Penthouse of pleasure - uncertain desire (German Edition) (16 page)

I take a deep breath when I step onto the sidewalk. I’ve no idea why Marcus winds me up so much. Perhaps because he’s such an emotional imbecile? Would it have been so hard to simply have a nice chat with me and to look after me a bit? Especially since I’m not a pro and last night did actually confuse me more than I thought.

And what did he mean when he said he didn’t know what was going on between Liam and me? Nothing serious, or is it? Or?

… he never lets the other women sleep in his room. Never!

… you have to control your feelings or move out…

Damn it! Perhaps I really should move out. I’m presumably not cut out for this fucked up sex commune with those emotionally retorted weirdoes after all.

While I’m still mulling over Marcus’s words, a bus stops less than five yards ahead of me. I spontaneously hop on. Fuck Liam’s limo. I’m in no mood for his tight-lipped driver who presumably thinks I’m nothing but a bimbo. 

“Last stop, please,” I say.

The driver nods. “Are you coming back again as well?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Don’t know yet.”

“Why don’t you get a transfer? Works out cheaper.”

“Okay,” I agree. “How much is that?”

“Six dollars and fifty cents to you,” he tells me.

Phew, pretty steep, I think and hand over my last cash, a twenty dollar bill. The rest will have to do for a coffee and breakfast.

I didn’t touch Liam’s money. The envelope’s still lying on his bed. I need him to know that I don’t want to be treated like that. If he had even a tiny bit of emotional intelligence he should really have known that the money would offend me. I’ve told him often enough that I’m no hooker, that I don’t want to get paid for sex. And then Marcus’s performance just now. Sure, I like Liam. But I’m not in love with him. Or am I?

Presumably Marcus is just jealous, I reflect. Perhaps he isn’t used to a woman who doesn’t adore him and puts him on a pedestal.

And then there’s Alex. First he spoils me rotten at our date and tells me some real private stuff and the next day he simply disappears again. He didn’t even leave me a note.

All three of them are completely off their rocker, I think. Will I be able to last the next few weeks? The sex is fantastic, but is it worth it? Of course, I could do with the money I’m supposed to get at the end, but Liam’s ‘advance’ has left me in no doubt that I’m pretty allergic to getting paid for my ‘services’.

Jesus, Kate, I think, what did you let yourself get into?

“Right, lady, this is the last stop. You have to get off. I’m taking a break.” The driver is standing in front of me.

“Oh, are we here already?”

I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t notice that we’ve already arrived. I’m the last person left on the bus. 

I hastily get up from my seat, wish the driver a nice day and get off.

A little lost, I survey my surroundings.

Christ, what is this place? Looks like a tiny one-horse-town. I’m standing on what I presume is the main street. Small, colorful detached house with fields in the back and three stores, all right beside each other. An electrical goods store, a small  supermarket and a diner. 

Great, what a choice. I should have taken Liam’s money, I think wryly.

It’s obviously not my day today. With I sigh I head for the diner. I hope they serve good coffee.

The place isn’t exactly inviting. I buy myself a sandwich and a coffee and sit down on the bench outside. Luckily, it’s not cold today. The sun even makes sporadic appearances from behind the clouds. I sip my coffee, bite into the sandwich and absentmindedly stare at the road. Last night, after the incredible sex, I felt invincible and even a little loved. Today I just feel lousy. What a change!

I extract my cellphone from my purse and turn it on. The display shows a new text message and twenty emails since my last login. First I click my way through the emails. It takes quite a while, the broadband coverage not being particularly good in this dump. Most of the emails are junk mail, some are from my girlfriends, there’s one from my mother looking for an update and then there’s actually one from Andrew. He’s got some nerve! But I still want to know what he’s written. I’m too curious to ignore it. I quickly skim through his message and shake my head. Andrew apologizes verbosely and explains that he never loved Anne. Knocking her up had been an accident. Could we meet again?

Poor, pregnant Eco-Anne, I think. Andrew’s such an idiot. I can’t actually hate Anne; I feel genuinely sorry for her. Who in their right mind would want Andrew to be the father of her offspring?

In part two of his mail, Andrew warns me about Liam. It’s hard to get my head around it. HE warns ME.

I have heard that he is an extremely difficult person and peculiar in his dealings with women... Be careful! 

Andrew is the last person on this planet to sit in judgment over others. But Liam really is difficult and strange when it comes to women. I’d love to know why he’s part of the trio. What motivated him to look for female playmates and then even share them with his friends?

And, if it’s true that he never lets any of their women sleep in his room as Marcus claims, why am I the exception?

I delete Andrew’s mail, compose a few, reassuring words for my mom and my girlfriends and then click on the text message.

Hi, angel,

Sorry I had to leave so early this morning. Unfortunately I have some important meetings.

Hope you have a great time and look forward to seeing you soon. I’ll make up for my sudden departure then :-)

Liam  :-*

I put the phone back into my purse and throw the empty paper cup and sandwich wrapper into the trashcan.

Aimlessly, I stroll through the little village. Neat little yards in front of nice little houses whose, undoubtedly pleasant inhabitants would be shocked if they knew what I’ve agreed to. I can’t focus my thoughts, but in the end it really just boils down to two options. I either go through with the whole thing or stop. And if that’s what I decide, I should do it as soon as possible. But there’s my libido which doesn’t at all agree with my rational mind. Apparently it has no scruples...

After aimlessly wandering around for an hour, I find myself back on the main street, waiting for the bus. I have to get back anyway. Let’s just hope that Marcus has calmed down and won’t annoy me. And I pray that he won’t want to sleep with me.

“Hello, Miss, can I be of assistance?” The elderly lady eyes me quizzically. 

A little lost, I’m sitting on the steps to our apartment, bored, twirling a strand of hair between my fingers.

I’ve rung the bell a few times, but Marcus hasn’t opened the door. He’s either huffing and doesn’t let me in on purpose or he’s actually not at home.

Too bad I don’t have a key. And I don’t have Marcus’s cell number. And I really don’t want to call Liam right now.

“I forgot my key,” I reply pointing to the front door behind me.

“Oh, I see. Which apartment are you in? Or are you here on a visit? I’ve never met you before,” the woman observes and scrutinizes me over the rim of her spectacles.

“I live on the top floor. But only temporarily,” I tell her. 

“You are staying with the three young men?”

“Exactly,” I reply after hesitating. The elderly lady seems to be the boys’ neighbor. God knows what she’s seen. I feel myself blushing. 

“You must be the new housekeeper, are you?” she wants to know. “I knew your predecessor. I got to know her when I had a little accident. I slipped on the sidewalk and fell. Nicole helped me and secretly looked after me for a few days. She didn’t want her employers to find out. I don’t know why, but the gentlemen seem to be a little difficult. Typical executives, you know. Nicole is a nice girl. A bit too quiet, but very kind and helpful.”

Now the woman has my undivided attention. Nicole must have been one of their girls. Is this my chance to find out more at last?

“Yes, I’m kind of the new housekeeper,” I say quickly. “What did my predecessor say about the job then?”

“Not much,” she replies with a shrug of her shoulders. “Only that she was working for my neighbors. But just as a temp.  The gentlemen only ever hire temps. All of them very pretty, but none of them stays for long. I met a few in the hallway, but apart from a quick ‘hello’ they never said anything. Perhaps they were all foreigners. Are you foreign, too?”

“I’m not,” I answer cautiously.  I don’t think my roomies would approve of me talking to their neighbor. And apart from Nicole, all the others seem to have respected that.

“I always meant to ring Nicole to see how she’s doing, but I keep forgetting. I sometimes forget things, you know.”

“Do you actually have her number?” I ask excitedly.

“I do. She gave it to me before she moved out.”

I quickly concoct a little story. I want that number!

“Could I have it? I don’t know how to work some of the appliances in the apartment. All those new gadgets, you know. She might be able to help me.”

“Sure, why not. Come in for a minute and I get it.”

Rejoicing inside, I follow the kind elderly lady into the house. Turns out she lives on the first floor. She’d hardly hear any of the nocturnal activities in the penthouse. Hopefully, I’ll never bump into the people living under us.

“Come in...”

“Katherine. My name is Katherine,” I reply and follow her into her apartment.

Half an hour and two cups of coffee later, I leave Mary, that’s her name, with Nicole’s cell phone number in my purse. I promised Mary to see her again soon. In return, she promised me not to tell the guys about our acquaintance.

“If the men act so strangely, I would prefer they weren’t aware that we know each other. Just like Nicole. I don’t want to get into trouble with them,” I explain to her.

Getting through to Marcus to get back into the apartment is completely immaterial right now.

I run down the street for about half a mile, then I sit down on a wall, take the note from my purse and dial the number.

My nerves are strained to the limit. I listen to the phone ringing. Just as I’m about to stop the call, a female voice says: “Yes!”

I nearly drop the phone!

I take a deep breath. Now or never!

“Nicole?” I ask nervously.

“Yes. Who is this?”

“My name is Katherine. I got your number from a mutual acquaintance – Mary!”

It takes a few seconds before Nicole responds. “How do you know Mary?” She sounds wary. Too wary.

“She’s like a kind of neighbor. I live on the top floor,” I reply bravely and wait.

“Silence at the other end of the line. Total silence.

“Hello? Nicole? Are you still there?”

“Please don’t hang up, I pray.

“Are you out of your mind to call me? I’m going to hang up. Don’t ever call me again, you hear me!” Nicole’s nearly screaming.

“No!” I beg. “Don’t hang up! Listen to me, please! I accidentally ran into the three guys and I really need some answers! You are the only one who can help me. Please!”

Anxiously, I hold my breath. If Nicole doesn’t end the call now, there may just be a tiny chance to find out more about my roomies.

“What do you mean you accidentally ran into the guys?” Nicole still sounds very suspicious and I detect a hint of curiosity in her voice.

“I met them three days ago in a bar and now I’m living with them...” I start.

“What?” Nicole sounds shocked. “You didn’t reply to one of their ads?” 

“No,” I quickly reply before Nicole changes her mind and hangs up after all. “I just met them and I’m a bit out of my depth at the moment. The men are really nice and I’ve never experienced anything like it, but I don’t know if I can cope in the long run.”

Oh, God! You can’t be serious! You must be an absolute greenhorn!”

“Well, I guess I am!” I reply cautiously.

“You should move out immediately. It’s not a game for rookies!” she says. 

How interesting that Nicole calls what happens in the apartment a game, I think.

“It’s not quite that simple,” I tell her. “I’m in a bit of a tight spot right now. I’ve no money, no job and nowhere to live. Staying with the guys is something like a temporary way out.”

“Not a good idea,” says Nicole, “the consequential damages are extremely high!”

“What do you mean?” I ask. 

“Listen to me. I can’t help you. You know the contract. I don’t want to get into any more trouble. I’ve already said too much,” she tells me.

“No, please don’t hang up! Can’t we meet somewhere?”

“Meet?” Nicole sounds terrified. “You shouldn’t even have my number. It was a mistake giving it to Mary. I never thought she’d pass it on to one of their girls.”

“Please, Nicole!” I beseech hear. “I won’t tell anyone. I’ve also broken the rules by calling you. Please meet me!”

For a few seconds there’s no response from the other end of the line. Nicole seems to consider. 

“Send me a text with your email address. I’ll think about what you said and get back to you in the next few hours. I’m only doing this because I find it irresponsible of the men to invite a total novice to the apartment. You also have to delete my number from your contact list and the text after you’ve sent it. Better safe than sorry!”

Quite abruptly, we end our brief talk. I really hope that Nicole will agree to see me. I have so many questions!

I quickly send her a text with my email address and then delete her from my outbox. As promised, I also delete her number from my contact list and stow the slip of paper with her number in one of my purse’s little compartments. I doubt anyone could find it there. I only discovered it myself recently.

A little baffled I sit on the wall and watch the sparrows fighting over a discarded sandwich. What a simple life you have, I sigh.

Whatever did I let myself get into?

The thought of being alone with Marcus until tomorrow evening is quite disconcerting. I’ve no idea how that might work out!

But I can’t run away from him forever. I should really see if he’s back.