_Neon
The clock struck nine fifteen pm. The office was dead quiet at this hour and it was my favorite time to finish up some work. The only sound was the ticking of the clock and Sylvia's shuffling movements from her small office next to mine.I went through the final page of last quarter's financial report with a fine comb. I had at least gone through them five times already. Embedding them into my mind and memory.The company had an accountant for these matters but I always wanted to know what was going on within the company.When I was younger, I struggled at school, and after an assessment, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I couldn't read or write. In class, I had to work ten times harder than the average kid. Even now I still read and write slower than the average man.My condition of not being able to perform certain tasks only meant that I perfected other skills, like people skills. I manage people very well and I can think outside the box, often coming up with ideas that have put Petrov Ltd on the map. Each year it outperforms itself.The little speaker on my desk stopped playing. That meant it was time to call it a night."Good night Sylvia," I said standing in her doorway. She glanced up from her work with a flush on her cheeks. A sign that she hadn't heard me come in."I thought I should catch up on some filling but since you are on your way, let me grab my stuff also." She said innocently.I liked Sylvia, she worked as hard as I did. We had been working together for close to a decade. She was my Pa, and that was the longest relationship I had been with anyone. She was not afraid to put in long hours and she was able to match my pace without falling apart. But best of all, Sylvia was the reader of the small print for me."Come, I'll walk you to your car." She was like a little sister to me. She was there to work and just like me, that's what she did best."How's your workload?" I asked her as we made our way towards the stairs, we always used the stairs instead of the elevator. Everyone thought I liked the stairs because I was keeping fit, but in reality, I had my reasons."I can still manage, for now, but I will let you know when something changes." She gave me a side glance as we walked down the last step to the basement.I had known Sylvia for a long time, with a mind like hers, I always advised her to start something of her own. but I was also afraid of the day she would take my advice and leave the company, she was the oil that burned the engine.There were plenty of assistants who would step into her place, but to find one with the same passion and who understood me would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.Losing her would be a terrible blow to me both professionally and personally, I relied heavily on her."You must remind me to buy you something special for all your hard work this Christmas," we arrived at the parking lot in the basement."Only if it's not another Christmas sweater," she chuckled walking towards her car."I thought you loved the Christmas spirit," and then she laughed out loud as she opened her car and threw in her laptop bag in the boat of the car."I loved it the first time around, not the second and third and fourth...every year," she called out as she got behind the wheel. her car started and she reversed out of her parking spot.I stood there looking at her, not believing a word she was saying. Of course, she loved the sweaters."Please try to get some sleep and come in a bit late tomorrow," she said with a wave."Bye, Sylvia," I called after her as her taillights dimmed in the distance.I took the short distance to my car, unlocked it, and sped off into the London night, still thinking about what I should buy her for Christmas that was not a sweater.***I took a seat in my usual corner inside the Dancing Angels. I always enjoyed the show and a few drinks before heading home.Tonight the club was packed. Unusual for a Wednesday night. I asked the waitress what was the deal with the crowd tonight."We have new girls coming in tonight. It's gonna be a show to remember," she winked and left me to simmer in my excitement.That made my mood ten times better.The music started slow and the usual routine of girls on poles did their act. When they left, the lights moved around the tables.An upbeat song came on and the light flooded the stage. Then I spotted her. She was in the center of the stage with other girls I had never seen before. She wasn't like the typical strippers I was used to. She had curves in all the right places. Her short height only made the curves more defined.The minute she started moving. Slowly at first, I saw the reaction change from the crowd. Bloody bastards. I wanted to pluck out all the men's eyes looking at her. Everyone was mesmerized including me.After her dance, I felt my body heating up. She had a strange effect on me. I watched transfixed as she made rounds around the tables collecting her tips.When the waitress came to fill my drink. My throat was on fire. "The dancer who was on stage, what's her name?""Candy, the new girl." She collected the empty glass and put a freshly filled one."I have a tip for her. Please tell her to come this way." I took a sip from my gin and relaxed back on my chair.Not long after the waitress left with my glass, Candy showed up next to me.Up close she was even more beautiful. I found myself tongue-tied. I picked up the hundred pound note and she pushed her boobs forward, where I inserted the money between the two globes."Would you like a private dance, Sugar?"Her voice sounded like velvet. Smooth.But a private dance was a bad idea. I would unravel like a house on fire."No thanks, but I enjoyed the show, you were really good up there.""Thank you handsome. By the way, my name is Candy. Hope I'll be seeing more of you." Then she sauntered away from my table and I watched her behind jingling away.Then I knew right there and then that my bed will never be cold again.The waitress had been right. Tonight had been a night to remember. I took a deep breath and asked for the bill and left.***_MeghanAfter my first night at Dancing Angels, I counted my tips from the night. If the following nights were anything like tonight, soon I would be able to move out from Alicia's couch and put in a deposit for my place.Then there was the mystery guy from earlier. I didn't see his face properly because of the lack of light in the corner booth but he was a good tipper. He tipped with a hundred pound note and didn't even request a private dance. Alicia was right, coming to Dancing Angels was a good idea.I wiped off the layers of makeup from my face and thought about all the money I was going to make. Thanks to Ben, It was important to me to be able to provide for myself. I didn't want to be anyone's investment ever again."Hey, Meg. heading out already?"Alicia peered at my mirror. Her slim body was already dolled up in shiny glitter.She pulled out a chair and put her long leg on it, to fix her lingerie."Yes. I'm gonna skip drinks tonight. Have an early morning tomorrow."When Alicia raised her eyebrows, I quickly added. "Apartment hunting.""Oh yes. Wake me up when you wake up, I wanna tag along too." She walked to the door and looked back at me, our eyes met in the mirror again. "Not bad for a first night huh?""Not bad at all," I said. She winked at me before disappearing for her performance of the night.When I stepped outside the club, the midnight air hit me like a slap to my face. I had changed into my jeans and a buffer jacket, but the breeze was unforgiving. I contemplated between walking or waiting for a taxi. Then started walking."Candy..?" my heart almost froze, not Ben, not Ben. Please let it not be Ben.When I turned around, I came face to face with the guy from the corner booth."Yes, and you are?" I said looking at him suspiciously. I hope he was not one of those guys who preyed on stripers."I saw you dancing earlier and I was impressed." Great. Another admirer, I thought to myself."Come back tomorrow for another show. Same time." I said politely with a smile and started walking again."No," he said following me. My heart skipped a beat. "I have a proposal for you."The nerve of him. I felt my cheeks burn with anger. "I'm a dancer, not a prostitute," I barked at him.He seemed taken aback by that. Good."I never said anything about you being a prostitute. Now, are you ready to listen, please?""Shoot." I folded my hands across my chest and waited."Have you had anything to eat? we can grab some dinner." The sound of dinner made my stomach rumble loudly. A clear answer for both of us that left me embarrassed about my melodrama."Ok, I know an all-night joint just around the corner. We can walk there," I wasn't taking any chances with the strange handsome man.But neither was he."My car is parked right there." I was not about to go into a car with someone who just saw me dancing half-naked."This is strictly business, nothing more, nothing less," he said looking at me expectantly.I hesitated for a second then gave in. Kidnappers did not wear Hermes ties and tailored suits."Ok."I was glad that the all-night burger joint looked more decent than I expected at this hour. Didn't want him to thinking I ate at shady joints.We ordered cheeseburgers and fries. When the food arrived, relief must have been visible on my face because I was tired of looking up, only to find him watching me."So…what was it you wanted to talk about?" I said between mouthfuls. Having found my confidence back.It did not escape me how handsome the man was.Cliche right?Oh, but he was. From where I was sitting his skin looked like ripe olives. In a good way."I would like to hire your services.""You looking for a dancer?""Not really, no." I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, I really wanted to appear more confident than I felt."Then I'm afraid you will have to explain yourself a bit more, sir," I said easing into the conversation, my earlier hostile behavior turned down a notch.Then he was all businesslike."From time to time, I have to entertain business clients over dinner, on these occasions I would require your services.""You mean to dance while you pitching a business idea?" I chuckled and for the first time, he smiled.A perfect set of teeth."No, as lovely as that sounds but I don't mean it like that, you could be a hostess, chat them up, click champagne glasses with them. Just look pretty.""Oh, I see what you mean. Like your eye candy stroke sexy hostess .""Something like that." it sounded like a script from a movie.I leaned back in my chair and looked at him through my lashes."How much are we talking about on these nights?"He took a pen from his breast pocket and scrambled a figure on a piece of napkin and slid it across the table. I looked at the figure and I knew then. The guy was selling me shit on a stick."Thank you for the meal but I best be on my way." I got up to leave and he grabbed my hand, sending sparks through my body. I didn't need this right now. I stood glued to the spot, my eyes roamed on his full lips and he let go of my hand.I let out a sigh of relief. Ashamed by my wayward thoughts."Maybe I should explain more. The job doesn't only require you when there are the client's over. You will be also working as my assistant""Don't you have one at work?" assuming he had a job."I do. She manages the business side of things and you will manage the homework side of things. She works office hours, I can't expect her to help me entertain clients after work.""It makes sense when you put it like that. But I doubt I have the experience you need.""You are a natural. But training will be provided.""And no sex involved?""No sex involved, I need you fully clothed."I bit my lower lip in thought. It was a good offer. A chance to start my life from scratch without depending on a man."Can I sleep on it?" My resolve was fast fading. "By the way my name is Meghan.""Nice to meet you, Meghan, I'm Neon. Of cause you can sleep on it, but I was hoping you could start tomorrow evening, here's my business card. Call me when you have decided."He paid the bill and we left the burger joint.Outside it had started to drizzle. We ran back to his car, this time no questions asked as he drove me to my place._MeghanI lay awake on the couch. The fatigue I felt earlier when I left the club had magically vanished. After counting my tips for the night I was over the moon, I knew if I worked hard for the coming nights, I could have my place in a month. Then came Neon with his outrageous offer. To be his eye candy or hostess. The job sounded easy enough. If I took the deal, with the money he was offering, I could have my place the following day. It almost sounded too good to be true. What was in it for him? Who in their right mind hired a stripper for one night and paid them a lump sum for smiling and clicking champaign glasses? No one. My phone beeped, it was a message. 'When are you coming to fetch your rags from my place?'Ben. Now I needed to find my place. I couldn't bring my stuff into Alicia's small apartment. I took my phone and dialed Neon's number. He answered on the second ring. "I will take the job," I said into the phone. "Should I send someone to come and fetch you?" his
_Meghan"Where's my money?" I demanded. Before we went any further off the rails, I needed that cheque in my hands. Neon looked at me and shrugged. "About that. Now that your outfits are sorted. I will write out a cheque for tonight and an advance for two weeks. Thereafter you will be paid every fortnightly.""Why am I getting an advance, are you afraid I won't show?""I thought you might want to sort out your living arrangements.""Yes. I do." Me and my big mouth again.He took out his checkbook and started writing. "Who should I write out the cheque to?" He asked while paging through his checkbook. Giving me enough time to notice his long slim hands. "Meghan, Meghan Adams."He started writing and my suspicions about him dwindled a bit. Until I realized this man was messing with me. How hard could it be to write one cheque? He took his sweet time. Going over each letter like he was drawing them. He was messing with me, and he knew it. After what felt like an eternity, he tore t
_Meghan"I can explain."I had forgotten that I promised Alicia to tag along with me today. We were like two ships passing in the night. "Imagine my surprise when I woke up and realized you had gone apartment hunting without me even though you promised to wake me up. Then I get to work ready to give you a piece of my mind, only to be told you called in sick. Funny cause I haven't seen you all today. Then you walk in here dressed to the nines, are you back together with Ben?" she looked about ready to faint. "Not in a million years." I sat down next to her on the couch and turned my back to her. She unzipped my dress at the back."I need to be comfortable for this, where do I even begin? In twenty-four hours I met thee Petrov of Petrov Ltd, and he asked me to move in with him and this." I showed her the cheque."Oh my gosh Meg, this a lot of money for one night. Start from the beginning, I want the unedited version." She ran to the room and came back with nail polish and nail polish re
_Meghan He came closer and scooped me out of the water. "Let go of me, what are you doing with me?" Neon looked down at me in his arms in all my naked glory. He took me to the bedroom and put me down on the bed. The minute he let go of me I grabbed the covers and hid myself behind them. He had a wild look to him. "I've been calling you, you didn't answer.""What are you doing here, aren't you suppose to be at your penthouse?" I was more embarrassed than mad. He just saw me naked without my permission."I'm sorry if I terrified you. Simon told me you were spending the night, I thought I should come over because at night, the servants don't sleep in the main house. I didn't want you to waking up in a strange house in the middle of the night. It can be scary." He was being thoughtful."That still doesn't explain why you took me out of the bath.""I called you a couple of times and you didn't answer, when I knocked, you didn't open so I panicked and let myself in. When I saw you lying
_Neon When I reached my penthouse, it felt colder than normal. But it was the perfect place to be tonight. I went into my room and stripped naked. I took an ice-cold long shower wondering if I chased her away by spying on her most private moment. I scolded myself as the cold water cooled my burning flesh. If I didn't slow down, the only thing I will manage to do is run her off. Lord knew that was the last thing on my mind. I had other things to consider. My raging hard-on refused to go anywhere from the moment I stepped foot into the first floor. When the moaning sound hit my ears, at first I thought she must be in pain, but when I recognized the sound for what it truly was, I couldn't see properly with rage. My only thought was, how dare she bring a lover under my roof? She must have been in a hurry to get off because she left the door ajar, leaving the ideal opportunity for me to slide inside without being noticed. She lay on top of the cover only covered by a silk sheet, her ey
Meghan The following morning I woke up to a colorful breakfast next to my bed complete with a rose. Not bad for someone who has just been fired. "Slept well?" his deep voice alerted me of his presence in the room."Barely slept a wink last night." it had been the best night of my life. "I can't say I know why.""I have a very demanding boss.""Ex-boss. Good thing you don't have a job anymore. Come on, eat your breakfast, you never know what your ex-boss might demand from you.""Where are you going so early?""I have a meeting with my lawyer, I need to tie up a few loose ends." I pouted, I could look at him all day, every day."But before I go, can you help me choose a gift." He handed me his tablet, on it was a picture of two almost identical bracelets. The only difference being one was silver and the other one was gold. I picked the silver. I loved silver. "Who are you buying the bracelet for, barely able to hide my excitement." people said you will know it when you are in love, a
_Meghan Two months had passed since that day Ben came to the mansion. After a week in the hospital, Neon demanded that the doctor discharge me and that he would look after me. He hired a nurse and a doctor that came in twice a week to check on my progress. When we left the hospital, he flew us in his private jet to his private island in Ischia. I tried to make sense of everything that was happening. I spoke less than before, even though I could tell that Martha, my nurse was trying to have small talk in hopes that I would open up about what happened. The only thing on my mind was getting better and leaving this place and never looking back. Neon could find another project to work on. I was done letting man trample all over me.I noticed that Neon did most of his work from home. He only went to the office for work he couldn't delegate. He was probably keeping an eye on his investment. Like Ben had. Tonight he had his supper next to my bed. I hadn't touched my food. "Baby, you have
_Neon Meghan walked back inside the house with a brave face on, but there was a look of pure terror behind her eyes when I told her to terminate the pregnancy. It was full of misery. She was trying so hard to appear unfazed but even the way her shoulders sagged sold her out. I wondered for a second if that meant she was sure that I was the father. In that case, I would rather there was no baby than have a baby get lost in the system once realization sank in. "Oh." she looked shell-shocked and her voice sounded like it was coming from anywhere but her. I must have looked like that the day the doctor told me about her pregnancy. "How far along was she?" I had asked the aging doctor."Eight weeks, if she makes a full recovery, she should be able to carry to term." eight weeks didn't help with anything because that was when we had been intimate and the time the attack had taken place."Are you saying she might not make it?" "She will. But I'm not so sure about the baby. It's too early