by York, Mattie
Wanted:
1 man.
Tall. Handsome. Fuck it. Who am I kidding? He doesn’t have to be a super model. Just a man. Ok, a manly man.
Nice, soulful eyes. Good strong body.
Intelligent. Trustworthy. Honest. Hardworking.
Nice to talk to. Someone who likes talking to me.
Someone who cares about me. Does nice little things to show me they care.
Someone who brings me flowers, just because.
Someone who is funny. Likes to laugh. Makes me laugh.
Someone who is challenging. Thinks different than me sometimes and is not afraid to voice their opinion. Someone interesting.
A good lover. A very good unselfish lover. Who loves women. Who loves to please women. Who likes to explore. Who likes to kiss.
Who loves to pleasure women. Sensual. Sexy. Open.
Confident.
Someone who is not angry at life. Not sad.
Not a sex addict. Shit. NO. Can’t say any negatives because negatives aren’t recognized. So I’ll get another god damned sex addict. Ok. So Cross that out.
So, someone who is happy with their life. Someone HONEST. With his shit screwed on RIGHT.
Unpredictable. Kind.
“Angela? Hello?”
“Yes, Ahmed, I’m back here. What is it?”
“For you,” he handed Angela a large bouquet of flowers wrapped in paper.
“Again? Ahmed, why?” Angela sighed and put down her journal.
“I thought it was obvious. May I?” Ahmed nodded to the empty chair.
“Sure,” Angela shrugged and tossed the bouquet onto the empty cushions beside her.
“You look like you need a smile. A friend. Are you ok?”
“Yes, I am fine. Everything is fine.”
“It is one thing to be fine. Another to be happy.”
Angela shook her head. Ahmed looked so comfortable sitting in the arm chair, smiling at her with his big eyes so round and hopeful. She looked down at the flowers. It was nice of him, she thought, as she picked up the bouquet and brought the blossoms close to her face inhaling their perfume. So sweet. So fresh. So new.
50
“Alexandria, I am sorry. Please forgive me. I want to talk to you.”
Beep.
“Alexandria, where are you? Why don’t you answer?”
Beep.
“Alexandria, please, my darling. I am sorry.”
Beep.
“Oh, hello, Elixia? It’s your mother. Are you there? Why don’t you answer your phone? I just wanted to talk to you. Since you won’t answer your phone. I’ll just tell you. Your father and I are coming down to the city next week, and we would like to drop by and see your new apartment. We would love to meet this man of yours and take the two of you out to dinner. Joseph? You said his name is? We are so happy for you. I’m sure he’s wonderful. Don’t think we are checking up, because we aren’t. Your father has an appointment at Toronto General. And we are excited for you. Ok. Well, I will call again tomorrow. Or, you can call me back. Love you.”
Beep.
“Alexandria”
Beep.
“Hello, Alex? Hai, yes, I am Chieko. I am sorry. I am so busy. Yes, I listened to your message. No, everything is fine, of course. How are you? I want to see you too. I have many appointments these days. But I have a day free on Thursday. Is it ok with you? I will save some time for you so please will you call me to tell me if this is ok? Yes? Ok. Please be safe.”
Beep.
“Alexandria, please talk to me.”
Alex erased her messages and leaned back against the elevator wall. She really should call her mother back. But not now. God, she’s been calling for days. How annoying. Obviously everything is fine. She wasn’t angry. She just didn’t want to talk to her. And Joseph. What to do about him? She had no idea why he had gotten so angry. It made no sense. Joseph had never even raised his voice before. It was ridiculous to get so upset over nothing. What the hell was the big deal anyways? So what? They didn’t go to Tunisia. He didn’t want her to meet his family. That was it. That had to be it. He was ashamed of her? But, that’s impossible. No, it wasn’t that. Something else was up. Something important. And why didn’t he come home last night?
As the elevator doors slid open, Alex picked up her shopping bags and walked down the hall. The apartment door was slightly open. “Hello? Joseph?” She called out as she pushed the door wider. As she put down her shopping bags, she noticed a small red patch on the floor. It was a rose petal. And then another. And another. She collected the delicate petals as she followed their path down the hall and into the bedroom.
“Oh my!” she gasped in surprise. Flickering candle light illuminated the bedroom, casting a romantic glow across the bed, which was strewn with rose petals. Alex walked slowly over to the bed smelling the fragrance from the rose petals. But where was Joseph? Shouldn’t he be here to lead her to the bed and lay her down in the bed of roses? As she turned around the room, she listened for a sound of his presence but the apartment was silent and empty.
In the kitchen Alex found two champagne glasses sitting on the counter beside a half melted bucket of ice. A plate of chocolate strawberries sat beside a bowl of whipped cream. “Idiot,” she scolded herself as she dipped one strawberry into the cream and took a bite. If she hadn’t spent so long shopping and wandering around worrying about Joseph, if she had just come home an hour earlier, she would be enjoying all of this with Joseph.
But where was Joseph? She wandered out into the living room and stopped. There he was, lying on the couch, snoring. Alex tiptoed over to him and gently kissed his forehead.
Joseph’s lashes flickered and then he opened his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
‘It’s ok,” Alex traced her hand along his face, outlining his lips with her finger before leaning in to kiss him again softly. “It doesn’t matter.”
“I never want to be angry with you again.”
“No,” Alex smiled, “I don’t like being away from you.” Joseph picked Alex up and carried her into their bedroom. He lay her down on their bed of roses and made love to her. Many times.
51
“What is this?” Angela rubbed her eyes trying to bring them into focus.
“Chai,” Ahmed handed Angela the steaming cup. “Tea. I made it for you.”
Angela sat up and wrapped the bed sheet around her naked body. She took a sip. “It’s hot, and spicy.”
“Yes,” Ahmed smiled, lifting up the covers and sliding his long lean body in next to Angela, “it’s the way we make it in India. It will wake you up. And give you energy.”
“Oh,” Angela laughed, “that’s a good thing.”
“Yes,” Ahmed leaned over and kissed Angela’s shoulder, “you will need it.”
“No, I won’t. Dora will be here soon. I’ve got to get up and get dressed.”
“Don’t be silly,” Ahmed reached his hand underneath the sheets. “The morning is still early. And now that I have you, I won’t let you go.”
“You have me?” Angela pushed Ahmed’s hand away and put down her tea cup.
“Yes, you said last night. You are mine.”
“I did not say that.”
“Yes you did,” Ahmed nodded his head. “After I gave you pleasure.”
“Oh, I did?” Angela smiled, “Perhaps, I did at that moment. It’s just that you surprised me. No one has done that in a long time.”
“Yes, I know,” Ahmed laughed, “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
“You have?”
“Of course. But that’s ok. I understand. I am a patient man. I can wait a long time to get what I want. From the moment I met you Angela, I knew that you were meant to be mine. We are connected.”
“Stop it, Ahmed. Stop joking. We’ve had sex before, remember? And last night, was just another night. Just one night. I couldn’t help myself. I was lonely and sad. And you were there. For heaven’s sake. Let’s not make it any more than it is.”
/>
Ahmed’s brow furrowed. “I was there? I was just there? No Angela, come on. Give yourself some credit. I wasn’t just there. Yes, we had sex before. But that was different and you know it. I was just showing you what I would do to a client. I couldn’t let you know how I really felt. Why do you think I have been here, working for you for so long? Huh? Of course, I have been waiting for you. Waiting for you to finally stop and see what was beneath your nose.”
“Ahmed this is crazy. You are married.”
“So,” Ahmed shrugged. “So are you. What does that matter? We both know what our marriages mean to us. They are nothing but paper. I know your husband is an asshole. My wife is dead weight. Am I going to let that ruin the rest of my life? When I have a chance with you? Maybe I will leave her. And after I become your partner, we make even more money together.”
“What?” Angela laughed.
“Yes,” Ahmed said seriously, “I have been thinking. This is a good business you have set up. You have some fine girls. Some ok. Some not so good. But I can get you more. We can do more. This is just the tip of the iceberg. With my help, my ideas, this can be the biggest escort agency in Toronto.”
“Ahmed, what are you talking about?”
“No, listen to me. This business is growing. Especially in Toronto. Everyone here is so open minded. I think we need to make a women’s pleasure house. Out in Mississauga somewhere. Off the Lakeshore. Set it up like a spa, nice, elegant, and expensive. And we can bring in boys from India. We know how to pleasure women in India. Come on, Angela,” Ahmed slid his hand along Angela’s thigh, “you know it’s a good idea. Do you know how many women need a place to go to be pleasured?”
Angela shook her head
“Fine. Ok. I admit, that it will take time. Women are still too shy about it for now. But so what? There are things we can do right now. We need to get into the internet business. Web cams. Porn videos. We can film them, right here. On this bed. We could film your girls. Sure. Or get new girls. You know, we could sponsor girls from India. And from the Philippines. Maybe from Russia. Give them a place to stay. Have sort of a safe dormitory for them. Of course we will treat them well. Teach them about business. Maybe English if they need it. And then give them freedom after two years. Of course they will want to stay, but they don’t have to. Just a two year contract. We wouldn’t have to charge so much for our fees. So we could get more clients. And see? Then you could help more women. Not just these spoilt bitches you have working for you now. You can help women who really need help.”
“Ahmed, you’re crazy. That’s slavery. It must be illegal, or some sleaze would have done something like that before,” Angela looked around for her cigarettes.
“No, not crazy, Angela,” Ahmed shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot. All day, I just drive and think. Think about this. We can do it right. Really sponsor the girls. Get them out of the shit whorehouses they are in in their own country. Come on, Angela,” he pulled her down into his arms, “Think about it. Think about me, driving all around Toronto just thinking of you. Do you think I would do anything to hurt you? To get you into trouble? Of course not. Finally, you have come to your senses. You got rid of that idiot husband of yours. And you are ready for me.”
“So what?” Angela scoffed, “You seduced me on purpose? So I would be your business partner?”
“Oh, Angela,” Ahmed slapped his forehead. “Are you not even listening to me? We are of the same cloth, me and you. I love you. I adore you. I love making you happy. And I want to make you happy every day. Every night. No, not just so I can be your business partner. So I can be your life partner. So I can be your lover. I don’t care about the business. Not if you don’t. I just thought that was what was important to you. Anyways,” he jumped out of bed and grabbed Angela’s cigarettes from the sun room. “I know, I can help you make your business successful. I am better than a driver. I just want you to know that I have so many ideas. Don’t you understand? When I came to this country, I had nothing. Nobody. And nobody helped me, but you. You gave me a chance. You had faith in me. Trust in me. You were the only one who knew that I was a real man. And I can’t thank you enough for that. I can’t. I love you so much. And I know you were upset. And I know your husband was not nice to you. You deserve to be treated right. You are a sexy woman. You deserve to be spoiled. That is what I want to do for you. Always.”
Angela shook her head and laughed at Ahmed, leaning her head close to his as he lit her cigarette. “I don’t know,” she inhaled, “I need time. I have to think about it.”
“Of course. Of course, think about it as long as you want. I don’t care. I will wait. I am here, waiting for you.” He reached over and took her cigarette, took a drag then walked over to the vanity and put it out in the ashtray. “But not now,” he said returning to the foot of the bed, “now our time for talking is over.” He lifted the sheets and crawled underneath.
Angela felt Ahmed’s hands run over her legs, pushing them wide apart. “Oh, Ahmed,” she moaned and closed her eyes, leaning back into the pillows.
52
“So, why so many appointments, girlfriend? A pretty girl like you shouldn’t have to work so hard. I’m sure you are making enough money, just on tips.” Chieko smiled at Ahmed, and took out her compact mirror to check her makeup. “Ok, but to be serious, what is going on?”
“Nothing. Just I want more money.”
“Oh. That’s it? Nothing else? That is not exciting.”
“Yes, that’s it,” Chieko pursed her lips as she applied her favorite bright red lipstick.
“Ok, ok,” Ahmed shrugged his shoulders. “So, did you hear the latest?” Ahmed put the car into drive and pulled away from the curb.
“I don’t know. What?”
“Alex, she quit. Did you know?”
“What?” Chieko snapped her compact shut. “No I didn’t hear that. Why? When?”
“Oh,” Ahmed savored the thrill of fresh gossip, “she got that big rich client of hers to set her up. Just a few days ago.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes. And Angela is not happy at all.”
“Wow. That is good for her,” Chieko looked out the window.
“Good? You are joking,” laughed Ahmed, “you know that crap never works out.”
“Don’t say that,” Chieko snapped, feeling guilty that she was thinking the exact same thing. “Maybe they are in love. You don’t know.”
“Yeah, this week. Next week, he will get bored and chase another escort. Or find someone cheaper. I’ve seen it all before.”
“I don’t know, I hope it works for her, she deserves it.”
“I never did understand what Alex was doing, trying to be an escort, anyways. She was too stuck up for me. I wouldn’t have hired her. I guess that’s why the rich guy liked her, eh? You know,” Ahmed laughed, “she never did it for me, you know? I prefer you know, more exotic girls,” he flashed Chieko a smile, his white teeth glowing in the late afternoon sun.
Chieko rolled her eyes. She had too many men in her life to deal with already. Closing her eyes, she sighed and leaned back in the seat, relaxing to the rhythm of the traffic. Today she was on her way to her last appointment for two whole days and it was with Carl Roberts. And she didn’t have to worry about anything. Today there would be no sex.
Carl had devised a new schedule for their appointments. Since his trip to London, Carl and his wife were trying to work on their marriage. And he didn’t want his wife to get suspicious of Chieko, so he saved himself for his wife every other week. But Carl also didn’t want to give up Chieko. She was much too precious to him. That’s what he said. Seems that Carl believed it was all due to Chieko that things were working out with his wife so well, and the reason his blood pressure had dropped. So, today Carl and Chieko were just going to talk and make out. “Like high school,” he had joked.
“Hello?” Ahmed poked Chieko in the shoulder.
“Sorry?” Chieko slowly opened her eyes.
&
nbsp; “I asked you a question. What, you too tired? Falling asleep after so many appointments? You know what they say about too much sex? You better be careful of your eyes.” Ahmed laughed.
“Shut up Ahmed,” Chieko yawned.
“So,” Ahmed snapped his fingers at Chieko, “you never told me. What about you? Why did you become an escort? I mean you are pretty hot. You couldn’t find a rich boyfriend to take care of you?”
Chieko shook her head. “Don’t ask.”
“Ah ha! You have a story. I knew it!” Ahmed slammed on the brakes barely avoiding the stopped car in front of him. “Bitch,” he cursed at the driver, “why you stop in the middle of the street? Come on, crazy woman, learn how to drive! So,” he turned back to Chieko, “I know you’re not a student. You’re not the type. What, are you an undercover cop? No? Your parents arranged a marriage for you that you hate? What? Come on, you can tell me.”
“It’s not that exciting.”
“Sure it is, come on.”
“Ok, fine, I’ll tell you. I followed a boy here from Japan. He turned out to be an asshole. We finished but then I didn’t have any money and I needed a job. Angela helped me out.”
“That’s it? Why did you leave Japan? Were you married?”
“No. I don’t know. I wasn’t happy.”
“What does that mean?”
Chieko sighed. “I was a maiko, you know, studying to be a geisha in Japan.”
“That sounds ok. Geisha’s are sexy”
“I hated it. My parents made me do it. My grandmother was a geisha and she arranged it for me and paid for it. It was really hard work. And boring. And very strict. There were so many rules. I couldn’t even go to regular high school. Oh, and no boyfriends.”
“So, how then did you meet this boy that you followed here?”
“Well,” Chieko lowered her head. “I lived a double life. I was a very good at studying during the day, but I played in the night.”
