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City Of Lights

The coldness of the early morning was sinister Alex clutched his coat tightly while getting out the limo once he arrive at the Grand Central Station while the chauffeur instantly gathered his luggage. He was happy to see his company’s signature aircraft as ready for takeoff. The engine was almost as loud and powerful as The Phoenix.

“Good morning, sir, are you ready to fly?” The pilot greeted with a smile.

“In a few minutes, we will be having another passenger onboard today,” he replied.

“Oh, you mean, Miss Castello?” Alex nodded to the pilot.

“She’s already onboard the jet, sir, waiting for you,” he informed his boss. “She is?”

“Yes sir, she arrived half an hour ago, don’t worry we took care of everything. She’s quite a nice passenger, if I do say so,” he chuckled amusingly.

“I see, well, let’s not waste anymore time then, women hate to be kept waiting.”

“Of course, sir,” they both headed to the jet.

Alex climbed inside and saw Gina comfortably seated sipping a cup of coffee. Her face was plain, still beautiful, nonetheless. She had on absolutely no make- up and wore a cream turtle neck sweater with jeans appropriate for the cold weather. If he had seen any other female in such attired he wouldn’t look twice, yet she was stunning in absolutely anything. The high maintenance ladies he normally dated would bear an ice storm just catch his eye with something much skimpier. She seemed so calm and down to earth perhaps he had misjudged her from before. She probably put on a show for the battle of wits during the interview; she was a professional, after all. If she needed to secure a nice paying client she had to be full on impressive which would be the reason for her early arrival that surprised him.

“Pleasant morning to you, Mr. Forester,” She greeted him smiling sweetly.

“Good morning, Ms. Castello.” He was going to have to break this level of formality between them to get closer to her.

“Have to say, wasn’t expecting you to beat me here.”

“That makes two of us.” He smiled to her. “Are all your things onboard?”

“Yes sir.” She playfully made a military saluting gesture with her hand.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, I hope you were given the VIP hospitality treatment?” He said, slightly chuckling at her keen sense of humor.

“Definitely, your crew made me felt right at home, they make very charming company too.” His smile vanished. He remembered how his pilot was describing her as a ‘nice passenger’. Maybe he should inform the crew not to be so overly friendly with his associates. He removed his coat feeling the heater was already turned on inside the jet.

“I’m happy to hear, Miss Castello. I supposed you had better buckle up, we should be lifting off pretty soon,” he said, taking the seat next to her. He adjusted his belt as she did the same. Gina could smell the potent cologne and after shave oozing off him. She thought of how Megan would be hyperventilating if she was here now instead of her. “The Alexander Forester, are you fucking serious? I thought some normal executive was asking for you. You’re actually going to spend nine months with Alexander fucking Forester?” She went frantic blabbering about how he coughs up money and is a complete handsome devil and sexy as hell. Apparently, she’s read every magazine he’s been featured in.

He also dressed casual for the jet ride with a green long sleeved shirt she watched without him noticing while he checked the time on his platinum sliver Rolex. Three buttons were undone on his shirt underneath revealing a glimpse of his smooth chest. Gina told herself to get a grip and finished her coffee. Her attraction to him was fairly understandable, especially for her. Though, given he was her client/boss for the next nine months she was determined to not let her perversions bring harm to her career. Unless, of course, she could secure him like she did all her prominent and clientele partners similar to his status.

Alex’s iphone vibrated in his pocket. “Talk to me, Pat.”

“Just reminding you, the meeting’s been reschedule to eight in the night.”

He snickered through the speaker. “Yeah right,”

Patrick made useless phony excuses for phoning him when he had a hidden alternative.

“Fine, you got me, what’s going on with Castello?”

He gazed across and saw Gina was engaged on her cell phone’s keypad.

“What’s it to you?”

“I wasn’t born yesterday. You’re planning on hooking up with her, aren’t you?”

He mouthed bluntly.

“I would be crazy not to take part in such a promising arrangement. Don’t you agree?”

He gazed to her again.

“Careful with that one, though, Al,” he advised.

“Why?”

“I don’t know, I just kinda got this strange vibe from her. She seemed nice but comes off as, well...dangerous.”

Alex squinted amused and a bit surprised.

“Are you joking, or do you just want her for yourself that bad?”

He whispered while Gina plugged her ears and started bumming her iPod.

Pat laughed then abruptly stopped. “Figures you’d think that, can’t say I blame you, bro. I could be speaking nonsense here, but I’m only being honest. Anyways, I’ll inform you later once we’ve confirmed the Madrid date.” He told Alex. “I’ll also make sure the new logo designs are sent for a bonus review when you return.”

“Got it,” Alex uttered.

“Okay, safe travel, bro.”


**The clouds were fair making it smooth sailing through the morning sky-with just a fraction of harmless turbulence. The sun illuminated the oval windows piercing inside like shards of gold. By the time it had fully set the Charles de Gaulle Airport was slowly coming into view. **

--

A vibrant exhale flew out of Gina, one she couldn't help the moment she entered the fun opulent, mint conditioned foyer of Ritz hotel. The city of lights held precious memories of fun, zest and the infatuation she felt for a young romantic frenchman still echoed throughout a secret part of her that was since locked away.

"The first meeting with the investors will be here in the hotel conference room, and tonight instead of tomorrow. Is that alright by you, Ms. Castello?"

Alex asked throwing her an apologetic look assuming for the sudden change of plans with such short notice.

"Shouldn't be a problem, I'll just get settled and start prepping myself."

She assured like a seasoned professional.

"Perfect, it will be at eight but if it's also okay with you I'd like to discuss some keen details of my company's project beforehand."

"I see, well, I can be ready by six and stop by your room for that discussion."

She suggested.

"Wonderful, that would give me more than enough time to go over the relevant paperwork with you."

After finalising things at the front desk he handed her a keycard and escorted her along with the bellman to the bright, silver plated elevator.

“I assume your suite is next to mine,” She mouthed giving him a slight innocent glance.

“Yes, in fact it is, I thought it would be easy for us to be…”

“More accessible.” She supplied.

Alex noticed she didn’t even look at the number on the key card. Was she putting on a show again? She was used the accommodations at the Ritz, her job demanded it.

“Exactly,” he smiled in agreement stopping at her room door. “So at six?” she nodded accordingly, swiping the card to unlock the door and went inside the suite.

She sure knew how to leave a man out in the cold. It didn’t matter at the moment to him, though. After he closed this deal tonight he would have enough time to seduce her into his bed. The woman would make a delectable victory celebration for him she had a body that simply screamed pure sex.

Gina took a warm shower and unpacked her bags. The dark, cranberry blouse went perfect with the tall black boots. The long sleeves were adequately professional with just the right cut of V neck added. After she was done getting dressed she sat on the stool in front the dresser and blow dried her hair. Gazing at herself in the mirror she thought about how Alexander would desire and definitely pursue to get her out of her stylish clothes and into his bed. It was probably one of the main things on his private agenda. She grinned at her reflection in the mirror there was no possible way she was going to survive nine months without having her sexual needs satisfied. She could make a nice pick up at pub in her free time, or at a Patisserie she could go for some delicious French pastries (they were always good with their mouths). Her last one-night conquest with a hot bartender she saw and pursued. She was in the mood for something wild and easy, the average non-corporate-esteemed boy toys saved her the legal hassle, unlike the rich corporate bigshots she worked with everyday. Although, nine months will be very long for her and the stud in the room across form hers does seem appealing. Not to mention the frustration she always felt when repeatedly rejecting a man such as him. “That’s it!” She shouted in her head and threw down the blow dryer then fetched her iPhone. If she was to follow through with this decision her personal reputation must remain protected and clandestine.

From: Sara Edwards saraedwards@gmail.com

To: me

G.G! OMG, you’re working for Alexander Forester from the mega rich Oil distributer family. OMG<3 He’s an outrageous hunk you should know that you’ve seen him. I bet you want to just hump him that’s how I felt the first time I saw him in person. But beware the word is he’s a S.O.B playboy who will ravish you between the sheets then dump you the next day. No surprise, since he has everything going for him. You need to be careful G.G I mean, nine whole months with him. I’ll miss u btwfrowns Take my advise cuz’ it’s, dolls before balls, steer clear of Alexander, he’ll only break your heart like he’s done many others. Message me when u get the chance XOXO

She gulped amused and switched from her inbox to dial the number of her lawyer. And I thought Meg was melodramatic, but no one could steal Sara’s thunder, at least there’s a touching, moral intention to her warning message.

Gina fetched her iPhone out the Fenty handbag.

“Hello, Donna, are you busy?”

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