Another Ever After
“I’m sorry, is there a problem?” Jackson said with a sneer as Linda stormed in to find him still dressed in his finery from the night before.
“My payment. Where is it?”
“Ah yes,” he said, slimy sarcasm hanging from his words, “the fee for using your talents to find me a lady companion. It’s very simple; you find yourself without money, because,” he paused spreading his arms wide, “I find myself without a companion.”
“You told me what you wanted and I found her. I cleaned her up, dressed her the way you like, and delivered her. I filled my end of the deal. If you scared her off, that is not my problem. She is not the first woman who couldn’t bear more than one night in your company, and I’m sure she won’t be the last.”
His glare was stone. “You would do well to mind your words.”
“You don’t scare me. Where is my money?”
“You will be paid if she’s found.”
“You could have any woman you want. Move on to your next toy, and give me what I am owed.”
“Exactly, I can have any woman,” he stroked his greasy hair proudly, “and I have, and they are all the same. The fun is gone. But this one is different. She thinks she’s strong,” he snickered, “wants to be in control. She still has a will, like a young horse, wild, bright eyed, happy, and full of dreams just waiting to be crushed. She will be a challenge to break,” he smiled, “and I love a challenge.”
“Well, you are off to quite a start, less than a day and she has already escaped,” Linda mocked. “And honestly, I don’t know how, trust me, no woman could run in the shoes I gave her,” she added more to herself.
He chuckled slightly. “No, she couldn’t, and lucky for you. That will be how I get her back. My men are out scouring the kingdom as we speak.”
No sooner had he finished, than a terrible cry was heard from the courtyard below. They both moved to the window to watch as two guards drug a screaming woman, now dressed only in rags, into the palace as she tried everything in her power to get away.
Linda smiled as she recognized the woman and held out her hand. “My money?
Prince Jackson reached into his pocket and pulled out a sack of gold coins, dropping it into her palm with a grin. “Lovely doing business with you, as always.”
Linda tied the purse to her belt giving him a curtsy. “I’ll leave you to your prize,” she said turning to go, the desperate screeches of the woman now echoing through the corridors.
“Thank you,” he said, his eyes already alight with excitement. “By the way,” his voice stopped her just as she reached the door, “I liked the shoes. Glass. Nice touch.”
Up To My Place
It always happens this way. You see that one special person, and you just know. All the signs are there—the warm fuzzy feeling in the chest, the tingling in the hands, the nervous anticipation—everything.
That’s how it was tonight.
Our eyes met across the room and almost immediately I could tell that this was it. He was the one I’d been looking for.
I just knew it.
I slowly made my way over to his table, not wanting to seem too eager. Even from the other side of the room I could tell he was extremely handsome. Tall with blue eyes so light they were almost gray, and a strong jaw.
As I made my way over, he watched me with a small but confident smile. He wasn’t going to play games with me. He was feeling the same thing I was, I could see it in his eyes. I was late, and we were two of the only people left, which was good. It’s a commonly known fact that people—men in particular—are harder to approach when they have friends or family around. With an audience, they often feel as though they have to put on a show.
But there would be no show tonight.
“Hello,” he said with a smile, nodding at the seat opposite him at the small table.
“Hello,” I answered, taking the seat he offered.
“I’ve been waiting for you. I was starting to think you weren’t going to come tonight. I hope you don’t mind me saying so,” he said, his ears turning a bit red, “but you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“But then, I bet you get that a lot.”
I did, but I simply smiled.
“So, you wanna get out of here?” he asked with a nod towards the door. “That is what you had in mind, right?”
I have to admit, I was a bit taken aback, but if he didn’t want to beat around the bush, then all the better. “Only if you’re sure you’re ready. Don’t you want to finish your drink first?” I glanced sown at his half empty cup.
“Nah, this is my third one.’ He pushed the cup away from him. “So, your place or mine?” he asked with a wink, though this time I could hear a nervous edge to his tone. So he wasn’t as carefree and cocksure as he seemed. Though I don’t know why I was surprised. They never are.
“Don’t worry,” I said with a wink, holding out my hand, “I’ll go easy on you.”
He smiled, hesitantly at first, but then warmly before reaching out and putting his hand in mine. I felt the warmth in my chest grow, spreading down my arm to our joined hands. Our eyes locked, we both took a deep breath, and then…
…he died.
Like I said, it’s always happens that way. They send me in, I find the one they want, and I send them home. Today it was a nursing home, tomorrow it may be hospital or an apartment building. The job changes everyday--but that's the way it goes for an angle of death.
