Discipline & Desire

Chapter 18

We drove in the limo as the New York lights glided across the glass. I sat with my legs crossed, my leg being revealed by the slit in my dress. As usual, the client picked it out. My hair was done perfectly for the occasion. My makeup was dramatic, although it was partially covered by my masquerade mask.

His hat tipped forward as he lowered his face to his cupped hands, lighting a cigarette. He looked good for his age. I didn't know exactly how old he was but I knew for sure when I was just a girl he was on the radio.

His blue eyes looked to mine as he blew his cigarette smoke out, he sat confidentially and tall. There were many rumors about him, including an array of affairs and mafia connections.

He had a wife, Ava Gardner herself, yet still he chose to be out with me tonight. Having that kind of power was hard to wrap around my head, however at the end of the day I knew it wasn't power at all. No one knew my name and he'd go back to his wife and family no matter what. I was his accessory for the night, a beautiful girl to have on his arm as a trophy. I understood my role in his life— it was a temporary one.

The car came to a stop and then he looked to me. His distinctive voice boomed out. "I got you a little gift." Frank Sinatra said. Beside him, he picked up a rectangular black box. Handing it to me, I opened it to find a gorgeous necklace inside.

"Harry Winston himself." Frank told me. I couldn't find the words to express my shock and amazement. Before I knew it, he was removing the necklace from its black velvet case and clasping it around my neck. Frank didn't know me that well, it was a surprise he'd get this for me.

"How much is it?" I asked as the necklace decorated my chest.

"Too much." Frank chuckled. I smiled down as my fingers touched along the diamonds cut into leaf-like shapes. "Hey, don't get carried away. I didn't buy it, I borrowed it."

"You borrowed it?" I had to repeat his words to truly understand. The beautiful necklace I thought was mine wasn't mine at all. I was only allowed to pretend it was mine for the night.

"Yeah, I wanted you to look special tonight so I borrowed it— but at the end of the night it goes back." Frank spoke, dramatically pointing backwards with his hand. "So by the end of the night, that necklace better be around that pretty little neck of yours. My wallet depends on it."

"Of course, I won't let it out of my sight." I reassured Frank. It was almost like this was some messed up Cinderella nightmare. The pressure of having to keep track of this thing was now weighing in on me.

Once we arrived in the club I was so cautious, I wouldn't even leave Frank's side. He sat around the usual.... Dean, Sammy, Peter and Joey. They all horsed around vulgarly and knocked back a few drinks. Their group was much more rowdy than the people Gregory hung out with.

Their dull conversations complaining about their wives, figuring out their next mistresses and arranging "business" that they spoke very vaguely about left me bored.

I excused myself and walked over to Valerie, who was tucked away in a small part of the club no one really went to.

"Slow night?" I asked her as I sat next to her at the table.

"He's over in one of those rooms with the other girls. I guess I wasn't his taste after all. Sometimes I'm on fire down here and sometimes I'm not." Valerie said as she rubbed her nose. "You know, I don't know what these fellas have against a girl like me. I can be fun, exciting. And I know how to suck a cock right."

"They're missing out." I smirked at her and she rose her eyebrows.

"You're the best!" She smiled as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "What is that?"

"What's what?" I asked as I looked behind me. Valerie's jittery hand pointed to necklace around my neck.

"My gosh! I was taking a peek at your tits and you have a stack of diamonds covering them!" Valerie said with her eyes wide. "What'd you do to get this baby?" She asked as she reached out her hand.

I brushed her hand away in the most respectful way possible. "Valerie, it's not mine."

"You stole it? Why didn't you tell me you were with that kind of crowd? You should've picked something up for me!" Valerie studied the necklace around my neck.

"No Valerie, it's not stolen." I chuckled. "My client borrowed it for the night for me."

"Why do you always act so secretive about your clients?" Valerie asked with furrowed eyebrows. "He's wearing such a tiny mask, we all know its Frank Sinatra."

I looked over across the room at the table where Frank sat, it was true that he was very recognizable. It's possible that he didn't care, no one in this club truly spoke up about what happens inside cause we all wanted it to continue.

"So Frank wanted that around your neck, huh?" Valerie's voice caused me to look back at her. "How about I try it on?"

"Try it on?" I asked Valerie. I knew I could trust her, but to me, taking the necklace off would be too risky.

"Come on, just for a second. I want to feel like a Vanderbilt for a moment." She lifted her head up high then laughed out. I cautiously took the necklace off and reached it toward her.

"I'll put it on for you, god forbidden this thing falls on the floor in this dark place." I said as I clasped the necklace around her neck. Once it was locked, I leaned back to look at her. She wore a large smile and looked down at the necklace.

"Don't I look spivvy?" She smiled and I applauded her look. "Alright, I'll get this shit off of me. I can see the fear in your eyes."

"Thank you." I smiled as she began unclamping the necklace. We got it back on my neck and continued on with our conversation.

"Uh oh." She said as she looked behind me. When I turned around, there stood Marlon with his mask on. He wore a black suit that probably cost an unimaginable amount, people partied around him but he stood still and looked toward me. "Looks like the tall, dark stranger over there wants to speak to one of us."