I Opia (5 page)

Chow removed the blindfold from her eyes. She saw that he was fully dressed. He gently untied her hands one by one. Then each of her feet. He leaned over her and stared intently into her eyes. “Miss Anderson, you may sleep here tonight.

“What? Where are you going? I don’t understand.” Blaine said, suddenly acutely aware that she was the only one naked.

“As I said, Miss Anderson, you have much to learn.”

He then turned off the light and closed the door.

Blaine woke up the next morning
and realized she was in a strange bed. She also realized she was totally naked. She was fuzzy and having trouble waking up. She remembered the bottle of champagne and the bottle of wine. Slowly she remembered everything. Coming back to the hotel suite with Julian Chow. Having another cocktail. Flirting with him and basically daring him to sleep with her.

And then she remembered his demands. He, in total control. She, willingly allowing it. An incredible experience for her that ended up with her sleeping alone. Waking up alone. And now lying here alone and wondering what she should do next. She lay there and pondered this for a few minutes and realized that right now, she needed caffeine. And food. Food would be great right now.

Blaine sat up and looked around. Her clothes were neatly folded on the bench beside the bed. She got up and instinctively reached for her head because the smallest movement made her grimace. As she began to dress, she rolled her eyes and thought,
Great. So much for the hall pass with Vinny. I have to do the walk of shame. Going home in the same damn cocktail dress I left in.

She looked around and realized there was a bathroom. She left her clothes and moved slowly toward it. She entered, looked at herself in the mirror.
Holy crap. I am a wreck.
Not only was her mascara smeared under her eyes, but she also had red marks on either side of her mouth where the gag had been. She looked down at her breasts and then the line down her stomach. Small, red whelps marked her torso and her inner thighs. She held up her hands and examined her wrists and realized that they too had red rings. She made herself look at her feet only to see what she already knew was there—red marks on her ankles from the restraints.

She washed her face and wondered what she was going to tell Vinny. Then suddenly thought,
Vinny? Hell? How do I get out of here and what do I say when I see Julian Chow?
She stared at herself in the mirror.
Damn, Blaine, pull yourself together. Act like this is no big deal. Act like you always go home with older, Asian men and allow yourself to be tied up with hot wax dripped on you.
As she held the cool rag to her face, she couldn’t help but smile. Regardless of where she was now, she had to admit she enjoyed every minute leading up to this.

Luckily, the hotel provided toiletries. She used the small comb to tame her hair as best she could. A small tube of toothpaste and an even smaller toothbrush were on the counter. She did what she could with those. At least it made her feel better. She washed her face and was able to get the dark mascara rings out from underneath her eyes.

She walked back to her clothes. She began to feel a bit better and slowly dressed. The cocktail dress seemed none the worse for wear and she silently thanked her lucky stars for the small things. She slipped on her shoes and checked herself in the mirror.

Ready or not, Blaine, you gotta walk out of here.
She took a deep breath and gathered her courage. She quietly opened the door and secretly hoped that Julian Chow was either asleep or gone.
All I want to do is go home, crawl in bed, pull the covers over my head, and not think about this until tomorrow.

No such luck, however, as she tiptoed through the hotel suite she heard his voice, “Miss Anderson. How do you feel this morning? Leaving so soon?”

She turned to see Julian Chow sitting on the couch reading the paper. A tray with a coffee pot and a single cup were on the table in front of him. The other cup he held in his hand. He took a sip and looked at her quizzically over the cup, “Won’t you stay and have a cup of coffee with me?”

Blaine was torn between running out the door and having a much-needed cup of coffee. Her dilemma was easily solved when she remembered the portfolio and the fact that she and Chow had unfinished business. She put on her best smile, tried to ignore the fact that she was still in her cocktail dress and that she probably still looked a mess.

“Of course! I would love to have a cup of coffee. I was worried I would wake you.”

“Miss Anderson. You would need to rise much earlier to wake me. Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable,” he said as he motioned to the chair beside the couch. “Let me pour you a cup of coffee. Cream? Sugar?” he asked.

Is he mocking me?
“Yes, please. I like both.” She replied and hoped her voice did not give away her growing insecurity.

He handed her the cup of coffee. He sipped his as he sat in silence and watched her. Blaine became increasingly uneasy, but refused to be the first to speak. She sipped her coffee and smiled back at him.
What the hell is this man thinking? Why does he keep calling me Miss Anderson? For crap sake, I was naked with him last night.

Finally Chow broke the silence as he poured himself another cup of coffee. “Miss Anderson, I trust you enjoyed yourself last evening.” He again looked at her knowingly.
He is mocking me! No doubt about it!
She could take it no longer and her temper flared.

“Mr. Chow, I did enjoy the evening. I do not enjoy the fact that I get the sense that you are mocking me right now. I do not enjoy the fact that you left me last night. I do not enjoy that fact that all of this is happening while I sit in the same dress I had on last night with one of the worst headaches I can remember having.”

And suddenly, the oddest thing happened. Julian Chow threw his head back and started laughing. Blaine wanted to be angry with him. But she realized the foolishness of the situation and the foolishness of her scolding. She also realized the beauty of Julian Chow’s laugh.

She tried to look mad, “Julian Chow! Are you laughing at me?” she asked.

“Indeed I am, Miss Anderson, indeed I am.” He replied as his mouth twitched with more laughter.

Blaine was smiling now.
Okay, girl, he has you on this one. You must look as ridiculous as you feel.
“So, Mr. Chow. What next? Shall we talk about business? Or is it my turn to give you pleasure?” She asked feeling like herself again.

Chow frowned. “Miss Anderson, you still haven’t learned, have you? What is next is that the driver is waiting to take you home. I will meet you at your Gallery in two hours. We will then discuss the possibility of doing business.”

“Possibility?” Blaine asked. Then realized as she looked at Chow that this conversation was over. Instead, he stood, took her by the hand and walked her out to the elevator. They were silent on the way down. Blaine couldn’t make herself look at him. She suddenly felt ashamed, like she had let him down somehow. The elevator doors opened into the parking garage, and she recognized the driver from the night before. He jumped out to open the door, but Chow waved him off. Instead, he opened the door for Blaine himself. She looked at him questioningly.

He again seemed to read her mind, “Miss Anderson. I will see you in two hours at your Gallery.” And with that he closed the door as she sat back into the seat.

Blaine was relieved
to see that Vinny’s car was not in the driveway.
Thank goodness! Miss Karma is still with me.
As the driver opened the door, she stepped out and smiled, “Thank you so much,” she said. “Of course, Miss Anderson.” She was thankful that neither the driver’s look nor his tone revealed any judgment about the fact that he was bringing her home the next morning in broad daylight wearing the same cocktail dress. Nor did he seem judgmental about the rundown townhouse where she lived. On the way home, she realized that her pride had left her and she just wanted to go home. She could walk to the Gallery to meet Chow and clear her head. It would do her good.

Blaine showered and changed into a suit. It was one that Elizabeth had helped her pick out so she knew it was good enough for Chow.
Good enough for Chow?
Really? This man has got me second guessing everything.

She made herself another cup of coffee and some toast with honey. Anything to help the hangover and to clear her head. As she ate her toast, she pondered her next move with Chow. She couldn’t afford to lose his business—that was a fact. But also a fact was that she was wildly attracted to him and had let herself go last night. She didn’t regret it. In fact, she hoped there were more evenings to come.
Maybe that’s what we will talk about,
she thought hopefully. She looked at her watch and realized that she had better start walking. Something told her that Julian Chow would not abide her being late.

Blaine walked into the Gallery and saw that Matthew had already opened it and was sitting at the desk.
Thank goodness for Matthew
!
I have got to figure out a way to keep paying him.
She was thankful that the redness had mostly gone away and what remained she was able to cover with a bit of extra makeup.

“Good morning, Matthew.”

“Morning, boss. How was dinner?”

She tried not to blush as she thought of the previous evening, “It was enjoyable. Mr. Chow will be here in about 30 minutes to finalize the details of his business proposal.”

Matthew’s brow furrowed. “Everything okay, boss?” he asked. “I mean, he has to come back?”

Blaine could sense his discomfort and she could also sense him looking at her more closely than he should. She smiled and responded a bit more business-like than usual, “Yes, Matthew. Everything is fine. Mr. Chow and I have some unfinished business. Please let me know when he arrives,” she said as she walked to her office.

Julian Chow did not disappoint
her and arrived on time. He was once again flanked by Lia and Joe. It suddenly occurred to Blaine that neither was present at dinner the night before, unless she just didn’t see them. Matthew greeted the entourage and asked them to sit in the client area. He also asked if anyone wanted coffee or water to which the entire group responded no.

He poked his head into Blaine’s office. She was just sitting there, waiting. “Boss? Mr. Chow and his . . . um. . . group are here.”

Blaine looked up staring blankly. “Thanks, Matthew.”

As he left, she took a deep breath and stood.
Okay, girl, show time!
She adjusted her suit, took one last look in the mirror and went to meet her guests.

“Mr. Chow. How wonderful to see you again,” she said warmly as she grasped his hand in both of hers, “Welcome back to the Wynne Gallery.” Blaine was extremely proud of herself. She acted as if nothing were out of the ordinary. As if she hadn’t been naked, blindfolded, with hot wax on her. As if everything were just business with Julian Chow.

“Miss Anderson,” he nodded, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me again. I am hoping you have had time to review the portfolio with the items I require.”

“Certainly, Mr. Chow. I have reviewed the list. My answer remains the same. The Wynne Gallery will work to procure most of these items for you, but there are two items that are not on the open market,” she responded.

“I see,” replied Chow. “Miss Anderson, would you take a walk with me?”

Blaine was taken aback.
A walk?
“Certainly, Mr. Chow. Whatever you need.” She replied as she looked into his eyes hoping to figure out what he was thinking.

He stood and looked at Lia and Joe. “Please remain here. I shall return. I would like to speak with Miss Anderson privately.”

Blaine couldn’t help but be pleased.
Yes! I knew he liked me. Alone time is just what we need.

Julian Chow offered his hand. She accepted and he helped her rise. “Miss Anderson, let’s walk.” He placed her hand in the crook of his arm and guided her out the door.

It was a beautiful day. They walked in silence for a few minutes when Blaine finally broke the silence, “Is everything okay? I enjoyed last evening, I hope you did as well.”

“Miss Anderson last evening was not about enjoyment for me. It was about testing you to see if Elizabeth Wynne was right about you.” Chow said as he continued to walk and look straight ahead.

Blaine came to a standstill, “Elizabeth? I’m sorry. I am confused.”

Chow stopped and for the first time since they had left the gallery looked at Blaine, “Then allow me to explain. I am in need of services that will require someone to procure items for me that may not be for sale. I know others who are also in the same market. Miss Wynne and I have been friends for many years. When I approached her with my interest, she informed me that she had retired. She told me about you. She said you are resourceful, intelligent, and needed the money. A combination that is most suitable. What she didn’t make clear is how beautiful you are. Another valuable asset if used correctly. If beauty is not used correctly it is a waste. In fact, it can be a distraction and can also be destructive.”

Blaine stood stunned. She wasn’t quite sure what she was hearing or how to interpret the conversation. Chow sensed her bewilderment. He took Blaine’s hand and placed it once again in the crook of his arm and began to walk. They came to a coffee shop with outdoor seating. Chow motioned to the table and Blaine sat. Chow sat across from her. A waiter came to the table and Chow ordered both Blaine and he a cup of coffee, with cream and sugar for Blaine’s.

He then turned to Blaine and continued, “Miss Anderson, I have come to a point in my life where I have conquered almost everything. I began collecting art and other valuable items as a hobby. However, I soon realized that I was bored and needed to conquer my hobbies as well. That means that I want to obtain items that are not on the open market. To be blunt, Miss Anderson, I need someone to procure these items for me in whatever manner necessary.”