Post by MissJr on Aug 20, 2009 22:09:38 GMT -5
Unlike her newly acquired lover, Phyllis was on top of the world. Although she was always supremely confident, even she had to marvel at her sudden good fortune. The cosmos was definitely blessing her, and as far as she was concerned, it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. By being in the right place at the right time last Thursday afternoon, her life had changed for the better. Where she previously fretted about how she would pay her bills, she now had a job and the fringe benefits were excellent. Just like that, she was able to score a condo in an upscale neighborhood and a new Beemer, both without a credit check. Just on the word of Ridge Forrester, doors simply opened for her.
As the cabdriver pulled into the circular driveway of Phyllis’ new Century City address, she grinned. It was amazing what giving up a little bit of tail could do for a girl! In her former life, Ridge would have been “Danny Romalotti, circa 2001.” An easy mark, who would have done anything to hold onto his sainted wife, even if it meant ultimately giving her up. Phyllis, however, told herself that this was different. She did not exactly know how; she just knew that it was, and she was determined not to blow it this time. True, she gave up the booty a little too soon, but it was well worth it. Phyllis did not walk into Ridge’s office expecting to have sex with him that morning. Her original intent was just to toy with him and to merely give him a little taste of things to come. Who knew he would succumb to her charms this quickly?
As the cab came to a stop, Phyllis reached into her purse, grabbed a few bills and paid the driver. She then opened the door and with much ado exited the cab. As she walked toward the entrance, a very impressed Phyllis took stock of her surroundings. The high-rise building had been acquired by a New York investment bank the previous year, and was considered a trophy building. Accordingly, no expense was spared in remodeling the building with such renovations as bathrooms with floor to ceiling Italian marble and toilets that automatically flushed; a swank, two-story lobby and entrance with cantilevered canopy; dramatic exterior glass curtain walls; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with locker rooms made of white tiger-tooth marble and European dual flush toilets. The building’s other amenities included a 24-hour concierge service, round-the-clock security, a roof-top pool, a full-service salon, a Federal Express distribution center, and Starbucks Coffee. The grounds were immaculately landscaped, and the building had a well-paid maintenance staff that worked six days a week. The fully leased building had a mixture of original tenants, who were smart enough to purchase their apartments when the building converted to condos in the late 1970’s, as well as upwardly mobile professionals, celebrities, and some discriminating, high-end commercial tenants.
Phyllis could barely contain her excitement as a uniformed doorman opened the door and greeted her as if she were a visiting dignitary. Oh, hell yeah! She could definitely get used to this! She thought. Like the diva she knew she was, Phyllis strutted through the lobby with a new kind of swing in her hips. It was a swing that let everyone know that she was “all that.” Not only was she “all that,” but she wore her inner bitch on her sleeve and proudly owned it. Phyllis approached the concierge’s desk with a look that said, “Serve me!”
“May I help you?” A conservatively dressed young woman asked.
“Indeed, you can,” Phyllis replied with a smile and a tilt of her head. “I’m Phyllis Summers, and I’m here to meet with Mr. Cohen—the building manager. I believe he’s expecting me.”
“Of course; if you could wait a moment, I’ll let Mr. Cohen know that you are here,” the concierge replied with a smile. She then picked up the phone and dialed a code. She spoke briefly into the receiver, and when she was done, she addressed Phyllis. “Mr. Cohen will be out shortly. Oh, and this is for you.” She said as she handed Phyllis a gold card embossed with the Starbucks emblem.
“Thank you! What is this for?” Phyllis asked.
“It’s a complimentary $20.00 gift card, which is something we give to all of our new tenants to welcome you to the Century Building.”
“WOW! This is so nice! I think I’m really going to like living here!” An enthusiastic Phyllis said.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll love it!” The concierge concurred. “The building is really nice and so are the tenants.”
Within moments, a handsome man with dark hair approached Phyllis. Well dressed and officious, he carried a folder containing a sublease for Eric’s condo, as well as a separate sublease for the garage space, and a “Welcome” packet containing the condo’s house rules and other documentation.
“Ms. Summers, I presume?” He asked. “I’m Ronald Cohen, the building manager of the Century Building. But, please call me Ronnie.”
“It’s nice meeting you, Ronnie. Please call me Phyllis,” Phyllis warmly responded as she extended her hand.
“And, it’s nice meeting you, Phyllis. I’ve already spoken to Ridge Forrester, who advised me that his father had a new tenant. Your timing is perfect because I had two other couples scheduled today who were interested in the unit. Once these units are advertised, they go pretty quickly. I hope you like the building so far,” Ronnie said.
“Oh, I do, and it’s absolutely gorgeous!” Phyllis said.
“Well, Phyllis, on that note, if you will follow me, I will show you your new home, and I will give you a tour of the building. Did Shayla give you your Starbucks card?”
“She sure did,” Phyllis confirmed.
“Good. Oh, and we can sign the leases in my office, after which I will give you your security key fob and pool pass. Oh and there’s a waiver form you will need to complete before you use the fitness center.”
“No problem!” Phyllis said, scarcely believing how quickly things were moving. Oh, my God! She was actually going to live here!
Phyllis and Ronnie then made their way to the ultra modern elevators, which had mirrored and redwood paneling on the inside. Once they stepped inside the elevator, Ronnie swiped his key fob against an electronic reader. Once the light turned green, Ronnie pressed a button that would take them to the sixth floor.
After the doors closed, and the elevator began to move, Ronnie gave her a brief history of the building. Phyllis barely heard him however, as she started to make plans. After leaving here, she would go over to Beverly Hills BMW to pick up her car. Afterward, she would head back to the Beverly Hills Hotel to settle up her bill and make arrangements to have her things sent to the condo. She had every intention of sleeping here tonight. She would worry about picking up her portfolio from the photographer tomorrow. Phyllis then wondered how soon Ridge would be able to spend the night. Today, the condo; and if she played her cards right, it would be a matter of time before she moved into the Bel Air mansion. Phyllis vaguely thought about Ridge’s wife and briefly thought about the mechanics of getting her out the way. Oh, yeah…I’ll take your man! As the elevator stopped at the six floor, Phyllis began to smirk. I’ll take your man? Oh, no Miss Thing, let’s amend that—your man is already MINE!
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The young man with the soulful eyes wept quietly. He had revised this letter repeatedly until he finally had the words right. He folded this final letter and sealed it in an envelope. He placed it with the other two letters, along with the bills that he would drop in the mailbox in the building’s lobby. He logged out and shut down his PC. He stood and stretched his tall body. He had chosen to pack lightly, figuring that he could purchase whatever he needed once he reached Los Angeles. As he began to gather his things, he briefly scanned the apartment as if he were committing it to memory. If things turned out the way he wanted, there was a possibility he would not be back.
As the cabdriver pulled into the circular driveway of Phyllis’ new Century City address, she grinned. It was amazing what giving up a little bit of tail could do for a girl! In her former life, Ridge would have been “Danny Romalotti, circa 2001.” An easy mark, who would have done anything to hold onto his sainted wife, even if it meant ultimately giving her up. Phyllis, however, told herself that this was different. She did not exactly know how; she just knew that it was, and she was determined not to blow it this time. True, she gave up the booty a little too soon, but it was well worth it. Phyllis did not walk into Ridge’s office expecting to have sex with him that morning. Her original intent was just to toy with him and to merely give him a little taste of things to come. Who knew he would succumb to her charms this quickly?
As the cab came to a stop, Phyllis reached into her purse, grabbed a few bills and paid the driver. She then opened the door and with much ado exited the cab. As she walked toward the entrance, a very impressed Phyllis took stock of her surroundings. The high-rise building had been acquired by a New York investment bank the previous year, and was considered a trophy building. Accordingly, no expense was spared in remodeling the building with such renovations as bathrooms with floor to ceiling Italian marble and toilets that automatically flushed; a swank, two-story lobby and entrance with cantilevered canopy; dramatic exterior glass curtain walls; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with locker rooms made of white tiger-tooth marble and European dual flush toilets. The building’s other amenities included a 24-hour concierge service, round-the-clock security, a roof-top pool, a full-service salon, a Federal Express distribution center, and Starbucks Coffee. The grounds were immaculately landscaped, and the building had a well-paid maintenance staff that worked six days a week. The fully leased building had a mixture of original tenants, who were smart enough to purchase their apartments when the building converted to condos in the late 1970’s, as well as upwardly mobile professionals, celebrities, and some discriminating, high-end commercial tenants.
Phyllis could barely contain her excitement as a uniformed doorman opened the door and greeted her as if she were a visiting dignitary. Oh, hell yeah! She could definitely get used to this! She thought. Like the diva she knew she was, Phyllis strutted through the lobby with a new kind of swing in her hips. It was a swing that let everyone know that she was “all that.” Not only was she “all that,” but she wore her inner bitch on her sleeve and proudly owned it. Phyllis approached the concierge’s desk with a look that said, “Serve me!”
“May I help you?” A conservatively dressed young woman asked.
“Indeed, you can,” Phyllis replied with a smile and a tilt of her head. “I’m Phyllis Summers, and I’m here to meet with Mr. Cohen—the building manager. I believe he’s expecting me.”
“Of course; if you could wait a moment, I’ll let Mr. Cohen know that you are here,” the concierge replied with a smile. She then picked up the phone and dialed a code. She spoke briefly into the receiver, and when she was done, she addressed Phyllis. “Mr. Cohen will be out shortly. Oh, and this is for you.” She said as she handed Phyllis a gold card embossed with the Starbucks emblem.
“Thank you! What is this for?” Phyllis asked.
“It’s a complimentary $20.00 gift card, which is something we give to all of our new tenants to welcome you to the Century Building.”
“WOW! This is so nice! I think I’m really going to like living here!” An enthusiastic Phyllis said.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll love it!” The concierge concurred. “The building is really nice and so are the tenants.”
Within moments, a handsome man with dark hair approached Phyllis. Well dressed and officious, he carried a folder containing a sublease for Eric’s condo, as well as a separate sublease for the garage space, and a “Welcome” packet containing the condo’s house rules and other documentation.
“Ms. Summers, I presume?” He asked. “I’m Ronald Cohen, the building manager of the Century Building. But, please call me Ronnie.”
“It’s nice meeting you, Ronnie. Please call me Phyllis,” Phyllis warmly responded as she extended her hand.
“And, it’s nice meeting you, Phyllis. I’ve already spoken to Ridge Forrester, who advised me that his father had a new tenant. Your timing is perfect because I had two other couples scheduled today who were interested in the unit. Once these units are advertised, they go pretty quickly. I hope you like the building so far,” Ronnie said.
“Oh, I do, and it’s absolutely gorgeous!” Phyllis said.
“Well, Phyllis, on that note, if you will follow me, I will show you your new home, and I will give you a tour of the building. Did Shayla give you your Starbucks card?”
“She sure did,” Phyllis confirmed.
“Good. Oh, and we can sign the leases in my office, after which I will give you your security key fob and pool pass. Oh and there’s a waiver form you will need to complete before you use the fitness center.”
“No problem!” Phyllis said, scarcely believing how quickly things were moving. Oh, my God! She was actually going to live here!
Phyllis and Ronnie then made their way to the ultra modern elevators, which had mirrored and redwood paneling on the inside. Once they stepped inside the elevator, Ronnie swiped his key fob against an electronic reader. Once the light turned green, Ronnie pressed a button that would take them to the sixth floor.
After the doors closed, and the elevator began to move, Ronnie gave her a brief history of the building. Phyllis barely heard him however, as she started to make plans. After leaving here, she would go over to Beverly Hills BMW to pick up her car. Afterward, she would head back to the Beverly Hills Hotel to settle up her bill and make arrangements to have her things sent to the condo. She had every intention of sleeping here tonight. She would worry about picking up her portfolio from the photographer tomorrow. Phyllis then wondered how soon Ridge would be able to spend the night. Today, the condo; and if she played her cards right, it would be a matter of time before she moved into the Bel Air mansion. Phyllis vaguely thought about Ridge’s wife and briefly thought about the mechanics of getting her out the way. Oh, yeah…I’ll take your man! As the elevator stopped at the six floor, Phyllis began to smirk. I’ll take your man? Oh, no Miss Thing, let’s amend that—your man is already MINE!
________________
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Beloved,
I realize that you may think this is a hoax or some cruel, sick joke. It’s not. When we were first married, we had the world at our feet, only to be devastated by the cruel twist of fate that left me unable to be the husband you wanted and deserved. When I “departed” this life, I honestly believed I had no hope of seeing your sweet face again. I also believed that you deserved a life partner who could not only love you as a husband should, but who could also give you what you desired most—a child. On the first point, there is no doubt that I love you the way a husband should. Unfortunately, on the second point, I failed you miserably. I will always cherish the time we had together. Isn’t it ironic that when people learn that they are living on borrowed time, that we are forced to spend each day as if it were our last? When we said what I thought were our last goodbyes, I was left with the memory of your beautiful smile and voice.
My jewel, every day away from you has been like an eternity. There have been so many times when I wanted to return to you, to make your pain go away, but I simply could not. Initially, my pride would not let me; I just did not want to come to you with just half a body. And, ironically, because of my foolish pride, there may be enough of a man left for you to hate because I abandoned you. I’m sorry my love, and all I can do is hope you will understand and forgive me. I simply did not want you to bear the burden of caring for a sick man. Nor did I want you to get your hopes up only to have them crushed. So I did what I thought was best. With the help of an incredible woman—Taylor—I was able to live again. However, the price for her help was far too great, and I now realize that I simply cannot bear to be away from you another moment. As time went on, I told myself it would be easier this way. Yet, nothing could erase the longing I felt to see you again and to hold you in my arms.
While I have been blessed to love and be loved in return by some incredible women, you are the one true love of my life. I know that I am not being fair—selfish, in fact—but if I truly believed that the man you are with now could make you happy, I would have stayed away forever content in knowing that you have finally found the happiness you so richly deserve. However, I know for a fact that he has not made you happy and I blame myself for that.
My jewel, remember what I used to tell you when I knew I was going to be out late? Please leave a light on for me; beloved, I am coming home to you.
Your soulmate and your TRUE husband …
The young man with the soulful eyes wept quietly. He had revised this letter repeatedly until he finally had the words right. He folded this final letter and sealed it in an envelope. He placed it with the other two letters, along with the bills that he would drop in the mailbox in the building’s lobby. He logged out and shut down his PC. He stood and stretched his tall body. He had chosen to pack lightly, figuring that he could purchase whatever he needed once he reached Los Angeles. As he began to gather his things, he briefly scanned the apartment as if he were committing it to memory. If things turned out the way he wanted, there was a possibility he would not be back.
_______________