Disclaimer: If you think you saw the name somewhere else first, you did!It was theirs first after all.
Dedication: For my Jester.
Freedom was a luxury Scarlett couldn't afford. Not here in this country, so she worked hard busing tables and taking orders. It wasn't hard work in the least, but what was difficult was the clientele. She'd brush off the occasional pat on her ass or learning at her breast, they were mild offenses but once she had been cornered by some guy who might have been high; lucky for her her boss intervened. Things were getting dangerous, she felt it in her gut but by all outward appearances everything was on the up and up around the place. It was the odd few sentences she'd catch that'd send her skin crawling. 'How much for it?' 'I can't let her go for less than five bills.' 'With shots or are they extra.' She'd pretend she didn't hear them, that her mind was busy occupied with getting her orders out or collecting the spent glasses off the tables and then wiping them down. She couldn't afford not to work here no matter what she heard or how many times her ass was patted. She was getting by on her wage and the tips were good enough.
The night was coming to a close, it was nearly 2am and she, with her co worker, were cleaning the place up when a tall slender man came in and sat down in her section. His trench coat collar was raised up and the hat he wore nearly covered the rest of what was exposed. She quickly went over and asked for his order; drinks she assumed as the kitchen had closed hours before. "S. Who is S?" He asked nodding to her name tag. The chill on hearing his voice went up Scarlett's back like lightning. "We use our letters here. What can I get you Sir?" She observed his slender fingers raise the cuff on his coat to observe the time, "I'm waiting for someone." Scarlett's lip quivered, it was odd seeing someone so pale wearing almost opaque sunglasses at this time of night. "We close in half an hour." She turned on her heel and nearly tripped as she went back behind the bar. He kept watching her, she noticed it even when her back was turned in the reflection of the mirrors behind the bar. Five, ten, fifteen then twenty minutes passed and still no one showed. When she went to the back to get a freshly washed tray of glasses to stock the bar with she then noticed that he was gone. She got a little angry with herself for not pressing him to at least buy one drink but she then realized she hadn't once gone back to ask him. She went to the table to wipe it down and set the chair back in place when she saw the napkin she set down prior had a V scribed on it and several bills beneath it. She was confused, no one was that generous. There it was, that sinking feeling again. She accompanied her coworker home, they lived near one another, so they walked together for safety.
The next day she arrived early and decided to have a coffee at a nearby open corner counter. A lady approached her, gave her a once over look then grinned. She was very well dressed; impeccably styled hair and her jewelry looked genuinely real.
"Are you looking for work?" The 'no' came quickly to Scarlett's lips but the woman wasn't going to be put off so easily. "Let me tell you about it and then you can decide, it's nothing too difficult." If things weren't getting suspicious at work she wouldn't consider it but seeing as she didn't have much time to look for another decent job the woman was worth a listen; she'd give her up until she started her shift. They sat down and Scarlett listened.
"Alright. I recruit ladies for our clientele and before you say no, it's not like that. We don't deal in flesh. Our gentlemen are affluent members of society that seek an outlet from their stressful lives and require the uppermost stringent privacy. In the same respect our ladies have their privacy guarded as well. We are merely a conduit that facilitates the meeting of the two parties and we take care of collecting funds and ensuring that contracts are honoured by both parties. Our ladies don't do anything they don't wish and if their contacts are breached then to them goes about a million American dollars that are part of a separate insurance policy. We can't have our reputation tarnished at any cost, let alone a messy lawsuit."
Scarlett listened, as well as watched this woman. She spoke as if what she was proposing wasn't at all outrageous. She was serious in every sense. "What do the ladies do for these men?" Her time was getting short and being late for work wasn't an option for her.
"I'm glad you asked. Our girls do as they are asked but nothing that they have already disagreed to. So if you absolutely don't wish to have relations or what not then it's a non negotiable. But, should you decide that it's something you'd consider then they can ask but ultimately they must respect your refusal. We insist a meeting with all our ladies every month on their breaks to ensure that their treatment has been maintained within the constricts of their contacts and if there is anything they wished changed, it's changed. It's all very business like."
Scarlett suspected this was some kind of escort service now but the one month term, from what it sounded like, was much. "For a month? I'm not sure if I can do that." She took several sips from her coffee and looked at her watch.
The woman pulled out a slender pocket book that opened up to a tablet. A list of some sort was reviewed. "We are in need of lovely ladies for evenings if you're not sure you're ready to commit at this time." She tapped the screen several times. "Can you come in for a screening and formal interview tomorrow?" Scarlett slowly nodded her head but was getting anxious about the time and this whole thing; it was her curiosity and want of a different, possibly better life, she felt that was pressing her forward. She also thought that if this recruiter was being truthful she might get a few pleasant evenings out and a nice dinner or two.
"I'm sorry, I really need to go to work, I hate being late." The woman handed her a card and said to show up when she could and that it'd take less than an hour.
She ran off to work and got in on time. The evening was a blur. Orders were filled correctly while she dreamt of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. She didn't mention the meeting to anyone just in case it was a bust because then she'd be embarrassed. Her shift went fast and slow, sometimes too slow; she felt her excitement buildings though. When her shift ended she and her co worker accompanied each other home and Scarlet put herself to bed after setting her alarm to go off a few hours sooner.
The next morning she found herself at the address on the card, it was at the other end of town so she splurged on a taxi ride to get there quickly but decided the bus or train would get her back for work with time to spare. Upon entering the building she was met by a woman and ushered into an office. Papers were set down before her and she filled them out quickly; she noted the several questions on her general health as well as personal relationships. It made sense, of course they wanted to make sure they were getting someone who wouldn't pass on any STD's and discredit them; she had already decided it was off the table anyway. She was in perfect health as far as she was concerned so she wasn't worried. Next the woman she met the day before came in and read over her answers without much reaction; as if there was nothing extraordinary about them. "Okay we have a basis now so lets quickly go through the preference questionnaire like I briefly touched on yesterday." Scarlet gave a nod and as each question was asked she either said yes or no. At one point the lady stopped and said that 'maybe' was an option as well and if there were any of the previous questions that were 'no' what could be changed to maybes? Scarlett considered all the questions; many of them were pretty tame but they left a lot to interpretation so she asked that the list to be reviewed so she can consider each one and then ask what each more clearly meant. By the time Scarlett was done the interview, several photos were taken as well as her measurements; her head was spinning. What was she imagining now, fine dining, champagne, a long flowing dress and fine jewelry. She shook her head as the taxi came to a halt. They insisted in giving her the cab fair back and in a way she was glad she could sit back a process all that had happened. As it was, if someone picked her, she'd be going on dates on either Sunday or Monday; her nights off but she didn't expect to be called anytime soon.
As she motioned her way through her shift she thought, if all went well and she was well received, she could quit this job and save up what she could from this work and find something better; anything better. A heavy hand came down on her rear, startling her to the point of a glass hitting the floor. She grumbled at him, "That's it, you're done! Pay your bill, including a few dollars for the glass, and get out!" Scarlett quickly took the broom that the other waitress handed to her and cleaned up the glass; a small piece even cutting her finger for her trouble. She listened to her boss grumble while the man who struck her paid and was ushered out; her boss did what he could to keep his waitresses happy but driving away all his customers wasn't an option. Being touched, by anyone she now realized was a big deal to her. This came to her earlier that day when she was asked all those questions about how and where she'd allow herself to be touched. She righted herself and took the shards of glass to the garbage and tended to the little cut.
When she and her coworker left the lady was at the door; she introduced herself as Liz this time. She walked them home and Scarlett couldn't help but to invite her in so they could speak more privately.
"Excellent news." Liz sat down. "We have quite a bit of interest in you so your next four days off from work will be booked. I haven't checked in for an hour but I'm sure there are more. "
Scarlett's jaw fell a little. "So soon, so many? I'm a little shocked." She didn't doubt her looks but she certainly didn't think she was anything remarkable. She also recalled how most of her answers pretty much made anything more than a kiss on the hand off limits as well as where she would allow herself to be touched.
"You're the new rage so let's get down to business. I have you booked for a fitting the morning of your first client and you'll get all your outfits bought at once. Then your hair will be in the afternoon; the stylist is one of the best and what is that?"
Liz's eyes went to the tissue on Scarlett's hand with the few drops of blood on it. "It's nothing really, it'll be better by then."
"If we're going to charge top dollar for you then you must take better care of yourself, as best as you can." Liz looked around her place; it wasn't much to be sure. "Once you get established you can move if this isn't to your liking. I'll tell you this, our girls last about three years before they find Mr Right and get married and we lose a good customer and associate. Try to hold out as long as you can so you can build up a nest egg for yourself." She pulled out a little tablet and started tapping away at the screen. "Okay here's what we got for you, this gentleman you'll meet on Sunday we've dealt with him several times before and he knows how to treat a lady. I'm told he's alright but he will ask and the answer will be no." She gave Scarlett a pointed look. "He likes blue and I think that colour will look lovely on you so I will make sure we get something in that for you when we go shopping and here," she taped the screen again. "is the next fellow he's an older gentleman and likes attending functions with a pretty girl on his arm and nothing more. It's going to be a very formal affair and he requested a black evening gown. We'll go a dark grey on you, black would wash out your complexion completely."
Scarlett watched her tap in and out of different screens. The following two, the next week, were simple cocktail gatherings that didn't go past midnight. Liz explained how the picking up and dropping off worked and how they'd see she was brought home safely. She kept telling herself she was just going on dates, nothing more...sure she was being paid to be there but it wasn't like she was pursuing or remotely interested in any of them. She convinced herself that it was just a business transaction and they were paying her for her time; her time was valuable so they should be paying for it. Liz's talking brought her back.
"I've got your hair and nail appointments set up for you and before that we will meet here," she handed Scarlett a card. "Be there by nine." Liz said her goodbyes and ushered herself out of the apartment.
Two days past and the only excitement at the restaurant was the police coming in and asking about the man Scarlett threw out a few nights before. Apparently he had been reported missing and theirs was the last place he was seen at. Scarlett thought nothing of it, she told them everything she recalled about it; and that it happened at ten and her shift was over at two in the morning. She, and her coworkers, learned that they suspected it to be a mugging gone wrong as the victims last digital footprint was at bank machine across town an hour later. She went home that night after her shift, with her friend, cautiously; tomorrow was a big day after all, it was a new beginning of sorts.
The following day came and she and Liz met up and went through all that was planned for Scarlett. She soon found herself in a car and on her way to her first date and she didn't feel nervous at all. Liz had explained to her what was expected and what she could do in any odd situations that she wasn't at all worried. Once she had arrived, ushers had escorted her past the crowd of onlookers and she was safely inside the crowded entry and her arm was around her dates in no time; she had a great memory for faces. He set a long stemmed flute in her hand and the entered the main hall where there was already dancing at the center of the room. "Lovely." she whispered as her date watched her as he pulled her in further. The walls were golden and ornately adorned. Grand mirrors were staggered under each arch that were framed in with thick pillars. The floor, when visible, there was an intricate pattern of marble in golden hues, that seemed to radiate to a central point in the middle of the dance floor. But not to be outdone by the space they were in, the women were dressed in elaborate frocks that echoed a time from long before where the style called for rich heavy fabrics that gleamed in any light. The long edges of the skirts swept the floor as the spun around in the dance. "Seems I've under dressed for the occasion." Scarlett was in a rich blue silk dress who's top hugged every one of her curves as if it's life depended on it and on the bottom it flared out slightly and was inches above the ground. Her little purse, that held nothing but a lipstick, hung from a fine chain that was balanced perfectly on her bare shoulder.
"You are stunning." Scarlett's date gruffed in her ear, she could tell he had a few drinks before she had arrived but she still gave him a thankful little smile before he tugged her over to a few acquaintances of his. She was introduced as a 'friend' and nothing more and she learned that her date's name was Mark. All the men she was introduced to insisted on kissing her hand; almost to touch her to see if she was real. She smiled politely to each of them and said, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." There was no way she could remember their names and they all started to look alike. Her date pressed her to have a sip of her drink but she gave him a sheepish look and said she didn't care for alcohol of any kind. Liz had told her to not drink at all but Scarlett really didn't care for it as she had seen first hand what drinking could lead up to. Mark looked upset a little but seemed to brush it off quickly as not to put her off him she thought. She set the drink down on a tray filled with full glasses as it passed by. She met more of Mark's friends as the place filled up. Waiters made their way through the room with appetizers of every kind; Scarlett tried a few and was delighted by each. She thought, for just a moment, that this was the life for her and she could get accustomed to it but then was quick to recall what kind of home awaited her. More talking, more names she's never remember as she watched the dance floor move like a ripple on a disturbed pond. Occasionally it would clear as a set of dancers would make way though the ripples only to swing back into the fold. It happened a few times she noticed and then saw that it was the same man but with different ladies. She felt Mark lean into her again and said he'd be back in a few moments; she presumed that he needed to go to the bathroom. He asked her to stay in place, as he put it, "There is no way in hell I'll find you in this mess." She was the perfect date she told herself as she gave him a nod and reassured him that she would not move. He left and she was was able to take the delightful atmosphere as she wished; the music, the dance, and the feast for the eyes. She hadn't notice the crowd build up around her and then her hand, the one that she got cut on, being brushed by and being hurt. She brought it up quickly only to see it was fine and the wound on it had disappeared. She and Liz had dabbed a bit of makeup on it earlier to conceal the slight bit of redness that was still present but now, even with the handshaking she'd imagined all of the makeup would have been smudged away but there it was, not a trace of red was seen. She gave her head a shake and noticed Mark was way off from where he had left her; but then he saw her and pushed his way back. He leaned in again, he smelled like he was smoking something other than a cigarette or cigar, when he asked her if she would like to go some place more private where they could talk and offered her a flute of, specifically, only orange juice. She smiled as sweetly as she could, taking the drink but not drinking it, and said 'No thank you.' as she was told to do. He was again upset and this time he went off in a huff. Liz assured her that even if things were to go horribly wrong, and the 'client' was upset over something that was clearly spelled out as not an option, she'd still get paid; this was just that. She wasn't going to compromise herself for a few dollars and as for her then not getting any follow up dates with him, she didn't care. Scarlett made her way to the ladies room, more out of curiosity than anything else, to check her makeup and touch up her lips. Once there she noticed that the commodes were set well away and around two corners from where a large hand washing basin was located. It was set up like a waterfall where you wouldn't need to turn a faucet, only hold your hands under the cascade to rinse them at the perfect temperature. Above that was a small ledge, under a heavy framed mirror, and she set her drink down. In the same, rather large, room there were many plush sofa's where several ladies were sitting to rest their feet. She listened to them, they were talking about how there wasn't enough food being served and how dull the music was. She didn't agree but didn't say a word, only opening up her little clutch to fish out the golden tube of lipstick; and a small slip of paper. She unfolded it, suspecting it was a note of encouragement from Liz, and read it. /The drink you were offered, when you came in, was drugged by him. I'm pleased you didn't consume it./ She was stunned. If she had a phone she'd call Liz to ask what to do but then looked up at the glass he had just gave her. She took it and slowly poured it out to find a small, almost indistinguishable, white tablet. Her jaw dropped slightly; she was now nervous. She poured it out and rinsed the glass; anger was brewing deep within her gut and she wanted to slap him but doing so might not get her paid. She left the glass on the ledge and went out of the bathroom on a mission. She was the perfect date, she was going to get paid and she was going to not let her date get the better of her. She hunted around the waiters and found one who was serving a similar glasses of orange juice. Taking one she drank half and went off to find her date; then standing beside him without question or any concern on her face. His smirk was grimy as he watched her sip her juice. Scarlett decided, if there were more men like this, she would drop the whole idea of being an escort. Sure the money was great but it wasn't worth the risk. The night wore on and her glass never left her sight even when he pressed to get her a fresh one; until her time was coming to a close. As she drifted towards the door his hand caught her arm; and again he insisted on not letting their evening come to such an uneventful end. Scarlett smiled, ever so sweetly, and suggested he find another woman for his amusement as she had work the next day.
The following day when she did see Liz she recounted what happened, showed her the note and what was left of the stung. "He's never tried this and I can see why not, until now. This morning his company announced that they were being foreclosed on by their creditor and he's officially broke. He'll have to settle for two bit whores from now on. Don't worry, you're still getting paid, we ask for payment upfront." She gave Scarlett a wink. "You'll never need to see him again and if you do, you can call the police if he bothers you in any way." They both laughed. Scarlett kept the note; she had a helper and if she ever met up with them she intended to thank them.
By the time that night came the whole incident was as far from her mind as possible. The next evening was met with more finger foods, sparkling glasses of ginger strawberry fizz and a very kind and courteous date who only asked that she'd never leave his arm. The event was a fundraiser and the items up for bid were various pieces of abstract art and sculptures. Scarlett was no connoisseur in such things so any questions he asked her she hummed and hawed over without giving any real answer on and then asked him what he thought. They wandered around, chatting about what they saw; once even smirking over the same piece. She then decided she was an old soul and that she would be better suited to older clientele and more subdued events; she'd need to tell Liz when she saw her next. Just then, as her date excused himself for a moment, she saw an art piece that caught her eye and drew her in. It was in a darkened corner but it itself shone of the rainbow. At first when she saw it she thought it was a solid piece of glass that was glowing but as she got closer she noticed the multitude of strands of glass; whose reflective surface was an array of colour, radiate the light in harmony. The sculpture itself was a bust of a woman whose hair appeared caught in a drift of wind; each strand of hair was its own fine thread of glass. Her face was one piece thin shimmering glass that was flawless in its smooth and contoured features. "She's lovely." She whispered, as to not disrupt or tarnish the moment of awe. "Agreed." A voice behind her said, ever so softly, but she couldn't take her eyes from the statue. It was only when she felt her arm touched that she turned and noticed her date, "I'm sorry, I just saw this and needed a closer look." He took a long glance at it and gave a very approving nod. The artist of the piece came over and told them about the inspiration he had and the technique he used for the hundreds of hours that went into the construction. Scarlett listened enthusiastically but she kept her eyes on the sculpture; she knew, after tonight she might not see something quite so lovely again. Once they were seated in the gallery, her hand never leaving her dates arm, the bidding started. Hundreds if not thousands of dollars were exchanged and with each strike of the auctioneer's gavel she gasped at the amounts paid for mere objects. As beautiful as they were, for the amount of even the least expensive one she could live off of for several months; she felt so poor yet not deprived in the least. She watched as the one thing she liked come up for bid and then it was gone just like that. Her date bid a few times but didn't win anything; he didn't seem to mind. Midnight came and Scarlett found herself in a very nice car headed home; she'd have to tell Liz she would like more dates like tonight and not the first night.
The next five days at work, tending tables, seemed to drag on endlessly; any luster the job had had faded completely. By her count, if she didn't indulge in any frivolous expenses, she figured she'd have enough to pay two month's rent in advance by the end of her fourth date. Liz hadn't mentioned anything further after that, but even if there was no interest she had her buffer if she quit waitressing.
The morning of date three Liz was at Scarlett's door and off they went to erase all the hardships from her complexion and dress her up. The two cocktail parties she was scheduled for didn't require much but it was all just the same amount of excitement for her. Once they were settled in a cafe, Liz spoke, "I've gotten a very good offer for you but I can't go ahead with it because you've already declined any extended work." then took a sip of her latte. "I'll write down a number just so you know what you're saying no to." She scribbled on the napkin before her, "This is what it approximately pays..." Scarlett's lips parted as she gasped. "now times that by three." Even Liz looked astonished by the number and looked upon Scarlett to try to figure out what would draw such an interest. "Like I said, I've already refused two others because I knew your preference but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention this one to you."
Scarlett needed a moment, a sip of coffee, a second and third sip even just to process this. "Why on earth would...I mean who would pay that much for me specifically...I don't know" It was a lot of money; more than she had ever had and to refuse it was difficult but to say that someone had found her 'price' would be demeaning to her.
Liz looked around and waited for a few people nearby to leave their vicinity. "I got to talk to him, personally, and then I met with him, at his firm request. He's exceptionally refined, polite and his voice is nothing like I've ever heard before." Liz looked as if she was ready to sell her soul to the man. "I'm not going to lie to you but the commission from this, if you agree to one month; really three weeks actually, it would mean so much to me."
There is was, guilt. Scarlett had guessed Liz would use it eventually and Scarlett could spot it a mile off. "Here is the thing Liz, I just don't know what is expected of me and if he wants more than I am willing to do then he would be disappointed and then what happens to me? I could use the money but to compromise what I'm comfortable with, well, I'm the one who'd be looking herself in the mirror until the day I died asking myself if it was really worth it." Scarlett took a sip of her coffee, taking care not to ruin her newly painted nails; a luxury she never allowed herself to indulge in. She watched Liz carefully, she was very pensive for several moments and then again waited for some bystanders to drift off before she spoke. "I'd be just the same as what you are doing now really, just a longer duration and you'd sleep under the same roof. We could insist there be a visitation once a week in to see if you are content with the terms or wish to tighten them up." Liz was not pressuring her in the least now. "If you were dead set on leaving then we could work that into the contract, allowing for the funds to be prorated accordingly… please consider it?" Scarlett thought a long while and finished off her coffee. "I will tonight and let you know tomorrow?" Liz grinned but notably didn't allow herself to get to happy about it; she must have known that it wasn't a definite yes.
That evening, at the cocktail party Scarlett found herself beside a very well to do middle aged Japanese man. He was wearing a wedding band which wasn't sitting well with her but he was extremely polite. The function was a celebratory event; the firm had just won a very long trial and was found to be not negligent in a building collapse. Most of the attendants were Asian but there was a good showing of local partners so she didn't feel too centered out. Her date caught her looking at his wedding band several times and after a fifth time he took her aside to explain, in very broken English, that it was accepted in their culture to have an escort for the evening if their wives couldn't attend, she had just given birth, and that he had cleared it with his wife before he came. He explained that his wife did know and she didn't want him to be embarrassed attending alone and that he himself was hoping to get a photo of the Marilyn Monroe lookalike that he was with. When she heard who she resembled she laughed and agreed to have a picture of them taken together.
The next morning Scarlett found herself at her scheduled hair appointment and eagerly waited for Liz to show up. She had thought about the offer, a lot, even during her date when the speakers were drowning on and on in another language and she was desperately trying to look interested in what they were saying. Liz came in and was at her side instantly and looking in the mirror to look her straight in the eye; questioningly. Scarlett raised her shoulders as she took in a breath, "I'll have to quit my job you realize?" Liz gave her a little nod. "I'll need to give some kind of notice." Liz blinked. "We need to meet to discuss everything, first, then I'll decide if it will come to that."
Liz grinned. "It will be exactly what you want and nothing more or less." The hairdresser gave each of them a look but stayed silent. They ignored her and then Liz pulled out her tablet and started tapping away at the screen. "I have you scheduled for two next week and then we can do the math on when you may or may not be starting this next project…"
Scarlett went though the rest of the day with her body on cruise control as her head thought of what was going to happen. Her date that evening didn't even notice how disengaged she was; must have imagined she was the stereotypical air head blonde. As soon as the car door slammed and she was being taken home she got nervous about what was going to be expected from her. She hadn't lived with anyone since she's left home; not even a room mate since. She liked her space and privacy so that was out of the question.
Work dragged on as the week went by and as Sunday rolled around she found herself at the office first thing in the morning, before her hair and nails appointment. Liz invited her into her office and the door closed as Scarlett sat down in a very comfortable chair. Liz put a headset on, "He wants to be involved in this and not waste any time with back and forth...stuff" and then she pressed a button on her phone and said good morning to the man on the other end and told him that they were ready. On her desk was a folder that was opened and then the questions begun. Most of them, pretty safe things, Scarlett just nodded and little check marks were made and the next question asked. The section of acceptable touching came up and Scarlett's head started shaking more frequently. She was convinced that he'd change his mind and by the somewhat astonished looks on Liz's face, she was too.
Liz paused for several moments and then said, "Yes, I can hold Sir." and then gave Scarlett a grin. "I wish he'd let me put him on speaker phone, he sounds delicious."
Scarlett's eyes grew as did her curiosity, "Why not just meet with me in person then?"
Liz shrugged, "I did ask and he said it's part of his want's, not to be seen immediately."
"So what am I going to do exactly then, it's not written down or been mentioned yet?" Scarlett was getting concerned as the previous questions were dealt with the stages of her undress and general attire. She wasn't shy but didn't want to be naked the entire time in the man's company.
Liz straightened up as the voice in her ear started speaking. Scarlett could hear her whispering yes at regular intervals, licking her lips all the while. "Yes Sir." she looked up at Scarlett suddenly as if on a mission to state everything she had heard accurately. "He said your role is essentially to be a living piece of art that he could move, as it pleases him. Understanding your desires to not be intruded on he will respect them and perhaps, over time, once he has earned your trust you may loosen your preferences as to your interactions."
Scarlett nodded, "Lets continue then." Liz's expression held and then a hand went to her forehead as she closed her eyes, seemingly to need a moment. She mouthed 'wow' to her and then proceeded until they reached the end of the contract. Many more items were marked down as solid a solid no but a few, a rare few were maybes. Little was discussed with him on the line; he was just a spectator to this meeting it seemed. Once Liz pressed the button on her phone to end the call she breathed and fanned herself with a page from the contract, "I could listen to that voice all damn day and live off of it."
"I thought you said you met with him?"
"I did but I couldn't exactly fall to pieces in front of the man. He was in my ear, and when you said to continue after I relayed what he was expecting from you, that sound I heard, my God I swear I nearly lost it, it was so delicious." She fell back in her chair and continued to fan herself.
"My god I don't stand a chance with him and not caving into stuff I said no to now do I." Scarlett flailed her hands and was close to calling it off.
"Oh no. You will stick to your guns and hold true to what you said you would if you still want to do this. I can think of worse ways to spend three weeks out of a month, like being a waitress at the dump you work at, than posing for a billionaire." Her hand went to her mouth and her eyes grew. "Damn it. You didn't hear that."