For the first time in recent memory, Phoenix Kelly felt as if she was under a great deal of pressure. Normally, pressure was a motivator to her and she could use it to her advantage. This was about as far from normal as Phoenix had ever found herself.
To begin with, she was feeling the weight of having three jobs. She had no intention of giving any of them up. The Java Joint was a large part of her social life, she knew everything and, whether it might be a small factor to others, she loved the coffee. She wasn't about to give up her position at Miss Veronique's because of all of the "fringe benefits" and the companionship of her older, worldly lover. It would be a fool's errand to even consider giving up her position at the Bistro. She had only just gotten that and the added income would make her a very successful young woman in a much shorter number of years than in her original game plan.
For a few days, she gave serious consideration to giving up school. She didn't need it, did she? She was self-supporting and making a lot more money now than many of her older friends who were graduates with degrees. Why put herself through all the hard work?
The smart, sensible and gifted side of Phoenix came to the fore just in the nick of time. Yes, she loved the social aspects of her life and the sexual ones; there was no disputing just how much they mattered to her. Still, that was only one facet of Phoenix. She and her family had always valued education and she knew that the smarter she was, the more she would be able to capitalize on all of the opportunities that might come her way. An education and being grounded in the real world would prove invaluable. The education had to be part of her life; there was no getting around that fact.
How to fix the problem before she collapsed under all the weight?
The solution was provided to her by one of her professors, a slightly-older woman with whom she had been -- close. "You could simply choose to continue your education over a longer period of time," Jill said to her over a leisurely coffee. "You'd still get your degree, just not in the usual number of years."
That was the course of action Phoenix decided she would take. That left her with two problems and they were slightly interwoven.
Everywhere she walked on campus, Lisa Matthers seemed to be there as well. Lisa would stare at her and then just as quickly, she would vanish. She never once confronted Phoenix, not that Phoenix wanted a confrontation. Simply put, it would just have ended the suspense. She wondered if perhaps Lisa had found out about her wild night with Clay.
Clay was her last problem. He had reached out to her a few times since their night together and asked for a repeat performance. The rumor mill said that he'd found out about Lisa's constant infidelity and wanted something better. Phoenix had long since learned not to rely on gossip and she didn't want any hassles. There was only one small little problem.
She liked Clay quite a lot.
It didn't make any sense to her, not really. He was a big, dumb, lovable goof. Not the scholar she envisioned herself dating. But he was so kind and considerate and, she had to admit, one hell of a lay. She wasn't going to discount another night with Clay, but she had to get her life into perspective first.
She was working at the Boutique on a Thursday evening when Lilith stopped by. As always, Lilith made a stir simply by entering a room. With her long, wavy red hair and outrageous manner of dress, she was always the type of woman who could take your breath away. That day, she wore a dress reminiscent of Jennifer Lopez's famous dress, very low cut and slinky, a slightly Peacock design to it. Never let it be said that Lilith dressed down.
Veronique and Lilith embraced, not at all shy about sharing a kiss. Yvette smiled at the pair of them and not for the first time, Phoenix wondered about her employer and the other French beauty. They had never discussed Yvette, it remained unspoken between them. Veronique did seem to have her secrets and Phoenix had decided that she would not pry. It would be up to Veronique or Yvette herself to offer up the answers when they decided to share -- if they ever did.
"I actually came to see you," Lilith said, spinning on very high heels and smiling at her newest employee. "I was wondering if you might be able to make yourself available this Sunday evening?"
Phoenix winced for a second, although she didn't let Lilith see it. Sunday was the only day she took wholly for herself. She usually relaxed, de-stressed, ordered pizza and watched TV. She was trying to remove things from her plate, not add to them. It didn't matter and she knew it. An extra shift meant extra money and if Lilith was asking, there had to be a reason. She nodded and said that she could. She could sleep later or skip her Monday class altogether. Jill would understand and likely provide assistance, with some friendly "prodding" on her part.
She made the right choice. Walking into the club at 4 PM Sunday afternoon, she was greeted once again by Martin and then, Lily. She still couldn't figure Lily out; she was always cool and aloof, although not nasty. She was ushered into Lilith's private office where her employer was seated behind a large mahogany desk with her feet up. On the other side of the desk were two other women, both striking brunettes. Phoenix was asked to sit down, although she could tell it was
not
a request.
"She is everything you said she was and more," the older of the two brunettes said as she nodded in Phoenix's direction. "Lil, you certainly do know how to pick them. Oh yes, she will do splendidly."
Being talked about while she was still in the room always weirded Phoenix out and this time was no different. She knew that whatever they meant, it likely entailed something sexual. Before she could ask, which might have been against the rules, Lilith offered up an explanation. "This is my dearest and oldest friend, Gabrielle Porter." Phoenix knew the name instantly, Gabrielle, like Veronique, was a fashion maven. Her shoe boutiques offered expensive footwear. There was some of it that cost what an executive secretary might earn -- in a
month.
"Gabby would like the pleasure of your company for the evening," Lilith went on. Her friend scowled and wagged her finger at Lilith. Obviously, she did not like to be called "Gabby" but Lilith just smiled and ignored her gentle chiding.
"For dinner and for after," Gabrielle explained. "I do so love the companionship of beautiful, young women." Now it was Gabrielle's companion who scowled. Was the other girl jealous?
"Will your friend be joining us?" Phoenix asked. She did
not
want to be in the middle of something and had already decided she might well bow out at the slightest hint of a problem.
"My companion?" Gabrielle looked at the younger brunette and chuckled. "My
companion
is my
daughter
and her name is Lia. Where are my manners, I quite apologize. Say hello to our guest, Lia darling." The girl stood up and she was lovely, an attractive brunette like her mother, nicely dressed. She was clearly the shortest of the women in the room, standing only around 5'5", but with a lovely, fair complexion and dark eyes that drew you in. When Phoenix shook the girl's hand, she felt skin that was as soft as satin. Still, something about Gabrielle's daughter felt a bit -- off.
