Chapter One

She came out of the shower and wrapped a white towel around her full breasts. Jessica walked carelessly towards the door, after having her sculpted body half covered. She tiptoed to her bedroom, droplets of the hot water from her shower slid on her skin.

She looked at the clock, it was half past seven. That meant she still had two hours to get ready.

Soon she dried herself and walked to her wardrobe. She chose one of her red lingerie sets. As every evening she carefully wore a pair of black tights and a corset underneath another one of her knee-length body molding black dresses .She shove on the tights and the lingerie and sat to her dresser and blow dried her long auburn straight hair. Then she carefully moisturized her already flawless glowing skin, wore one of her brown colored lenses over her emerald green eyes, shaped her look with a perfect black liner and set off everything with a bold red lipstick.

She had her hair combed backwards and knotted into a low bun above which she put one of her blond wigs. Jessica was almost ready; she finally put on her dress, slid up the side zipper and wore a pair of high heels. She showered herself with a flowery fragranced perfume and walked to one of her drawers to catch her indispensible gadget.

Jessica was ready now. She looked at her reflection once more before adjusting her black mask. Checking her wrist watch only to notice that it was half past eight; just enough time was left for her to arrive at the Premium Plaza Hotel's reception.

She left her flat and walked to the elevator, she went in and descended down her sixteenth's floor before she exited the building. Jessica came face to face with a tall man in a suit, who appeared to be no other than the driver of a luxurious limo parked behind his back.

"Good evening Miss Rose, my name is Val and I will be your chauffeur for the night" the driver introduced himself.

Jessica nodded merely and he opened the door for her.

Elijah has the taste for the finest things in life Jessica thought inwardly before excusing herself inside the luxurious vehicle. Val closed the door behind her and drove to the Premium Plaza Hotel.

Once comfortably seated at the back, Jessica grabbed her phone from her clutch purse and dialed a number. It rang two times before they'd pick up her call.

"Hello Rose, I assume you're enjoying your ride?" Elijah said on the other end.

"I appreciate it, but since when does your associates get to voyage in fancy cars Eli?"

"Since you saved my company at the last minute by accepting this deal"

"So I get it is special treatment huh?"

"Among other things, maybe"

"You got me curious about said other things"

"You'd be surprised if I told you"

"Tell me everything!"

"A gentleman should take care of such a beautiful woman, I can't say more than that"

"So is that your way of taking care of me?"

"I'd love that but I’m secretly counting on the man you're escorting tonight to do it for me"

"Oh! I'm almost arrived; I have to hang up on you though you know the rules"

"Enjoy your evening Black Rose"

" Will do" Jessica hung up and put back the phone to her clutch purse . She noticed the fine Champaign bottle and crystal flutes along with a box of strawberries half dipped in chocolate resting on the seat opposite from her.

"He went on a little over the chart this time" She soundlessly thought Elijah always seemed to have his thing for her , but he never really came forward so the relationship between them has always been strictly professional. Jessica rested her elbow on the armrest and breathed in silently admiring the view behind the window's tinted glass.

Outside the vehicle, New York city was so alive scintillating with street lights and pedestrians . The weather was rather fine , so she did not need any jacket whatsoever. Jessica absently watched the street enjoying the ride.

Elijah was the manager of the agency Jessica worked under contract with. He always made sure his associates were–above all– safe and he provided them with anything they needed. The profits that the agency made were half divided for that sole purpose, that being safety of his associates .

The limo arrived at a halt, and Val hurried to open the door for Jessica who stepped carefully and gracefully outside the vehicle under the staring eyes of a six-feet figure. She straightened her dress and turned to meet her knight for the evening .

A man who appeared to be in his late thirties, A black mask dressed around his dark brown hooded eyes , Ebony hair perfectly combed backwards and chiseled chin with thin luscious lips . He was wearing a steel blue suit with matching tie , decorated with a silver tie clip and similar cufflinks , He had a sculpted body that showed pectorals underneath his neat ironed buttoned shirt . His broad shoulders could cover three of Jessica's figures aligned – That might sound a little overstated – but she thought he seemed enormous compared to her tiny doll figure.

" Evening, Miss Rose " The stranger said with a dazzling smile as he held his arm for Jessica to grab

"Good evening" Was her mere reply before she grabbed his arm and they walked towards the entrance. They did not exchange any other words on the way .

Jessica walked with careful steps on the red carpet dressed before the entrance of the Premium Plaza hotel .

It was her first time coming to such a fancy hotel. The five stars plus, monumental infrastructure was only booked by impossibly rich billionaires . Jessica was inwardly excited like a little girl jumping on a trampoline for the first time but she did not show it , she knew that all this was just an act for the evening. A Cinderella's tale for one night. Tonight she was The Black Rose and tomorrow morning she will go back to her boring and single life.

However Jessica could not ignore the intoxicating scent of the man walking by her side.

Men's aphrodisiac perfumes should be illegal to produce; She sighed inwardly, breathing in his scent one more time before entering the Hotel's reception hall.

"Evening Mr. Doyle," The receptionist greeted as soon as they stepped inside.

Jessica was speechless as she recognized the last name of the most inapproachable billionaire, New York City has ever known; Owner of approximately eighty percent of the city's main infrastructures, including the Premium Plaza Hotel.

The man you're escorting might as well have no relation with the Mr. Doyle you read about in magazines ! Jessica thought inwardly trying to dismiss her surprise.

"Evening Paul, would you care to prepare 3203 "

"Yes sir, immediately," The receptionist picked up the phone already as they both continued their way to the elevator.

The elevator's been already opened for them to enter. Mr. Doyle and Jessica went in silently.

Once the doors closed , Mr. Doyle said

" You'll wait for me in room 3203 , make yourself at ease and I'll be back in short,"

"I was told that you needed me for the masquerade ball,"

"True but we have to go through some details before we make an appearance,"

He pressed the emergency button and stepped closer to Jessica who, caught by surprise held in her breath.

"First I have to see if you're not armed"

"What?"

He leaned closer causing Jessica to freeze; he slipped a hand behind her back and travelled the other along her side unzipping her dress.

Jessica did not know how to react although she wanted to push him at first, another part of her surrendered to his caressing hands. Fixing her eyes with his dark pools, she stood still so he slipped his hand underneath the dress and slid it towards her back.

Jessica felt the Goosebumps at the sensation of his warm hand on the small of her back.

"You should know that I do not get in bed with people I can't trust"

"Who said I was getting in bed with you?" Jessica said without breaking eye contact with him, surprising herself with her baldness coming out of nowhere.

He chuckled in amusement then retrieved his hand.

"Hands behind your head" He ordered. Jessica obeyed whishing all this would end sooner than later.

She had her share of creeps, but Mr. Doyle here appeared to be keen on security. That was understandable because of his status. So she let him check for himself.

He leaned in and travelled both hands on her back and waist, lightly brushing Jessica's breasts. She held her breath for a sec while he descended his hands to her belly causing her to shiver and glided them to the small of her back. Then zipped her dress up and locked her eyes once more. Jessica was starting to feel uncomfortable.

"You should know that I do not get in bed with my clients Mr. Doyle,"

"I only meant it professionally Miss Rose unless you meant it intimately , now part your legs," He smirked

"Excuse me?" Jessica exclaimed almost outraged.