Serena sat on the luxurious double bed and gave it a little bounce. The city was bustling outside her hotel window, and she slowly massaged her cramped feet. She loved the way stilettos made her legs look but they certainly killed her feet. Living in Orlando allowed her to wear dresses and light clothing with sandals all year long. Coming to Philadelphia in a heavy wool coat and wool slacks had been quite shocking to her.
She moved to the window eyeing the city beneath her room. Everything seemed duller and greyer due to the heavy pollution, but no one could doubt that the city was vibrant in more ways than one. Glancing at the clock, she smiled. It was barely five in the afternoon… Raye would probably be on the phone with Amy in the Help me before I kill someone in a psychotic rampage-mode or using sex to take out her frustration by now.
She first met Raye during freshman orientation at University of Miami, but their friendship really grew when they discovered they were in an introductory drama class together their first semester. They, along with a few other girls, became inseparable during the four years they spent together. Later some of them had moved to other cities or countries, but Raye stuck with Serena even through a MBA degree from Rice University. Starting Moonlit Properties was their dream come true, and its success came from their dedication. Now that their life's work was in danger… Serena dulled the numbing ache in her chest with a firm frown. 'I'll do all that it takes. The Toffalettis will not get our business,' she vowed silently.
On an impulse driven by desperation and boredom, she decided to leave the hotel and explore the city a bit. After all, who knew when she'll come here again?
'Besides, I'm not like Raye. It's not like I'll pick up a dozen guys as soon as I step out of the building…' she thought to herself.
Although she wouldn't call Raye promiscuous, Raye Ross was certainly not a virgin. As wild and as sexual a woman can be, Raye had her boundaries and standards. Since she had so many choices to choose from, it only made sense for her to have some fun with the lucky man of her choice. Serena, on the other hand, can count the number of sexual experiences she's ever accumulated on one hand. The whole thing was just so awkward for her. In her young adulthood, she's been groped plenty and been kissed by boys who confused themselves with vacuums but not once had she experienced the passion Raye seemed to exude. After a few embarrassing and unsatisfying encounters, she gave up. Until today…
'Whoa. Where did that come from?' She wondered as she smoothed her pale blue shirt.
'Oh right, you wanted the lawyer. The uneasy feeling you had during that meeting turned out to be lust. It's taken me all afternoon to process it, but Serena, my dear, you actually lusted after a man,' her brain said.
"I did not lust after him. It's a fact that the man was handsome. That does not constitute as me lusting after some guy," she replied petulantly to herself.
'Then why did you start thinking about sex after all this time? Raye's sex life has never bothered you before. Why do you suddenly wish you could be just as sexy?' Her brain retorted before retreating back to her subconscious.
Serena exited her room after strapping on those sexy heels and grabbing her purse and coat. Stopping in the tasteful yet not overdone lobby, she grabbed a few brochures and began skimming through them for something to catch her eye. Her phone vibrated in her purse, and she paused to retrieve it. Caller ID said Raye, and with a sigh of relief at a familiar friend, she answered.
"Hey girl, how's Philly treating you? And I think I've found someone for the nanny position. I told her that you'd be back tomorrow, but she's got my vote of confidence," Raye chirped happily.
Surprised at her friend's unusually cheery disposition, Serena couldn't help but to smile. "Philadelphia is different. I met with the lawyer today, and he didn't seem to enthusiastic to our cause. I should hear back from him soon though. As for the nanny, I think you're a better judge than I when it comes to childcare," Serena replied, leaving out she was foolishly attracted to the aforementioned lawyer.
"So was he like boring? I mean, you know how I don't deal well with boring men…I mean the guy's a lawyer," Raye whined despite the playfulness of her voice.
"I don't think he's boring… at least he's not boring to look at. Okay, I admit it. The guy's gorgeous, but that has nothing to do with the fact that he won't help us. And let's just say that even if he takes the case, there's no way we could pay him $500,000 a month."
"Are you shitting me? That's like the Queen of Sheba pricing. So I'll give it a whirl. I don't know, the whole pay me lots of money deal could be a turn-on, which by the way is such an immature idea… you know seducing someone for legal favors?" Raye joked laughing lightly.
By now Serena knew something was up with Raye. She had never been this light-hearted at this hour before.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what the hell happened to you? Why are you so happy?" Serena demanded.
"Nothing," Raye answered innocently.
"Liar, now spill. Did Amy put you on some antidepressants or did you just have the fuck of your life?" Serena joked.
"Funny that you should mention it… you remember that guy Jed Smith?" Raye chuckled nervously.
"Smith? Wait…isn't that the guy from… You consorted with the enemy!" Serena accused. Her voice rose in a moment of shock and earned her a couple of wary glares from the receptionist.
"Well, technically he's just the middle man," Raye retorted proudly.
"He was the best fuck of your life?"
"Up to this point, he's pretty damn good."
"I can't believe you! I mean, I knew you and him were possibly getting it on before I got into your office, but after he basically tired to shake us down for the Toffalettis…" Serena said exasperated.
"And we gave him a resounding no, right? Deal's over, and it's not business anymore. Besides, did you not look at the man? He is so freaking hot."
Thinking wryly about the hottest man she's ever seen from this morning, Serena replied, "Anyway, as much as I want to tease you about this longer, I'm happy that you finally found a fuck buddy who can entertain you both in and out of the sheets."
"Now who's moving too fast? I don't think me and Jed qualify as buddies yet…" Serena laughed when Raye's joking tone returned. If this was what Jed caused in her friend, she couldn't hold much against the guy.
"All right, Casanova. I'm too busy and important to entertain this conversation any longer. I'm going out for a night on the town!"
"Be safe and use protection," Raye reminded cheekily before hanging up.
Jed smiled as he pulled Raye closer to him.
"Did you really have to call her while you were still with me? I was appalled by the revelation that I don't even qualify as your fuck buddy!" He mocked her as he brushed a lock of coal black hair behind her ear.
'The girl was so damn adorable despite this alluring seductress image. In a minute she could bite my head off and the next she's practically purring in my lap… amazing.'
"I figured it'd be easier if we just laid out the rules right now," Raye replied as her hand trailed patterns over Jed's chest.
"That we can't be friends?" He asked.
"That you better entertain me both in and out of the sheets…" she giggled when he pulled her on top of him.
"That sounds suspiciously similar to the chores of a fuck buddy. Unfortunately, I don't seem to fit the bill," he whispered huskily when she fitted their bodies together.
Half moaning in ecstasy, half laughing at the man beneath her, Raye teased him with her words.
"Well, you have to earn fuck buddy status. Now get cracking, cadet."
'Amazing…' was the only thought that ran through Jed's mind as they made love in the falling darkness.
Finally deciding on an acclaimed Italian restaurant for some dinner, she exited the building and headed for the curb. When her phone rang again, she thought Raye was probably drunk dialing her now due to her apparent overdose of sexual gratification. Raising the phone to her voice as she simultaneously tried to hail a cab and keep the winter winds from getting under her coat, she answered with an indulgent "Hello."
"Miss Jones? This is Darien Bauer speaking."
"Yes, this is Serena. I mean Miss Jones. I am Serena Jones. How can I help you?" She stuttered frantically. Her teeth were chattering by now, and the endless stream of cars seemed to produce no cabs.
"I've decided to take your case, Miss Jones. I was wondering when I can go over some of the details with you?"
"Just like that? You'll take the case?" Serena was more shocked than anyone. She had almost been positive that the man wanted nothing to do with her or with the Toffalettis. There was also another problem… how was she going to pay him?
"Yes, after reviewing the background information, I've decided that taking this case will be beneficial for both our parties," Darien replied smoothly.
"Well, I will be in town until tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Unless you need me to reschedule for a later flight…please excuse me for a moment." Finally a cab stopped in front of her, and she got in. Giving the driver the address of the restaurant, she returned to the conversation.
"No, it's not necessary. I realize that I may have contacted you with my decision earlier than you expected. Any time would be fine for me, even if you prefer to meet tonight…"
"I'm actually on my way to a restaurant, Vetri, down in Center City. I haven't had dinner yet, and if you weren't busy…" Serena wanted to smack herself. 'Why does it sound like I'm asking him on a date?'
"Well, since you basically own me for the next month as you are paying a hefty sum for my legal expertise, dining and conducting lawyer to client business in a restaurant is completely appropriate," Darien replied. The woman sounded flustered understandably, but he was under no obligation to go anywhere with the girl, let alone to a high class restaurant…
Chuckling nervously at the mention of the hefty sum she's going to dish out, she tried to change the subject until he abruptly interrupted her.
"Did you have reservations, Miss Jones?"
"Uh no, I should have, but I didn't have plans for dinner until not long ago," Serena replied stupidly. If they had both showed up only to be turned away… 'Way to go with the competence, Serena.'
"Let me see if I can't put something together. I'll bring the files you gave me this morning. Shall we say around 7 o'clock? " Darien said. Serena had the distinct impression that he was giving her a command rather than a suggestion. Telling herself that she was being silly, she quickly agreed. If wasn't after that they got off the phone did she release a breath she hadn't realized that she was holding.
"Goin' on a date, miss?" The cabbie grinned at her from the front.
Grinning widely but shaking her head, Serena looked out the window and watched the city creep by.
Darien sighed as he heaved himself off the lazy-boy. Changing out of his suit which got a bit banged up during the whole family reunion episode in the parking lot, he chose dark dress pants and a pristine white dress shirt. 'Wouldn't want it to look too much like a date, now would we?' he thought.
Quickly shaving and pressing some cool Armani aftershave on his cheeks, he grabbed his briefcase and keys before heading out the door. Within minutes of getting in his car and zooming into a crawling traffic, he was on the phone with Jeff Benjamin, Vetri's manager. What Jones didn't know was that Jeff had been long time friends of the family. Although Darien hadn't seen Jeff socially since he's left the mob circle, he'd occasionally call in a favor for a spot at Vetri. After Jeff guaranteed that he wouldn't be sharing the floor with Jones, he settled back in his seat.
'The woman had good taste at least…'
Glancing impatiently at the clock and at the traffic ahead of him, his mind began to wander.
He was about to have dinner at arguably the best Italian restaurant in America with the woman he will help bring down just so his family can make Orlando into the biggest drug dealing capital on the Southeast. He could see it already…kids smuggling crack out of Orlando in those Mickey Mouse hats.
'How could it come to this?' He wondered. After so many years of being left blessedly alone, one visit from his father and he was already back in the game. Although his father promised to leave him alone after this favor, could he really trust that he would be free from any family crises in the future?
He had glanced over Moonlit Properties' file earlier and found it impressive but hopeless. He would know better than anyone that the wrath and power of Toffalettis knew no bounds. Still, Darien had to admit that if left on its own, Moonlit could have definite possibilities of exponential success. Serena Jones and Raye Ross have definitely done their homework on real estate and management; they just never accounted for the fact that their business was valuable in more ways than one.
Shame swept over him. As prosperous as Moonlit was becoming, he knew the women wouldn't be able to afford him. He had mentioned it at the meeting this morning to discourage Jones and then just now because it had simply slipped out. It seems that his tactics must change. His goal wasn't to get rid of her anymore.
'I should at least give her a humongous discount if I'm going to lose on purpose… maybe even waive the fee altogether. But wouldn't she get suspicious? And what the hell does this say about my ethics as a lawyer?'
Finally he reached Spruce Street. His watch read 6:58, and handing the car to the valet, he stepped inside.
"Where are they?" Seiya asked impatiently from behind his large mahogany desk.
"Heading towards the Vetri restaurant. Darien called to confirm a table for two in a secluded section of the restaurant," Nate replied.
"And Mina and Kevin?"
"They're stationed in Orlando. Raye Ross mentioned that she liked Mina on the phone today. There is a high chance that she'll get the job. Kevin is handling the conversion of the other area real estate companies," Nate continued.
"Wonderful. Is there someone there at the restaurant?" Seiya's eyes wandered over to the pile of photographs of Serena Jones again.
"Benjamin planted a bug under their table," Nate sighed before asking, "Do you think Darien will mind?"
"Mind what?" Seiya asked annoyed.
"The fact that you have him tailed constantly, monitored like a lab rat. He's your brother."
The anger on Seiya's face was evident but Nate held his ground. He'd been Darien's childhood friend and was just as surprised and hurt as everyone else when Darien left the family.
"He fuckin' hightailed out of here when he felt like it. And the don still loves him. Goddamn brother…he may share my blood, but right now he is nothing but fucking business leverage," Seiya sneered as his hands fisted.
Nate only nodded solemnly before retiring from the room.
Disgustedly, Seiya rifled through the photos again. Serena Jones was beautiful, but she was just a fucking troublemaker. He had been almost disappointed when his father advised him to wait for Darien to bring the girls down from their high pedestal. The thought pissed him off like nothing else. For years Seiya had tried to fill the void Darien left in the family. He had always been second best, and when Darien left, he felt that he had a chance to prove to them that he was Don-material. Now for the biggest fucking deal in the middle of Toffaletti history, Darien was still going to play the lead role.
'You are the key to the puzzle,' he thought silently to Serena's photo. 'You'll be the answer to all my fuckin' problems.'