Authors note:
This is part 2 of 16, for those that haven't read part 1 i would suggest starting there.
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It was about a week later before Jessica heard anything and she couldn't believe her luck when, the request for an interview came through for the PA role advertised in the mysterious ladies paper. Jessica applied the night she met the woman in the coffee shop, she was determined to change her life for the better by whatever means.
The bad thing about Plainsville is that things like the coffee shop incident were soon known all over the town. Despite barely going out for the week she still had a few uncomfortable experiences when out and about, people seemed to be looking at her wherever she went. The most embarrassing incident was in the town's only supermarket where the local gossip, Mrs. Jackson, accused her of being a whore in front of the queue waiting at the tills.
It seemed everyone was listening to Danny and was assuming the worst of her. Needless to say she had avoided the coffee shop from that day onwards, in fact she never planned on returning.
She had decided that even if she didn't get the PA role, a fresh start in Capital city was in order. Packing up her things she headed for the local bus station with nothing but a large duffel bag full of her clothes, some toiletries and her trusty collection of sex toys, tattered erotic books and magazines.
Getting on the first bus of the day to the Capital she smiled as it pulled away and she hoped that she would never have to set foot in this town again.
The bus ride took a few hours, and to make matters worse the air con was faulty so by the time the city sky rise came into view most of the passengers had given into the heat and fallen asleep. Jessica however was wide awake and looking in awe as the scenery change from the dusty desert like terrain of inland into the sprawling metropolis of Capitol city. Finally the bus pulled into the station and the passengers disembarked, sweaty and tired from the uncomfortable journey.
Jessica stepped of the bus and went in search of her luggage. She grabbed her duffel bag and flung it over her shoulder, walking off into the crowded city streets in in the general direction of the hotel. She was being put up by the firm for a couple of nights as part of the interview and decided to treat herself to a few nights extra out of her savings. Once she knew what was happening work wise she would find more permanent accommodation.
It took a couple of hours for her to reach the hotel, she was too easily distracted by the sights of the city to head straight there. It was only early afternoon anyway, so she grabbed lunch and headed to the Central Park to eat. She was astounded by the shear number of people going about their business, and spent the best part of two hours just sat in the sun people watching.
Finally getting tired she headed for the hotel which was the other end of the park. It was only after 20 mins of walking she realised just how big this place must be and made a mental note to go for a run the next day. Finally the other side came into her sight making her stop and hesitate, it was a grand building looking out over the of the far end of the huge park, and looked rather posh.
She looked down at herself realising what a state she must look after the journey and the urban hike in the hot weather. The bus journey followed by the walk had made her sweat profusely and she grabbed her hair brush out of the bag and frantically began trying to tidy herself up.
After a few minutes she gave in, and walked up to the door where a uniformed man opened the door.
"Afternoon Ma'am" the young man said smiling.
"Oh, thank you" she said startled. Walking in she felt even worse given her appearance and made a quick dash for the check in desk. Despite the receptionists attempts at being friendly she rushed through the check in process in an effort to get to her room as soon as possible.
As she grabbed her key card she just about heard the man behind the desk ask her if she would like to book a table for dinner that evening. Brushing him off she headed for the lifts and the safety of her own room.
After a long, hot bubble bath and a short sleep she felt a million times better, and was soon getting ready for the evening. She looked at her figure in the mirror and smiled as she slipped on her black lace panties and matching bra. She wrestled herself into a pair of skinny jeans and low cut top and was soon heading in the direction of the bar. It was busy and she already knew what the answer would be when she enquired about a table, only to be asked if she had a reservation.
"I'm sorry ma'am, were are fully booked tonight. If you'd like to take a seat at the bar something may come up in a while but I can't guarantee anything." The waiter said pointing at the stools.
There was a middle aged man talking loudly at the far end so sighing deeply Jessica nodded and propped herself up at the bar as far from the man as possible. After ordering a large glass of white wine she turned and decided to continue her new favourite past time of people watching. She looked around the restaurant at the tables noting the variety of occupants, including a few people that Jessica found rather pleasing on the eye.
As she scanned the tables her eyes fell upon a young woman in the corner, she was probably only a couple of years older than Jessica and was a strikingly beautiful woman, with a head of vivid red hair that seemed to shimmer under the lights. She too was sitting on her own scanning the menu but at that moment she looked up straight at Jessica and smiled.
Jessica quickly turned away hoping she hadn't seen her staring, and by the time she looked back the woman was once again thankfully absorbed in the menu.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing alone in a bar like this" someone blurted out from beside her making her turn back to the bar. The man from the far end of the bar had moved up next to her, he must have been somewhere in his mid forties. He sat down on the stool next to Jessica with his empty glass and called the bar tender over.
"Yo, barkeep. Hit me again with a scotch on the rocks, double! Plus get my lovely lady here a glass over what ever she wants." the man said smiling sleazily at her. The stench of scotch was almost overpowering to Jessica.
"Thanks, but I'm not your lovely lady and I'm not interested in your drinks, or anything else for that matter." Jessica shot back. This man reminded her far too much of Danny, she wanted rid of him fast.
"What, a man can't even buy a pretty girl a drink at a bar any more? I mean, you gotta give me a chance." the man said leaning over to her. He was struggling to even get his words out.