case you are surprising me with people? Should I go brush my hair? Or put on a nice dress? Oh no, I don’t think I even have any make up on.”
Danielle giggled. “Relax. Relax. You are perfect as you are. I promise you. Just trust me.
And I did trust her. Only her.
Chapter 5 - Jane
Somehow, in the space of half an hour, I had managed to fall asleep.
“Jane, Jane, earth to Jane. Wake up. Your surprise is here. Hello lovely girl.” A voice called out from the distance. My eyes drifted open and I screamed out in shock. Danielle had her face right in front of mine.
“Geez, don’t do that to me. You’re going to give me a heart attack. Did I fall asleep?”
“You sure did. Such a lightweight. One cocktail and you’re out. Come now sleepy head, look around. Look at everything that you’ve missed out on while you’ve been away in la la land.” She signalled around her.
I looked around and was surprised to see that the outside section had been transformed in what looked to be a spa of some sorts. There were beds, towels, and something that looked to be a changing room. There was also a lady standing there staring at them. The lady was gorgeous and looked like she had stepped straight out of a magazine cover.
“Okay, how the heck did I sleep through all of this and what is going on?” I was incredulous. I must’ve really needed that nap. And I must say, that even though it was only half an hour, I suddenly felt good.
“Welcome to your very own spray tanning session, with the wonderful Miss Marian.” With that the lady bowed down.
“A spray tanning session? That’s my surprise? Oh I don’t need to do that. You don’t need to do that either. Look at you. You are already so brown.” I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful but I really wasn’t a fan of self-tanning. I never had been. Which would possibly explain my translucent skin.
“Yes, but I have to keep it looking golden brown. Trust me, it fades so easily. And I refuse to use a tanning bed. Those things are so bad for your health. I cannot tell you the amount of horror stories that I have heard from people who have used those things. Remind me later to show you a list of statistics that I have about it.”
“You have a list of statistics about tanning beds? Now who’s the nerdy one. But seriously, you go, I’ll just watch. I’m more than happy here in the sun. The sun is just what I need. After all, isn’t that the most natural way to go brown?” I thought I had her there, but of course she was always one ahead of me.
“Yeah the sun is great. Unless you’re people like us. And not to be rude, but when I say us I really mean you.”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong with me?”
“I’ve seen your skin in the sun before. You don’t go brown. You go red. Then you go all blistery. Then you peel. You don’t go brown. Come on, I’ve known you long enough now. Be honest with yourself.”
I sighed. “You got me there. I never go brown. And admittedly, I’ve always been a bit jealous of your sheen.”
“My sheen? You make me sound like a dog. Now come on, strip off, we don’t have all day. You deserve a little bit of tender loving care.”
“Uh… can you go first? I’m still half asleep.”
“No problemo!”
The truth was that I felt a bit shy suddenly getting undressed out in the open. I’m not sure why because Danielle had seen my naked body many times before and she had seen me through many different stages in my life. And Miss Marian had probably seen a hundred naked bodies before and I’m sure seeing mine was not going to bother her in the slightest. But still, I felt weird. Instead I watched as Danielle took her clothes off with ease and stepped into the tanning booth while giving me a big thumbs up and a massive grin. She was in her element here. Watching her I suddenly wished that I had chosen to go first and I was so grateful that there was nobody else around but the three of us. Danielle was beautiful and she had the type of confidence that just made her even more beautiful than she was. She was wagging her bum at me now and makin
g me laugh but I couldn’t help but think what a nice bum she had and how white and unimpressive mine was going to look after this show. Danielle had a beautiful backside, as one of her ex-boyfriends had once described – which she said made up for her lack of boobs. But her small boobs suited her. She was tall and lanky and big breasts would’ve only weighed her down. She was all elegance and sophistication. Everything that I was not.
“Okay, your turn now. You’re going to love it. Trust me. Soon, you’ll be wanting to do this every week” She said and came out to sit on the lounger.
“Oh I doubt that!” I was not into things like this and she should know it.
But she just laughed. “Oh trust me, you might not think you’ll like it. But you will. At least, you’ll like the way you look afterwards and you’ll never want to go back to that pale skin again. Miss Marian, make her beautiful.”
“What? So I’m not beautiful already? You’re meant to be my best friend. You’re meant to tell me that I’m already the most beautiful woman in the world even if it’s not true. You cut me deep Danielle. You cut me deep.”
“You ARE the most beautiful snowman in the world. But if you want to become the most beautiful woman in the world you’ll have to get a bit of color on you.” She laughed at that as if she had just told the funniest joke in the world and I tried not to laugh back.
“Fine fine. I’m going in.” I took off my clothes and stepped inside, completely aware that both Danielle and Miss Marian could now see me naked. As Miss Marian started spraying me I suddenly felt emboldened by this nakedness and for a brief moment I felt free. Looking down I was glad that I had taken Danielle’s advice to get a Brazilian wax – because this moment right now would not have been pleasant the way I had looked a few weeks ago. It had been my very first Brazilian wax and I had been petrified. I had even told the ladies behind the counter and they had laughed at me, telling me that they had many clients still that came in for the first time and that there was nothing to be worried or ashamed of. I told them that I wasn’t ashamed at all but more frightened by the thought of the pain that as about to come my way. Again they told me that it was not going to be painful and that even if it was it would still be worth it. And they had been right. I had never thought something like that would make a difference to me and yet it had given me a strange and quiet confidence about myself that I never had before. As the cool spray hit my body I noticed how smooth it felt where they had done the Brazilian wax. A shiver formed up my spine at the sensation and I realized that despite being naked in front of strangers, I actually felt sexy. If only there was a man standing in front of me and not two girls.
“You know what, Jane?” Danielle said while watching me, “That asshole Justin doesn’t know what he’s missing out on here. You would’ve been his happily ever after. Now, he will always regret what he did and he will always wish that he had stayed with you. Guys like that will just never be happy with anything. They could be with the most gorgeous model in the world who also has a great personality and they’ll still look somewhere else. Those are guys that just always want more and more and more. And they are not worth the time and effort. Don’t you ever think that you were the reason he left you. HE was the reason. You really are beautiful my friend and I mean it. I’m saying it to you while you are naked in front of me. I must be telling the truth!”
“Thanks Danielle. You know what, I agree with you about Justin. He is an asshole.” It felt good to hear those words coming out of my mouth.
“That’s it! Say it again. But say it loud.”
“JUSTIN IS AN ASSHOLE.” It felt even more invigorating screaming this while completely naked. I’m not sure why. It just did. I laughed and threw Danielle a grateful smile.
“So, on that note. How about you start looking for someone that’s not an asshole. A gentleman. A real man. I have just the man for you. He’s everything that Justin isn’t. And I know you thought that Justin was gorgeous, but trust me, this guy is even better looking. And to go with the looks comes a sparkly and shiny personality. Just what you need and deserve.”
“Thanks Danielle. But I’m going to say no. I’m sure you’re not surprised at all at. But it’s not because I’m anti-men. Well, maybe I am a little. But I won’t be forever. I just need a bit of time to be myself. To figure out who I am as a person. I was with Justin for a very long time. Years of my life wasted on that idiot. And in that time I have completely forgotten about who I am as a person. What I want. I’ll be honest, I actually have no idea who Jane Griener even is. If you had to ask me I could only tell you that I’m a 26 year old female with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and MBA and that I’m particular good with social media and company branding. I can tell you that I have curves in places I like and curves in places that I don’t like. I can tell you that I have light brown hair and light brown eyes and that I hate how everything is just light brown and nothing else. How I wish my hair flowed down to my legs rather than just cutting short just above my shoulders. How I hate that I’m not taller. I can tell you all these things. But you already know that. And a stranger talking to me would pick all that up within minutes. That’s because that’s not all that I am. But I don’t know what that is anymore. I don’t know who I am. I need this time to just be me.”
There was silence after that. My spray tan was finished and I was standing in the booth just staring into space. Danielle was looking down at her feet. Then she looked up and smiled.
“I’m proud of you Jane. This is your time.”
And standing there, completely unclothed and free for the first time in a long time, I knew that she was right. This was my time!
Chapter 6 - Sebastian
“Hi everyone. Thanks for all coming today on such short notice. So are you all ready to talk business?” I laughed at their solemn faces. It was a common practice for me to call meetings at all hours of the day and night but it didn’t seem to be to most people’s liking. Right now it was 9pm and most people either wanted to go out or go to sleep. For me, this was one of my best thinking times. My best times to strategize. I’d prefer it to be later even, perhaps when the rest of the world was asleep, but I knew they’d kill me for it. They would still show up, though, even if I did hold a meeting in the middle of the night – because at the end of the day I was still the one that paid them – but they’d do it begrudgingly. And I needed everyone quick on their toes. And I still wanted them to like me.
“Oh come on everyone. Don’t look so grumpy. I have pots of coffee and whisky and a hell of a lot of snacks.” I pointed to the array that I had put out. Well, that someone had put out for me. It looked amazing.
“Great, coffee to stop us from sleeping and snacks to make us put on weight. Just what I need right now.” Grumbled Abbie while rubbing her eyes. Abbie was one of the best assistants in the marketing department, and she always had a smile on her face. Unless we held our meetings at night. Then she complained. Sometimes I felt that I did this just so that I could see her grumble.
“Oh Abbie, you could afford to put on some weight anyway. You’re all skin and bones. I’m actually doing you a favour right now. You should be thanking me.” I said and then handed her my sweetest smile.
“Hmmph. Don’t try and use some flattery to change my mind. You know that things like that don’t work on me. I’m not one of your casino girls.” But I could see that she was already starting to smile. Girls were so easy.
“Okay, so thanks to everyone for coming in today. I promise that we’ll make this quick. We only have one agenda item for today so I don’t see why it has to go on for too long. Then you can all go party your asses off. Or fall into some well-needed sleep. Whatever it is you’re after. Let’s try get this done in an hour at the most. I’ll probably see some of you on the dance floor later which is why I am personally adding some of this whisky to my coffee. There’s some cute girl waiting for me.” I high fived a few of the guys and laughed at Abbie mumbling, “Isn’t there always?” under her breath. I absolutely
loved grumpy Abbie.
“Anyway,” I continued, “Today I want to talk about the online contest for the social media campaign that we ran and to finally decide on the right candidate for the job. We’ve had a lot of entries so thank you to Abbie for going through all of them so carefully and for selecting the top ten. For those that don’t know I sat with Abbie yesterday and we whittled that down again until we were left with three. Three fantastic candidates who I really think could turn this place around. Just imagine what this place is going to be like with a bit of media buzz surrounding it. I’m not sure why it’s taken us so long to do this in fact. Okay, Abbie please tell everyone about the top three candidates. And please everyone, help yourself to something to eat and drink.”
Abbie cleared her throat and got out her papers. I noticed that she didn’t bother to stand up. She did, however, take a big gulp of coffee. That seemed to perk her up a bit. “Okay, well like Sebastian said…”
“SIR Sebastian.” I interrupted.
She glared at me and I grinned back at her. “Like Sebastian said we had some great entries for this competition. Of course also some not so great entries but those were discarded easily. I was shocked at how many people thought they would be great for the job and had absolutely no qualifications. Some guy actually wrote ‘because I like casinos and money’ in his application.”
“Ooh, I like the sound of him.” I interrupted again.
Again, she glared at me. “Well then you hire him.” Snappy Abbie. “So, like Sebastian was saying before he so rudely interrupted me… we have three candidates to choose from. The first is Jane Greiner, a 26 year old female who got her bachelor’s degree in Communication and MBA from the University of Arizona. She’s got a good solid background in social media and knows what people want to see and what they don’t want to see. She was the one that headed the Beanz campaign a few years ago that turned that company around in a matter of weeks. So she definitely knows what she is doing. Then we have Martin Trumpor, a 32 year old male, no postgraduate degree, went straight to work with some of the top companies and moved his way up until he was heading their social media and marketing team. He might be different in terms of what we’re used to, but he is a hard worker and doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants. He’s had quite a few jobs over the past years which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it but it seems that when he gets a job he certainly does it justice. Lastly we have Molly Earnest. Like Jane she also received a bachelor’s degree in Communication. She has lived in New York her whole life and has lead the marketing team in four of her company’s divisions. She is also a graphic designer and creates beautiful vision representations for her marketing campaigns. This is always a good thing to have – because a vision without an eye for design often doesn’t work. Having said that we already have some great graphic designers so we probably wouldn’t need much more than just her input. I have a copy of their CV’s to show each of you,” Abbie handed one out to everyone, “And then I’d like to take you through the ideas that each of them had for the company. You’ll be surprised at how different their visions are and hopefully after that you’ll be able to figure out who you like best. Sebastian, I think we take it to a vote at the end. I know who I want already.”
Auctioned to Him 4: His Addiction Page 84