Chapter 4: Don't Forget Your Belongings

The smell of Pine-Sol and copy paper surrounds me as I grip my schedule in my hands and stand in the lobby of the auditorium. Of course my dad had to drop me off late on the day of an assembly. Why would he care that this is the fifth school in three years that I’ve been the new kid? It’s not like the first day is the single most important day when you come in halfway through the school year. Syke. The paper is still warm from the printer as I stare at the overwhelming amount of double doors. A woman can be heard on the other side of the door, her monotone voice droning on about policies on dress code. Am I supposed to just walk in there? I grip the door handle, palms sweatier than ever.

“Damit, she started talking.”

I turn and see a full head of curly brown hair standing next to me. She looks over, the biggest brown eyes I’ve ever seen staring back. It’s like swimming in an endless fountain of melted milk chocolate. She brings a hand up to her cheek, eyebrows crinkled in concern. “Do I have something on my face again?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “No. I just, um.” I can’t tell a girl I just met that I got lost in her eyes. She’ll think I’m a creep for sure. “I’m new. And late, and a bit lost.” What am I saying? Now she’s just gonna think I’m a loser.

“Well, that’s a long name,” she smirks at me. “We can just wait out here until Principal Boroga is done. Believe me, you don’t want to walk in the middle of one of her speeches.”

She walks away from the door, the early morning sunlight flits through the trees outside the window. This place was a lot quieter than the last place we lived. Peaceful. I let go of the door and follow her.

My back slides down the wall as I sit next to the nice mystery girl. Her school uniform barely covers her thighs and I avert my gaze from trailing up any further. God, she was beautiful. How was I supposed to keep my cool with such a beauty sitting next to me?

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and sheepishly looks at her sneakers. “I’m Allie by the way.”

“Saz.” I nod with a smile.

Allie. I lean back on the wall and sigh, the corners of my mouth starting to ache. I think I’ve just met the girl I want to marry. And no matter how hard I try, I just can’t stop smiling.

***

The rest of the day is one big, boring blur. Nothing but rich men in suits talking about numbers. Every now and then my mind drifts to Allie. What is she doing? What kind of outfit will she be wearing? Will I be able to handle it? Night can be seen on the horizon as I gather up the last of my papers and get ready to leave. Just enough time to freshen up before I pick her up. Allie. I shove her file into my bag as the oak doors open. Please don’t let it be another hot-headed businessman. I don’t think I have the energy to fake another smile.

Zelia walks in and my heart soars. Her pink outfit from earlier has been replaced with a dark, seductive gown that hugs her lengthy frame.

“Two visits in one day? And it’s not even my birthday.”

“I thought I could take you out and give you a celebration of my own for all the hard work you’ve been doing.” She slinks towards me, a seductress on the prowl.

How was I supposed to tell her that I already have plans? And with another woman at that.

I grab her and bring her close, turning on the charm as I cup a finger under her chin. “As much as I hate to let an outfit like this go to waste, I’m going to have to decline.”

“What could be so important that you are turning down an opportunity to get your hands underneath all of this? I thought we could go to that Korean barbeque spot and then pass by my apartment for a bit of dessert.”

She guides my hands down her chest past the silk and my fingers trace over her hard nipples. My mouth waters and I contemplate rescheduling my dinner plans. Important business meetings get held up all the time. Allie would understand. A flash of that shy smile crosses my mind and I can’t help but deflate at the thought of it falling in disappointment. Sitting there waiting for me all dressed up only for me to call and have to postpone. I’d lose her for sure.

“As tempting as this is,” I breathe, “I have an important deal to close over dinner. A very important pawn has landed on my chessboard.”

I’ve listened to Juan talk about people on his team like we are all playing chess. The weakest links, the most disposable, were always referred to as pawns. Zelia was not one to be threatened by a pawn. “I can swing by afterward for that desert though.”

“And to think a few years ago you would jump at the chance to take this off,” she huffs, grabbing my tie with a firm grasp. “You sure are growing up fast.”

“What can I say?” I shrug. “I learn from the best.”

“I bet you do.” she rubs her long fingers over my shaft through my pants. “But don’t forget who you belong to.”

“Never,” I breathe, the temptation to stay growing faster than I can control.

A devilish smile curls around her lips. “That’s my little money maker.”

Her hand releases and she retreats back out the door. I don’t move until she is long out the door and her heels have retreated into the elevator. The leather handle of my briefcase is cold as I wrap my clammy hands around it and make my way out the door. I had to get ready to close a deal with a pawn. That’s what Allie was to me. A pawn. Wasn’t she?