Fan Fiction ❯ Bisexual Bordello ❯ Chapter 2

Serenity walked through the large glass doors of the hotel.  She glanced around the main lobby and saw a tall, well-dressed man reading a newspaper on the bench where she was to meet with her client.  She smoothed her hair quickly and approached him.

"Mr. Minamoto?  I'm Serenity." She smiled politely.

A warm voice spoke agreeably from behind the newspaper.  "Good, good," he said.  "I'm running a bit behind tonight, so…" He lowered the paper and elegant, gold-rimmed eyeglasses peeked out from underneath a mop of wheat-colored, wind-blown styled hair.  He wore a designer suit of rich brown with a white shirt and matching tie.  His voice cut off short and his clear blue eyes widened as he stared at the young woman in front of him.

The petite brunette was likewise staring in shock.  Her bright blue eyes echoed mixed emotions as she stared wordlessly.  After only a second she quickly composed herself and spoke.  "Well," she said.  "We should probably get going so that we're not too late.  Have you already called for a taxi?"  She absentmindedly smoothed her short, dark blue dress over her hips and adjusted the strap of her handbag.

Minamoto nodded silently.  "Yes," he muttered.  "Can't be running late tonight.  I'll just have to sort this one out later."

The two of them walked out to where the taxi was waiting alongside the hotel.  They climbed wordlessly into the taxi and settled into the backseat.  "The Sherado Conference Center," Minamoto instructed.

As the taxi pulled away from the curb he settled back into the seat and stared out the window, being very careful to avoid looking at the young woman seated beside him.  The ride to the conference center lasted only a few minutes, and he was grateful when the two of them were finally able to step out of the confines of the cab.  

The two of them walked up to the door of the conference center together.  Minamoto was trying to keep distance between the two of them, but the woman stepped over and hooked her arm in his.  He started to protest, but she just smiled up at him.  "We wouldn't want anyone at the party to think you're not having a good time, would we?" she asked charmingly.  

"No, of course not," Minamoto muttered.  They walked in through the door and found themselves in a spacious main hall.  There were a number of people milling about in stylish business suits, much similar to the one that Mr. Minamoto wore.  At their entrance, one of the men broke away from the small group he was conversing with and approached them.

"Good timing, the boss hasn't arrived yet.  Ronald is speculating that he's trying to be `fashionably late'.  Bad excuse to stop at the bar on the way up if you ask me.  Oh, this must be your date."  The man's energy was amazing when compared to his appearance.  He was on the stocky side, slightly balding at the top of his head, and appeared to be in his forties or fifties.  However, he spoke with the non-stop energy and stilted attention span of a seventeen year old.  

"Charlie, this is my date, Serenity," Mr. Minamoto said.  "I'm going to probably only stay for a while tonight, just long enough to put in the appearance and such.  I'm sure I can think of some work I need to get done tonight."

Charlie smiled broadly at Minamoto and winked.  "Oh, absolutely.  With a gem like that, I think I'd find work to do, and you know how I am about working outside business hours."

Minamoto reddened slightly but the young woman on his arm was unperturbed.  She giggled lightly.  "Oh how terribly funny!" she said.  "I like that, `working outside business hours'."  She giggled again.  

Minamoto worked nervously at his tie.  "Er…yes," he said quickly.  He glanced around the room and spied a table set with drinks.  "Are those martinis?  I could go for a drink, it's kind of warm in here."  He steered Serenity toward the table and quickly scooped up one of the glasses.  He downed the drink in a swallow and tried to regain his composure.

Suddenly Charlie was next to him again.  "Don't be hitting those too hard," he warned.  "You-know-who just walked in the door; you don't want him to have a reason to come down on you."

Minamoto nodded and glanced toward the middle-aged man who'd just walked in the door.  He was dressed in an expensive-looking suit and his wife was dressed in an equally expensive business dress and was dripping with diamond jewelry.  The two of them looked around the room speculatively, almost like they were counting the number of people and examining the catering quality.

"Well, I'm going to go get my pleasantries out of the way so that I'm not stuck talking to him after he's totally wasted," Charlie muttered.  "See you two in a bit."  He slapped a fake smile on his face and walked toward the pair.

Serenity and Minamoto mingled with the rest of the guests for a while; Serenity subtly avoided the drinks table, and chirped bubbly to anyone willing to make conversation, but Minamoto seemed inordinately nervous and managed to have several more drinks before his boss happened to notice the two of them and approached.  

The business executive addressed Minamoto directly.  "Rick, good to see you, got those reports you e-mailed me just before I left today.  Top notch, as always."  

"Thank you, Sir," Minamoto replied.  

"And who's your friend?" the executive asked.  "I don't believe I've met her before."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Minamoto exclaimed.  He fumbled with his drink and gestured toward the young woman.  "This is Serenity; it's the first time she's been to a company party with me."

"Wonderful, wonderful," Minamoto's boss replied.  "Beautiful gal, you've got good taste, Rick."  He reached around and slapped Serenity on the rear.  "Keep up the good work!" he said, and then walked on.  

When he was sure his superior was out of ear shot, he made a disgusted face and frowned angrily.  "Drunken ass," he muttered.  " `Keep up the good work' indeed."  He glanced at his watch and noted that it was only ten to nine.  

Serenity suddenly leaned in close to whisper to him.  "This is usually the time of night that people suddenly remember things, if you were still looking to leave early," she commented.

"Yes," Rick agreed.  "I think I just remembered a project that is pushing its deadline."  He worked his way across the room to where Charlie was mingling and laughing with a small group of business people.  "Psst, Charlie!" he said.  "I'm bugging out.  `Stuff' to do, you know."

Charlie gave him a huge wink.  "Go on," he said.  "I'm sure I'll be able to remember what project you were working on if anyone asks."

Rick just nodded dully.  He could feel the buzz of alcohol starting to find a grip on his thoughts, and he relied on Serenity to steer him successfully to the exit.  Once outside, Serenity stepped up to the curb and hailed a cab.  

As the yellow vehicle pulled up, Serenity turned to Minamoto.  "I suppose you'll want to go over to the Academy and get this straightened out," she said.  

"Right away," Minamoto sighed.  "Of all the things that could possibly happen to me tonight…"

The two of them got into the taxi.  Rick sighed tiredly and slumped against the back of the seat - he didn't look to be in any condition to be giving directions to the driver.

"Where to, folks?" the driver asked genially.  His aged face smiled at them in the rear view mirror.  Weathered skin and wrinkles framed twinkling brown eyes and the night cast heavy shadows over his face.

Serenity sat forward.  "The Academy of Social Grace and Service," she said.

The driver brightened.  "Oh, you one of Miss Aphrodite's gals?"

The brunette smiled.  "I take it you're familiar with the Academy," she said.  "Yes, I've been working there for close to a year now."

In the seat next to her, Rick Minamoto groaned loudly.  

"Your…er…companion feeling all right there, Miss?" the cab driver asked.  He glanced back at them in the rear view mirror as he drove.  

"He had a couple too many at the party tonight I think," she replied.  "Is it all right if I put this on Lady Aphrodite's tab?  I don't think he'll be good to try to count bills tonight."

"Not a problem," the driver replied.  "You going to need me to stick around and drive him home?" he asked.

"He's paid up through the night, so he'll probably stay at the Academy," Serenity said.  "Otherwise, I'm sure Lady Aphrodite'll have someone drive him home."

"Righto," the driver said.  He pulled up outside a stately mansion.  The expansive building and grounds looked much like an old plantation home or an ivy-league college, and a sign on the front lawn proclaimed "The Academy for Social Grace and Service".  

"Well, here you are," the driver said.  "Enjoy your night, Miss.  And you behave yourself, young man," he warned Rick.  "Miss Aphrodite don't much like drunks in her Academy."

"I'll remember that," Rick said blearily.  He stood unsteadily as Serenity helped him out of the car.  As the cab pulled away, he looked at Serenity.  "And I'm not that drunk, you know," he said.  

"I know.  I also know it's all you could do to not make an idiot out of yourself tonight."  She eyed him up as they walked up to the building.

Rick watched her in frustration for a moment, and then suddenly couldn't contain himself any longer.  "I think I did damned good, considering the situation.  You were absolutely the last person I would have expected to find in a place like this."

"First of all, if you hadn't been a chicken-shit and had given Lady Aphrodite your real name, this wouldn't have happened.  She'd have made sure that I was scheduled with someone else tonight and would have chosen another woman for you.  Second, don't talk about the Academy like it's some kind of trashy thrill house.  Lady Aphrodite runs the finest, cleanest establishment in the country and you know it - otherwise you wouldn't have come here."

"It also wouldn't have happened if my daughter had told me she was working at a whorehouse!" the man snapped.  He also wanted to make some kind of reply to the comment about her being scheduled with someone else, but his alcohol-fogged mind couldn't form a coherent argument for the issue.

A dark-haired, solidly built man had been watching the argument from inside.  As they walked into the building he approached the two.  "This gentleman giving you problems, Serenity?" he asked.

"Some problems in the paperwork came up, nothing to fret about Eagle," she said.  "Is Lady Aphrodite at the front desk?"  

"Should be," Eagle replied.  "She was just there fixing Mouse up with a date for tonight."  

Serenity was amused to see that Eagle looked slightly put out.  "Oh, don't worry," she laughed.  "He goes through them like water.  They'll be done in a couple hours."

Eagle turned red.  "And what makes you think I am concerned about what Mouse does?" he demanded.

Serenity laughed again.  "Go play some cards or something, Eagle.  I'll stop by the game room after I've talked to Lady Aphrodite."

The petite young woman led her father through the carpeted entranceway to the front desk.  Behind the desk sat a woman of indeterminate age.  Her brown hair cascaded lightly around her face and shoulders in large curls and she wore a slinky, forest green evening gown.  Blue eyes looked out from under thick black eyelashes and brown eye shadow.  The slightest hint of lipstick was evident in the berry color of her rosebud lips, which parted slightly in surprise as Serenity approached.

"Serenity!" she said.  "You're back early.  Is everything all right?" The woman immediately noted the slight flush on Rick's face and his unsteadiness on his feet.  

"It seems there is a problem in the paperwork," Serenity said in a monotone.  "Mr. Minamoto here inadvertently gave the wrong name.  It should have been `Rick Carlson', the same as is listed on my private file as `parent or guardian'."

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow.  "Is that a fact?" she asked.  "And did this Mr. Minamoto, or rather Carlson, omit or change any other information on his application?"

"No," Rick replied sullenly.  "The rest of it is accurate.  I had no interest in hurting anyone or misleading anyone; I was merely interested in protecting my identity."

Aphrodite leaned forward.  "Mr. Carlson, all of the men and women here are of the utmost trustworthiness and are very discreet.  And, as you can see now, I ask for clients' names for a reason.  All of the students here have assumed names, but I do cross-reference potential clients with their private files to be sure this type of circumstance doesn't happen."

Rick sighed and sat down heavily in one of the plush chairs near the desk.  "If you'll excuse me," he muttered, "I need to sit.  I believe I've drank more tonight than I have in over a decade."

Serenity looked over at him.  "Well, you're not totally wasted and you have paid up for the whole night," she said.  "Would you rather see if there's someone else who's not booked for the night?  You're certainly not going to be driving or walking home in your condition."

Rick mulled over her proposal.  "Is that a typical option? I don't want this messed up any more than it already is."

"It's certainly an option," Aphrodite said.  "As much as I train the men and women here in all forms of social grace, there are some who find that they're just not compatible with a client.  I have no problem with you having taken Serenity to your business party tonight and then choosing another for the rest of your evening."

Rick stood and leaned against the desk.  "All right," he said.  "Is there even anyone available this late at night?"

Aphrodite smiled brightly.  "Of course!" she replied.  "We have clients walk in at all hours of the day or night.  Let me pull out the directory; we can go over some pictures and names and see whose schedule is open tonight."  She pulled a heavy bound volume onto the desk and opened it; Rick found that the pages were profiles of men and women with a picture attached to information about each person.

He blushed slightly and started to page through the book, looking out from under heavy eyelids at the pages.  Suddenly, he was startled into standing upright by sinewy, lightly tanned arms wrapping around his waist.  

"Date didn't work out, Serenity?" a silky smooth young man's voice purred.  "I'm available, if your friend here is looking for something different."

Serenity chuckled.  "Caribbean, for shame.  People are going to start thinking you some kind of slut," she remarked.  

"C-Caribbean?" Rick asked thickly.  He twisted his shoulders, trying to get a look at the young man who still had him in a sturdy embrace.  His mind was able to register the fact that it was a young man's voice he heard, and that the hands clasped in front of him at his waist looked larger than the average woman's hand, but it was having difficulty registering what these things meant.  "Er…you're…a man, correct?"

Caribbean and Serenity both laughed and Aphrodite raised an eyebrow in amusement.  Rick blushed hotly, realizing he must have said something that was exceedingly obvious.

"Yes, I'm a man," Caribbean said.  "Five foot eight, blonde hair, blue eyes; twenty five years old, been here at the Academy for seven years." He smiled mischievously.  "I think that covers the basics of my profile, but you're welcome to get to know me more intimately if you're interested."  

"Eh, sorry," Rick stuttered in apology.  "I didn't realize…I mean, it just surprised me…that is, when Charlie told me about this place, he only mentioned women…" He let the thought trail off as he realized he forgot what he was trying to say.  

"So…" Caribbean started again.  He let an edge of seduction slip into his voice again.  "Is there anything I can do for you tonight?"  He ran one of his large, smooth hands over the smooth designer fabric covering Rick's thigh.  "Perhaps it's better discussed in a bedroom?"

The word "bedroom" spoken in Caribbean's milk-and-honey voice evoked images of a plush, warm bed and soft pillows in Rick's mind.  Suddenly the man's touch didn't seem quite as awkward as it had a few minutes earlier.  Really, his mind reasoned, sex didn't technically have to be involved; he'd just paid to have the services of an escort for the night, what they did with their night was up to them.  Perhaps the young man saw an opportunity to have his night taken up and not have to be with a less appealing prospect, he thought.  The blonde certainly seemed genial enough; it was likely he wouldn't mind letting Rick just sleep off his buzz and leave in the morning.

"Er…well, I suppose that doesn't sound too bad," Rick said slowly, trying to sound professional and polished despite the slight slur that alcohol and exhaustion had tinged his voice with.  

Aphrodite looked up in surprise.  Serenity was doubled over in a chair in a fit of giggles, not quite succeeding in containing her hysteria, but Rick never noticed.  

"I see no schedule conflicts," Aphrodite said.  She quickly checked the booking for the night to be sure.  "Caribbean, he's paid up for the whole night, so I'll see to it that breakfast is sent up in the morning as well."

Caribbean grinned.  "Great!" he said jovially.  "I'll try to make sure we're not up too late."  He winked and started to turn.  "If you'll come with me Mr…"

"Rick," was the quick reply.  "Just call me Rick.  I've had enough trouble with names tonight."  

As the two of them walked away, Aphrodite turned to Serenity.  "Is this a good idea?" she asked.  "I was of the understanding that his interests were solely in women."

"He'll be fine," Serenity said with a nod.  "I know for a fact that this is the first time he's sought companionship in years, and I can just about guarantee that he's too tired to think straight.  He'll probably be asleep before he hits the bed."

Aphrodite chuckled.  "Caribbean'll certainly be disappointed.  That's what he gets for being so forward."