When I left Chantelle standing on the pavement in front of the Domina Flagrante, I was wondering if I was out of my depth. I mean, "politicians", "parties", "intrigue", "scandals"! I shook my head. At least Chantelle seemed to know what she was doing. Adrian knew too; he just did as he was told. I chuckled to myself. Even Annie, despite her innocence, seemed to know what she was doing. Not me, however. I still felt like an outsider looking in, watching. I wondered if I was getting ahead of myself. I'd only known these people less than a week. Except Annie, of course.
I trudged my way along the dimly lit street towards Josephine's apartment, and my mind continued to wander.
Goodness, what a rare gem is Annie. Just delightful. I liked the way she blushed so strongly and so readily. I felt myself hardening thinking about her and I smiled to myself. She seemed pleased that I would be calling on her. I figured she and Claudio were just friends.
"Hmmmm," I said aloud.
Where did Claudio fit into all this?
He seemed the one most likely to have left the envelope in my jacket pocket. Or perhaps his father did at his request. Maybe I should check what is in that envelope... Maybe it will be proof positive that Sylvia Harper was forced. Or "fucked and fucked" as Annie had so succinctly put it.
Or maybe it would be something else entirely. I thought for a moment. But it fit so well. There weren't too many other things I could imagine it would be, other than a picture of Sylvia Harper.
But then, why did Claudio have it? Maybe knowing what was in that envelope would be a good thing. Or maybe my imagination was playing tricks on me. Maybe it was free movie tickets...
I sighed.
Well, Annie would have to wait. It was clear to me I felt something for her. That's for sure. I mean, who wouldn't. She had lovely high cheekbones and almond eyes, full red lips and a peaches and cream complexion. The fact that she wasn't one for much make-up appealed to me. But I also wanted to know what I was doing when I had her. If I had her.
No.
'When I had her'.
I smiled to myself again until I remembered what she'd said about Sylvia.
Something didn't make sense. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I thought back... "Sylvia is convinced Gardner is behind it. But she has no proof. As well as another shadowy person. She has been manipulated by him ever since, driving her crazy with his taunts and innuendo, but nothing concrete. Threats and things too. She even slept with Gardner to try to get him off her back but she said it only made things worse."
Who was the 'shadowy person'? She hadn't said 'shadowy man'. Was it a woman? Now that I thought about what she had said, was it Gardner doing the manipulating and threatening, or the shadowy person, who would then be a man?
"Arghhh... dammit," I thought, "I'll have to ask her..." Then I remembered I hadn't asked her what the partners might expect at the party.
"God, okay, I'll call her tomorrow."
Then I thought about this afternoon. I would never have guessed Chantelle would be one to involve herself with politicians, let alone write a cheque out to one. I had to ask her about that. It seemed so out of character. Something wasn't quite right about all that either.
One thing in particular stuck in my mind.
"Sometimes circumstances are at fault Roger. That's all you can blame. Just circumstances."
What did that mean?
I didn't know, but I wondered if it was important.
Questions, questions...
I turned up the collar and pulled the lapels of my suit together with my right hand. It was getting cold and I was leaning into a light breeze.
"It's been a strange day," I thought finally.
I limbered my neck as I walked into the light at the corner of Maple and 14th.
One more block. One more step in the right direction.
I smiled to myself.
Josephine will be anxious by now.
I checked my watch and walked briskly. I'd be right on time.
I was pleased.
*****************************************************
"Sir!" Josephine squealed.
She jumped into my arms and held me tight.
"I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to this."
"Hello to you too, Josephine," I said quietly in her ear, hugging her warmly.
I'd made my way up the elevator to her apartment and we were standing in her open doorway.
"Please, kiss me Sir."
"Let me look at you first."
She grinned and took a step back.
"With pleasure, Sir."
I smiled again when she pirouetted in her doorway. I could only shake my head and thank the Lord for touching her. Josephine was the kind of girl you would catch yourself staring at. She was dressed in a very tight, very short, little black party dress with spaghetti straps. Her honey-coloured skin shone like silk and her dark brown eyes were alive. She was barefoot again, standing on tiptoes like the last time I was here. I felt myself stir just looking at her.
"Mmmmmmm."
"Thank you Sir," she blushed.
"How about inviting me in."
"Yes, sorry, please come in, Sir."
She stepped aside and invited me in with a sweep of her hand. I took one step and stopped. I turned to face her and put down my wooden case. I took her hands in mine and she looked up into my eyes. I smiled at her and whispered.
"You look magical tonight."
Her eyes sparkled.
I kissed her softly, barely brushing my lips against hers, before leaning back a little.
"How about a drink?" I asked.
"I have champagne."
She batted her eyelashes at me.
I smiled.
"Champagne would be perfect."
With my case in hand, I entered her apartment and stood waiting for her. She locked the door and walked past me, ushering me to the middle of her comfortable dark green fabric couch. I took a seat and carefully placed my case in the centre of the coffee table in front of me. Josephine took a large black cushion from one end of the couch and placed it on the floor by my right foot. She knelt on it before handing me the bottle of champagne.
"Oh! Glasses!" she yelped.
After opening the bottle with a resounding 'pop', I poured the two glasses Josephine had fetched and replaced the bottle on the table. I waited until the bubbles receded and I passed one to her. We sipped as a momentary silence settled over us. Before it had time to become uncomfortable, I turned to her and I spoke.
"I want to be good at this Josephine. Really good. I'll need you to tell me what I'm doing right and wrong, what is not enough and what is too much. I'll need information from you, anything you think I should know, and anything you would like to tell me."
She sipped at her champagne, waiting to see if I was done. I noticed and smiled.
"What?" she smiled back.
"I can't believe I have so much to learn... and a gorgeous 25 year old is going to teach me."
She giggled and almost spilled her champagne. "Your honesty is so refreshing, Sir."
I winked and she continued.
"Well, let's see... first off, I want to tell you how honoured I feel. I feel like I have an enormous responsibility Sir."
"To make sure I start off on the right foot?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes Sir."
"Where should we start?"
"We should start by talking about safety and safe words."
"Safe words?"
"Yes, like 'green' for 'good' or 'more'."
"Okay."
" 'Amber' for 'approaching my limit'."
"Makes sense."
"...and 'red' for 'stop'."
"You said 'like'?"
"Yes, well it could be apples, grapes and oranges couldn't it, Sir," she giggled.
I chuckled with her. "Yes, of course. You could also just say, 'more, more!' or 'stop, stop!' "
She blushed.
"Yes Sir, I always smile at safe words. I mean, who thinks of the word 'red' when you just want something to stop?"
"Yes... unless it's a game."