THE BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS

TWO (RUBY POV)

"Good afternoon, Ruby Rose, please..." Iselen gets up kindly and points at the chairs with blue cushions around the small table. I get closer to her slowly, frowning because of the bright sunlight that's blinding me and I sigh relieved when the big umbrella covers my head while flopping down on one chair. "Interesting..."

"Sorry, what?" I raise my head, confused, because I was too busy watching the gorgeous flowers in a vase, porcelain plates, cut glass and blue napkins contrasting on the spotless white tablecloth.

"The chair you've chosen, it's interesting..." she repeats while pouring me a glass of juice with elegant movements. "I thought you were starting to trust me after signing your contract last week but you've decided to sit down in front of me with the table between us as a protective barrier... Don't worry, one day you'll choose the chair right next to me and you'll do it voluntarily... Tea or coffee?"

"Tea, please," I answer quietly, I'm nervous enough and don't need caffeine. The truth is that I didn't sign the contract because I trusted her but because I'm desperate and don't know what else I could do: therapy doesn't help me, pills make me feel groggy and I can't work, I get irritable because of nightmares and insomnia and I'm afraid I could lose some jobs, I don't want to go back to Australia feeling like a failure and a coward... I want to know that I've tried everything I could... even if this is the weirdest and most uncomfortable thing I've ever done in my life.

Iselen pours tea like we are in Buckingham Palace and not on the roof garden of the Boulevard of Broken Dreams, her white shirt with small blue flowers matches the porcelain cups and she doesn't stagger walking on the graveled ground with her high heels getting closer to a rolling cart. She comes back two minutes later carrying a plate full of colorful macarons, buns with strawberry jam and small pastries made with chocolate and almond. She looks like a perfect hostess entertaining a guest and not like the madame that owns the most exclusive BDSM club in the city.

"Everything is vegan," she assures me with a grin on her face and I nod, grateful, taking a small sip of tea.

"Delicious," I whisper surprised tasting the strong flavor, like freshly toasted coffee.

"Jukro... a black tea that comes form Korea, very exclusive, Western people don't even know it yet... I'm happy you like it, you have an excellent palate." Iselen smiles like she's very pleased and I can't help blushing but not of embarrassment: I felt pleasure when she praised me. The beautiful woman keeps her eyes on me while holding her cup smiling enigmatically, monitoring my movements while I bite a chocolate pastry and fidget on my chair awkwardly. All her attention focused on me is getting on my nerves and I fear I'll spill tea all over my pants if she keeps staring at me... And she knows it judging by the gleam of amusement in her eyes. "They're mirrors... I'm sorry, I should've told you last week."

"Sorry, what?"

"The windows and these glass panels that protect us against the wind on this rooftop. They're mirrors, no one can see us from outside and drones are forbidden in this area for safety reasons because the city hall is near so there's no chance of someone taking a pic of you... I told you, no paparazzi, you're safe with me."

"Thank you."

"I got your bank transfer, everything is all right, and also your medical history..."

"I thought it was the most practical thing to do and the confidentiality clause of our contract prevents you from divulging the information," I whisper and Iselen nods, smiling happily while picking out a strawberry macaron.

"You're start trusting me, or at least you know I'm going to comply with the terms of our contract, I like this feeling... Your neck and your back have recovered well but, still, I want to rule out suspensions for now. You're not taking any drugs..." I straighten my back on the chair trying to find a hint of criticism in her tone but the lady remains calmed, looking at me while chewing.