Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
I nod.
“Yeah, the labor market’s been tight. But at the risk of sounding cliched, what’s your passion?”
Danielle sighs, and bows her head in a defeated manner.
“That’s the problem. I’m not passionate about anything, and my only real desire is to do something that will make me enough money to live comfortably. Technically, I guess, that could be any number of jobs, so I’m having a pretty hard time narrowing it down. Pathetic, right?”
“No, it’s not pathetic,” I say. “At your age, it always feels as if you have to rush to find a career that you’ll spend your whole life doing, but trust me, it’s alright to not know exactly what you want to do or be right at this moment.”
The pretty brunette pauses.
“Yes, but when am I going to figure it out?” she grumbles. “I mean, I can’t imagine myself being a doctor or a teacher or a dentist or anything. I just have no clue what I’m going to become, and I feel like I’ll never figure it out!”
I speak in a soothing tone.
“You say it as if those are the only career paths that one can take. But believe me, there are plenty of possibilities, ones that you probably haven’t even thought of before. Take Lacy and Star, for instance. They’re actually working girls from an escort agency out in Manhattan called City Girls.”
Danielle stops eating and blinks at me, her brown eyes stunned.
“They’re escorts?” she parrots, and I nod.
“Yes. Their real names are Althea and Angela, but they go by Star and Lacy while they’re working. But anyways, they love their jobs. And why not? They’re both extroverts who happen to love entertaining men, so it works for them. Plus, they get to travel and are treated like royalty in exchange for providing the girlfriend experience, which they enjoy doing anyways. Star and Lacy make a lot of money from escorting, so it’s a win-win-win situation for them.”
“Have you been paying them?” Danielle asks in a slow tone.
I think for a moment, but then decide not to lie. What would be the point?
“Yes,” I acknowledge in a low voice. “I’m paying top dollar for Star and Lacy’s time.”
Danielle takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes.
“Are you suggesting that I become an escort too?”
I laugh as I shake my head.
“No! I mean, if it sounds like something that you’d be interested in, then by all means, go ahead, but I’m not trying to convince you to do anything in particular. I’m simply explaining that there are other options that you probably haven’t contemplated, so don’t worry too much. Trust me, you’ll find the career that you’re meant to have when the time comes.”
“Thank you,” Danielle smiles before biting her lip and sending me a questioning look.
“What is it?” I ask.
“It’s just…Why–How did you get into…escorts?” she questions curiously. “I mean, you’re such a handsome man, so I wouldn’t think you’d have trouble finding female companionship.”
“Ah, the million-dollar question,” I drawl. “Escorting works for me because it’s the perfect solution to my desire for female companionship, but without any commitment.”
“You don’t want to be in a relationship?” Danielle asks quietly.
I nod. “I like to stay free of long-term attachments. I travel a lot, and my business keeps me on my toes. As a result, I just don’t have the time for a relationship. With working girls, that’s not a problem. There’s no expectation of commitment, and so everything works out. No harm, no foul.”
“Right. Right, of course,” Danielle nods as she plays with the food left on her plate.
“Is something wrong?” I ask after a few moments of silence.
The young woman shakes her head quickly. “No, no, I’m just surprised, that’s all. Or maybe I shouldn’t be. But this is all new to me.”
I grin.
“That’s not surprising. I’d be shocked if you already knew the ins and outs of being a call girl.”
“No, no!” Danielle laughs. “It’s just … do they have bosses? I mean, I have the most awful boss here at Hotel Nova.”
I nod.
“I’m sure Star and Lacy have a manager at City Girls. But why do you hate your boss?”
Danielle shrugs.
“I don’t hate my boss. Okay, maybe I do. Yeah, I hate Seymour.”
I squint for a moment.
“Seymour. I recognize that name. I believe he’s the manager I spoke with earlier this week. He seemed a little…”
“Slimy?” Danielle asks, and I can’t help but nod. “Yeah, that’s him. You know, I’m supposed to be going on a date with Seymour tomorrow night,” she rolls her eyes. “Ugh. It’s going to be awful!”
The thought of Danielle being out on a date with another man has my blood boiling faster than I’d like to admit. The jealousy is immediate, and I tell myself to calm down. Why does it matter if she’s seeing another man? It’s not like I have any claim on her. Yet, I can’t help the possession pumping through my veins, even as I try to ignore it. There’s no reason for me to be jealous. She isn’t mine.