Jeffrey hadn't really hit the booze hard; instead, he'd chain-smoked his way through an entire pack of cigarettes.
After the lights came up and the music died down, he led the girl in the white dress out of the bar, right next to the hotel where his buddy Wesley had conveniently booked a room.
Jeffrey fished the key card from his pocket with a flick of his fingers and tossed it to her, "Go on up, I'm gonna grab another pack of smokes." She nodded and lowered her gaze, and was almost embarrassed to meet his eyes, "Okay..." Perhaps it was the high heels rubbing her the wrong way, but she was taking her sweet time walking, pausing every now and then.
Scratching his stubble, Jeffrey made a beeline for the convenience store, picked up a new pack, and lit one up as he strolled back to the hotel.
The streetlights flickered erratically, casting his chiseled profile in a dance of light and shadow.
Before heading up, he glanced at his phone: a message from his folks about dropping by the next day, a bunch of emails from his secretary with documents to review, and a text from the head of the Prosperity Consortium.
His eyes narrowed at the address; it was in an old neighborhood of Eldorria City, far from the Consortium's usual haunts. It didn't sound like Karen's rental but more like her parents’ place.
But what did he care? Pocketing his phone, he strode into the hotel and rapped on the door with his knuckles. The woman opened it, still blushing like a shy schoolgirl; her face and ears were both flushed with red.
Jeffrey walked in, plopped down on the bed and looked her over. "What's your name?" "Caren." He choked on his smoke, "What did you say?!" Startled by his sudden outburst, she shrank back, "My name is Caren, which starts with the letter C." "Of all the luck..." Jeffrey massaged his temple and suddenly felt irritable, "Why are you acting so skittish? Speak up. If you don't want to be here, you can leave." "No, Mr. Turner,” Caren quickly explained, "I'm a college student. It's my first night at Charm Night." "And?" "I... I've never had a boyfriend before..." For the first time, Jeffrey really looked at her. She wore a tight-fitting skirt that showcased her figure, but there was an undeniable air of discomfort about her. And her high heels had rubbed her skin raw, hinting at a painful redness.
"A virgin?" She nodded timidly.
He stood up abruptly and pulled out his phone, "Show me your bank details." Confused, Caren asked, "Why?" "Just do it!" She fumbled with her phone and brought up it.
Jeffrey took a drag from his cigarette, punched in a number, sent the payment, and then crushed the cigarette in the ashtray, "You can go now. I'm not into virgins." That could be too much hassle.
Caren browsed the sum he transferred before she turned to look at Jeffrey, "Mr. Turner, I didn't come with you for money." "Then why? For love?" Jeffrey let out a cynical laugh as he sat back down. "Sweetheart, I'm just out for some fun." Tears suddenly streamed down Caren's face, "I really thought I liked you, that's why I came willingly. I'm not here for the money. I can send it back!" Realizing she might be sincere, Jeffrey quickly stood up and snuffed out his last cigarette, "Forget about liking me. I've got a girlfriend.” Silence.
"Time to go. Stay in the room if you want, leave if you don't. Goodbye, kid!" It was the first time Jeffrey had ever left a woman alone in a hotel room and ran out by himself.
Back in his car, he couldn't help but glance at that text from the Prosperity Consortium head again.
Should he take a gamble and go to the foot of Karen's parents’ building?
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