Chapter 6: Emily

 “We should get going” Robert says as he notices I’m waiting.

I had lost track Mr Yummy once we disembarked. I can’t say how disappointed that made me feel. 

    “Let’s go” I say walking to the car already booked and waiting to take us to the hotel. 

    “Don’t you think it’s best you stay away from that man” Robert says breaking the silence once we got in the car. 

I know Robert’s saying this to protect me, but this attraction I feel for this stranger is foreign to me. Given my experience with men, I’ve yet to come across one who has made me feel anything remotely close to this. Maybe with a bit of luck, I’ll run into him in the streets of New York. On the other hand though, Robert is right, maybe it’s better off I don’t. No point wishing for something that can never be.

I still have the Snickers bar he gave me in my handbag. I couldn’t bring myself to eat it. No man, apart from Robert, has ever done anything so sweet for me. To him, it may have been an insignificant joke. To me, it meant everything.

    “You maybe right Robert” I say to him. 

We rode in silence to the hotel. 

Robert escorts me to my suite when we reach the hotel. I realize I haven’t slept in over twenty hours beacause I have trouble sleeping on planes. 

After retrieving my silk nightgown, I head to the bathroom. I can unpack in the morning. All I want to do now is shower and climb into bed. I’m exhausted.

The second my head hits the pillow my thoughts drift to Mr Yummy. 

I’m jolted from my sleep when I hear a knock at the door. Looking at the clock beside the bed, I see it’s 10.20 am. Guilt floods me. I never sleep this 

late. I’m not allowed too, is more like it. Anne makes sure I’m up and at the gym by six every morning. Seven days a week. That’s how demanding she is.  Even on my days off I have to put up with her bullshit.

I reach for the pink silk dressing gown that matches the silk nightie I’m wearing. Rubbing my eyes, I go to the door, where I’m greeted by Robert’s cheerful face as he holds a takeaway coffee cup up to me.

    “You missed breakfast, so I thought you might like this”  he says. “You have your appointment with Cort at 11:30, remember? You’ll need to get ready if we’re going to make it across town on time”

    “Shit, I forgot it was today” I always visit Cort when I’m in New York. He designs the most exquisite lingerie. His pieces are sought after worldwide. He caters exclusively to the rich and famous. When I called to tell him I’d be coming to New York, he said he’d design some special pieces for me. 

In my line of work, lingerie is important makes all her girls keep a spreadsheet on what we wear and with whom. We’re forbidden to wear the same garments with each client more than once.

    “A car has been organized to pick us up at eleven. I’ll meet you down in the foyer” 

    “Thank you Robert, I’ll be ready in time”

He nods his head approvingly before heading towards his suite. 

    “Oh and thanks for the coffee”

    “You’re welcome” and with that he walks out. 

      

                    *      *     *

    “Emily!” Cort shrieks as soon as he sees me and spreads his arms for an embrace. 

I smile and hugs him. 

    “You look incredible baby” he says as he spins me around. 

    “Thank you Cort, you don’t look bad yourself. 

One thing about Cort, he compliments people for a living. I enjoy being around him. 

    “Let’s get you into those hot lingerie, I hope you haven’t put on or lost any weight” he says walking very briskly. 

    “You know I wouldn’t ever put on weight” I laugh. 

    “No with Anne” he stops and turns to look at me.  “Speaking of Anne, how’s she?” 

I shrug “you know her, Anne being the  Anne we know”

    “She should try traveling often, it’s been years since I saw her” he says as he continues walking. 

With her line of business, Anne never takes a trip unless it has to do with international clients. Unlike her girls. 

After my fitting with Cort, I leave with fifteen new pieces. I know Anne will be pleased with my purchases. 

    “Do send my greetings to her” Cort says.

    “I will” I reply air kissing him. 

Robert and I stop for lunch on our way back to the hotel. Since I missed breakfast, I was starving.

We wander the streets of New York after lunch, doing a little more shopping here and there. I love this city.

 Once Robert’s hands were overloaded with bags, I decided it was time to head back to the hotel. Poor Robert. He never ever complains.

Since I missed my gym session this morning, I need to rectify that. God forbid I went home carrying any extra weight, I’d be punished for sure. Last year I remember Anne confiscating one of her girl’s passport because she’d come back from vacation one kilo heavier than when she’d left. I’d be devastated if Anne took my passport away. 

Travelling was the only thing I had to look forward

to and I alternate my holiday time. The only places I can escape from my wretched life. 

“Just a year and half more” I whisper to myself. I’d probably start up a small restaurant, One that serves only the finest, most exquisite desserts. I have a real sweet tooth, and desserts are what I like to cook.

    “Cook? Never!” had been Anne’s words when I mentioned my interest.

    "You need to eat? Order healthy food or ask your chef to prepare it, I don't want to hear that ever again" she warned me sternly. 

I never mentioned it too.

I sigh as I head to the bar to take a seat while Robert moves to the opposite side. He stays close enough to keep an eye on me, but far enough away to give me space. If it was anyone other than him, I know this constant minding would really piss me off, but I really  enjoy having him around.