The Sins of Estrada

In life, some things don’t always go our way.

That’s alright. Most of the time, we’ll pick ourselves up again and continue, making sure the obstacle doesn’t make a reappearance. However, sometimes in life, there are also obstacles that knock us so hard, we collapse to the ground, split our heads open and bleed out, so we end up never the same again.

There was one obstacle in my life, So bad, so traumatic, so nightmarish that it landed me here, in New York. Right now, I was in the middle of an important job, one that has helped me to stay alive for the past six years or so.

So, allow my story to begin.

~~~

Snowflakes frosted my raven-hued coat, melting in the fur of its collar. I tugged the fabric closer to my skin, gathering all the warmth I could. The clicking of my heels and rattling of my suitcase on the rocky pavement was like marching bands in the silence of the winter night. As I walked, I watched my shadow elongate and shrivel in the light of the lampposts. A gust of bitter wind sliced at my cheeks and frosted the tips of my nose, making me shrink further back into the neck of my coat.

However, all the malice of the winter around me couldn’t ice the fire in my veins and the cunning energy flowing through my body. Today, I, Jenna Estrada, was heading to La Residenza Regale, a hotel renowned for its regality - hence the name. All the wealthy businessmen, exotic royalty and sneaky inheritors were present and were the exact people I was hoping to snatch tonight.

Exiting of the side road and onto the main street, the New York night came into view. Soaring buildings and towers scraped the clouds with their blinking lights gleaming from within. On the ground, cars raced left and right, their headlights shooting past. The rush of the city faded slightly as I approached the posher side of town. Quaint cafes and lavish restaurants were clustered with pride as the rush became more sophisticated. I strode along the street until I saw what she came for.

La Residenza Regale stood mighty and lordly. The building towered at eight stories, observing the life of New York. Its golden lights softened its creamy walls whilst playing on the waters of the enormous pool. White rose bushes dotted the front, emitting a feminine, floral perfume into the air. The tune of a soft piano piece charmed its way into my ears. The magnificence of the hotel enchanted all the senses and soon I was allowing my feet to carry me inside.

Once embraced in the velvety warmth of the hotel, I closed my eyes and sighed. But my relaxation didn’t live long. A reminder rung in my head.

Con. You’re here to con.

And with that, my nefarious intentions had caught up with my actions. I shook my head and advanced to the main desk, a feigned smile bright on my face.

“Good evening! Welcome to La Residenza Regale? I’m Eve!” The clerk’s sunny smile stretched from ear to ear.

“Thank you, Eve. I’d just like to check-in,” I gestured kindly to my suitcase.

“Splendid! What name are you checking in under?” Eve turned to her computer and typed in a few things.

“Amelia Law,” I told her.

“Okay, Amelia. You are in room 134 on the fifth floor. Hope you have a regal stay,” Eve handed me a key.

“Thank you.”

I strode towards the elevator and pressed the up button. After a minute or so, the elevator finally came and I walked in, pressing the button to my floor.

Once in my room, I placed my suitcase by the bed and sat down on the floor. I zipped it open and dug around for my makeup bag. My face was going to be a key part in luring in the rich men. Successfully rooting out the bag, I victory-danced to the bathroom.

I carefully applied the products, adding definition to the eyes and scarlet-red boldness to my lips. Smacking them together, I grinned at her appearance. Having had nine years of practice under my belt, I was quite the expert on this makeup lark. I whipped out my curling iron and styled my hair up into a rosette, clearing my neck for a ruby necklace.

Picking up a small shoulder bag, I threw in a pair of handcuffs and left it on the nightstand.

Shrugging off my fur coat, I jumped onto the bed and pulled my phone out from my bra. I scrolled through my target files and found the man for tonight. Aiden Klarking, a fifty-two-year-old tech designer who created a special type of spying device.

Just before I left, I snatched a small dropper in a glass bottle from my makeup bag and secured it in my bra, and grabbed the shoulder bag. Adjusting my dress, I walked out the door to the bar where I’d lure this wealthy man to his financial loss.

~~~

Loud music and even louder people filled the air with sweat, alcohol, and money. Clusters of people, all clad in luxuriant clothing lingered around, gossiping or sipping on their drinks. Silks, satins, velvets, and charmeuse danced around me sporting vivid, rich colours. And the jewels. They were in an astonishing abundance. Diamonds and crystals adorned necks, wrists, ears, and fingers. They glimmered and twinkled in the low light casting shimmering shapes on the walls and ceiling. The scent of colognes and perfumes wafted around the room, with a tint of champagne and whiskey.

I scanned the room with my phone up, matching each face with the one on my file. Shuffling closer to the bar counter, I sat onto a stool. Ordering a Bellini, I continued to scan the room when I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. Swinging around, I saw a middle-aged man sitting in the stool beside me, slurping his glass down. Discretely, I glanced at my phone and my eyes brightened at the sudden jackpot.

The faces were identical.

Smirking at my luck, I lowered her phone and grinned at the man.

“Well here’s a face I was waiting to see all night,” the man purred, sliding closer to me. I giggled and nudged him a few inches away, my skin crawling.

“Oh really, why’s that?” I wiggled her eyebrows.

“I guess it’s just because yours is so beautiful. I’ve never seen one like it,” he remarked. The man held my hand and placed a wet kiss on the back of it.

I cackled and gently yanked my hand back, resting it on my thigh. “Oh, sir. You’re too kind.”

“Please. Call me Aiden, sugar cookie,” he said placing his hand over mine. My eyes flickered down towards it and noticed the tan line on his ring finger. How disgustingly amusing? This man was supposed to be married and instead here rubbing his grubby hands up and down a young woman’s legs. I blinked twice and continued grinning like a possessed barbie.

“Well, Aiden. I’m Stella Steves. And, this bar seems to be getting quite boring. I think I’ll head off now.” I stepped from off my chair and waited for his desperate plea for me to stay. As expected, it came.

“Stella. No need to hurry off just yet.” The man stumbled off his chair and hurried to me. He placed a hand on my hip and looked at me. His eyes twinkled with lust and hunger. I beamed.

“Really, why? Do you have anything to occupy me?” I batted my eyelashes and stepped closer towards him.

“I have a few ideas I’m sure you’ll love,” he whispered. The man slid his hand to my butt and squeezed. I gasped in fake excitement and brushed my fingers across his crotch.

“I’m sure I’ll love your ideas too,” I purred.

“We’ll go to my hotel room. That way we can avoid any unwanted interruption, shortcake,” he grinned, placing his hand on my lower back and guiding me to the elevator.

Inside, the man turned I around to face him and wrapped his hand around my waist. Jenna’s mind clicked. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him down to my lips. He pushed his lips onto mine, sucking and nibbling at them. Tightening his grip on my waist, he shoved his tongue between my lips, rubbing it around inside my mouth and nearly down my throat. I almost gagged and passed it off as a moan. I released a hand from the man’s neck and rubbed it against his crotch.

The ting of the elevator halted our session and we walked to the man’s hotel room as if nothing eyebrow-raising had happened thirty seconds ago.

“After you, honeysuckle,” The man unlocked the door and held it open for me.

“No, you go in first. I just need to quickly check something.” I said, motioning to my phone.

“Ok,” he smirked, winking and slipping into the room, leaving the door open a crack.

I smiled seductively at him until he was out of sight. In a flash, I reached into my dress and pinched out the glass bottle from earlier. Squeezing the dropper I let a couple of drops of the liquid inside into my eyes. I also switched on my phone and set an alarm for fifteen minutes later and changed the tone to my ringtone. I then set another one for five minutes after the first with the same tone.

Satisfied, I entered the room and saw the man on the bed, leaning back on his elbows. Biting my lips, I crawled onto the bed and leapt onto the man’s lap and began attacking his lips. I kissed and moaned and tugged at his hair. The man’s hand couldn’t stop roaming. They were all over me. On my waist, then down to my butt, squeezing it, back up to my breasts, and resting on my hips.

I bit his lip and tugged at it before releasing him.

“Babe, I’m just going to go to the washroom a sec to get ready. You know what I mean.” I winked at him. “Don’t worry I won’t be long,” I added, purring and stroking his chest. I slid off the bed and slipped to the washroom.

Once inside, I lifted my dress over her head and threw it onto the floor, revealing my scarlet-red, lace lingerie. It had an intricate lace bra, that left little to the imagination and the panties with laced edges with two red, ribbon straps travelling down to my stockings. I slipped out of my tights and retouched some red to my lips.

Phone and cuffs in one hand, I whipped around and sashayed out the bathroom towards the man. I silently placed the phone on the night table before sauntering towards the man and crawling onto the bed.

“Miss me much.” I climbed onto the man’s lap.

“Definitely, muffin,” He grabbed my waist and flipped me over. I giggled and trailed a finger down the man torso, waiting for the alarm.

Ring.

It came. Thankfully. Plastering a mask of confusion and frustration, I reached out for my phone from under the man.

“Hello?” I said slipping out from the man’s hungry grasp. He looked quite annoyed at this disruption, considering he thought he’d made sure of no distractions.

“Edward? Is that you?”

Jenna stood.

“What it is?”

I turned her head slightly to see the man very much intrigued and slightly annoyed by her conversation.

“Oh my God! No. That can’t be right. I made sure to send in the money!”

I began pacing the room. I was biting my nails and combing my fingers through my hair with agitation.

“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

I ended the ‘call’ and looked at the man with melancholy and fear in my eyes.

“What happened, sugar pop,” He asked, actual concern evident in his eyes.

I rubbed my eyes and fell onto the bed sobbing hysterically. My arms were flailing and my mascara streaking down my face like melted wax crayons as I tried to explain the situation in my hopeless state.

“My brother.” Hiccup.

“Your brother? What about him?” The man sighed.

“He...He has an injury and,”

Hiccup.

“The money I sent for the surgery was,”

Hiccup.

“Accidentally given to another person!” I wailed and hit my head against the bed repeatedly. The man held me still, clearly annoyed.

“Who?” he asked.

“Some bastard named Eddie,” I whispered.

“Umm... How much was the fee?” The man asked, reaching for something in his jacket pocket. My eyes widened at this but managed to remain a teary mess.

I sniffed turned to face the man. “$50,000. But I can’t afford that. I could never.”

“Oh, pumpkin pie. When you’re one day rich like me, you’ll realise that money is nothing. It’s easy. I wanted a good night and if I give you the money, I want it,” he grumbled pulling out a cheque book.

My eyes widened with adoration. “Really, you can afford it?”

“Listen here, sweety cube, I can afford the world.” The man scribbled something on the book and tore it out, handing it to me.

I smirked at the cheque but quickly covered it up with a grateful smile and turned away from him slightly, tucking the cheque into my bra.

“Don’t need to thank me. You just need now to give me a good time, babydoll,” he smirked, advancing towards me.

I grinned at him and pulled out my handcuffs.

~~~

I stood at the feet of the bed, leering at the artwork before me. The man lay on the bed wriggling and writhing in his little trap. His hands were cuffed to the posts of the bed, clenching and unclenching. His shirt was torn where I ripped it out to gag him. The gag caused drool to dribble down the man’s chin and him to moan and groan with frustration.

And probably with panic as well.

However, above all this, the best thing was the word written across his forehead in scarlet-red lipstick.

Fool.

I let out a sardonic cackle, turned on my heel and glided out the room. I looked at the door behind which the filthy man lay and chuckled quietly before whirling around and crashing into a shoulder.

“Hey, watch it,” I mumbled before looking up at the person. A pair of hazel eyes stared back down at me.

“Well, hello to you too,” he said, his eyebrows scrunching up. He scrutinised me before smiling widely.

My eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry,” I said before turning to walk past him.

He stepped to block me, smile strong and blinding. “Wait, you’re quite the beauty, aren’t you?”

Lips pursed, I stared him up and down, “And you’re quite the nosy one, aren’t you?”

The man’s magazine smile flickered slightly, but it returned brighter than ever. I eyed him further, observing him closely. I noticed his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Granting him an equally fake smile, I said, “Nice meeting you,” and the smile instantly dropped. “But I have to go now.”

I brushed past him, allowing myself a quick glance over my shoulder, only to see his smile vanished and in its place a stoic, stone expression.