for love or money?

chapter one

for money
~belle~

I collapse onto the bed. I haven't even taken off my shoes yet. Exhausted. I slowly sit up, my body aching. From the bruises and sores.

Purple? Blue? You name the color and I will find a spot on my body that matches some paint swatch from Home Depot.

I slowly unstrap my heels, being careful to not irritate the skin on my body.

You think it would be easier to wear flats. With this job? No way. I'd rather look good than be practical. But whatever gets the job done faster.

The time reads 3:33 AM. I sink into the soft bed, still wearing this evening's cocktail dress.

Red. One of my best colors.

Relax, the job is done. Tomorrow will be a new day, now it is time to sink into the sheets and savor the little hours of sleep available.

~the next morning~

I roll over to the opposite side of the bed, still in my red dress from the night before. My body aches, awful sores and bruises in places they shouldn't be. I take my time getting off from the bed, taking deep breaths to steady myself before I go and get ready.

God damn, my morning breath is awful.

What time is it? The time on the phone read 10:37. Shit. I have to get out of here. I rush to the bathroom, cleaning myself up.

After carefully applying my makeup and concealing my wounds, I grab my little briefcase full of my things I had for the night. I rush towards the elevator, and down to the lobby. I check out of the hotel.When I walk through the big doors of the foyer into the busy streets of New York. There is a black car waiting outside for me. I double checked the license plate to make sure it was the people I'm supposed to ride with. I hop in the back seat and carefully place my bag on my lap. Inside the car was a man. Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses smoking a cigar.

"Did you take care of him?" he said very calmly, yet still incredibly intimidating.

"Of course I did, would I be here if I didn't?" I chuckled but he didn't react. Awkward...

The car ride was quiet for the rest of the way. I didn't say another word. Afraid I would slip up, offend the wrong person. In this line of work the best thing you can do is stay silent.

"Here is your reward for the work you've done." He handed me an envelope with a red stamp in the middle, one of those things you melt wax for.

"Thank you. You know where to find me if you need me to handle any other business." I stepped out of the car, he gave me a nod of appreciation as I went on my way. I placed the envelope into a secure pocket inside my bag. I was looking down when I felt a sudden impact.

"What the hell?" I looked up and saw a tall man. 6'3? 6'4? I knew that face. It was a face I could never forget no matter how hard I tried.

"Belle?" He looked at me with curious eyes.

"John? What are you doing in New York?" I didn't expect to see him, I didn't want to see him.