The Misunderstanding (Chapter two)

Chapter 2.
The elevator doors opened to a spacious Lobby, pale colours artfully arranged to make the place deem airy and welcoming. In the centre of the waiting area was a tall sheet of thin glass that had water trickling down it, making it seem like a light indoor waterfall. The reception desk white sleek and organised was the only thing that hinted at anything remotely business like about the lobby. Had you been a tourist visiting the building for the first time you would have easily mistaken the building for the entrance to an art gallery, though the atmosphere of the place might give you a hint as to who worked here of you didn’t already know.

Paul strode from the elevators and spied a curious look from the reception worker; he was probably the first person to come down from the 30th floor without the look of fear in his eye. To add to her confusion and tease her a little he turned his face and smiled at her, and watched in satisfaction as first the confusion grew before a blush creped over her face and she hastily returned to her work answering a call that she had let ring for more than 5 beats. Paul wondered to himself if Jackson would know if they even let a beat miss on a telephone. If he had to bet he would bet he did, to keep up the standard of perfection he expected, there was probably a limit to how many beats you were permitted to miss before they became nails in the coffin of your career.

He strode down the street, already packed and bustling more than usual for New York with the eager Business workers, ready for the weekend. The loud roar of the city streets the acrid fumes of the cabbies exhausts and the hotdog venders were home to him. And now he headed for the rougher and more unpleasant area of the glamorous city. A place where only trouble lurked.
The woman lined the alley, and almost surged at him as he walked passed, their exposing clothes clearly defined their lifestyle and their intention. Paul in his formal suit seemed out of place. However unknown to the public eye this was an annual hotspot for all the “royalty” of New York’s Elite Business men. He thought rely to him-self and he was one of the regulars. If anyone knew about his annual night time excursion his reputation would plummet and that would have a negative impact on his future prospects and his inheritance of his father’s company.

He now navigated the back streets expertly looking for one person in particular. He saw her in the distance, she leaned against the wall, positioning her body to exploit her excellent curves, she wore very little make up, unlike many of the others. Her natural beauty shown through her pitiable circumstance, her innocence was what had attracted him and lead him to take advantage of her plight to gain his own pleasure. Duckling was her nickname and it was the only name he knew her by. As he approached she turned her face towards him and a broad smile spread across her face, enhancing her beauty. Instantly he was stunned by that beauty, but at the same time his heart clenched at the concept that he was going to have to use her tonight not for his own pleasure but for that of the callous and cynical Jackson Richards. Unintentionally he felt a possessive jealousy flare in his gut. He didn’t want her to be with him. He wanted her all to himself.

But again, as always his heart sank, knowing that a future for them was impossible, due to his status there were expectations he had to meet, and she did not factor in his future prospects. It pained him that there was nothing he could
Do to offer her security without wounding her ego and further enhancing her pain at the situation she found herself in. He loved her, but couldn’t claim her without devastating consequences.
“Good evening my little Duckling.” He said with a soft smile.
“Good evening Sir.” Impossibly her smile grew wider and there was a glint in her eye.
“Has business been well tonight?” He asked, not wanting to hear the answer. Her face fell as she answered.
“Not well at all tonight. I have had no business tonight yet.” He let out a slight sigh of relief but the feeling was quickly soured as he remembered the reason he had come looking for her tonight.
“Listen, I need a favour.” He said leaning in close to her ear. He noted her perfume and thought it was a bit to gaudy for her. Something softer would suit her better. Maybe he’d buy some for her next time he called for her services.
“I have a job for you tonight. Please go to the Madison Hotel at 10:30 and offer your services for a friend of mine. I’ll be there waiting for you and it you can’t find me then just give my mane at reception and they will give you a room key.” He looked at her as he spoke and notice her face fell slightly when he mentioned that it would not be him she would be with tonight.
“So you will be there too tonight?” She asked, letting a small pout work its way into her tone.
He liked that knowing that she felt averse to working for anyone but him.
“No I won’t be. I have business to deal with tonight.” He said, feeling guilty as he was using her like a toy to be shared with his friends. He didn’t like it.

“The pay will be well tonight, I promise.” He said trying to appease her. She was only doing this for money after all and he felt scornful that she was only willing to please him for the payment at the end. Not for love or passion, just a mutual understanding that their relationship was based on mutual gain never to go further or else things would get complicated.
She nodded, not seeming appeased.
“I’ll be there.” She said he stood there a moment longer, just staring into her eyes. As he turned to leave he felt part of his heart being left behind with her.
He walked to the mouth of the alley and looked back; he had a bad feeling, and desperately wanted to be by her side.