Alexa had the Monday morning feeling common to anyone who worked a regular nine to five office job. Having made sure her schedule was kept empty for a couple of days, she had spent the weekend at home with her fiancée. They had done nothing other than enjoy quality time with each other in the house, watching movies and eating too much junk food. It had been an ideal way to spend two days.
Unfortunately all good things had to come to an end, and Alexa was now having to pack her travel case in preparation for that night's booking. Before long, she would be heading out to catch her flight.
Roughly half of the packing was done when Clementine, Alexa's partner, walked into the bedroom. She was an African American woman with short curly black hair that was currently fixed into couple of little pig tails at the back of her neck. It was a look that Alexa had always found adorable. Clementine was carrying Alexa's phone, which she had left in the living room. It was ringing, with the words 'Moment of Bliss Office' on the display.
"The office is calling," Clementine said, holding out the phone.
Alexa smiled at her lover and took the phone. "Thanks, babe." Quickly, she answered the phone before the call went to voice mail. "Hello?"
"Hi Alexa," Zelina Vega said, not needing to announce herself. "I need you to go and get on a flight. There's a booking for tonight."
Looking at Clementine with a confused expression, Alexa said, "I know there is. I'm packing my case as we speak."
"Sorry, what I meant to say is there's a new booking for tonight. You're now going to Philly."
Now Alexa was irritated. She didn't like plans being changed at the last moment, plus she didn't like the fact that the original client was apparently going to be let down as a result of Zelina's decision. "What do you mean there's a new booking?" she almost snapped. "A client already made a booking for tonight. Why have you changed it?"
"I changed it because of the amount of money I was able to get for the new booking. The client called and requested a booking for tonight. I said A Moment of Bliss don't offer booking at short notice like that. The caller responded that there must be a price that could make a six hour booking happen tonight. I plucked a number out of the air and said two hundred and fifty grand. They said that was fine without even thinking about it, so I was kind of left having to take the booking."
Alexa had to admit that a quarter of a million dollars for six hours work was a lot, even by A Moment of Bliss' standards. "What about the client I was supposed to see tonight?"
"I already took care of it," Zelina assured her boss. "I called and said unfortunately you've been taken ill and can't fulfil the booking tonight. I offered them a refund or a reschedule of their booking and a ten per-cent discount. They went for the rescheduling."
"And he was okay about it?" Alexa pressed. Her company's customer satisfaction was second to none, something that she took a lot of pride in.
"He was fine. So, I've booked you on a flight to Philly, and I'm about to email you over the booking request now."
"Good, because I'll need to know what to pack," Alexa said, eyeing the half-filled case on the bed that she was now going to have to empty and start over.
"I'm on it," Zelina promised. "I hope I did the right thing here?"
"Yeah, you did. Thanks, Z," Alexa said, pushing her irritation aside and addressing her employee in the informal manner they were used to thanks to their excellent working relationship.
"What's up?" Clementine asked as Alexa ended the call.
"Nothing, babe," Alexa said, giving her a peck on the lips. "Just a change of client and destination is all. It's only a six hour booking, so I'll be back home tomorrow just like I said."
That news pleased Clementine. "Okay, great," she said with a smile. "Let me help you pack."
The quarter of a million dollars for the booking wasn't the only expense the client was prepared to pay for six of the best hours of their life, Alexa had learned. A chauffer driven luxury saloon car was waiting for her when she claimed her baggage at Philadelphia airport.
It wasn't a long journey to the five star city centre hotel that was the destination, but it was one that Alexa was making in comfort and style.
With nothing to do until they arrived at the hotel, Alexa took the opportunity to look up her new client and see where all the money was coming from. Typing the name into Google brought up a Wikipedia page, so Alexa tapped on it.
Lucy Margaret Thorne, Alexa read. Thirty seven years old. Chairwoman of Thorne Enterprises and part owner of Leicester City Football Club. That joined some dots for Alexa, as Zelina had mentioned in her email that Ms Thorne was in Philly to finalise the signing of an American soccer player for a team that she owned.
At the top right of the page was a picture of the woman in question. Alexa saw long dark hair and an attractive face with a hint of sternness to it. "I'm looking forward to meeting you," Alexa said under her breath.
Shortly, the car was pulling up at the hotel. The chauffer got out, opened her door for her and fetched her case from the trunk in the manner of a consummate professional.
"Thank you," Alexa said politely.
"You're welcome. Ms Thorne will be waiting for you in the lobby."
Nodding her gratitude, Alexa figured that made sense. Without a room key she would have gotten nowhere in a hotel like this, certainly not up to the penthouse suite.
Pulling her case along behind her, Alexa walked into the hotel's lobby. It only took her a moment to spot Lucy Thorne, who had been sitting in one of several comfortable chairs arranged around a low table over on the far side of the lobby near to the elevators. Getting to her feet, Lucy raised a hand to attract Alexa's attention.
Heading over to her client, Alexa realised that Ms Thorne was tall. She had to be six feet, and she wasn't even wearing heels. She was also quite well built, apparently no stranger to a gym.
"Ms Bliss, hello," Lucy said in a delightful English accent, offering her hand.
"Ms Thorne," Alexa said politely and professionally as she accepted the handshake. "Good to meet you."
"Good to meet you too. My apologies for cutting into your schedule on such short notice. I realise it's not good form."
Alexa smiled, thinking that for a quarter of a million bucks the intrusion could be forgiven. "Think nothing of it."
Lucy gestured for Alexa to walk with her to the elevators. Desire appeared in her eyes, and she lowered her voice. "Shall we? I'm ready for my moment of Bliss."
"Lead the way," Alexa said knowingly.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who left a review last time, and to those who contributed suggestions. There was one from a guest reviewer using the name Jam. If that person could make an account and PM me, I'd like to talk over the idea.
As is now customary, this was the 'meet the client' chapter. I'm sure a lot of you will be familiar with Lucy Thorne. What do you think she has requested for her booking?