Hello everyone!
So, I just started with the third season and I'm taking my time with it, but I had this idea a couple of days ago and I couldn't stop thinking about it... Don't worry though, there are no spoilers ahead for any season. This would be also my very first Orange fanfiction, Alex/Piper of course, but an AU story.
Anyway, before I continue with another chapter I would like to know what you think about this first :)
I apologize for eventual grammar errors (english is not my first language).
Disclaimer: I don't own Orange Is The New Black
Enjoy
I tightened the coat around myself as the chilly autumnal night air welcomed me.
I looked down at the high heels that I was wearing and my bare legs thinking that maybe I should have wore stockings so I wouldn't have started shivering as much as I stepped out from the limousine.
But the reason because I was shivering wasn't just because of the cold.
I raised my head to look behind the open gate, towards the majestic 17th century chateau, a perfect french replica that made me question for a moment if it wasn't actually authentic and transported there directly from Europe.
That thought alone, made me feel even more nervous, and the anxiety that I managed to keep at bay for all the 45 minutes drive from the city, started to resurface. Unconsciously, I wrapped the coat around myself more tightly as I exhaled, slowly, right before I started to walk down the impeccable garden path, surrounded by bushes of roses and other flowers and plants.
I couldn't help but admire their beauty as I walked past them, and despite the cold that in the short walk had managed to make my nose numb, I was impressed I could still smell their delicate fragrance, and somehow, as I closed my eyes for a few seconds, feeling that strangely comforting scent filling my nostrils. My body relaxed just enough for me to feel more calm, despite the fact that I was already standing in front of the massive wooden front door of the chateau.
I was so absorbed in admiring the garden that I noticed the impressive structure of the house only when I stopped right in front of it.
It had a total of three floors, built entirely in stone, with baroque decorations.
I swallowed hard, wondering for the tenth time who could possibly own such a mansion.
But I wasn't there for a tour. I released another breath full of that persistent sense of anxiety before I raised my hand to knock.
I'm here for work, I repeated inside of my head trying to convince myself, It's just like any other time.
I knocked using one of the lion clapper, then I pulled my hand back to give one last fix to my hair, knowing that the wind had tossed it slightly.
The sound of steps approached the door and I closed my eyes, breathing deeply for the last few seconds.
It's just work, like any other time.
My eyes fluttered open in the same instant the door swung open, revealing on the other side a short rather young woman with long messy blonde-reddish hair.
"Hello, I'm-"
"You are not Sylvia."
She interrupted me before I could introduce myself, tilting her head to the side as she spoke, leaning against the frame of the massive door and looking at me up and down.
A small sigh left my lips; I knew that this was probably going to be the first thing I would have heard in the moment I arrived, but it certainly didn't help how I was already feeling.
However, I was glad that from the outside I could still show my perfectly cool demeanor as I answered to what wasn't a question but a pretty clear statement.
"Sylvia couldn't make it, she sent me instead with her apologies."
I didn't linger on the futile detail where Sylvia called in sick at the last moment and demanded my presence because she thought I was the only one who could do in this case.
The shorter woman remained there, taking a few more moments to study me, until I saw a small smirk tugging at her lips.
"Alright... I don't think the boss will be disappointed." She shook her head once and then stepped aside to let me in.
The door closed behind me with a soft thud that resonated around the vast foyer.
I tried to contain my amazement as I looked around me. But what greeted me as soon as I stepped in, made it very difficult.
Carrara marble covered every visible surface, pieces of art - from the landscapes of romanticism to the complex and decorative lines of art nouveau's paintings - adorned the walls around, the ceiling was high resembling the ones of some ancient venetian palace, and in front of me a classic double staircase lead to the upper floor.
I was brought back from my not so subtle scrutiny by the reddish short woman as she helped me out of my coat, leaving me with my midnight blue skirt that ended right at the middle of my thigh, exposing my bare legs which looked even more long and toned thanks to my ankle strap high heels.
She turned to look at me and gave me a slight nod and an obvious look of approval.
I was used to certain attention, after a while I didn't even notice them anymore, but she looked rather friendly and the way she smiled at me reassuringly put me immediately at ease even if deep down I was still feeling more than a bit anxious, and I could tell that she could sense it too.
"Don't be nervous, blondie. The fact that you have a great sense of fashion will certainly please the boss."
To say that I was curious to ask who this 'boss' was, would have been a huge understatement.
Sylvia didn't tell me much about who I would have met that night, and honestly, I didn't ask for much details either.
There was no point.
Work was work.
But now that I stood there, in the middle of the vestibule of a 17th century chateau, it was difficult to not feel a slight sense of nervousness.
Even if I was rather new in this business, I had my standards, I was used to meet my appointments in some fancy hotel, but this... I took another look around me. This was above any expectation.
And it was probably that thought that made me feel anxious and, secretly, more than a bit thrilled at the same time.
I smiled politely as I thanked the young woman for the compliment, deciding that if I started acting like if it was any other time, maybe that sensation that was currently clenching my stomach would have left me sooner rather than later.
Or so I hoped...
After that I followed her as she headed toward the stairs. The only sound echoing around us was the constant click of my high heels on the intricate design of the marble floor.
I didn't ask questions, even if I knew a short conversation would have helped me in get rid of some of the tension I felt in my shoulders and neck.
I could feel that my silent companion wanted the same for me, the silence was becoming deafening and uncomfortable, and I was actually glad that as we walked along the hallway of the upper floor, I almost tripped over myself when my eyes landed on what I was pretty sure was an original Salvador Dalì, capturing the attention of the young woman - whose name was still unknown to me, but so were a lot of other things at the moment.
"Be careful there, blondie." She turned with an amused smile to look at my slightly wide eyed expression as my gaze shifted toward the painting once again.
She probably read the question all over my face because a second later she said "I've been here for five years, and no, even I still don't know if it is authentic." She concluded with a small chuckle before starting to walk again only to stop a few feet away in front of one of the closed doors in what seemed an endless hallway softly lit by ornate wall lights that matched perfectly the baroque style of the house.
"And here we are. There is no need for you to knock, just enter whenever you are ready, ok?"
I looked at my side as she spoke just barely above a whisper and I breathed in slowly, nodding in understanding as I exhaled.
She gave me a small smile right before she turned to leave.
"W-wait," I stopped her as my curiosity had the best on me, considering to ask something at the very last moment.
She turned towards me tilting her head to the side and raising slightly her eyebrows to let me know she had my attention.
I could feel my hands starting to shake and my heartbeats becoming faster as I suddenly found myself asking
"I wasn't given much details... I- I mean- ...There is something in particular-"
I knew I should have asked such questions to Sylvia when she called me to tell me about the appointment, but at the moment it didn't seem important; the address was all I really needed after all. But something inside of me stirred, and made me want to know at the very last minute, aware that knowing even a small detail would have helped me to make a better impression to whomever I was going to meet.
However, the shorter friendly young woman interrupted me before I could finish, already knowing what I was trying to ask as she walked the few steps that were separating us before she leaned in and whispered the answer looking me right in the eyes.
"She likes to watch."
With that she winked at me before turning on her heels, leaving me alone in the long hallway, in front of a white decorated door hearing the soft music coming from behind it, wondering whom I was going to meet on the other side, and unable to suppress the feeling in my stomach that made me feel like a lamb that was getting ready to enter into the lair of a wolf.
. . .
I watched as the golden liquid danced sinuously around the glass until I stopped the movement of my hand, bringing the glass up under my nose.
I closed my eyes as I inhaled, and with the strong aroma filling my nostrils I brought the glass to my lips, taking the first generous sip.
It went down my throat as smooth as honey. The delicate taste of dark chocolate and fruits covered so deliciously every trace of the usual burn of alcohol, and I wondered why I had waited so long to open this bottle.
I wasn't a great drinker,in my line of work addictions were considered dangerous when precision and a clear mind were the first things required, and I certainly wasn't for whisky, but the last few contracts turned out to be a complete success.
A plain, clear work, and the Agency was more than pleased to hear about how smoothly the operation went.
I took another sip, relaxing back into my black leather lounge chair, seeing the flames of the fireplace dancing behind my closed eyes.
Tonight I was in a good mood for some quiet celebration, and I was more than happy to relax a bit after the long flight, enjoying the 1947 Macallan as I waited for my guest to arrive.
I poured some more into my glass before I closed the bottle, taking a mental note to have Nicky try some of this, smiling at the idea, already knowing that she would have loved it.
Just when my thoughts started to drift toward my best friend and colleague, a tentative knock on the door reached me above the soft music coming from the stereo.
I frowned as I thought about my appointment; Sylvia never knocked, and Nicky never disturbed me at this hour unless it was something really important that required my immediate attention.
The thought of my night being possibly interrupted for something related to work made me almost groan in frustration as I placed the glass on the small table beside me, but just when I was going to stand, the door opened and into the room stepped a young blonde woman.
The fact that she didn't noticed me immediately was at my advantage as I recomposed myself and relaxed once again in my seat. I was in a obscured angle of the room and the only illumination was the one provided by the fireplace in front of the bed.
I pushed my glasses up on the bridge of my nose as I took in every detail I came across and I studied my guest for a few short seconds.
She was young, but not the kind of young that someone interpreted as unexperienced.
Blonde hair fell neatly over her bare shoulders and the blue skirt she was wearing hugged her body very nicely.
My eyes lingered a little longer on a pair of long, inviting legs and I found myself leaning in slightly to have a better look despite the fact that we were still several feet away from each other to have a proper, accurate view, but what I saw with a first glance wasn't bad. At all.
There was a hint of innocence about her however, and at that I couldn't suppress the smirk that I suddenly felt tugging at my lips.
The sound of the door closing behind her was my cue to make my presence known, not wanting to make my guest feel ignored or uncomfortable.
"There was no need for you to knock." I reassured, but despite my calm and light tone, I still succeeded to startle her a bit.
She turned to look in my direction where she heard my voice coming from and I saw her squinting her eyes a little as she tried to focus on my figure hidden in the shadows.
"I-I know, I'm sorry. I just... didn't want to barge in." She offered, stammering, as she took a general look around my bedroom, and at her response I couldn't help but chuckle quietly. Her attention returning to my corner another time at the sound.
"No need to apologize," I reached for my glass, taking the last sip before I raised from the chair. "Since you are here, I suppose you are Sylvia's replacement for tonight." I stated as I made my way towards her, slowly.
She remained in the same spot, looking at my approaching form, still not able to figure out my features in the dark.
I saw her shifting slightly in her position as she realized I was waiting for an answer.
"That's correct," Her voice came out a little deeper and lower before she cleared softly her throat, and at that I turned toward the small bar counter to pour a flute of prosecco as she explained.
"She couldn't make it tonight, so she sent me instead along with her apologies."
I placed the bottle down into the ice bucket, picked up the glass and made my way towards the blonde who was now standing in front of the fireplace.
"Sylvia doesn't send just anyone here to entertain me," I paused, my eyes locking with blue ones as I exited from the shadows, enjoying the reaction that I managed to pull from her as she saw me for the first time before I continued. "There must be something special about you."
With that I offered her the flute, her eyes shifted just briefly to look at my outstretched arm before they returned to me as she accepted the glass.
Our fingers brushed together, and even if it was only for a split second, I couldn't ignore the shiver that ran all the way along my spine at the small, almost imperceptible contact.
She thanked me for the drink, her voice a delicate caress, barely above a whisper as I watched her pupils dilatating, the black swallowing a great part of the blue that was sparkling in a ring of light against the reflection of the flames from the fireplace.
Those eyes remaining locked with mine, and for a few moments, the sound of the roaring fire and the soft music playing in the background were the only sounds in the room.
She broke the silence first, and an attractive confidence that surprised me filled her smooth elegant voice.
"I don't think I introduced myself properly." I tilted my head slightly to the side, never diverting my eyes from hers as she spoke.
"I'm Piper. But for tonight, I can be anyone you want me to be."
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to not show one of my infamous cocky smirks at her presentation, instead I settled for the only thing I could think to say back in that moment.
"Nice to meet you Piper," I tested her name, enjoying how it rolled off my tongue before I continued, lowering my voice into a slightly deeper tone. "My name is Alex."
...I hope I made you curious for more...
