Chapter Three
Emily
It’s a good thing that I called Marvin yesterday because I thought that I'd meet him at his apartment, but he wants us to meet in Vegas. He sent me a message saying that he’s already there. It sent a shiver down my spine as I saw the message saying Vegas.
Then I remember the old saying, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.’
That must be the reason for him making us go there. I packed half-heartedly thinking that we’ll only be there for the weekend. I wanted to come up with an excuse not to go, but there was nothing holding me back. The office’s closed on the weekend and with the skeleton staff that we have in the one shop that hasn't been closed down, I’m not even sure if that’s worth opening either.
I’m sitting on the plane and thinking about the past and wondering if I’m making a mistake. Should I be going through with this or not? Until they announce that they’re getting ready to land and I know that there’s no turning back.
Maybe Katie’s right and the best thing would be to get someone to take over the business side of things. There’s only way to do that, and it takes money. Something that I don’t have at the moment.
When I refused the deal, I never thought I would fall this low and take him up on his offer. My business is losing, and the last thing I want is to close up shop. It’s as if he knew that it was going to swing in his favor to a degree I had been so arrogant about it. I laughed when he gave me the option, thinking that I’ll never have to take him up on it.
When the plane lands, I wait to hear if it’s safe for us to leave. Marvin is my dad’s best friend. One that’s taken me to Disneyworld as a kid, until he had a falling out with my dad. I never knew the exact details, but years later they started to be friend’s again, and that’s when I noticed him.
Not, as my dad’s best friend but something else. He didn’t seem old like he did when I was a kid. No, he was entirely different to me. I’m not blind; I see the way he looks at me. There’s lust written all over his face as he undresses me with his eyes. It used to make me blush until I started to get turned on whenever he was around.
I dismissed the whole idea of him feeling that way towards me. That’s until he’ll put his arm on my back and it’ll linger a little longer and turn from a friendly pat to a lustful one. He's never tried anything with me, until that day.
My parent’s wedding anniversary, I’d had a bit too much to drink. He mentioned that Silk Box was my main competitor, which surprised me because I never knew that he was aware of the jewelry business. He mainly dabbles in construction, and he has other business interests. What are they? I don’t know.
Once I’m off the plane, as soon as I put on my phone I see a message from him.
Marvin: I hope that your flight was pleasant. Meet me for dinner within an hour.
I pause once I have my luggage collected, looking at the message for a minute before walking for the exit.
There’s just one issue, apart from my ticket and getting to Vegas, Marvin didn’t give me any more instructions. He said that it’s all taken off, but as I struggle to get my case to the Arrival Lounge, I wonder what restaurant he has in mind.
I’m just about to text him when I see a tall man casually dressed in a jacket and jeans holding a sign with my name.
I walk up to him and says, “I’m Emily Crawford.”
He nods as he swiftly moves to my side and takes my case.
“My name’s Kurt, and I’ll take that for you, and I’m going to take you to the Mandarin Oriental. That’s where you’ll be staying in Vegas.”
Wow!
It’s one of the most prestigious hotels in Vegas. Then again with Marvin’s wealth, I shouldn’t be surprised that we’re staying in one of the top hotels.
“Nice to meet you, Kurt.”
He nods, “Nice to meet you too. If you follow me, then I can take you to the car. Is there anything that you need before we leave?”
I shake my head and follow him like a little child being led to the Principal’s office. Everyone’s going up and down the airport with excitement and to other’s their indifferent about being in Vegas. I’ve always wanted to come, but it’s one of the places that’s been on my list to visit, and I’ve never had the time to do it.
It’s almost as if my life’s been on hold for the last five years. From selling jewellery in my backpack to setting up a dying business. All my friends were going to college or having fun, and all I’ve ever done is work, work, and more work.
As we reach the limo, he puts the case at the back, and I was reluctant to come, but I packed as if I was staying for a month rather than a weekend. That’s the only information that Marvin sent in his message. The flight details with the date and time.
I sigh as Kurt opens the door and I step in. I wonder if he knows Marvin. Then again I’m too nervous to speak. I’m holding on to my phone as if my life depends on it. That’s when it vibrates, and I see a missed call from Michelle, my bestie. The one that I was supposed to be meeting this afternoon and judging by the time. I’m late.
Once the car starts moving, I lean back in my seat and call her back.
“Hey M.”
She laughs, “Emily we were supposed to be meeting like an hour ago. I’ve given up on you, and I’m back home. Don’t tell me. You forgot because you had some design idea.”
She’s used to me standing her up, my obsession with the business is something that I’m infamous for with my friends.
“No,” I clear my throat expecting her to scream down the phone.
“I’m in Vegas.”
“Shut up! And you never invited me? I thought you were broke.”
“Remember that deal that Marvin offered me?”
“Yes, the one I said that I'd happily do if you don’t want to and he wouldn’t even need to give me money. The guy’s too fine. With those dark eyes and speckles of gray in his spiky hair, he makes George Clooney look like his ugly twin brother because they could be brother’s you know?”
I’m just about to answer her because she’s said this a thousand times.
“I don’t understand why you never took him up on his offer and tell him that you’ll do it for free. He didn’t even need to pay you!”
“Because ” knowing that if I don’t stop her. That she’ll be talking about Marvin all night long. She’s got a major crush on him.
“I don’t want to be blackmailed into being with him.”
“Emily you need to be with someone. Damn! That pussy of yours must be all dried up. It’s never seen a dick!”
“Do you have to be vulgar all the time?”
She laughs, “You’re twenty-three. You don’t party. You don’t socialize until you’re forced to do it. Even my mom has more of a social life than you do and she’s the captain of a bridge team. Not the most exciting game in the world, but compared to your life. It’s riveting!”
I smile at the idea of a bridge captain having a better life than I.
“I know, I know…”
She stops me talking, “You don’t know, because if you did, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You stood me up for a dirty weekend in Vegas. I’ll forgive you. If it were for one of your designs, then I really wouldn’t do.”
“So, you think that I should just enjoy myself.”
“Girl, I’ve been telling you that for years. The only time that you go out is to either try and sell designs or our weekly Starbucks meet-up. That’s if you don’t stand me up for to make a new design, which most of the time you do.”
I sigh, “Sorry.”
“No, you go and get your groove on. All work and no play makes Emily a dull girl. Trust me, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and most likely it’ll be written all over your face. All I ask is for one thing?”
“What’s that?”
“That you come back and tell me if I was right. If he has a big cock?”
“You’re too much you know that.”
She giggles, “But I want to know. Now get off the phone and make sure that you look as sexy as hell this weekend. So, that he can fill you up with his big, fat cock!”
“Bye Michelle!”
“Be a bad girl! And I want you to tell me if I’m right when you get back.”
“Remember, what happens in Vegas. Stays in Vegas.”
I can hear her grumble, but then I hang up the phone before she says another word. She’s brought a smile to my face. One that reassures me that I’m going to take her words on the board and have fun. For once in my life.
Kurt calls out on the intercom, “We’re here. I’m just going to get your case out before opening the door.”
I look out and see that it’s as impressionable then I thought that it would be. We’re on the Vegas strip. The bright lights, the flashing signs are not an exaggeration when people talk about them.
Everything about this place is exciting and as he hands my case to a valet and says my name. I’m shocked when the boy follows us inside. I thought that Kurt would just drop me at the hotel, but it looks as if he wants to make sure that I check-in too.
I could get used to this life. The personal touch, where everything’s taken care off. I feel as if I’m in a different world as I walk through the reception area seeing the golden walls and the strong lights. There are people casually walking on the black marble floors, but to me this is a big deal. I don’t know what I’m more excited about?
Being with Marvin or just being here in Vegas?
As we reach the reception, Kurt says my name, and then with a nod, he tells me that I’m in the penthouse suite. The most expensive room in the hotel. I’m sure about it. I want to ask if I’m staying alone or if Marvin’s going to join me? But I don’t say a word and nod as quiet as a mouse, “Thank you.”
He nods and walks away. I’m left with the bell boy and as I watch him enter a different elevator. Not the one’s in the main hall; I feel as if I’m Cinderella. Being taken away from the rags to the riches.
Once we reach the suite, the bell boy’s talking, and I remember that I need to give him a tip. I can’t help but draw to the window wall which has a full view of the strip. He tells me that I can easily draw the curtains. I could sit on the bed and watch it all night long.
I reach in my purse and hand him a $20 note. I don’t even know if that’s the going rate? $5 would have seemed pathetic and $10 even more. I’m staying in the penthouse; I need to look the part.
But once he leaves and the doors close, I end up jumping up and down like a little kid on the bed shouting, “Yeah!”