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Chapter 1 A Stranger Among Us The ride to JDL, the Fortune 500 marketing firm, is soothing in the black-on-black Cadillac Escalade with its chrome wheels and leather seats. The SUV exudes both power and prestige, as I intended it would. Maneuvering inside the executive parking lot, I retrieve my personal cell phone from the car charger. The charge is complete now and the phone is ready to be placed inside my black briefcase, sitting on the passenger seat. Taking a final glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror before exiting the vehicle, I am pleased. Following yesterday’s haircut and moustache trim, I still appear groomed to perfection after a quick morning shave. My flawless dark skin and high cheekbones give the appearance of much less than my chronological age of forty-two. The occasional use of Just For Men black hair coloring to cover the gray recently beginning to appear around my temples does an excellent job assisting with my youthful appearance. I smile at my reflection in the rearview mirror and even my teeth are sparkling white, despite the one cup of coffee consumed every morning to get my juices pumping. I straighten my necktie, careful not to mess with perfection. The icing on the cake is the perfectly tailored, dark blue suit. The suit will be perfect today for the television cameras. Removing the keys from the ignition, I toss them into the briefcase along with the cell phone. Putting on my black leather gloves before stepping out of the SUV into the parking garage saves my hands from freezing in the bitter cold, but offers no protection to my head, ears and neck. I begin my infamous smooth glide toward the lobby of JDL. For me, walking is a combination of strictly business, full of soul and pure sex. It is a walk perfected years ago. The wind blows in strong and encourages me to quicken the pace of my already long and quick stride. The executive parking lot containing the numbered reserved spots is full. The CEO’s red BMW is in her assigned spot, closest to the elevator door. I look at the car and wonder what the sexy boss lady has in store for the press conference today. Everything at JDL is big news for the City of Indianapolis. The media is sure to capture the latest information relating to JDL. After all, JDL is a huge part of the pulse of Indianapolis. As I approach the elevator in the lobby, I notice the area still decorated like a winter wonderland despite the ending of winter break and the start of the New Year. The company spared no expense in turning the sterile interior of the lobby into something closely resembling a Norman Rockwell painting. This setting remains, by design, to impress the visitors expected today for the press conference. I surmise the budget spent on the lobby decorations could finance a small African country for an entire year. When you are employed at a for-profit corporation, money is no object. JDL employees fill the lobby as they enter the front of the building. From top level executives to mailroom clerks, they all mingle inside the lobby on its perfectly shined marble floors. As I approach from the side entrance of the executive parking lot, I blend with the heavy pedestrian traffic swirling through the revolving doors and accumulating in front of the row of elevators. At once, I notice Marla Kincaid from the fourth floor Accounting Department. The men stare at Marla as she walks by. They all get a good look at Marla’s big round behind. Marla walks briskly, oblivious to the attention attracted by her behind, which is either too large for the skirt she is wearing or her skirt is too small for her large behind. Whichever the case, the men drool as the caramel-colored Marla walks by with her long straight black hair swinging in the air. The more Marla hurries, the more her behind swishes from side to side, and the more attention she commands. My chest sticks out with pride with each gesture of Marla’s hips. I see Marla enter an open elevator and notice all the men maneuvering behind her so they can achieve a cheap thrill by staring at her plump behind during the elevator ride. I chuckle inwardly, knowing a look at a fine rear end like Marla’s is nothing in comparison to being skin to skin with her most precious asset. The memory of Marla’s touch and scent from last night, gives me more of a rise than I need as I enter a partially full elevator. Upon ascending to the tenth floor, I look around and notice the elevator is not as crowded as usual, but on second thought, I realize why. There are a number of employees in the Premier Accounts Division on the tenth floor, where I reign supreme, who are on vacation leave for the first week of the New Year. In hind’s sight, even the highway and downtown streets had been sparse for this time of the morning. I look forward to the peace and quiet this week will offer. After catching up on a few business matters, time may allow the opportunity to settle some personal matters, as well. Ms. Watson, my secretary, always arrives early and she is sitting quietly at her workstation. “Good morning, Ms. Watson,” I say as I notice her small Christmas tree still on the corner of her desk. “Good morning, Mr. Prince,” Ms. Watson says with a smile in her best professional tone. “Ms. Watson, I would like to review this week’s itinerary at once. I want to make sure I tie up some loose ends while things are quiet around here. This kind of opportunity doesn’t happen often. I want to take full advantage of it.” “Certainly, Mr. Prince. Should I bring you a cup of coffee as we review your itinerary?” “Yes, that would be great.”
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