“General Zhukov will need to manage the hundreds of billions of dollars generated by the oil sales. That will be my responsibility. I conservatively estimate that my firm will earn anywhere from ten to fifteen billion dollars a year managing that money,” Mr. Peak explains. Damn.
“So, everything has worked out, Sir?” I say hoping to gain the approval of my master.
Mr. Peak looks out of the window, then he looks down at my anxious face. “Tomorrow, the front page of theNew York Postand theDaily News will feature a full front page photo of the clusterfuck below. My name will be as**sociated with it. This will spurn scrutiny in my activities. The New York media is the one thing I can not stop. But, I can control it,” Mr. Peak explains.
“And how will you do that, Sir?” I ask.
My boss looks at me. He takes his right index finger and points it at my nose. “Sarah, you have this gift of seduction. You can seduce powerful and violent men. Now, I need you to seduce an entire world.”
My boss’s cryptic words make me nervous and excited.
Mr. Peak steps out of the bath and grabs a towel. I follow him, grab the towel and begin to dry off my boss’s muscular body. “Normally, I shun the media. I kept a low profile which allowed me the privilege to profit in secret. The media didn’t mind. They are more obsessed with DUI driving starlets and drugged out rock stars. But in the age of Twitter, YouTube, buzzfeed, blogs and Internet forums, no one powerful person can remain truly private. That’s why I need to present a face for the media. I know powerful, strong men can scare people. It intimidates and angers society when they see one man with so much wealth and influence. But there is one thing that melts the heart of the darkest, most cynical person. That is the beautiful and stunning arm candy to any power man. Ah, the world is seduced by young beauty. That’s where you come in, Sarah,” Mr. Peak explains as he puts on his robe. I quickly dry myself off as we walk back into my boss’s office.
We find a pressed suit for my boss and a black dress for myself. Mr. Peak begins to get dressed as he explains his intentions. “Tonight, there is a gala at the Met. Some fashion thing I am always invited to and never attend. It is traditionally New York’s biggest nights for the rich and powerful. We will be there in attendance tonight. And you will be introduced to the world as my woman.”
My jaw drops. He is presenting me to the press and to the world as his woman?! Oh f**k! Mr. Peak walks up to me and grabs my shoulders. “This will be your ultimate seduction. You will smile for the cameras. You will make the press, New York society and the world fall in love with you. You will be charming. You will be stylish. You will be my Jackie O, my Princess Grace,” Mr. Peak says as he pauses for a moment and then continues. “You will be my better half.”
***
Mr. Peak’s last words kept resonating through my head.You will be my better half.Our bond is complete. My boss makes the rounds to his traders. He has an intimate conversation with his managing director. I can’t help but listen to the intense conversation. It sounds like many of the gold and silver coins have been recovered from the street below. The fifteen million dollars in cash is gone due to the fact that the paper money is pretty much untraceable. My boss doesn’t seem to be too upset about that. He seems more concerned about any potential bad publicity.
After my boss finishes his conversations with his staff, the two of us descend down to the lobby. I am still very much intimidated by my boss so I dare not make any small talk. When we get to the lobby, the cleaning crews are just about done sweeping up the glass around Columbus Circle.
Mr. Peak and I get into a stretched Maybach and head out of the Time Warner Center. We cruise to the Upper West Side. Oh my goodness, I am going to see Mr. Peak’s townhouse! We make a turn onto East 81st Street. This is true blueblood territory. I have been to New York a few times before but I have never stepped foot into this exclusive enclave.
The vehicle stops in front of a large five story townhouse, which is twice as wide as any of the neighboring properties. I arch my head up and look at the intricate marble work on the townhouse. This thing looks like it was built during the Gilded Age. Impressive.
I follow my boss inside of the townhouse. The entryway is completely white save for a tasteful black and white marble flooring. An iron chandelier illuminates the space in an angelic glow. The entire room is a blend of masculine simplicity.
My boss notices me gawking at his impressive town home. He snaps his fingers and orders me to “Keep up.” I dutifully follow behind him. He leads me to his private elevator. Wow. What else should I expect?