No Fuck Rule
”Carolyn Ross?” The voice on the other end of the line sounded confused.
”This is she,” Carol replied wondering who on earth would ask her using her maiden name. She had answered the call with her married one after all.
”Ahem…” the caller hesitated, ”This is Therese… I’m calling about our… date.”
Grateful she happened to be alone at home, Carol’s face turned instantly dark red. While creating her online account, she’d given the escort agency her former name instead of the current one. ”Oh, hi…” she managed to utter despite the sudden panic the unexpected contact now stirred in her.
”I just wanted to make sure it was me you meant to choose instead of somebody else?” asked the voice finally identified as ’Therese, 25’. ”You did read my profile? The one with the Sartre quote,” she demanded to know.
”Yes…” Carol replied puzzled, ”Was it somehow inaccurate?” She found the young woman’s question if not troubling at least odd.
”No, no…” the voice was quick to add, ”I just… well, nevermind.” The caller paused for a short while. ”I need background info and some clothes, I think,” she blurted out the next moment. ”To know a bit about this gig beforehand and dress accordingly, you know…” Silence ensued.
”Of course,” Carol admitted, bewildered by the sheer improbability of a call like this ever happening to her. ”Maybe I can fill you in on our way to my friend’s house?” Her words tumbled unevenly out of her mouth.
”So do you have any preferences regarding the wardrobe?” ’Therese, 25’ asked. ”I assume at least something formal, outdoorsy and casually chic?”
So I’m supposed to dress her up as well? Carol mused nervously. ”That pretty much covers it, I think…” she started cautiously. ”Maybe a Givenchy for dinner wear?” Where the hell did that come from?
”Whatever you say,” the voice acknowledged, ”and afterwards I get to keep it all, is that okay?” It sounded more like a statement than a question demanding an answer.
”By all means,” Carol relented to. ”It’s not like I have any use for it later.” She attempted to chuckle but the frivolous laughter came out all wrong - it resembled a somewhat sad squeak instead.
Having settled the clothing issue, they decided to meet at the corner of 6th and West 50th St, right next to the Radio City Music Hall at 4 PM on Friday.
The gig. The word her weekend companion had used made Carol increasingly agitated as she approached the famous Manhattan landmark at ten to four on late Friday afternoon. Her jet black Aston Martin V8 Vantage had its top on and she intended to keep it on as well. No point in her seeing me first, Carol thought trying to locate the beautiful brunette in the crowd flocking the area adjacent to the Rockefeller Center.
Having learned about Carol’s date, Abby had been more than surprised to put it mildly. She’d been positively stunned for several minutes. When the inevitable questions had started to pour in, Carol had done her very best to avoid answering every single one of them. ”Her name is Therese and you’ll meet her on Friday”, she’d repeated stubbornly.
”Carol Aird?” A knock on the passenger’s side window was enough to yank her out of her absentminded confusion. A beautiful young woman in her midtwenties had leaned into look through the car window. Her vibrant green eyes asked a question Carol found suddenly inexplicably difficult to answer. ”Are you Carol Aird? Are you supposed to meet me here? I'm Therese.”
Flustered, Carol nodded and released the door lock to let the brunette in. ”Can you open the trunk? I’d like to put my suitcase in.” Therese pointed towards the back of the car as if knowing how totally inept Carol was to do anything on her own at the moment. Her cheeks burning up, Carol nodded again.
”What a nice ride you’ve got,” Therese complimented as she’d settled on the seat next to her blonde driver. ”I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car like this before.” She traced the detailed stitchings of its leather interior with her long, graceful fingers.
”Thanks,” Carol said self-consciously, ”I inherited it from my father who loved cars. This one was his pride and joy.” Normally she would’ve continued endlessly about her beloved James Bond car but now she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
”It looks awfully familiar,” Therese commented, ”Is it like a movie car or something?”
It was Timothy Dalton’s car in the Living Daylights, Carol wanted to say but couldn’t. ”Yes.”
Therese tried to strike up a conversation a few more times but to no avail. Every single time she asked something Carol seemed to freeze completely mumbling mere one-word-answers in return. What the hell is wrong with me? She questioned her off-beat behaviour. She seems perfectly nice yet I am acting like a total moron. Snap out of it, Carol admonished herself.
”I’m sorry…” Carol started uncomfortably, ”It’s just that this is so out of character for me… I don’t do thingslike this.” She quieted down as abruptly as she’d started.
”No need for you to feel sorry,” Therese replied, ”You can be whatever you like. It’s your money.” Her easy remark made Carol flinch. ”But there’s one thing I must point out,” the brunette added sharply. ”I don’t do fucking.”
The car swerved dangerously close to the side of the road. ”So if that’s something you were hoping for, I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Therese looked sternly at Carol who kept her eyes strictly focused on the road ahead.
”Good god, no!” Carol exclaimed once she'd gotten over Therese’s straightforwardness. ”Of course not, I have no such intentions whatsoever,” she babbled on. ”For one thing, I’m straight, I don’t have sex with women so you won’t have to worry about it at all.”
Therese shot an amused glance at Carol. ”Why on earth did you hire a female escort then if you are straight?” she asked her radiant eyes measuring Carol’s apparent uneasiness.
”This party we're going to is for women only, and I am more or less the guest of honor - well, after the birthday girl, that is… I will also be the only straight woman,” Carol explained a bit calmer now. ”I don’t want to appear single and thus available, you know?”
Relaxed, Therese straightened her blouse under her jacket. ”I think I do.” She was quiet for a while clearly pondering what Carol had just said. ”So what is it exactly that you expect from me?” she asked intrigued.
”I was hoping… if it would be okay with you… that you could be by my side at all times?” Carol suggested cautiously, ”And never let me out of your sight, if possible?” There was one more detail she had to add. ”Also you’d need to make it look believable…” Embarrassed, she drew a quick breath.
”Believable in what way?” Therese asked curiously. Her eyes were burning a hole on Carol even though she wasn’t even looking at her paid companion.
”Well…” Carol started awkwardly, ”Maybe get them to think that you’re in lo… that you like me a lot.” Could this be any more uncomfortable? rushed through her mind.
Therese let her request sink in before answering with an unwavering voice. ”It will be my pleasure.”
”Welcome, honey!” Abby wasted no time rushing towards Carol’s car as it finally reached its destination. It was obvious her enthusiasm had very little to do with her best friend but everything to do with the young, brown-haired woman who got slowly out of the car to stretch her legs.
Therese looked around already impressed by what her eyes witnessed. The Gerhard family estate was a sight to behold. Built by Abby’s great grandfather in 1914, the magnificent main house was everything the elaborate wrought iron gates had earlier already hinted at.
”Do introduce me to your friend, darling,” Abby coaxed Carol forcing her to perform the formalities asap.
”Therese,” Carol started suddenly realizing she had no idea of her last name, ”Meet Abigail Gerhard, my best friend I’ve told you so much about…” She cast a meaningful glance at Therese who nodded at Abby. ”Abby, meet Therese…” Her sentence was cut short.
”…of whom I haven’t heard a thing so far!” Abby completed shooting daggers at Carol. ”What was your name again, dear? Theresa?” Linking arms with both Carol and Therese, Abby led them towards the front door.
”Therese.” The brunette smiled back. ”Therese Belivet.” Carol breathed a sigh of relief.
”What a lovely name!” Abby gasped joyously. ”What kind of a name is Belivet… French?” she asked wanting to make conversation.
”It’s Czech, actually,” Therese replied becoming increasingly aware of the interest her presence seemed to awaken not only in her gracious hostess but in other guests as well.
”Oh, please, Abby, leave poor Therese alone, she only just got here,” Carol said letting out a disconcerting laugh. ”Spare the third degree, darling, at least for now.” She also became alarmed by her own action while reproaching her all too curious friend – she had grabbed Therese’s arm tenderly, which hadn’t escaped anyone’s attention. Afraid to face her companion’s undoubtedly amused gaze, Carol didn’t know what to do next.
”Hello, Carol.” Carol recognized the soft speaking, honey-oozing voice all too well. Megan. ”I’m so thrilled to see you…” Apparently that woman doesn’t take no for an answer either, Carol mused halfheartedly. ”Who’s your friend again? The girl next door?” Megan seemed to find her own quip very funny – luckily she was the only one.
Just as Carol was starting to feel helplessly defeated again, she felt a pair of slender arms circle her narrow waist from behind. ”Baby…” spoke the gentle voice belonging to one Therese Belivet of Czech origin, ”I think we should take our stuff to our room, what’ll you say? Take a nap… or… just lie down for a sec?” The brunette winked her eye suggestively at Carol. She pulled her close and pressed a sweet, lingering kiss on her lips. Cupping Carol’s face, she seemed to guess the blonde head would droop on one side without the firm hold of her hands.
”Ahem…” Abby coughed after a relatively lengthy silence. ”This promises to be a marvelous weekend already.”