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by N. M. Catalano

  Fork & Cork is a small nouveau hippie diner, if that makes any sense, and is usually always packed. Today is no different. We have to wait a while for a table but the weather is great and I’m definitely not in any hurry to get back to the office.

  About halfway through our lunch while Marco periodically strokes my leg, placing his hand on my lap, touching me in some way so that I’m constantly aware of the state of my undress, I ask how the project is going. And I wait almost holding my breath for an answer.

  He sighs heavily, probably deciding on how much he’s going to say, before answering.

  “The building department has tied up my permits,” he answers flatly.

  I’m not well versed on the construction industry but I know a little about it. An ex-boyfriend had a painting company and I learned some things about the building industry listening to him.

  “That doesn’t sound good.” I give him a little more line hoping he’ll bite.

  “No, it sucks big time actually. After a certain point, every day will cost thousands of dollars on a project this size. And the biggest headache is they won’t give me a reason. I don’t know why.” Marco sounds totally disgusted and he has every right to be.

  “And what do you think, Marco?” I’m going in for the kill. He needs to get it out.

  He looks me in the eye and leans in close. “You know, Elizabeth, I think someone is trying to bankrupt me to make me pull out of the project. I can’t figure out who and why, especially here.” He shakes his head completely confused and frustrated. “Someone wants to destroy me.”

  The reality of the possibility suddenly takes on a massive life of its own, dark and foreboding and immense. The power of it fills the room with a feeling of dread and finality falling on us with its heavy weight, as real as he and I.

  “Wow, Marco. That’s incredible. Not impossible, unfortunately, but really incredible. I wish I could say that couldn’t happen because we both know that it can.” I did not expect this. This is huge and unless he’s got some big connections he’s totally screwed if this is what’s going on. My heart breaks for him. I want to hold him, give him some comforting words but Marco is a very proud man and he would abhor pity. I wouldn’t want him to mistake my comfort for that.

  “Don’t worry, baby. This isn’t my first day on the playground with the bullies. I might be the new kid in town but I’m also the baddest.” That sexy powerful man is back winking at me telling me he’s going to take this guy down. Go get him, babe!

  Back at the office, after I go home and put on a pair of panties, there’s a ton of emails to be answered, quotes to be done and phone calls to be returned. I sit back in my chair looking at everything wondering where to start. There is no way I can say my job is boring.

  About four o’clock Carol comes strolling in. If it wasn’t for her I don’t know how I would feel about working here. She makes me like it.

  “So how was the appointment with Marco?” She smirks at me. There is no way she could possibly know we had sex in his office!

  “It was great. He was impressed with what I showed him, loved everything and all the ideas for long range buyer marketing. Remind me to talk to you about their marketing bitch.” I pause reflecting on the news Marco revealed. “But there might be a situation.”

  She moves to the edge of her seat. That casual mood is gone.

  “What’s wrong?” The look on my face tells her it’s serious. She becomes worried, Carol probably thinks he’s gotten other quotes from a different company and he’s shopping around.

  “It’s nothing like that. But I need you to not say anything to anyone.” I move closer to her. “His permits have gotten held up in the building department and they’ve given him no reason for it. He thinks this could be really bad. If they get held up for an indefinite period of time, it would bankrupt him. After a certain point it will cost the company thousands of dollars every day. This could be really, really bad.” I don’t hide the deep concern I have about this situation.

  “Oh my God, I see what you’re saying.” She sits back in the chair and takes the information in before she continues. “In normal situations that would sound absurd but with the type of project that Marco’s company is doing, and the magnitude of it, it’s completely plausible.” She looks up at me after internally sorting through all of the angles. “That could be a very real possibility.”

  “I know and so does he. Please don’t say anything to anyone. He’s investigating the situation. The only reason he told me was because we might need to change the timelines on what we’re doing for him.” I’m torn now as to whether it was okay for me to tell Carol but I know if there is anyone I can trust, it’s her.

  “Don’t worry, honey, I won’t. And don’t worry about Marco. He didn’t get to where he is at his young age by being naïve. I’m sure he’s got some secret weapons in his back pocket.” She stands to leave winking at me with her little comment. She is absolutely right. I definitely feel better.

  Chapter Ten

  Elizabeth

  Halloween falls on a Friday this year. I’m not really a fan of it, I never have been even as a child but it’s a big party night. Although I am so far from being a partier it really is good for me to get back out in society sometimes. I don’t know why actually but it seems like the right thing to do. I don’t have to meet Elsie at the party until eight o’clock so I can take my time getting ready. She didn’t tell me until tonight that the party is at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside, where Marco and I spent our first night together. That made me miss him. This is the first Friday we haven’t been together in a long time, since Santino sent those allegations to my company.

  Santino…holy shit! A thought creeps into my mind. Could it be that he is the one compromising Marco’s project? This is a huge undertaking. Does he have the resources to do this? He was here just a few months and the only people I know of that he communicated with when he was here are my landlord Mr. Jones and my family. Is there anyone who could help him? Mr. Jones and Adriana. No. Not. Possible. But the idea gets bigger and bigger in my mind.

  I’m standing at the bathroom pedestal sink with the straightening iron in one hand and the hair spray in the other, wearing only the bustier and a pair of thongs, staring at but not seeing my reflection in the mirror. The thoughts flow and evolve in my mind.

  Since my dad died last year my sister has been half crazy with depression and she just might possibly be capable of anything, especially if Santino gave her even the slightest idea he is interested in her and wants to be with her. But would Santino do something like that? Is he capable of it? I don’t know. The man I thought I knew wouldn’t be, but I didn’t think the man I loved would do a lot of the things he did. And one thing I’ve learned over the past few years is that you can’t really and truly know anyone. Circumstances make people do things you would never dream they’d do.

  What I have also come to realize is that I am absolutely content with my life and I no longer wonder if this is all there is. Most importantly I am content with myself, who I am, where I am and what I am doing. I have found what is important to me and what is just bullshit. What brings real pleasure and what will leave me feeling empty. Life has been a turbulent ride these past few years. Those I trusted betrayed me and I let down those I should have trusted and those who trusted me. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I have to forgive myself after truly feeling remorse for the wrongdoings I’ve done. It is then I am really free from the bondage of hate and anger toward others and I can forgive them as well.

  And this freedom has allowed me to open myself up to living again. I think about Marco and smile at the thought of how lucky I am. Lucky because he didn’t run, didn’t think I was too much trouble with all my baggage and secrets. I don’t know what it is that we have yet but I don’t have to. Not right now. I know it’s okay to appreciate the moment. Because if you don’t, it will be gone.

  What I feel for Adriana is pity. I feel sorry for her. Yes, I’m still angry w
ith her, which is what’s holding me back from forgiving her. At times I really do try because she’s alone and she can’t handle it. Which makes me believe that she would, if given the opportunity, be the first to approach Santino and proposition him to be with her. God knows she was insinuating it while he was here. And if he took that opportunity, is he capable of doing this to Marco?

  There is no way for me to know.

  Unless I call him.

  Not yet. Let’s see what Marco’s people come up with first.

  My phone buzzes with a text. Marco’s face lighting up the screen pulls me from my thoughts and my up-and-down emotions.

  Hi baby, you busy?

  I miss him already, so much that I want to call off this party with Elsie. But I know I can’t do that.

  Hi Sexy, getting ready for the party. I miss you.

  This is the first time I’ve ever really told him anything with personal sentiment. After all we’ve been through together already, the realization is shocking.

  Me too, a lot. Don’t be surprised if I come to you in the middle of the night. Not because of sex, but because it hurts to be away from you.

  I’ll be waiting for you in my dreams <3

  Call me if you need me before then, love. And remember what I said about making sure I’m the only one the girls in your bustier are formally introduced to.

  Always. Missing you, bye.

  Until later baby, bye. M

  This man makes my heart, body and soul sing…at the top of their lungs.

  Seven o’clock, I’d better start my makeup. Finishing up my hair, I give it a final nod of approval. I’ve smoothed it and put some big loose curls in it. I’ve teased the top and loosely pinned that, pulled back two loose braids from the front and brought them together low in the back, weaving a gold chain through them.

  The gown Elsie got for me to wear is drop-dead stunning with a little bit of a train and wide flowing arms. It’s a deep-green velvet with a fitted bodice and gold trimming. The bodice is cut like a bustier pushing my breasts up so I don’t think there will be a lot of bending over tonight. She was also able to find shoes from the wardrobe department, I think, or maybe they are one of her crazy finds at vintage shops, covered in gold fabric and tied with a bow in the front. Elsie also hooked me up with a brushed golden crown with semi-precious stones in a weave pattern that is simple but elegant along with matching big antique-looking jewelry of gold, rubies, emeralds and pearls. When I’m finally dressed in everything, I feel like I’ve just stepped out of a medieval castle. Elsie and I are wearing masks. She’s Cat Woman and she made the costume herself, the Halle Berry version. She looks so incredibly hot in it, I’m relieved she will keep all of the attention on her tonight. Because she gets to wear a mask, I opted to wear one as well. Mine is a soft golden lace mask that ties behind my head with a ribbon. I’ve always wanted to wear one out. I’m not sure why, maybe because of the thrill of sensual anonymity it lends to the wearer and the viewer.

  I’ve arranged for a car to pick me up tonight. I’d rather not drive just in case I decide to drink. I could walk but my feet would be killing me in an hour or so after I’d gotten there. It’s an absolutely beautiful fall night. The temperature is still fairly comfortable and the wind is calm. The stars look so much closer and crisper and clearer at this time of year. From the car I see the Little Dipper and Big Dipper, Orion, and Mars. I used to wonder who else was looking up at the stars at the exact moment I was in a different part of the world. Was my soul mate standing there with his face tilted up to the sky wondering where I was? Thoughts like that still cross my mind, not necessarily the soul mate thing but the vastness of the universe and what we are when we are out of this body, when we are our true selves, our souls.

  The drive there is only a few minutes as it’s not far from my apartment. I decide I’d better text Elsie and ask her to wait for me in the lobby so we can walk in together.

  Hi El, wait for me in the lobby, I don’t want to walk in alone, yeah, I know I’m chicken shit.

  No problem, I would be a bad date if I didn’t, I’m almost there, c usoon

  When the car pulls up to the front door of the Hilton there are so many beautiful people coming and going dressed in elaborate costumes. And I thank God Elsie helped me with mine. Of course there are going to be beautiful people here; the party is being given by a movie production company. I think of the night I pulled up to this door just like this with the man who seduced me with just three words, and I didn’t even know his name. The memories, all of them, flood me and my breath catches in my throat sending shivers through me. Tonight I let myself out of the car and I walk through those doors alone. Elsie is waiting for me just inside. She looks so incredibly seductively hot in that shiny black vinyl second skin and those sinfully sexy over-the-knee platform boots.

  “Hi, Liz, you look incredible! Perfect, understated royal elegance.” She beams at me.

  My jaw hit the floor when I saw her. “Oh my God, El, you are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen!”

  She puts her hand on her hip, hoisting it up as she bends her knee and the light reflecting off the black vinyl looks like a wave of black water rippling over her sleek little body.

  “Yeah, I look pretty fucking hot, don’t I?” She smirks with her perfect red pouty lips and winks at me.

  “Extremely, my dear, now let’s go make those men drool over you.” I hook my arm through hers and we find our way to the party, our heads held high and our asses naturally swaying because we know we look good.

  The reception rooms are downstairs. There’s a court jester and a police man, who is pretty hot and is probably someone in costume I presume, standing at the doorway.

  “Good evening,” the officer says, “welcome to A Night of Decadence and Dance. Do you have your invitations?”

  “Yes we do,” Elsie answers and reaches into her bodice pulling out the invitation. She smiles naughtily at him as she hands it over.

  “And your name?” he asks with an obviously pleased smile on his face.

  We could get into so much trouble tonight. I know it already.

  “It’s Elsie James, officer.” She flirts with him.

  “And is there anything else tucked in there, Elsie?” He is almost drooling over her. The poor guy is doomed.

  “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Hi Elsie, hi Elizabeth,” says a familiar voice behind us.

  We jerk our heads at the sound of that voice I know belongs to John. He’s shirtless in all his beautiful six-and-a-half-foot glory, dressed in only suede fringed Indian style pants with his long black hair falling loosely over his wide shoulders and back. When my gaze finally makes it to his face, I see mixed emotions passing over it as he looks back and forth from Elsie to me. His eyes don’t quite make it to our faces.

  Mr. Officer clips in. “Do you know these two beautiful women?”

  John looks at him. “Yes, and I’ll be taking care of them tonight.” There is an obvious double meaning there, but what exactly it is, I’m not sure.

  The poor kid looks like his favorite toy has just been taken from him.

  John stands in front of us to escort us in, extending both of his arms to us so we can loop ours through his. This is an excellent way to make an entrance to a costume party, on the arm of a huge shirtless gorgeously sexy Indian.

  “Come, ladies, I’ll escort you in, but I can’t stay with you all night. I’m working.”

  Elsie is all flushed and timid smiles. She definitely has the hots for John and who can blame her?

  “Oh, what are you doing?” she asks him, her voice a little high, and I want to giggle at her obvious shyness.

  “I work personal security for the studio and because there are some big shots here they called me in. Brian’s here too. They needed an extra pair of hands and since we still have our military clearance they brought him in tonight as well.”

  “You were in the service, John?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, Brian and I were in the
Marines together. And what’s up, Elizabeth, no Marco tonight?” He turns and looks at me once we’re inside, letting our arms go and facing us with his huge arms crossed in front of his chest.

  “No, I’m Elsie’s date tonight.”

  “I doubt highly you have trouble finding dates, Elsie.” It’s hard to tell if he’s flirting with her but one thing is for sure. He can’t keep his eyes off her. I don’t think anyone will be able to in that black vinyl second skin of hers.

  “It’s the good dates that are a problem, John,” she answers a little shyly. Elsie, shy? That is definitely a first.

  “Enjoy yourselves, ladies, but behave, okay? I don’t want to have kick anyone’s ass tonight.” He looks at us sternly but smiling. I have a feeling there is sincerity in that statement.

  “Okay, Daddy,” I say playfully, rolling my eyes.

  “I’ll find you later,” he says before he leaves, looking us both in the eye.

  “My God, Liz, that man makes me ooze from every part of my body,” Elsie says as she fans herself when John is out of earshot.

  “I know. He’s just so much delicious man.”

  We finally look at the room before us. And we’re both in silent awe of it. The studio must have brought in set designers because this is beautiful. It’s done in a combination of glamour and spooky with the entire space cloaked in black and gold, smoke and bubbles, mummies, skeletons, bats, tombstones and everything else you can think of that symbolizes tonight’s theme. They also hired the best DJ in Wilmington, DJ Milk from Pravda Club. I can only guess what he’s getting paid when typically a DJ makes about $400 a night. It’s an open bar but this crowd is full of beautiful people. I doubt highly there will be any risk of drunken barroom brawling. Even some of the actors from Under The Dome and Sleepy Hollow are here along with some local celebrities like TV and radio personalities and high-ranking politicians and officials. Anyone who would have a significant affiliation with the movie studio, or who is just a big name in the area, is here.