Chapter One -- The Ride
After working a bit later than usual on a Friday evening, I decided to take an Uber home instead of walking over to the light rail. Darkness has already settled in for the evening, and given the fact a cold rain is pouring down outside, a warm ride home seems like a simple reward for a long week's work. Moments after thumbing in my request a nearby driver's profile appears on my phone. A bit unusual in the fact that the driver isn't the standard middle age guy driving a Camry, this person appears to be a beautiful redheaded woman driving a late model BMW. As my curiosity peaks, I anxiously follow her progress on-screen while waiting just inside the office door out of the rain.
On cue, a sleek black 4-door sedan slowly approaches obviously looking for an unfamiliar address. With the rain still pouring down, I wait until the last moment to exit the office to help the driver pinpoint the exact location to stop. Without hesitation, I open the back door and quickly slip into a comfortable and quiet world that is far different than the noisy wet street outside. Trying not to get too much water on the leather seats, I quickly set my bag next to me and glance into the rear-view mirror to greet my driver. As our reflective eyes meet, a strange and lustful curiosity instantly enters my heart as her stunning green eyes pierce the back-seat void in a warm, seductive way. A bit set back by this vision, the redhead starts the conversation as I gather my wits.
"So, your headed across town to the Fairwind condos?"
"Yes. I live in the north building. You can drop me off at the main entrance," I answer.
"I'll make sure to get you under the canopy with this rain," indicating the location was obviously familiar to her.
"You know the place?" I ask.
"Yes. Very much. I actually live on the top floor."
"You have to be kidding me. You live in the penthouse? That looks so beautiful. I've always wondered what that's like up there. I bet there's a great view of the skyline."
"Indeed. Would you like to come up and see it? I'm about done with driving around in this rain for the evening."
"Sure. Why not? I have no other plans this evening," I answer after a moment of thought.
As she drives us the next few blocks towards our building, my curiosity peaks about why someone driving a fancy car and living in a penthouse would need to drive for Uber? Tossing caution to the wind, I just ask, "Seems like you don't need the money, so why are you driving for Uber?"
As her eyes again move from the road to the rear-view mirror to see my reaction, she says, "It's a great way to meet some very interesting people."
"Fair enough," I replied as she smiles and returns her eyes to the road.
As we silently drive through the glistening city streets, my mind drifts as I aimlessly stare through the rain spotted window. Suddenly brought back to reality, we roll right past the main entrance of our building and around the side into a private garage door that I had never noticed before. It is another sharp environment change as we pull into the dry and well-lit parking area. Obviously a small private garage area not accessible to fellow building residents, there is room for about 20 cars and a private elevator entrance. So obvious is the elevator, that as the car stops, I unconsciously step out and head towards its doors without instruction. As we both merge paths near the back of her car, she stops and looks directly into my eyes again. I instinctively stop and return her stare.
"What is your name?" she asks with a smile.
"Meghan. And you're Stephanie?"
"Yes, but you can call me Steph. How do you know my name?"
I point to the phone in my hand with the Uber app still visible and smile. Returning the smile with a knowing nod, she continues towards the elevator while she removes a key from her purse to call our ride to the sky. I follow behind. When the metal doors to the elevator open immediately, we both step inside and stand side-by-side. As the doors close their mirrored surfaces reveals the full beauty of the mysterious driver before me.
A bit taller than me, her classic black pants and white shirt are perfectly pressed and just tight enough to hint at the sculpted shapes below. Despite being simply dressed, her overall look is complex. She owns the strong presence she projects. Her long red hair and green eyes compliment the thin smile she wears because she knows I'm checking her out. After all, she is doing the same to me.
Realizing that I was not the only one doing the scrutinizing, I start to become strangely aroused knowing that my professional work cloths offer her a slightly sexy image of a women also in control of her destiny. My damp trench coat is open in the front allowing Steph just enough view of my body to also imagine what lays beneath. I'm not a model, but I like to work out and I know damn well that my sexy body is desirable in the eyes of most.
As I watch her eyes roll down my reflection, I decided this is a perfect time to take off my coat. Gathering it up over my arm, I return my glance to the mirror where I catch Steph still unapologetically staring me down. As our eyes meet again in the reflection, we both smile briefly. I then turn my attention to the digital floor read-out in anticipation of our penthouse arrival.
Chapter Two -- The Tour
As the elevator reaches the top floor it stops and the doors open. I am expecting a panoramic skyline view, but am a bit disappointed to only see a small entry way with another double set of doors. Stephanie leads the way out of the elevator and opens the right-side entry door without a key as she invites me inside with a wave of her hand. Darkness greets us as we step through the threshold. Stephanie hits a switch next to the door, but instead of a light coming on, I hear a soft grinding noise on the far side of the room as some large floor-to-ceiling automatic blinds begin their upward retreat. As the skyline slowly appears, the internal beauty of the spacious, ultra-modern condo is completely overwhelmed by the city lights now shining across the room. Naturally drawn towards the view, we both are drawn towards a large glass door embedded in the windows. Stepping outside, we head towards the balcony's edge to stare around at the organized chaos before us.
"Nice view," I say.
"I enjoy it very much," she replies. "Sometimes I just come out here and find myself scanning the city for anything interesting. Like a voyeur with a bird's eye view I guess. I feel detached from it all up here, yet still strangely involved at the same time."
"I can see that."
The next few minutes find us both silently staring out over the city, soaking it all in. Suddenly, a gust of wind pushes a little cold mist past the cover of the roof above and we both instinctively step back to avoid getting wet.
"Want to see the condo," she asks?
