Chapter Three
"I don't like this…" Ash muttered.
"We don't have much of a choice." Mickey replied.
"Why can't Emma do it?"
"Mr. Cern has already seen Emma. It has to be someone else and, unfortunately, our Rosalind is the only other choice."
She smirked. "Yeah, unless one of you wants to get into this dress and have a go yourself." She sighed, running her hand along the front of her clothes, "How do I look?"
The dress was tight and a blood red colour (her best colour in her own opinion) that reached just above her knees. It clung to her figure like a second skin – something she wasn't overly fond of – and the hoop neck dipped low at the front to show off an ample chest. The chunky black heels she wore on her feet added another four inches to her height. She felt exposed but she knew what she had to do.
"Great."
"Beautiful."
"Gorgeous."
"Good – at least I look it." Rosalind glanced at herself in the full length mirror Emma had in her room with critical eyes, "Thanks for letting me borrow this Emma."
"It's no problem." The woman smiled sympathically. As the only woman in this little gang, it was usually up to her to entice the rich, arrogant, so-called 'playboys' for cons. While she was glad to have the break, she couldn't help feel sorry for Rosalind. From what Sean had told them, Cern would be their worse pervert yet. It didn't feel right sending out someone so young to do this kind of work but, as they all knew, she was their only choice.
"Okay, run me through this again Mickey." Rosalind stated.
"You are now Elizabeth Peters, Mr. Cern's new secretary. You are our chance of getting this 'deal' made properly. From what we've found out, he'll do anything for a pretty face. You have to use this to your advantage…"
"…and convince him the only way to get me is to accept the risky deal you and Albert will put forward," she nodded, understanding, "Right, I got it."
"Oh, and another thing…" Mickey nodded and Ash moved forward, holding his hand out, palm upwards, towards his daughter. Confused, Rosalind looked at the small black object in the centre of his hand.
"Um, what's that?"
"That is a microphone and video camera that we asked your father to make." Mickey explained, "Since you're new to this, and we can't watch you while you're there, this would be a better way of making sure your safe. It's discrete and safe and, if anyone gets too close to it, we know you're in trouble."
Rosalind raised an eyebrow. "You're…bugging me?"
"Yeah and no arguments," Ash told her firmly.
With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, Rosalind took the small black device and attached it to the inside of her bra, shifting it so it stayed in place. "There, are you happy now?"
"Ecstatic," Mickey smiled.
"Ah, um, Mr. Cern?"
James Cern let out a sigh of annoyance, dropping a file onto the glass desk he had his feet propped up on. With an over-exaggerated swing of his head, he turned to look at the nervous face of Mrs. Clinton. "Yes Clinton – what is it?"
"…Your new secretary had arrived Mr. Cern…"
He sighed, pushing his legs of the table to stand up. "I hope this one isn't as incompetent as the last one…"
He didn't know what he was expecting but, whoever this girl was, she was better than he had wanted. Something good to look at was one thing, but this was another. She stood nervously behind Mrs. Clinton, her hands behind her back, rocking back and forth on her towering heels. His eyes were alit as they slowly trailed their way from her brown curls to her wiggling toes, encased in PVC. Oh, yes, this I could get used to…
His charming smile instantly fell into place as he held out his hand. "My names James Cern, I guess I'm your new boss."
She smiled sweetly and accepted the hand. "Elizabeth Peters. It's nice to meet you."
"And I, you," He grinned, "Come in. I'll show you some of the duties you have to perform and then I'll let you get on with it, yes?"
"Of course sir…"
"Please, call me James."
Mrs. Clinton returned to her place, feeling characteristically sorry for the newcomer. She was just like the others, so young and naïve to the world. She had no idea what was in store for her…
"Your desk is right outside the door and I will call on you if I need anything, from food to work related documents. You must also sort through my diary and tell me when I have meetings on." Cern laughed, "I have a terrible memory."
Rosalind smiled softly. "Of course…James...Is there anything else?"
Cern sat himself down in front of his desk. He leant forward and clasped his hands, resting his chin upon them. He watched her with a small smile, belittling the dark look in his eyes. "Yes, Elizabeth - why don't you take a seat? I feel we should get to know each other better, since you will be working very closely with me."
Nervously, she slid into one of the leather seats that were positioned opposite him. She shifted hers legs, tucking them in behind her, and rested her hands on her lap. "Um, okay…what did you have in mind sir?"
"How old are you? Do you have any brothers or sisters? What about your parents – what are they like?" Cern questioned, "What are your previous employments? What is your favourite colour? Are you in any kind of relationship at the moment?"
Rosalind blinked in surprise at the furrow of words. "Um…I'm 24. I have no brothers or sisters. My parents are separated – my mum's remarried…I used to work for a casino, I worked the books mostly, and I did some waitressing when I was in my teens. My favourite colour is red, as you've most likely guessed. As for relationships…I'm, uh, in a on and off relationship with someone who works with my Dad. It's kind of rocky at the moment…"
He feigned sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have any questions for me?"
"All of the above?"
He laughed. "I'm 30 – I know young for a Financial Manager, right? I have one younger brother that still lives off Mummy and Daddy, as it were. I've always worked in finance – I used to help my parents with their debts and loans and such. My favourite colour is silver, and I'm currently single, but looking." He winked at her.
It took all Rosalind had to make herself blush under his gaze. She smiled shyly again and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. Her legs shifted again and instantly, his eyes drew downwards to watch the skin slide against each other. "Is there anything you need me to do now James?"
"Ah, no I don't think so Elizabeth." Cern grinned charmingly, "Take this time to get acquainted with your workplace and I'll be sure to alert you when I need your, ah, services."
"Of course," Rosalind smiled as she stood up, straightening her back, and turned to leave the room. She gave her hips a more exaggerated wiggle as she walked. Temptation was a wonderful thing, she believed as she felt Cern's eyes watching her every move.
"We have one slight problem…"
"And that would be?"
"I now need a boyfriend."
A pause. "I know - I think we can come up with something. Keep doing what you are doing. It seems to be working perfectly."
"Is there any chance we can speed up your arrival? I don't think I can stand much longer of him staring at my arse."
"We don't like it either, but he seems distracted enough. I'm sure we can arrange something. When and where does he have lunch today?"
