by Leah Holt
I tried relentlessly to get any type of rise out of him. From his first day here, he just looked at me like I was below him. His beady little eyes, and lines that ran across his forehead would stay flat. Stefan had the personality of a fucking paper bag, stiff and bland.
I bet if I ever became his boss, he'd probably quit. I understood he was at work and took his job seriously, but come on... He never even cracked the slightest smile.
I didn't even think he knew how.
He's not human.
Over the years, we had multiple butlers and maids. These people were paid to be here, to bend over backwards for all my family's requests. Life had been boring, you never did anything without the watchful eye of some stranger.
I was used to it now, but I hated every second of it.
Flopping down face first onto my king sized bed, I felt the massive wall of pillows crashing onto my back. Grumbling under my breath, I knocked them to the floor.
I never understood the meaning of decorative pillows, and no matter how much I complained, the maids constantly stacked them up elbows deep.
It was ridiculous, all for show and no function.
I mean honestly, what purpose did they serve?
One time I'd tried to protest them. I was twelve and tore the pillows to shreds, the feathers flew around filling the room. It was one hell of a mess for the maids to clean up, they pulled them from the vents for weeks after. I was sure the pillows would have disappeared after that, and did they?
Nope. The very next day my bed was riddled with twice as many. I can say for sure I hate pillows with a passion.
I know it seems like a bizarre item to despise, but when your life has been filled with little options for you to choose, pillows are a big deal.
As I sank into the mattress, Copper sat like a hefty meal in my gut. Her skin was a cream I wanted to drink, her legs looked endless, and I wanted them wrapped firmly around me.
She wasn't going to give in very easy, but I wasn't going to give her any option to get out.
My time was running out, I had to get this done, get an heir to keep my place in the books. I tried relentlessly to convince my mother to change my dad's mind, but she claimed her hands were tied; there was nothing she could do.
If she went against my father's wishes, he'd leave her with nothing too. They had an agreement, a pre-nup that put me in the middle. My mother had gotten pregnant with me when she was young.
That hadn't been in my dad's plans, no child was going to get in the way of his career. But here I was, a lone son, in a corporate world. It was like I was a part of his job, a piece of his work. My father had treated me like a damn sales objective for as long as I could remember.
And now, I'm the main goal to be set straight.
Copper... I wonder what her real name is? Shaking my head, I knew it didn't matter. Her real name was irrelevant. I only needed her pussy and my cock.
That was it. The rest... I didn't need to give a flying fuck about, it wasn't important.
But, how? How was I going to convince this woman to do what I wanted?
She didn't even recognize me, the son of the wealthiest man in the state. My father's picture was in the newspaper daily, all of the charities he donated to, job opportunities he provided the smallest state in the country. There was even a huge billboard with his picture on it, and people said we looked a lot alike.
I don't remember the last time I wasn't recognized. I'm Hegan Alexander, son of Brandon Alexander, CEO of Alexander Oil. Even going to the grocery store, women followed me around, taunting me with indulgent offers. And for what?
Money... It always came down to my wealth.
Grabbing my cell, I flipped through the site for the club.
'Girls! Girls! Girls!
Your dream, your wish, we'll get you what you want.
No request is too wild for our taste.
All you have to do is ask Gloria.'
My mind started to whirl, I needed to get her.
And keep her, just for me.
But could I do this? Do it this way? Would any girl really give her body in such a way for money?
I had to try, had to give it a chance at least. The women I'd met on my own, at the clubs and local hot spots, they were all too eager. And even though I thought that was what I needed and wanted, I turned them all away, told them I would call and never picked up the phone to dial.
Not once did any of those girls sit in my head like molasses. Not like her.
Copper, she struck me, hitting a nerve. The more she sat in my head, the more I realized what I wanted. A strong woman, a confident woman, a woman who wasn't going to just yes me to death.
That shit got old, really quick.
Opening my door, I glanced down the hall. Privacy was one thing that didn't exist around here. Dialing the club, I waited anxiously. The ringing seemed so loud in the vastness of my room.
Pressing the phone tighter to my ear, I wanted to ensure my inquisition was only answered to me. No one else.
The last thing I needed was one of the maids hearing my conversation and running to my father. I read the lawyer's papers repeatedly, and I'd found a loop hole.
Doing this was risky; my father expected me to find a nice girl, a girl from another wealthy family, roots that would be comparable to ours.
What I was about to do, the route I was going to take, it was less than what he expected.
But his demand, his arrangement for my life, it lacked description. He asked for a grandchild; he didn't mention marriage or a relationship. Just a baby; all he wanted was an heir.
I was going to do this. I was going to give him what he wanted.
But I was doing this my way.
My father might have his fist clenched tight around the money, around the people below him, but not me.
I never let his hand taint my world, or skew how I thought about myself. He tried desperately to make me a spitting image of him.
And that's not who I am.
Chapter Three
Noella
Standing in front of my closet, I flipped through the array of clothing set on the hangers. What should I pack? I thought, dropping my hand to my hip. Pulling each dress out just slightly, I stared blankly into the fabric.
I had the biggest offer of my life laid before me. Gloria had told me this was a huge opportunity for me. That this could help me pay off a giant chunk of my debt to her, which I was more than happy to do.
So long as I didn't fuck it up.
And I certainly wasn't planning on screwing up a good thing. Especially if it slashed what I owed her in half. If I ever wanted to get back to my life, to the career I had dreamed of, I couldn't pass this up.
Before all of this, I had been in school, living a fairly typical life. No one's world is a hundred percent perfect, that's for sure. But my life was mine, and I was proud of that.
I was two years into my degree for culinary arts. I loved cooking, it was my passion. But that was all cut short, way too soon.
There had been dreams of owning my own restaurant, being head chef, creating dishes that would melt in people’s mouths. Ever since I was a little girl, that was all I wanted.
Some people spend their entire lives searching for that one true passion, that one thing that fuels and drives them. There had never been a question in my mind; I was going to be the next Martha Stewart.
I know it might sound silly, but I used to spend hours watching her with my mom. We would try and recreate her dishes and techniques. Those are the memories that bring me happiness.
And hopefully, in the near future we'll be able to do that again.
I had never expected in a million years that I'd be here, baring my body for profit. My family didn't know all the details of how I got the money they needed, and truthfully they never even asked.
I'm pretty sure the fact that their daughter, who had been working part-time, showing up with the sixty thousand dollars from thin air, made their heads spin.
/> But in the moment, there wasn't time for questions.
I had given them what they desperately needed, that was all that mattered. And if it meant that I would have to put myself on hold for a while, it was worth it.
My phone vibrated on the nightstand. Glancing down, I saw that it was Fionna. What the hell does she want? She never called me for anything. To see her name lit up across my screen, I knew she was fishing for something.
Clicking the answer button, I said, “Hello?”
“Hey, Copper. It's Fionna.” The snap of her gum rang through the receiver.
The light sound hit my ear with a metallic pop. “What do you need, Fionna?”
“So, I hear you leave tonight for Martha's Vineyard?”
“Yeah, Gloria said my flight leaves at seven.” Why is she calling me about this? Fionna was good at pretending to be interested. She was one of those people who would act friendly to your face, then talk all the shit she could when you weren't around.
She treated Tigress like a high school cafeteria. She had her clique of 'friends', who without their knowledge, were bashed by her any second she could. Fionna put herself on a pedestal, expecting to be treated like a fucking queen.
“Well, I was wondering if you wanted any company? It can be dangerous out there, so I'm offering my help if you want.” Her false concern floated through the speaker.
“Sorry, Gloria said they were very specific about their request. They only wanted one girl, me.” Personally, I would have liked to be able to bring someone else along, it was always more relaxing to have a familiar face. But even if I was allowed to, I wouldn't have asked Fionna.
I could hear her huff under her breath. She didn't like my answer. And she never liked me. Mostly, she hated the fact I didn't walk around kissing her ass like the others girls. I have a pretty bold personality, I'm not afraid to be honest, and I don't pretend it either.
“Well, I hope you know what you're doing. I don't want to see your face plastered on a missing person flier.”
Rolling my eyes, I paused before speaking. I knew what the risks were with our line of work. Yes, there was always the chance you could go dance for a private party and it could go south.
But Gloria assured me that this was a secure job. And seeing as how I owed her as much as I did, I wasn't worried she was going to put me in harm's way. She'd be the one losing out. To risk your loan, that would be a stupid move on her part.
“Thanks, Fionna. But I'll be fine.” Sarcasm flung off my tongue, smiling behind the receiver. Her real issue wasn't the fear for my safety, it was jealousy.
None of the others girls that worked at Tigress knew about my debt to Gloria. She wanted to keep it low key. The last thing she needed was the other girls seeing her as an open bank account there to dig them out of trouble.
So, even though they saw me making all this money, no one knew that seventy-five percent went to my boss.
As far as Fionna was concerned, I just stole another high paying gig from her.
Hanging up the phone, I grabbed a few scandalous dresses, a couple pairs of spiked heels, and stuffed them into my bag. I wasn't exactly sure what type of party I was going to be entertaining, so I wanted to have a few options.
If there was one thing I had learned from previous parties, always go prepared. You never knew exactly what might be needed to really maximize what you could make.
Gloria gave me the basics for my weekend away. I would be dancing for a party in a mansion off the coast. Martha's Vineyard was a high class town, with a lot of money. She said I would be spending the weekend and if they requested longer, I could choose to stay or not.
The biggest point she drove home was the money. They were willing to pay big bucks to have me there.
I can't lie, the idea of being flown out to the island was exciting. This was the first time I felt good about my job. To be personally requested for a private party made my belly warm, tingles danced across my skin.
I felt special. And I loved it.
I held up a plaid shirt, squinting my eyes with indecision. Screw it, I'll need something to wear home that's comfortable. Jamming the shirt inside, I threw in my sneakers and a pair of jeans.
For most of my life, I considered myself a plain Jane. I didn't like makeup or fancy clothes. Heels were only worn to weddings or the one school dance I attended. I was much more content wearing worn out shoes and loose t-shirts.
My weekends used to consist of comfy clothes and a lot of cooking. That had been my idea of a great day off.
This job sent me into a second dimension of myself. I was living a double life, a completely opposite image of who I was.
Meeting Gloria in the hospital that day had been a saving grace and a death sentence. She wasn't a bad woman, she had good intentions. But her drive for money and my desperation at the time placed us on a crossing path. The fork in my road had led me here.
I've asked myself on several occasions if I took the right turn, did I do the right thing?
When she found me, crying in the foyer of the hospital, I was desperate. Gloria seemed to sympathize with me. She had lost her mom a year before and understood what I was feeling.
She had offered to help, insisted that I let her help me. All I had to do was pay her back. That's when she offered me the cocktail waitress job.
I'd like to think I made the right choice, it's hopefully going to give my mom another chance to experience a life similar to the one she had been living.
For me, I was changed completely.
A horn blared outside. Looking out my window, I saw the taxi had arrived to take me to the airport. Zipping my bag closed, I grabbed my clutch and headed out the door.
The ride to the airport took about twenty minutes. Rifling through my purse, I pulled out the last twenty dollars I had on me. “Thank you,” I said, holding the bill out.
The driver shook his head, no, waving his hand. “You're all set, Miss. I've been paid already.”
Arching a brow, I slowly recoiled my hand. “Really?” I had called the taxi service myself, I didn't understand who could have paid for it. “By who?” I asked.
“Mr. H. He took care of it for you. Have a nice trip.”
Mr. H? Who the hell is Mr. H? That wasn't a familiar name to me. Shaking my head, I stood on the sidewalk and shut the door. Maybe he was the one who hired me? But how could he have known who I called?
Gloria wouldn't give me a damn inch on any info about the guy who hired me. No matter what I asked, she just rooted the question elsewhere.
Stepping through the doors, I approached the clerk to get my boarding pass. Gloria had set up my tickets for the flight. Seeing as how we dancers used stage names, it was important to keep my privacy.
The last thing I needed was some creep knowing my real name and becoming a stalker. It had happened to several of the girls, and that was one thing I wanted to avoid.
“Hello, welcome to Greene. Can I have your name and license please?”
Pulling my I.D. from my wallet, I handed it to the clerk. “Noella Rawlinson,” I said. My eyes drifted around the screens, watching the flights as they were listed.
It had been a long time since I'd flown anywhere. The last time I was on a plane was when I was fifteen. My family and I had gone to visit my Grandpa in Oregon. To be honest, the whole flight experience was a blurred memory.
Mixed in between my excitement and curiosity, was a fucking bag of nerves. Being on a plane, alone; it sent my stomach straight to my throat.
“Thank you,” she said, as her fingers rapidly typed against the keyboard. “All right, you're all set, you can head over to gate eleven.” Handing me a slip of paper, she smiled and pointed behind me.
Lifting my bag, I walked in the direction she'd guided me towards. The numbers hung above my head; counting down I found the terminal for my flight.
Wow, I'm the only one here. That's strange. I rested my bag down and took a seat.
I watched other people pass by, heading
in all different directions. But no one else was coming to the terminal. Looking at my phone, I saw that the flight was set to depart in thirty minutes, and still no other passengers were sitting waiting to board.
“Excuse me, Miss?” A voice emerged from over my shoulder.
“Yes?” I asked, turning to see a stewardess. Her navy blue dress had a small silver plate pinned to the corner. Squinting to read it, I couldn't make out her name.
“Allie,” she said, pointing to the pin. “You can board now, the plane is ready for you.”
“Am I the only one flying today?” Arching a brow, I glanced around the empty space, confusion filling my voice.
The woman giggled as she spoke. “Well, yes. It's a private flight, Miss.”
Shifting my sight out the large tinted window, I saw a small jet parked at the end of the airbridge. “Excuse me?” I asked, not sure I heard her correctly.
“You're flying in on a private jet.” A smile spread across her face as I stood up shocked, wrinkles lifting across my forehead.
“You're kidding?” I couldn't believe it. A fucking private plane? For me?
I was numb; all the blood had drained from my face. My heart raced inside my chest; the pounding was so intense, I clutched my breast. Was this a joke? Was I really about to fly in a private jet, sent here for just me?
Gloria hadn't mentioned this, not once did she say I would be flown out in style. She had made me aware of the fact that this customer had money, but this was on a whole other level. The guy who hired me was fucking loaded.
“No, I'm not joking. But, you do need to board now. The pilot is ready.” She tugged the ticket from my fingers, reading it over and comparing it to my license. “You're all set. Enjoy your flight.”
This was incredible. My mind was twirling in disbelief, body trembling from head to toe as I walked down the bridge to the small open door at the end.
Another steward stood waiting at the entrance. “Hello, please let me take your bag,” he said, as I stepped inside.
