Sethy - Part 5 - the Bait

AUTHOR'S NOTE - This story is partly fantasy, partly true. For best effect, read parts 1-4 before this part. The main character, Sethy, is based upon a real woman and much of her character reflects the true woman. If you are curious as to what Sethy and the characters look like, message me.

All characters are above the age of 21. This story is the property of the author and cannot be copied or used in part or in entirety without express written consent of the author.

Sethy - Part Five - The Bait

The taxi dropped us off at our hotel at 3:45. While we were in the taxi I had explained my initial thoughts about how we could get her out of this sticky situation with Linda. Sethy listened with interest and agreed with the plan. She said that Linda often went to the PCR Nantehlik restaurant on Wednesdays and Thursdays to possibly meet foreign businessmen. Well, today was Wednesday and I wanted to get over there before Linda, if she did go. I believed I had enough time to shower, get dressed, and get over there by 5:00pm. I didn't think Linda would arrive there before that time.

I chose to wear a jacket even though it was warm in Kolonia and I didn't need it. I wanted to project an image of a businessman, not a tourist. I didn't want to look too formal because of course it was not a business meeting, so I put on the only long-sleeved white shirt I brought with me and left my tie in the suitcase. Business casual was the look I wanted. Navy jacket and slacks, white shirt, no tie, black shoes. OK I had the uniform. Time to go.

"Wish me luck Sethy. If Linda comes and things go well I may have dinner with her, so order room service if you get hungry." I took her in my arms and kissed her deeply. "I love you."

She smiled up at me. "Good luck my Rod. I love you too and cannot wait until you return to me."

The taxi dropped me off at the PCR Nantehlik restaurant at 5:05. I walked inside and took a look at the place. Good, they had a small bar area with five stools.

A stunning young woman greeted me. "Good evening Sir. Welcome to the Nantehlik. I think this is your first time visiting us?"

"Well, yes. How did you know? Have I done something wrong or unexpected?" I responded.

"Oh no Sir, not at all. But if you had been here before I would have remembered you," she replied with a bright impish smile. "Will you be dining with us this evening?"

"I hope so. I may be meeting someone here but I'm unsure whether she can make it tonight."

"I see," she replied. "Well, Sir, if she does not arrive, I finish at 9:30," she said looking up at me from behind those bright brown eyes.

I was a little shocked at that. Asian women are not usually so forthright and so fast. I looked more closely at her again. At first pass she looked like she was likely in her early 20's, but it's sometimes difficult to estimate the age of Asian women. They usually are older than they look. "May I ask your name, young lady?"

"Celia, Sir."

"Well, Celia, I will certainly keep that in mind," I said smiling to her. "Would it be possible to reserve a table at this time?"

"Yes Sir, it would be my pleasure to serve you," she responded.

"Celia, could I have that table over by the window in the corner?" I asked.

"Consider it yours, Sir," she said with a smile.

"Celia, you are very kind. I believe I will have a drink at your bar and wait for my friend there if that is OK," I replied.

"Of course. I'm here to accommodate you, Sir. If I may be of service to you, it would be my pleasure. I'm afraid that our bartender does not arrive until 6pm. May I get you something to drink?" Her eyes looked up into mine in anticipation of my response.

I surveyed the collection of bottles behind the bar. I spotted an old familiar friend. "Yes, please. Johnnie Walker black on ice. Water on the side. No ice."

"My pleasure, Mister...?" she drew out the mister as an invitation to me to tell her my last name as she walked around the bar to pour me my drink. I thought to myself that this young woman was very skilled in her work. A little surprising to find this little artist in a small place like Pohnpei, but then, life is full of surprises. She probably was older than I thought.

"Bronco. Rod Bronco. Celia, the pleasure is all mine." I sat down on the second stool to the right. If Linda did come in, I did not want her to choose a stool too far from me.

Celia put down a cocktail napkin on the bar and then the tumbler. "Johnnie Walker on ice, Mr. Bronco. And a water on the side." Her hand brushed my hand on the bar as she did so. I could not tell if that was a deliberate action or not. I thought to myself, 'If she did that on purpose, that was skillfully and artfully done.'

"Will there be anything else, Mr. Bronco?" she asked with a smile.

"Run me a tab, Celia. And yes, one more thing," I responded. I pulled a US$ 20 out of my wallet and laid in on the bar. "That's not for the drink, Celia, that's for you. I would appreciate the best service you can offer me this evening."

"Oh, Mr. Bronco, respectfully Sir, service fees are included in our prices. You do not need to tip me, Sir."

"Celia, I am aware of that but it would please me if you would be gracious enough to take it and take care of me and my guest this evening. Is that acceptable?" I said smiling at her. The direct look on my face told her that I expected a positive answer.

"Oh yes, Mr. Bronco. Your wish is my command," she replied. She took the bill and looking straight at me, slipped it beneath the black vest she was wearing.

"One last thing, Celia. Is there an outlet under the bar that you could plug my phone charger into?"

"Yes, Mr. Bronco. I'd be happy to do that for you." I handed her my phone charger and she plugged it in. I always tried to keep my phone charged up. There was no telling when I might need it or how long it might be until I could charge it again. I plugged my phone in and put a small notebook I had brought with me on the bar. It was a habit that I had started long ago; I often toted a notebook with me to capture thoughts and ideas as they came along so I would not forget or lose them.

Celia left with a couple of drinks for other guests. I sent a text to Sethy. "Hi dear. I'm here at the restaurant. No sign of Linda yet but I have met the lovely young hostess named Celia who works here," and I sent her the photo of Celia with two drinks balanced on her tray.

I got a quick response from Sethy. "She's young and cute. Rod Bronco, you'd better be a good boy tonight!"

I chuckled and typed, "You can count on me dear. I don't want to sleep on the couch tonight. Send me something to remember you by!" Within a minute, she sent a photo of her tied up in bondage.

She knew this was a favorite photo of mine. I thought to myself how lucky I was to love and be loved by Sethy. I proceeded to do a little work on my phone and afterwards checked the table in the English Premier League website. I was a fan of the coach of Fulham, Claudio Ranieri, and I was hoping that Fulham would win a game or two and pull themselves out of the bottom of the table.

I heard a barstool move on the wooden floor close by and looked up. It was the second one from the left, and since I was sitting in the second one from the right, there was one stool between us. It was Linda. I recognized her from the photo Sethy showed me this morning. Linda saw me look up and smiled. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to disturb whatever you are doing on your phone."

"Oh, it's quite alright. I was just checking the scores in the English Premier League," I replied.

"English Premier League? Pardon me, but you don't sound English. American, I'd say," she responded and sat down on the stool.

"Bulls-eye." I said. "Your powers of perception and knowledge of accents are impressive. Now permit me to try to match yours and guess where you come from. If I guess correctly, may I buy you a drink?"

"You can buy me a drink if you guess incorrectly also," Linda smiled.

"Well, OK. Here goes... Before I guess your origin, may I ask if you live here in Pohnpei?"

"You may, and I do," Linda replied still smiling.

"OK thanks," I responded. "Well, I will say you are neither American nor British. Not Japanese. Not Thai. Not Singaporean. Now's the hard part - now I must guess where you are from. You could be Malaysian or Indonesian or from Taiwan. But I'm going to play the odds and say that you come from the home of a quarter of the earth's population - China."

"Clever man," she responded. "What did you say? Bulls-eye? What does that mean?"

"Ah, pardon me for not explaining," I replied. "The bulls-eye is the center of a target, like the little circle in the center of a dartboard. That's the bull-eye. It means that you are exactly right".

"Nice," she responded. "I'm always happy to learn something new. OK, let's see if I can hit the bulls-eye again. Are you here on business?"

"Bam! Double bulls-eye!" I answered. "Impressive. What gave me away?" I asked.

"Well, you aren't in shorts and flipflops for one. Two, it looks like you are carrying a notebook. I read that Richard Branson of the Virgin business empire always carries one on him so he can write down ideas. Three, a dark suit and black shoes usually mean business will be conducted," she replied with bright eyes.

"Very impressive. Have I the honor of meeting Mrs. Sherlock Holmes?" I asked.

Linda laughed. "Afraid not. I hope you are not disappointed. I'm Linda."

I smiled and nodded. "I'm Rod. I offered to buy you a drink if I guessed correctly. May I?"

"Yes, you may. I'll have a Kir on the rocks," she responded.

The bartender had not arrived yet, so I turned on the stool. "Celia!" Celia walked over from her hostess stand to stand next to me. "May I order a couple of drinks please? A Kir on the rocks for the lady and I'll have another black label."

"My pleasure Mr. Bronco. Forgive me, but I don't know what a Kir is. Can you tell me how to make it? I'm so sorry." Celia seemed genuinely shamed.

"Celia, no need for apologies. I know you are not the bartender. A Kir on the rocks will be white wine in a wine glass, with ice and a splash or two of cassis, then stirred."

Celia prepared and delivered our drinks. I picked up my scotch, swung around on my stool to face Linda, and said, "Cheers Linda. It's my pleasure to meet you."

Linda smiled, picked up her Kir, clinked her glass with mine, and said, "The pleasure is mine, Rod."

"I read on Trip Advisor that this is the best restaurant for sushi in town. Would you agree with that?" I asked.

"Yes. Most Americans don't like sushi. You like sushi?" she responded.

"I love sushi. How about you?" I asked.

"Me too," she said. "What kind of business do you do, Rod? If you don't mind me asking."

I replied, "I'm a financial consultant. I'm not here on a specific client engagement. Let's say I'm prospecting."

"Prospecting? You mean like the men looking for gold in California long ago?" she asked.

"Well, that's one meaning of prospecting. But I'm not here looking for gold." I lowered my voice a bit and leaned towards her over the barstool that separated us and continued, "Another meaning of prospecting is looking for opportunities. I'm here looking for opportunities."

She lowered her voice a bit as well. "What kinds of opportunities?"

I looked at her and asked, "Do you mind if I move to this stool next to you? I've learned from experience to be discreet about business opportunities and I'd rather not have someone here in the restaurant overhear our conversation."

I moved to the stool next to her and slid my drink, phone and notebook on the bar in front of me. As I did that I noticed that she re-crossed her legs to put her right leg over her left one. She was wearing a black dress which ended about halfway up her thighs, a black necklace and black earrings. She had nice legs and I was willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that she was re-crossing her legs to bring attention to them. My attention.

I was sitting next to her now. I could smell her perfume. I could easily reach over and touch her. I heard the fabric of her dress rustle when she crossed her legs. I was inches from her. I could feel the temperature in my body climbing as I reacted to this close proximity to her. Although I was somewhat surprised at my rapid reaction to her, I should not have been. She was an attractive woman. I could feel her magnetism.

I mentally took a deep breath to compose myself. "I'm looking for investment opportunities. I'm a financial consultant to some wealthy clients. I help them make investment decisions and manage their money. I hope this does not bore you."

Linda looked over at me. "It does not bore me at all. Can you tell me more?"

I continued, "My clients have funds which occasionally need to be moved offshore and then wired back as if a business transaction took place. Basically, here's how it works. I transfer funds into a business account here in Pohnpei and send an invoice for professional services received to that company. That business keeps 5% of what I transfer and then sends back the remaining 95% with a receipt acknowledging payment for those services. No muss, no fuss. It's easy money. I just need a company that is licensed to operate here in FSM. "

I looked over at Linda. She did not say anything but I could see the wheels turning in her head. I continued, "For example, I send the company $9525 and an invoice for $9000 for professional services received. Within 24 hours that company wires me back $9000 into another account I direct them to with the notation the $9000 is payment is for that invoice. The company, or the representative for that company, keeps the $525 for their assistance. Simple."

"So, what's the catch?" she asked.

"No catch," I responded, "but I do have some requirements of whomever I work with. First, this person must work for a company that is licensed to do business in FSM and has a tax number. Two, that person must have the authority on a financial account at a bank here and must have the authority to pay invoices. Three, that person must complete the transaction within 24 hours of receiving the funds. Four, that person should be very discreet. These are confidential transactions and my clients do not want any difficulties."

She asked, "What kinds of companies are you looking for? What kinds of people are you looking to partner with?"

I replied, "Just what I told you. Companies that are licensed to do business here and have a tax number. People who have authority on a company account, who can pay invoices, who can turn the money around within 24 hours, and who are trustworthy. Those are my only requirements."

Linda replied, "Sounds interesting."

I continued, "Would you like to hear more? If so, may I invite you to dine with me? I'm getting hungry."

"I'd love to," Linda replied.

I called over to Celia and asked her if she could show us to my table and send over our drinks. "My pleasure Mr. Bronco." I couldn't help but take a few looks at Celia's cute butt as she walked in front of us. I wondered if she always walked so provocatively or if she was adding a little extra swing just for me?

Linda was right, the sushi at that place was good. We had a nice dinner together and I told her more about how it worked and what I was looking for. She told me that she had authority on an account at her company and that she routinely paid invoices through that account. She asked about the sizes of the transfers. She said that for any invoice over $10,000 she had to get approval from the General Manager or the CFO. I responded that we could keep all transactions to $9995 or less. It was not a problem.

Then, just to demonstrate how easy it was, I asked her if she would like to see it in action. "Sure," she said.

"I'm going to transfer funds into your personal account at your bank. OK?" I got out my phone and after getting her bank and account information, within three minutes I had transferred $500 into her account. "Do you have online access to your account?"

"I do," she replied.

"OK, check your account now," I said looking over at her. Her eyes were fixed on her phone. She was definitely interested.

Linda logged into her account and saw that the $500 had been deposited into her account just a minute ago. "Wow, that's amazing! I had no idea that financial transactions could take place so quickly!"

"Usually, they don't," I replied, "but I have a very good relationship with my bankers who have given me authorization to make immediate transfers up to a certain amount. Now all you have to do is send me back the agreed upon amount within 24 hours. You keep $200 and send me back $300. How's that sound?"

"That sounds great. That's it?" Linda asked.

"Yep, that's about it," I replied. "This is just an example of how easy it is with your personal account. You keep the $200. For the company transactions, I would also need the notation coming back to me that your transfer was payment for my invoice with the invoice number."

"Linda, I'm sorry but I have to go now. I have a call with New York at 7:30 our time and I want to be back in my room for that call." Her head dropped slightly and she looked down at the table. I think she anticipated that our night was going to continue together and she was disappointed that it was not. "Can you meet me tomorrow for a late lunch? About 1:30? We can make further arrangements regarding working together. I'm at the Las Palmas hotel. I'll make a reservation at the Thai Lanna restaurant there. Ask for Mr. Bronco's table. Linda, I enjoyed our dinner together and I feel so fortunate to have met you."

"I know the Las Palmas. I'll be there Rod. I'm also happy we met tonight. I'm just sorry it had to end so early. I wanted to take you out for dessert," she said looking up at me since I had already risen from my seat. She had pretty eyes which were looking up into mine. She seemed to be looking for clues as to what my feelings were and what she might expect tomorrow.

I extended my hand to shake hers, then brought her hand up to my lips and kissed it. "I will take a rain check on dessert, if that's OK with you, Linda," I said. "I'll see you tomorrow at 1:30 at Thai Lanna. Goodnight Linda." I smiled at her and proceeded to find Celia. I paid the check and thanked Celia for her impeccable service.

"Will you be returning to see us Mr. Bronco?" Celia asked.

"I certainly hope so Celia. Goodnight," and I walked outside, hailed a taxi started back to the hotel to my beloved Sethy to tell her how things went.