Chronicles of Cecile
Episode One
by
Lauren Linton
Copyright Lauren Linton 2010
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The Chronicles of Cecile
Episode One
by Lauren Linton
I could hear the drip, drip, drip of the drainpipe next to my window as the morning rain sent its comforting echoes into my room. I'd become so used to hearing that bloody drainpipe and all the sounds it was capable of making, that I could usually tell what sort of day it was going to be by its pace and rhythm. A rumbling gurgling sound meant it was probably just a shower that would pass and pretty soon the sun would be out again. A cascading torrent usually meant it was going to be hot and steamy all day, in between even more deluges. A steady gentle drip meant it was probably best to turn over and sleep a little longer as the day outside wasn't going to improve very much. My moods seemed to sync themselves to it... Who needs an astrologer when you've got your own private mood forecaster?
And today? Well, today didn't seem much different to me. Some claustrophobic morning rain, then the sun would push its face through into a steamy warm afternoon. Ah well, I hear the country needs it. Can't say I feel the same.
I rolled over and dragged my nightdress back from its tortured state into some sort of comfort zone around my legs, instead of up around my tits.... Owwwe... my breasts were still sore from that stupid bra last night... Why did I even wear a nightdress to bed? I must have been very out of it... can't remember now, Oh that's right, Daniel was here last night, but... Oh yeah, he had to go back to his wife before morning. Hmm, very boring...
I didn't like being his 'madam', but there are so many people who need the money, the world has become even more dominated by control freaks since the wars and since the changes began. I try to help those people the only way I can. This is the only way people like me can keep the funds flowing... In the end. it will all come out. In the end, they'll have to own up to who they are inside, like so many have already. For some, that might be too much to bear, but for people like Daniel, who'd care?
The door to my room opened ever so gently. "Excuse me Madam, sorry to disturb you, Mr. Biltworth he wants to know if tonight at 'la Semison' is ok?" Cinti asked.
"Oh really, Cinti - not now, I don't care. Say perhaps. He gets off on being stood up anyway... now leave me alone! And stop calling me Madam! Ok? How many times have I told you that, Cinti? Ever since you arrived here... I'm not your bloody madam, now let me sleep...." I grumbled in my usual morning voice.
"Of course Miss Cecile, I make some breakfast for you. It is ready now. Will you be needing anything else? I open the curtains, yes? Zee rain has almost stopped for now, it will be a lovely day outside I think."
Frustrated, I repeated for what must have been the tenth time, "It's Cecile, Cinti. Not Madam Cecile, not Miss Cecile... just Cecile. It's my name and this is my house... Ok, Cecile? I only ever let men call me Madam and only certain men, in any case it should actually be mademoiselle… argg whatever… " I paused and turned back to her. "What do you mean the rain has stopped... what time is it?
"It will soon be 9:00"
"9 O'clock? merde!" I mumbled as I threw myself out of bed. "Oh no! I'm supposed to meet Richard at noon - isn't his car coming for me at 11:30 or something?"
"Yes miss, I running your bath now, there are some messages on zee kitchen table for you and coffee is brewing."
"Oh, thanks sweetie... you're a gem. But next time, wake me up earlier. "
For some reason, I was always running late for something. I could never work it out, no matter what I tried to do. The fact that my life was so fractured into so many different parts didn't help. If I didn't have Cinti to help me, it would be impossible. Ever since she came along things began to improve, All this time, I thought I was helping her out of her own life problems!
I dragged my slippers out from under the bed and headed for the bathroom. My mind began to turn to the rest of the day as I stepped into its steaming pond. I hate rushing to get up, a bath should be savored and a woman's skin needs to absorb the richness of the oils and fragrances like a finely brewed cup of tea. Hmmm.... How delicious... I stretched out to enjoy the bath and let my mind wander a little.... Just as I was about to drift off to sleep in the bath again, the room began to rattle slightly and the lights dimmed jarring me out of my semi steamed dream state.
"What the fuck? "....
Then I realised it was just one of those new hydro magnetic buses passing by. Ever since the great terrorist attacks at the turn of the century and the oil supplies dwindling after the wars, the authorities had been trying almost every alternative transport they could. This one worked pretty well, but seemed to suck in every bit of electricity and magnetism in its path. Well, at least water was more abundant than ever since the climate changes... there are some very smart people out there who only show themselves during a crisis.
It was only then I realised the bus always goes past at 8 am, not 9 am. Ah... Cinti had done it to me again! She'd deliberately told me it was nearly 9 o'clock just so I'd have enough time to get up without being in a bad mood for the rest of the day! God, she's even more precious than gold to me. That cute little body and innocent face hid a real wealth of care and understanding.
"Ahh...umm, Cecile?" Cinti asked, trying very hard not to slip in a 'madam' or a 'miss' as she came into the bathroom. "What would you like to wear today? Would you like me to choose some things for you, Miss?" she asked, somehow not being able to avoid slipping in a quick 'Miss' as if saying it at the end of her question softened its impact somehow.
"Oh thanks, 'Miss' Cinti. Yes please." I paused for a moment to clear my throat, "Ahhmm, I'm going to Richard's office then we're going over to the Southside to eat, probably one of those pretentious arty restaurants and then the galleries, then... well, you know, his apartment. What do you think - the blue pencil skirt?"
"Oh arty? No... I think, like a ¾ length black lace dress with zee narrow skirt and zee little split at the back, yes? like zee movie star, I know exact one, we bought it some weeks before now, you know, it look like it is for a dinner, yes? but wearing it in the day, it says, ‘I have style, don’t forget it!... it will zee the office and restaurant and black, it is always good and um, how you say, 'in' at the art world, yes?"
"You make me laugh, Cinti… and you read too many magazines too!... Ok...I trust you, Richard likes me in black too. Thanks Cinti"
“Ok, zis is how I learn the English more better, yes?… I get it for you now Mi.. sorry, um…Cecile. I get put it out for you”
The truth is ever since Cinti came into my life, I'd almost stopped choosing my own clothes. She had much better taste than me and she always seemed to know what I should wear, what looked best on me and how I should look for all the different sorts of things I had to go to. Until I started living this crazy life, I hardly even owned a skirt, let alone anything really feminine. Jeans, jeans and jeans and if in doubt buy another pair of jeans was my motto!
Cinti added as an afterthought, "Ah, zis remind me, your friend Helen, yes? from zee women's cooperative, she ring, she ask, would you ‘submit’ your new work to zee exhibition,. She say she will be there zis afternoon and she wants some talk with you about zis"
"Ok, thanks, I'll call her later….Thanks hon" I replied.
I looked at the clothes on the bed, I looked at the clock showing I still had an hour to spare, I looked at my beautiful Cinti standing with the light playing on her shiny black hair and gorgeous latin skin… Then I looked at the bed again…
"Now, come and give me a cuddle sweat pea." I said with an outstretched hand.
Cinti beamed with delight, this was our thing, it was an understanding between us that held no other strings, we simply loved to feel each other close together. I loved the subtle fragrance of her body, her gentle nature and loving attentions. She adored being close to me and knowing that I loved and protected her.
Cinti dropped her cute little red dress to the floor and stepped out of her heels, leaving just her pretty black bra and panties. She slipped under the covers and abandoned the bra in one smooth motion… The feel of her warm silky body greeted me in perfect union with her happy sensual and excited smile. There was something so innocent and sweet about the bond we had between us, it was as if when we cuddled in bed the rest of the world retreated just to leave us alone for awhile, almost like it made the universe smile to see us both so content in each other’s arms. I can’t really put a description on our relationship, it was just obvious to each other from the moment we met and yet it was never about being in a ‘relationship’ we were both free to do whatever we wanted with whoever we wanted. I liked that freedom and so did she. She came from a very violent background, she grew up with murders and drug lords around her, she was raped and abused in almost unimaginable ways since she was a child. Yet, the true beauty of Cinti was that she cared more about who she loved than who she hated and she relentlessly looked to the future, ignoring everything which dared to bring back any pain from the past, that was her way of dealing with the awful things that happened to her before she escaped.
We often used to just lay together enjoying every moment of our trusting pleasure but we knew how to give each other sexual and sensual pleasure too, we knew how each other’s bodies responded. After laying together for awhile with our legs and bodies entwined she would begin to pleasure me by blowing gently on the hairs on the back of my neck, then she would so gently run her soft little fingers over the fine hairs on my arms. It sent little shivers all over me, then she would snuggle in closer and gently touch my lips. I love the feeling her so close and her silky skin made me want to cover myself in her essence.
Gradually, she would work around to my ears with tiny little bites and rub the tips of her lips over the fine hairs on the edges of my face. This never failed to de-stress me no matter how hyper and angsty I was feeling. So gentle, so sweet, so loving. Little by little she would work down the front of my neck until my nipples would perk up in attention to her loving. At first she would just brush gently over them almost teasing me to want more. Once she was sure I was really feeling sexy rather than just sensual, then and only then would she become more assertive. This is exactly what most of the men I knew lacked, they could play and even be gentle but it was always about getting their reward in the end too and if I failed to get horny or show I wanted anymore, they would inevitably take offense, as if I’d done something to offend them or thought they weren’t good enough or something! This was never the case with Cinti or even other women I’d slept with, Cinti would never take offense, she’d know that sometimes and even quite often, the gentle caresses were enough, it didn’t have to go further, it was the fun part, the main event, not just a lead up to something else. So many men seem obsessed by cuming at all costs, no matter what. I guess that is the real difference between men and women on so many levels of our interactions, I never understood why it had to be that way. I loved giving men pleasure, even my paying clients. I didn’t need them to make me feel good too, I already felt good being sexy with them and being part of their pleasure.
When Cinti knew I needed more and was ready, she would gently move on top of me, letting her body and her long shiny black hair cascade around me. She could position herself expertly, so I could feel her nipples against mine, so I could feel her warm little bush firmly against mine. Then she would just lay for awhile allowing us both to feel the warmth and heart beats of our bodies together, like slipping into to each other or wearing each other like the most beautiful dress you could ever put on.
This made me so horny, I could almost cum just laying there like that… and Cinti adored it that way, her bush would become wet and I could even feel little trickles running down to mine sometimes. Then we would kiss, passionately, hardly, deeply on the lips, we would begin to move in a deep and sexy feminine rhythm, we would curl our legs and arms around each other while we kissed, she would hold my nipples in her teeth and take me to the edge of pain before releasing me again and gently caressing the rest of my bosom, I would then do the same to her beautiful, perfect breasts and I would lick her bronze latino skin as I clasped her gorgeous little bottom closer to me, till I could feel her burning bush press in hard against me as we moved.
Often this was enough and we might even cum in almost synchronous unison or just melt back into each other’s arms, other times we would ache to feel something strong and hard and firm enter deeply into our burning, soaking vaginas. Somehow those feelings used to meld into one explosion of tantalizing femininity between us, a pretty womanly zone where we could hardly tell separation between us deep inside. We would take it in turn intuitively to push and explore our luscious glistening folds with our fingers or our tongues or reach into my draw to get one of our dildos to fill the void until we could stand no more pleasure, until we reached a total sensual crescendo that would have us almost weeping in bliss and loving awe.
For all the lovers in my life, none truly knew how to reach into me and touch me like my darling Cinti, she was the only one I ever gave up control to in my bed, the only one who could make a space for me to show my own submissive side too. The only one I could give my all to in bed and let her be the guide. In every other part me outside the bed with Cinti, I was always the one in control, always the one in charge, the one who knew the way… and it was only with her, inside that perfect space, that Cinti gave me the right to be passive, the right to be submissive to another without the risk of others seeing it on the outside. Yet for Cinti, the reverse was true, on the outside she needed to be my maid, she needed to be submissive to my every whim, she loved my firmness with her, she drank in my moods and admonishments simply because I was the only one she could really trust inside and a huge part of that was simply that I allowed her to be in charge when it came to loving, that was what she was best at, it was what she needed most to feel, what gave her strength to balance the past torments from the outside world.
You might say we were a prefect couple, but, we would both disagree and say we weren’t a couple at all, that’s exactly what made us both feel so strong. We owed each other nothing like a couple relationship does, we both refused the tags and ties and bindings that all relationships seem to want to wear. The only reason we loved each other so freely and lovingly was simply and clearly because we could, without a care, without any sense of ownership. The things which Cinti had never had before in her life of abuse and betrayal, was what most of us take for granted, the simple acts of true respect, trust, value and care. This is what I gave her by never asking for more and on the flip side, this is what Cinti gave to me, by allowing me the same no matter how I behaved, what I said or what I chose to do with my life.
After our love making allowed us back into the world. We turned to each other in bed and looked deeply into each other eyes, completed, resolved, renewed, the scales reset in both of us to face the day ahead with a new and vital boost to our own empowerment and energy.
“I thank my darling Miss Cecile, I love you with all zat lets me to sing inside” She said as she pecked me on the lips and rose again, ready to resume her much loved duties, to and for me
“Thank you my dearest rose, my rose without a thorn , my love without a storm” Our fingers touched with outstretched hands, as gently as a silk blown breeze.
A little too sweet and idealistic for you, perhaps? Well I can tell you, if you have never felt this way, I hope with a heartfelt tear in my eye that you do, that you have your turn too. To never have been loved without want, to never have been loved without demands or other’s expectations is a pain that no human ought to have to bear. It is our right, we are all of one in love.
But all good things come to a pause when the real world demands out attention again. The sound of another bus rattling the walls of my day re intruded, sharply and rudely! I tried to get a mental grasp on all I had to do. All the things that demanded my attention before I could do exactly as I wanted to do again….
"Oh shit, I need some serious studio time... So many things get in the way." I blurted out thinking aloud
Cinti had started to walk away, but turned back one more time. "hmm, So sorry Miss Cecile… oh but I forgot, something good for you, zat nice Japan girl, Amy Komori ring too. You know, the crazy looking musician, yes? She's playing at the 'Dudetube' this week and wants to know if you can come and see her one of the nights."
"Oh yeah... really? Amy! Great, I'd love too - she's so funky! You really like her too, don't you Cinti? I can tell!" I said with a knowing wink.
"Well, yes... Cecile. She remind me of my cousin, Nadi. Remember zee one who die after zee war?” She asked hopefully, "Can I come with you and see her play, yes?"
"Oui, Oui... Bien sur, I'd love you to come, but don't you dare call me Miss or Madam in front of her, ok? I'm sure Amy wouldn't like it either." I looked at her with a mock frown, "You could learn a lot from her Cinti."
"ahmmm, hehe You may be right, Cecile" Cinti replied with that glazed look young women have when their desires have been stirred.
I went to the bathroom to straighten my hair and get ready for the day. When I ambled back into my room I found my entire outfit for the day sweetly arranged on my bed. It was like living in a 5 star hotel since she arrived. Cinti made me feel like a princess and even though I still wasn't used to it, there was something about the way she cared for me that made it very easy to accept.
I felt that I needed her support to help me play all the different games my life demanded from me. Sometimes the psychic power surges inside me would threaten to tear apart all the things that had become my responsibility to keep in place. Cinti knew when I needed to be my real self again - when I needed to go back to my torn jeans, tee shirts and boots. To absorb myself in my private world of imagination, painting, drawing and creating. She always knew when to enthuse me and give me the strength to use these strange new powers from the changes. I loved her for it. Her love and care was better than that of any man I'd ever been with.
After dressing , I checked myself again in the mirror. Front on, side on, from the back... Ahh... yes... excellent... Cinti had done it again. Richard was going to wet himself when he saw me!
God, I like turning men on, it’s so easy! Makes me horny every time when I see that trembling look of desire in their eyes.
Richard loves deep red lipstick, black stockings and pumps... usually on himself though. But I was sure it would put him in the 'right' mood. I looked like a modern day version of one of those actresses from the last century, kinda like Lauren Bacall and the comfort of this cute black dress was enough to make up for the imminent trauma to my feet from wearing these bloody heels for the next few hours.
I clicked my way uneasily into the kitchen for some breakfast and to wait for Richard's car to arrive.
What would the world be like without coffee? I mean you can keep all the designer drugs that are around these days as far as I'm concerned, but if they ever made coffee illegal - Shit, I'd be busted every day!
"There is some email waiting for you, Cecile. Would you like me to bring in some fruit for you? ... You have to eat too you know, you can't live on coffee," Cinti said in a motherly tone, so strange coming out of such a sweet young sexy body.
"Yes, Cinti, thanks... and while I'm out this afternoon, can you check the bank account today? I need to know if Sean Biltworth has deposited the money. He's always so slow and I'm sure he does it to piss me off so I'll treat him like shit for a while. He is a strange man... don't know how his wife puts up with it... probably because he's so obnoxiously rich," I muttered to myself as I savored my coffee. "But if it's the bitch he wants, it's the bitch he'll get... just so long as he pays what he should for it," I added.
"Yes, Cecile, I will make sure of it. Do you want me to cancel your appointment with him tonight if it's not there?"
I stopped in mid-gulp and waved my hand at her, "Oh No! If it’s not there, just pay Marco to put on his wildest outfit and send him around in my place this evening! That'll freak him out completely! Especially at that sexist up itself rich men's club! They'll throw him out with Marco! Hahha ha!" I giggled at the thought of my very hairy Italian drag queen friend showing up in my place... Marco would adore it! He loves embarrassing straight men; he's made an art form of it.
"Cecile! Marco and Mr. Biltworth! Together at 'la Semison'! You make me laugh!" said Cinti covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.
I looked at my watch then ambled into the study to check my mail. In amongst the other emails was one from my friend Madi who was still fighting for survival in the remains of the Indo-Chinese territories.
It read...
"All my friends, we need your help again fast. The water pumps and solar cells have been smashed by the storms. The antibiotics are finished and the secret police are arresting anyone who has gone through the changes. If you admit it, you're as good as dead. Send money and your thoughts to us. For those with political connections, we need you to use them... Now... anyway you can. Use your powers, please! Love Madi"
It was a chilling letter and it brought back the reality of the world around me. It made me aware of why it was so important for me to keep on going with this crazy life. All I wanted to do was go back to my previous life as an artist.
My thoughts raged inside me, "I have so much I need to explore creatively. I'm sick of all these games with people from the old eras and I'm tired of protecting middle class women from themselves, their limited bullshit views and their husband's kinky desires. I want out of it, it weighs me down like a stone. Why should I care if they all drive each other mad? Their power-obsessed attitudes have been driving the rest of us mad for centuries. Fuck them! Fuck them! Look what' they've done to the world! When are they going to face the changes too? When?"
Shortly after, the videophone beeped and Cinti came in to let me know Richard's car had arrived.
"Cecile...The car is waiting... and... Mr. Biltworth rang again to ask what you would like him to wear tonight, huhmm... you know, under his clothes," she said with a smirk.
"Oh god... do I really care? Look, send Madi 50,000 now, then ring Sean Biltworth back and tell him to deposit an extra 25,000. If he doesn't like it, tell him he can screw himself instead and I'll ring his pretentious wife. I'm sick of him anyway, screwed up little sissy," I said as I walked towards the door. "If he wants humiliation, I'll give it to him all right. I know..." I said turning again to Cinti, "Tell him... oh, just hand me the phone.
"Sean, you want me to tell you what to wear? Well, how's this - wear your new pink stockings and corset set. Oh, and pull it tight till it squeezes the air out of you, I want to see the discomfort on that pretty little face of yours! Another thing, make sure you relieve yourself before dinner and then wear the tightest panties you can find. I don't want to see any trace of your dick pushing out of those trousers or I'll chop the bloody thing off. Hear me?" I wasn't going to let him get a word in edge-wise. "Oh, and another thing, wear some clear lip-gloss, clear nail polish and some perfume on your wrists... That'll get you going! Should be worth the extra 25,000 don't you think? Gotta fly," I said and turned off the phone.
I handed it to Cinti and said, "Send that money to Madi first thing, Cinti. I'll call you later from Richard's place. Bye honey," as I kissed her sweetly on both cheeks.
We're lucky to have a canopy over the entrance to our apartment. City rain is a curse for most people these days. All the fine dust blown up by the HM buses and other dirty propulsion devices is simply washed down again from the buildings every morning with the rain.
Keeping your hair or clothes away from the acids and oxides in the watery sludge has become an industry in itself. In the rain, most people wear the same long cover all tunics over their clothes. If you forgot to bring your own with you or when the tunics start to rot from the acid, you simply trade them in on a new one at the many tunic dispensers. They've become quite a fashion or creative statement and give everyone walking in the rain a sort of unigender look. There are light filmy ones for the summer and heavier ones for the cool time. The only real colour in the city buildings is from the 'daily cleaned' neon signs, everything else has been reduced to a monotonous grey, much like a town wrapped in volcanic dust. Most city events take place undercover.
I raced out of the apartment and outside into the greasy day. I did my best to avoid the puddles of muddy city rain splashing on my heels, as I eased myself into the back of Richard's limo. As we sped through the city traffic, I leaned back into the soft white leather upholstery and thought about the day ahead.
I like Richard. Of all my clients and charges, he's getting close to being my favourite. He's a real man, caring and gentle with women, strong and reliable with men. If you didn't know about his kinks, you wouldn't ever guess, and in any case they were so mild and easy to deal with, it really surprised me that he couldn't find a wife who would like it in him. His last wife screwed him to the wall when she found out. Funny thing was I kind of liked her until I found out how she'd used his interests to get what she wanted. What a bitch she turned out to be!
An international barrister and financier, Richard is a very powerful man and chief dick at one of the largest law firms in the country. They even advise governments on future policy directions. He is one of the feathers in our cap. It also doesn't hurt that he's extremely good looking, highly intelligent and a very nice person.
He has soft sandy hair and blue eyes, he dresses superbly and I love the way his muscular frame moves inside his tailored suits... made me want to tear off his clothes and molest him! For all his maleness, and a very cute rear end, he also had quite a feminine face, soft, not hard and scratched from years of shaving. Oh, and the other thing I liked about him was his smell, unlike so many men he knew how much after shave to wear, it was always subtle and expensive, not overpowering like most men. I hate that, makes a lot of men smell like a walking urinal! But Richard had a misty masculine grace, very charming and enticing.
Yeah, you could even say I have quite a crush on him.
Sean Biltworth however is a different kettle of fish. Born with money - and a very serious amount of it. Sean doesn't really have many redeeming features. He is rather boring to look at - not ugly, but very ordinary indeed. He's obsessed with his own possessions and all of his obsessions too! He has everything anyone could ever want and he's always been like that. He's a successful male in everything he ever does and everyone around him knows it.
You can't really dislike him, or like him. He's pleasant, but usually reserved and secretive at the same time. I've heard he has a foul temper, but I've never ever seen it. He's only ever comfortable once he knows he is paying for you. The only fracture in his superior achievement focused armour is his need to be controlled by a woman... and even then, it's only as long as he is paying her to do it. Strange, eh? Well, ever since the 'changes' began more and more people are going to extremes. The people I deal with in my little world are very, very mild in comparison. There are a lot of things I just don't do, no matter what honey, no matter with who!
An outsider may think I'm cruel or mean to him, but... it's want he wants, what he seems to need.
Shortly, the limo pulled up behind one of the taxi's waiting to get in under the canopy at Richard's office. I wasn't going to move until the limo was completely covered - not with these clothes on! I checked my makeup and smoothed my dress while we waited.
We were sitting just outside the canopy and water from a broken spout was dripping directly onto the limo roof making a sickening deep trundling sound. It seemed to set off an echo in my moods.
I quite suddenly became afraid; I felt an urgent chill inside me... I knew something was about to happen, but I couldn't tell what... but I sure could feel it. I wanted to get out of there fast!
"Driver! Can't you just move in next to that cab?" I said, pointing to a clear space alongside the line of cars.
"Ah sorry Ma'm, I have to wait till the porter lets me in... you know, the new rules and all," he replied with an air of frustration in his voice.
"Oh merde! Fuck the rules, I've got to get inside, we HAVE to move away from this spot NOW! Do you hear me! JUST DO IT!" I could see that I spooked him so I quietly added, "It's my responsibility, ok?"
"Ok, Ma'm you're the boss."
The limo lurched to the side of the cabs and pulled up under the canopy. The porter immediately came running over waving his hands and started yelling at the poor driver. I quickly gathered my things, thanked the driver, opened the door and leapt from the limo. This brought me face to face with the irate Porter.
"If you've got a problem, kindly direct that attitude and your foul mouth at me instead of the driver... if you dare!" I challenged him.
His expression changed in a flash, "Oh... Pardon me, Miss Merron, I didn't know it was you, can I see you in?"
"That's alright... Umm, its Peter isn't it? It's my fault. Why the long delay Peter?" I asked, as we entered the lobby and walked towards the lifts.
"They're re-doing the exterior CPS treatment for the buildings in this street tomorrow, so a lot of people are moving stuff over to the Northside office for a week and the workmen are still preparing the building," he replied, in a friendly, but slightly formal manner.
"God, it never stops, does it?" I remarked, showing my frustration.
"No Ma'm... it certainly does not. Do you want me to call Mr. MacPherson's office for you, to let them know you're on your way up?"
"No thanks Peter, I always like to see Virginia's face sour when I arrive in her territory! It ages her yet another year," I laughed.
"Hah humm... Yes, she's a force to be reckoned with Ma'm," he said knowingly. In case anyone could hear, he quickly added, "She does have a nice side too, just doesn't like too many people knowing about it."
"Ah, you're a kind man Peter and a very loyal employee. You take care of yourself now, won't you?" I said as I slipped him a banknote.
"Yes Ma'm I'll try to do that too. It's always a real pleasure to see you here. I mean that Miss Merron, a real pleasure," he replied with a large warm smile as the elevator door swung open and I walked in.
Peter was an attractive man with grey sideburns, gentle grey blue eyes and a perfectly groomed matching grey moustache. He looked very sexy in his beautifully tailored uniform and everything about him was crisp and sharp. I love those knee length jackets with a high collar. I have one just like it in black although I wear it mainly as a dress with stockings and heels instead of creased trousers and flat shoes. Ah well, each to his own.
Just after the door closed and the elevator started to accelerate, I felt a small whirring pain inside me followed by a slight shudder that seemed to come from the building. It left me with the same feeling as before.
When the elevator came to a stop and opened its doors on Richard's floor, I was glad to see that everything looked normal. I walked down the hall to Richard's reception room. Natalie, his receptionist, was sitting behind the counter looking as young, sexy and immaculate as ever. Her makeup must take her ages to do every morning, she always looked superb.
"Hi Natalie, How's things?" I asked as I walked in.
"Oh, Ms Merron. I'm fantastic, how are you?" she said with a smile. " You look stunning Cecile, love that dress," she added. "It's got a sort of 1930's look to it. It's just divine," she gushed with her usual aplomb, but with Natalie, you could tell she really meant it.
"Oh thanks, honey, it’s another one of Cinti's purchases. I don't even know where she finds them. I love it too, thanks." I returned the compliment, "And you're looking completely gorgeous as usual. You'll have to show me how you do that with your eye shadow, it's very cool, Natalie."
"Thanks Cecile, I'd love it too. Richard has just finished with his clients, he should be out very shortly," she said as the phone rang.
"So, you mean I don't have to go through the 'Mother Superior' first?" I giggled.
Natalie laughed with me. "Well, if Richard's quick enough you both might avoid the pleasure!" she replied with a grin.
Almost at that same moment, Virginia strode into the reception area. She was uncanny! At first she didn't even look my way as she headed straight towards Natalie and the counter. Finally she bothered to look over and focus on me and of course thereby acknowledging my presence. I was standing at the counter 3 feet from Natalie, but anyone on the wrong side of the counter wasn't worth her royal gaze, which was for lowly secretaries. Such a corporate snob!
"Oh... Cecile. I didn't know you were here. Nobody told me you were coming today," she said in her usual sharp, cold manner. Not even a smile or even a simple hello!
"Why, Virginia, Hello... I'm very well, thanks," I said with the most insincere smile I could muster. "Yes I guess that must be true, I mean, that no one told you. Probably didn't want to get you too excited, Virginia." I looked at her with mock concern, "Are you well? You're looking a little tired, dear."
"Tired, what do you mean? I feel perfectly well thank you, though I think a few more earlier nights might help your complexion, Cecile... and perhaps a little less drinking too," she said in a condescending tone. "You know how it dries your skin. I know an excellent self-help book for dieting. It's called 'What goes down should stay there!' It's written by some new age creative type - much like you, Cecile," she added in her usual biting way. But what mostly pissed me off about her was the way she would always laugh and smile after she'd dumped her sarcastic crap on you. It was the only time the fucking bitch ever smiled! And it was a horrible sight I can assure you.
"Yeah, yeah Virginia, I've heard it all before from you. You're even starting to repeat your..."
Just as I was about to complete my bitchy barb, there was a loud explosion outside and the whole building shook. Although there hadn't been any more of those for many years, we all fell instantly to the floor fearing another terrorist attack. As the alarms blared throughout the building, Richard came running out of his office, went straight over to the window and looked out to the street below.
"It’s alright everyone, it looks like another fuel tank exploded, God I wish they'd sort out those hydrogen problems. The building isn't on fire, just the car." He turned back to face us, "Natalie, make an announcement on the intercom, "Cautionary evacuation by the rear exits only, security plan 'Yellow'. Call security and ask them to report to me immediately. The rest of you leave now, quietly and calmly please, there is no need to rush. It’s just a precaution"
Richard looked over to me.
"Oh Cecile, I was just on my way... shit, now I'll have to stay here till we sort this out. Why don't you catch a cab over to my place and I'll bring some food with me and meet you there?"
"Oh, no, Richard, thanks, but you're gonna be here all afternoon sorting this mess out. Look, I'll go and get myself something to eat. Call me on my cell phone when you're free... if it takes too long," I walked over to him and quietly said, " We'll make it another time ok? I've got a lot to do myself, honey."
It was only then I looked around to see Virginia still sitting on the floor looking as a white as a ghost. Natalie was busy on the intercom, so I went over and tried to help Virginia up.
She was groggy but managed to say, "No thank you, Cecile, I am perfectly alright and I can do without your sort of help too"
"Oh great... and fuck you too! You're such a nasty old crow Virginia... I've had enough of you! Sheesh!" With that I grabbed my bag from the table and headed for the exits.
I called out to Richard as I strode out of the reception doors, "How you put up with that Richard, I really don't know... call me when you're free ok? I'm outa here! Bye Natalie..."
I couldn't wait to leave. That bitch! She made my blood boil. She was everything I hated about straight, corporate women. Up themselves with no possible reason to be except blind disinterest in anything outside themselves. Arghhh!! "Fuck them - fuck them all!".
It was only as I calmed down a little that I began to slow down and look out of the windows as I walked past them. To my complete amazement, the cab that exploded was the one sitting in front of the limo I was in before. If we'd stayed there, both the driver and myself would have been caught in the blast. My knees suddenly felt weak and I had to stop and lean up against the wall. I felt like I was going to faint.
Just as I was about collapse, Natalie came running down the hall looking for me.
"Cecile... Cecile, are you alright, what's the matter?" Natalie asked as she came close to support me. "Don't worry about Virginia, she always pays for her venom. Richard is extremely pissed off with her, he sent me to find you and apologize for him, he just can't leave at the moment," she added.
"Oh no, Natalie, it’s not Virginia, she can rot in her own hell... it's the explosion..." I told her about my near miss with the cars below. She was almost as shocked as me.
After a few moments, I regained my composure. Natalie insisted on helping me to the elevator and all the way down to the Bellevue road exit. When I tried to refuse, saying she was needed back on the reception desk, she told me Richard had made Virginia sit at the reception desk in her place. We both howled with laughter at the thought of Virginia sitting there taking calls!
"Yeah and the longer I take helping you downstairs, the longer she has to sit in my chair!" Natalie giggled. She's such a fun person. Far too good-looking and far too smart to be working just as receptionist, even in such a prestigious company. I bet Richard paid her well, she deserved every bit of it. We said our goodbyes at the bottom of lift and I headed out through the loading bay.
Fortunately, the sun was shining and the rainy clouds had cleared enough for me to walk outside without risking oxide stains on my dress. God, what a start to the day! I had just known it was going to be one of those sorts of days. All my plans were in a mess. If I saw Richard now, I would be running too late to meet up with Helen and if I saw her, I would end up being too late to make my appointment with Sean. Shit! And I was hungry! Then I realised I wasn't too far from Gayzoolis, a caf‚ and live theatre just a block away that belonged to some friends. I could get something to eat there, collect my thoughts and make a few calls.
I rushed off down the road trying to miss the remaining puddles with my heels. One big splash was usually enough to completely ruin a pair of hose. I turned the last corner, walked past the pot plants and in through the glass doors. The caf‚ wasn't too full and Shannon saw me as soon as I walked in. I negotiated my way through the rich smells of food and chatter to where she was standing. She greeted me in her usual excitement.
"Hey, Cecile! Great to see you babe... decided to come down and mix it with the weirdo’s, eh?" she enthused with a teasing barb as she gave me a huge hug with her rather largish arms.
"Ohhmm... hi, Shannon! How's things? You're as lively as ever, honey! How's Charlie?" I asked as I returned her hug with a big kiss on her beautifully made up, but slightly scratchy face.
"Ah, the darling is working away in her temple. So sweet. I wouldn't dare go into the kitchen without asking first! No, she's fine, she'll be much happier when she knows you're here, Cecile." She looked flustered for a moment before saying, "Where are my manners! come and sit over here with me for a while... I haven't seen you for weeks." As we walked over to a table, she asked, "So how are you gorgeous? What brings you in?"
"Well, circumstance really and a bad start to the day..." I replied, but Shannon interrupted...
"Well isn't that always the way, Sugar! No one ever means to come here! It just sort of happens! Like magic really! If you don't watch out, you'll find yourself at Gayzoolis!" she laughed. I laughed with her - it felt good.
"No, sorry, you know what I mean... you were close and I was hungry," I replied. I told her about my experience at Richard's office.
"That sort of thing always happens to you Cecile, I'm not surprised at all! You just can't help yourself can you? Wherever you go, explosions and chaos to the status quo follow in your gorgeous wake!" she giggled.
"Oh, Shannon... I don't mean too, really... I don't! ... It's lovely to see you, you always make me feel good," I said with a smile, feeling her energy lifting me up again.
"That's because I like you so much! You've always been so good to Charlie and me, we remember our friends Cecile. This place wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you and Helen and the others," she replied, squeezing my hand and looking directly into my eyes.
Charlie and Shannon are quite well known icons in the local Bi, Gay and TG community. Their Caf‚ is a well-known focus for a lot of T* people, including straight hetero's wanting to let their hair down a little. They'd faced quite an onslaught from religious fanatics a few years ago, like a lot of the gay community and they nearly went broke. So Helen and I got some funds together from our group to prop them up for awhile. Now things are really firing again for them. I love them both like family.
"Thanks sweetie, it’s never an effort when you're helping a friend, it's a joy. I mean that." I replied with feeling. Shannon leaned over the table and kissed me again. We sat back and enjoyed the moment between us.
"Johnny!" Shannon called out to one of the waiters nearby, "bring us a seafood salad and two cups of coffee. Oh, and tell Charlie that Cecile is here."
I thought back to Virginia's comments. "Shannon, you don't think I'm... looking a little pale and drawn do you? " I asked. "Virginia said..."
"Pale and drawn, eh?" Shannon laughed as she interrupted. "Sounds like she was describing herself, but certainly not you honey." She giggled again, "You look as sexy and beautiful as you always do... and your butt doesn't look too big or small in that sexy dress either!" she cackled back at me.
"Shannon! ... Ok, ok, I get the hint; it's just that, well... I don't know, I feel like I'm getting older sometimes... and maybe I should try to sleep a little more regularly and not stay out so late."
"God, I better move you to the old peoples section, in case you throw a stroke on me or something. Really Cecile!" she chided, "You're not even thirty yet! Wait till you get to the grand old age of be 31 like me, then you'll have something to worry about!" she said rolling her eyes. "You're priceless. I'd kill to have your looks at any age. Don't let people like Virginia search for your soft spot, that's the only thing they know how to do."