Chapter 2: FISHING

Meanwhile, back in the present…

"Are you sure you're ok being outdoors with me?" He asks as he reaches into the closed cooler beside him. "Shouldn't you be worrying about the sun drying up your skin or the wind killing your complexion? Or maybe the warm, dry climate frying up your hair…"

The woman in a skimpy, red bathing suit strategically cut up in places to show off a lot of skin, opens up the box for him since she is closer to it. She takes out a cold bottle of Evian water and loosens the cap, wraps it on a piece of two=ply tissue paper before serving it with a sweet smile.

"I used to work as a factory worker in the slums, Your Highness. Don't think for a minute that I stop being a low-class citizen just because I now service high-class ones."

The man's irritated look was evident as he removed the now-empty bottle from his lips. "First off, how many times do I have to remind you to stop calling me by my titles? It's Marion when I'm alone with you and Orion if we have company anywhere inside The Resort."

"Sorry, force of habit. After all, you weren't the only Royalty I've serviced here before…"

"I'll ignore that or I might end up in a fight with you… again, and for the same reason… again…"

"As if you didn't like it, Marion…"

"Second, you are not low-class. Never in my eyes will you ever be that nor to those who are close to me."

"Marion, you do remember that you're renting me so I can join you in your 'fishing and diving expeditions', right?" she reminds him while raising two fingers on each hand to put into action the quotation marks where she intended to use them in her past statement.

"Your occupation is not a reflection of who you are, Hiraya," swiftly reminds the black-haired, 6 foot 2 royal to her.

"Most people will not agree with you." quickly retorts the red-headed 5 foot 11 high-class call girl.

"Well, I'm not most people… neither are you, Raya…"

Hiraya stops herself from saying anything further. She knows Marion adores her cutting wit, sarcastic statements, and even her very rare one-liners of wisdom. However, she knows when whatever she might say can truly anger her very loyal and good-looking client.

And knowing who he is outside of the resort, she'd rather not push too much or too often.

You certainly are right when you say you're not most people, Your Majesty Marion Alexander Sciarillo. There are still those who don't know yet that you exist. However, they feel your silent but strong influence in international business, politics, and even in the religious sector.

The busty, tanned redhead with forever untamed wavy hair, who no one can believe is in her late twenties, takes a long and detailed look at the handsome, half-naked man who is now intently fishing beside her. The high-class, half-Asian prostitute sighs dreamily at what she sees...

"His well-defined forearms, his bulging chest, his sinewy shoulders, and that impressive eight-pack that's above his hip's deep V-line. Even the slender but elegantly straight nose between his high, sharp cheekbones, his expressive dark green almond eyes, thick brows, and cupid-bow lips were facial features that I would never get tired of. And his thick, shiny and wavy handsome head of dark hair that ends beyond his tanned neck completes his picture of perfection," the woman softly whispers to herself.

Damn, I'm feeling this tinge of heat inside of me beginning to blaze… and it's not even seven in the morning…

Dressed in nothing but Frescobol Carioca dark blue beach shorts and Cartier Aviator reflector shades, no one would ever think that the fairly tanned, dark-haired, and deliciously masculine male specimen beside her was not a model. She was sure that he could have been if he wasn't already the head of an infamous monarchical family, known for its historical connections to Rome, the European Union, and even the Italian Mafia.

Even the underworld senses a chill when speaking your name... And not in the same way I feel when I'm with you.

She smiles at the beautiful view beside her - and it's definitely not the blue waves crashing into the rocks below the low cliff where they have chosen to fish for the day - while remembering the time that The Rube called her into his private office's lounge around half a year ago.

+++++++++++

"Hey, long time no see, Darkness. Still into the Paranormal and Supernatural? Hope none of your "new invisible friends" are having their way with you again. They need to pay The Resort if they want a taste of you," jokes Reuben, the Resort's new owner, as he ends his statement with a hearty laugh.

The woman who entered the room wore a slinky black cut-up dress and high-heeled, knee-high black leather boots. Her silver jewelry and gothic Halloween-worthy make-up and nails went well with her ensemble, while the absence of a smile on her curvy lips completed her whole mystical gothic look.

She looked like a sexy and older Wednesday Addams with better make-up and wavier and unruly red hair along with dark blue-violet cat-like eyes.

"Sounds like you're in a good mood. Marriage life seems to suit you, Supervisor. And yes, I've actually missed you if that's what you want to hear," says Hiraya in genuine surprise as she slinked towards one of the plush sofa seats near Rube's executive desk.

"Yep, I've never been happier now that I finally found her again. Just don't let her hear about anything that happened between us, alright? I mean, I know I've had so many of you here but those days are over. Since we've gotten back together, I'm a one-woman man now and I don't want her reminded of the past in any way, capisce?"

"Wow, you ARE frigging serious with her! She's one lucky woman, Rube."

"Yeah, she straightened me out really good. And now, the whole Castañeda family is straightening up the biz. That's why we're here at the Mediterranean Resort, and that's why I'm talking to you right now," Rube said with a proud grin, his fingers automatically combing back his blonde longish bangs from his face.

"You're planning to… what? Straighten me out? You'll have a very hard time doing that, Supervisor. Just a warning…"

"Yeah, yeah, you and your wonderland experiences are something I don't plan to get into. But I'm trying to find more… well-suited and permanent clients… like match up the most compatible customers to you lassies."

"What the hell… that sounds like the intro to an online dating app. Are we actually going there?" Stated Hiraya with a smirk as she tossed her unruly red locks off her shoulders. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Why would I? It lessens the chances of wearing you ladies out and makes for a more 'decent' rep for The Resort. You know, regulars would actually pay more to have a girl that's exclusively their own. That means getting bigger commissions while dealing with fewer personality flaws and difficult drama due to constantly having different clientele. Plus, we wouldn't have to deal with possible crime done to you girls if your clients are the fuck-and-run type."

Hiraya's thoughts were suddenly running towards a contrasting mindset, and Rube could see it in her face. She's gonna need more convincing it seems. He takes her hesitance as a chance to drop the bomb…

"And you, little sexy gothic lady, weirdness supreme of the whole Midnight Resort's international branches, will be my primary guinea pig for this package. That is, if you want it," Rube stated with finality, as his large hands clasped in front of his chin.

It takes a few moments for Raya to reign in her thoughts and make a speedy mental analysis of what Reuben is saying… Then decides to state her mind… More like her misgivings, though.

"What? So I stop taking customers now? And for a client that you haven't even found yet? You're crazy if you think I'll take a chance like that."

"The Resort will pay you while you wait, no problem. Besides, we just need to know when you're ovulating so we can finalize our choice for you."

It took a while before the woman was able to reply in shock.

"Excuse me?… Say that again, please?" scoffed Raya as one of her darkened eyebrows rose to quite an impressive height. "What has THAT got to do with my services?"