Things hadn't gone to plan. I expected there would be some delays, maybe a hiccup here and there, but  I was wrong, dead wrong. Nothing had gone right from the start. The building needed more work than we expected. The first day that we tried to turn on a tap, three pipes burst through the walls resulting in flooding on both floors. 

It took another three weeks to get some of the girls back on our roster. Then the electricity went out, the wiring in the walls needed to be redone. From there, things kept getting worse, the heating, the flooring. Now nearly four months after I signed my name to the building, it looked worse than the day I bought it. 

"Morning," I said as I entered our makeshift office. I stepped over power cords that led all over the second floor from a gas generator. 

"Uh-huh," Ginger said as she sat on a stack of milk crates one of the contractors had found around the neighborhood. 

"Still no luck on the license?" I said as I sat on the only working chair. 

"No!" she barked back at me over the constant noise of people around us working to fix everything and anything. 

I hated looking at the bare walls or the ceiling with tiles missing. I hated driving into the underground parking lot and feeling like I was in the sauna from the combination of heat and water. Then to come up here and freeze my ass off. 

I tried to look at the big picture. Lucy had been working with some of the girls and had gotten us three photo shoots this week. We were going in the right direction, all we needed is one massive show to get us going. 

"Try it," someone shouted from behind us. 

One of the electricians came inside and turned on one of the switches. 

"You're kidding," I said looking up at the light above us. 

"No," the man said turning to us. He flicked it on and off to prove his point. 

"The entire building?" I asked showing my excitement. 

"Yes," the man said. 

Timothy, the main contractor, came in looking at us with all smiles. "Told you I would get it working today." 

"Does this mean we can turn off that damn generator?" Ginger asked. 

"Yes, your highness," Timothy said as he walked back outside. The sound of the generator cut off. 

"Thank you," Ginger said as she turned back to her laptop. 

"We are truly grateful," I said as I stood up and shook his hand. "We are all under..." 

"No apologies needed," Timothy said. "I am just glad to be working again. Thank you." 

Timothy and the other man walked out the door that led to the roof. I turned to look at Ginger. 

"What?" She asked as she caught me staring at her. 

"You could be nicer to them, after all, they are working for half of most of the others," I said as I sat back down. 

"That's because most of the people he employs have a criminal record longer than these damn cords," Ginger said pulling on one of the power cords. 

"Everyone deserves a second chance," I shrugged. 

"Oh yeah?" Ginger asked. "Where is your purse and your jewelry, Miss Second Chance," Ginger smiled looking at me. 

"Shut it," I smiled back at her. 

We heard heaving and panting coming from the stairs. Jeremy and three of his friends came into view. They were carrying something. 

"Found this," Jeremy said as he brought a very long desk into our office. I had to get out of the way as they brought it in. The three men pushed the table against the wall. It took up most of the left side of our office. 

"Found it?" I asked looking at Jeremy. 

"Yeah," he said as he tried to catch his breath. "The furniture place down the street is going out of business," he said as he took another breath. "The guy said anything they put outside is fair game." 

"And this huge desk so happened to be outside," Ginger smiled. 

"Outside-ish," one of Jeremy's friends said. 

"Jeremy," I said, looking at him. 

"It stays unless you want to carry it back down the stairs," he said as he looked at me. I looked at the desk. 

"We do need a desk," Ginger said as she held her laptop in the air over it. 

"Fine," I shrugged. "Clean it first. What else did you find?" I looked back at him. 

"Wait and find out," Jeremy said. 

After numerous trips, Jeremy had brought up four chairs to go into our office. A medium sized table for what was going to be our waiting room. He said he had brought other things for the first floor. I looked at him and shook my head. I could pretend to be mad at him all I wanted, but without him finding the contractors, as well as many of the other people that worked on cleaning and getting rid of the water, I would have been lost. 

"Going to make another trip," Jeremy said as he waved at us. 

Lucy bounced off of him as she came up the stairs. "Watch it, handsome," she said as she came into the office. "A desk!" 

"Yup," Ginger said as she had already plugged her laptop into the wall socket and had her computer on one side of the desk. 

"No way!" Lucy said as she jumped onto one of the chairs. "Power is working?" 

"Uh huh," Ginger nodded. 

"How did the photo shoot go?" I asked. 

"See for yourself?" Lucy said handing me a check. 

"No way!" I said looking at it. "The girls?" 

"Treated like royalty, no grabby hands, no stupidity," Lucy said. "A few provocative stances, but it is a swimsuit magazine." 

I looked at her. "How provocative?" 

"None of the girls complained or felt out of place, if that's what you are asking," Lucy smiled. "The main guy..." 

"Phillip," Ginger said. 

"Yeah, him, he wants the girls to come back next week for another shoot," Lucy said as she spun around in her chair. 

"Okay," I nodded. "If the girls want to go, then I am all for it." 

"They already said they would," Lucy said as she stopped. 

"Deposit this and pay the girls, as well as the contractors, they are overdue for a payment," I said. 

Both girls nodded. It had been a while since we had seen any money come in for ourselves. Most of it went to the repairs, the contractors or the girls. Jeremy hadn't been paid for just as long. 

"Food's here," Sara yelled. 

"Good!" Ginger said as she turned to see Sara bringing in bags of Chinese food. 

I couldn't believe it was lunchtime already. 

"I ran into someone today," Sara said as she leaned against the desk. "Wait," she said surprised as she looked at the desk and the chairs. "Jeremy?" 

We all nodded as we took our food to our neutral corners. "Who did you run into?" I asked. 

"Howard," Sara replied with disgust. 

All three of us turned our heads. Howard was a disgusting man. Most of the women he hired or wanted to hire were models that posed for adult magazines or adult websites. There were even rumors that most of his private parties were not parties at all. 

"I know, but he wanted to talk, and he has heard of our situation, and he wants to help," Sara stated. 

"No thanks," I said shaking my head. "We can do without his help." 

"Even if he is offering this?" Sara said as she put a piece of paper down on the desk. 

"No way," Ginger said. 

"One night," Sara said. 

"With that, we could pay all this off," Lucy said holding the paper up. 

I glanced at it and was shocked by the amount. Howard always had a flair for the dramatic. It wouldn't surprise me if he had someone working on the contracting team. The amount was nearly double the exact amount needed to pay for all the repairs needed. 

"What does he want?" I asked shaking my head. 

"A few girls to go to a pool party, he says there are going to be..." 

"We aren't an escort service," I said shaking my head. 

"There will be other contracts to get there," Sara shrugged. 

"Yeah, most of them just like Howard or worse," Lucy said shaking her head. 

"I got an idea," Ginger said smiling at me. 

"I am not going to like this, am I?" I asked. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, let me get this straight, you are asking me for a favor?" Celia asked as I walked into my house. 

"Yes, Celia," I pleaded. "I am sure none of your girls will mind." 

"Of course not, sweetie, most of my girls will love to go to one of the high rollers parties, we never get to attend," Celia said. I could see the huge smile on her face. "But I want to hear it from you." 

I sighed as I threw my purse on the couch. "Celia, I need your help." 

"See, was that so hard?" Celia said. "When is the party and where?" 

I gave her the address and the date. "And you want them to say they work for you, is that correct?" 

"No," I said shaking my head as if she could see me. "I will let Howard know that I am outsourcing. I don't want anything coming back to me. Your girls will get a fair share..." 

"No, no, no," Celia said. "This is a favor for my sister. I will not accept one penny. Just the satisfaction that you came to me for help is all I need." 

The way she said that made my skin crawl. "I need to take a shower," I said as I hung up. 

I needed to make one more phone call. 

"Howard Crane," the filthy man said as he answered. 

"Shut it, Howard," I replied. I knew he had been waiting for my phone call. 

"Stephanie," Howard said. 

"I am outsourcing your request as I do not have the number of women you need for your... party," I said nearly throwing up as I said it. 

"Good, good," Howard said his voice going to a high pitched decibel. "Do they know to dress as pirates, it is a pirate themed pool party." 

"Yes," I nodded. 

"Good, I have a few well-named photographers coming, they will..." 

"Bye, Howard," I said hanging up. I knew very well that most of those photos would end up on the internet. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything had gone well so far. The date had arrived, I had received the notice from Celia that she, as well as a number of her girls, had made it to the destination. Now all I had to was wait. Patience was not one of my virtues, primarily when the situation was out of my hands. I sat alone in my house waiting for Celia to return my text messages. Anything to tell me how the event was going. 

"Come on," I said for the umpteenth time. I checked my phone again, and it had been over six hours since the party had begun. Even one of Howard's events wouldn't last this long. 

I sent another text asking if everything had gone smoothly. 

'Relax, everything went to plan,' Celia texted back. 'We got invited to an after party. I am sure you have no intention of knowing how that goes unless you want to come?'

"No," I said out loud as I sent the text. That part was over with, and as much as I wanted to make sure Howard would keep his end of the bargain, I had no intention on texting or calling him. 

"Damn," I said as I looked at my phone. "Talk of the devil." 

"Hi, Stephanie," Howard's snide voice said as I answered the phone. 

"What, Howard?" I replied. 

"Now, does it have to be like this between us?" Howard asked. 

"Yes," I replied sharply. "You asked me to flash you the last time we met." 

"It was at a beach house," Howard said, from the tone of his voice I knew he was smiling. 

"You asked me in front of my husband," I shouted back. 

"Why should he be the only that gets to stare at those mammoth sized things," Howard said. 

"Shut it," I said shaking my head. "Are you going to pay up?" 

"Of course," Howard said, I could sense there was something else. 

"What?" I asked. 

"Your sister, is she, well you know?" Howard asked. 

"She is all yours, the two of you would be perfect for each other," I said shaking my head. "Now, are we done?" 

"I will have the check delivered to you, or do you want me to wire it to an account?" 

"An account is fine. I will send you the details," I hung up quickly before he could say another word. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is amazing," Lucy said checking our account. 

I couldn't believe it myself. Howard had not only stuck to his word he had nearly doubled what we had settled on which made me question his motives. 

"Told you, I would pull through for you, sis," Celia said standing behind me. 

I turned around to look at my little sister. Looking at he,r no one would guess she was my sister. Celia was seven years younger than me. However, from the looks of her, you would think she was my older sister. Numerous plastic surgeries had made her look unnatural. From her fake lips to her face, and bottle bought blonde hair as well as the humongous sized chest implants. 

Celia looked more like a plastic toy than a human. Her incredible body had been contorted by years of wearing corsets. A shrunken waistline and her colossal chest made her look like a Barbie doll. 

"Keep staring, darling," Celia said to one of the contractors. "I don't bite unless you want me to," she flirted with the man embarrassing him to disappear outside. 

"Celia!" I said pulling her away from the view of the other workers. 

"What?" Celia said as she tried to keep up with me. Her tall high heels clicked and clacked on the newly tiled floor. "I had to go out of the country to get these things," Celia said as she pointed out her chest. 

"Yes," I said as I closed the bathroom door. "Because implants that size are too dangerous, even the surgery could..." I stopped and took a deep breath. 

"I love you," Celia said. 

I stared back at her, the only remaining family member I had left. No matter what she had done in her past, I still loved her. Even though she had slept with my husband, the day after we got married, looking at her now, I could still remember walking into the bathroom and seeing Mark anally pounding my sister. Why I hadn't divorced him on the spot was a mystery. 

"I love you too, but..." I sighed looking at her. 

"No flirting or consorting with people you know or work with," Celia chimed. "I know, I know, the rules. How you love your rules," Celia said shaking her head. 

"Did you have to wear that as well as bring them with you?" I asked as I peered out the bathroom door. As I looked out at three of Celia's co-workers, to say they wore the skimpiest attire would be like stating that water was wet. 

"What?" Celia said as she stared down at her self. Her crop top shirt barely contained her enormous bosom. Most of the bottom half of each boob was left out in the open. Her tight stomach was open for all to see. She wore a tiny skirt that came just below her ass cheeks, the moment she bent over everyone could see her pink thong. Not like they couldn't see it without her bending over as the thong straps were visible above the skirt, with the line at the back disappearing below the waistline of the skirt. 

"You know what," I shook my head. "I love you. I really do, but..." I said staring at her. 

"Fine!" Celia said. "I will take my open-minded friends, and I will go. Really, sis, it is just a body, you need to get over it," Celia said as she grabbed the door handle. "Oh, do you still enjoy the gift?" 

"Celia?" I said pointing to the door. 

"There is a newer version, I will have it mailed to you," Celia smiled. "Come on girls," Celia said as she rounded up her co-workers. "Make sure to leave a few cards behind. It's the least my sis can do to pass them out." 

"Fine," I replied as I looked at them go. "I will leave them downstairs in the parking lot," I whispered the last part to myself. 

I entered the office. "That's your sister?" Jeremy asked as he looked at the four of them enter the elevator. 

"Yes," I nodded. "And no!" I pointed at him. "You can't..." 

"Hell no!" Jeremy said holding up his hands. "Silicone parts are meant for toys," he laughed. 

We all laughed except for Lucy. "I don't know," she said as she looked at us. "I have been thinking about getting mine done," she said looking down at her small chest. 

"And not been able to wear those cute and fancy bras?" Ginger replied. "I don't think so." 

"Yeah, and those dresses you like? Try getting some of those with these strapped to your chest," Sara said pushing out her chest. 

Lucy stared at us with a smile. "Yeah, that's true," she nodded. "I do have it good." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Repairs went fast and furious after we paid more contracting companies to help. The parking space had improved as there was no more leaking water to cause large pools of water everywhere, they also had repaired the lighting down there. 

The second floor had become a place for our models to go to unwind as well as change for their shows. I even planned to make a section for a daycare service for those that had young children. The elevator company made it so that only those with a keycard could stop on the second floor. Otherwise, everyone else went up to our level. 

Sara's desk area had been improved from the last one she had, a large desk with numerous seats in front and around it. Walking around her station people could see our office as well as the finance office and another waiting room. 

"It looks..." I said staring at it from the elevator. 

"Awesome," Jeremy said standing next to me. "All they got to do is put the finishing touches on the signs outside and inside." 

"You were right about the colors," I said looking at Lucy. 

"Thank you," Lucy smiled as we walked past Sara's station. Sara was all smiles as usual. 

"Like it?" I asked. 

"Love it!" Sara exclaimed. Sitting down behind her computer. "Already got a few interviews today, we are getting back some of the models we lost." 

"Great!" I said as we walked back. 

"Jeremy, come in?" a voice said over Jeremy's intercom. 

Jeremy had hired two of his friends to attend to the parking downstairs as well as being security. "There is a Ms. Martine here to see Stephanie. Shall I..." 

"Yes!" We all shouted at once. 

"Okay," the voice said. "She's on her way." 

"Sara," I turned to look at her, but she was already on the elevator. 

"On it," Sara said as the door closed. 

"Can we light the sign," I said walking back to the large sign that hung above Sara's station. It was going to be the first thing anyone saw as they exited the elevator. 

"Sean," Jeremy said over his intercom. "Turn the signs on, outside and in." 

"But..." the voice said. 

"Do it!" Jeremy said back. 

"Okay," Sean replied. 

It took a few seconds, but the sign lit up, just as the elevator door opened. Teresa and her driver walked out as we turned around to greet them. 

Teresa stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes began to tear as she looked up at the white dolphin lighted up over her daughter's name. 

"A dolphin," Teresa said as she looked at it. "How did you know?" 

"We asked around," I said as I held her. 

"It's my favorite," Teresa cried. The Angelique sign was lighted a baby blue the background colors of light purple and blue made it stand out. "You nailed it," Teresa said turning to me. "You truly nailed it. This is perfect." 

The second elevator door opened up, and all the models came out of the elevator. Teresa took a few steps back and looked at them. Her eyes filled with tears. "Look at you all," she said as she walked among them. "You did it," she said looking at me. 

"No," Ginger said, without you, this wouldn't be possible. 

"We aren't talking about the money, or the place," Lucy said. 

"Without you and your friends paving the way, none of this would be possible," I said looking at her. 

"Thank you!" the models said. 

Teresa nodded and smiled. "I don't know, why you are thanking me. All I did was pose for a few pictures." 

We all laughed. 

Teresa stayed for a while and talked about the old times. I asked her to bring in some old photo's, and we would get them copied and put up. I walked her down to her car. 

"Listen," Teresa said as she shooed her driver out of hearing distance. "You have to be ruthless, just like the rest of them. They knocked you down once, and they will try every moment of every day trying to put you back down. What you are doing for those girls up there is unheard of, they won't like it." 

"I know," I nodded. "I have plans in mind." 

"Good," Teresa nodded to her driver. "And if you get the knockout blow, don't hold back, they won't." 

Teresa got in her car. I smiled and waved. 

I picked up my intercom. "You girls, got everything covered?" 

"Yeah," Lucy said. 

"Going somewhere?" Jeremy asked. "Want me to..."

"No, I got it," I said as I got in my car. 

The drive was short as I got out of my car and entered the building. I looked over at the security station. Two of the guys looked at me and the way I was walking. 

"Miss..." one of the new guys said, but the others waved me on. 

I entered the elevator and pushed the desired floor. As I exited there were new girls at the greeting station, I held out my hand and pointed to their seats. "Sit!" I said as I walked past them. 

"This won't take long," I said as I walked towards my old office. 

"You can't be in here," Todd said as I reached his desk outside the office. 

"Shut it, lapdog," I said holding up a finger. "I am here to talk to your master." 

I reached the door. It was locked. I looked through the glass door at Edward who was smiling at me. "Idiot," I said looking at the keypad. "I bet you idiots didn't know there was a generic code to this thing, and I bet none of you tried to change it." 

I entered the default numbers into the pad and heard the familiar click of the lock. "Fucking idiots!" I said as I pushed the door open. 

"Now," Edward said as I walked towards him. 

"Shut up!" I said looking at him standing and holding his chest. "If I wanted to hit you, I would have done it a long time ago." 

I walked past him and took my painting of Teresa's first photo shoot from the wall behind him. "This," I said holding it up. "Is mine, and when I return and believe me I will return, this building will be sold to the lowest bidder." 

"Get her out of here!" Edward yelled as the security guards came in. 

"Rudolph, Gary," I nodded as I walked towards them. 

"Stephanie," the two men said as they looked at me. 

"Are you boys here to take me downstairs, or offer me your resumes?" I stared at them. 

"When do we start?" Rudolph asked. 

"Tomorrow," I said walking past them. "And gentlemen, if he comes near my building throw him out on his ass, will you." 

"Our pleasure," Gary said as the two of them through their name badges on Edward's desk. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt like I was on cloud nine. Seeing the look on Edward's face made the last few months of despair almost worth it. On the way home I decided to stop at a local bar. I hadn't been in a bar in years. When I first got married, we used to frequent bars just like this one. 

Mark used to love seeing the men look at me. We would go back home and pretend he was one of the men that got to take me home. When things in the bedroom got quiet, I hinted about going to the bar and picking someone up and letting Mark watch or join in. Mark was disgusted at the thought, he shouted and raged for days that I wanted to sleep with another man. 

The small bar was dimly lit. Most of the men were hitting on the young female bartender, or they were busy looking up at the monitor that displayed some college game. I nodded to the bartender and ordered my drink. 

As the liquid coated my lips and my throat I remembered times gone by, happy moments with Mark. However, they were gone. I shook the thoughts that came into my mind. I didn't want to go back to that dull life. 

Mark had already moved on and found another woman, which was fine with me as I had my sights set on someone else. Jeremy had plagued my mind as well as my fantasies. 

After the flood of the first floor, I had seen him take off his shirt. Like most of the other women, we were instantly staring at his dark skin and muscle toned body. His stomach was ripped with abs that went into the perfect v shape down below the belt of his jeans. 

From that moment on, all my fantasies and moments with my toys were about him. Not that I wanted a relationship. I just wanted to feel him under me, behind me, or anyway, he wanted to take me. I wasn't the only one. Ginger had broken up with her boyfriend as well as Sara. All of us wanted him, it was never said out loud, but we all knew it. 

"Hey," a voice broke my thoughts. 

I turned to look at a tall, dark-skinned man with a broad smile on his face. He was staring down at my chest. Even with my dark brown winter jacket on, the girls were too hard to hide. 

"Yes," I said staring back at my drink. 

"Can I join you?" he said as he stepped towards the seat next to me. 

"Sure," I said with a smile. I wanted to see what pick up line he would use. Or what tactic he would try to get me to get into bed with him. 

The man sat on the chair. It didn't take him long to use every tactic known to convince me that he was the man, not just a man but 'the man.' I laughed at his silly jokes and his sexual prowess. 

"You know what," I said turning to him. "Let's go." 

The look on his face told it all. He was surprised, even shocked. I stood up and paid the tab. "Well?" I asked looking at him. 

"Okay," he stuttered as we walked out of the bar. I eyed a hotel not too far from the bar. 

"Follow me," I said looking back at him. I started my car and smiled looking back at the man fumbling with his keys. 

The hotel clerk gave me a look as I told him we only wanted a room for the night. He must have thought I was a hooker or something. I didn't care. I wanted to see if this man lived up to his words. If he did, then I would get a good fuck, if not, a good laugh. 

The moment we entered the room, his hands were all over me like a high school child. He fingers were a mess trying to unhook my bra. I shook my head and unhooked it myself, the moment it fell off his eyes went wide. 

"Yes, they are big," I smiled at him. "Do you know what to do with them?" 

He nodded his head and dove his head between them. I shook my head. He squeezed and held them as if he had never seen boobs before. I wanted to end this charade until I felt his dick pressed against my thigh. I have never been someone that would be classified as a size queen. 

I pushed him off me and unbuckled his belt and yanked his pants down. "Like?" he asked as his dick sprang out at me. 

"Yes," I smiled, it was not big or huge. It was thick and just about average. However, after months of playing with myself and using toys, a woman wanted the real thing. 

"No," he said as I reached for my purse and pulled out protection. 

"It's either this or you get nothing," I said as I motioned for him to put it on. 

Reluctantly he put it on and got on top of me. I felt him push into me slowly. "Fucck!" he moaned loudly into my ear as he had buried himself to the hilt inside me. 

'Shit' I said to myself. His eyes had already closed as he began to rock back and forth on top of me. I was hoping I was wrong, I was hoping that moment of ecstasy in his eyes, and the expression on his face didn't mean what I thought. 

He began to go faster, not caring about what I wanted or pleasuring me as he had said in the bar. "I'm cumming," he said as he held still, his body jerked and then he fell to the side. "Told ya," he smiled. 

"Yes," I said sarcastically. "The best thirty-six seconds of my life." 

"What?" he said turning to me as I got up. 

"The rooms paid for, have a good night," I said as I got up to go to the bathroom. 

"That was just the first, wait, and I will show you," he said as he pathetically pleaded with me. 

"Tell you what," I smiled. "If you are still awake by the time I get out of the bathroom. We can go for round two, without protection." 

I walked into the bathroom and locked the door. I got ready to leave but sat on the lid of the toilet looking down at my phone. I answered emails and made a few scheduled appointments that I had been putting off. I also played a few games that I had stored on my phone. 

"Twenty minutes," I said to myself. "That should do it." 

I walked out of the bathroom to a snoring mess on the bed. I shook my head and left the room. It was a good laugh, but at least it had taken off the edge, for now.