Chapter Two
Angelica didn’t really make a habit of hiring prostitutes, so when she returned to the bar and James’ caught Angelica’s eye she found herself realizing just what she has agreed to, judging by the heat in her cheeks her face was probably about as red and the still nameless woman’s lips. “I imagine I won’t be pulling out my money here, but I don’t particularly want you to know where I’m staying.”
“Alley suits us fine doesn’t darling? She’s never been picky, and she’s familiar with that alley anyway.” James laughed and Angelica held back a sneer, following the two out, a tightening of his grip and a harsh whisper had his wife walking in a exaggeratedly feminine manner, swaying her hips and stretching her legs ahead of herself like a cat, in all honesty it did add allure, the swing off the skirt showed off her legs and pressing back her shoulders pushed out her chest in a way that made the neckline of her dress even more dangerously exposing that it already was.
The alley was dark and dirty and made Angelica shiver while she handed James a wad of cash that made his wife’s eyes bulge, “That’s not our normal rate, am I supposed to do something special?” She asked, her voice was gentle and nervous, like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to talk and he chuckled, catching her chin in his hand and turning so she was forced to look straight at Angelica.
“You belong to her for the weekend, try to behave, and don’t embarrass me.” His last words were a sharp hiss and she nodded, stepping forward when shoved to smile at Angelica, it was clearly forced, and Angelica could see her gripping her skirt to hide the nervous tremble in her hands. “She’s never done this before, so have some fun and make sure you don’t send her back broken.” James called over his shoulder as he stalked off, and Angelica watched until he was out of sight before turning back to the girl she just bought for the weekend, what the fuck?
The drive to her hotel was completely silent, like there was a black hole driving the car instead of a lanky college student, and when they walked into the hotel room the woman stood just inside the doorway and seemed to be waiting instruction, she was like an animal who had been beat into behaving, head down and tail between her legs.
Angelica poured herself and the girl each a glass of wine, set them on the coffee, and opened the curtains so that the setting sun hit her guest’s skin and my god she glowed, dark hair and honey skin, and Angelica was not a lesbian. “What’s your name? Your real name; lie if you want.” She really wasn’t interested in the ‘what do you want my name to be?’ narrative.
“Maria. It’s my real name.”
“Well Maria, I’m Angelica, have a drink. I’m not a lesbian so your husband’s disgusting need to prostitute you out won’t be entirely satisfied tonight.”
Maria rushed forward to sip from the glass then sped through an immediate reply, “Mr. Reynolds is not a bad man. I met him when I was sixteen, he might be a bit older than me but because of that I have learned so much from him! He married me as soon as I turned eighteen, well not really because we didn’t have a lot of money but he gave me a ring so a piece of paper doesn’t mean much, because he really does love me, we only do this so I can help afford things, I never finished high school and I couldn’t make nearly as much on minimum wage so this is for the best!” She spoke so fast it was a wonder how she didn’t trip over the words, seemingly only realizing how outspoken it was of her when Angelica repressed her grimace at this girl’s warped view and instead raised a single eyebrow while watching over her wine glass, “Oh my- I’m sorry, I get too excited sometimes and forget to watch my mouth, I’m working on it I promise! I- I understand if you want to punish me or take me back.”
Angelica had only seen one other person lose control and regret it so immediately, and this girl couldn’t replicate young Alexander Hamilton’s eager eyes better. So Angelica did the sensible thing, as she always does; she stood and placed a steady hand under Maria’s chin and guided her so they made eye contact, “I’m not upset, you’re more than entitled to your own opinions, if you want to, we can talk about this more, but first I’d like to order us some food, are you hungry?”
Maria seemed to be more shaken by the lack of anger than she had been at her own words and nodded wordlessly, chin settling back down in Angelica’s hand before the older woman pulled away, digging around for a room service menu. “Any allergies? I’ve really been craving a Philly cheese steak, and New York does them so much better than Boston, well, maybe not better, but we’re right by the place my dad used to take me and my sister’s when we were little, so it might be the nostalgia talking.” Upon Maria’s confirmation Angelica made a quick call and the two looked at each other across the room as silence began to fill the space between them.
“Would you like to take a shower?” She wasn’t sure if Maria would reject anything Angelica said but she nodded and Angelica pointed her in the direction of the bathroom, “I have make-up wipes and moisturizer under the sink, help yourself.”
The food came while Maria was in the bathroom but Angelica didn’t see much point in waiting, however she second guessed her decision when she choked on a mouthful of beef and cheese because Maria emerged barely covered in a towel with stunning young features revealed by the lack of her dramatic make-up. Angelica could smell her moisturizer, somehow sweeter than usual, wafting off the girl among a tangle of soap and shampoo. Maria held up her clothes, the red dress and an underwear set that had Angelica’s thoughts loudly trying to remind her that the eldest daughter of Phillip Schuyler was not gay, “I wasn’t sure if I should put this back on?”
“You can wear something of mine.” She was disappointed in her lack of forethought, Maria brought nothing with her besides the clothes on her back because of the quick exchange, and opened her suitcase to pass the girl something to wear; she hesitated over her weekend bag and settled on a pair of soft pink shorts and a black t-shirt, nothing fancy, and looking to be about Maria’s size, Angelica only hoped that her clothes, bought to fit her own slender frame, wouldn’t cause trouble for the young girl’s less subtle curves. Angelica cleared her throat to offered the clothes and gesture to the food. “Here, and eat when your dressed, help yourself to the wine, I have to check my email really quick.” She poured herself another glass, onto her fourth since her first during dinner with her sister’s family, the Philly cheese steak wasn’t doing a very good job absorbing the alcohol, maybe it was because of how little she usually drinks, the Angelica of ten years ago would be embarrassed.
‘Really quick’ turned into an hour and then into a couple hours; some meltdown with an intern getting hired by a competitor and stealing a file, it was a mess for paperwork but the nuisance didn’t even steal something valuable, something labelled Tax Returns that was an instruction manual on filing returns, not that they weren’t public knowledge anyway, or that Angelica had ever allowed herself to wander into embezzlement in the first place. Basically, this was a massive waste of her time and when she finally had everyone directed to tasks that would clear it up she closed the Gmail tab with a huff, glancing at the small clock in the corner of the screen before shutting her laptop and scrubbing a hand over her face, it was after midnight.
Remembering her guest, Angelica looked up to see Maria, in Angelica’s clothes, face flushed in a way that suggested she did, in fact, help herself to the wine; the bottle was nearly empty beside a half eaten cheese steak. She was watching Angelica, the television had never been turned on, suggesting she had been watching the whole time, “You look like you could use another glass of wine.” Maria’s voice was gentle and slow, relaxed, and paired with an easy smile.
Angelica chuckled and stood, stretching her arms above her head, “More like a solid twenty-four hours where I don’t have any work to do. Excuse me, I’m going to change and wash my face.” Her eyes took turns lingering between Maria’s lips and the way the t-shirt grew snug around her chest, she blamed it on the wine, didn’t dwell on the fact that she couldn’t decide if it made her want to drink more or less and grabbed her nightgown, a simple champagne coloured silk slip, before entering the bathroom. The harsh light and large mirror left little to be desired as she removed her make-up and changed, avoiding the temptation to dwell on the imperfections on her skin, she wasn’t self conscious.
She emerged to the sight of Maria, laid back, hair half dry and fanned out over the arm of the couch, curling at the ends. Her eyes were half closed and she was humming to herself, a tune Angelica hadn’t heard before, what caught her attention was the hint to how lovely Maria’s voice was. Everything about this girl seemed to be naturally soft and gentle, especially with a few drinks in her. “Are you tired? You can sleep on the bed; I’ll get us a different room tomorrow, so we both have one.”
Maria cracked an eye before the other followed and she pulled herself to sit up, shaking her head softly, “M’not tired.” She yawned despite her statement and Angelica laughed softly, her own tipsiness prompting her to go over and sit beside the girl, “Besides, I haven’t gotten to thank you for being so nice to me.” She let the last word trail off with a breathless giggle as her soft hand came to rest on Angelica’s arm, leaning in close, close, closer, until they were sharing air, Angelica could smell the wine on Maria’s lips, maybe it was on her own.
After a moment of hesitance Angelica closed the gap and pressed their lips together for what felt both like five years and five seconds. Maria’s lips were sweet and soft and they felt innocent, not like someone who was manipulated into a relationship at sixteen and then prostituted out by someone she thought she loved, she felt as beautiful as she looked, and the way she leaned into it was natural and almost as gorgeous as the brown eyes that had been forced to see too much. When she pulled back Maria took in a sharp breath, and Angelica stood, hands pressed to her sides. “You should go to bed, we both drank too much.” She muttered, ignoring how clear her head felt, she told herself that the kiss only sobered her because she felt horrible for taking advantage of power she held over Maria.
Maria stood quickly, and swayed, so Angelica caught her around the waist and guided the young girl to the large bed across the hotel room, almost concerned by how affected she was by most of a bottle of wine, “You don’t drink very often do you?”
“Mr. Reynolds doesn’t let me! Says it makes me sloppy and more of a whore than I already am.” She shrugged, her tone indifferent as she flopped on to the bed, letting Angelica pull the heavy duvet out and drape it over her. Maria caught her wrist as she turned to leave and Angelica glanced back with a raised eyebrow, expression softening at the dampness in her eyes, a vulnerability exposed, “He loves me right? He only says the truth; I should respect him for that.”
Angelica wanted to tell Maria that of course he doesn’t love her, wanted to wipe away her tears and brush back her hair and make the girl see that you can’t be loved by someone who is willing to sell you off to a stranger for a whole weekend. Wanted her to know that real love is safe and sure and warm. But Angelica felt real love for Alexander, and pure love for her younger sister, and all that ever did was break her heart, and all those wounds were so damn fresh thanks to John Laurens, the man they chose over her while she suffered through a loveless relationship away in Boston. So she smoothed the blanket at the end of the bed and swallowed the lump in her throat, shaking her head softly and walking away from the trembling breath Maria took in at the silent response to lie awake on the couch, the spare hotel pillow and comforter from the coat closet further reminding her that she wasn’t really sure what she would say if people asked her what her home was.