Productive

The Ainsworth Residence

After about an hour’s drive the car pulled up at a small airport and my door was opened by a young man who looked like he was in his twenties, he was about 6ft 2in tall and very handsome, he had the most piercing blue eyes I had ever seen, with his dark hair and eyelashes I sat opened mouthed just staring at him.

He smiled which made him even more beautiful, “you must be Elanor, I’m Matías, Mr and Mrs Ainsworth’s personal assistant but please call me Matt, I am escorting you on the final leg of the journey, we have about a two hour flight to Vigo, let me help you out”, he held out his hand and I accepted it, I stepped out of the car, very aware I was still in my uniform, looking down at myself and felt my cheeks glowing red. “it’s ok we have a change of clothes waiting for you on the aircraft”, Matt laughed, watching him I could see he had such an airy way about him that made me feel more relaxed, he released my hand and headed into the airport.

I had only ever been in an airport once before when I was 11 and mum and dad took me to Spain, this airport was much smaller and when I say smaller it was just one building with two floors, I guessed it was a private airport, there was one desk with a man behind it, the security consisted of one metal detector, we walked in and Matt waved to the gentleman behind the desk who nodded and we continued towards another set of glass doors that led outside again, I could see a small plane waiting.

“Are we ready to depart Captain?” Matt asked as he started to climb the stairs, “yes, whenever you and Miss Fisher are settled, we will be departing”, the captain, an older man in a black suit answered.

We boarded the plane and I took a seat, “how are you feeling” Matt asked, a little surprised by his question as I hadn’t been asked how I was feeling in nearly two years, “sorry, erm I don’t know how I feel, this is all so surreal at the moment, I never thought this day would ever come, I guess I kept hoping they had made a mistake and I could go home.” Why was I telling this guy this, he didn’t care he was just doing his job escorting me until we arrive at the buyers place.

“That is understandable, you have nothing to worry about Mr and Mrs Ainsworth are wonderful people, they have a beautiful home in Praia de Couso, on the north west coast of Spain, I know you will like it there, here let me show you some photos”, he said pulling out his phone.

Looking at the photos I could see why he thought I’d like it there, if it was under different circumstances, I would have been excited, the place looked like something from a magazine. “it’s a beautiful place you must like working there I know I would”, I said passing his phone back to him reluctantly, this was the first time in two years I had held a phone, “how long have you worked for Mr and Mrs Ainsworth?” I asked as I watched him return his phone to his pocket, “erm roughly 18 months or so, my father was their personal assistant before me so I have known them all my life really, they are like family, I even have my own place on the grounds of their villa rent free and all mine, if you like I could show you?” “I’m not sure I would be allowed but thanks for the offer, what do Mr and Mrs Ainsworth do for a living?”, “Henry, Mr Ainsworth is the chief executive of Ainsworth publications and Olivia, Mrs Ainsworth works with her husband, how about you? I mean I know you wouldn’t have a job or anything but what do you do for fun?” I had to sit and think about my answer, “I used to love riding, I used to help out at the stables near my home, horses are such majestic animals, I wanted to teach horse riding and breed horse’s and then just the usual typical stuff teenagers get up to with their friends, hanging out, school, going to the movies you know?” “typical teenage stuff?”. I wondered why he was asking me questions, I’m sure he had read everything about me, I guessed he is trying to be polite. I let him continue telling me about where I was going and occasionally I asked the odd question, but after a while I think he realised I wasn’t in the mood to talk so he opened his bag and pulled a book out and started to read

“Matías, we will shortly be beginning our descent”, the captain said over the speaker.

“I best show you where you can change”, Matt said standing up.

He walked to the back of the plane where there was a door, opening it I saw it was a small bedroom, he told me that the Ainsworth’s were holding a little celebration for my arrival and that I should make my hair tidy and use any of the make up if I wanted to, feeling a little surreal, I looked at the long silk gown that had been left for me to put on, the only other time I have ever worn anything as fancy was when I was a bridesmaid at my aunts second wedding when I was 8, I stood looking at the dress for a long while when there was a soft knock on the door.

“I don’t mean to rush you, but we really need to take our seats soon, is everything ok?” Matt’s voice called through the door.

“Just a moment” I called back.

I quickly undressed and slid the dress over my head, the feel of the silk on my skin was wonderful compared to the roughness of the uniform I had to wear for the last two years, I quickly ran a brush through my hair and opened the door, Matt was standing just outside and his eyes raked over me and a small smile came on his face, “you look, huh, lovely” it was his turn to blush, “thanks but it is a bit much, you said it was just a small gathering?” I asked gesturing to the dress, “when you get to know the Ainsworth’s you will understand that when they say small it isn’t the same as what you would consider small”.

I gave a panicked laugh and went to sit down again.

We landed about 15 mins later at another small airport and walked straight through to another waiting car, “it’s about a 40 minute drive to the villa, is there anything I can do for you before we leave?” he asked as we reached the car, I thought about asking to use his phone to call my parents but I was to chicken and just shook my head and got in the car.

The journey was silent, I sat with my hands clasped, trying to hold myself together, thoughts started going round in my head, like what are they going to do and when and how, will tonight be the night I become pregnant and they are using this gathering to show their friends how important they are and that I was their trophy, I will do this and I can go home, I will just put my head down and get it over with, this was the beginning of the end, there was light shining down the very long tunnel I have been stuck in.