Episode Four

The next morning I sit at the little table, staring out at the street below. I watch the buses go by and the people shopping for their traditional Saturday breakfast. A few students go by looking worse for wear. Obviously they spent there Friday night having fun, while I had the strange encounter with my boss.

I pick up my coffee and take a sip as I think about the strange message he sent last night. What did he mean by stay away? I can’t, I work for him. I have to see him every day. There had to be another meaning, but my mind just can’t seem to work out what.

“Morning” says a cheery voice. I just grunt as Rosie takes a seat next to me and turns her attention to outside. “Oh how the young do live?” she laughs, as we watch a young couple holding hands and practically skipping down the road.

 I wonder how it feels to be like that. To wake up everyday knowing someone is thinking about you and wanting to see you. Will I ever find it? I’m only 25 and so far nothing. Expect Mr. Cole. He seems the only man that makes my body react. He’s the only one I dream about and lately fantasized about.

I’ve had a few boyfriends, but there was nothing earth moving about them. There was no hearts or flowers or butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Sex, well, that’s nothing I would brag about. No one has ever captured my imagination like he has. This makes last night a billion times worse. Could he sense my attraction towards him and instantly dismissed me to avoid any embarrassment. Is that what the message means? It’s a kind way of saying ‘I’m out of your league’?

“What did you do last night?” Rosie asks, as she lights up a cigarette and inhales. “I heard you come in around midnight.”

“Oh,” I feel my cheeks flush slightly. I don’t know why, its not like I have a romp confession to tell. “My boss got drunk” well, so he told me. “I had to pick him up and drive him home.”

“Seriously,” she giggles. “What a dick…” She stops what she is saying and jumps up from the table. I watch as she dashes into her room and dashes back out.

“You’ll never believe what happened to me last night?” Sometimes I find it very difficult to keep track with Rosie. Our conversations never seem to stay on one subject. And she always talks really really FAST!

She sits back down at the table and carries on smoking her cigarette. “I’m doing my normal job” she rolls her eyes. “Sweeping the floors, cleaning tables--blah blah” Her hands are beginning to wave all over the place and she is practically jumping up and down in her seat.

“Then this guy calls me over to his table.” She stubs out the cigarette and takes in a deep breath. “Anyway, he starts asking me all these questions --- god, Abby, you should have seen him.” She bites down on her lip and her eyes go dreamy. She shakes her head as if to help her focus. “Anyway, he starts telling me about this club.”

She slams her hand down on the table and reveals a business card. I pick it up and study it. There’s just a name, address and telephone number. I look back up at her and she is giving the biggest grin.

“He told me to go there tonight and bring a friend.”

“So a stranger just comes up to you and invites you to...” I pause to read the name. “The S and D club?” I hand her back the card and shake my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not? Come on, Abby. You never go out...”

“Wait!” I hold my hand up. “You want me to be that friend?”

Her eyebrows narrow and she looks at me like I’m stupid. “Yeah, and? Oh come on, we only have to stay for one drink. Please,” She pouts and I suddenly feel very bad for her. She obviously has a huge thing for this man and if I can help her, so be it.

“Fine” I sigh, giving in. “What time?”

“He said to be there at eight.” She jumps up from the table again and this time wraps her arms around my neck. “Thank you.” She steps away and I can finally breathe. Her eyes look at me and she begins to twitch her lips. “First, I think we need to give you a little makeover.”

“Why?”

“Oh, Abby” she playfully pinches my cheek. “Don’t you want to look hot and find a nice man?”

Do I want to look hot? I guess and what if I have found a nice man and he doesn’t seem to think I’m right for him. Rosie is right, its time to ditch the boss and find someone real. I nod in her direction and she starts clapping her hands. I’m filled with dread, what have I agreed too?

After sitting for hours feeling like a  paint by numbers while Rosie goes crazy with the make up, my torture is finally over. I gaze at my reflection in the mirror and cringe. I hate dressing up because I don’t like getting attention. Well, that’s a lie. I only like having his attention.

My own eyes roam the length of my body. She has stuck me a leather skirt which rests on my thighs and a black corset, which is so tight I feel my insides are being squashed together.

My red hair is wavy and rests on my pushed up cleavage. My make-up is over the top too; Black smoky eyes, tons of eye liner and killer red glossy lips. I look like a porn star gone wrong and feel very awkward and slightly stupid.

I trot over to my desk and grab my bag and jacket. I know in these heels I’m going to end up in A&E. I carefully walk out of my room and find Rosie putting the finish touches to her outfit. She looks amazing, dressed a skin tight black dress. Her dark hair piled up and her big eyes full of excitement.

Why can’t I be like that -- Only if it was for a day? I sometimes feel trapped in my own body. Always too scared to take risks and too scared to be who I really want to be. I’m boring, there I said it.

I don’t drink, I never go out, I can’t talk to men and I never experiment with my look. Maybe tonight I could pretend to be someone else. Pretend to confident and sexy. There’s no harm… A voice in my head laughs at me. Yeah right!

I came to the city to start a new life and to be someone new. No, I will. For tonight I will no longer be Miss Nice girl. Tonight I’m the new Abby Robinson. I will be funny, sexy, brave and bold.

“What are you smiling about” Rosie laughs at me.

“Giving myself a little prep talk.”

“Yeah … about what?”

“You’ll see” I wink at her and strut to the door. Oh my god did I just wink? It has to be this outfit. I hear Rosie laugh behind me as we exit our flat. I’m now actually excited about going to this club. For one night only I will forget about Mr Cole, his dark needs and lists. I will focus on being me and having a good time….

We walk towards a building just off the high street. There’s nothing about it that screams night club. It’s actually quiet and I can’t see a queue of people waiting to go in. However, there is a man dressed in a black suit with a clip broad waiting outside the entrance.

Rosie grips hold of my hand and we stop outside. My eyes look up and there isn’t even a sign stating that we are at the right place. This is strange, very strange.

“May I help you ladies?” The man says.

“Yes” Rosie puts on her confident voice and stands up straight. “I was invited here by a Mr Lawrence.”

The man looks down at his clip broad and gives a little nod. “Would you be Rosie by any chance?”

“Yes,” she smiles in delight.

“Go on in ladies. Go straight to the desk and Olivia will confirm your presence and will give you a introduction.”

We walk in and I can’t take my eyes of the weird man with the clip broad. His face looks amused and it makes me feel as if I’ve just been accepted into hell. When do you have to go to a club and have a introduction. None of this makes sense.

We walk through a short hallway, the décor is grand. Everything is a deep ruby red and anything that is wood is dark. A few pictures on the wall catch my eye. There all seem to be erotica; woman with blind folds, chains and strong men. I have a horrible feeling about this place.

I look over to Rosie and she is smiling. Finally she breaks the silence and leans towards me. “Do you know how long I have waited to be here?”

I stop walking and turn to look at her in surprise. There’s no time for me to ask any questions and we stop at a large  desk. A woman stands behind, dressed in a cream suit. Her blonde hair looks immaculate, just as she does. Tall, thin and outrageously beautiful. She gives a dazzling smile as her big green eyes look over at me and Rosie. Once again I feel ridiculous in my outfit. I pull the sides of jacket to hide my over spilling cleavage.

“Welcome to S & D. I’m Olivia.” She picks up something and places it before us. “These are your NDA’s. No one can enter this club without signing one of these.”

My eyes move from the paper to Rosie, who eagerly grabs a pen and starts signing.  Olivia continues to talk.

“At S & D we are very strict about our clients not devouring information to the others. Everything that happens inside remains a secret. The NDA is protection for our more established members. It gives them a sense of security.”

“Come on, Abby. Sign!” Rosie almost yells at me. Sign a document to get into a club? I have this strange feeling that I am getting into something that is over my head. I am fascinated at exactly what this place is. Its seems we have been given free membership… Why?

“Abby, what are you waiting for?” I can tell by Rosie’s voice she is beginning to get impatient. I quickly grab a pen and sign my name before I chicken out. I swallow hard as I place the pen back down. Exactly what have I done and what is this place.

“Wonderful, Ladies” Olivia beams out us. “Please go through. Copies of your agreement will be ready for you when you leave.”

I slowly back away from the desk as Rosie grips hold  of my hand.. “Oh this is so exciting” she starts doing a little dance. “oh yeah…”

“What is this place?”

Rosie stops walking as we come towards some giant wooden doors. “Does it matter?”

“It does to me

“Why?” She asks shocked while throwing her hands in the air. Her big eyes narrow and her voice is almost whisper. “Just do this for me, please…”

“I would if I understood.”

“There is nothing too understand.” She flings her arms around my neck and gives me a big hug. “If I could tell you I would. I will never ask you for anything else.”

I step out of her hug and just nod. I know her words aren't exactly true. Its not full whole week till pay day and she always runs out of something. I force a smile upon my face. I turn to face the doors, suck in a deep breath and push the door open. Wow, what I see is something spectacular….