Project X

by Watkins, TM

  Checking the surroundings, I saw Walter who was chatting to a girl and as my father entered the club, I sank back the last of my drink and waited for him to continue through.

  It was seven pm, the door would be unlocked now that my father had arrived. I wandered to the female toilets that were hidden behind the wall of the bar in a darkened corridor. It certainly was not a great place to be if you were a little drunk and being watched by someone who might try and take advantage of you but it was perfect for our access to the meeting area. I could hear the clacking of shoes over the wood floors, a couple of women were giggling their way to the toilets. Acting a little drunk, I staggered slowly and leaned on the wall, waiting for them to enter the room.

  As the door creaked closed I quickly scurried to the staff door, slipping in undetected. Entry into the meeting area wasn't for the ample framed, it was a staff locker that opened to a ladder that went up to the next floor. By appearances, it would seem that the double height night club held the entire floor space and there were no additional floors but it was a ruse. Mirrored walls in the nightclub gave the illusion that it was larger than it was.

  The meeting space wasn't the largest, it was just a place that we could meet in secret rather than at the head office. I climbed up the ladder, feeling the claustrophobia hit me hard, I hated this meeting place for this reason and only this reason. I'd rather be out on the street and do the meeting there than have to climb the ladder in a tight spot but I had no choice. Dictator daddy ruled the show.

  I stood outside the room listening to Chet giving Tilley a hard time about this morning. Chet was of the opinion that Tilley had single-handedly killed my chances of getting the job. I pushed the door open and interrupted the tirade, stifling the smirk as I settled next to my second favorite brother. Chet and Walter were similar to me where as Frankie and Tilley were the same in personalities.

  “Creepy guy accosted me in the supermarket. He's identified Tilley.”

  My eyes darted to my father, his gaze was pensive as looked at me. None of his children looked like him which considering that we were all employees of his spy company was almost a blessing. We all looked like our mothers which for one of us wasn't a good thing. He was brown hair and brown eyes, fair skinned with an athletic frame. The rest of us were blonde or in the case of the twins, jet black hair. Green and blue eyes and lithe frames.

  “He assumed that she approached me with the offer of money in exchange for whatever it is that he thinks we're after. I think that as much as it's a disadvantage that he knows we are watching their company it has revealed the fact that they are not aware that I am an employee of this company. Couple that with the fact that I told him that I refused her, I think that it has worked in our favor.”

  “I agree.” My father grumbled. “I can't say as that I am impressed Matilda, you should have been more cautious.”

  I wanted to punch the air with glee, the princess was being scolded for once. Of course Tilley did as she always did and rolled her eyes and folded her arms in a huff. Walter wandered into the room and settled into his seat beside me.

  My father turned his attention back to me, for once I wasn't faced with the domineering father who thought I wasn't doing enough with my life.

  “You mentioned the resume was overdone, do tell Katherine, tell us where we went wrong.”

  “College education for the mail room? Come on, it was a tad over the top.”

  “Everyone has to start somewhere.” He said mildly.

  I was a little stunned, maybe I wasn't so much like my mother after all. Or maybe I had spent too long around my father, I was spouting his statements.

  “That's what I said to her. Look it's too late to worry about it. It's the waiting game now.”

  He nodded and carried on with Tilley's progress with her own assignment. Walter was completely different from his coffee shop persona. There he was the true Walter, the dark soul that liked his scruffy bottle black hair and pale skin, the black clothes from head to toe and the lip ring. Our father didn't approve of it, stating that it made him stand out far too much for our world. He preferred that we blend into the background, much like Walter would right now. His scruffy hair was styled, his clothes were still dark but colored slightly, a grey and black checked shirt and white undershirt.

  “Were you followed?” I whispered.

  “No sightings that I could see.” He leaned into me. “And unlike others, I actually check.”

  I grinned slightly as I looked around, my father too engrossed in Tilley's prattling about her assignment to notice our little whispers.

  The meeting was mercifully short in case I was still being watched, I left the meeting first and found my way back to the bar to order another cocktail. Tilley passed through first, casting a sideward glance at me but not coming near me. Chet and Frankie lingered a little longer but left after five minutes. Walter stayed the longest, I could see the apprehension on my father's face as he wandered through and saw him talking to more pretty girls. It was supposed to be in and out without leaving an impression.

  I felt a hand wrap around my elbow and as the glass fell to the floor I was hauled around the corner and back into the dark corridor. No one heard the smashing of the glass and no one saw me being dragged into the dark. I was pressed against the wall, the smell of an intoxicating aftershave assaulted me as the warmth of a breath drew closer.

  “Stalking the barista Miss Ryan?”

  Oh crap, creepy guy was here and he had recognized Walter.

  “I'd say it was you who was doing the stalking.” I breathed heavily.

  This was too much for me, his body pressing closer to me. One hand leaned on the wall the other pressed to my shoulder. His thumb dragged over the base of my neck pressing firmly.

  “And in the same club as the spy, maybe you lied to me earlier.”

  I gasped for air as his touch became more insistent, pressing against my windpipe.

  “I didn't know she was here.” I rasped out. “Just a night out to…” I gulped feeling the pressure on my throat the burden of his finger passed over it. “Just to find a friend for the night.”

  His fingers slipped away from my throat and onto the shoulder, his firm touch squeezed the flesh at the base of my neck.

  “And did you find mister right in this awful club Miss Ryan?” He whispered in my ear.

  “No.”

  “What a pity, all dressed up with no attention received.”

  He stepped away when someone walked into the corridor, the man moved to the bathroom without even seeing us. Too busy with his drunken stumbling, the man walked in the opposite direction to us and mumbled to himself as he pushed through the door. I took the opportunity to leave, his firm grip found my elbow again.

  “Miss Ryan, I do insist on continuing our delightful conversation, shall we?”

  Regardless of what I said or how much I tried to protest, he ignored me. We were out of the club and on our way to somewhere else. Mister creepy guy kept his firm grip on my elbow as we moved around the people who were out on the town tonight. It was only a few buildings down that we were going to, a quieter location. If I was concerned for my safety, it was unwarranted. This was closer to a gentleman's club, not where I would take someone that was a possible co-worker but hey, if he was buying the drinks, what did I care? If it helped me get the job, then I would sit back and accept it.

  We walked into The Honey Pot which sounded no different to Indigo Rain, I could hear loud music thumping. Creepy nameless guy stopped at the front counter and pulled a card out of his wallet, showing it to the scantily clad woman behind it. She smiled sweetly at him and continued to play with her stamp and ink pad.

  Creepy guy took my elbow again and instead of dragging me into the glittering pink and blue neon colored club, he pulled me to a set of stairs behind the perky blonde. The strains of the music fell away as we entered something closer to the old world view of a gentleman's club. I wondered if I was allowed in here, it seemed that the onl
y women here were the servants.

  The club was like a lodge, the wood panels were warming and encased the room in a soft darkness. Ornate pictures of dignified men lined the walls, a few heads of game animals and dark curtains covered the windows. The air was thick with the heavy throat burning scent of the cigars they were smoking as we continued to the darkest corner of the vast room.

  We passed the man who was sitting at the grand piano tinkling out a soft tune, a woman dressed in a sparkling red dress sat on the edge, singing the seductive tune. She reminded me of Jessica Rabbit with the over abundant chest that was seconds from falling out of the too tight dress. Her hair was pulled to one side, the soft waves of blonde curls fell over her shoulder and over her chest. She winked at me with a sultry smile when she had a pause in the song, I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as creepy guy continued to walk in his hurried pace.

  Creepy guy stopped at the smallest two seat lounge that I have ever seen. I guess that this was designed for men that might want to get friendly with one of the female staff but for him and me, this was grossly inappropriate. Even if he was good looking. He had changed from earlier, the Yankees clothes were gone, replaced with a pair of grey chinos and a black cotton shirt.

  “Sit.” He ordered gruffly.

  I sat, looking up as a waitress came over. She was dressed in a pair of black hot pants and a matching vest top that was buttoned half way down her stomach. The cleavage was pushed up and high, sitting perfectly in the v of the vest.

  “Good evening, can I offer you a jacket?”

  “No thanks, whiskey on the rocks.” His eyes darted to me, narrowing slightly. “And a cosmopolitan for the lady.”

  “Certainly sir.”

  She scuttled away and creepy guy sat at the other side of the lounge. We were far too close for my liking, our knees banged against each other as he turned to face me. His arms stretched out over the back of the lounge and the arm rest as he watched me. It could not be any more awkward.

  “Well Miss Ryan, shall we begin phase two of your interview?”

  Chapter 6: The Honey Pot

  The cosmopolitan was offered with a smile, one that might have been sympathetic. Her eyes didn't hold the smile the way the lips did, I could see it was forced.

  “Will that be all, sir?”

  “For now.”

  The woman was gone without another word passing between them and I was left with the man that was yet to tell me his name. I couldn't help but wonder if this was what every prospective employee was treated to or if it was just me. It was burning through me to ask him but the arrogant nature of this man told me not to. I knew I should just drink the Cosmo and answer the questions he fired at me. My eyes darted around the room, it was relatively quiet.

  There were two men smoking cigars near the piano, deep in conversation as they relaxed in their leather wing back chairs. At the far end of the room near the bar was a little seedier, that is if this place could get seedy. That was where the women were primarily located, the men sat on their chairs with a woman sitting on their lap. I was glad that we were too far away, I didn't want to see what was going on. The tinkling of the ice against the glass dragged my attention back to him, his gaze had never left me.

  “Tell me Miss Ryan, why do you want to work for Aphrodite International?”

  Jeez, it really was going to be a continuation of the interview. This was unexpected.

  “I've always wanted to work in the beauty industry.”

  He chuckled, one that was a little unnerving. It was probably a line he had heard a million times.

  “So go and sell make-up at a department store.” He said as the humor in his face dropped away.

  “I am not sales material; I don't think I'd be very good at it.”

  “But what are you good at?” He whispered darkly.

  Kicking your ass my mind returned.

  “Mail delivery.” I smiled.

  He smiled behind the crystal glass as he drank the last of his whiskey and I knew I had done well. His eyes darkened at me, I looked at the glass that he held between his fingers. It was empty except for the ice. They clinked against the glass as he hung it over the edge of the armrest, the other hand rubbed the skin below his bottom lip. As the finger grated against the stubble that had broken free, his gaze became lowered but still permanently pinned to me.

  “Did the spy approach you again Miss Ryan?”

  “I wasn't aware that she was in the club. If you hadn't told me I would have been none the wiser.”

  “Is that right?” His voice was low and gravelly but there was no disbelief to the tone, it was more humorous. “And what of her proposal this morning, are you considering it?”

  I frowned at him, why was he asking me this again?

  “No, I told you that I couldn't do something like that.”

  “Are you planning on drinking that?” He nodded to the drink in my hand. “I don't for a second believe that you don't drink Miss Ryan so cut the nonsense and drink it.”

  I took a sip, feeling the burn slide down my throat. His eyelids lowered as I drank it, watching me. Always watching. It was unsettling and getting creepier by the second. I could barely see the green of his eyes. His hand flicked through the brown of his hair, highlighting the auburn undertones as he dragged it back. It was an attempt to unsettle me, I knew it. He was trying to see if I would falter because of his good looks which I could imagine many had done. But I was made of stronger stuff, I had a mission to accomplish and he was just an interference.

  “Is there anything else you lied about?”

  My jaw hung open as I was left stunned at his question.

  “I told her that I drank socially, I never lied.”

  He said nothing, just continuing to jingle the ice in his glass and watch me. Stay strong my mind whispered It's a game and he's trying to outwit you.

  “Do you have aspirations of moving higher in the company?”

  “Of course, don't you?”

  He grinned with a slight shake of the head.

  “Not at all. Quite happy with my job.”

  This guy had to be management of some sort. He wasn't the top guy; the owner was female. Or at least the company information said that it was a female. Maybe he was the second in charge.

  “So what aspirations do you have Miss Ryan; what possible qualities can you bring to Aphrodite International?”

  “I am open to whatever possibilities are made available to me, if the company thinks that I am qualified then I will certainly give it my best shot. I am a hard worker, reliable and punctual. I can work unsupervised or as part of a team, I am flexible for working hours and don't have many social or home commitments.”

  “I'll keep that in mind.” His haunting words were a whisper.

  He was about to say something when he frowned, passing the glass to the other hand he fumbled in the pocket of his pants and pulled out a phone. The frown deepened as he looked at it and whatever the message was, it altered his mood. It went back into his pocket and he summoned a waitress.

  “How can I be of assistance?”

  “Take this.” He passed the glass and then looked at me. “Come on, drink up or lose it.”

  I downed the stupid drink in one gulp, nearly choking on it as I passed the glass to the waitress.

  “Will there be anything else sir?”

  “No, just put them on my tab.”

  “Certainly.”

  And off she went, again without anything more said. Regular, yes creepy man was so regular she didn't even have to ask his name. He stood to his feet and held out his hand which I just stared at.

  “Tonight Miss Ryan, I have urgent matters to deal with and cannot wait for you to over think things.” He grumbled at me.

  “I can see myself out, if you have to leave it's fine. Don't worry about me.”

  “Absolutely not.” His body stiffened. “I will see to it that you are safe within your home and there won't be any discussion about it.”

&n
bsp; I narrowed my eyes at him, which wasn't exactly the most ideal thing to do but it was done so there was no going back now.

  “I'm sorry, you have me at a disadvantage.”

  “I do, don't I?”

  “Well I don't go home with strangers.”

  He chuckled darkly as he leaned down and took my hand, dragging me out of the seat.

  “Firstly, you were at the club to pick up a casual acquaintance. Unless you are of the habit of using the rest room or the alley for your casual hook ups then I would think that you do go home with strangers. Secondly, I'm not a stranger.”

  His hand tightened on mine, dragging me closer.

  “I'm your boss.”

  Chapter 7: Oh-em-gee

  We were out on the side walk within the minute, this guy had a determined stride and had not let go of my hand. His name? Still don't know. Had I asked? Okay so no, I hadn't but I thought that I didn't need to. It was one of those things that polite people do when engaging a person in conversation. He was still creepy guy but now that he had hired me I was renaming him to mystery man. As we walked in the direction of the Indigo Rain, I wondered if we were going to walk all the way back to my apartment. I dreaded the thought, it was a long walk and I always caught a cab here.

  Mystery man fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys, the lights flicked on a black sports car that was low to the ground. It was so low I could climb on the roof and would not have to worry about where I would put my feet to lift myself. Worse yet, he opened the door and waited for me to get in. I was going to have to squat to get into this damned thing. Or bend over, which in this tiny skirt was not ideal. I'd rather catch a cab.