I realised in my haste to get chapter two up, I had forgotten to put how much time had passed between that and chapter one. I have corrected that now to state the twenty years that had passed.
APOV
Standing across the street from the hotel where I worked, the aged building gave nothing away about the opulence that awaited you inside. You would be hard pressed even to know that the hotel was here unless you knew where to look and I certainly had trouble finding it when I came to my interview here.
I think I had walked past the building entrance, three, maybe four times before a woman came to save me from the panic I was feeling at not being able to get inside. I needed this job having bills to pay just like everyone else and even though my only experience was working at a small bed and breakfast in my home town, they were keen to offer me the job.
Now looking at it and seeing people coming in and out of the entrance, I had to laugh at myself. It was there all the time but at the time of my first visit, I felt like I was visiting Grimmauld Place and only a note from Dumbledore or being accompanied by Ros would get me inside.
I had questioned why it was not more noticeable especially as I knew the rich and famous would love to stay here. She told me there was a select clientele, including rich and famous people who preferred the anonymity that was offered.
I can understand that, especially as I was sure I saw a Senator make his way through the foyer with his wife just the other day. Being young, popular and constantly followed by the press, I think I would find a place like this to stay too.
"You know you don't get paid standing on the street corner, looking at the hotel," Susannah told me. "Well unless you have those kinds of skills."
"What skills," I asked which just made her laugh.
"Innocent Ana, street corners are not the place for a nice girl to wait."
"I wasn't waiting on the corner, I was waiting to cross at the lights" daydreaming as well but she didn't need to know that.
"Ignore her," Leila told me, wrapping her arm through mine. "Happy to finish your first week," she asked.
"Yes, I've enjoyed it. Some of the clientele are, there is no other word for them but weird but I don't judge."
"You should," Susannah told me before being told to be quiet by Leila. "Always keep your eyes open when you are in there and especially when you are coming out tonight with us."
"I haven't said I was going yet" Leila protested.
"But you will. Come on don't be selfish, Ana lasted a week, that's something to celebrate."
"Is a week a milestone?" I asked as we crossed the street.
"In that place yes. Cock-ups are not tolerated, not many last that long."
"I still have a lot to learn," I said, worried I would lose my job before I had even really started it for making a mistake. "I am also in work tomorrow morning so I cannot stay out late."
"Don't worry Ana, no one expects you to know everything yet and you are picking things up quicker than Susannah ever did" Leila told me.
"Hey" Susannah protested about to complain some more but entering through the outside doors of the hotel, the small corridor dark now once the door was closed behind us, her complaints were silenced as we came face to face with the guard.
Leila passed him first, followed quickly by Susannah. Neither said anything to the man which I felt was rude especially as he was holding the internal door open for us.
"Thank you and good morning," I said quietly, startling the man.
"Good morning," he replied in a gruff voice.
I could detect no emotion from the man, not knowing if he was amused by my words or he was annoyed that he had to speak to me. Either way, I was polite so if he did react, his actions had no reflection on me.
Walking through the foyer after my co-workers, I felt like I had to pinch myself that I get to work in such a grand place. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the whole room. It was needed as there were no windows in the foyer, no natural light coming in so its size was necessary. The marble floor was so highly polished that the light bounced off it, giving the illusion that it was daytime in here all the time.
I wouldn't want to be in here if they chose to simulate night-time though as some areas away from the foyer are already dark enough that I struggle to see.
"I cannot believe you spoke to him" Susannah practically hissed at me once we were in the back office, putting our personal things away.
"Was I not supposed to?" I asked, startled by her words. I was brought up to treat people the way I expect to be treated myself and saying good morning and thanking someone for opening the door for me was just being polite.
"Speak when you're spoken to, to anyone that isn't us" she snapped at me before being called out to the front desk by Ros whose tone was not far off what Susannah's had been to me.
"What did I do wrong," I asked.
"Nothing, you've done nothing wrong, Ana," Leila told me. "She's probably just pissed that whenever she has said anything to Jason before, she has been ignored just like the rest of us, well except you."
"I was just being polite" I whispered to myself as I looked in the mirror that was on the inside of Leila's locker door, making sure I looked alright. Putting the smile back on my face that I had had outside, I stepped out behind the reception desk, ignoring the frosty atmosphere between Ros and Susannah.
"Ana, I want you to assign rooms and check guests in today. I would like you up front and centre" she stated, looking back at Susannah as if to tell her to step aside and move out of the way. "Susannah will be here to help if you need it," Ros added, no doubt angering my colleague as I knew the last thing she wanted to do was to spend time babysitting me. She would rather be flirting with guests, none who have given her the time of day.
"Of course," Susannah replied, smiling at Ros. "Let's get this shift started and then we can celebrate Ana's first week."
…
I wanted to go home, fall into bed with a good book, never mind head into the club here. Being allowed into the hotel club was a perk of the job, I was told and also being surrounded by people I knew would make for a fun safe night.
I think Susannah forgot a few details as she led us towards the club. One, I was new here and I didn't know anyone except for the few people I had been introduced to and two, this club was open to the general public, the only part of the hotel that was so anyone could be here. I just hope that those anyone's are not residents in the hotel as they have gotten weirder by the day.
For one, I had a couple coming in to hire a room for a couple of hours. Being such a high market establishment, I didn't think they do rooms by the hour only to be gently corrected by Ros who told me after, for a price, people can get rooms by the minute if they so desired. What can be done in minutes in a room, I don't want to know. Another guest I checked in this evening, was alone I thought at first. That was until he started to speak to someone on the floor. As they left me, the woman stood but I was sure she was on a lease.
Susannah teased me about being too innocent to work in a place like this. She teases me constantly, never listening to what I say, even now as she placed the cocktail down in front of me after I had reminded her I only wanted water to drink as I was in work in the morning.
"What is this," I asked.
"An orgasm, have you ever had one before," she asked smirking at me.
"What's in it."
"You don't want to know," Leila said, taking the drink from in front of me and placing it down in front of Susannah. "Here, try mine, it's a Cosmo. Although it does have alcohol in it, it's not nasty like that one so if you sip it, it won't make you sick."
"Spoilsport" Susannah said, downing the drink in one.
The drink looked vile as it was but seeing it glistening on her lips before she licked them, made me want to vomit.
I sipped the drink Leila had given me slowly, as the girls got up to dance. Myself, I stayed to hold the table, giving me time to look around. This hotel had two clubs I hear, one on the main floor close to the foyer which is only open to guests, no staff unless they are specifically invited in. This club, we had to come through the bowels of the hotel to get inside. Down a dark corridor that was guarded on both ends so there was no chance of anyone finding it and getting into the hotel. The guards who checked our photo id's looked fierce so only a look from them would have any unsuspecting club-goer, running back.
"Drink my lady" I heard from my side before another Cosmo was placed in front of me.
I was about to tell the man to get lost when Riley sat down by my side. He was nice, Ros had introduced me to him the first day. He had made me blush when he kissed my hand.
"Thank you, although I haven't even finished my first."
"I'm surprised Susannah hasn't driven you to drink," he stated, making me laugh.
"She's ok in small doses," I lied, earning a raised eyebrow and a smile.
His head turned quickly to the left then, his focus on something else but no one was there. I watched as he nodded his head for a moment before he turned back to me continuing to speak as if nothing had happened.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm fine apart from being tired. I was hoping to clock off for the night, maybe enjoy a dance too but that little thing that I have been trying to remember to do all day I have just been reminded of in my ear" he told me, tapping his ear as if he had an earpiece in. It must be small as I could see nothing when he turned his head back to me.
"It must be important."
"Oh, it is. Enjoy your drink and ignore the shit that comes out of Susannah's mouth. She needs to get a life, or if not that, at least get laid."
I barked out a laugh at his words, giggling again when he yet again kissed my hand. He was off through the crowd then, off to do who knows what while once again I sat on my own.
"You got yourself a drink then," Susannah said.
"No, Riley bought it for me. You can have it, Leila, as you gave me yours."
Susannah got to it first though and like before, downed it in one.
Leila was not too happy as of yet she was still without a drink. As she left for the bar, I followed after her, me getting her a drink this time.
….
As the music continued to pound out of the speakers, the song changed to one that I actually knew. Needing to be away from my drunken companion for a few minutes, I pulled on Leila's hand so she would come out onto the dance floor with me.
I had danced in my dad's kitchen as a child, even the few weddings I had been too but this is something altogether different. I was a small town girl and clubs are definitely not a small town thing, not in my town anyway.
"Loosen up your body, you're too rigid," Leila said as I started to move.
She was smiling, encouraging me to dance, not like someone else would. She would just make fun of me.
Copying Leila as she closed her eyes, throwing her hands in the air as she moved to the music, I started to relax, started to enjoy letting go if for only one song. That one song, turned into two, before turning into many as I continued to dance, even when Leila's attention was taken by a man.
Susannah I could see was grinding herself against a man, not having a care in the world that anyone would witness her display. When I felt strong hands on my hips, despite freezing for a moment, I continued on despite feeling like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.
"Relax, enjoy the music, dance with me" a man whispered in my ear, his voice like a balm soothing my soul.
Knowing that despite dancing so close to this man, I was in a public place so if he tried to drag me off anywhere, I was certain the whole building would hear my screams, I closed my eyes and started to move my body once more.
As the song ended and another began, I turned to him, looking up into his eyes. He was gorgeous, grey eyes boring into mine and not a blemish in sight on his skin.
"You have beautiful eyes," he said, his brow furrowed before my laughter took him by surprise.
"Why would you laugh at what I said," he asked me.
"Because I am sure my eyes look just like any others in the darkness of this room."
"They are beautiful, just like your face. Do not doubt what I say."
I looked away from him, thankful that he could not see me blushing in the dark. Viewing others that were dancing around, couples up close, I became brave, bringing my hands to his neck, a thing that seemed to please him. We were dancing again then, my body pulled close to him, so close he was bringing unknown feelings to a very secret place.
He stopped for a moment, a fraction of a second it may have been but his stillness was noticeable to me. It was like he was taking deep breaths, taking in all that was around us before his eyes looked back at me. They had changed, whereas before they were kind, gentle, now they were filled with hunger. Had he smelt what our movements had done to me, no that was impossible. Whatever it was had made his grip on my waist tighten.
When the song ended, I made an excuse that I needed to get a drink. He followed me to my table which was empty except for the drinks and coats and needing a distraction for a second, I did what Susannah had done earlier, downing the rest of it in one.
A large glass of water was placed in front of me, one my companion must have ordered. That too disappeared before I made for the bathroom.
"What am I doing" I whispered to myself in the empty bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror.
My eyes seemed too large for my face but maybe that was the alcohol.
What was I doing, I asked myself again. Enjoying myself, having fun and dancing with a beautiful man. Was, dancing with him as he has probably run away by now not wanting to get stuck with the strange girl.
Too sheltered my life had been and with good reason too. To my dad, I was the only family he had. Losing my mum especially the way she died when I was a baby had gutted him, making him overprotective of me.
Moving to Seattle only six months ago had taken a lot of planning, a lot of reassuring my dad that not only was this what I wanted, to experience life in a large city, meeting new people, seeing new places. It was also what I needed to do, for both of us. His life worked around me and that was not fair. I was twenty one now, nearly twenty-two and I had stayed longer in that small town than I was originally planning to do, not wanting him to be left alone. Most of the friends I had back there had left for college years ago, gotten the jobs of their dreams while I had stayed, working in the bed and breakfast just so I was close.
It was the anniversary of my mother's death that he finally told me I needed to go, even if I was gone for just a week. I needed to finally live for me, instead of centring my life around him, just like he was doing for me. I miss him, I do and I get back as often as I can. Working as a waitress down the street from here, I was shocked when a leaflet was placed into my letterbox stating a hotel in the area was hiring. I thought everyone had gotten the leaflet in my building but after speaking to a neighbour, no one had even heard of a hotel nearby, so maybe it was only me.
"Go out, have fun and enjoy yourself Ana" I whispered, making sure my make up looked alright before I finally emerged from the bathroom, startled to see my dance partner still outside.
"I thought you had found some secret entrance out of there" he teased making me smile.
"No, there was a queue" I lied, seeing a smirk appear onto his face.
"Oh, ok, dance or drink," he asked.
"Um, dance, no more drink otherwise I will be visiting the bathroom again."
"And standing in yet another long queue" he finished.
Nodding, I took his offered arm as we made our way back towards the dance floor. I could not see either of the girls amongst the gyrating bodies or at the table, had they both gone off with their dance partners, gone off and ditched me.
I danced with him, his body so close to mine and it was at that moment, I felt how cool he was. His hands were cold in fact, nice on my overheated skin, his breath too when his face came closer.
I did not know if he was going to kiss me at that moment, his face mere centimetres away from mine. Feeling panic set in at having never been kissed before and worrying if I was going to be any good at it, my mind kicked in, the words leaving my lips.
"I don't even know your name" I practically shouted as the words tumbled from my lips.
"I'm Christian, and you are," he asked.
"Ana, I'm Ana."
He took my right hand then into both of his placing a cool kiss onto the top of it. His hands moved to my hips then once more as we continued to move to the music.
Once again his head moved closer to mine, his breath, intoxicating, drawing me in. Feeling brave for once in my life, I placed a kiss to his lips. I had startled him with my boldness, I knew that and was about to pull away when his grip on my waist tightened. His lips started to move against mine then, so cold like marble that brought goosebumps to my skin. Did he have a condition that made him so cold, at the moment I didn't care as long as he continued.
After a few moments I needed to breathe but the thought of ending this kiss brought on panic again. I do not know what was happening to me at that moment but I felt a desperate need to keep his lips on mine, feel his breath blow over my face.
Only when his lips moved to my neck did clarity return if only a little. This man was dangerous, his kisses intoxicating and I knew I could soon feel addicted to them.
"Come with me," he mumbled against my ear before his cool breath washed over my face again.
"Where," I asked.
"My room, spend the night with me."
His words brought me up short a moment as I forced myself to take a step back from him.
"You're staying here," I asked to which he nodded his head before I brought my hand to my mouth. "I could lose my job, I probably already have for kissing a guest."
"Ana, please do not worry," he said amused at my outburst.
"I am sorry, I cannot afford to lose this job," I told him.
Bringing his hands to my face, he placed a kiss to my lips.
"Trust me, you will not lose any job you have here. Believe me, if the owner has a problem with us spending time together, he would do well not to vocalise it as I bring a lot of business his way."
I was unsure of what to do having never been in a position like this before. I had enjoyed my time immensely despite my so-called friends leaving me here. I had enjoyed Christians company and despite being on work in the morning, I did not want this night to end.
Looking up into his eyes, it was now or never to make a decision. Live a little Ana, for the first time in your life, let all your worries go and enjoy yourself.
"Come with me," He said again.
As if my hand had a mind of its own and my body was under a spell, I stepped forward, reaching for his offered hand. The enormity of what could happen and what I hoped would happen washed over me in that moment. I was going to go to the room of someone who was a complete stranger, someone who up until a few hours ago, I never knew existed. There I did not know what would happen, would I give myself to him, if I was honest I was thinking about it. I always joked in high school that I would die an old lady, a hundred-year-old virgin surrounded by dogs, never cats. That was the only future I saw for me then as the male pickings in my home town that were my age, were few and far between.
Live a little Ana, you can go back to your quiet life tomorrow. Live a little Ana, if only for one night I told myself.
Christian led me through the club and back along the corridor that the girls and I had come through only hours before. I watched the way the men who were guarding this corridor behaved towards him, bowing their heads slightly as if to honour their kind.
I thought it odd but then again everything about this place was odd. Maybe he is as influential as he said he was and he demanded respect.
Entering the elevator, I found myself backed into the corner, Christians cold lips once again against mine. I had just relaxed my body against his when he pulled back as the doors opened at our floor. Twentieth, I noticed that was the floor we were on as he led me down the corridor to the door at the end.
Opening the door quickly, too quick as I didn't even see a key, we were soon inside.
This room was not like any hotel room I had stayed in on my trips away with my dad. This room was as grand as the foyer downstairs, a chandelier even in the sitting area but that I did not see much off as Christian only had one destination in mind, the bedroom.
As the doors closed and his lips once again were on mine, I felt breathless, woozy as if I had had a lot more to drink than the one Cosmo I had had. I felt like he was everywhere all at once as he placed me on the bed, his words, his scent relaxing me so much that I could sleep.
When my eyes did open next, the room seemed lighter as if day had arrived, although, like the foyer, that light was not natural. My mind was still a little foggy, the room spinning as I sat up fully clothed on top of the bed.
"Where am I" I mumbled, trying to stop the pounding in my head. "How did I get here."
I tried to think then, think really hard about what I had done the night before. I remember work, Susannah's teasing and then heading to the club. I remember dancing, with Leila and then cold hands placed onto my hips.
"Christian," I said to myself as his name came to my mind. I had come here with Christian but if that was the case, then where was he.
I got up off the bed before falling to a heap on the floor. All strength had left my body and I had to drag myself to my feet.
Holding onto the wall, I made my way out into the sitting room seeing yet again that I was alone.
"What did you expect Ana, him to declare his undying love for you," I said aloud cursing myself for my stupidity. This was not one of the romance books I had read in abundance over the years, wishing myself for true love. No, this was the reality of a one night stand, one night spent with a man… but was it.
I didn't feel any different physically like my virginity was lost, I didn't feel any pain, anywhere except for my pounding head. I noticed a mark on my wrist, one that looked days old, although I don't remember seeing it there before. I had been unconsciously rubbing my finger over it, finding it soothing in a way.
I shook my head as if trying to clear my foggy brain before calling out for Christian again, realising that he was nowhere in sight and would not be returning anytime soon. I looked for my purse then, wanting to check I had not been robbed and if all was still there, the time.
I wish I hadn't found it as seeing that I was due to start my shift in ten minutes bought on a wave of panic not forgetting nausea over me. I tried to move as quick as I could, knowing there was no way of hiding from the walk of shame I was about to take.
With talk of a club I had gone home for a change of clothes on my lunch break but not expecting to be spending the night, the only uniform I had to wear this morning was what I had worn for my shift yesterday which was no doubt crumpled.
"Where have you been," Leila asked as I entered the foyer, thankful that for an early morning no one else was around.
"I should ask you that, invite me out and then ditch me" I complained, having no time for small talk as I passed her before pulling my clothes from my locker before trying to shake the creases out. I made quick work of getting dressed, my crumpled blouse hiding underneath the jacket I wore as part of my uniform. I just hoped that it did not get too hot in here today as there was no taking the jacket off.
"I'm sorry, Susannah paired up with this guy and as he didn't want to leave his friend behind that he had invited out, she asked me to go along."
"You could have told me," I told her, taking a seat behind the reception desk. "I would have left" and save myself the walk of shame.
"We couldn't find you. We saw the back of the guy you were dancing with and when we went to tell you we were leaving, we couldn't find you. I'm sorry it won't happen again."
"It won't because my days of visiting night clubs are over."
"Why, you were having such good fun, letting your hair down and enjoying yourself."
"I was… I just don't think I'm ready for the nightlife of this city, or any city" I admitted, cursing myself now for how stupid I had been last night to go off with a man I didn't know. He could have been a serial killer for all I know and I was his next prey, I won't be making that mistake again in a hurry.
Susannah joined us at eleven when her shift was due to start. I envied the few hours extra sleep she had knowing that even if I had the chance to run back to my apartment, I would have felt better than I did now.
Early afternoon Ros who I don't think ever goes home was called into a meeting with the owner Mr Grey. I noticed with the announcement that he was around, Susannah seemed to perk up, push her breasts out just that little bit further too.
Hearing footsteps approach as I was checking two women into a room, I looked up, my movements stilling as I saw Ros and two gentlemen approach. I say gentlemen in the loosest of forms as practically gliding towards me with a smirk on his face was my companion from last night.
"Mr Grey, I would like to introduce you to Ana. She is our newest recruit here and has just finished her first week" Ros stated.
"Ana, the pleasure is all mine," Christian said, taking my hand into his.
No wonder he knew that my boss would not fire me as he was my boss all along. No wonder he smiled when I stated my fears, I was a source of amusement to him.
Seeing his lips descend to my hand, his breath tingling my skin, with all my strength I pulled it away from him. He had had his fun, I would not be a source of his amusement any more. He may think I am rude and fire me on the spot but I will not be the butt of his jokes.
I heard the girls gasp at what I had done, Jason, the guard also. Although Ros didn't say a word, for a fleeting moment, I think she had a smirk on her face before she started to talk business with Mr Grey. He was talking to her but I could feel his eyes on me as if he was daring me to look at him. I did not give him the pleasure though as another guest came up to the desk requesting information.
"He had you then… Mr Grey" Susannah said to me when it was only us girls alone.
"No, nothing happened besides a kiss," I told her as she huffed out a laugh.
"That man wanted more than just your body and from the look of it, he took what he wanted," she told me, turning my arm over so we could both see the mark. "Welcome to the club."
"What club," I asked, worried at if not sex, what that man had done to me last night.
"The club of the used, abused and the quickly tossed aside."
Thank you for reading.
We hear from Christian about that night next chapter and he has a surprising revelation.
Until then, take care.
Caroline