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A Delicate Balance
by
Carmenica Diaz
Part 2: Fulfilment of Obligation.
Deeply depressed, William rode the elevator down and then stepped into the hustle and bustle of the main floor of Bergmans. Marble floors, glittering modern display cabinets and beautifully groomed shop assistants smiled solicitously at their wealthy customers under the tasteful lighting. Immediately, William felt uncomfortable and completely out of his depth.
The cool, aloof shop assistants studied him as he nervously walked through the glittering, artistically designed display counters, hurrying towards the imposing gold engraved entrance and escape.
Jewellery, perfume, hosiery, shoes, handbags, furs, clothing and, closer to the main entrance, intimate apparel.
One of the shop assistants winked at her companion and stepped forward, her large breasts enticingly shrouded in the tight ribbed wool of her designer black uniform.
‘Can I help you, sir?’
Red faced, Williams glanced at the array of delicate lacy under things and mumbled, ‘n…no….no…t…thanks…’
Desperately, he burst through the front doors past the uniformed doorman as the two shop assistants giggled.
Convinced he was facing the police and prison, William wandered the city for hours, his mind a nervous, confused blancmange. After sitting in the park for sometime, he walked to his step-brother’s apartment where William let himself in with the copy of the key he had made. It was just habit that made him steal the key and copy it but now, he decided to use it at last as a mild act of independence before prison. William knew that Edwin, his step-brother would not be home – Edwin would be putting in another twelve hour day at the brokers, making millions - so William slumped on the sofa and watched mindless television for a for a brain numbing period.
Could he just run away?
How would he do that without money?
Jason Harridan, William’s stepfather was wealthy but did not give his newly acquired step-son any of that wealth. Perhaps he knew William better than he revealed, knew of his step-son’s shady dealing, but that, of course, was not what he told his wife.
‘He has to find his own way, Elsie,’ he had said to William’s mother who just docilely accepted her husband’s verdict. After all, there were new dresses to buy, luncheons to be had and life was good as the almost fading trophy wife of a billionaire.
Sighing, William raided his step-brother’s closet for a new tie and carefully let himself out after making sure there were no signs he had been inside the apartment. Edwin was a little funny about things like that and had a terrible temper that was explosive and cruel in nature.
William arrived at Bergmans at four-forty five and rode the elevator upstairs. Cautiously, he approached the desk of Ms Bergman’s assistant.
Elaine coolly watched the young man approach.
Here he comes, the lamb to the slaughter.
‘You can wait over there,’ she said with a disdainful wave at the sofa, not even waiting for his mumbled greeting.
William mumbled thanks and perched on the edge of the immaculate leather sofa to wait.
Time passed and he became increasingly nervous.
At twenty past five, the office door opened.
‘You can go in now,’ Elaine said without even looking up from her computer screen.
William shuffled in to face his fate, ready to throw himself upon the mercy of Ms Bergman. However, he honestly did not expect any mercy. Even he had vaguely heard of her reputation as a woman of ruthless determination.
Respectfully, he waited until Ms Bergman swivelled the desk chair around to face him. She looked him up and down.
‘A much better tie,’ Candace commented. ‘It looks rather expensive. Did you steal it?’
‘Ah…no…not really…Ms Bergman…’
‘Not really? Interesting.’
Abruptly, Candace stood up and moved to a brass statue that stood on a small round glass table. It depicted a naked man wrestling a large, fat snake.
‘I enjoy art,’ she said and William did not know what to say. Art, to him, was what rich people hung in their homes.
‘Art is a delicate balance, William,’ Candace purred, ‘a balance between life and imagination. Take this statue. At first glance it appears to be a striking portrayal of a fight to the death between two creatures – man and a python.’
She looked at him and William blinked nervously, not really sure what to do, what to say.
‘Step closer, William. You can’t see from over there!’ Her voice sounded vaguely irritated so, quickly, he moved closer and looked down at the statue, smelling her rich, exotic perfume as she moved to stand beside him.
‘But it’s more than just a man and a snake fighting. Do you see more, Williams?’
‘Ah…no…not really. It’s good, though,’ he hopefully added. ‘The snake looks like one tough mother…’
‘Tough? How discerning of you, William. Does it measure up to the illustrations in the comic books you probably prefer to read?’
William flushed at her sarcasm but said nothing.
‘The snake symbolises his penis, William, and his sexual desire. He is wrestling with himself. Do you see that?’
His penis? His cock? This is nuts!
Blushing, William stammered, ‘ah…if you say so, Ms Bergman…’
‘You are a little slow, aren’t you, William. Is that why your step-father does not give you any of his funds?’
Stunned by the sudden turn of the conversation, William grappled with his thoughts, labouring to form the correct words.
‘He doesn’t like me,’ William found himself confessing.
‘Poor William,’ she teased, turning back to her desk. ‘I suppose you care what he thinks? Silly question really, as all young people care what people think. Do you think you are handsome, William?’
He blushed again, slightly shaken by her method of switching from one topic to another.
‘H…handsome, Ms Bergman? Ah…I dunno…’
‘Don’t know, not dunno! English is a language to be savoured. Do you have a girlfriend?’
‘Sort of…’
‘Sort of? Interesting. What is the name of this “sort of” girlfriend?’
‘Robyn…’
‘Does she think you’re handsome?’
‘I’m…I’m not sure, Ms Bergman…’William stammered, confused.
‘I assume you don’t discuss these weighty matters in your “sort of” relationship because you just fuck like rabbits before watching reality TV while chewing gum?’
William blinked rapidly, somewhat shocked by the sudden profanity and her calm manner.
‘Ah…’
‘For goodness sakes, you’re not actually a virgin, are you?’
William’s face exploded into white hot heat and he felt his shame rise in his throat.
‘Not…not really,’ he mumbled, not knowing where to look.
‘Not really,’ she mocked, a cruel, metallic smile flickering over her lips. ‘The gentlemen in prison would enjoy you, William, as I would say you could even be pretty with the correct assistance.’
William shivered at her tone and hung his head, waiting for the end of this somewhat surprising conversation
The silence was heavy until Ms Bergman spoke.
‘I have an offer for you.’
He lifted his head.
‘I require a male model for a month. It will require living in my residence and completely following my directions. No disobedience will be accepted. At the end of the month, I will return your written confession and consider you have met your financial obligation. Are you interested?’
‘M…male model?’
‘I create certain artistic tableaux for selected friends. You will be available to model and to perform other tasks as I see fit. It will be for exactly thirty days.’
‘W…what would I have to do?’
‘Everything I say, William. I thought I said that. Do you have a hearing impairment?’
‘Ah…no…but what would…’
‘I can see by your procrastination that you do not wish to avail yourself of this once in a lifetime opportunity, William. That is a pity.’
Ms Bergman pressed the intercom and said, ‘get me the police, Elaine. Make it the Commissioner. I met him at a charity do last spring.’
‘Of course, Ms Bergman.’
Candace turned to look down on the trading floor, watching a well known society matron selecting lingerie.
Must be for her to wear for that French toy boy she has stashed in that Soho apartment.
The intercom buzzed as an intense wave of panic broke over William.
Prison!
He couldn’t!
All those stories about rape and forced to be someone’s bitch! He couldn’t!
‘I have Commissioner Jenkins on line two, Ms Bergman.’
‘Thank you, Elaine.’
Candace Bergman looked at the sweating William.
‘Please,’ he whimpered, ‘please, no…’
‘No? I’m afraid “no” is not a word I accept applies to me, William.’ Her hand moved to the Bang & Olufsen telephone that had been specially designed for her in Denmark by that company.
‘Please,’ he begged, his shirt soaked in sweat. ‘Please don’t. I’ll do it.’
‘Do what, William?’ Ms Bergman asked coolly, hand poised on the telephone.
‘I’ll do what you want! I’ll be the bloody model…anything…I will!’
She smiled and pointed a finger at a document on the desk. A gold pen lay next to it. ‘There is our agreement. Sign it!’
Hurriedly, he picked up the pen and scribbled his signature and Ms Bergman smiled as she picked up the telephone.
‘Commissioner, how wonderful to speak to you. I was wondering if you would attend one of my artistic soirees? That’s wonderful. I’ll send details to your assistant.’
William stood with his head hanging as Candace disconnected the call.
‘The thirty days will commence from tomorrow evening,’ she said, carefully folding the document William had just signed. ‘You will be here at five and Elaine will direct you to the car park where you will wait for me. You will not require personal effects as everything will be provided. That will be all.’
Slowly, William dragged his feet to the door but stopped when she called, ‘William?’
‘Yes, Ms Bergman?’ William mumbled.
‘There is no point informing anyone of our arrangement. A confidentiality clause is in the document you just signed.’
He nodded and slowly walked out.
Elaine watched the dejected young man press the elevator button.
This will be interesting, she thought, Ms Bergman certainly knows how to pick them!
She turned to her computer and called up a photograph of a tableau Ms Bergman had arranged for a recent charity dinner as the elevator arrived. William sadly stepped inside and the doors closed.
Yes, Elaine smiled to herself, this one will be interesting.
************************************************************************
Story continues in Part 3: A Cutting Moment – to be published soon.
Carmenica Diaz
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