Chapter Two the Ride

Downstairs, a black car idles at the curb, tinted windows luxury spelled out clearly. Val standing beside it, checking his phone, looks up and smiles. When he sees her emerge-bag slung over her shoulder, suitcase at her feet and the small French Bulldog behind her-his expression shifts. Softens. He asks Ready to go, need any help? As I’ll ever be I suppose and no I’ve got it thanks, she reply's apprehensively as she gestures for Enzo to jump into the car. Vale’s gaze drops to the dog-small, loyal, at odds with the world he inhabits, much like Val himself. He crouches slightly, extends his hand without pressure. Enzo sniffs, his head rubs Val's hand. She moves to put her things in the back along with Enzo’s bed but Val takes it from her and says don’t worry I don’t mind helping, Lets put the bigger stuff in the trunk, hand it over. He says sweetly. Zora is suprized by his gentlemanly ways she was not expecting him to be kind.

The leather is soft, expensive. Everything about this screams money and power-but his eyes stay on her, watching to see if she’s truly ready to cross this threshold. He steps aside, gesturing for her to settle into the back seat. She looks up at him and slides over with Enzo on her lap and says I hope you don’t mind him but I won’t leave him were a packaged deal even if it’s a trail period and then she looks down looking at little defeated nervous that he may not want to let her take her dog. Val looks at her and says, of course, he comes too, My place has a courtyard. He’ll be fine, better than fine. I know what loyalty looks like. I respect it. Don’t worry he’s welcome I can relate to him, he’s cool, I like dogs I actually like all animals they have a genuineness that people don’t normally have they are real no hidden agendas. He glances at Zora, reads the worry etched in her face. She looks over at him and see the truth of this statement and agrees fully with it but says nothing.

Val slides in beside her, the door closing with a soft, expensive click. The car pulls smoothly into traffic. He reply's A packaged deal, good. I like that about you-you don’t abandon things that matter. Enzo stays. No trial period changes that and neither do you, Zora. Not unless you choose to. He says it like it’s the most natural thing in the world. His hand settles near hers on the seat, not touching but present. The magnetic attraction was palatable..The city blurs past the windows. His voice drops lower and stop looking like you’re heading to an execution. You’re not. She stutters...I… I… I’m sorry I just don’t know you or what to expect I’m nervous, I suppose this is happening so fast I can’t think straight I justdon’t know how to process all of this it’s such a strange situation.

Nervous is smart, you should be nervous around me. We don’t know each other I hope that will change in time that you will learn to trust me and it won’t seem so crazy, but Zora fast doesn’t mean reckless, I’ve had three months to think about this, you’ve had two hours. So we go at your pace now, no pressure. No expectations beyond tonight being….comfortable. Ask me anything. I’ll answer truthfully no secrets. He reaches over, takes her hand. His palm is warm, calloused in places that speak of a life lived harder than she expected. He doesn’t squeeze-just holds it in his. Enzo shifts on her lap, sensing the tension. Vale’s thumb traces her knuckles slowly. He glances out the

window as the car climbs toward the penthouse district.

She asks, very well where are we going exactly I know we are going uptown but where and what are your plans? What is expected of me? She asks in all earnestness genuinely curious about the what his plans are. As the car drives through the city, Glass towers reflect neon against darkening sky. Val’s penthouse

overlooks everything-a kingdom of concrete and ambition. He keeps her hand in his as he answers her questions. The Residences at Rainier Square 58^th floor the penthouse. My place has a view that’ll make you forget why you were ever nervous. Plans? Ummm I suppose we start with dinner, conversation. A guest room is being prepared for you where you and Enzo sleep tonight if that’s what you want. Tomorrow, We figure out what comes next. Together. No ambush, no games, Just….us learning each other. I truly am interested in you Zora, I want to know more if you’ll let me.

But I though I was supposed to be payment for my father’s debt how can that be if we’re in separate rooms, is there something I’m missing is there some kind of job I’m supposed to do? She says totally sincere and without judgment.

He stills, her question-innocent, logical-cuts through every carefully constructed boundary he’s built. He turns to face her fully, Enzo warm between them. His voice is rough as he swallows hard to answer her The debt clears regardless. That was never conditional on...this. I lied to myself about why I needed you close. Told myself it was business. But separate rooms-that’s me trying to prove I’m better than the man who stalked you for three months. You’re not payment, Zora. You never were. The debt was just… permission to want you without it being insane. She looks away from him and says quietly; So this was just a ploy to get me here. He nods slowly, Yeah you’re right it was a ploy but somewhere between the first time I saw you and now, the ploy stopped mattering. All that mattered was getting to be able to spend time with you and for you to be here for you to see me…to know me...maybe learn each other I don’t know.. I just wanted a chance for us. There’s no special job I don’t expect you to sleep with me although I really want you too.. eventually that is..

He admits embarrassed a slight blush creeping onto his face. She turns and looks out the window and thinks to herself for a long while and as the silence stretches Val gets nervous and asks Are you ok? I know that this is very strange and not what most sane people would do to start something with someone I.. I just didn’t know how else to start this conversation with you after watching you I just couldn’t stop watching and then you dad it gave me the opportunity to talk to you. She looks deep into his eyes and understands his fear and insecurities behind the man of power but says why threats at all is is just what your used to using power plays to get your way? Val your right this is weird and I am a bit frighten to tell the truth we are going into the city and I hate the city it’s a place to go for the day not to stay and I know nothing about who you really are and what’s going to happen plus I have a job back home in a few days if you don’t bring me back what then?

Val sees he’s fucked up and he doesn’t want it to get worse so honesty is the only choice. Ok your dad he was drunk he didn’t really make a sound choice it was easy to push him I knew who he was it was just a way for me to get to you nothing more so there really isn’t a debt it was just a way for me to start a conversation. I’m sorry I see that I fucked up. But know I was just grasping at straws I knew I couldn’t continue just watching I had to actually meet you and have you meet me to see if maybe just maybe this could go some place I knew if it stayed that way it never would. Please forgive me. Can we just start fresh? She looks at him again as they start to pull off I-5 and enter the city and she says...I...I don’t know what I’m supposed to say or what to do can we just start with dinner and see what happens with that? Yes, yes, of course. he says I can do that for sure.. I’ll cook something simple pasta and meatballs bread small salad and we’ll talk more. You do like pasta correct he asks in all Serenity. She tilts her head to the side in a mock gesture and says jokingly Well who doesn’t like past, I mean really.

The city lights shine brightly as the car moves through the city’s streets rolling hills and crowded sidewalks as the drive into the city’s neighborhood Rainier Square is bustling with activity with the mall near by and the square full of tourists looking at the affluent building Rainier Square towers is a sight to behold. Zora has been to the mall but never inside the buildings and as they pull up her heart starts to pound feeling out of pace and under dressed. As they arrive at the The Residences at Rainier Square the concierge opens the doors for her and she steps out into the evening air, looking up at the touring building in awe feeling small in comparison, the building is a shimmering spectical with a wavering line like it was designed after a wave of glass up to a sheer tall empire.

Val and his man step out as well and go to grab her and dogs things and she thanks them and gestures that she can help but is shooed a way by the concierge with a smile. They head towards the elevator in tandem the lobby shines in glass and marble with a water like textured floor with blue and white waved marbled tiles. The elevator ascends in silence, mirrored walls multiplying them endlessly. Val meets her eyes in the reflection nervous energy ever present. The doors open onto marble and floor-to ceiling windows with an open floor plan sheepskin rug drapes the floor in front of a pristine white sofa and a fireplace that seems like it could swallow you.. The city sprawls below tiny like something he owns and apparently he owns most of it. He moves to the floor-to ceiling window, hands in his pockets looking more boyish then ever before.

The city glitters below like scattered diamonds and says what do you think? Zora looks out the windows and back to him again and says wow its overwhelming. Beautiful in an overpriced exotic way I love the view. She says as she sets her coat on the back of the couch and Enzo comes running over to the windows.

He chuckles and nods in understanding

then leads her through the penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city. Modern furniture, expensive art, everything sterile and unfeeling until they reach the kitchen. It’s warmer here-lived in. A copper kettle on the stove. Fresh herbs in a window box and he starts, would you like something to drink? The restroom is down that hall it was a long drive if you need to use it, and the kitchen is right here as you can see. I’ll get started with dinner make your self at home. He gestures with his arms wide open welcoming.

Zora just shakes her head and walks back over to the window to take in the view as he walks into the kitchen.

She asks so you must stay in here a lot it seems more loved more homely then the rest. Do you like to cook? She asks wanting to know more about the man who is turning her world upside down. He looks at her and laughs genuinely and says very much so this is where I live in this kitchen.