PIPER'S, Inc.. Joaquin De Torres
the offer he made and quickly remembered another word Carlos had taught them: conundrum. She was now facing a conundrum of the worst kind. As her sanity fought desperately against this reality, Rosenbaum moved forward.
“Go on, Diana,” he said breathing heavily, anticipating fucking her for hours. “Suck it. Suck me now. Let me fuck you, and be a rich, successful businesswomen for the rest of your life.” She slowly turned towards his waiting penis, now stiff and arched high. He lowered it with anticipation. She took a deep breath and began to part her lips as she quaked with shame. “That’s it, baby,” he whispered. “Take me all in.” More tears flowed as she slowly opened her mouth, unable to fight the unfair and cruel reality of her personal ambition. She closed her eyes and opened wider. “Yes, Diana. That’s it, honey!” Then just as she was about to submit to him, the office phone speaker buzzed loudly. Her eyes snapped open, and her mouth snapped shut.
“Goddamnit! What is it, Jenny!” he yelled to the phone on his desk.
“Mr. Rosenbaum, your 4 o’clock appointment has just arrived, sir.”
“Shit! Who is that?”
“Miss Romana Powers, sir. She’s here to deliver the special package sent by the governor.”
“Tell her to just leave it!”
“She can’t, sir. It’s couriered, and you have to sign some forms for it.”
“Goddamn it, Jenny! Alright! I’ll be ready in a moment.” He turned back towards Diana, but she was gone. Wiping her eyes and practically running, she reached the door, and stopped when he called her name.
“Miss Noel, I will hold on to your paperwork. The deal is still good if you come back tomorrow at 2 o’clock.” She said nothing as she walked out. Outside the door, she couldn’t hold back her grief and her fear. She cried out loud as she headed straight for the elevator room well beyond Jenny’s reception desk. Jenny was talking to the woman who had arrived with a small box and document folder. They both watched as Diana passed them with her hands over both eyes, sobbing loudly.
“Poor girl,” said Jenny. “She was probably turned down for a loan.” The guest gave a warm smile to the secretary.
“Let me check. She looks very troubled. I’ll be right back.” She left to follow the distressed young woman. At the elevator room, Diana turned around and saw a composed, but genuinely concerned woman approaching her. She was about 40, with feathery, reddish brown hair and glasses. As a designer, Diana was able to study the clothing on the woman just a few paces away. It was second nature. She instantly recognized the brand of the woman’s glasses: Kazuo Kawasaki, the famous Japanese eyewear designer. She also had enough time to quickly notice the woman’s black Chanel pantsuit, Jimmy Choo high heels, and Prada handbag. The woman was obviously a person of the elite class, and she wore all the items very tastefully. Diana was trying to wipe the last tears from her eyes when the woman stepped up to her.
“Darling, did that man do something to you?” The question was so blunt, that Diana was almost offended by her candor. “You can tell me,” the woman said softly and gave an empathic smile. Diana didn’t know what to do. This woman’s face was so sincere in concern, her eyes showed trust, and when she took Diana’s arm softly in her hand, it was comforting. “My name is Romana. Romana Powers. Let’s have a seat, and you can tell me anything you wish.”
It didn’t take long before Diana explained the entire situation to the stranger, divulging all as tears began to stream down again. The woman held her hand like a close friend and didn’t say a word. She just nodded with understanding and sympathy. Finally, when there was no more left to tell, the woman checked her watch, a diamond-studded Cartier, and stood up.
“Diana, I want you to wait here for me. It will only be a few minutes. I just need to drop off my package and we can leave together.” Diana agreed and sat back in the chair, amazed at how comfortable and at ease she was with this woman. She felt perhaps she had just met her first contact in this new, cruel country; but maybe more importantly, she felt she had just made a friend.
Approximately seven minutes passed when Romana returned and handed Diana a document folder.
“What’s this?”
“All your documents have been signed by Mr. Rosenbaum. In fact, he increased the amount to one million dollars!” Diana’s eyes bulged, making Romana smile with satisfaction.
“WHAT!? Are you joking!?” Romana pointed to the folder.
“It’s all in there. All signed and stamped with his official seal. No matter what happens, the bank must give you the money. The dates and account information are in there. He assured me that the full amount should be in your bank account tomorrow if you open one up today.” Romana’s smile was pure and warm. “And to assure you that there’s no hard feelings between you two, he told me to give you this.” Romana took out an envelope from her bag. The envelope was heavy and thick.
“What’s this?”
“It’s $50,000 in cash,” Romana answered with a grin. “It’s an apology gift, and he said you don’t have to pay it back. Isn’t that great? If I were you, I’d open an account downstairs and deposit at least half of this.” Her smile lit Diana’s heart like a match to dry tinder. She shook her head and stood speechless.
“I should go back and thank him!” But Romana grabbed her arm gently, and stopped her.
“Oh, no, dear. He’s very busy right now. It’s amazing how much work he does, and he can do it all while drinking brandy!” She giggled, and Diana laughed.
“Now, when you get to your hotel, I want you to make sure all your documents are in order and make copies of them. When you come back to this bank tomorrow, go to the first floor. Sign for a safe deposit box, and put the originals in it so they can’t be ruined or lost. Next to the bank is a Notary Public. Have the copies made official, and then do your business with the other firms you need.” Romana dropped her smile. “But whatever you do, don’t come back up here. Don’t come to this floor, don’t talk to Jenny, and don’t try to see Mr. Rosenbaum.” Diana thought that it was an odd statement. “Mr. Rosenbaum will be out of the office as of today,” Romana continued, returning her smile. “He’s a very busy man.”
“So, you know him?” Romana nodded, her eyes barely closing.
“Yes. I know him very well. That’s why I was able to secure this for you. He, shall I say, owed me a favor.” Diana grabbed hold of the woman and embraced her fiercely.
“I can’t believe this is happening!” Diana couldn’t hold back her tears then, but this time they were tears of newfound jubilation. “I don’t know how to thank you, Romana! I don’t know what to say!” The woman rocked the young woman in her arms.
“Don’t you worry about a thing, my dear. Now, let’s leave, shall we?” They stepped into the elevator together. As the doors closed, Romana got on her smart phone. “This will only take a second.” She handed Diana a business card. “If you need anything while you’re in New York, anything at all, you can call me at this number.” Romana kept her smile as her call was answered.
“Temujin, this is Venus. The Piper’s been paid.” Diana didn’t look, but thought about the oddness of the statement. Venus?
“Understood. Good-bye.” She replaced her phone in her bag and looked at Diana again. “Sorry about that. So much business, so little time!” Diana dismissed the phone call completely, wanting to express her gratitude.
“How about joining me for dinner tonight, Romana?” Diana asked gleefully. “My treat, any restaurant you like!” Romana smiled appreciatively.
“Honey, I’d love to! I really would, but I have a few other personal appointments tonight that I just can’t cancel. Maybe some other time.”
“Well, then here’s my card,” Diana offered. “And my cell number. I’ll be here for two weeks, but then I’ll return after awhile to live and start