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“Am I supposed to be impressed?” I scoffed, annoyed I wouldn’t be enjoying my favorite play tonight. I knew people were watching us, star-obsessed fans who devoured the privacy of my moment.
“You don’t need to be anything, just by my side is all,” he said, but it irked me. I couldn’t be by his side; I wasn't even sure I could make it through the play with all his distractions.
“Don’t do that.” I warned.
“Do what?”
“Flirt.” I shook my head.
“Does it make you uncomfortable?” He asked fishing out a red candy ball. I didn't answer him, because I wasn’t sure what it made me feel. Strange was the word that came to mind, but not negative, more compelling.
“You certainly have a favorite flavor.” I looked down at the candy.
“You’ve noticed,” he delighted, “and you?”
“I prefer peach rings.” I asserted, its meaning only held by me. I prefer Parker, I prefer comfort and stability. As Parker would say, simple was a luxury, and the man knew what he was talking about. Alejandro was anything but.
“You prefer what you know, but you haven’t seen anything yet.” He placed a cherry ball in my hand. “Eat it.” He commanded, but sweetly. I slipped it between my lips, chewing the almost sour but sweet ball that puckered my cheeks. It was good, maybe just as much as peach rings, but I wouldn’t admit that.
“Do you even like this play?” I asked, puzzled as to why he was by my side. “It’s not worth whatever obsession you have to suffer through this. It's my favorite, so I won’t let you spoil it for me.”
“Don’t fool yourself. You should know by now, if I want something, I take it. Unlike your friend, I have no hesitations.”
I rolled my eyes at his mention of Parker. “Fine, whatever you think. Just be quiet during the play.”
“Not yet. I’m not done.” The rasp of his voice carried the scent of cherries once again. I wanted another candy but didn’t want to ask. It was as if he could read my mind, slipping another cherry ball into my hand, knowing what I wanted from perception alone.
“What now?” I almost shouted, closing my hand around the candy as I sunk into my seat.
“I’m taking you out after this.”
“Not a good idea.” I mouthed.
“Why not?” Alejandro grew louder, garnering a collective shush from the people behind us. I felt so uncomfortable, like a complete disturbance.
“You’re my boss. It’s not appropriate.” I tried so hard to resist, but he smelled blood. Somehow, he knew how to bend me, how to make me snap.
“I told you I have expectations. I’ve hired you to make me a suit, haven’t I?”
“Yes… I started the sketches a week ago when we did the fitting.”
“That’s not good enough. I told you it needs to come from your vision, the one you have of me.”
“And it will.”
“But how can it? You still don't know me. According to you, my perception is all wrong. Therefore, you owe me clarity, that is, if you want to do a good job.” He warned, but the calming coax of his voice made me want to melt.
“I do…” I promised.
“And I know you will, that’s why you’ll let me take you out. Unless of course, more persuasion is in order.” I looked around at our neighbors with their annoyed expressions. He would talk until I said yes, and he wouldn’t stop.
“Ok...” I spat.
“Ok?”
“I said ok!” My lowered voice came out more as a shout, setting off another chain of loud shushes. I shot Alejandro my best attempt at an evil eye, but it only brought him devilish delight. His expectations were clear, and I was determined on succeeding at my task. I didn’t know why I needed it, but I wanted what he promised, an opportunity to be told I did a good job. But why did it have to come from him, and why did it make me feel so weird? I hated how he caused me to cross my legs, that somehow he burrowed his words into the core of my gut. There was something about him, but I just didn’t know it, and I needed to find out in order to do well on the suit.
I figured it was his touch, his scent, the way his voice slithered over my ears. He was compelling, and my body reacted. I convinced myself it was nothing more than some primal instinct, but that in itself was a challenge. What he asked was no simple task, leaving me to face the reality of what was to come. I knew tonight carried the possibility of either being heaven or hell, but what I didn't know was who he expected me to be, an angel or a devil.
