Liam O’Grady woke up with a stiff shaft.
And he knew he had been dreaming about a beautiful, olive-skinned virgin, her eyes like molten chocolate, her hair, all those deep chestnut waves, spread out across his bed, as she lay, her full breasts peaking. She had been staring at him, her plump lips parted and he had wanted to decide whether he was going to f*ck her wet pus*y, or her lovely mouth when his phone trilled loudly at his ear.
Swearing loudly, like a trooper, the Mafia Don sat up.
Bleakly, he peered at the caller’s name that popped up and his scowl became even more ferocious. Paige Hardy. He had left her at the party, unable to continue to pretend that she was doing anything for him and had left with Finn, who was as unperturbed as ever. Finn St Just did not think much of Paige, anyways!
*
Now she was probably calling to whine and make him feel guilty for leaving her high and dry.
He threw the phone across the bed and rose, stretching his muscular body. He was going to hit the gym, he thought grumpily; his hard-on was too much to handle.
At least, he thought, as he left the house, at least, he would be having the chaste little virgin in bed tonight!
He smiled wolfishly, winking at a woman who was jogging across the street and she blushed as one of his men held the door open for him to get into his Merc.
Liam O’Grady was a serial womanizer. He needed to have a woman in his bed. And yes, he could not help flirting with any woman he saw.
*
Bianca.
I stood, wringing my hands as I watched Heather being driven away in a large car. The woman who had come to accompany her on Mr O’Grady’s orders was middle-aged and friendly, not an ice queen as Diana Benz had appeared to be. Heather had clung to me, weeping but I had promised to come and visit her as soon as I could.
And that had filled my heart with dread. When would that be? I was diving into murky, untested waters, unsure of the depth, of the darkness swirling around me and I was terrified. Would they hurt me?
*
Earlier.
The twins had also been eager and enthusiastic when they were preparing to go, for the suitcases with all the essentials they would require at the school including clothes and accessories, had arrived early in the morning. Again, on the instructions of Mr O’Grady, we were informed. But as the time came for them to leave, they had thrown themselves on me and sobbed.
“We don’t want to leave you and Mom,” wept Anne and Rose also sniffed,’
“Why are you not coming with us, Bee?”
I hugged them silently and waved goodbye, my arm around Heather.
*
Now as Heahter’s car turned the corner and disappeared, I suddenly felt cold and frightened.
What about me? I thought as I went back into the perfect little house and sank down on a sofa, tucking my feet under myself and curling up.
Deep from within the kitchen, I could hear the maid who had turned up a few hours earlier, as she prepared lunch. But I knew that I did not want to eat anything.
Giving way to my pent-up grief, I wept and fell into a deep sleep.
*
It was late afternoon when I woke up, my neck stiff, my eyes swollen and red from weeping. A woman stood in front of me, a clipboard in her hand, her expression blank. I realised as I sat up, that she must have shaken me awake.
“I’m sorry…” I mumbled, “Guess I fell asleep…”
The woman, who was in her mid-twenties, pursed her lips tightly, in disapproval as she studied my rumpled appearance. I was in mu old shirt and jeans and m y hair was a mess..
“You are Bianca Cruz, right?” she snapped and I stood up, aware that she was talking down to me.
Yes, I was shorter than the statuesque blonde standing before me, but she was looking at me like I was someone the cat had dragged in.
Tilting my chin proudly, I met her gaze levelly.
“Yes, I am. And you are?” I queried in a cool voice. She seemed momentarily taken aback. But then, recovering herself, she cleared her throat and said,
“I’m Shelly Jackson.” And she sniffed again like there was a bad smell wafting around.
“I am to help get clothes for you.”
She sat down on one of the chairs, crossing her legs smoothly as she went on, haughtily,
‘Any type of clothes you prefer? Colors?”
I could see that she was trying to make me feel gauche and insecure and she was succeeding brilliantly. But gritting my teeth, I sat down and smiled.
“I would really like it if you could suggest something for now, please?”
She smiled, not a nice smile and I had an idea that she would prefer to get me stuff that would look horrendous.
*
Shelly Jackson picked up her phone and made a call.
Immediately, as though they had been waiting at the gates, a large van trundled up and five people stepped out, all in neat black trousers and shirts.
The leader, for that was the only word I could think of for her, stepped forward, and gave me a once-over as the group came into eh foyer.
Shelly pointed to the living room and I followed her, the others bringing up the rear.
*
“Mr O’Grady has asked Daisy and her team to help dress up his…ummm…friends in the past, on many occasions,” she said and I nodded quietly.
His friends, I thought. A nice way of saying his kept women, his wh*res.
*
The tall woman and an assistant stepped forward.
The woman smiled and extended her hand.
“I’m Daisy. This is my partner Joe.”
I nodded again.
“Could you stand there in the middle of the room while we take a good look at you?” she said and strangely, her direct, businesslike way of speaking put me at ease at once.
The two of them, tall and willowy Daisy and her companion, Joe, circled me, touching my hair, pointing out my figure, and talking of colours. All the while, the rest of their team were setting up cubicles, with removable screens.
Daisy came to me , lifting up my hair in one hand and asked,
“Which color do you use?”
I looked at her and suddenly understood what she was saying. Smiling, I shook my head.
“No,” I said,” I don’t color my hair.”
She looked at me, surprised.
“Natural? This rich brown?”
My mother, Sophia, had gifted me her lovely tresses, the same shade, the same heavy waves, I thought. But I did not say a word.
Daisy had sounded incredulous and I firmed my lips.
She stepped away, realizing that she had annoyed me.
*
“A little cut will enhance the glow and the beauty of your hair.”
I nodded but put my foot down as I said, clearly,
“Don’t reduce the length, please. I like it long.”
She stopped and looked at me, her eyes crinkling.
“Right ?” she smirked and stepped to another woman, a pretty Asian woman who smiled at me.
” Lin here will take care of your hair; she will only do it with your consent, right?”
I nodded.
She indicated another of her assistants, a large man with kohl lined eyes and a nose ring. He smiled at me and I dimpled shyly.
“Akbar here is going to help you decide which clothes will look best on you. We’ll start with dinner dresses, because Mr. O said we needed to get you those, at least five, right?’ She was consulting her tablet and reading aloud.
” But first, we need to have a waxing and deep cleansing session for you.”
Here she nodded and a petite-looking young blonde hurried up.
I swallowed.
I felt like Cinderella in some crazy new movie as I was led away.
*
Three hours later, I felt like a different person. My body had been washed, cleansed, pummeled and I felt strangely better.
I had hated the waxing, specially down THERE!
But the little blonde named Peggy, who had primed and massaged me, had soothed me when I wailed aloud at the sensation of the wax on my skin, the painful tug on my skin…
I had never had any time for myself, not even for the facials that my friends used to indulge in. But now, after a long session of being indulged, with scented oils and lotions, I was half asleep and so very relaxed…
*
Wearing a robe of the softest material, I was led to the next cubicle where the hairdresser waited for me. My hair was washed, cut and dried although the cutting was simply a little trimming and layering. But the man who did it, under the guidance of Lin, had magic in his hands, I thought reverentially, when I saw the result.
I looked different.
Totally.
*
Daisy looked at Joe. They seemed to be sharing some secret as she indicated that I should choose from a wide array of clothes.
I sat, staring in astonishment as dress after dress was brought for my inspection. My heart sank. They were all so daring, so bold!
“I …I have never worn anything like that…”I said in a small voice.
Daisy who was standing beside me, grunted,
“Mr O was very particular about the types of clothes we should bring for you.”
I swallowed my bitter retort;
And Mr O can never be disappointed. After all, he was spending so much on me…
*
When the little blonde stepped forward, I looked up at Daisy.
“Please…you may choose the dresses,” I said softly.
She looked at me and then, with a nod, she strode over confidently to the racks, pulling one, then another, and many more. She kept talking to Joe, looking over at me now and then, coming to rest the material against my skin to check if it would clash but I lost count of the number of garments she had chosen.
When she saw my face, Daisy grinned the first genuine smile.
“Kid, Mr O knows what he wants.”
I did not react to her addressing me as kid…how could I?
She had been honest!
*
But even as I rose uncertainly, wondering what was to happen next, she came back, the little blonde trotting beside me.
“Can I change?” I asked hesitantly.
“Uh huh…not yet…”
She said and turned to the blonde and said curtly,
“Peggy here will help dress you up”
And she strode off to help in organizing the gathering of the cubicles, supervising her team as they folded up.
I looked at Peggy, frowning. I knew how to wear a dress, surely?
Peggy looked embarrassed.
“Mr O had certain…well, definite instructions,’ she said softly, and I stiffened.
*
This was how, one hour later, I was standing, uncomfortably naked as Peggy dusted my nipples with a pale coppery gold dust, and my body with a fainter bronze powder. Almost instantaneously warming up my complexion as it suited my skin tone.
“It’s part of…” she said, stopping abruptly.
My hands clenched in fists.
“Does Mr O do this often?” I asked my voice brittle.
She glanced at me and went back to her polishing of my body.
“He and Mr. Just…they…choose a new girl…for a few months…sometimes a year.” She spoke in an embarrassed undertone.
And added hurriedly,
“But they are very well-behaved gentlemen; they pay well too.”
My brain had switched off after the first few words.
“A new girl?’ I repeated stupidly.
Peggy laughed softly in mortification.
Then she said, her eyes not meeting mine,
“You seem so different from their usual tastes, so young…untouched.” She looked into my face and said solemnly,
“Don’t give up. Just stay strong. Your body …can be taken… by men… But remember, your mind, your soul, your dreams…no one can take that from you.”
She was quiet after that but I did not wish to talk either…
*
I was dressed in a long slinky gown that was emerald green in colour but so soft and flowy, I felt that I was wearing nothing!
When Peggy stood me before the long mirror the crew had brought along, I stared at myself in astonishment. My mouth was in deep blush, maroon and it had been painted so skillfully, I looked…sensual.
As for my hair, it was like that of a celebrity, hanging to my waist in waves, gold highlights glittering. My eyes had been skillfully made up, and I looked enticing mysterious…anything but like the nineteen-year-old I was…