Page 1 of Brie's Submission
The Invitation
Brianna put the money in the register and slammed it closed. It was another dull day in the tiny tobacco shop. This was sonotwhat she wanted for her life. She had gone to college and studied for four long years to get her degree in film, only to find that it would open no doors for her here in Hollywood. It was all about who you knew or who your daddy was. Four years and thousands in debt—and for what? To work full-time in this little tobacco shop day after day, making her homemade movies on the weekends and hoping for a break?Pathetic.
She adjusted her ponytail. It was one of those mornings when her curly brown hair refused to cooperate. Luckily for Brie, she looked good in a ponytail. Well, at least that was what she told herself.
“Brie, don’t forget to put out the new cigarettes. Several people complained about having to wait while we searched for their brand,” Mr. Reynolds called out from the back of the shop.
It was technically Jeff’s job, but the lazy shit never did anything. All the grunt work fell on Brie’s shoulders because she was reliable. What a horrible thing to be. Being labeled as ‘the reliable one’ meant that she was stuck doing everyone else’s job. Brie didn’t hold it against her boss, Mr. Reynolds, though. He wasn’t responsible for hiring the staff. The owner did that, and he mainly hired people within his family (which Brie was not). To his credit, Mr. Reynolds gave her a nice raise every time her evaluation came up. Still, she always got stuck taking up the slack, and it wasn’t fair.Not in the least!
Brie bent down and began opening the boxes to shelve the cigarettes. The sound of a man clearing his throat caused her to look up.
She was startled to see a strikingly handsome couple standing before her. The woman had long, red hair and the most tight-fitting leather outfit Brie had ever seen. Somehow, the lady didn’t look cheap in the hot little outfit. No, this woman oozed confidence and sex appeal. Very classy.
The man, however, made her tremble a little. His intense gaze seemed to go right through Brie. He was tall and incredibly attractive, with short, brown hair and chiseled facial features. However, it was those eyes that commanded her attention.
“Miss, could I have a pack of Treasurer Aluminium Black Cigarettes?”
Brie smiled apologetically. She knew they were some of the most expensive cigarettes made. “I’m sorry. We don’t carry those here.” The cigarettes were over fifty bucks a pack and the little tobacco shop did not serve that type of clientele.
The gentleman looked around and nodded. “Satisfy my curiosity and tell me what brand is in the box over there.”
He pointed to a box just out of her reach. Brie bent down and opened it up. She chuckled when she saw what was inside. “Sorry, these are just Marlboro Lights.” She stood up and turned to face him. Brie caught him staring at her butt and blanched. No one ever looked at her that way. It was embarrassing. Well, somewhat embarrassing. Okay, it was kind of cool…but how dare he?!
The man raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. It was exhilarating.
“Do you have any Fantasia Cigarettes?” the stunning redhead asked.
Brie grinned. “Nowthosewe do carry.” She stood on tiptoe to get a pack off the top shelf and handed it to the woman. “Is that all?”
“Do you like it here?” the man asked in a low, alluring voice that sent chills through her.
Why was he asking?
“Not exactly,” she answered, but her heart started racing at the thought that this might be her lucky break. The gentleman could be some big-time producer who wanted to give this little tobacco shopkeeper a chance.
“I’m not surprised. You don’t look as if you belong here.” The man put a hundred-dollar bill on the counter.
“I’m sorry; I don’t have change for that.”
He shrugged. “No matter. I don’t need the change.”
The man lightly stroked the length of his girlfriend’s arm. It looked so sensual and loving. Brie wished a guy would touch her like that. He caught her staring at them. She quickly glanced away, berating herself.How pitiful am I?
The redhead picked up the cigarettes gracefully and slipped them in her purse. She took her lover’s arm and smiled up at him. “Thank you, Sir.”
Brie thought it a little odd that the woman had called him ‘sir’, but the man kissed her hand tenderly. “I’m sure we can find a way for you to repay me.” They walked out of the store without looking back.
Brie watched them leave, wishing she could trade places with that woman. She looked down at the counter and saw Benjamin Franklin staring up at her. Her heart raced again. Would it be okay to pocket it when the man had obviously wanted her to have it? She rang in the price of the cigarettes and hesitated before picking it up.
Underneath the bill was a business card. Brie took a closer look and read:
The Submissive Training Center
25 Years of Excellence
She looked down at the bottom and saw a phone number and website address. Brie wondered if the gentleman had accidentally left it behind, so she stuffed it in her pocket just in case he returned. Brie stared hard at the money before she put it in the till, deciding to talk to Mr. Reynolds about it. The change from a hundred-dollar bill wasnotworth her reputation.
When she got home after work that night, Brie fished out the business card. Out of curiosity, she typed the web address into her tablet. The screen that popped up looked exceedingly professional. The organization appeared to be a community college of some sort. She pressed the information link and her jaw dropped.
