Page 14 of Kings of Desire
‘Wow, you look amazing,’ the man behind the wheel happily exclaimed, then without a single explanation drove off in a hurry.
My limbs were trembling, trying to keep my anxiety from getting the better of me. A freak, a rapist, a serial killer, or maybe all of the above, I think the guy beside me was unwillingly becoming the vivid representation of a horrid abomination.
I took a quick sneak peek out of the corner of my eye to catch a glimpse of probably the last person I’ll ever see. Funny, he didn’t look so menacing, just a regular man in his late thirties, maybe early forties, dark hair, hazel eyes, oval face, small beard, Caucasian… Ok, ok, I was rehearsing in my mind a description for the police - if I’ll still be alive to give one.
‘Here’s the deal,’ the man turned to face me with an even more concerned expression than my own. ‘I never did this, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I need you to pretend to be my date for tonight. It’s not even for the whole night, just for a few minutes until I drop off my kid.’
I turned to look at the backseat where a little boy was sleeping peacefully in the car’s baby seat.
What kind of killer takes his child along to a crime scene?
‘My wife recently left me for one of her interns. Met him during surgery. Probably confused the scalpel with his dick.’
‘I’m sorry,’ I had no idea what to say, especially since this Pleasure was quickly turning out to be something completely different than I had imagined it would be.
‘Not as sorry as I am, believe me. He’s fifteen years younger than me.’ The man sighed, stopping at a red light. ‘I loved her, I still do, but I need her to realize the mistake she’s making. What’s she’s really losing. That’s where you step in.’
‘How’s that going to help you fix your relationship?’ If anything, seeing him go his separate way would only deepen the precipice between them.
‘I need her to see that I’m still worthy. You know...that I can still get a woman’s attention.’
I tilted my head to take another look at the gent sitting next to me. What was he talking about? I don’t usually look at men older than me, but he was like fine wine as the few expression wrinkles on his face, accentuated every single one of his manly features. I had no idea why he hired me when he could have found himself a real date, maybe one even more attractive than me.
‘Then let’s show her that,’ I smiled, determined to play along ‘But I think that I should know your name... You know, people that usually date tend to know small details like that,’ I giggled, raising a smile on his frowned face.
‘Michael. And my date’s name would be...?’
‘Bea.’
‘Even your name is beautiful,’ he flashed me a quick smile then drove off since the traffic light had turned green. ‘My boy was with my mother for the day and I’m returning him to my wife now... Just so that you know what’s going on in case she asks.’ He was giving me a short briefing and I was starting to feel like an actress preparing for her first part.
‘We’re here,’ he spoke after driving for a few blocks, stopping in front of an impressive mansion.
‘Come one, Nathaniel, it’s time to wake up,’ he got out of the car, unlocked the back door, and reached for his son while the main door of the house opened to reveal a woman in her thirties waiting for him.
‘Shit, I can’t do this. Please stay there.’ He suddenly had a change of heart, intimidated by the arch of her eyebrows while looking in my direction.
Man up for God’s sake.I thought to myself, yet following his instructions and remained in the car while he walked down the front alley, carrying his half-asleep son to pass him to his wife... If she could still be called that.
I watch his face change a million colors under her inquisitory eyes as if he was the one to blame for her infidelities, and even if I couldn’t hear what they were saying, the desolate expression of his face needed no words. He was losing the game, and the only ally he had in this was staying still on the front right seat of his car.
That was it, all or nothing, I pushed the door open and walked like a gazelle until I found his arm... Ok, maybe a wounded gazelle since the heels were still an unsolved mystery to me. ‘Michael, we’re going to be late for the Opera,’ I whispered, leaning towards his ear then stretching out my hand to meet the main target. ‘Bea,’ I smiled, making sure to show off my perfectly white teeth while a look of helpless anxiety was reflected in her eyes. Having a bimbo by his side could pose no threat, but having a beautiful girl asking him to go to the Opera was another kind of trouble.
‘Come,’ I rushed him, catching on to his arm ‘We do have plans after,’ my voice warm, filled with a seductive tone that was almost making me laugh. But for her, it was the real deal. I was the real deal.
She babbled something as I hung on to Michael’s arm and walked back to the car.
‘Thank you,’ he breathed. ‘You must think I’m such a fool.’
And that was exactly what I believed, but I knew the real reason behind it ‘You still love her. You can’t dictate your heart. You’re not a fool.’
‘I’ll take you back,’ he drove off back to Vanya’s trying to avoid the subject, but before the car pulled to a stop, a beeping sound lit the screen of his phone.
Can you come over and look after Nathaniel for a while. I don’t feel too good. I think I’m coming down with a fever.
‘It worked,’ he spoke while looking with disbelief on the screen. ‘She’s never been sick a day in her life. A little weird to get the flue right on my date night.’ He parked the car, turning a warm smile towards me ‘Thank you again.’
‘My pleasure,’ I returned the smile ‘But I feel that I need to add something.’ I knew it wasn’t my place to say this but my mind sometimes cannot be stilled ‘She doesn’t deserve you.’ And then I saw it in his eyes.
