Chapter Four: The Penthouse

"Is he going to kiss me?" Candice thought before she immediately withdrew. "What are you doing?" She whispered and took a step back. "Something I have wanted to do since I first saw you!" Richard mumbles and reaches out his hand to grip her chin. "I don't think so," Candice uttered, irritated, while she pushed his hand away.

"This is against the rules," She uttered hesitantly, and Richard sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Can I buy you dinner as an apology?" Richard mused with a smile,

 "I'm sorry, but I can't go out with a customer outside the club; it's also against the rules," Candice replied, and Richard raised his eyebrows. "But what if it is on a friendly term?" Candice smiled and turned away. "It doesn't work like that, I'm afraid." Richard was getting impatient, "So then I have to continue to come back and buy your company?" He asked, and Candice felt her heart skip a beat.

"This, all of this," Candice said, reaching out her arms and spinning around, "This is all temptations, an illusion we create for our customers. We suck them into a fantasy, leaving them wanting more." She said and sighed. "I like you; you seem to be a good man. But I am not going to be worth your money." She shuddered, and Richard frowned. "Do you want this? This life? Is this your choice?" He asked, and he saw Candice's eyes flicker.

"Yes..." She mumbled, but Richard could tell she was hesitant. "I can't speak about this with you. I'm under a contract." Candice replied, and they heard the door open into the flat. 

"The time is up," A woman stated as she entered the balcony. 

"Thank you for lending me this, sir," Candice purred and returned the jacket to Richard. "No problem," Richard replies and smiles back at her, and his heart sinks when he watches her leave.

A Couple Of Days Later.

Richard couldn't stop thinking of Candice... Her eyes, that gorgeous smile... She was driving him insane. He needed to see her again. 

But there was something odd about how she acted when he asked about her role in that club. Richard began to research and discovered everything he could about this secret club and all he could find about Candice. 

But easier said than done. Two hours later, searches led him nowhere, and Richard was determined to even go as far as to hire a private investigator if needed. "Are you ready to buy your dream home?" Parker said and knocked on the door into Richard's office. "Yes, I am; let's go!" Richard replied, and the two men left the building and got into Parker's car out front. 

Candice placed her keys in the bowl in the hallway before kicking off her shoes and going to her bedroom. She was sore after three days of intense training and longed for a hot shower. Richard had crossed her mind on and off, and Candice was starting to feel nervous and wondered if she would see him again. He did seem into her, but could she accept that he might be spending his hardworking money on a fantasy? 

She let the water embrace her momentarily before she began washing herself. But why did she care about that? He was a grown man who could make his own decisions, and she was doing her job. Right? 

Candice finished up in the showered and got dressed in a cozy lounge set before ordering home take-out food from her favorite sushi place.

Richard walked around the penthouse and was thrilled. "This is it, Parker; I'll take it! Call in my offer!" Richard said with a grin, and Parker nodded.

"I knew you would; I really am the best realtor and friend," He stated proudly and picked up his phone. "You sure am!" Richard said and smirked. He followed Parker inside and then took another round around to see every room again. 

He could hear Parker closing in on the deal with the previous owner, and he knew he had made the right choice. 

"Are you ready to go and celebrate?" Parker said with a huge grin, and Richard nodded, "If I am!" 

They left the penthouse, and Parker locked the door behind them and headed for the elevator. A man came out on their floor with a take-out bag, and Richard and Parker entered the elevator, and as the elevator doors shut, a door opened, and Richard saw Candice reach out for the delivery. Could it be true? Was he going to live next door to the woman of his dream? Or was he hallucinating?