Secrets of a Gigolo

10

Brianna sat in the living room hugging her legs and staring blankly at the TV. Robin was watching some educational program, but Brianna wasn’t paying attention. She was lost in thoughts of Zachary and the terrible events of last night. She felt so bad for him. Here she’d thought he did this gigolo thing because he was pretentious and eccentric, but he did it because he honestly believed he wasn’t worth anything. That he deserved to be treated like meat.

What was worse was his mother the woman that should have loved and protected him had made him feel this way. She not only condoned his prostitution she forced it on him with threats and guilt. She had probably forced him to turn tricks when he was eighteen. The poor kid never had a chance. She made him what he was today. She was a terrible woman, and he deserved a chance at a better life. Only how did she make him see he could be so much more?

Brianna looked at Robin. “If you had a student engaging in a bad behaviour because they felt worthless and unloved what would you do?”

Robin turned the volume off and looked at her. “I would talk to their parents about what was going on.”

“What if their parents were part of the problem?”

“I’d call CPA.”

Brianna sighed this wasn’t helpful. “What if CPA wasn’t an option.” Zachary was in his thirties taking him away from his mother wasn’t going to work.

“I get the feeling you have a specific person in mind?” Robin said. “Is this about last night? You came home upset. I take it things with Zachary didn’t go well.”

“His sister is in the hospital, so we went to visit her, and I met his mother. She’s a vicious, horrible woman. We fought, and he left me at the hospital.” She said still frustrated with the argument. “She’s got him believing he has to sell himself to take care of her. She calls him down and blackmails him. She told him if he didn’t prostitute himself she’d force his fifteen-year-old sister to do it instead.”

Robin was appalled. “That is terrible. You should call CPA. Someone needs to get that child out of that woman’s care.”

“I think so long as Zac does what she says she won’t make the girl do anything but she uses his sister as a way to control him. I want him to realize he doesn’t have to do this. I want him to feel like he’s worth something. He’s such a great guy.”

“You can’t help people that don’t want to change,” Robin said sadly. “All you can do is be there for him when he needs someone. You either have to be understanding or wash your hands of him. I think it’s too much trouble. The biggest mistake women make is thinking they can change a man.”

“I like him, and I know he likes me.”

“That’s twisted,” Robin said shaking her head. “What are you going to do, share him with everyone?”

She couldn’t sit back and do nothing she wanted to see him again. Brianna got up. “I’m going out.”

“Where are you going?” Robin called after her.

“I have to talk to a few people.”

***

Jordon fixed his jacket and opened the door to his car. He saw a woman standing at the door of the house he was showing. He looked at his wristwatch the open house didn’t start for another hour, and he had staging to tend to before he showed the place. He started up the walkway and addressed the woman. “Excuse me the open house doesn’t start for another hour. You’re going to have to come back.” The woman turned around, and Jordon groaned. He recognized her right away. Miss. Brianna Parker. “Seriously what are you doing here? I can’t imagine it’s to see the house.”

“I need to ask you a few questions.”

“I don’t have time for you.” He said pushing past her to unlock the door.

“Do you know how Zac’s mother treats him?” She asked following him inside.

“I should have known this was about Zac. I don’t have the time for you. I’m a busy man.”

“I understand that, but you’re Zac’s friend, and I need your help.”

He placed his briefcase on the island in the kitchen and turned to face her. “To do what?”

“Zac does so much for other people I want to do something for him.”

“Like?”

“Like something to make him feel better about himself.”

“Zac has more confidence than any man I’ve ever known.”

“Look I can find out everything I need to know from his servants but what I need from you is to get him to this place.” She said taking a sheet of paper from her pocket and handing it to him. It was an address of a hotel with a room number.”

“You want me to send him to a hotel?” He didn’t understand.

“I want you to tell him you got a date for him and to send him to that hotel.” She said pointing to the address in his hand.

“I don’t usually pimp for him.” He said offering it back.

“It’s not a real date. It’s surprised. Just get him to that address tonight after seven.” She said.

“What makes you think I can get him to do this?”

“You’re his friend how do you usually convince him to do things? I have faith in you.” She said as she walked out the door. This would be twice he’d go to Zachary about that blasted woman.

***

Zachary had just gotten back from the gym and tossed his gym bag on the floor in the lobby. He was starving. He went into the kitchen to make himself a snack. As he lingered in the kitchen, he overheard Chino on the phone in the next room. He wasn’t sure who he was talking to, but he was keeping his voice low.

Zachary came into the room with a sandwich in his hands just as Chino hung up. “Who was that?”

He’d startled Chino. He turned to face Zachary. “No one.”

“It must have been someone.”

“It was the parents of a friend of Eliza’s they want to arrange a playdate.” That was a perfectly reasonable explanation, yet Zachary had the feeling he wasn't honest.

“Which friend?”

“Laura Langly. It’s the weekend, and they want to have a slumber party. Don’t worry about it Señor; I will handle all the details.” He promised. He was lying, but Zachary couldn’t figure out why. He supposed it didn’t matter.

“Fine, I’m going to change and go out for a few hours.” Since he’d blown the guys off last night, he wanted to have a beer with his buddies before he needed to go back to work.

***

Jordon sat at the table with Haden accepting the draft beer the waitress brought them. Zachary was running late. Jordon was one for punctuality, but he didn’t mind Zachary’s timing today. His earlier encounter with Miss. Parker had been in the back of his mind all afternoon. He knew how Zachary’s family treated him and he knew that Zachary deserved some understanding and consideration. He wasn’t sure what Miss. Parker had in mind, but he was seriously considering doing as she asked.

“That reporter paid me another visit today.” He told Haden.

“She came by my office too. What did she ask you to do?”

“She asked me to lie to Zac and trick him into going to some hotel. What did she ask you to do?”

“She just asked a bunch of personal questions. What’s he like to drink? What’s his favourite dessert? What he looks for in a woman? Stuff like that.” He said lifting his beer to his lips.

“What do you think she’s got planned?” Jordon asked.

Haden shrugged his shoulders. “Are you going to tell him about the hotel?” He wasn’t sure. He knew that Zachary must have liked her; after all, he’d blown them off last night to be with her. Though he didn’t know her well Miss. Parker did seem sincere when she said she was trying to do something for him.

He looked up to see Zachary come through the door looking around the bar for them. Haden put his hand up to get Zachary’s attention, and then he pulled up a seat and joined them. “Sorry, I’m late I had a few calls to make before I went out. It took longer than expected.”

“All work and no play makes Zac a dull boy.” Haden teased.

“I have no choice but to work. Addie’s in the hospital, and the bill keeps growing. Plus, I have to pay off her drug deal before he tries to kill her again.”

“You are not your sister’s keeper,” Jordon said.

“Yes, I am. I don’t expect you to understand.” He thought they didn’t get it because Jordon and Haden came from money. They grew up in nice houses with loving families.

Jordon had made up his mind. He didn’t know what Miss. Parker had planned, but he was sending Zachary her way. “I get it you need money.” He said reaching into his jacket pocket and taking out the address she’d given him. “I think I got a little lady you ought to meet.” He said sliding the paper across the table. “That’s where she is, and she’s eager to see you. All you got to do is drop in.”

Zachary took the paper and read the address. He looked quizzically at Jordon. “You don’t usually set me up? You always said you wanted no part of it.”

“Yeah well, I can see you’re in need. If you’re not interested, give me the address back.” He said reaching for the paper.

Zachary pulled it out of his reach quickly. “No. I’m interested. What’s she like?”

Jordon shrugged. “Pretty, blond, nice body. She says you can come by any time after seven. Just ask for the extra room key at the desk.”

Zachary checked his watch and made a thoughtful sound. “That gives me two hours. I got enough time for one beer.” He raised his hand and snapped his fingers to get the waitress’ attention.

They sat around and enjoyed their drink and watched the game on the big screen above the bar. At six thirty Zachary left, and Haden looked at Jordon. “Do you think he’s going to be annoyed you set him up?”

“I’m just hoping whatever she’s got planned is worth the deception.”