I walk into my fathers office building after the complete makeover by Anna and it feels as if everybody is staring at me. I don’t look that different do I? I start to think that maybe I may need to change my style. Standing, waiting for the elevator I cannot help but pull at the hem of my dress.
“Stop that” Anna says, smacking my hand away. “And put your shoulders back. Slouching is unattractive. Plus it makes it harder to walk in those heels.”
I make an effort to do as she says, lowering my shoulders and pushing them back. As I do so I can’t help but notice that it makes my chest both look bigger and perkier.
“Anna?” I ask as we step into the elevator. “Have you ever met this Austin Aves?”
“I have indeed.” She replies, giving me a knowing look. “You’ll be glad to know his online pictures do not do him justice.”
I blush before saying “I don’t just want to know about his looks. What is he like? Is he as ruthless as Dad seems to think he is?”
“Your father has a very skewed view of anyone who he deems an enemy, which he most certainly does with Mr Aves” She answers diplomatically.
With that last comment, I decided to let the conversation die its natural death and we rode the elevator up many floors in slightly awkward silence.
Ding! The elevator doors open and it seems like Anna cannot escape the small space quick enough. She rushes out, not even waiting to see if I am following. I follow her, walking through the doors slowly, careful not to fall over in the heels I am not quite used to. When I arrive outside my fathers office doors, Anna glances at her watch, takes a breath and knocks.
“Enter.” My fathers voice rings out.
The first words spoken as we enter are not those of a greeting. “You’re late.”
“Sorry Sir, that would be traffic's fault but luckily it's only five minutes. Now I know you planned for us to be here early so that five minutes is not too bad in the grand scheme of things is it?” Anna cherrily responds. To say I am shocked that she has talked to him this way would be an understatement. What shocks me further however is his response.
“Harrumph. Well, I guess you are right. Please see that Victoria and I are not disturbed Until my lawyer arrives, which should be in ten minutes. After that the only person we wish to see will be Mr Aves himself.”
“Why Victoria, don’t you look lovely today?” my fathers voice drips with condescension.
“Personally I don’t see why I couldn’t come here looking like myself. It’s rather irritating that you assume I have to look a certain way for this meeting.” I say, some of my good mood from the day disappeared under his gaze.
“You and I both know it is easier to get what you want from someone if you dress the prize in pretty packaging. Now what are those terms you are so desperate to include?”
“I will not discuss the terms of the contract with someone who is not directly involved.” I say, quite proud of myself for standing up to him on this.
“That is unacceptable” He begins to yell.
“No it isn’t. What is unacceptable is that you are willing to basically sell me to this man without taking any of my wishes into account. Now I am doing this and I am doing this on my terms. Not yours.”
“I’m doing it for you. Can’t you see that? One day the business will be yours. I have to do what is necessary to keep it in good stead for you.”
“If that were the case, instead of using me to charm men you would be using my skills to innovate and modernize the business. You would actually have some modicum of respect for me as a person let alone your daughter!” My chest is heaving. I have never been this honest and angry with him.
He rubs his hand over his face, clearly exasperated over not getting his way.
“Victoria, I….” He stops, unsure how exactly to continue. He doesn’t have much time to be unsure however as there is a knock on the door and his lawyer enters.
“Ah Charles” my father greets him. “It seems as though Victoria here does not want me joining you both in the negotiations. So I will be trusting you with doing both what is best for the business and for Victoria” He says with a pointed look in my direction. “I’ll be off now so you can prepare her for the meeting.” With a nod to us both, he strides out of the room.
Charles and I sit in silence for a moment before I pipe up “So, how much of all of this is legal?”The man blushes red before replying “I am mainly here as a witness, your father has said not to discuss anything more with you.”I knew it! This can’t be legal! To be perfectly honest though, even if it was completely within the realms of legality I would probably still do it, just to get out from under my fathers thumb. I decide to take a seat behind my fathers desk. It can’t hurt to be seated in the place of power before Mr Aves even enters the room.The door swings open without warning and in walks Austin Aves, his black hair shining under the harsh fluorescent lights. He
Returning to my tiny apartment, I sigh. I head to my closet and grab my duffle bag I know I keep in there. I just need to pack a few things to take with me. Before I can even get started though there is a knock on the door. I head over to the front door and peer through the peephole. To my surprise there are two men standing there in coveralls.“Hi there, um can I help you?” I say opening the door just a crack and keeping the safety chain on.“Yes, are you Miss Victoria Stratos?” The man closest to the door asks.“Yes, that's me. How can I help?”“We have been sent by Mr Aves to help you move your belongings into storage. Is now a good time?&rd
One awkward car ride later and we arrive at a very tall skyscraper. Before I can open my door, the driver has made his way over and opened it for me. The kind man extends his hand to assist me out of the vehicle and I take it. Austin steps out after me and begins to walk into the building, his confidence evident in his swagger. As we head into the building I am astonished by all the stares, surely there are other things more interesting than Austin Aves stepping out of a vehicle with a woman. As a camera clicks, my face blushes.“Why are they all staring?” I ask him quietly.“I am guessing it is because it is not often I am seen with a woman on my arm, so much so that there were rumours that I wasn’t exactly straight.”“Well, are you? Straight I mean.”
Before either of us can say a word, Austin is pushing the button and the elevator doors slide shut. I glance at Erin and see the smile that had once crossed her perfectly made up face is gone, replaced by what I would almost call a sneer.“So… How long have you been working for Austin?” I say in an attempt to start a civil conversation with a woman who clearly dislikes me.“For longer than you will be around. I was here before you and I will be here long after he tires of you.” she snaps back.Okay I was not expecting that much hostility.Before I can respond she continues “Here is your key card. Only you and Mr Aves will have access to the apartment. If you lose this I will not replace it. You will have to admit your m
As I reach the top of the staircase I am once again faced with the decision of left or right. This time I chose to turn right first. Walking into a short hall I can either go straight into what looks to be a small sitting room or right again into a small foyer. I choose right entering the foyer and I turn towards the open door. To say I immediately fall in love with the room that greets me would be an understatement. Books line the majority of the walls and some small shelves scattered throughout the room. The light comes from many large skylights giving the room a more natural feel. Dark oak furniture accented with red furnishings soften the room slightly, but overall it feels like a very masculine space. Feeling as if I am trespassing I back slowly out of the room. Maybe I will explore the shelves later.
After a long soak I’m feeling much better. Climbing out of the pool I dry myself off before slipping on the fluffy robe that was hanging behind the door. This man has good taste when it comes to the comforts in life. I think, slowly stroking the sleeve of the robe. Stepping out back into the wardrobe I run my hand along all the fabrics available. In my attempt to locate some comfy pajamas, I find a series of drawers tucked away in the corner.Opening them one at a time, I peer through them quickly. In the top most drawers I find lingerie. Why am I not surprised? The majority is made of lace or silk and some of it can be described as barely there. Opening the next drawers down I find socks, stockings and the like. Th
A few days have passed and I have yet to see Austin. It seems odd that he has contracted me for a minimum of three months and then I don’t hear from him or see him, not that I am complaining. Connie and I have grown closer and gotten to know each other better during the week and I have found that I really enjoy her company. Erin hasn’t made an appearance again since that first night and to be honest that is something small that I can celebrate. Feeling at a loss as to what to do with myself, I decided to explore the library.Wandering through the currently empty house on my way to the library, I begin to find myself feeling rather lonely. Flicking Kenzie a quick text to see what she is up to, I walk through the door and into the library. Perusing the shelves I see that the majority are classics such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austin. But tucked away in the corner I spy one of my
As I enter the dining room, I see Austin sitting at the table reading over some papers. Taking in the view of him dressed immaculately in a white button down shirt and black slacks I sigh a little. There could be worse things than being this man's mistress I think.As I enter, my heels clacking on the floor, he raises his head and looks me up and down. He gives a slight nod of approval before indicating for me to take a seat. I open my mouth to greet him but before I can speak a word he holds up one finger, indicating for me to wait. Biting my tongue I do as he asks. He continues to read before setting the papers to the side.“Victoria, nice to see you. How have you been settling in? I trust everything is going well?”