"Hi once again," he said, flashing a disarming smile. "Mind if I join you, a loner?"
Lexi raised an eyebrow, sizing him up, she'd seen him earlier, he was the hot guy at the bar. "Depends on what you're looking for," she replied, her tone neutral.
He chuckled and leaned beside her. "Just enjoying the view?" he said, gesturing to the stunning Los Angeles skyline.
Lexi snorted, "You're not from around here, are you?"
"New York," he replied, extending his hand. "Jackson Reed."
Lexi shook it, her handshake firm. "Lexi Thompson." she let go, feeling a churn in her stomach which seemed to make it seem too hard to breathe, he's breathtaking but She had seen too many charming smiles to fall for this one.
"So, what brings you to LA?" Lexi asked.
Jackson leaned in, his voice low. "Business. Trying to secure a new contract."
Lexi raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Jackson's smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Let's just say it's been a long day."
Lexi sensed a story behind those words but didn't press. Instead, she changed the subject. "What do you think of the city?"
Jackson's eyes sparkled. "Love it. The energy's infectious."
Lexi shrugged. "It's okay, I guess. Traffic's a nightmare."He said nothing, she only watched with ease lost in her thoughts but heard the whisper.
"Come on, Lexi," Jackson teased, "you're not going to tell me anything about yourself?"
Lexi smiled sweetly. "What's to tell? I'm just a simple girl from LA."
Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Simple? You're anything but simple."
Lexi's eyes narrowed. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Jackson held up his hands. "Just that you're intriguing. Complex."
Lexi snorted. "Save it, Jackson. I've heard it all before as a matter of fact I'm an escort but unavailable for the night so you can just leave."
Silence fell between them the tension palpable, but Jackson didn't back down. "I mean it, Lexi. You're different."
"Different? That's just code for 'I want to get into your pants.'"Lexi's laugh sharply.
Jackson's face darkened, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "That's not what I meant."
Lexi stood straight, holding her purse tight. "Look, Jackson, I appreciate the flattery, but I'm not buying it. Nice meeting you." she turned to leave.
"Hold on"
Lexi spun back, she couldn't help it, her eyes blazed.' Can't these men stop chasing her just 'cause she's an escort'? "What?"
Jackson's expression softened. "I apologize if I came on too strong. Can I see you again?"
Lexi's laughter was incredulous. "You think I'd fall for that? No thanks."
With that, she walked away, leaving Jackson staring after her.
*********
Lexi closed her eyes as she stood up from the bed, she smiled sighting Suzzie in the kitchen shaking her waist Lexi's apartment, a cozy haven in the heart of Los Angeles, was a sanctuary. The small, two-bedroom unit was divided into a compact living room, a kitchenette, and two modest bedrooms. Lexi's room was a reflection of her personality - sleek, modern, and impeccably organized. Suzzie's room, on the other hand, was a bohemian oasis, filled with colorful tapestries, scattered art supplies, and the perpetual scent of incense.
Lexi, with her raven-black hair and piercing green eyes, stood at 5'8" with a lithe, body-to-kill shape, her angel-like beauty making her stunning, Suzzie conversely, had a curly-haired blonde with a warm smile and an infectious laugh.
All of a sudden the doorbell rang which made the girls exchange a look of apprehension, no one knew their apartment, not even their co-escort from the agency, only one person knew the apartments of each worker and her heart sank her eyes wide with unease.
"That can't be good," Suzzie whispered, snatching a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table.
Lexi hesitated before opening the door to reveal Madame Isabella, their imposing boss from the escort agency. A young woman in her early forties with the most piercing gaze and sharp jawline which made her figure look intimidating, she was a statuesque woman with curly auburn hair with the cutest dimple on earth which made her smile both daunting and evil.
"Hi, Lexi darling, "She forces a smile. "Suzzie" Madame Isabella said, her voice dripping with venom. "I hear you've been disappointing Mister Joe's associates. Again."She forced her way in.
Lexi swallowed hard, her palms growing sweaty. "It's not what it seems, Madame."
Madame Isabella's eyes narrowed. "I don't pay you to think first your friend, Lexi. I pay you girls to deliver. You're jeopardizing our entire operation with your antics."
Suzy sauntered over, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Hey, Issy, ease up. We've got this."
Madame Isabella's glare shifted to Suzy. "Did you just call me by my name, Suzzie" Suzzie shrugged, and Madame scoffed, "You're both on thin ice."
"Can you pls just stop this Issy?, Can't I reject a guy?"
Madame Isabelle rushed towards Suzzie, grabbing her hair and poking out a finger at the same time. "Your job is to sleep with them not reject them Suzzie, and damn..."She releases the grip on her. "When next you call me by my name again you'll bid your life goodbye"
"You're just a year older is...."
"Like Lexi said madame, we've got this"Lexi cut in pushing the glaring Suzzie back, "It won't happen again"
"Warn your friend Thompson and watch her, the next time won't be this funny"Madame Isabelle forced a smile and stridden towards the door, slamming it out loud, immediately Lexi heard the sound of affirmation of her mortal enemy being gone her anxiety spiked.
"Lex, don't stress. We'll figure it out."
Lexi watched, worried, as Suzzie returned to the kitchen to continue her task, she wondered when they'd break free from the toxic cycle.
"Suzzie?" Lexi called, joining her.
"Yeah?"
"We need a plan."Suzzie gaze locked onto Lexi's."Let's do something big and break free"
"Does it include killing the bitch?"
"No, I want to be free and free indeed"
"Think I haven't tried"Suzzie mumbled and continued with cooking, Lexi swallowed her breath and sat at the countertop reminiscing what had happened three minutes earlier, if she hadn't been here Isabelle would've killed her friend.