Chapter 8 Be ornamental, not functional.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Be ornamental, not functional.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
I sold my soul to the devil.
The next couple of days go by quickly.
“This isn’t Pretty Woman. This is a business. You’ll work hard, follow my rules, and I’ll make you into something extraordinary.” Marcy tells me as she shows me pictures of the escorts at Galas, Yachts, and Red carpets.
I expected her to be a bit reluctant with the upfront payment, but she wasn’t.
Days later, I’m in her office.
“Consider it an investment. Not the five grand you asked, but ten grand.” She shrugs.
There’s so much I can do with ten thousand dollars, but the first thing is to get an apartment. We have wasted so much money on the hotel room, so that afternoon, Eve and I went apartment hunting. She suggested I ask Marcy, but I want a bit of autonomy. If Marcy helps me get an apartment, it would be dependent on my work.
“I don’t understand, dependent on your work?” Eve frowns.
“I’m not going to be an escort forever, Eve. I am doing it because of the pay and security. I want to buy us enough time and get enough money. Marcy wants me to sign the contract, a one-year contract.” I remind her with a scoff. I am not tying myself to anyone for a year.
“One-year? That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?” Eve blinks.
“Exactly. I’ll stop by the office and get the contract. I’ll spend the night reading every single line. Then, I’ll tell her a six-month contract will be better.” I explain, and wonder if we should get a cab or keep walking.
“Alright. I just want us to be careful. Are we closer to the apartment?” She glances up, peering through her dark shade.
I run my gaze over her body. Eve is shorter than I, but beautiful. She has big brown eyes and long curly hair. Her cheeks are round and often flushed. She has better style than I do. She is currently wearing faded blue jeans and a black basic top, which is paired with a leather jacket. I am wearing a simple brown dress. I really need to elevate my wardrobe.
I take her hand, “Come on, let’s take a cab.”
We get a cab and get there in five minutes. The realtor is waiting, a middle-aged man. He leads us into the apartment, and I frown.
It is a two-bedroom modern unit with rooftop access. The living room is open-plan and connects directly to the kitchen. It has large glass windows that face the street and nearby buildings. It has enough space for a couch, coffee table, and a tv. The kitchen is functional with a built-in kitchen cabinet. The main bedroom is larger, and I already know it will be Eve’s. I’ll take the smaller one. The bathroom is shared.
“What do you think?” I ask Eve when we get to the rooftop.
“I can already imagine doing so many things, the pictures I can take here. We can make this place our home.” She beams, her face flushed with glee.
“Alright, then. We’ll move in, and we’ll build a home.”
Every step and action I take is uncertain. I am trying my best to have a life. I don’t want to be on the run forever. My parents gave their lives for me, and I want to live. I want to be happy, and I know that I can be. This will be the start of the rest of my wonderful life. Of this, I am certain.
I spent the week finalising the details with Marcy. It took some convincing for her to agree on a six-month contract. The technical unit helped me with my ID. I go dressshopping with Eve and notice the pictures she takes with her phone.
Photography has always been a passion for her. She takes beautiful pictures, but has not been able to pursue this dream because of various things. She thinks I don’t know. She thinks I don’t see her, and knows that she is saving for a camera. I am doing this for her. Eve showed me kindness when no one did. She helped me through my nightmares and held me when I cried. She never asked questions or made me uncomfortable. She took care of me, and I am going to take care of her, too.
Growing up in Mexico, as the daughter of a Capo, my movements were limited, and I was forced into a box. I was never allowed to leave the compound without an army. I was never going to live alone or go to the University. Now, I’m in New York, far from home, living with a girl I met months ago. How life has changed for me.
Moving into our apartment is fun. It takes us some time to figure everything out, but we do.
I spend money on security. She notices but doesn’t call me out on it. I fix two more locks and invest in a door camera. I make sure we are safe and protected. She stays in and works on her Portfolio whenever I go to Marcy. My training is rigorous,s but I don’t crack. I have a goal in mind. I want to make money.
Marcy is impatient to throw me in the market, so a week later, she invites Eve and me.
“This is Ricardo. He will be your personal bodyguard. He is very good at what he does and cost me a pretty fortune.” She gives me a look.
I glance at Ricardo. He’s Italian. He is clean and shaved. He looks like an average American, but I know he’s not. I’ve seen men like him visit my father. Men like him are cruel and powerful. I need men like him on my side.
“Hi, I’m Scarlett.” I smile at him.
He shakes my hand firmly, “I will protect you, ma’am.”
“And me!” Eve chimes in, and I chuckle, “This is Eve. She is my sister.”
Ricardo doesn’t respond. He just nods.
“You’re live, Scarlett, or should I say Velvet. It is such a pretty name.” She winks at me, and I chuckle, “Thank you. When do I start?”
“Tonight. Your client is a businessman who is in town for a Conference. He wants to see you after. It is a two-hour dinner. It is at a French restaurant in Brooklyn. This is your first assignment, Scarlett. Remember your training. Wear one of those dresses and smile. Tell him how handsome he is. Be ornamental, not functional.” She stipulated calmly.
She is not asking. She is telling me. This is my first assignment, and I will not fail.