THE BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS

EIGHT (RUBY POV)

I wave goodbye to my Uber driver and take a look at my watch... it's too early. I look around but there's not much I can do in this area of the city at this time of evening, people will leave work soon and will go back home or to a restaurant in their neighborhoods to have a quick dinner with friends. I guess I could go to the bakery and buy some cookies as a present for Iselen, killing time sitting on a bench and trying to relax for a few minutes before the session.

I'm so eager to see her I've barely had time to jump off the plane, go home to leave my bags, take a shower and come here after calling my sitter to tell him to keep the dogs one more night. I need to see her, hug her, kiss her, make her understand how important she is for me and how difficult it was to stay away from her for two long weeks. I wonder what surprise she has for me to celebrate two months of relationship, maybe we'll have a shower together finally. I can't help smiling... I remember all the times she called me right when I thought I couldn't go on after a long and hard day working on set, feeling sleepy while listening to the director losing his temper and shouting curses at the crew, the phone rang and it was a blocked number.

Even if we were thousands of miles apart, Iselen seemed to know instinctively when I was about falling apart and, although the sessions are way better when we're together, the truth is that having a shower in front of her, teasing her with my naked body and obeying her commands let me reach orgasms that left me feeling relaxed and happy and I was able to sleep for hours later. The effect this woman has in me is amazing, I only need to hear her voice to sigh relieved knowing that everything will be all right because she's in charge, my concerns and stress vanish when she shares the burden with me so it doesn't crush me with its weight.

I've never felt so attracted to anyone before, so turned on with a light touch of her hand, so happy when I can see her, so safe and protected... Iselen is smart, funny, pretty and confident, and all these qualities that seemed fascinating to me when I met her are traveling to my own body and soul when we're together. I feel more beautiful when I'm near her, smarter and more confident, or maybe all these qualities were already inside me and she helps them to surface. I'm a better person when Iselen takes care of me and way bolder... A mischievous smirk spreads across my face when I remember the pics wearing black lace underwear I sent to her phone, I never do things like this because I know they will be published by a tabloid eventually, but I trust Madame completely and not only because she's signed a non-disclosure agreement. And she loved them... She promised to thank me for that unexpected gift for her eyes in a special way.

I shudder in anticipation while taking a look at the bakery window wondering if Iselen would prefer croissants filled with chocolate instead of cookies when I hear voices arguing out loud and I stick my head around the corner of the store to take a peek. This is weird, the alley is always a quiet place.

"I told you to let me in, idiot!" I open my eyes wide in shock and move a step back to hide but keep watching. That's... Holy fuck! I know her, I interviewed her years ago for my MTV show and we've bumped into each other at several parties here in LA, I can't say were best friends forever but I know her, of course, everybody does: she has more Grammys in her house than vegan sauces I have in my fridge. "I have an appointment with Iselen!"

"That's not true, miss," the doorman answers calmly and I feel my stomach turning painfully and a strange bitter taste in my mouth. So this extraordinarily talented and beautiful woman is one of her subs... I wonder why she's wasting her time with me... Suddenly, all my insecurities and fears come back, crushing me with their weight and taking my breath away.

"Of course I have an appointment... I have to talk to her..."

"Madame has stated very clearly that your contract is over and employees have orders to keep you out of the building, I already told you this on the phone yesterday..."