My Sexy Awakening

Worried

The following week was hectic. I concentrated on my article about migrant workers and finally sent a draft to my editor on Thursday. I also started to work on a few ideas for a new piece. I kept enjoying my cozy cottage and Chestnut Park. However, two things were worrying me. One was the feeling that Paul was not being as open with me as I was with him. I knew he was under no obligation to share personal information with me, but still, it upset me.

My second concern was that Ethan was getting more and more insistent. I was getting unsolicited texts and calls from him every single day. I sent a few respectful but curt texts explaining that I was moving on and begging him to do the same, but he didn’t seem to get the message. Mariana and Amanda told me that he also contacted them to get my new address, arguing that he needed to return some things to me. They offered to do that for him, but he refused.

On Friday morning, my bell rang, and I got a package very similar to the one I got last week. I found a red velvet box and a black envelope with a letter inside when I opened it.

Dear Andrea,

I have been thinking about you all week, and I am glad that tonight I will meet with you at the fence. At this point, you know the drill. Do not open the box until I ask you to do so and meet me at 7 sharp.

Regards,

Paul

Curiosity was killing me. I was dying to know what was inside the box and what Paul had in store for me. My bell rang again just a while later. I opened the door and found Lucy with two pieces of luggage. As soon as she got inside the cottage, she opened the first, smaller suitcase and she handed me several sets of lingerie and nightgowns, in different colors and shapes. All of them were beautiful.

She then opened the other suitcase and explained that today’s meeting was about everyday clothing. She knows that most of the time, I work at home and that when I have to go to meetings or travel out of town for work, I am not required to wear formal attire. But she insisted I had to go for a “smart casual look for day events.” She said I “should burn” my collection of college t-shirts, hoodies, and sky-blue buggy jeans. Instead, she made me try some black and dark blue skinny jeans, tailored pants, midi skirts, tight shirts, blazers, and drape dresses. She insisted that I needed to have some basics and special high-quality garments that I could easily combine.

Aside from the plain white, black, and dark blue attires, she made me try others in patterns and colors that I had never used before. I was shocked to realize that some colors like red, orange, and green look particularly good on me. She also gave me some interesting tips about shoes and accessories. Again, she emphasized that I need to look good for myself, to feel sexy and comfortable in my own skin. “This is not for Paul or anybody else; remember that this is first and foremost for you.” We scheduled our final meeting for next Friday, and when she was about to leave, I said:

-May I ask you a question, Lucy?

-Of course.

-Do you know Paul, I mean personally?

-Yes, I do, Andrea. We go way back. I am a good friend of his sister, Xandy. When I started this business, he was very supportive, sharing his contacts so I could land a few high-profile clients. I owe him a lot. Why do you ask?

-Just out of curiosity.

-He must be very into you, Andrea, because I have been in this business for nearly ten years, and he never asked me to do this for any other women. I mean, he put me in contact with potential female clients, and he passed along my information to some “friends” and business partners, but he never cashed a personal favor like this.

-What do you mean cash a personal favor, Lucy?

-I have a hectic schedule, and to be frank, I have not a single appointment available for the next two months. But Paul insisted that you are very special to him and that he wouldn’t trust anyone else for this job. It was clear he was not willing to take no for an answer. I am surprised that after all that he experienced, he is so invested in you.

-All he experienced? What happened to Paul?

-Well, Andrea, that’s not my story to tell. You should ask Paul himself. I almost forgot that Paul asked me to give you this envelope. I’ll see you next Friday.

As soon as Lucy left, I opened the envelope and read the letter.

Dear Andrea,

I hope you enjoyed your meeting with Lucy. I gave her specific instructions to hand you a black lacey set and a green draped dress; I want you to wear those tonight. Do not forget the red velvet box.

Regards,

Paul