Chapter 18: Playing the Game
It was the warmest Californian afternoon that Chastity had seen since she had been in town. She didn't know what to think of her fate, luck or lack thereof, now that she sat in the passenger seat of a very stylish Benz convertible. It was a posh car for an urbane male accustomed to lavishness and carefree living who wanted others to know it. It was nauseating to Chastity the more she pondered on it, and she let bits of Jonathan's chatter drift by acknowledging it with an occasional "hmm" or "oh." She knew she shouldn't hold such disdain for someone she had just met, but his behavior reminded her so much of the boys in Boston that she felt him harshly immature and superficial. Then again, she was the ice beauty, unmoved by playboys of all sorts and ages. Chastity shook the thoughts tumbling around in her mind and carefully inspected the man next to her.
"Here's to good food and even better company," Jonathan raised his glass smiling casually.
"Most definitely," Chastity half-heartedly agreed. The food really was divine.
"So Jonathan, how long have you been in working in the company?" Chastity queried blandly, looking for conversation.
"Only a couple of years, I was with some startups before this, but "startup company" pretty much sums that experience up," Jonathan shrugged happily. He speared a piece of chicken from his plate and lifted it to his well-shaped mouth, taking his eyes off the food to linger on Chastity's appealing features. Jonathan had already checked her "assets" over in a mental list, noting her beauty, status, and charm. He wasn't oblivious to her lack of interest in him, but Jonathan was confident as ever that he could sway her opinion. Poor Jonathan.
"Chastity, are you vacationing here for the holidays?"
"Visiting friends mostly."
"Will you be staying long?"
"Only a few days more actually, unless I decide to spend New Year's here," Chastity had been contemplating extending her visit for New Year's celebration, but she wasn't sure yet. Her family phoned to inform her of their arrival in the city, and they would be staying till the 3rd of the new year. The company was hosting a splendid ball, and it was an annual event of great importance. This year's theme was somewhat an evening in the enchanted forest, completely fairy-tale inspired. Tickets to the event were "MTV Times-Square valuable" to the older socialites because of the glamorous guest list. No one's life went untouched by the technological revolution, and every computer needs software to run on. Even Hollywood products were all enhanced using advanced digital imaging programs. Suffice to say, business is well for Mr. Tse and his company.
"You have to stay for the gala. It's shaping up to be even more impressive than last year's," Jonathan added predictably.
Duh, Chastity wanted to say. That's the purpose of throwing these frilly parties. Incredible hype and anticipation is supposed to top itself year after year; that's effective publicity. "Yeah, it's tempting, but I would probably have more fun with my own friends somewhere a bit more downscale."
"Oh come on Chas, your dad would want to show you off, and I can keep you entertained all night," Jonathan flashed a brilliant smile.
"Is that a promise?" Chastity laughed at his confidence. Jonathan assumed Chastity was showing hints of interest, and he answered his ringing cell phone self-assuredly, "hello?"
"Jon, it's me. I'm at your place. You coming home tonight?"
"Ken? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Jonathan intended to end the call quickly to focus on his "game", but this new information startled him.
"I called you and left plenty of messages. You can go without ass for one night can't you?" Ken spoke indifferently, wondering how many nights Jon really could go without a piece before suffering fatal withdrawal.
"Haha, smart ass. I'll be back by 5. Then you can explain why your frozen Boston butt is thawing in my apartment."
"Butts. I brought some company. We should do some overtime tonight."
"Damn you Ken. Let me go. Bye," Jonathan slipped his cell phone out of sight, and Chastity glanced for the first time a serious and even annoyed image of him. Before she had time to take in the view, Jonathan smoothed a charismatic face back on.
"Anything wrong?" Chastity inquired with actual curiosity this time. Keywords: here, Boston, Ken.
"Nah. My cousin's in town from Boston, and he's crashed at my place with some friends it seems."
"You guys sound close. Are you about the same age?" It was all too obvious to Chastity now, the pieces falling in together beautifully. What were the odds?!
"He's about your age actually. You may even know him; he's undoubtedly well known in Boston. Ken Chu?"
"Yeah, I have a pretty good idea who he is. I can see good looks run in the family," Chastity was tracing a finger along her bottom lip. Her whole aura was morphing from indifference to distinct intrigue.
"I can only imagine what your parents are like because you are completely heavenly, Chastity. Honestly, I am hopelessly dateless for the ball. Would you grace me with your company?" Jonathan figured he was close to scoring a point now, but he had no idea Chastity was setting up for a whole new game.
~
Nothing attracts attention in the city like wealth, and as five well dressed gentlemen filed towards a private table the women in the restaurant were looking things over, more than once.
"Order whatever you want. I'm in a giving mood tonight," Jonathan smiled at his younger friends.
"I can't imagine why. No one here is asking you to put out tonight," Ken smirked.
"Say what you want Ken doll, I have sights on a Barbie out of your league," Jonathan spoke tauntingly.
"Is that so? What makes you think I like the plastic sort?" Ken hurled a rebuttal back with skill.
"Those are just for play, but this girl is major league. Luckily, I've been called up to bat."
"You guys are sick. All this metaphorical crap is gay. Just order some food," Jerry interrupted, his hunger stirring annoyingly inside him.
"Jerry, you've hit puberty haven't you? Tell me you've had a hookup since I last saw you. Please," Jonathan feigned concern.
"Can't be too careful in picking can I? Not wanting the ones you've been with pretty much cuts out half the female population," Jerry yawned.
"Look, I am up for chatting about and chatting up girls any hour of any day, but for this particular sixty minutes can we just clear up some business? I can't enjoy myself until we settle on something," Vanness was always focused on the matter at hand, and he really did want to have a pleasurable visit in the city.
"I need a copy of the program write-up," Vic cut in finally.
"Easier said than done. I've never even seen one. Didn't you say there was a new source in Boston? A veritable gold mine?" Jonathan thought of a conversation earlier in the year.
"No good. That's worked up to a dead end," Jerry wanted to kill all possibility of using Chastity any more.
"Will you tell me who it is now that you've burned him?" Jonathan wanted to know who this quality source in Boston was.
"That depends on if you'll tell me who this girl is that's got you so enthralled. She's got to be a good lay," Ken answered.
"No and no. I haven't screwed her, and there's no way I'm telling you who she is. Kills all the fun of it for me. I think she knows you, and that's just horrible. I'll introduce her to you soon though, and you'll appreciate the expertise needed to hook a girl of that caliber," Jonathan was positive Chastity wasn't one of the girls Ken had claimed, but her recognition of his name still made Jonathan uneasy. A Fortune 500 corporation heir and full blown hottie, he couldn't believe his luck.
"Ahem!" Vanness cleared his throat, agitated.
"Look, these tickets took a shit load of work to get, and I had to bed a couple of nasty secretaries too. The annual New Year's bash will have an exclusive showcase of the new ProPuro. P2 as they call it now. I can get you in, and you can get a first hand glimpse at the stuff. Genius Vic can probably work out a bug after that. You'll get your stuff done for NOPI and cut ties with that shit. The deal is we finish this tiny job for the desert kids, and I'll sell off your "bug."
"We just want out. After this, you can do what you want with the shit. The profits from NOPI we'll keep, and you'll have tenfold the income from the bug. I've been checking the market too, and I know the kind of bids that are up right now. Seems like we're not the only ones completely shut down by P2, but lucky us, we've got you," Vanness replied for the group, having discussed this matter already.
"Dress to impress for New Year's, boys. It's on," Jonathan instructed gravely, each word weighing heavily on the guys. It was all a bit surreal, but there was no backing out now.
~~~
[Um, I think that all made sense? Lucky Chas has a pretty face huh?]
[okay, author update: i realize it's been an eternity since i've updated. i've been really busy, and fanfiction fell off the list when i got to the university. however, i hope you enjoyed this chapter. hit me with a review!]
It was the warmest Californian afternoon that Chastity had seen since she had been in town. She didn't know what to think of her fate, luck or lack thereof, now that she sat in the passenger seat of a very stylish Benz convertible. It was a posh car for an urbane male accustomed to lavishness and carefree living who wanted others to know it. It was nauseating to Chastity the more she pondered on it, and she let bits of Jonathan's chatter drift by acknowledging it with an occasional "hmm" or "oh." She knew she shouldn't hold such disdain for someone she had just met, but his behavior reminded her so much of the boys in Boston that she felt him harshly immature and superficial. Then again, she was the ice beauty, unmoved by playboys of all sorts and ages. Chastity shook the thoughts tumbling around in her mind and carefully inspected the man next to her.
"Here's to good food and even better company," Jonathan raised his glass smiling casually.
"Most definitely," Chastity half-heartedly agreed. The food really was divine.
"So Jonathan, how long have you been in working in the company?" Chastity queried blandly, looking for conversation.
"Only a couple of years, I was with some startups before this, but "startup company" pretty much sums that experience up," Jonathan shrugged happily. He speared a piece of chicken from his plate and lifted it to his well-shaped mouth, taking his eyes off the food to linger on Chastity's appealing features. Jonathan had already checked her "assets" over in a mental list, noting her beauty, status, and charm. He wasn't oblivious to her lack of interest in him, but Jonathan was confident as ever that he could sway her opinion. Poor Jonathan.
"Chastity, are you vacationing here for the holidays?"
"Visiting friends mostly."
"Will you be staying long?"
"Only a few days more actually, unless I decide to spend New Year's here," Chastity had been contemplating extending her visit for New Year's celebration, but she wasn't sure yet. Her family phoned to inform her of their arrival in the city, and they would be staying till the 3rd of the new year. The company was hosting a splendid ball, and it was an annual event of great importance. This year's theme was somewhat an evening in the enchanted forest, completely fairy-tale inspired. Tickets to the event were "MTV Times-Square valuable" to the older socialites because of the glamorous guest list. No one's life went untouched by the technological revolution, and every computer needs software to run on. Even Hollywood products were all enhanced using advanced digital imaging programs. Suffice to say, business is well for Mr. Tse and his company.
"You have to stay for the gala. It's shaping up to be even more impressive than last year's," Jonathan added predictably.
Duh, Chastity wanted to say. That's the purpose of throwing these frilly parties. Incredible hype and anticipation is supposed to top itself year after year; that's effective publicity. "Yeah, it's tempting, but I would probably have more fun with my own friends somewhere a bit more downscale."
"Oh come on Chas, your dad would want to show you off, and I can keep you entertained all night," Jonathan flashed a brilliant smile.
"Is that a promise?" Chastity laughed at his confidence. Jonathan assumed Chastity was showing hints of interest, and he answered his ringing cell phone self-assuredly, "hello?"
"Jon, it's me. I'm at your place. You coming home tonight?"
"Ken? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Jonathan intended to end the call quickly to focus on his "game", but this new information startled him.
"I called you and left plenty of messages. You can go without ass for one night can't you?" Ken spoke indifferently, wondering how many nights Jon really could go without a piece before suffering fatal withdrawal.
"Haha, smart ass. I'll be back by 5. Then you can explain why your frozen Boston butt is thawing in my apartment."
"Butts. I brought some company. We should do some overtime tonight."
"Damn you Ken. Let me go. Bye," Jonathan slipped his cell phone out of sight, and Chastity glanced for the first time a serious and even annoyed image of him. Before she had time to take in the view, Jonathan smoothed a charismatic face back on.
"Anything wrong?" Chastity inquired with actual curiosity this time. Keywords: here, Boston, Ken.
"Nah. My cousin's in town from Boston, and he's crashed at my place with some friends it seems."
"You guys sound close. Are you about the same age?" It was all too obvious to Chastity now, the pieces falling in together beautifully. What were the odds?!
"He's about your age actually. You may even know him; he's undoubtedly well known in Boston. Ken Chu?"
"Yeah, I have a pretty good idea who he is. I can see good looks run in the family," Chastity was tracing a finger along her bottom lip. Her whole aura was morphing from indifference to distinct intrigue.
"I can only imagine what your parents are like because you are completely heavenly, Chastity. Honestly, I am hopelessly dateless for the ball. Would you grace me with your company?" Jonathan figured he was close to scoring a point now, but he had no idea Chastity was setting up for a whole new game.
~
Nothing attracts attention in the city like wealth, and as five well dressed gentlemen filed towards a private table the women in the restaurant were looking things over, more than once.
"Order whatever you want. I'm in a giving mood tonight," Jonathan smiled at his younger friends.
"I can't imagine why. No one here is asking you to put out tonight," Ken smirked.
"Say what you want Ken doll, I have sights on a Barbie out of your league," Jonathan spoke tauntingly.
"Is that so? What makes you think I like the plastic sort?" Ken hurled a rebuttal back with skill.
"Those are just for play, but this girl is major league. Luckily, I've been called up to bat."
"You guys are sick. All this metaphorical crap is gay. Just order some food," Jerry interrupted, his hunger stirring annoyingly inside him.
"Jerry, you've hit puberty haven't you? Tell me you've had a hookup since I last saw you. Please," Jonathan feigned concern.
"Can't be too careful in picking can I? Not wanting the ones you've been with pretty much cuts out half the female population," Jerry yawned.
"Look, I am up for chatting about and chatting up girls any hour of any day, but for this particular sixty minutes can we just clear up some business? I can't enjoy myself until we settle on something," Vanness was always focused on the matter at hand, and he really did want to have a pleasurable visit in the city.
"I need a copy of the program write-up," Vic cut in finally.
"Easier said than done. I've never even seen one. Didn't you say there was a new source in Boston? A veritable gold mine?" Jonathan thought of a conversation earlier in the year.
"No good. That's worked up to a dead end," Jerry wanted to kill all possibility of using Chastity any more.
"Will you tell me who it is now that you've burned him?" Jonathan wanted to know who this quality source in Boston was.
"That depends on if you'll tell me who this girl is that's got you so enthralled. She's got to be a good lay," Ken answered.
"No and no. I haven't screwed her, and there's no way I'm telling you who she is. Kills all the fun of it for me. I think she knows you, and that's just horrible. I'll introduce her to you soon though, and you'll appreciate the expertise needed to hook a girl of that caliber," Jonathan was positive Chastity wasn't one of the girls Ken had claimed, but her recognition of his name still made Jonathan uneasy. A Fortune 500 corporation heir and full blown hottie, he couldn't believe his luck.
"Ahem!" Vanness cleared his throat, agitated.
"Look, these tickets took a shit load of work to get, and I had to bed a couple of nasty secretaries too. The annual New Year's bash will have an exclusive showcase of the new ProPuro. P2 as they call it now. I can get you in, and you can get a first hand glimpse at the stuff. Genius Vic can probably work out a bug after that. You'll get your stuff done for NOPI and cut ties with that shit. The deal is we finish this tiny job for the desert kids, and I'll sell off your "bug."
"We just want out. After this, you can do what you want with the shit. The profits from NOPI we'll keep, and you'll have tenfold the income from the bug. I've been checking the market too, and I know the kind of bids that are up right now. Seems like we're not the only ones completely shut down by P2, but lucky us, we've got you," Vanness replied for the group, having discussed this matter already.
"Dress to impress for New Year's, boys. It's on," Jonathan instructed gravely, each word weighing heavily on the guys. It was all a bit surreal, but there was no backing out now.
~~~
[Um, I think that all made sense? Lucky Chas has a pretty face huh?]
[okay, author update: i realize it's been an eternity since i've updated. i've been really busy, and fanfiction fell off the list when i got to the university. however, i hope you enjoyed this chapter. hit me with a review!]