Thousand Years

CHAPTER 7 - Getting to know her

Present( Year 2020)

Alora woke up after a strange dream. She was positive the man in the dream was the same man she saw yesterday at the bar. But the dream was kind of vague. She was getting out of a car in front of a huge mansion with an old man, and then she sees him. She was wearing a very old style green dress and the men were all in tuxes. And she remembered talking in Irish. It had felt real.

She just shook her head and put that dream aside. She had lectures today and she was already late. She quickly got dressed and called her only friend at College. "Hey Anna, are you going to the morning lecture today?"

"Yes Lora, are you coming? I can pick you up on my way. I'm about to leave home" Anna said. "Yes please, Thanks Anna." replied Lora.

Half an hour later she Anna was in front of her apartment building. Lora got into the car with a huge smile. She was happy to see Anna after a long time.

"So you finally decided to go for a lecture after two weeks." Anna said as she started driving. Lora nodded. "I hope you have all the notes for me" Lora said as she looked at Anna with puppy dog eyes.  Anna laughed out loud seeing the face.

Anna was a pretty girl with long blond hair. She was kind and always took notes so that Lora can refer to them. Anna also had so many other friends and a very good looking boyfriend who attended the same college. Lora thought she deserved all that because she was so kind towards everyone around her.

The day was uneventful. Lora went to her regular lectures. Smiled at some familiar faces. Derek was one of those familiar faces. He was one of the cool and popular kids at school. He was quite good looking and drove a latest sports car. He never missed a chance to look at Lora and smile with her whenever she went for lectures. Lora had no idea why he even looked at her but she smiled anyway.

Lora left for her part-time job at the convenience store soon after her lectures. She kept herself as busy as possible to avoid thinking what awaited her at Exotic. She knew she will get her first customer today but she did not want to dwell on it too much.

She left the convenience store at 6.30pm and reached Exotic in just 15 minutes. As she walked in she saw Madame busy in her office typing away. Damien was already at the bar, cleaning the glasses. He gave a smile as Lora walked in. She was very nervous and scared but she did not want to tell that to anyone. She knew by now her picture must be up in Madame's database under the name Rocco. She wondered if anyone will want her. Part of her wanted someone to pick her tonight and the other part of her wished no one would.

She wanted the money. This was the easiest and the fastest way. And Madame always ensured that the girls got the money on time. Lora quickly freshened up, got dressed in one of her black dresses, took a deep breath as she sat in front of the mirror to do her make-up. She looked at herself. She was thin and pale but, her golden brown eyes were bright. She quickly did her hair so that they fell down in smooth curls and put on some make up. She knew she looked beautiful in a way and thought 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there is no chance anyone would want me'.

Adrian was in a daze. He had not checked the stock prices that morning. He had skipped breakfast, had whatever lunch the house keeper had prepared. He was still thinking what to say to her when he meet her today. That is when Ms. Kim called. He grabbed his phone and answered promptly.  "Hello Ms. Kim. Did you find anything?"

"Yes sir, I have emailed you all the documents. No one of importance popped up. But they have quite the client base sir."  briefed Ms. Kim. Adrian quickly thanked her and hung up the phone as he opened the laptop.

Ms Kim had sent separate files that contained the information on the owner, the employees and the clients. Adrian opened the file on employees and scrolled down. She was there as Rocco. If it was any other person, this would be the only piece of information they would have found out. But Ms Kim has sources and skill. She had found out what most people couldn't.

Her name was Alora Inez. She was a college student and even the information on her family was mentioned. Adrian read everything eagerly, found out that her father was killed in a hit-and-run accident when she was just fifteen.

At 7pm on the dot, Adrian pulled into the car park of Exotic in his Mustang, the newest addition to his collection. He was dressed in a casual black shirt with long sleeves, beige trousers and Nikes. He did not look like a businessmen who was worth millions, rather like a rich play boy who spent his dad's money. 

Madame saw him as soon as he entered Exotic. She remembered him at once. She rushed to his side and led him to a corner table while conversing politely. Adrian wanted to know if Alora was an escort but he could not ask that directly. He was was desperate to see her again. Adrian had made Ms Kim do a thorough background check on how things worked at Exotic. So he knew what he had to say to ask for a companion.  As Ms Kim had instructed him earlier that day, he politely asked the Madame, "Please may I take a look at the book".

Madame was a bit surprised. She wondered why such a young, good looking gentleman would want to look at the book. That was basically the way of asking to see who was available to be an escort. Usually the customers who asked for "the book" was at least middle aged. But Madam did not hesitate. She quickly brought out her i-pad and showed him the list.

She waited aside giving him the chance to choose. It did not even take him a minute. He scrolled quickly and showed her who he had chosen. Madame was taken aback for the second time within a few minutes that day. It was Alora.

Madame hesitated for a second before accepting it. But this was Alora's choice and Madame respected her decision. She was well aware of why Alora was doing this. She also knew that rather than going to a loan shark and getting in trouble for the rest of her life this was a better idea.

She asked Damien to serve Adrian a drink while she informed Alora and completed the necessary transactions.

Alora was shocked when Madame told her that this was her chance and this man has agreed to the highest price Madame quoted for just one night. She was nervous and for a second she thought of giving it up. She was disgusted by herself now that the reality of what she was about to do dawned to her. But she had to do it for her mother. She pictured her mother and sister in her mind, took a deep breath and told Madame that she would be ready in five minutes.

As Alora got ready she thought it must be some old man who was deprived of pleasure. She was scared now. It was her first time and she did not want it to be this. Madame always gave a chance for them to reject based on sensible grounds so Lora thought of taking a look at the customer first.

She stepped into the bar, only to see a young man seated at the corner table, looking out of the window at the busy street. She was a bit surprised as she looked around to see if anyone else was there. And then he turned, looked straight into her eyes. Those deep blues piercing into hers made her stop right where she was. It was him, the man from yesterday, the same handsome guy who was in her dream. She was more nervous now. Why had he asked for her, is he some sort of a weird person, or is he here to kill her. She kept looking at him as a thousand random thoughts ran through her mind. And then he smiled at her.

Lora forgot where she was for a second. He had one of those rare, million dollar smiles. She regained her composure, went back to Madame's office to inform that she was up to it. Madame wished her luck and watched her leave with a sad smile.

Adrian stood up as she approached him.   "Hey, I'm Adrian Cleary" he said,as he extended his hand for a handshake. Lora shook his hand while murmuring "Alora". She suddenly looked up. What has she done! She was not supposed to give her real name to clients!

She was still in a daze as he led her out of Exotic into his car. Lora came out of her daze when he stopped next to a latest Mustang and opened the front door for her. She looked at him in confusion and got in anyway.

Adrian was at a loss for words as he got into the car. She was right there next to him. She was looking around the car, she seemed fascinated by it. Her short black dress reached her mid thigh. It was quite revealing now that she was sitting in the car. Her hair came down in smooth curls and she wore a simple silver necklace with a star pendant. He was observing her without starting the car when those golden brown orbs looked at him. She looked confused.

Adrian quickly started the car and he gripped the steering wheel so hard as if to solely concentrate on driving. But the only thing that was in his mind was the woman next to him right now. He drove for the next half an hour without a word.

Alora was busy thinking about all the possible worst case scenarios. She occasionally glanced at him, only to think how handsome he was up close but she soon fell back into her ridiculous line of thought. The only thing good she could actually think about the situation is getting a ride in this amazing car. She thought how nice it would be to drive one.

She was pulled back into reality when the car stopped in front of a gate. After a few seconds, it opened into a small road that led to a beautiful house. It was definitely bigger than an average house. There were so many trees, she wondered how such a place existed in the city.

As the car stopped in front of the house, a person came running to open the door for her. She thought this might be the house of some rich businessman and for sure, the guy she just came with was the only son. She wondered why he even brought her home. Usually customers took them to hotel rooms, she had heard other girls at Exotic say.

The whole situation was very different from what she had heard from them. She politely thanked the person who had opened the door for her and quickly followed Adrian inside the house. Inside the house was as beautiful as the exterior. Even if the exterior had given the picture of a traditional old mansion, everything inside was very modern. She was intrigued. The living room had white furniture, lush white sofas, black and white carpets, and even a fireplace.

As she marveled at the beauty of the house, Adrian was waiting for her to notice him. As soon as she saw that he was looking at her waiting for her to follow him upstairs, she blushed and looked down. She quickly followed him upstairs to what she assumed to be his bedroom.

It was not just a bedroom, it was like a fully furnished apartment. It had a small kitchen with a counter in the corner, a sofa with a television set, and in one corner separated by a book shelf, a bed. Everything in it screamed rich and powerful. She thought just how much money this person must have. Or not. It must all be his father's money, she thought as she looked around with a look of disapproval.

Alora had not spoken a word since she had left Exotic and Adrian figured she must be scared. So he asked her if she wanted anything to eat. She looked surprised but she nodded.

He then asked her to sit on the sofa , and called someone. She thought he ordered takeout. She thought he would take her to bed right away. But he did not. He sat on the far side of the couch and switched on the TV, and asked her if she liked to watch a movie. She was confused again. Is this the new way of doing things. She did not know. So she went with whatever he suggested.

A middle aged woman came up with the food a while later. And it was delicious. It was definitely home cooked. Lora enjoyed the hot soup and the pies. She then began to relax. She wanted to know more about him. So she asked "So Adrian, what do you do?"

He raised an eyebrow at her and replied with a smirk, "Business". It was not as awkward as before. They kept talking about many things afterwards. She completely forgot why she was there in the first place. It was like she had met an old friend. And a really good looking one at that. She was comfortable talking with him. She never talked about her life with anyone. Definitely not on the same day they had met.

They kept talking for hours. And she felt like she had known him forever.