Childstar 2

“What floor did he get off on?” Damon questioned.

“I wish I could see your face. You’re sexy when you’re jealous.”

“I’m always sexy, baby,” he retorted.

“And cocky.”

“Yeah, I’ve got one of those, too.”

Snickering, I shook my head and stood up straighter when the automatic voice announced, “Penthouse Suite.”

The doors opened, revealing two large double doors just a few feet from the elevators.

I checked my phone for the code again. However, when I took a step closer, I realized the door was already open.

“Hello?” I called out when I stepped in. “Wow.”

I had been to the Van Gooden before, but never the penthouse. In front of me was nothing but a narrow floor-to-ceiling window overlooking all of Chicago. The interior of the room was classic, but with a modern edge in tones of silver, white, and navy. A fire roared to the right of me where I left my suitcase and jacket. To my left, there was a large, circular luxury aquarium tank filled with dozens of fishes of all sizes. The aquarium went up the second floor, the staircase wrapping around it. I wasn’t sure where to look: it was like interior design porn. I wandered over to the aquarium, and like a child, I put my hand on the glass as the script suggested. After I tapped the glass once, the fish all swam away from me.

The camera crew and the director were already in the penthouse, silently watching. The fact that the director hadn’t called “cut” already meant that he wasn’t worried about the angles yet, though my spots were marked on the ground.

Hearing a soft cough, I turned back to him. There stood a short man with thick, curly brown hair and thick-rimmed black glasses. His eyes widened as he glanced up the length of my body in the fitted red dress I wore.

“Mr. Gooden?” I asked.

He nodded slowly.

“Is he a mute?” Damon questioned.

Ignoring him, I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m guessing you’ve never done this before?”

“Ugh…no. No,” he said with assurance. “My friend just turned me on to escorts. I mean, he told me about them, not that he turns me on. I’m not gay. Not that there is anything wrong with being gay. I actually have a gay cousin…” he backpedaled.

“I take it back. How the hell do you make him shut up?” Damon muttered.

“Breathe, Mr. Gooden,” I giggled. “I don’t bite…not unless you want me to, that is.”

“I want you to,” Damon commented again.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gooden just stared at me, both nervous and lustful.

“Would you happen to have any wine? To make us both comfortable?” I asked him.

“Yes, of course. I just had them bring up some of my favorite. White or red?”

“White, please, Daddy,” I said with a smile, and he looked like he was ready to come in his pants.

“You’re trying too hard,” Damon stated.

“Am I? Or are you still jealous?” I muttered when Mr. Gooden headed for the kitchen. While he was gone, I tried to spot anything that would look like camera. He had two obvious ones by the door and at least one in the living room.

“Here you go,” Mr. Gooden said, handing me a glass.

“Thank you,” I replied before taking his hand and leading him over to the couch in front of the massive windows.

Kicking off my shoes, I curled up beside him and held my glass up for a toast.

“To a memorable evening,” I said, then drank the whole thing, watching him from the corner of my eye as he did the same.