More than Dinner

“He isn’t coming. I should accept another client.” Minnie thought to herself as she cursed her heels for being so high. She had been standing at the street corner from the past hour. It had been the same time that she had met Ethan the week before. It was so obvious that he wasn’t coming. What were the chances that he even remembered her? He probably had many girls that he hired.  

As an aging and balding man approached her, she decided to accept his offer and smiled at him.

“Hey sugar. What’s a man gotta do to get some company around here?” He asked, his hand touching her hip.

Steeling herself from the stench of alcohol that dripped from him, she smiled brighter, “I’m good company… for a price.” Her voice was higher than normal and she tried seeming as feminine and attractive as she could.

“I got a full wallet and an empty bed if you say so.” He said and before she could even respond he began leading her to his car by her hand.

“Oh… yeah...” She mumbled, listlessly following him. Another night pleasuring a strange man… she did not know how she did it but she would switch the conscious part of her brain off and simply push through as if it were second nature.

“Ruby?” Ethan’s voice burst through the daze she was in and her head snapped back to see him pull up in his Audi.

“Oh. Sorry sir. This is a prepaid session.” She laughed nervously as she wrangled her hand away from the man and made her way towards Ethan. The man called her colorful names as he approached another woman who stood close-by.

“I’m sorry if I disturbed you-“ He began but was cut off by the girl.

“Please don’t. He smelled like he lived in a whisky factory. So… Two days in a row. You gotta be careful honey, you're gonna get addicted to me.” She smiled, her charm coming back to her now.

Ethan chuckled, his dimple showing up and making him look even more handsome which she didn’t think was possible.

“I just… uhm. Enjoyed last night. So, are you free?” He asked grinned as she nodded.

The car door was opened for her and the girl got in, happy to have lucked out. If it was to be anything like the night before, she would make bank!

“We are doing something a little different today. If you don’t mind.” He said as the car pulled away. Ruby’s heart beat a tad faster. Was he about to ask her to do something for him? Well, why did it matter. She was a prostitute. She knew men only hired her for one thing.

“Whatever you need.” She combed her hair back and turned to him.

“Dinner.” He replied.

“Dinner?” She asked, confused.

“I haven’t eaten.”

“I… I am in a mask, if we go anywhere, people will know I am a sex worker. I… am not taking this mask off.” She said, a note of nervousness in her voice that was immediately picked up by her.

“Don’t worry. I took care of that.” Ethan pulled into what looked like a high-end restaurant, except it seemed to be shut.

“It’s closed.” Minnie pointed out as he got out of his car and opened her door.

“I know. I shut it down… I don’t like eating with a crowd.” He explained as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Of course.” She breathed out. The walk into the restaurant was nerve racking for her but when she walked in, she saw only one table set up with low lights around it and what seemed like two glasses of champagne.

“This almost seems Romantic honey.” She chuckled, “Are you sure you’re not falling there?”

Ethan watched as the girl took off her coat and sat on the chair, her dress was pure lace and uncomfortably short. She tugged at it as she sat. He took a napkin and placed it on her bare thighs, hoping it would help her. She didn’t say a word but the shine in her eyes showed that she appreciated the gesture.

“So why bring me to dinner?” she asked, resting her chin on her fingers.

“You seem to be young. Maybe early twenties and your face is masked meaning you still have a reputation to protect. You’re probably a college student putting herself through college. You’re stick thin and constantly chewing on gum meaning you’re using it to not feel as hungry.”

“you’re assuming a lot.” She frowned, her ego slighted.

“And am I assuming wrong?”

“I don’t need your pity.” She crossed her arms in defiance.

“I don’t pity you. You want something and you’re getting it. Kudos to you. All I am doing is giving you dinner. Consider it part of the payment.” He replied, staring into her dark eyes.

She stared right back, assessing if he truly had good intentions. However, she was hungry and the only meal she had had was this morning's breakfast. The money he had given her was meant for her education and she had not spent it on herself.

“I am hungry.” She replied, almost defeated.

“Me too.” He smiled as a waiter walked over and offered them menus.

“So. What do you want from me? Any particular… service?” Minnie touched his hand.

Ethan looked down at her delicate fingers and shook her head, “I haven’t had a single dinner where  I haven’t spoken about stocks or business decisions and I want a conversation, that’s it.”’

“Great. Personality isn’t my strong suit you know.” She chuckled, withdrawing her hand.

“I beg to differ.” He replied, “So, what do you like to do in your spare time.”

“I… wouldn’t know what spare time was if it hit me in the face.” Joking, she thought back to the last hobby she had, “But I enjoyed horseback riding as a child.”

“Horses? Really? Who would have pegged you as a horse girl.”

“I am not a horse girl!” She exclaimed with faux indignation, “I just liked them a normal amount!”

“Did you ever sleep next to a horse in its stable?” he raised a brow as if daring her to answer.

Her eyes narrowed before she conceded, “yes I have…”

“Total horse-girl!” he laughed.

The girl giggled and looked at him. Even his laugh was rich!

The evening was the best dinner that she had in a long time… the only dinner, actually.

“ will you be going back to work?” He asked as she got into his car.

“I won’t… I will be going home.” She replied.

“How? A car?”

“I’ll walk.”

“What?” Ethan turned to her, “It’s nearly 3 am... why would you walk home! It’s dangerous. I’ll drop you”

“I… I can’t” She frowned, “I’m sorry. I know you’re not a bad person but-“

“But you don’t want anyone knowing who you really are. I know Ruby but…I just can’t have you being unsafe.” His brow furrowed.

“Okay uhm, what if you drop me a block away?” She offered. This wasn’t ideal but it was better than the alternative for him.

Ethan agreed to do so and drove her a block away from her home. Before she got out he handed her an envelope and bid her goodnight.

As soon as his car was out of sight, she took her mask off and removed her wig, hoping no one had seen her. Quickly rushing, she made it to her home and knocked. Knowing Ethan he had a lot of cash in the envelope and she did not want to get mugged!

“Coming, coming!” Ellie opened the door, her hello kitty eye mask sitting on her messy head of hair, “What?” She glared through half shut eyes.

“Ethan came back!” Minnie exclaimed and the girl was immediately awake at that.

“Oh my gosh, come in.” She squealed excitedly. They rushed over to the couch and opened the envelope. A silence overtook them as Ellie counted the money.

“This….is 50k.” Ellie looked up at Minnie who gasped.

“What did you guys do?” she asked but before the girl could reply, she pulled out a note from the envelope.

“Thanks for the night. You are my favorite distraction.”

“Oh my God girl.” Ellie blushed.

“It’s just a “Thank You” note.” Minnie insisted as she took the note, “Keep the money with you for a bit, will you? I don’t really have a secure place to keep it.”

“Sure.” Ellie smirked as she noticed Minnie fold up the note and keep it in her diary. She may act like she did not like the note but Ellie knew.