Three
Jennifer
I hopeI haven’t made a huge mistake.
Oh well, even if this meetingdoesn’twork out and he turns out to be some sleazy horrible creep, I reassure myself, then at least I’ve gotten a free holiday out of it, right?
You see, this is the first time I’ve ever been to New York, and even just form the brief flashes of it I’ve seen so far, it’s everything I imagined it would be and more. It’s like being inside a film set: yellow cabs, honking horns, loud Bronx accents, and every type of person under the sun, all hustling and bustling about, as I watch it all from the wound-down window of my very ownprivate car.
I know, right?
I still couldn’t quite believe it when I stepped off the flight, just a couple of hours ago, and there standing in the Arrival’s lounge was an immaculately dressed six foot white guy with a big cardboard sign, withmy namewritten on it! It was like something out of a corny romantic comedy film, and that’s still how it feels right now, as I sit back and relax, as much as I’m able, on the plush leather seats, as the sleek, jet-black car glides effortlessly through the mid-afternoon traffic of downtown Manhattan.
As we drive, I check the hem of my skirt for any loose stitching. It’s not exactly like I had very long to throw this outfit together, and I’m hoping the edgy, modern design I settled on in the end will distract from any rushed sewing. After all, it’s not like I could afford to just go out andbuysomething new to wear, so a revamp of one of my tatty old work skirts will just have to do.
“Okay, Miss Adams,” the driver says in a soft, refined accent – treating me the same way as if I was some kind of freaking celebrity. “Here we are. If you head into the lobby and tell the receptionist you’re here for the appointment with Mr Whitelaw, she’ll make sure to do the rest ...”
“Thanks, um ... and what’syour name?” I reply, sheepishly.
“Trent,” the driver smiles back at me, perhaps a little taken aback – like I’m the first person to ever actually talk to him like a regular human being before.
“Thanks so much, Trent,” I grin back at him, before stepping out of the car and heading towards the imposing building, set back from the busy street – the words Whitelaw Enterprises emblazoned on the tinted glass above its huge entrance.
I look up in awe at the crazy building – the daringly modern architecture, the way the tint of the glass lets on nothing about what might be going on inside it, not to mention the ambiguity of the name; because ‘Enterprises’ could mean almost anything, couldn’t it? – and then I think again about the wording of the advert, and in particular this time I think about the third line, the one that says:You shall beveryhandsomely rewarded ...
Could this finally be the lucky break I’ve been waiting for all my life?
Four
Marcus
“Oh, come on!”Greg laughs, punching me on the shoulder. “I mean, when was the last time you let yourself blow off any steam. It’s just a few drinks, man. It’s just work, work, work with you. It’ll be fun. I mean, when was the last time you had any ofthat, right?”
Again, Greg explodes in laughter, and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t quite bring myself to join in. I just wish he’dleavemy goddamn office.
If he wasn’t the son of one of my biggest investors, I’d fire him in a heartbeat. But no, I’ve got to keep his dad sweet, by employing this total imbecile.
I shoot a glance up at the clock. It’s nearly five o’ clock.
“Listen, Greg,” I say, “I’ve got a meeting at five. I’ll catch you on Monday ...”
“Don’t tell me you’restillpursuing Malchovic Finance?” he says incredulously. “Man, you don’teverlet anything go, do you?”
I shrug, letting him believe that my five o’ clock is business related.
“Well, old man, I guess I’ll leave you to it,” he adds, slapping me playfully on the back. “But if you change your mind, we’ll be at the Spearmint Lounge until late! Oh, and don’t forget – you’redefinitelycoming out for my birthday drinks next week. You already promised me that one, and I’mnotletting you wriggle your way out of it, no matter what you say ...”
I give him the very briefest of nods, and then, finally, he leaves me alone in the sanctity of my office, with only minutes left to prepare before my meeting.
My meeting withJennifer.
I slip the contract I’ve had my private lawyer draw up out of the desk drawer by my thighs and give it a cursory glance – not that I need to.
By now, I know this contract by heart.
I just hope she lives up to my expectations.
Because I’ve got realhigh hopesfor this girl ...
