English Version: Sands & Sparrow

12

She sighed a frustration from the client's cold treatment. If they don't do it at once, it could take more time from her. Aveline was in a hurry to go home. But then again, being a professional; she needed to finish the job. Aveline approached the driver and hugged from behind. "It's alright. I'll make the first move. I'll do you a blow job, so you don't have to be shy." She whispered in a seductive voice, her hand traveled down to the zipper and touched the crotch but she frowned, something was missing, she could not grasp the bulge on the client's pants. Aveline tried again to grope the crotch, but the driver snatched away her hand to stop. Maybe he wants to have a conversation? Aveline pondered while removing her embrace. The one wearing a helmet, let out a breath of relief.

Aveline ventured in the living room and peered at the window, she started to make a conversation to break the awkwardness between them. "You have a nice place here."

A sound of unzipping jacket rendered noise, it revealed the driver was wearing a grey fitted long sleeve shirt when the jacket was removed.

Aveline didn't even bother to look at the client's direction. She lowered her head, carefully looking down at the road. The ground below was full of luster, like someone had taken a handful of sequins and threw it across the horizon. Lights glittered everywhere just liked stars dropping to the earth - big and small buildings collided in a mixture of lines and geometry. The vehicles seemed like ants, rushing along the streets creating a twisted thread of neon lights.

The absence of public transportation gave Aveline a cloud of disappointment, she stepped away from the glass window and sighed. "Can I ask you something? Is there a jeepney or a bus in this place?" She asked without glancing at the client's direction, and then she slowly turned, seeing the driver finally pulling away the helmet. "I want to take a bus. I don't know how to travel--" Aveline paused momentarily in a surprise.

When the driver removed the headgear, a long silky hair reached the shoulders.

Aveline's face went aghast from shock. "Y-you're a w-woman??" Her jaw dropped, she opened her mouth, and her eyes were stuck on the woman.

The driver turned her gaze. Aveline was drowning in those beautiful green eyes staring at her. The woman could have graced any billboard or magazine cover, but she was better than those models. Her tall frame and slender body were like a picture of a mythical goddess - the green eyes, like a forest, calm and emotionless. Long, black hair, so smooth and silky, almost as if tailored from fabric. Her skin was like silk, and she radiated an exceptional beauty. "Hello...stranger." She said in a sultry voice, touching gently Aveline's chin to close the gaping mouth.

It suddenly occurred to Aveline's mind the familiar incident. I stole a kiss from her! Covering her face, she ran away to face the window. The green-eyed woman watched her actions with amusement.

Aveline covered her mouth with her hand. For a minute, she thought her face was on fire. Aveline suddenly felt uneasy. Now she was silently praying that a rushing train would miraculously wreck the window and hit her. Or a ferocious shark would appear out of nowhere and slapped her face. All the impossible illusions to escape became a silent wish to her.

She heard the client clear her throat, with a face that could defeat the redness of the tomato, Aveline finally had an act of courage to talk, and glanced at the woman with burning cheeks. "S-sorry...sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to...t-to kiss you l-like that. I-I don't know what I'm thinking." Faked a laugh, turned her head to the side to avert her gaze, but the rosiness of her cheeks gave away. Aveline pinched the edge of her clothes and bit her lower lip with shame. "I-If you like...you don't have to pay me. It's okay...I'll just leave, and it's free of charge," her voice stammered in mid-sentence. With too much embarrassment boiling on her mind, Aveline was clueless on how to leave. She looked at the woman's clothes while speaking then rushed to the door.

A soft hand gripped her arm. "Please stay...I'll pay you for the whole night," the woman gave an offer she could not refuse. Her mouth twitched, fighting a smile. Then she removed her hand on Aveline's arm.

"I-I can't," Aveline stuttered, her cheeks were still red.

"There's no taxi or bus at this hour. I'll drop you off tomorrow," she predicted the dilemma. Aveline was left without a choice but to stay. No matter how awkward the situation between them.

The green-eyed woman smirked and graciously offered a glass of champagne. "Take a seat," she offered. Then she sat on the other couch, facing Aveline. She crossed her legs, rested her hand on the armchair.

"T-thank you," Aveline replied shyly and swallowed an invisible lump on her throat. She sat on the couch and swigged the wine like water, and it made her cough. Aveline smiled coyly. She exhaled, lowered her gaze and stared at the carpet.

There was absolute silence going on between them.

Her client broke the ice that covered the atmosphere, "Are you hungry? Do you like to eat?"

The simple question gave Aveline a hard time to think. Flirt, dirty talk and sex. These were the kind of conversation she knew whenever she communicates with the clients. Indecent talks were always part of her job. She was confused about what the question meant. Aveline had an internal struggle to answer. While the woman patiently waits for the reply, looking at her with amusement in her green eyes. Who in the right mind to hire a prostitute for a conversation? With that thought, Aveline's common sense prevailed. "We can start the blow job now." She shrugged with honesty, watched the woman while she pinched the bottom of her sleeve.

"Oh, you mean cunnilingus?" The client stretched a smile across her beautiful face.

"Cunnilingus, is that what it is?" Aveline sounded like a virgin with her answer.

The woman stood with amusement on her face, she went to the phone and dialed a number. "Good evening. I want to order dinner; will it be possible?" she said over the phone. "Wonderful...I'd like the same menu, please. A strawberry dessert and ice cream."

"Put it on my tab." She ended the call and glanced at Aveline with a smile still etched on her lips. Her green eyes were radiant, she sat on the couch and threaded a hand through her hair, crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair.

Aveline was stunned again from humiliation. Her face came to be crimson, biting her lower lip then forced a staring contest to the floor. She indignantly persuaded her throat to cough. If it was possible to swallow the shame, she could have done the deed an hour ago.

The client stood from her seat and advanced to Aveline. "I ordered dinner, can you open the door? I need to change," she mused with a sweet accent. Then, she turned on the T.V and handed the remote.

"T-thank y-you," Aveline mumbled the words from shyness, dropped off her gaze to reach the remote then she secretly watched the woman leave.

After a few minutes, the hotel staff brought and prepared the dinner. Aveline could not help herself to be amazed; every food was mouth-watering to behold.

The woman came back wearing a silk robe. Aveline could not hide the fascination from her eyes. Her client seemed like a goddess who finally descended from heaven. The woman beckoned her to sit and pulled a chair. Aveline's nervousness turned into admiration.

"Please eat." The woman elegantly raised the glass to Aveline in acknowledgment.

The meal was enchanting to look at. There were steak, sashimi, and a European dish. Strawberry tarts, ice cream, and custards were all laid on a silver plate. The food was unusual to Aveline, but she ate it with happiness. The beautiful woman silently watched her guest. "What's your name?" She asked, barely touching her food as she sipped the wine.

"Aveline," she responded and was able to look closely at the evergreen eyes, it was intoxicating her with depth. Her fear eventually subsided from the woman's gentle voice.

"Can you tell me your name?" Aveline found a confidence to ask.

The woman drew a smile on the lips; her sultry voice finally revealed a name.

"I'm Margo."

"Margo Sinclair."