PRETTY CANDY
Chapter 2
Candy dialed the number of her apartment, it rang for a while and finally someone picked up…
- I've been calling you all night! Where were you?
Sandra was half asleep, said:
- Mom?
- It's me, Candy!
- Oh Candy! You scared me half to death!
- Where were you last night?
- I had a gang bang… what about you?
- Are you sitting down? They guy from last night was the jackpot! I'm in his hotel room at the Beverly Wilshire and the bathroom is bigger than the Blue Banana!
- Do I really need to hear this?
- He asked me to stay with him for the whole week and guess how much he's going to give me? 3000$ on top of the money to buy clothes!
- WHAT? I leave a guy to you and he's loaded? He's not a little sneaky?
- He's very handsome!
- He gave you the money?
- No, he's going to pay me at the end of the week…
- Ah… you see, there's the catch…
- No, he already gave me the 300$ for last night. I'm going to leave an envelope with money at the reception. Now I have to buy a dress for tonight… where do I go?
- In Beverly Hills? Rodeo Drive honey!
- Thank you Sandra! Don't forget to come and get the money. I don't want you to have problems with the landlord…
- All right mom. Goodbye mom!
- Good bye Sandra.
Candy, put back the clothes she had on the night before to go shopping in those luxury boutiques on Rodeo Drive. She took the elevator, she got to the reception and she left the envelope for Sandra. She gave it to the receptionist.
- I'm leaving this for my friend Sandra DeLuca, she's going to come and pick it up…
- All right Miss.
- Don't open it!
- No, Miss… I
Candy continued her way walking to the doors. The hotel manager, William Andrew, saw the young woman from last night who was with Mr. Grandchester, again. She was probably there just for the night. He shouldn't be seeing her again, but he was going to keep an eye open…
Candy was walking on Rodeo Drive smiling and looking at the windows of elegant stores. She didn't know what to choose. She ended up entering in one of them. The rich customers looked outraged seeing her entering the boutique. The employees were outraged. How did that creature dared to put her paws in such a boutique. One of them approached Candy who was looking at the beautiful and elegant clothes.
- Can I help you? She asked her.
- No, I'm just looking…, said Candy; you have very pretty things…
- Thank you.
Candy stopped in front of a mannequin dressed with a nice beige laced suit… that could work for a dinner with Terry.
- How much is this? She asked the employee.
- I don't think that will fit you, said the employee, how much is this Louise?
- It's very expensive, said Louise.
- It's very expensive, repeated the employee.
- Look, I've got money to spend here! Said Candy.
- I don't think we have anything for you here. You're obviously in the wrong place. Please, leave!
Candy looked at them surprised. She had no other choice but to leave. All her enthusiasm was gone. Shopping wasn't as fun as she thought it would be. She put on her jacket on top of her dress and went back to the hotel. She was walking towards the elevators.
William Andrew was keeping an eye at the reception; he saw her and walked towards her.
- Miss, excuse-me, Miss! He called.
- What?! Said Candy irritated.
- Where are you going?
- In my suite…
- You have a suite here?
- I'm with someone… Terrence Grandchester…
- Do you have your key?
- Oh yeah, I forgot that credit card thingy
- Would you follow me, please.
- Now what? Why? What? What's wrong with all of you today?
William Andrew didn't want to make a scene, took her by the hand softly and dragged her to his office. Candy discouraged by her little escapade to Rodeo Drive, just followed him, compliantly.
- I'm William Andrew, the manager of this hotel. What is your name? He asked
- What you want it to be…
- Don't play with me Miss.
- Candy…
- Candy… This hotel is not like other hotels. We don't allow our guests to have company without being told, unless it's a family member. Since Mr. Grandchester is very important customer, we consider important customer s as friends. As a customer we expect M. Grandchester to sign in any special guest, but as a friend, we're willing to overlook it. Since Mr. Grandchester is a friend, then I supposed that you're one of his relative?
- Yes…
- I thought so…
- Then you must be his…
- Niece? Said Candy with a little voice.
- Of course. I'm assuming when Mr. Grandchester leaves, I won't see you here anymore. Do you have any other uncles in this hotel?
- No…
- Good. I would like you to wear more appropriate clothes, is that all right?
- No! It's not all right!
Candy took the money from her purse and gave it to William.
- That's what I was trying to do, I was trying to get a dress on Rodeo Drive today and the women wouldn't help me. Not that I expect you to help me, but I have all this money and I have to buy a dress for dinner tonight and nobody wanted to help me!
William looked at her. She was pretty. She had the same look as his mother… He took a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Candy, who was crying. She took the handkerchief which smelled good… Then he turned to the phone and picked it up…
- Great you're calling the cops?! Tell them I say hi!
William looked at her. He wished he could save her from that kind of life. Someone picked up at the end of the line.
- Hello Rosemary? I have special customer. Miss Candy, she the niece of a very important customer. Can you help her out? Thank you Rose. I owe you one. I'm sending her right away.
Then he turned to Candy and he said.
- My sister takes care of the hotel boutique. She's going to help you out.
Candy's eyes lit up. She jumped to William's neck.
- Oh thank you so much William! Thank you! You just saved my life!
William loved the enthusiasm of this young woman. He smiled and hugged her back. She suddenly let go of him.
- Oh, she said, I'm sorry… I didn't want to…
- It's ok…
- I'm going to go…
- All right…
Candy got out of the office and she walked towards the hotel boutiques. Maybe she should've started there… If she hadn't listened to Sandra… Oh well. She arrived at the boutique and she waited for a bit. She took advantage to look around while she was waiting.
- You must be Candy…
She turned around. She saw a young blond woman who looked a lot like William.
- I'm Rosemary…
- Pleased to meet you, I'm Candy.
- What kind of dress do you need?
- A dress for a diner in a nice restaurant…
- A cocktail dress, then… You're a size 6, aren't you?
- Yes, how do you know?
- It's my job to know… so when is your uncle coming to pick you up?
- Rosemary, he's not really my uncle.
- They never are… come with me, you're going to need some shoes too and you will need to go to
the hairdresser…
Candy was walking towards the elevator, but she stopped to talk to William.
- Hey William…
- Yes?
- I have the dress…
- I thought you would be wearing it…
- Oh no, I don't want to wrinkle it… I also got some shoes, you want to see them?
- No, it's fine. I trust you…
- I just wanted to say thank you for your help, said Candy smiling
- You're welcome…
Candy went to take the elevator and went back to the suite…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Meanwhile, Terry who had a meeting about the diner that evening with Mr. MacGregor, was talking to his lawyer.
- You should've be going alone, Terry, said Archie
- I won't be alone, I have company.
- Who?
- A girl…
- Do I know her?
- No…
- Ok…
Terry left him and he went to the reception and asked the assistant to dial the number for his suite…
Candy was just coming in when the phone rang and she ran to pick it up to answer…
- Hello?
- Never answer the phone!
- Then why are you calling then? I bought the dress…
- Very good.
- Where are you taking me?
- In a chic restaurant, "Le Voltaire"… wait for me downstairs.
- What? You're not coming to pick me up at the door?
- It's not a date; it's a business diner…
- All right, I will be ready because you pay for it.
- See you tonight…
- See you later…
She hung up. Terry hung up. An employee came to tell him:
- Mr. Cornwell is looking for you…
- Tell him I'm in the middle of an important phone call, said Terry
And then, he asked the assistant.
- Call the number back.
- All right, she said complying and giving him the phone.
The phone rang again in the suite and Candy answered.
- Hello?
- I told you to stop answering the phone!
- Then stop calling! Said Candy smiling.
Terry burst out laughing. What was going on with him? Now he was being a kid!? That Candy had changed something in him…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy on the other hand, had another worry in her mind, she went to see William.
- William…
- Miss Candy…
- I have a problem and I need your help…
- I'm at your service…
- Ok, I need help with the table utensils…
- Oh… right. Come with me…
He took her at the restaurant, which was closed for the afternoon before diner time. They set a table and William had the table set with everything… he showed her which utensil was used for the salad, for the shrimps, for the main meal.
- I feel like Eliza Doolittle…
- She managed to do it. You're going to do it too, said William smiling.
- All right Professor Higgins… I know the salad one, the others it's total confusion…
William looked at her smiling. She was so endearing. He understood why Terrence Grandchester was keeping her with him. After he left, if their relationship ends, he was going to try to help her…
oOoOoOoOOo
When Terry arrived to the hotel reception, he found William Andrew meeting him.
- Mr. Grandchester, I have a message for you from your niece…, he said
- My what?
- Your niece…
- We know you and I that she's not my niece, and I would know that because I'm an only child…
- Of course sir.
- What's the message?
- She's waiting for you at the bar…
- Thank you…
Terry went to the bar to look for Candy. He looked around, but he couldn't see her. He turned around and he finally saw her… She was so beautiful with her elegant dress and her hair do; she looked like a sophisticated woman from the high society. She saw him and she walked to him.
- You're late…
- You're breathtaking…
- Thank you. You're forgiven, she said smiling.
- Shall we go?
He took her arm and they left the hotel together to get inside Limousine which was waiting from them in front of the hotel.
- Where's the car from the other night?
- That was my lawyer's, he took it back…
- Oh, ok.
Candy was in seventh heaven. She was living a dream she never hoped for and she didn't want it to finish…
They arrived at the restaurant and they were taken to a table. Mr. MacGregor arrived with a young man. Terry stood up and Candy too.
- Good evening Mr. MacGregor, said Terry
- Good evening Mr. Grandchester, let me introduce you to my grandson, Tom…
- Pleased to meet you, said Terry and Tom at the same time.
Terry showed Candy, saying:
- Let me introduce you to a friend, Candice White.
- Pleased to meet you, said Candy smiling.
They sat down around the table. Candy was a little nervous. She had to go to the washroom. So she stood up and she was surprise to see all the men standing up too.
- I'm going to the bathroom, she said smiling a little embarrassed.
- It's upstairs on your right, said Terry.
- Thank you, Excuse-me, she said leaving the table.
- Should I order for you?
- Yeah…!
Then she corrected herself and she said:
- Yes please.
She went to the washroom which were luxurious. She relieved herself. She washed her hands and took a deep breath and went back to the table. The men were talking business… she went to sit back to her place. They brought them the starter which was some cold cuts. Terry was talking business, when Candy asked:
- Where's the salad?
- The salad comes at the end of the meal, said Terry.
- That's the only fork I know, said Candy.
Mr. MacGregor looked at her amused.
- I never remember which fork is for what either…
Then he took one of the started with his hands and started eating. Candy gave him a grateful smile and she did the same thing after taking off the olives on top. Then they brought them some escargots. Candy looked at it surprised.
- Who ordered this? She asked
- It's escargots, said Terry, it's French for snails. It's delightful, have a taste…
There was a plier on the table and Terry took one. Candy did the same thing and she was wondering how to use it…
The men continued talking…
- You were saying Tom? Said Terry.
- Mr. Grandchester, if you get control of the company, and I'm not saying you're going to have it, what do you intend to do?
- I'm going to resell it piece by piece…
- I don't like to think about my 40 years of hard labour turned into your garage sale! Said Mr. MacGregor
- At the price I paid your shares, you're going to be a very rich man, said Terry
- I'm rich enough as it is, said Mr. MacGregor.
Meanwhile, Candy had a shell in her plier and she lost it and it flew in the air and was caught by a server. Terry looked at her.
- They're slippery the little rascals, said Candy laughing
Tom laughed looking at her.
- It always happens, said the server smiling.
They brought them some sherbet. There was a leaf to decorate the glass. Candy but a piece to eat and she thought it was awful. She cringed…
The men continued talking.
- I've met your father, Richard Grandchester; he wasn't as bad as they said.
- No, I've got the monopole on that.
- Is he proud of you?
- I doubt it. But it's not important, because he's dead…
- I'm sorry, I didn't know, said Mr. MacGregor
- I'm sorry too, said Candy sincerely
Terry, who was starting to be fed up, said:
- Mr. MacGregor, you have asked to see me. What can I do for you?
- Leave my company alone!
- I can't, I have 10 million shares…
Meanwhile the waiters came to take off the with the sherbet and Candy wasn't done yet, she almost took the glass back…
- I'll buy your shares back, said Mr. MacGregor
- You don't have the money, said Terry
- We'll get it, we have a contract to build 10 aircraft carriers
- There's not going to be a contract, said Terry, I buried it…
- How did you do that? You have corrupted politicians in your pocket now?
- Calm down Tom, easy…, said Mr. MacGregor, Mr. Grandchester wants to be play the tough guy…
- I'm sorry, but I've heard enough and I can't stay at this table; I need some fresh air, Candy, it was a pleasure meeting you. Mr. Grandchester…
He left the table throwing his napkin and walked away.
- I'm going to join my grandson, said Mr. MacGregor standing up too. Bon appetite! I'm sure your dinner is going to be delicious. Good luck Miss…
Terry stood up… Mr. MacGregor approached him to say:
- Be careful, Grandchester. I'm going to crush you.
- I can't wait sir, said Terry
He threw his napkin on the table and left.
- Rich people love throwing their napkins
- He seems like a nice man…
- He's got 3000 problems too
- He loves his grandson…
They brought him their meal. Candy took some ketchup out of her bag. The waiters looked at her stunned. Terry looked at her smiling…
- It's ketchup! Said Terry.
- Oh, they said.
- They've never seen ketchup? Asked Candy
- Not in this restaurant.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Back in the suite, Terry was thinking. Candy joined him.
- I think the evening was good, don't you think so? Business too. You want his company and he doesn't want to let it go.
- Thanks for the summary
- You like him, that's the problem.
- It's not important whether I like him or not… it's business… I can't let my feeling take over…
- I know, Sandra always says I shouldn't get attached, that's why I don't kiss on the lips, it's too intimate… When I have a client, I do everything like a machine, well, except with you of course…
- Of course, said Terry ironically, you and I we're the same; we screw people for money…
There was a weird silence.
- I'm sorry for your father, said Candy finally, when did he die?
- Last month.
- Do you miss him?
- I hadn't talked to him for 14 years. I wasn't there when he died…
- You want to talk about it?
- No…
- All right. Let's watch old movies then, before we…
- I'm rather going to go for a walk, said Terry standing up. I'll be back. We can do it tomorrow…
He left the room.
It was about 3 am when the last movie Candy was watching was over. Terry was still not back. She put on a robe from the hotel. She call the reception and they told her were Terry was. She was taken by the bellboy and she found him playing the piano in an empty restaurant. There were only waiters.
- I'm bored all alone up there, she said.
Terry looked at the waiters and he said:
- Can you leave us please, sirs? Thank you.
They complied.
- You always get obeyed like that?
Terry pulled her over and put her against the piano. He opened her robe, she was naked under. He looked at her; he wanted to kiss her so much on the lips… what was going on with him? He had to be going crazy… He tried, and avoided him and gave him her neck… He kissed her neck; he went down to her breast and sucked it greedily. She had a moan of pleasure… he made love to her on the piano and they had a lot of pleasure…
They went back to the suite when they spent the rest of the night making each other feel a lot of pleasure before falling asleep, satisfied.