To my lovely readers: this story involves mature content, explicit sexual depictions, foul language and sheds light on low self-esteem.
24-year-old virgin Alexandra Summers has to face the biggest challenge of her life, when a powerful billionaire family shuts down the community center she works for. 34-year-old Christopher Levenson will find his life being disrupted by an achingly beautiful young woman looking for justice. Determined to possess her, he awakens her sexuality only to realize she has awoken something even deeper inside him, something he has sworn to never let out.
Looking forward to share chapter 2.
All my love.
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One: Do I know you?
Alfred's head hung low as he finished telling the latest news. Our community center was being shut down because of the lack of funds. The place where I had fallen in love with this amazing group of people that I call colleagues. The same center that held the hope of so many people that only wanted to feel like they belonged somewhere.
"Is there nothing that can be done?" I ask as I feel my eyes welling up. It's not only my job on the line, but all of our hard work. And the people here, the clubs in our center we had been able to open with sweat and tears.
"I'm afraid not. Their lawyers were very much to the point about the closing date. I couldn't even get a word in," Alfred, our manager, was really moved by this situation. "I feel like I have failed every one of you, every neighbor, every helper, everybody. I'm so sorry," he said with his voice trembling.
''What about trying to get investors involved? What if we came up with a plan to reach out to potential funding? We can't just give up!" I was raising my voice now, clearly frustrated.
"Lexie, they didn't give us options here. They asked for the building to be ready for occupation by the end of the month. That's this Friday, as in 4 days," Alfred looked at me with defeat. "Now, I am as heartbroken as you are, but if there's anything I can tell you with full reassurance is you can't fight big corporations like the Levenson's alone. They own this place, and to be frank, they have funded our community center for twenty years now."
I was shocked. Alfred Lloyd, one of the most driven men I've ever met was giving up. I shot him a look of anger and disbelief.
"Hey, don't look at me like that, Lexie. I'm too old to be a fighter for the common good. I'm exhausted. Not only that, but I've dealt with the Levenson family as a manager for ten years, so they could keep throwing us crumbs to run our center," he pauses to breathe in, "I just, I can't and won't fight them this time," he rose from his chair and left my office.
Three years ago when I graduated from college, I never thought I would have to face my first career blow so soon. All of my hopes and dreams were in this community center.
On the people we had convinced they could trust our counselors and change their lives around, on every family we fed on Saturdays and Sundays, on the kids that had free swimming classes, on my wonderful Scrabble Club... I don't think I've ever felt so defeated in my entire 24 years of life.
I look at the clock on the wall, and it's a little past six in the afternoon. I sigh, and walk over to the window to see the outside of my building. "My building... our building," I say to myself as tears start falling down my face.
I start to let the memories come back and think of the wonderful, yet hard times, when I had first joined the staff here. A fit of rage begins brewing inside me. How can this family just shut us down like that. They are already billionaires, what's it to them to at least let us find a way to lease the building by having a third party potentially help. Maybe we could find a way to self-fund. They didn't even give us that.
Levenson Holdings, I immediately approach my laptop and start typing. I find the website and go through their board of director's tab. Daniel Levenson, Founder, Christopher Levenson, CEO, Bradley Levenson, Director of Operations, Matilda Levenson, Marketing and Sales. Soon I began to grow tired of their last name. I wonder if their dogs have a position in the company. It's clear they trust no one for hierarchy positions.
With no photographs on the description, except for Daniel Levenson, the Founder, I decided to just go for Operations. Because we are an extension of operations I assume. So, with a brave face, I dial the number on the bottom of the web page.
"Levenson Holdings, this is Alicia. How may I direct your call?" I hear a cheerful voice on the other side of the phone. Just what I needed this eventful afternoon.
"Hi, Alicia. This is Alexandra Summers, from Little Topher Community Center," I clear my throat, "I was wondering if I can get a hold of Mr. Levenson this afternoon."
"Which Levenson are you trying to reach, miss?" she says in her super polite tone.
"Right, uh Bradley Levenson... sorry about that," I'm clearly an idiot.
"Do you have an appointment with Mr. Levenson or is he expecting your call?" gosh, Alicia just put me through.
"I'm afraid neither. But this is a matter of emergency. You see our community center is part of your active holdings and we have a serious matter to discuss. It's kind of urgent we get a hold of him," I went a little overboard, yes, but she doesn't have to know.
"Well, unfortunately I can't connect you with Mr.Levenson directly, but I can put you through to his assistant, Lucy. Please hold."
Well, that wasn't so hard. Ok, time to charm Lucy's pants off. I wonder if I should have studied this in more depth and not just call without any clear wireframe.
"Bradley's office, this is Lucy," I hear her say, sounding too informal calling her boss Bradley.
"Hi Lucy, this is Alexan-"
"Alexandra Summers from the Little Topher Community Center, I know," she cut me off.
"Exactly, I, well it's a matter of urgency that I get a hold of Mr. Levenson to discuss a surging problem here at the center, is there a chance I can communicate with him?" My heart is pounding so fast, what am I supposed to say to him?
"Unfortunately, no. I can't put you through. He doesn't take unsolicited calls," she almost snapped at me.
"Well, can I get his email address?" I'm getting a little upset now at her blatant apathy.
"You cannot," she remains quiet. "Maybe I can take your information and pass it on to him, if he finds it to be relevant, he'll reach out to you in a given time."
"That's great, thank you," I fake gratitude and give her my information hoping to God she really is typing it down. I hang up, grab my stuff and head home.
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Two days have now passed, and I haven't heard from Mr. Levenson or his assistant. Here at the center we had to break the news to all of our membership and staff about the imminent closing of our doors to the public. Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life. I can't remember having cried so much ever. And today is no different, a ton of heavy hearts and a ton of packing.
"Let me help you with that, Lexie," I hear Tom before I can see him take the heavy box filled with books from my arms.
"Thanks, Tom. I was about to just give up and drop these here for anybody to take," I say wiping off my wet forehead. It's a hot day here in L.A.
"You got it. I can't blame you. It's like the public library back there. Way too many books."
"Was ..." I started to feel saddened, "it was like the public library. I managed to collect all those books and organize them into what we had, did you know?" I look at his apologetic look and smile.
"It was one of the first projects I got from Alfred. He never thought I could make it, but somehow it ended up being better than what he had in mind. All that hard work in getting resources for our kids, our membership... for nothing," I'm crying again.
"Hey, no, Lexie. It wasn't for nothing. Look at what this place meant for kids who didn't have access to the internet, or needed to get their homework done. How many papers were turned in because of this library. We all gave it our best shot. We all worked really hard to keep this place afloat. And ultimately, we made it work while it lasted."
Tom hugged me tight, and whispered encouraging words to cheer me up. I could feel his sadness too. We were all broken.
"Thanks, Tom. You always know what to say," I tell him with an honest smile.
"We better hurry and finish loading the truck with the rest of this stuff. We only have till noon to finish the library," he said. I saw him go through the door, and I just stood there taking in the empty shelves and the chairs placed upside down on each table.
I fished for my phone to check for any missed calls or messages, hoping to hear from Levenson Holdings. Nothing. A missed call from my mom and a couple of messages from Karen, my roommate.
I could hear the stepping and stomping from all of our staff and members helping out to vacate the building. They were moving stuff from everywhere to the moving trucks that Karen's dad owned. He offered his drivers to help us take our furniture to the rental place we were able to fund by pitching in. We could only pay the deposit and one month's rent. After that, if the place wasn't paid for, either we took our things out or we lost them.
That rage that started brewing inside me two days ago felt like exploding. And on a whim, I decided to take my ass down to Levenson Holdings and get a hold of Bradley Levenson myself.
I called an Uber and headed to Palo Alto. I was determined. And I was going to do this myself. If I had told Alfred or Tom, or any of the staff, I would've been discouraged. I couldn't let anybody interfere.
I hop off my cab and cross the street where the entrance is situated. The tall building is intimidating. The outside walls resemble mirrors where you can see your own reflection.
Only then I realized how disheveled I looked. My hair up in a bun, my dress down jeans all dusty and ripped to the knees. I was wearing Chuck Taylor's, for goodness's sake. I guess I didn't think this through, but I wasn't going to stop. Heck no.
I untied my hair and let it fall cascading over my shoulders. Luckily I washed it this morning. I patted off the dust on my T-shirt. "Seriously, Lexie, you had to wear this shirt today?" I tell myself almost irate at my own bad timing. I took one last look, and off I went.
