GENIE IN A BOTTLE

          Genie knew that tone of voice. And clearly so did Nicole, who emerged from the room looking defeated. Closing the door distractedly behind her, she began walking slowly across the empty waiting room with a genuinely troubled look on her face. She seemed totally unaware of Genie's presence behind the desk, so deep in thought was she. Genie's clearing her throat brought her head up with a startled gasp.“Oh… Genie… I forgot you were still here.”“Would you like a cup of tea, Nicky?” she offered. “You seem a little... upset.”“No, thank you,” Nicole said sighing. “You're a sweet girl. I'd better go home and get dinner started. It's time you went home too, isn't it? It's after five.”“Dr. Beaumont hasn't finished dictating today's letters. I'll have to stay here until I've typed them up. You know how… meticulous he is about that.”“Unfortunately! Make sure you put down the overtime.”“Oh, I will,

          Her eyes got widened, and then she frowned. Genie stared at him while battling to control the simmering fury that was wrapping her entire being. The nerve of this guy! The arrogance in his voice while suggesting her to accept his money and pretend they were together…           ‘What do I say?’ she thought looking straight at him, still appalled and mad by his callousness. ‘You never took the time of day to get your head out from your ass and look at me, maybe try to understand who I am, and now you ask me what do I say about your proposal? I would say not in a billion years, you pompous, patronizing bastard! I would say stick your proposal where the sun doesn’t shine. I'd say up yours, you arrogant prick! I wouldn't spend one hour alone with you, let alone three days and three nights! Not even if my life would depend on it!’“Dr. Beaumont, I'm sorry, but I absolutely c

“Since I have nothing to do for the evening, let’s talk a little bit more about what I’m expecting for the money I’m paying you,” Phoenix continued abruptly. “First things first… Your clothes.”“My… clothes?” she repeated blankly, her mind still back on her disturbing weakness for the Doctor. “What about my clothes?”“I suppose that you do own something other than that black skirt and white blouse you wear every Friday, don't you?”          Genie thought of all the designer clothes hanging up in her wardrobe in her father’s house. Such wonderful outfits, timeless classical styles. She didn't doubt they would still be where she left them. She would have no trouble getting them if she went during the day when her father was at the office.“Actually, I have quite an extensive wardrobe,” she replied coolly

          The taxi driver let Genie in front of the clinic after taking almost all the money she had in her purse. She sighed, then glanced at her watch. She arrived there too early. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Genie picked up her suitcase and entered the clinic.          Her stomach began to flutter as she made her way across the coolly tiled floor towards Phoenix’s office. When she found herself in the waiting room, Genie heard a little voice in her head.          ‘Don't go,’ it said. ‘Run! Run now!’          Run? But how could she? She'd been paid, Phoenix knew her address, and she was almost broke. There was nowhere to run to… She took a deep breath to calm down. Genie couldn't help being a bit nervous about the weekend

          Once again, they drew up at some traffic lights, a perplexing intersection on the western outskirts of the city. Phoenix finally took the right road and soon they were on the expressway south. Genie knew well the hotel and she had seen photos of the club where all the guests were invited to unwind after participating in the conference. It was the kind of location where her father loved spending time.          Under other circumstances, Genie would’ve been really looking forward to her stay there. The meals were sure to be exquisite and it would be wonderful to be pampered for a change. But she knew that it won’t be easy to relax while pretending to be something she wasn't and worrying all the time about when Phoenix might kiss her, or something equally hazardous.          It was one thing to hide this unwanted at