Chapter 5 spotless room

"Isabella," Mark groaned, "I don't see how we're going to fight city hall on this deal."

Barely able to control my nervous, restless energy, I tapped my foot. I still needed to take a shower and get ready for my date with Dominic, so this meeting needed to end quickly. Rather, I remained at the bookstore with a few other building business owners. They would visit me to talk about the most recent sale. For two hours, we had been circling, talking about our strategy. Mark, the towering, tattooed owner of the record business next door, wore bulky, black-rimmed spectacles. There must be a way to combat this. There are zoning restrictions and historic protection considerations. I scratched my forehead while other individuals spoke simultaneously, and my voice died off. Sarah made an effort to quiet everyone.

We were not making any progress with this. We had to put on a united show. Additionally, since we were unaware of the building's buyer, we needed to conduct additional research. The prior owner had told us the purchase had gone through, but we had only been given the bare minimum of information. According to the most recent media report, the building was acquired through a blind trust, and the final developer has not yet been made public. However, plans to construct a new, forty-story skyscraper on our property have been submitted to a county or city authority. I had no idea where to start and had no understanding of zoning or real estate law. We need a lawyer, guys," Mark remarked.

All but the ground floor of our six-story building was deserted. All of the business owners had sneaked upstairs with flashlights to have a look on Halloween after it had been years. The lonely, dusty hallways were eerily eerie. Not as good as the hotel in The Shining. I still adored the old building, even though the thought of the upstairs made me shiver. It might be lovely once more."It's a fucking tragedy to demolish the entire building and construct something ugly, but I could understand if they wanted to update the upstairs," I remarked.

Thirty minutes later, we were still unable to agree on a lawyer, the cost, and whether we had any legal basis to challenge this enormous scheme that endangered the entire essence of our historic downtown block in Orlando.

I had to move more quickly. "Look, I have some money saved up. I'll cover the attorney's fees. We all support one another, so I think it's worth the money to save all the businesses here. When you can, you can reimburse me."No, Isabella, that's excessive. Julia, a café owner, objected, saying, "You're going to need that money to open somewhere else if we all have to move."

I let out a sigh. She was correct. I didn't have much money saved up, so I might not be able to move my business or prepare a strong legal defense. Let me at least cover the cost of a legal consultation. See if we have a case at all. When the time comes, I'll take care of moving if I have to. In any case, I have no idea where I would go. All of the potential bookstore locations are pricey, and none of the less expensive ones will attract customers like this one. I might as well try my hardest to salvage the building because I might be screwed."

A somber silence descended across the group. Enjoy a scone. Julia shoved a box of vanilla-frosted candies in my direction. I gave a headshake. After grabbing one, Sarah took a big mouthful. I said, "We need to figure this out." "A lawyer is probably our last hope."

My chest hurt at the thought of closing the store and packing everything. Five years ago, I put a lot of effort into opening this establishment with the aid of some loans and a city redevelopment incentive. After that, I had purchased my little bungalow and was content with a cozy existence filled with books, lovely gowns, and quirky accents. My food, entertainment, and apparel were all heavily discounted because all of my pals worked at amusement parks or ran cafés, catering businesses, or clothing stores.

I didn't know what I would do or how I would pay the bills if the store closed. As it was, the bookshop simply paid my bills and left me a small amount of money most months. I was still running on a very narrow profit margin and maxed out on credit cards and loans. I was afraid that if I closed, I would have to go back to my dad's drab trailer in a little town thirty miles away.

I took a look at my phone. It's six o'clock. Oh no. "Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have to go. Sarah is here until nine, so everyone is welcome to stay and talk.""There's a daaaate out there," Sarah sang. I had requested that she remain late.

The alternative-looking, tattooed, and pierced business owners woke up. I smiled and let out a little laugh. Did you hear that giggle, God forbid?" Mark enjoyed making fun of me. "You never laugh. What on earth is happening? Leak."

I gave an eye roll. I had been laughing uncontrollably. Due to Dominic. which was foolish because this was only going to happen once. A one-night stand that has the character of a dignified night. I didn't mind having sex only for the sake of having good sex. The man from the tattoo parlor by Universal Studios, is that right? Julia inquired.

I gave a headshake. "A single date with him was sufficient. After insisting on attending a buffet, he requested that I cover the cost. I don't mind paying half as much or having inexpensive meals, but this place was unpleasant, and I contracted food poisoning. Soon, it appeared on the Dirty Dining feature on Channel Six. In addition, after devouring a stack of crab legs, he tried to kiss me while chewing with his mouth open.

"So who's the lucky dude tonight?" was the collective ewww. Julia asked.

I shrugged, hesitating. Dominic is his name. Story Brothel is where I first met him. That large condo a few blocks away is where he resides. The one with the dumb moniker.

Julia grinned. "Blu?"

"That's the one, indeed.

Blu, omitting the E, was everything that my friends and I detested about the new Orlando. Amidst parking lots, squat old warehouses, and a few antique buildings like ours, a sleek, blue-glass tower fell. We had assumed that all the terrible new developments would be relegated to the marginally more run-down area on the outside of the city, so we hadn't bothered to protest Blu before it was built.

Now, however, we were being pursued by the redevelopment-progress, as the mayor called it. I inhaled deeply. If Dominic lived in such a heartless place, what sort of man was he? Now that I was with my tribe, my small group of alternative misfits, I pondered if it would be wise to eat dinner with him. It was clear how different we were.

many social groups. distinct aesthetics. Even other worlds.

I reached for my handbag. "Later!" Not wanting to linger and answer more inquiries about Dominic, I called out. inquiries that would cause me to have additional misgivings.

Analyzing my hesitation, I drove home. I decided it was stupid. In addition to passing judgment on poor Dominic, I was also placing a lot of blame on him. I didn't know his history or what he liked. Besides, what was the point? We were going to spend the night enjoying each other's bodies because I was attracted to him and he was attracted to me. It's just a romp.

I chose to primp instead of battling my doubts. Sometimes the highlight of an evening was getting ready, taking a shower, applying makeup, and putting on clothes. The anticipation was everything. The tease, as Dominic quite rightly noted.

I paused as I stood nude in my closet. I could dress more casually by wearing a top and a lovely pair of skinny pants. But because I might be spending some of the evening reading additional stories to Dominic, why not dress up a little and show him my true style? I had to feel confident after reading about sex. I had to act the part out.

I removed a small black garment from its rack. I didn't care that it was perhaps too formal for a dinner date. It had a halter top, a long skirt with a black tulle hem, and a black satin sash around the waist, giving it a rockabilly 1950s vibe. It kept me together fairly nicely up top and concealed my large ass. I thought about going without a bra. I stopped and took a pair of white lace thong panties out of my open bureau drawer.

No, thongs were very visible. I put the panties back in the drawer and picked out a sheer, champagne-colored pair of thigh-high stockings, a pale rose strapless corset with hooks in front and lacing up the back, and matching lace panties. Even though I didn't have anyone to wear it for at the time, I couldn't help but buy the entire outfit recently because it was on sale and so exquisitely gorgeous. I sipped a little wine and wriggled into everything, letting the day's frustrations go.

After putting on my favorite jasmine-tinged perfume and finishing the ensemble with four-inch black patent leather heels with pointed toes, I sailed out of my home. No issue was too big for perfume and red lipstick to solve.

Before I went, I also picked up Dominic's shining watch. I had emailed him earlier to offer to bring it over after he had left it in the bookstore the night before.

Dominic's condo was only a ten-minute drive from where I lived. However, the aqua-colored, glass-and-concrete high-rise next to a few other new condo buildings was a long cry from my old working-class neighborhood with its brick-lined streets. The street felt a little spooky and deserted. Ghosts, or were they all investors, or did anyone really reside here?

After parking on the street, I approached the building, stopping beside a massive palm tree that was wedged in a pile of mud. I thought it would be a good idea to gather myself and play around with my phone. I just wanted to make sure Dominic hadn't changed his mind and canceled at the last minute, not because I had nobody to call.

No messages were present.

I gazed at the tree's trunk's orderly design while standing in the near darkness. The tree itself appeared infertile. Really, what was I doing here? I entered the structure after taking a deep breath of the damp night air.

As soon as I entered the lobby, I looked up at the lofty, high-ceilinged atrium."Hello," I greeted the concierge. In the big room, my voice seemed so small. "I'm here to see Dominic King."

Even though it was evening, the atrium was bright and spacious, with white décor throughout. I was a fluffy, curvy black ball that bounced around the spotless room. I hoped I wasn't sweating too much, and an attempt to slow down my heartbeat didn't work.

God, I was being too dramatic. This was not a party for an engagement. All he would be is a fantastic hookup. I didn't want a clumsy courting, the sad farewell emails, and the eventual conversation regarding ex-partners.

I desired sexual relations. I came to read about fucking and then actually fuck. Simple, huh?

The elderly man who worked as the concierge looked at my attire and tapped a few numbers on the phone. Was I being too sensitive, or was that a tinge of inquisitive disapproval?"What's your name, Miss?"

I told him and gave him a courteous grin. Like an air traffic controller, the man hung up and used his middle and index fingers to indicate an elevator. Miss, this way."

I took a tentative step toward the elevator and then halted. "Uh, what floor?"

The doors opened when the man pressed the button on the wall. He gestured for me to enter, and then he did, tapping a card beside a keypad. "You'll reach the penthouse by doing this. Good luck tonight, Miss Heyes. The elevator doors slid shut as he got out. My ears popped as the car took me up, up, up. The panel had thirty-five buttons before the lit letter P appeared.

I inhaled deeply in an attempt to relax. Dominic's condo wasn't just an ordinary condo. He occupied the most luxurious penthouse in the city's newest and priciest building. I extended my hand, my fingers lingering over the buttons, feeling completely out of my league. I pondered whether or not I should push the red-ringed one that said STOP.

There was no place for eccentric girls from dilapidated trailer parks in a penthouse in a building called Blu. Unlike Dominic, who was obviously raised on the golden streets of progress, I was raised on the sandy dirt of orange groves.

On a lower floor, I pictured the elevator grinding to a stop. My cat, Higgins, would take naps on my old bed comforter while I tore down the fire escape stairs and returned to my comfortable home. I would prepare some tea. Stop trying to be a seductress.

Cease

Before pressing the button, I yanked my hand away.

The elevator then came to a stop, and the doors opened.