“I’m so sorry.” I said again. The entire process of me spilling coffee to making saying sorry for the second time must’ve taken only seconds and yet it felt as if I had been standing there and staring at him forever.
“It’s okay. This was one of my best shirts but hopefully the cleaner can work her magic on it. Great start to the day.” He huffed.
I felt my cheeks redden. “I’m truly sorry. One minute you weren’t there and the next minute you were. Uh… can I get you a drink? To say sorry?”
“No, that’s okay. I have to go.”
He walked away and I watched him leave. I closed my eyes and cursed myself for my awkwardness. Not the best way to feel on my first day at work and I hoped that it would only mean that things were going to get better. I had been with Justin for such a long time that I think I had lost my ability to talk to other men. Not that I was that good in the first place. Justin had been the one that was good at flirting, not me. Which, as it turned out, was probably what should’ve given me warning bells from the start. Thankfully I had not spilled any coffee on myself which was a good thing because I didn’t have any spare clothes with me. Turning up on my first day with coffee all over me would not have been good. It was probably better that I knocked it all over a stranger – albeit a cute one.
“Another cappuccino?” The barman asked me and I suddenly became very aware that he had seen the whole exchange. I tried to pretend that nothing had happened and just nodded. I had only taken one sip before spilling the last one and I desperately felt like another cup before going into that meeting. Caffeine had a similar effect on me than alcohol at times – it always gave me a little bit more confidence.
“Yes please. That would be great. Thank you. Uh… and sorry about the last one. My fault completely and I’ll definitely pay for two.” I handed him the mug and waited for him to pour me another one. He smiled at me as if to say that it didn’t matter at all. I realized that he didn’t seem as good looking to me anymore now that I was comparing him to the cute stranger. I took the mug and turned around slowly, making sure that the coast was clear this time. It was clear, but not for long. Because walking up to me was the very same man that I had knocked my drink all over. He was wearing a crisp new shirt and was walking straight towards me.
“You’re back!” I exclaimed when he got near and then told myself not to sound so excited.
“I am. Listen, I just wanted to say sorry for being so rude to you earlier. It wasn’t your fault that you knocked your drink on me. It was just bad timing. So, I’d like to take you up on that offer of a drink.” His voice was silky smooth and I wondered how he would do in an interview – more than likely he’d just get hired on the spot without them ever looking at any other candidate.
I beamed at him. Was this really happening? I checked my watch. I still had twenty minutes to go until the meeting and I had already scouted out exactly where the office was that I had to report. “Great. I’m glad because I really did feel awful. I’m not usually so clumsy. Okay, I am a little, but still – I felt bad. What would you like? I’m just having coffee. It feels a little early to be having alcohol – as tempting as it sounds right now. And anyway, this coffee is amazing.” I was babbling.
“Coffee sounds great.”
I turned around and ordered another cup. The barman said hello to the cute stranger so I supposed he was a regular. He certainly looked like someone that spent a lot of time at places like this. He looked as if he slotted straight into casino life – impeccably dressed, groomed and with an air of confidence that only came from the rich or the famous.
“Delicious!” He said as he took a sip.
“I told you so! This place is amazing.”
“Your first time here?” He asked.
“It is. I’m generally not a casino type of person but I must say, this feels like I’m in a little city all on its own. It has a great vibe. I can see why some people spend so much time here – it must be hard to go back into the real world after this. It feels like a place filled with promises. Oh, sorry, I’m Jane by the way.”
“Nice to meet you Jane. I’m Sebastian. Great description of the place. I must agree with you. I know that I never want to leave.” He held out his hand for me and I shook it. It was firm but his skin felt soft against mine. I didn’t want to let go. What was happening to me? This man had managed to get under my skin in such a short space of time. Although I supposed he had this impression on all the girls. I realized that I was staring.
“I’m sorry. I’m staring. You just have very intense eyes.” I could not believe that I had just said that out loud. What was wrong with me? I think I was finally losing the plot. I smiled and tried to pretend as if what I had just said was normal.
“Good intense or bad intense?” He asked and grinned at me. A mischievous and cocky grin that turned him from good looking to sexy all at once.
“Oh good of course.”
“Oh you’re just saying that because I’m sitting right here.”
“No, no. I promise you. It’s very good.” I looked into my cup of coffee now, aware that I was flirting with this cute stranger. Perhaps this day hadn’t started out so bad after all.
“Well, thank you. You have most certainly made my day. Getting a compliment from a cute girl should be imperative to any man’s day. And, I got a cup of coffee out of it too. I am a lucky man indeed. I should probably play on the slots today. I’ll probably hit the jackpot. And look, you’re wearing a little horseshoe – you must be my lucky charm.” He reached over and picked up the horseshoe, his hands briefly sweeping across my breast. The gesture did not go unnoticed to either of us. I smiled and looked down at the necklace, mortified to see that my nipples were standing erect. Why had Danielle not told me that my shirt was slightly transparent? And was this man actually flirting with me. I caught him looking at my breasts and I blushed.
“You most certainly should play then. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to buy me the next drink.”
He laughed at that and I smiled. Maybe I wasn’t so bad at this flirting thing after all. Take that Justin! I can do this. I don’t need you. I felt my spirits rising the longer that I sat with this man and I felt more than ready to take on the job after this. I was definitely ready for it.
“I’m sorry to bother you Ma’am,” interrupted the barman, “I’m switching shifts so I just need to round everything off here. Do you mind paying for the coffees before I go?”
“Of course!” I fished out my card and handed it to him and then proceeded to type in my pin.
“I’m sorry. It says it’s been declined.”
I felt mortified. I could feel Sebastian watching me and I felt my face start to flush. “Really? That’s strange.”
“It happens sometimes. Maybe it’s the machine. Let me get another one and we can try again.”
“Okay, great. Thank you.” I was trying to remain calm but I wanted the whole earth to swallow me whole. We tried again but the barman looked up at me uncomfortably.
“I’m so sorry. It still says declined.” I was sure that I still had some money left in my account. Had I really let it get that bad? Or was there just something wrong with my card? Either way I was so embarrassed and I didn’t know what to do. Not only had I ordered two cups of coffee for myself – one that I spilled – but I also ordered one for a complete stranger. And now I couldn’t pay for it.
“Uh… this is so strange. It’s never happened before.” I stuttered.
“Look, don’t worry about it. Matthew, it’s fine.” He smiled at the barman and that was that. I supposed he had just put it on his account which made me feel even worse.
“I’m so sorry Sebastian. What a bad impression I have just made of myself. Honestly, this was not my intention at all. I really do have the money. Please let me buy you another drink.”
“No, no. Look, don’t worry, it’s okay. These things happen. But I have to go. I actually have a meeting in a few minutes that I can’t be late for.”
And off he went. I looked at my watched and realized that I also had a meeting that I couldn’t be late for. I took a deep breath and willed myself to forget about the whole morning.
Chapter 9 - Sebastian
Dear Sebastian.
I’m so sorry to be sending this message. Unfortunately my family had to leave early which means that I do too. I wanted to see you before you left but I wasn’t allowed up to the penthouse without your permission and I didn’t know how to get hold of you. I ran around the whole casino trying to find you but you must’ve been busy. I just wanted you to know what a wonderful time I had with you and how amazing it was to meet you. You are just so great and I’ll never forget the time I had with you. I would love to see you again. You can get me on this email address but I’ll also leave my phone number and my home address below. Come visit me anytime. I miss you already.
Your Susie the Cutie.
* * *
I cringed and quickly typed back a response.
Thanks for the email Susie. I’m sorry you had to leave so early. I had a wonderful time with you. Of course I’ll keep in touch. I’m just about to go into another meeting – like I told you, I’m a busy man. So, unfortunately, I have to cut this short. Have a lovely trip back and thanks for the memories.
I sent the email to Susie – who I had deliberately stopped calling Susie Cutie – and sighed. Girls like this infuriated me. I had only met her once and she had already sent me an email. I regretted the decision of giving her my business card but I supposed she would’ve found a way regardless. Didn’t they see that I wasn’t looking for anything serious? Surely I wouldn’t want something serious from a quickie up in my room. Especially since I had just met the girl. But some girls had no sense of patience and no idea on how to really get a man. Susie was great but she had a shelf life for me which had already expired. I put her out of my mind – after all there were plenty other women at the casino for me to focus on. I thought about the girl sitting on my lap while I worked the other night and how her breasts had bounced up and down in front of me. That was the one great thing about working in a place like this. The girls were generally only around for a few days or a few weeks at most. It was easy to woo them while they were here and then move to the next one when they left. And some of them, some of the good ones, didn’t mind sharing. I smiled at the prospect of walking around the casino that evening looking for another target. Although, they usually came to me first.
Now, despite a rather frustrating morning, I had to endure another meeting. I wasn’t at all in the mood for it today but there was nothing that I could do. At least I had a few moments to catch my breath before she was due to come in. I liked sitting alone in my office. It was my version of a ‘man-cave’ – a place that was all mine. A place that was all me. It was quite large for an office, with most of the space going unused, but I had always hated clutter and I knew that this would be the office for me the moment I saw it. Back then there were two people working in the space, but I had found room for them elsewhere. I wanted this room all to myself. I had taken everything out and refurnished it. The walls were a light grey and everything screamed modern and simplicity. My desk was large and of the finest oak and on it stood a large computer screen and a laptop – each connected to one another. I wouldn’t lie if I said I used that screen for other purposes on the odd occasion. It was easy when you were all alone – and a locked door and closed blinds went a long way. I’d even had sex in this office before – against my big oak desk. It had been in broad daylight and that day I hadn’t bothered to lock the door. There was something exciting about knowing that anyone could walk in at any time. When my phone rang I jumped up in surprise. I had been so lost in memory that I had almost forgotten where I was.
“Sebastian, Jane Greiner is here to see you.” It was Alison, my assistant. Alison had a gruff voice which was immediately recognizable - like someone that had smoked too much in her life. I had hired her a year ago based on her age and her looks. Which was to say, she was in her sixties and not the most attractive looking lady. The only reason I had done so was because I couldn’t stop sleeping with the other assistants. And then when they got too close to me I’d have to let them go. It wasn’t the most pleasant thing to go though and I knew that it wasn’t the nicest thing for me to be doing to them. Also, I was worried about ruining my reputation at the casino. Alison was perfect for the job.
“Who?”
“Jane Greiner. The new social media lady that won that competition. She’s the one you chose remember. The one that you fought to have over the other guy.” Alison sounded annoyed with me. She was always reminding me about things that I had forgotten. But that was her job. That was why I hired her.
“Oh of course. Sorry, I was daydreaming. Yes, please send her in.” I hoped that this wasn’t going to go on for too long. I had far more important things to do that day.
Alison walked in with Jane and I nearly fell off my chair. It was the same Jane that had spilled coffee all over me not so long ago. I hadn’t for one minute put two and two together when she said her name and from the look on her face I could see that she hadn’t either.
“Thank you Alison. Jane, please sit down.” I waited until Alison closed the door before continuing. “Goodness, I did not realize you were the one coming in today. Well, we’ve already met then. But like I said before, I’m Sebastian.”
“YOU run this casino?” She asked and sounded incredulous.
“Yes. Why? You look surprised.”
“I guess I just thought that somebody older would be running it. I don’t know – that’s silly I guess. Well, what an entrance I made then. Again, apologies for the coffee spilling and the card not working. I promise that things will get much better after that.” I couldn’t figure out what to make of her then. She seemed a bit stand-offish suddenly and I wasn’t sure if it was because she was embarrassed about what had happened earlier or whether she wasn’t too pleased that her boss was a man her age.
“Well, like I said, it’s no problem at all. I had a clean shirt at the ready and as you can now see, a cup of coffee is the least of my worries. Before we get into it, I’d like you to please read through these papers. I know it’s a bit long but it details exactly what you can expect from the job and what we expect from you. If you’re happy with it all please just sign your name on each of the pages. We can continue after that.” I handed her the pages and watched as she carefully read through each page one at a time. Most people that came for a job skimmed through these pages quickly but Jane was looking at each word at a time – making sure that everything was in order. I was both frustrated and impressed by this. I sat back and watched her. I was glad that I had a moment to assess her without her looking at me. She certainly wasn’t striking and by no means would she win any modelling contest. In fact, if I had to use one word to describe her I’d probably use the word average. Or plain. Yes, plain Jane. But yet, there was certainly something about her. She was pretty and she had some edge about her that I couldn’t quite place. She was… Interesting. Yes, very interesting. I was surprised not to see her in a suit – as seemed to be the case with most people on their first day, but I quite liked what she was wearing. Her jeans were tight and her green shirt looked good against her skin. Her best asset was definitely her breasts – which were clearly visible through her shirt under certain lighting, and I was lucky enough to be able to see them clearly at that moment. I looked up and said a little silent thank you to my bright light bulbs. They were very big for her otherwise small frame. When she looked up I quickly looked her in the eyes so that she wouldn’t see me staring down and I smiled.
“All done? You happy with everything? Let me know if there is anything that you think might be missing or anything that is wrong.” I asked. I truly didn’t want to hear that anything was wrong but I needed to be polite. I was the boss after all and this was her first day.
“All done. Sorry I took so long. I’m a little bit obsessive with details. Yeah, everythi
ng looks to be in order. Abbie actually ran through everything with me on the phone when she told me that I’d gotten the job and this is all in line with what she said. I’m very happy with this.”
“Ah… Abbie. Always on the ball that one. She gets so annoyed with the rest of us so it looks like the two of you are going to get on just fine. So, Jane, I just wanted to tell you that I was very impressed with your proposal. We whittled it down to three people and after that it was a fight between two. Both Abbie and I both wanted you and, of course, as the boss I got to make the final decision. So… don’t let me down, okay?”
“Oh I definitely won’t let you down. I wanted this job very badly.” And something in her voice made me believe her.
“As you can see, the casino is running very well at the moment. The only area that we are lacking in is our social media side of things. Which is why we needed someone with a good head on their shoulders to come in and take charge. What I especially liked was your idea to start interacting with the public more and your examples of how well this has worked for your other clients in the past. You say that the public don’t want to see us as just a company but they want to see us a people who run a company. It sounds like you want to personalize us a bit more in order for the public to relate to us. Am I right in that assessment?”
“Absolutely. And I have tons of ideas on how to make it happen. Most of the time it’s really just being available behind the computer to not only market the company but to also listen to what the public are saying. Companies just don’t listen enough these days – and something like that can make all the difference.”
Auctioned to Him 7: The Contract Page 95
