Stranger in the elevator

by J. J. Poland

  “Well, I can't say anything about it until you get your hands off your breasts.”

  She touched her nipples through the cloth - seemed like they were back to normal. She slowly lowered her arms and looked at the man. Daniel smiled with satisfaction.

  “Now dance.”

  “What?”

  “Move your body. I want to see how the silk dress will fit you when you’re dancing.”

  “But why?”

  “I said dance.”

  “I can't.”

  “Just sway your hips from side to side.”

  The girl began to sway her hips like a broken doll.

  “Jane, relax. Do it smoothly.”

  She was almost crying.

  “I told you I couldn’t.”

  “Every woman is able to dance. You just need to remember it. Carmen, is this dress available only in that color?”

  “There is also a pale blue one, but it’s already been reserved.”

  “How much do I have to pay to ‘un-reserve’ it?”

  “Daniel, I’m not sure if that’s possible...”

  “Well. Get her that dress anyway – let her try it. If I see that it’s good, you'll go and ask your boss how much it costs. Is it clear?”

  “Yes.” Carmen could only guess how mad the original buyer would be.

  Both women proceeded to the fitting-room and shortly after Jane came out wearing that pale blue dress. Daniel bit his lip in excitement… again. Her brown hair perfectly matched with the pale blue shimmering silk. He could not make out the color of her eyes, but he suspected that they were changing their color depending on her mood. “Carmen, we’ll take it.” Until the very last moment Carmen hoped that something might change, and she would not have to call the client. But apparently she didn't know Daniel well.

  “Do you have the sandals to go with this dress?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you have her size? Jane, what's your shoe size?”

  “Seven and a half.”

  “Carmen?”

  “Yes, we have this size.”

  “Jane, put on the sandals and try to walk in them. I'm pretty sure that they’re not too high-heeled. You won't have to walk a lot anyway.”

  Still wearing the dress, Jane put the sandals on. Daniel was right – the heels weren’t that high, but it nevertheless proved a challenge for the untrained Jane.

  “I like it now that you’re a bit taller.” The man came up to her and gently put his hand on her butt. “When a girl is as tall as you, it opens up a lot of perspectives.”

  Their final stop before the restaurant was "Pleasures of Venus" boutique. Jane was quite shocked to find herself in this world of silk and lace. She took a pair of lacy thongs and looked at them in horror, and then at Daniel.

  “Jane, what are you afraid of? It’s just a pair of thongs.”

  “I really hope that the bigger piece of cloth is to cover the back.”

  The man shook his head.

  “Oh God...” She covered her mouth with her hand in awe. “I...I refuse to wear it. It's not even underwear. It... it covers nothing.”

  “Believe me, it does.” Daniel laughed. A sales assistant came up to them. "Must be new," thought Daniel.

  “Hello! I’m glad to welcome you in our shop. How can I help you?”

  “Hello! And you must be…”

  “Christine.”

  “Christine, we have a silk evening dress, in pale blue color. We need underwear to match with it.”

  “I think I can help you. What size?”

  “Ask her.” Daniel pointed at Jane, who still was shocked by what she saw.

  “Ma'am, would you come with me, please?”

  “Uh-uh... that’s not the way we want it.” Daniel stopped Jane. “You will pick a few models for us, she will it try them on and show it to me.”

  The advisor blushed. “But, sir, a silk dress requires a certain kind of underwear.”

  Daniel came up to her and said in a calm voice, “I know that, dear. Now go and get us something flesh-colored.”

  While Daniel was “reasoning” the staff, the first wave of shock went away, and the girl was examining the underwear with more interest. The bra, which consisted literally of two pieces of lace, seemed very nice.

  “If you like it, I'll buy it for you.” Daniel's look was quite expressive.

  “N-no, I don't think you should go to such expenses.” Jane blushed.

  “I wonder how it sits on you.”

  Christine interrupted their chit-chat - she was holding two hangers.

  “This set here, in my left hand, is completely seamless, unique technology.” Jane came closer to Daniel and stood beside him. She basically needed to put on panties consisting of a, more or less, thin piece of cloth with two straps on the sides. “As you can see, the bra is slightly unusual,” continued Christine.

  “It is indeed.” Jane took the whole set in her hands. “I wouldn’t even call it a bra. Just a strip of cloth on very thin straps.”

  “Come on darling, it's a great set. Try it on.”

  “Let’s check the second set too – somehow I can see only the thong. Where’s the bra to match it?” asked Jane.

  “Well, it doesn’t have a bra,” Christine smiled. “Since you’ll be wearing a silk dress, I suggest you get silicone stickers on the nipples.” Jane opened her mouth in astonishment. “Silico...what?”

  Daniel licked his lower lip. “It’s a difficult choice, even for me. I don't want all the men in the restaurant undressing you with their eyes. As I said before, go and try on the first set.”

  Jane took the underwear, and went into the fitting room. She put on the thongs and was both angry and grateful. She had never thought that the panties could be so tiny, so in her mind she was thanking Daniel for making her do bikini wax. She felt as if she was naked. How can she go out and show herself to the man, who had more girls than she read books? She put on a bra, and felt even worse. It was very revealing. But what did she expect anyway? She could’ve guessed that they weren’t going after a robe.

  “Jane, how much longer will it take? It’s not like you’re struggling with putting on two stripes of cloth on your body. Shall I help you out?” the man said impatiently.

  Jane came out of the fitting room and looked at him. “If I knew that everything was so revealing, I wouldn’t have done this.”

  The man was staring at her body in excitement - it was perfect. He couldn’t sit straight in his chair – his erection was causing troubles. "Who knew that an ordinary librarian could be so sexy?" he thought.

  “I like how this bra sits on you.” He rose from the chair, walked over to her and gently ran his hand over her breast. “It’s barely visible.” His thumb gently touched her nipple. Jane felt dizzy.

  “Sir, you shouldn't do that.”

  “Why not? As your boyfriend, I’m entitled to certain rights.”

  “Yes... but.” His hand gently went down her back. Suddenly Daniel pulled Jane closer. “I feel like it’s going to be the most difficult night of my life. I’m not even sure if we should try the stickers.” He made a few steps back and said, “Turn around.”

  Jane slowly turned around – Daniel was looking at the perfectly round ass. He sighed loudly, trying to cope with the growing desire.

  “Stay here for a while.”

  "It’s not like I’m running away in this outfit," she thought ironically.

  A few minutes later they were sitting in the car.

  “Alright, we have to go back to the beauty salon to do your makeup. While they are working on you, I will get dressed, then pick you up and we will go to the restaurant.”

  He left Jane at the beauty salon and went home for a couple of minutes to let off a bit of steam. Of course, he could go the gym to do some workout, but he was afraid to meet some beautiful girl there and miss the restaurant. Twenty minutes of boxing or twenty minutes of sex? He liked the former.

  Jane looked in the mirror and couldn't believe her ey
es. It was a different person there. "A good make-up can do wonders," she thought. Her head was aching. "I need to sit down and relax. I’ve had too many events for one night."

  The door opened and Daniel entered the salon. Jane could not help admiring him. Slightly cropped hair and light bristle added even more charm to him, the kind that women liked so much. She rose up from the chair to meet him. He saw her and threw one of those evaluating male gazes.

  “Are you ready?”

  “No, but I don't really have a choice. It’s a great suit.”

  “And you look like a very tasty cherry pie. I want to eat you, piece by piece.” He gently pulled her close and kissed her softly on the lips. “When we're in the restaurant, don’t forget to flirt with me.”

  “I can't promise, but I'll try.”

  The restaurant was very comfy. Soft music, quiet atmosphere, waiters moving like shadows. They were greeted by a hostess at the entrance.

  “Good evening. Table for two?”

  “No, I ordered a table for six. Has anyone come yet?”

  “Yes, a few guests are already here. Let's go.”

  Jane tried not to show her crazy excitement. New dress, hairstyle, make-up, restaurant, this stunning man nearby...and of course the blonde from the work was already there. She froze when she saw Jane.

  Daniel drew the chair back and helped the girl sit. The table went silent for a minute. Jane's colleague, with whom she was arguing over genres, broke the silence.

  “Hello! Daniel, if I remember correctly? Please introduce your friend to us.”

  “Lucy, it's only me. Yes, I've changed a bit. We talked this afternoon, don’t you remember?” said Jane.

  Lucy wanted to say something in reply, but her mouth was producing only indiscernible sounds.

  Daniel sat down and looked at the guests at the table.

  “As far as I understand, only four people have expressed their desire to see Jane's boyfriend?”

  “Actually, there were more.” The blonde was looking at Daniel languidly.

  “But some of them doubted your existence.”

  “What’s your name, please?” He was studying the blonde.

  “Shannon.”

  “Shannon, tell me please, what did you say to the rest of the team?”

  “I...” She was interrupted by Lucy.

  “Please let me explain what happened. The library is quite large, and we don’t know everyone who works there. We tend to keep together in small cliques based on our mutual interests.”

  “Honey, what kind of a mutual interest can you possibly share with Shannon?” The man looked first at Jane, and then at Shannon.

  “Maybe, it’s you,” said the blonde, and a spark flashed in her eyes.

  “I kind of doubt that. You have known me only for a couple of hours.” Daniel was staring at Shannon.

  “Let me introduce you to my other colleagues?” Jane tried to defuse the situation.

  “I think that I already met most of you. Except for this man.” He looked at the man sitting next to Shannon.

  “Hi! My name is Bill.” The man wasn’t feeling too comfortable, throwing glances at Jane. He had his eye on her for a long time already and wanted to be sure that the boyfriend really existed.

  Meanwhile, the waiter came to take the order.

  “Hello, my name is Andrew. I'll be your waiter today. What would you like to have?”

  “Uhm… Before we order, I’d like to know how we are going to pay. Are we going to split the bill?” asked Bill nervously, touching his glasses.

  “What kind of question is that?” Daniel looked at him scornfully. “I thought that people who work at the library should know the basic rules of etiquette. I invited you. Therefore, I’ll pay. Bill calmed down a little. Daniel looked at Jane tenderly, forcing her to blush.

  “What will you drink, my dear?”

  “Water, with ice.”

  “What about alcohol?”

  “Maybe a little bit of white wine.”

  “Andrew, will you bring us one of the best wines you have, please?”

  “I’d recommend Chardonnay, sir.”

  “Yes, that’ll do.”

  The waiter took the remaining orders and left.

  Jane felt very uncomfortable. There was too much good stuff happening to her right now. She looked at Daniel and could tell that this whole situation was quite usual for him. Her thoughts were interrupted by his whisper.

  “If you don't relax, they’ll think that you’re my hostage, not a girlfriend.”

  She gave her colleagues a strained smile and whispered back to Daniel, “I’m trying to be relaxed. Don't push me.”

  “And where did you buy this elegant dress?” Shannon got on an offensive.

  “Why are you asking?” Jane looked at her angrily.

  “Maybe I want to have one too.”

  “You can’t. They only had one model in this color and size.”

  Daniel tried to defuse the situation.

  “It was my gift to Jane. It’s a custom-made dress.”

  “How did you meet?” Shannon was looking at Jane and Daniel, expecting a sentimental story.

  “It's simple - we are neighbors,” Daniel did not want to make up some story and get caught lying about the details.

  “How cute!” Lucy wedged in a conversation. “Did you know it was love from the first time you met?”

  Jane went deep into her thoughts. She has never really cared about her neighbors. But she did believe the rumors about Daniel, and saw him with a new woman almost every night.

  Daniel rolled his eyes theatrically, ‘remembering’ the details of how they met.

  “I remember the first time I saw her. She wasn’t like anybody else. Looking at her, it was only possible say that she was a woman.” He desperately wanted to share his thoughts and feelings about her, but he knew that the audience was not quite right.

  “Jane, what do you like about him the most?” Lucy wouldn’t stop.

  “Oh, you’ll have to excuse me for a minute – I’ll tell you when I come back from the ladies' room, OK?”

  Daniel stood up with her, following the rules of etiquette.

  “I'll walk you.” The blonde rose up.

  “I'll go too. I need to powder my nose.”

  Jane went into the restroom, stood at the mirror and took off her shoes with relief. She was tensed. Hungry, tired of playing someone else's role. "I wish it was over," she thought.

  “So, where did you manage to pick this guy?” Shannon was refreshing her makeup.

  “I think Daniel has already told the story of how we met.”

  “Yes, but I want to hear your version. You two are not exactly birds of a feather.”

  “Are you?” The girl was getting emotional.

  “He’ll be mine.” Shannon’s eyes sparked.

  “He does not like blondes. Maybe you'll spend a night together, he’ll please himself, but that’ll be it.”

  “I don't believe you. Just watch me do it.”

  "He’s all yours," thought Jane. She decided that if she didn’t get better after having a meal, she would just walk away from this mess.

  When she returned to the table, Jane was surprised to see that everyone was already eating. She didn’t even bother to ask, what happened and why nobody asked her what she’d like to order. Daniel read her thoughts.

  “Honey, I ordered you lobsters and brown rice.”

  "I’ve read about them only in books," she thought, forcing a smile.

  “Thank you, dear.” The man noticed a clear change in her mood.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Yes and no. But, perhaps, probably, no. I don’t know how to eat lobster. I might get hysterical at any minute.”

  “Its meat is under the tail. I’ll do it for you, OK?” Not expecting an answer, he picked some lobster meat with a fork and put it on her plate. Nobody really paid attention to that – it’s not every day that you get to eat at someone else's
expense at a fancy restaurant. Jane tried a piece of lobster, washing it down with water. Daniel was looking at her closely. He wondered how she would like the meal. Suddenly Jane leaned to his ear and mumbled something. He laughed.

  “Honey, you have a great sense of humor, I really like this joke.” Seeing Jane's frightened eyes, he realized that something was wrong.

  “Jane, are you okay?” Lucy looked at her in surprise. Jane shook her head. Daniel realized that it was time to end this charade, said goodbye to everyone, talked to the hostess, and then sat Jane in the car. “Can you tell me what happened?” Jane shook her head again and asked for a pen and paper.

  "I'm probably allergic to lobsters. I can’t move my tongue," read Daniel.

  “Oh, shit! Raul, get us to the hospital, stat! Why didn't you tell me before?”

  "Because I never had lobsters before." Tears started running down her face.

  “Stop crying or it will get even worse.” But it was already impossible to stop the waterfall of tears. Jane was mad at herself, at him, at her colleagues. Why did she have to act like somebody she’s not? She didn't need this man, who knew nothing about her. She didn't need these colleagues; she had nothing to prove to them. She got confused in her thoughts and lost consciousness.

  Daniel carried her in his arms into an emergency room and shouted, “I need urgent medical help!” The nurse ran to him. “This girl is probably allergic to lobsters. Her tongue is swollen, and she’s been unconscious for ten minutes.”

  “Emmy, I need epinephrine and adrenaline. We have a severe allergic reaction. We can lose her.” The nurse checked Jane's pulse and blood pressure. A moment later another nurse rushed in and quickly injected the medicine.

  “Sir, please stay inside the waiting room. When she wakes up, we'll call you.”

  “No, I'm her boyfriend. I'll be here.”

  “What kind of boyfriend are you, if you don’t know what she's allergic to?”

  “I did not know that she was allergic to it. She had lobsters for the first time,” shouted Daniel. “She just wanted to make money,” he thought.