Page 24 of VIP (VIP 1)

  “Mr. Vanwell, so nice of you to finally call, Darling.” She proclaimed.

  “Oh…wait – I think you have me confused with someone else. You don’t know me.” I explained.

  “Oh no. You’re not Sebastian Vanwell, Alejandro’s friend? I apologize if I have you mistaken.” I nervously laughed.

  “I do know Alejandro. I don’t think I would call him my friend. I didn’t know he would speak of me to you. I’m caught a little off guard by that.”

  “Darling, there is nothing to worry about. My business tailors by referrals. All clients know this, and they also know not to refer unless they know the person can keep the upmost anonymity. Alejandro just let me know that he gave you a business card.”

  “Right. Listen…I don’t even know why I’m calling. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” I said, as I was about to hang up.

  “Sebastian…may I call you Sebastian?” She asked.

  “Umm…yes.”

  “Great. Sebastian I can sense your nervousness over the phone. You’re not doing anything wrong Darling. Just relax. We’re two consenting adults talking. Now let me begin by telling you how excited I am that you called. I heard you were quite taken by my Ysabelle. She is a beautiful thing isn’t she?”

  “Yes.” I whispered as she chuckled.

  “Ysabelle is my prized possession, Sebastian, she is very special to me. Do you understand that?”

  “I do. Can I speak freely?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m not quite sure what you mean. She belongs to you? I don’t understand.”

  “Oh yes…I have gotten a bit ahead of myself, haven’t I? Please excuse my carelessness. Ysabelle works for me, Sebastian. She’s my girl, she’s an escort.” My mouth dropped open. I didn’t know what to say. I had just called a whorehouse. Ysabelle was a prostitute.

  “Are you there?”

  “I’m sorry to have wasted your time. I had no idea. I’m a happily married man. I just thought…I – I don’t know what I thought.” I stuttered.

  “It’s alright Darling. I keep my business discrete for several reasons. You have nothing to be ashamed of Sebastian, you haven’t done anything wrong. Ysabelle provides several different forms of companionship. This isn’t what you think it is. My girls are not prostitutes, they are prized jewels and not just any man can be with them.”

  “With all due respect I am fully aware of what an escort entails Madam.”

  “Really? Well then Sebastian why don’t you put your money where your mouth is? You’re obviously taken with my Ysabelle, or else you wouldn’t be calling a month and a half later. You could have Ysabelle for an evening and you could do with her as you please. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  “There would be no need for sex?” I hesitated.

  “Sex is not a need it’s a want. Unless you want it then no, you can talk, and just enjoy one another’s company. There is no harm in that now is there?

  “How much?” I couldn’t believe I had just said that. I felt sick to my stomach.

  “My girls aren’t rented by the hour Sebastian. Since I can feel your hesitation I will allow it this time. How about $5,000 for two hours?”

  “$2,500 an hour to talk to someone?” I blurted.

  “I never said my girls were cheap, Sebastian. My girls are ladies and expect to be treated as so.”

  “Whatever. When can I see her?”

  “Well…that’s up to you. How fast can you come in to see me?”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “I know you’re not planning on being intimate with Ysabelle, however there is still a process that needs to take place before you can have her.”

  “Which is?”

  “You would need to come in and have a physical, and be tested for any discrepancies. Also, I would need your social and fingerprints to run a background check. I also need to keep a card on file. I protect what’s mine, Sebastian, I’m sure you can understand that.” She proclaimed.

  “I understand. I can come in tomorrow afternoon, let’s say around noon.”

  “Perfect, it won’t take long for the results. If everything clears you could see her this Friday. Her appointment for that night canceled. His loss is your gain. I can tell her once everything comes back clear and put you on the schedule. Now where would you like her?”

  “I’m not quite sure. I’m married and I don’t think my wife would appreciate what the hell I’m even doing, this will be a one-time thing I just need to see her this once and I will be done. I won’t need more time with her.”

  “Of course,” I could feel her smiling on the other end as if she could predict that it wouldn’t be. “Well because, of the hitches that you may have, may I suggest a hotel room? There’s privacy and the indiscretion that you need.”

  I didn’t want to meet at a hotel, but I didn’t have much of a choice.

  “Have her meet me at The W at 6 p.m., I will confirm the room number as soon as it’s booked.” I replied, not waiting for my uncertainty to creep in.

  “Have a great evening, good bye.” I heard the dial tone and hung up. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. This was it. I just needed to see her. After that I would forget about her forever.

  *Y*

  They say that everything happens for a reason. I’ll never forget the phone call that changed my life. It all started with that damn phone call. I should have known better. I should have passed. I should have done a lot of things other then meet with him.

  I didn’t.

  I answered the phone.

  I accepted the date.

  And I changed the course of my life.

  I met with Sebastian Vanwell.

  *S*

  I was a nervous wreck for the rest of the week; my results had come back clean, as I knew they would. I didn’t know if I should have been thankful that she had an opening so soon. I should have given myself more time, maybe even some time to talk myself out of it.

  I knew in my heart that it didn’t matter, I was destined to meet Ysabelle. We were meant to cross paths. For whatever fucked up reason she came into my life, I couldn’t let her go. As much as I repeated to myself that I would only see her that one time, I knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn’t be the last. I couldn’t admit that to myself, because if I did I wouldn’t be able to look in the mirror.

  So I lied to myself and proceeded my week as if it were just any other. I drove myself to the hotel that Friday evening, parked my car, and rode the elevator four stories high.

  I took off my jacket, loosened my tie some, and served myself a Scotch. After my second drink there was a knock at the door. I knew the moment I opened the door that everything I believed in would change. That didn’t stop me from doing so. I walked to the door and opened it with welcome arms.

  Y

  He opened the door and I was once again greeted with the same gaze that I had not allowed myself to think about.

  “Good evening, Sebastian.” I said, as I stood on the tips of my toes to kiss him on the cheek. He wasn’t as caught off guard with it as last time. I felt his arms go around me and he pulled me in to a tight hug, with his face buried in my neck.

  Now I was the one who was caught off guard. I could feel myself stiffen in his embrace. He hugged me like he knew me, like he hadn’t seen me in years. I had never been embraced like that and I began to feel uncomfortable. I didn’t do emotions; I didn’t know how to handle them. I couldn’t deny that it felt riveting. I felt cherished. His strong arms felt comforting and safe. I found myself closing my eyes and breathing him in.

  Fuck…what am I doing?

  I eased myself away from him and he looked me right in the eyes. His eyes were moist, like he was stopping himself from crying.

  “Are you alright?” I asked.

  “Yes, I’m more than alright. I’m so happy to see you again. Please, come in.” He gestured towards an open living room. I walked in and set my purse on the counter.

  “Would you

like a drink?”

  “Sure.” I replied.

  “What would you like?”

  “What are you having?”

  “Scotch.”

  “Straight?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll have the same.” My answer intrigued him I could see it in his face. He poured our drinks and handed me mine. I took my second sip and he was already pouring himself another glass.

  “Are you nervous?” I taunted.

  He looked up from his drink, “Why would you say that?”

  I smirked, “because, you’re drinking like a lush and you look sort of flushed.” His demeanor changed from the man who opened the door. Something was up; I quickly glanced at his left hand. I didn’t get the opportunity to do it at the bar.

  “Are you married?” He quickly took another sip of his drink.

  “No, now why would you ask that?”

  I smiled, “hmmm…well that one’s easy, there’s a tan line where your wedding ring should be.” Interesting…he was married. Now talk about a game changer and here I was thinking this man was different. Damn me for letting my guard down for even a second. I swear the married ones were always so clueless, I mean I could sense the apprehension from a mile away. The shame in his eyes was undeniable and the way he kept drinking just told me he was trying to calm his nerves.

  I smiled again, I felt bad for him but that didn’t take away the want to fuck with him a little bit. I was a little shit like that.

  “It’s alright, Sebastian,” he looked back up at me and caught me smirking again, “the real question you should be asking yourself, is if you took your wedding ring off for me, or if you took it off for yourself, because I don’t care whether you’re married, single, divorced, or widowed…”

  I walked closer to him, close enough to start playing with his tie, “does it make it a little easier for you with the ring off? Does it make it not so real?”

  I stopped playing with tie and we stared into each other’s eyes. I had stared into the eyes of lots of men throughout the years. Most of the time they were the same; always lust, want, need, or desire. His were different. They were sad. It was like looking at me was causing him pain, and even though it was painful he couldn’t turn away.

  The air between us started to feel thick and I could sense the tension. I didn’t want the night to proceed like that so I decided to lighten the mood with some teasing.

  “You know Sebby-“

  “Don’t call me that.” He asserted with caution. I cocked my left eyebrow in intrigue.

  “Hmmm…ok…what would you like me to call you?”

  “Sebastian.” He demanded

  “Interesting. Okay…I’ll play, you know Sebastian, I actually prefer the married ones.” I lured.

  “Why is that?” He questioned confused.

  “Because, you’re all looking for the same thing, you want a change, want to spice it up, maybe it’s a fantasy that you want to perform that you can’t do with your wife, or you’re just over the routine of being with the same woman.

  Sometimes you want to sow some wild oats that you didn’t get to do, because you were either married young, or you just weren’t that kind of guy. There really isn’t anything to be ashamed of, were human beings and like animals were not born to be monogamous.”

  He smiled and it felt as though he was more relaxed, not sure if it was the conversation or the whisky. I would have guessed both.

  “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “Am I right?...Wait let me guess, you’re a little bit of all of the above.” I said with a shit-eating grin.

  “Wait…Hold on a second…if I remember correctly, you called me something else that night on the yacht and you told me I look like someone. What was it? Oh! I remember now, you called me Olivia.” He immediately flinched, it was fast and I saw it.

  “Huh…Sebastian, you’re keeping secrets. What kind of relationship are we going to have, that is based on lies, love? This Olivia, is she your long lost love? Do I remind you of her? Is that why you’re here? Wait, is that why I’m here…am I supposed to play a part? Madam didn’t tell me.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that, Ysabelle.”

  “Did I hit a nerve?” I questioned as he finished his drink.

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. You know Sebastian this is actually perfect for me. I’m quite the little actress. We can make love, hell I can even spank you and tie you up, or I can play the shy little virgin?” I mocked.

  “Hmmm…I’m betting you want to fuck?” His eyebrows rose like he did not expect me to be this blunt. He set down his glass and walked over to me. His demeanor changed, he wanted to intimidate me. He had no idea who he was fucking with.

  “So let me guess, this is where you tell me that you don’t kiss on the lips?” He alleged.

  I chuckled, “no…I love to kiss on the mouth Sebastian, especially if my come is on your lips.”

  The look on his face was priceless.

  “Am I being too forward, coming on too strong, Sebastian?” He cocked his head to the side and put his hands on my shoulders.

  “It’s okay, Ysabelle.” He cautioned.

  “Excuse me?”

  “This rough exterior you have going on. It’s sexy as hell, you don’t need to put on a performance for me though. I don’t need you be to be anything other than yourself. I just want to talk to you. I didn’t pay for sex and I’m sure Madam explained that to you. I am married. I just wanted to see you. It’s that simple.”

  This man was a walking contradiction. One second I was thinking he is like every other cheating husband and then he throws me a curveball like that.

  “What am I doing here, Sebastian?” His left hand caressed the side of my cheek and I instantly wanted to lean towards it, not because I was supposed to, because I wanted to. What the fuck was he doing to me?

  “I just want to talk to you, Ysa.”

  “Ysa? You have a nickname for me now?”

  “It just came out. I could call you Ysabelle if you’d like?”

  “No. It’s okay, you can call me whatever you’d like.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He whispered, as he genuinely smiled at me. The gesture made me walk away from his embrace. It was too much.

  “So Sebastian…do you usually pay $5,000 to talk to woman?” He chuckled.

  “No, not usually. I’m a nice guy though, my mom tells me so.” I giggled at his corny joke.

  “You know, you’re awfully feisty for being so tiny.”

  “I’ve been called worse. So what are we doing? If were not fucking, I’m assuming foreplay is out too? I’m still sort of confused on the itinerary here.”

  “It is a bit confusing, huh? It’s the same for me. I don’t know what the guidelines are here either. I’ve never done this before. To be completely honest Ysabelle, I can’t say that I’m not taken back by the fact that you’re in this business.” I raised my eyebrows.

  “No…I mean to each their own. It’s just that you’re…I mean…it’s…” He stuttered, “fuck…I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend you.”

  “No worries, you’re not the first man to tell me that and you won’t be the last.” I declared.

  “Let’s start over.” He suggested.

  “Sure.”

  “Great, since neither of us know what to do here. How about we play ten questions? It’s a way to get to know one another.” He proposed with a grin.

  “Ten is a little high don’t you think? How about five?”

  “Alright” He said laughing.

  “Just to make things a little less PG-13, how about if we decide not to answer the question then we have to take a drink. I mean unless you have a curfew. I wouldn’t want to break up a happy home.”

  “We’re good.” He remarked.

  “Fabulous, ladies first. Why am I really here?” I asked.

  “Not going to make it easy on me, huh. I don’t even know if I can answer that, other than that yo

u look like someone who was very important to me.”

  “Where is she?”

  “You got to ask your question, it’s my turn. How long have you been doing this?”

  “Doing what exactly?”

  “Selling yourself.” I laughed so hard my head fell back.

  “Really? Selling myself? Oh come on. I think we both know Sebastian that I don’t do anything I don’t want to. I don’t sell anything. It’s a service for service arrangement. I get out just as much as I give. To answer your question, I have been selling myself since I was…fuck…I don’t know fourteen, fifteen maybe. I’m a generational whore.” I confessed with a smile.

  “You were a child. Where were your parents?”

  “You got to ask your question, it’s my turn.” I repeated.

  “Where is this Olivia? I take it she is not your wife or you wouldn’t be here.” His gaze left mine and he took a sip of his drink.

  “Touché.” I stated.

  “Where were your parents?”

  “Well…let’s see. You want honesty right? I mean I can give you the made up version or the truth.

  “When you’re with me I always want the truth, Ysa.”

  There was something about the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes that made me want to believe him.

  “I never met my father and my mother was...let’s just say I grew up alone. Not everyone comes from a cookie cutter lifestyle, Sebastian. It’s all good, I love what I do, don’t mistake that.”

  I didn’t think either of us knew what we were getting ourselves into when we decided to play this game. Why I had just shared my past with a complete stranger was beyond me.

  Maybe I was at a point in my life where I just needed to tell someone. This man was paying for my company and he wanted honesty. I guess I did it for him; at least that’s what I told myself.

  “Why’d you take your wedding ring off?” He sighed deeply.

  “I took it off to make myself more comfortable. As much as I keep telling myself I’m not doing anything wrong, I still feel like I am. I thought taking it off would make it easier on me.”