“What?”
“How was it?”
I rub my eyes with my two hands as I yawn. “It was pretty good, actually.”
She raises her eyebrows in surprise.
“I start on Wednesday.”
She grins.
My eyes meet hers. “Is that okay? I don’t have to be there until after Owie goes to bed and I will be home before he wakes up.”
“Of course it’s okay. I told you already, that’s why I moved here-so I can study from home and take care of Owie while you finish your degree.”
“I feel like shit that you have to babysit for me.” I sigh.
“I feel like shit that I am living with you rent free.”
I smirk. “Thank you. You don’t know how much I appreciate all that you do for me.”
She smiles. “About last night. I want details, all the details.”
I shake my head. “Jeez, I don’t even know where to start.” I pause for a moment as I try to articulate my thoughts. “It kind of looks like an old picture theatre or something that has been converted because it’s tiered down to a catwalk at the front.”
She sits up. “Okay.”
“The stupid fuckwits pay one-hundred and ten-thousand dollars a year.”
“What the hell? What are you donating? A fucking organ or something?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Probably. She tried to get me to be an Escape girl.”
“Escape girl?” She frowns.
“It sounds weird when I to say it loud, but it didn’t sound so bad last night. There are twenty-four men and twenty-four Escape girls. The girls dress up and put on a fashion show in designer clothes-”
“What?” she interrupts. “That sounds fucking stupid.”
I rest the back of my forearm over my forehead to block out the sunlight. Those drinks had some punch last night. I feel like shit. “I know. It really is.”
“Then what?”
“They dress up in gorgeous clothes and do a catwalk thing and then go into a private area for a cocktail party with the twenty-four men.”
Jenna scratches her head. “Sounds like a bad dating television show.”
I laugh. “Totally.”
“Weird.” She frowns.
I remember something else. “Oh my God. Get this: The girls then pick their date for the night and get to go back to this luxury penthouse with the guy for twelve hours.”
“Shut up.”
I shake my head. “Serious.”
Her eyes widen as she imagines it. “Fuck, that’s hard core. It would be so bitchy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Imagine twenty-four guys and only five are hot. You get paid the same if you bang a hot guy or an ugly guy. All the girls would be going for the same guys.”
I frown. “Hmm, true. I didn’t think of that, but I suppose they would be. They were all really hot, though. It wouldn’t be a hard choice.”
“And what happens if you did the deed with one guy and liked him, and then next time some other chick wanted him.”
Horror fills me as I imagine the scenario. “Oh, yeah, that’s bad. I couldn’t deal. I’m taking a shower.” I drag myself out of bed, walk into the bathroom, and turn the shower on and I glance at my reflection in the mirror. A stupid thrill of excitement runs through me and I smile goofily at my racoon-eyed reflection. For some reason, last night made me feel alive. It was my very own dirty little secret that only Jenna and me know about. I would never do it. I already know that my morals would never surrender, but damn, it is fun being offered a choice. Dreaming of the impossible, I haven’t had any choices to choose from for so long. I undress and hop under the hot water and let it run over my head. Eliza’s words run through my mind.
“Every girl in this club wants this position, but I’m not interested in them.”
“I want you, Vivienne. You have something special. I want you as an Escape girl.”
I soap myself up. Eliza wants me. She thinks I have what it takes to keep her clients happy.
And you know what? If that was what I wanted to do-it’s not, but if it was-I reckon I could do a bloody good job of it, too. It’s been so long since I had a good night with a man. Years, in fact.
I continue washing my body as I imagine getting my every need met for a change. A powerful man who would do anything to have me in his bed. What would it be like?
Maybe it’s me who needs an escape.
“What do you have to get today?” Jenna asks, interrupting my daydream. She walks in and sits on the toilet with the lid down.
“Erm.” I subtly shake my head to snap my wayward thoughts back to reality, frowning as I think. “A few new outfits. I don’t have anything dressy enough. My hospital work stuff is all a bit dated.” I think on it. “Oh, and some sensible shoes.”
She smiles cheekily.
I smirk. “What?’
“Are you going to wear your sensible shoes on Wednesday night to the Escape Club?” she teases.
I shake my head and laugh. “The Escape Club doesn’t do sensible in any way, shape, or form.”
“Hello, I’m here to start today,” I say nervously through the glass window.
The receptionist looks at me over the top of her glasses. “What are you here for, dear?”
I try to calm the nerves in my stomach. “I have an internship that starts today.” I’m nervous as all hell. God, I hope I get a nice doctor.
“What doctor are you with, dear” She smiles kindly.
I shuffle around in my bag and pull out the printed email I have. I quickly scan the document for a name. Oh, there it is. “A Dr. Stanton.”
“Oh, yes, Dr Stanton is on level three in the cardiology west wing. His PA will be there, along with the other interns.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
I stuff the email back into my bag and head to the elevators. My heart is somersaulting in my chest as I ride up to level three and make my way down to the cardiology wing. Eventually, down the track I would love to be a cardiologist, and that’s why I applied with Dr. Stanton.
Hearts fascinate me.
They’re the center of our very existence. Very few cardiologists take on interns, so it’s common for interns to move interstate to take up their positions. I just hope I get a nice crew to work with for the next twelve months. I continue walking up the hall until I get to a staff room where a few younger people are hanging around. This must be it. I tentatively walk in.
“Hello. Is this the cardiology wing? I’m looking for the interns,” I ask.
“Yes.” The tall man smiles warmly. He stands and immediately shakes my hand. “I’m Mathew.”
I smile as we shake hands. “Hello, I’m Ashley.”
“Nice to meet you, Ashley.” Mathew turns to the other four people with him. “I would introduce you, but I’ve already forgotten the names.” He smiles bashfully.
They all stand. Three men and one woman.
“I’m Steven,” one man smiles. He’s older, maybe early forties.
“I’m Zane.” The good looking guy smiles. He is young and European looking. He looks as if he would only be straight out of med school. Maybe twenty-four or twenty-five.
“I’m Maria,” the girl announces as she looks me up and down and makes an internal assessment.
Oh… okay.
I fake a smile and shake her hand. I already know I don’t like this bitch. How rude?
“I’m Richard.” The last man smiles. He’s of a similar age to me. Late twenties and kind looking. I instantly feel comfortable with him.
“Are there just the five of us?” I ask.
“No, apparently there are six of us,” Richard replies. “I’m straight out of med school myself.”
“Same,” I reply.
“Me , too,” chimes in Zane.
“I’m a General Practioner.” Steven smiles. “I have my own practice.”
“Oh, wow.” I smile. “That’s exciting.”
He smiles warmly. “Does anyone want a coffee while we wait?”
I glance at my watch to see it is 6. 45am. We don’t start for another fifteen minutes. “Okay, I will.”
He gets up and moves over to the coffee urn and starts to make our coffee. “How do you have it?”
“Milk, please.”
The others all rise to make their coffees along side of him.
“Another girl walks in and my mouth nearly hits the floor. Has she got the right bloody job? She looks like she belongs in the Escape Lounge with long, dark, straightened hair and a full face of makeup, complete with bright red lipstick. A tight black skirt and a white button up blouse hug her in all the right places. She’s got really good tits, too, and she’s wearing high patent stilettos and sheer black stockings.
“Hi, I’m Amber.” She smiles. Oh, she smells good.
“Hi, Amber.” I smile and feel the blood drain from my face as I shake her hand.
I look down at my sensible mom attire. I’m wearing black pants, flat leather shoes, and a light blue, button up blouse that hangs loose.
Shit… why didn’t I get something swankier?
I feel like her mom.
“You look so nice,” I murmur, embarrassed. “I feel underdressed,” I whisper.
“You look lovely. I just couldn’t let myself meet him looking frumpy.”
I frown. “Meet who?”
“Dr. Stanton.”
“What do you mean?”
“My God, haven’t you seen him?” she whispers.
“No why?”
“Holy shit. He’s ridiculous.”
“Huh?” I whisper.
“Here is your coffee.” Richard smiles as he hands it over.
“Thank you.” I reply as I take it from him. “Richard, this is Amber.”
“Hi, Amber.” I see a twinkle in his eyes and I drop my head to hide my smirk. I bet she has that affect on all the men.
Bloody hell, even I’m fan-girling here.
A robust, short woman comes in. “Hello, are you Dr. Stanton’s group?”
“Yes,” we all reply.
“I’m Marci. I’m his personal assistant and his practice manager.”