Curious Business (18+)

Lobby Games

I was standing in the lobby of my apartment building. There were your normal young hipster crowd hanging out, playing pong or reading in the living area. I lived in an art community. It was the place to be in the cities if you were young and trying to make it as an artist of some type. I painted a little bit here and there, but it was more of a hobby. I had my contacts with the property manager and managed to get my name on a waiting lists. A few persistent phone calls later, an interview, and a little bit of bribery got me a spot.

I thought that being in a young community, with artistic people would be a good place to meet new people and explore different lifestyles. I was only 18 when I first moved to the cities and the world was my oyster. I needed to know more about people and things and hobbies. This felt like a good move, it was a good move so far. I just hadn't been that social like I thought I was going to be.

Scanning the lobby for Elias made me notice how many people were looking at me. The silky grey wrap dress didn't fit in with the ripped jeans and vans look that seemed to be a staple outfit of everyone in the lobby. It was my favorite "date" outfit. It was soft, comfortable, didn't need to wear a bra, the back fell pretty low, and the neckline draped perfectly on my chest. The best part of the dress was a slit, that was dangerously hanging out between "safe" and "way too high". I had curled my hair into soft waves and let it hangs down. A little more to cover up all the excess exposed skin the dress left me with. I wore a tall black heel. Hell, I even painted my toe nails. Which I've never quite understood why that needed to happen anyways, who looks at their toes that often? I had to admit I felt more put together that way, but why? Some strange social construct we haven't gotten over yet?

I liked being stared at. By anyone, there was part of me that liked the attention, until someone tried to approach me, then I got picky, but these stares were nice. I looked nice and deserved that attention.

"Dude, come check out this E-Class Benz!" One of the lobby dwellers shouted at his friend

I watched as Elias got out of the car and walked into the lobby. It only took him a second for his eyes to meet mine. I watched him look down at my shoes and slowly work his eyes up to mine. He was taking it all in. I was taking all of him in. Grey suit, white button up, fit him like a damn glove.

"Ms. Engel." He said as he offered me his arm

I looked at his arm, smiled, and walked past him towards his car. It took him a second to follow. He must not be used to rejection in any form. Elias is certainly a man who gets his way, but I usually get mine too. I laughed as the people in the lobby whistled. I peeked over my shoulder to see him staring directly at my ass and shaking his head. What do you want to do Mr. Holt?

"You like to put on a little show for everybody watching? Don't you?" Elias asked me, still walking behind me.

"I suppose I do..." As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt the sting of his hand meet bottom. I yelped in surprise, I had to keep walking towards the car, don't give into him. The lobby who was still watching this hilarious sitcom, laughed and some people applauded. I thought in my head how interesting it would be to put on a real show for the crowd.

Elias opened his car door, I elegantly slid in, making sure my dress was completely in the car before he slammed the door.

"Your little act there makes me even more eager for this conversation we are about to have." Elias said in a cool tone as he revved the engine and took off towards downtown.

"You had no problem engaging in it" I retorted.

"If I get to tote you around and get a reaction like that, I'll put on a show wherever I want"

"I like being stared at." I said softly

"I know you do. You look incredible Clara and you know it. That attention is rewarding, isn't it? I like that dress a lot, it fits you well. That silk lets me see every little curve on you."

I blushed, "Thank you, it's my favorite "date" outfit".

"Dinner, not a date." He said as if I had forgotten my own policy

"Dinner, because I don't date and neither do you. Must be some reason for the commitment issues, care to reveal?" I chuckled

"I don't date, you're right there. Where your wrong is that I have commitment issues, I am very, very committed Ms. Engel." He smiled at me and then back at the road. It was amazing how relaxed he seemed now. His whole demeanor was the opposite of what it was in his office. I suddenly felt embarrassed for showing up at his office. His business is obviously a lot more serious than him showing up to his own event at a public hotel.

"Uh, Elias, I'm really embarrassed for showing up to your building unannounced. It was childish, I don't know what I was expecting from that, I just got pulled in. You're kind of.."

"Kind of what?"

"I don't know, mysterious. It just pulled me in." I cleared my throat.

"Mysterious? Hmm, that's a new one. Don't feel embarrassed, it was nice to see you. It was just a bit of a chaotic day and I don't like surprises." He fixed his posture and continued to stare at the road. "So, dinner. We are going to Kiev's. Have you been there before?"

I shook my head.

"Hmm. Well, it's a favorite of mine. I do a lot of my business here. It's tucked away back here, they don't even have a sign." He said as he pulled into the alleyway and parked in a spot that had a reserved sign in front of it.