Into The Woods (Dark Fairy tales), page 29
Even with all of Maddox’s demands, she still cared for him. Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was probably better that he was gone; that it was better she let him go, because she knew that she could never be the woman he wanted. As much as Sutton hated to admit it, she really didn’t want to strive to be the woman Maddox wanted. As much as she cared for him, she loved the person she’d become more. She loved being free, open, and independent, and staying with Maddox for the long run would turn out to be nothing more than trading her grandmother’s jail for another.
Sutton shook the racing thoughts out of her mind as she finished addressing the last of the invitations for Tavia’s charity ball. Tavia’s frivolous errands were a welcome distraction from the constant marathon that continued to run through her head. Sutton stuffed the last envelope into the box and carried it into Tavia’s office. She looked around the lavish room with the world’s messiest desk.
As she placed the box on top of Tavia’s cluttered workspace, a smile crept to her lips. Jeremiah’s face popped into her head as the memory of the intense moment they’d shared in the very spot played in her mind. Jeremiah was a shocking surprise, Sutton thought, as she collected a few files from Tavia’s cabinet. His kindness during her epic mistake with the pills was something she hadn’t expected. The idea she’d had in her head about Jeremiah was a combination of the things Maddox had fed her and his intense silence. Sutton was actually happy to know that she was wrong.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Jeremiah said, as he entered the office.
Sutton turned and gave Jeremiah a welcoming smile. “Hi, Mr… Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah strolled across the office and plopped a file folder onto Tavia’s desk. “Where’s our fearless leader this evening?”
“Dinner date.”
“You’re here awfully late,” Jeremiah said, as he glanced at his Rolex.
“It’s only seven. Besides, I took three days off earlier this week, so I had some work to catch up on before the weekend,” Sutton replied sadly, as she turned back to the file cabinet to continue her work. “Did you need something?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
Sutton peeped over her shoulder at a grinning Jeremiah, “What’s that?”
“You.”
“Me?” Sutton nervously questioned. “What do you need me for?”
“A buffer. I have a dinner with some old friends tonight. It’s something I do once a month, and I hate it.”
Sutton closed the file cabinet and gave Jeremiah a relived smile. “Why do you hate it?”
Jeremiah cleared a small spot-on the corner of the desk and took a seat. “Because I’m single and they’re happily…well, married. I get shit every month about how I’m thirty-eight and I need to settle down and find someone. I figure if I take you along they will be so enamored with your beauty that I won’t get bombarded with questions, as usual.”
“You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?”
“No. I want you to pretend to find my friends interesting,” Jeremiah joked. “They are a boring lot. Come on, it will be fun. You can get out of your head for a few hours.”
Sutton lost her smile. “Out of my head? I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sutton, I think we both know he dumped you,” Jeremiah said empathically. “It’s okay.”
“How did you know that?” Sutton replied sadly. “Do I look like a girl that just got kicked to the curb?
“No. I just know Maddox.” Jeremiah gazed into Sutton’s sad eyes. “The combination of your mistake and Carmen…well, you never stood a chance. Plus, the man’s never been known for his common sense,” Jeremiah laughed.
“That’s not true. Maddox is very intelligent.”
“No, I mean he’s never been smart when it comes to women. I’ve seen a few of his relationships, and trust me, none of them have ever worked. Which in turn should say more about the man than the women. So you really shouldn’t be too upset.”
“I’m not upset,” Sutton lied, as she averted her eyes from Jeremiah’s.
“You are, but you’ll never admit it. I don’t blame you. Love makes you weak, and weakness is a emotion that I will never claim.”
“So, you never show weakness? You walk around like the man of steel at all times?” Sutton asked, with a slight giggle.
“As a matter of fact, I do. Under this designer suit is my cape and tights.”
Sutton giggled, “Well, Clark, I’ll have to pass on the buffering position, because I have plans.”
“Oh, yeah? What are your plans for this lovely Friday? Are you going to The Woods?”
The thought of The Woods made Sutton’s stomach knot. The last place she wanted to be was at the scene of her infamous mistake. The idea of running into Raymond, or worse, Maddox with another girl, was terrifying.
“No! I’m not going there ever again.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned that, given last week’s situation.”
“It’s fine. I just want to put it behind me and move on.”
“So, why not do so by getting out, and not moping around your apartment? Trust me, you’ll have fun, and if you don’t I’ll…”Jeremiah started but trailed off into thought.
“You’ll what?”
“I will give you a paid day off,” Jeremiah proclaimed excitedly.
“That would be great, if I worked for you,” Sutton quipped as she gathered her purse.
“Technically, you do. You don’t give me enough credit, Sutton. I have pull with the boss lady,” Jeremiah teased, flashing Sutton a sparkling smile.
Sutton couldn’t help but laugh at her cocky boss. “You really don’t take no for an answer, do you?”
“What was your first clue? I’ll be at your front door at eight-thirty. Wear something nice, but casual.” Jeremiah gave Sutton another dazzling smile and then strutted out of the office.
Sutton was at a loss. As much as she wanted to just decline his offer, she couldn’t. There was something intriguing about Jeremiah. Sutton loved the fact that whenever he was around she forgot about the pain of Maddox. Being with Jeremiah was the antidote to the intense sadness that lingered over her since their fallout. Sutton wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Maddox and Jeremiah were complete opposites. Or that, much like her, Jeremiah knew the bastard that Maddox could be.
I’m not going, Sutton thought, as she turned off the lights and exited the office. The long walk down the grand staircase and to her car was nothing more than a repeat of that same mantra. The drive home shifted the mantra to, “I will tell him another time would be better.” By the time her key unlocked the door she was already running possible outfits to wear through her head. Okay, I’ll go, but only for awhile, and then I’m coming home, Sutton decided, as she placed her dress on the bed and hopped into the shower.
The hot water didn’t help clear Sutton’s head. She didn’t know why she was rushing off for a date with a man that she barely knew. This was especially true given that her relationship with Maddox was only a week dead and buried. Yet Sutton couldn’t fight the urge to get dolled up and have a night out with Jeremiah. It was going to be better than spending it in bed thinking over the massive mistakes she’d made with Maddox.
Sutton quickly scrubbed her body and hopped out of the shower. After she finished applying her lotion, she slipped on a tight black strapless dress. She looked at herself in the mirror and quickly vetoed the too sexy option. Quickly she unzipped it, letting it fall to the floor as she hurried to the closet. Sutton dug through her closet and pulled out a pink sleeveless silk wrap dress. Perfect, she thought as the smooth fabric molded to her skin.
As Sutton applied a thin coat of pink gloss, she was interrupted by the doorbell. She glanced at her watch. It’s only eight-ten, he’s early, she thought, as she slid on her shoes and hurried to the door.
“You are extremely early Jere—”Sutton started, but stopped cold as she looked at her visitor. “Oh…um…Fiona, what are you doing here?” Sutton asked nervously.
“I’m here to see you. Do you mind if I come in?” Fiona asked coolly.
“Please,” Sutton replied, as she moved to let Fiona in. Sutton watched as Fiona gracefully sat and crossed her long chocolate legs. Sutton cautiously took a seat across from her. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Sutton asked, trying her best to mask her fear. She knew exactly why Fiona was making an uncharacteristic house call.
“How are you feeling?” Fiona asked kindly, as she eyed Sutton. “Hayden said you were doing well?”
“I am. I felt a little sick for a day or so, but I’m fine now.”
“I hope you know that I am deeply sorry that my guards did not intervene sooner. However, given the nature of our business, I think you know that sometimes no means yes, and role play is par for the course. Please, know that Raymond has been punished for his misdeeds.”
“Punished? Did you call the police?”
“And tell them what?” Fiona replied coolly. “Tell them that you were attacked after taking drugs? Drugs that we can’t definitively identify, at an underground sex club? They would either lock you away or commit you.”
“He shouldn’t get away with attacking me,” Sutton replied, anger creeping through her words.
“In this world, we handle things differently. There is no need to get the police involved in a matter that can easily be handled in-house. Trust me, anything the legal system can do would be nothing compared to the hurting Jeremiah put on him.”
“What? Jeremiah? What did he do?”
“Don’t worry yourself about that. Just know that at The Woods we take care of our own.”
“Well, I guess, thank you,” Sutton said, still confused as to what she meant by ‘the hurting Jeremiah put on him’. Had Jeremiah done something to Raymond? Sutton’s mind flashed back to the night of the incident. Jeremiah’s anger toward Fiona was nothing compared to what he probably had for Raymond.
“There is no need for thank you,” Fiona said, snapping Sutton out of her thoughts. “I’m unfortunately not here for that.”
“Really? Then what are you here for?” Sutton asked, even though she was pretty sure of the answer.
“I think we both know why I’m here, Sutton.” Fiona narrowed her eyes as she met Sutton’s.
“Maddox?”
“You can understand how upset I was to hear that a member was not only tricked, but lied to. However, I think you know that’s not the real reason I’m pissed.”
“Fiona, I didn’t mean to tell him about the club, it really just slipped out.”
“Slipped out?”
“Well…yes. I was trying to explain myself and…well…it slipped out. I understand my mistake, but I never meant any harm.”
“Sutton, there is no room for mistakes in this line of business. I thought that you were going to be one of my greats, but I can see that I was wrong. The last thing I need is a weak link. It’s like I told you; we take care of our own, and unfortunately for you, Maddox has been a part of the family a lot longer than you have.”
“So, what does this mean?”
Fiona pushed away her anger and stared coldly into Sutton’s eyes. “You’re fired. You accounts will be cleared and closed.” Fiona reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. “This is your severance pay,” she said, handing the envelope to Sutton. “I think you remember the contract, and we will not have any arguments over the agreements that you signed and broke.”
Sutton looked at the envelope and couldn’t help but laugh. She’d given up her relationship to work at The Woods, and now The Woods was gone, too. “Yeah, I remember,” she said, with a sardonic snort.
“What’s so funny?”
“This whole thing. You make it sound as if I’m losing something I will miss. Like I’m being excommunicated from the world of sick fucks and assholes who get off on kinky sex, and I will never recover. Don’t get me wrong, the money was nice, but this whole fucked up situation…I was attacked and I get fired.”
“No, you got fired because you’re childish and sloppy,” Fiona retorted angrily. “You are the only member of my staff who I feel I have to constantly watch. You aren’t made for this lifestyle.”
“Sorry, I didn’t major in hookerology,” Sutton quipped. “This is total bullshit. You brought me into this, Fiona. I didn’t come to you begging to be a hooker. You opened the doors and let me in.”
“And that was a fucking mistake if ever I made one. Do you want to know the real reason I’m letting you go? I can overlook the fact that you overdosed, or got drugged, or whatever. I can even try to get over the fact that you revealed club secrets to members. However, when a member personally says they want to see you gone, I must abide by their request. Maddox is an old friend, and after he told me what you did…well, let’s just say I had no choice.”
Sutton took in Fiona’s admission. “Maddox told you to fire me?” she asked, still a little shocked.
“I believe his exact words were ‘make sure I never see the lying bitch again.’ I have every right to take you out, Sutton. I could do as Maddox suggested, and destroy that pretty little career and life before it even gets started. One call to Tavia and…well, let’s just say the socialite would be appalled at the idea of a whore working for her. However, I’m going to be benevolent and let you go with a warning. Don’t cross me, and never think I can’t change my mind and crush you, little girl,” Fiona spat as she rose from the couch. “Now, with that said, I will need your access card and I’ll be on my way.”
Sutton shook her head in disgust as she rose from her seat and retrieved the card from her purse. “It’s probably for the best,” Sutton said, as she handed the card to Fiona.
Fiona dropped the card into her purse and looked at Sutton inquisitively. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, the last thing I want in life is to become, well…you. I don’t need you, Maddox, or your stupid club. And if you see him, please let him know breaking up with him was the best thing I could have ever done.”
“I’ll make sure to let him know the next time I go to New York,” Fiona replied, as she made her way to the door.
“New York? Maddox is in New York?” Sutton asked, completely surprised.
Fiona turned on her heels and gave Sutton a condescending smile. “Yes. He told me that he needed to be as far away from you as possible. But that shouldn’t be an issue, because losing him was the best thing you’ve ever done remember? Have a great life, Sutton.”
Fiona walked out the door and down to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed she pulled out her phone. “Our little problem is taken care of. I can’t guarantee that she will stay away, but she sounds as if she’s done. Oh, don’t worry, she will not be contacting you anytime soon, Maddy. I made sure of that. I’ve done all I can do. Whatever happens next is all Sutton’s doing.”
***
Sutton tried to follow the story, but found herself slipping into thoughts of Maddox and his Fiona insult-bomb. All of the feelings of remorse and guilt were gone the minute Maddox’s minion had walked through her door. Now Sutton wondered if she really ever meant anything to Maddox. After all, he thought nothing of telling Fiona to destroy her. Even though she’d lied to him, she knew that didn’t warrant destroying her not-even-started career. The anger of his spiteful act only made her regret the three months she’d spent with him.
“Sutton, did you hear me?” Jeremiah asked, breaking Sutton from her angry thoughts.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Sutton asked, as she snapped back into reality.
“I said that you look bored. Are you ready to leave?”
“We don’t have to leave. Go, enjoy your friends,” Sutton said, as she sipped her wine. She hated that she hadn’t been much company for Jeremiah. Most of the night her mind was elsewhere, and she hated to admit his friends really were a boring bunch.
Jeremiah grabbed Sutton’s hand and pulled her in close. “I was hoping to use you as an excuse to leave,” he whispered softly in Sutton’s ear.
Sutton smiled. “Then in that case, let’s blow this joint.”
The ride home was much like the rest of the evening. Jeremiah would bring up the occasional topic, but Sutton sat lost in her thoughts. As she watched Jeremiah pull into the parking garage of their building, Sutton began to wonder how she’d gotten this far. In three months time she’d gone from being the nice, quiet church girl to a high priced hooker. The only two things that made sense in her new, crazy life were gone. Now that she no longer had Maddox, and she was officially out of The Woods, what was next?
Sutton climbed out of Jeremiah’s Jaguar and entered the private elevator. She watched as he typed in his code for the penthouse. “No, you can let me off at my floor,” Sutton said, as she gave Jeremiah a sweet smile.
