Page 59 of The Facilitator: Part 3
I left the club with a membership pack and a smile on my face. Don Wilkins was a strange one. We met once every six months and I’d walk away totally unaware of exactly what the meeting was about, other than it was a checkup and a test each time. Obviously I passed since the contract had been renewed for the past few years. I knew there would come a time when it would be taken away, and only then would I pitch to the many countries that had been after a similar system for years.
As I sat in the taxi I took a call. “Hi, Veronica,” I said.
“I just wanted you to know everything is set as requested. I’ve also sent over the monthly accounts. We’ve made a huge profit,” she said, chuckling.
“Those are words I like to hear,” I said, also laughing.
“Thanks for the invitation to the charity event, I’ll RSVP officially, of course. And it would be wonderful so see so many of our members there,” she said, and I could just picture the devious smile on her lips.
“Yes, Lauren said the same thing. Maybe we can scare them into donating more money.”
“I might walk around with a whip.” She roared with laughter. “Anyway, I best be off.”
We said our goodbyes and I clicked off my cell. The club had a year-long waiting list and members scrambling to join, even offering to double the membership fee. Veronica and I had chatted about adding to the membership by another one hundred but we’d have to be super selective. Not everyone who applied actually got in and the one or two arrogant sports stars that harassed her each month to see where they were on the list were constantly bumped down.
As promised, there was a set of accounts on my desk when I arrived at the office and I smiled. The club was proving to be one of my more profitable investments and gave Alex and I many opportunities and opened doors.
“Mary, do you want to come to a charity event with Lauren and me?” I shouted, not knowing if Lauren had already invited her.
“I’ve sent my response already,” she said. “Is this a company do?”
“A what?”
“A company do? Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“Erm, yes, I guess so,” I replied.
“Good, you’ll give me your credit card so I can buy a frock then, won’t you?” She smiled, knowing full well that it wasn’t and I would.
“Go here, but stay in the front of the shop. The back end is all sex toys,” I said, writing the address of the store that supplied most of Lauren and Gabriella’s wardrobe, as well as items for the club.
“Sex what?”
“Sexy stuff. But don’t worry, you’ll find a lovelyfrockthere. I’ll let them know to add whatever you buy to my account.”
She stood and walked into my office, hands on hips and looking over her glasses at me.
“Let me get this straight. You have an account at awoman’sclothes shop that also sells sex toys?”
I held her gaze and smiled. “Yes, Mary, that’s correct.” I kept my eyes wide and innocent. “Not sure if you missed it, but I happen to be married to a woman and she likes the shoes.”
She tutted and took the piece of paper. “Bet they won’t have anything my size,” she muttered, but I could see the smile she was trying to hide.
“Whatever you wear, my lovely Mary, you’ll be a stunner. I’ll have to make sure to keep the men at bay,” I said.
She chuckled and blushed a little. She picked up the handbag with the brick in it and then told me she was taking the rest of the day off to go shopping. Of course, she dared me to challenge her and I didn’t. I laughed as the elevator doors closed behind her. No matter that she’d left early, I could guarantee every piece of work she had that day had been done already.
An hour later Lauren came up to see me.
“What did you do to Mary?” she asked, laughing.
“I don’t understand,” I replied.
“I just took a call from my favorite shop and she’s in there buying an outfit and some sex toys!”
“I told her to buy a dress, nothing more,” I replied, wide-eyed.
“Well, I’m guessing she’s enjoying all parts of the store,” she said. “What’s the dress code for this evening?” she asked, changing the subject.
