Vivienne

Casey couldn’t believe that she was riding in a bus, as the ride wasn’t cramped or full of people trying to shove baggage in places that would constantly bump her knees.  The bus she was currently on was almost like a roving house.  “This is amazing, Martin.  I never thought to walk barefoot on a bus before.”  She mentioned and curled her toes in the plush carpet, giggling lightly as the soft fiber tickled her toes.

“My pleasure, Miss Rivers.”  He stood up from his swivel chair and tugged on the tailor fit jacket Casey had put on. “I do believe that this look fits you.”  He walked around the twenty-three-year-old and slid his hands over the business attire she was wearing, checking its fit. “I also approve of the color you are wearing.  Navy Blue with a cream silk blouse is perfect.”

Casey grunted and wiggled her shoulders, “I can hardly breath with my chest like this.  It feels like I am being crushed slowly by this bra.”

Ignoring the comment, Martin knelt down and inspected Casey's skirt. “I am always impressed with Jeanine’s ability to make a woman’s hips look fantastic.  She fit you perfectly.”  He added, “You look both serious and wonderfully feminine.”  Wiggling his finger, Martin slid off the bangles dangling from her wrists. “No more than five pieces of jewelry.  I would go with white gold or silver.  Elegant and not gaudy.”  He sighed and plucked the extra sets of earrings from the top of her ear. “That screams college or teenager.”

“I’m in college, Marty.”  Casey giggled and with her chocolatey brown eyes almost begged, “Please let me breathe.  I really want to take this abusive thing off my chest.”

“Very true.  Didn’t you mention to me earlier while we discussed your ensemble that you were about to graduate?”  Martin walked into the back of the bus and returned with a shoe tree and a tray of jewelry. “Three years for a bachelor's degree is quite fast, Miss Rivers.”

“Casey, I asked you to call me Casey before that.”  She winked and sat down in one of the chairs. “Yes, three years.  Marine Biology.  I started college a bit late, I worked for a couple years before.” Casey tugged at the tight strap on her shoulder. “This thing is going to cut off circulation and I won’t be able to swim.”

Martin picked out a set of sparkling sapphire earrings and snapped them in Casey’s ears. “I beg your pardon.  Casey it is.  I am just in the habit of being formal.”  Looking at the earrings from a step away he nodded, “I apologize that you are a little uncomfortable.  I can pull over and have Jeanine take a look to make sure that it is fitted properly.” He picked out a set of black pumps that had a slight heel to them. “This should complete your excellent transformation.  The shoes will not hurt your feet as you inspect the grounds.”

“You keep adding things to my task list and we are still an hour away from arrival.”  Casey laughed and tried on the shoes. “No, it’s okay. Jeanine was great, I am sure it’s me.”  She paused for a moment. “By the way, you still haven’t told me what Twilight Tonight does.”  Picking up a thick silver necklace she held it below her neck and looked at Martin for approval.

“That is too thick for your attire, Casey.”  Taking the wide necklace, he put it on the tray and pulled a simple white gold chain, adorned with sapphires that matched her earrings. “I think that is better for your current look.”  Martin walked over to the small refrigerator and pulled out a couple bottles of ice cold water, opened one and set it in the small holder for Casey, “Twilight Tonight.  It is at its very heart, an on demand company.”  He opened his own water and took a sip, then sat in his chair. “I am the owner and your mistress was kind enough to fund it when I needed the capital.” Pausing to look at his phone, Martin continued, “Since I am a concierge and like what I do, I thought about how to make the service more.  So I came up with Twilight Tonight.  I own four warehouses in this area and another five in Richmond, with an extra one in Petersburg.  My clients can order straight from Twilight Tonight, or use a special code with other partnered retailers.”  Curling his eyebrow, he looks back at his phone and slowly keeps talking about his business. (I don’t understand “curling his eyebrow down”) “The short version is, thanks to Doctor Moreau, other’s of her special nature use the service to cater to their every whim.”  He winked, “She suggested Richmond and Petersburg. My Virginia beach clients, except for Vivienne, are all wealthy clients that enjoy being waited on.”

“Like, how many more are there than Vivienne and Faye.  I mean I know that there’s more, obviously.  Thanks to that mess with Faye’s hotel, but they seem to be rare?”  Watching Martin look at his phone reminded Casey of her own and she responded to a text from Brian. “Humm, Brian seems to be freaking out, let me call him real fast.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Miss Rivers.  I would suggest turning off your phone right now.”  Martin handed her his phone. “Perhaps contact your mistress.”

“Why?  What is..”  Casey looked at his phone and glared at Martin. “What…oh, no…”  Casey dropped the phone and started shaking and crying, sending mascara streaking down her cheeks.

“Call your mistress. Use my phone and shut yours off, I beg you.”  Martin gently pulled her phone from her unmoving hand and shut it down.  Standing up from his chair, the concierge pulled Casey from her seat and pulled her into a hug. “I will take care of the call, Miss Rivers.  Let’s get you in the back to relax.”

When Casey felt Martin’s hands wrap around her frame the shock that had made her start trembling brought her back into the moment. -No. This is wrong, all wrong.-  She told herself and finally managed to speak, “I…I will call Vivienne.  This is…is my-my-my mess.”  She stuttered her way through her words.  Pulling away from the hug, Casey started to wipe the tears from her cheeks when a handkerchief found its way into her hand. “Thank you, Martin.  I…I will be alright.”  Casey sat back down in her chair and looked up at the concierge and sniffled, “I am the castellan right?”

“You are, Miss R..Casey.”  Martin reassured her and picked up the water that was next to her. “Unless you would rather have something with a little more…bite.”  He smiled and winked.  

“Something with more bite, Martin.  Thanks.”  Casey found Vivienne’s name on Martin’s phone, “Last time I had a breakdown, Vivienne helped me and then Brian let me cry it out.”  She pressed the button to call, “I just…just need to bury this for….”

“Doctor Moreau, Hello there Martin.”  Vivienne’s light French accent calmly came through the speaker.

“Viv, it’s me.”  Casey sniffled and took a breath. “I have a bit of a problem.”

“Casey.”  Vivienne’s tone changed, “What problem, my ward?”

Casey started to answer when she heard Faye clapping in the background and said, “That was much easier than the flying thing, Viv!”  Casey waited until Vivienne acknowledged her girlfriend before talking, “The police want to question me in relation to…Linda…um, my roommate who was killed last night.”

“I see.”  Vivienne paused for a moment. “I will handle the legal issues, Casey.  I am more concerned for you.”  Vivienne’s tone eased, “You sound oddly calm, given your reaction to the girl before.”

Casey felt her throat slightly tighten at the thought of the red eyes, “I-I am trying to not break down, I know you are counting on me.”  She paused and pushed the horrific memory to the back of her mind again, “Linda and I were clo..cl..close friends, Vivienne.”  Casey cracked and started crying once more.

“I will gladly help you when I arrive this evening, Casey.”  Vivienne quickly whispered to Faye in the background, “Casey, We can get cozy again when I get there.”  Faye offered lightly.

Letting out a half chuckle and sniffling, Casey looked up as Martin handed her a small cocktail glass with a single square of ice and half full of bourbon. “Faye..That…would be wonderful.”

Vivienne’s voice once more floated over the speaker, “My ward, We will find a resolution to this.  I will have an attorney contact you within minutes.”

“Thank you, Viv.”  Casey sipped her drink and tapped to disconnect the call. “Thank you as well, Marty.”

“I am going to suggest that you do not say or do anything until that attorney makes contact.”  Martin sat back in his chair, “Other than let the drink calm your nerves that is.”