My Pleasure.

06: My Pleasure

Fiona sat on the sofa in her 2000 square foot penthouse condo on Water Street in Georgetown, she was dumbfounded. That morning without notice her bodyguard of 6 months was escorted off the premises accused of prescription drug abuse and she received notification that KSF would no longer be able to provide services. Her father had become increasingly agitated in the last several months having received some out-of-the-ordinary threats against the company and his family. He was not going to like this.

Reggie pulled her out of her thoughts, "Miss Fiona?"

"Yes Reggie?"

"There is a Ms. Baker here to see you about your security needs."

"What?! What are you talking about? Bill just left. What's going on?!"

"I'm sorry Miss Fiona, I just found out myself. Mr. Clark from KSF called me, it seems that Knight Securities in an effort to smooth over their oversight with Bill's situation immediately contacted the most prestigious and highly sought after securities company in Washington D.C. They called in some favors."

Reggie saw that Fiona was unsure. "I can send the young woman away, but apparently they only work through reference and KSF will cover all costs for the first 6 months of service."

Fiona's head was still spinning, "Um, okay I guess. Send her up and I'll try to find out what's going on." Fiona stood up waiting for Ms. Baker.

A few moments passed and Fiona found herself watching a beautiful woman climb her stairs to the second-floor level overlooking the Potomac. Her eyes widened as she took in the woman. Fiona wasn't sure she could have described the woman's beauty to another person. It was slightly unnerving and at the same time difficult to look away. Suddenly feeling slightly inadequate Fiona blinked rapidly and whispered to no one, "Is that real?"

Fiona watched as Ms. Baker moved with confidence and ease, dressed in a black pencil skirt, pumps, a white classic cut women's blouse, and cropped matching dress blazer suit jacket. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders and her eyes were a blueish-grey color. They were sharp and intelligent but not caustic. When Ms. Baker reached the top of the stairs and came into full view, "Fee" opened her mouth in a silent gasp. She was stunned, trying to remember if she had ever encountered a woman who appeared to balance beauty and confidence so well.

Jane took in Ms. Donovan, she was framed by the large glass doors and view of the Potomac and the city. She did not look like the pictures from the file. Her youth was more visible in her eyes and her body language. She was wearing what looked like cream linen beach pants and a white scoop-neck long-sleeved shirt that dipped down so her collarbones peeked attractively out. No shoes, light makeup, her hair hung naturally around her shoulders and the light shining through the glass doors haloed the red highlights ribboning through her hair.

Jane could tell that Ms. Donovan was struck by her presence; she quickly considered how that might help her in the assignment and the potential risks. She also realized she needed to put the woman at ease. She smiled warmly, hoping to create a comfortable situation for Ms. Donovan. She nodded her head toward her and in a sincere matter-of-fact tone she said, "beautiful."

Fiona's eyes widened both at the sound of the woman's voice and the compliment. She was confident and direct and the timber of her voice was clear with a distinctive depth or raspiness that Fiona found intriguing. The sincerity in her comment softened her overall presence. "I'm sorry?" Fiona was watching Jane's eyes and mouth trying to read her.

"The view Ms. Donovan, it's beautiful." Jane smiled again, nodding toward the water, easing the moment, and drawing Ms. Donovan in.

Fiona shifted, glancing back at the river and the skyline considering the view for a moment, "Oh. Yes, I'm very fortunate." Jane was surprised by the genuine tone of Ms. Donovan's voice. Fee returned her gaze to the woman, redirecting her thoughts to the business at hand. "Please sit, Ms. Baker?"

"Yes. Ms. Baker from PO1914, we're a securities firm here in Washington." Jane moved to the chair opposite Fiona who was sitting on the sofa with her legs pulled up and casually crossed. Jane could not help but smile softly at Fiona's relaxed state. Jane knew that she could be intimidating on many levels, but Ms. Donovan, while intrigued, didn't seem to be overly unsettled or uneasy. "Ms. Donovan, I got an urgent call this morning from another security firm requesting an immediate assignment. I understand you are in need of a security detail?"

Fiona stared for a moment, the sound of Ms. Baker's voice distracted her slightly. "Um, well, yes, but I don't usually take care of that. My father arranges our security and I think you will need to speak with him about placing one of your employees with me. I'm not sure that falls under my discretion."

"I see Ms. Donovan, perhaps I was mistaken." Jane leaned slightly forward and crossed one leg over the other. Fiona was again taken aback by the woman's beauty. "I'm very rarely contacted in this way and on such short notice." Jane's voice was professional and her eyes were unwavering. She was in no way bragging, but there was no question in her tone. "I am the best at what I do and this is an extraordinary circumstance for me. I was given the impression that this was an exceptional case and that you would need my personal attention."

Fee's eyes widened at the cryptic nature of the statement and she flushed slightly with confusion. "I'm sorry Ms. Baker, your personal attention? I'm sorry. I'm, I'm still trying to catch up a little today. I just lost Bill this morning. I'm a little surprised you're here right now. You've caught me by surprise. "

Jane smiled softly and chuckled. "I hate it when that happens." She shifted back creating space, relaxing her form. Fiona grinned back and shrugged her shoulders. Fee was surprised that Ms. Baker was able to ease the moment effortlessly.

"I understand Ms. Donovan. You do not need to apologize for anything." Jane smiled again, "I know it must seem like a bit of a whirlwind. To be clear, I am not a handler. I won't assign someone to you. I am that someone, I would be your personal detail. Both your security detail and your personal assistant for the length of the contract."

Fiona swallowed at the thought of Ms. Baker being in close proximity to her. Her presence was fascinating and a little distracting. Fiona felt flustered and she felt her heart rate increase. "I'm so sorry, I just don't know. I don't usually handle this part of the company. I raise money for people in need." Fiona smiled apologetically. "I simply don't know if I have the authority to make the decision."

Jane tilted her head in fascination at the young woman's genuine nature, searching her green eyes she saw Ms. Donovan flinch, subtly. "Ms. Donovan, I'm here at your service. All of the logistics and fiscal arrangements have been made. You simply need to decide if you are comfortable with the contract. Are you comfortable with me?"

Fee continued to stare.

Jane chuckled lightly, "It's okay Ms. Donovan, I understand that you are not yet ready to make that decision. No problem." Jane smiled and stood slowly, closing the distance between them and extending her hand. "I am sorry to have caught you off guard. My sincerest apologies. I appreciate that your time is valuable Ms. Donovan. I think I would have enjoyed helping you." She grasped the young woman's hand squeezing gently but firmly. Fiona could smell a light floral scent on Ms. Baker's skin. "A word to the wise though, you need to reconsider your security as a whole."

Fiona's brow furrowed in confusion, "I'm sorry?"

"Your driver, 'Reggie' allowed me to enter your home, he did not make a call to KSF or my company to confirm my appointment. He did not check my ID, beyond my company card." Jane paused, her tone was soft and explanatory, easing the blow of the rest of her observations. "He should also be present at this meeting. I am well trained. And the time it would take him to get to you if I were to become a threat is unacceptable. He let me get very, very close to you with two weapons."

Startled Fiona looked unapologetically over Jane's form-fitting clothing trying to determine where she could conceal weapons.

Jane withdrew her hand and smiled reassuringly, "You're okay Ms. Donovan, this time. I have a small semi-automatic weapon holstered underneath my jacket and a four-inch tactical blade strapped on the inside of my right thigh. But in reality, I wouldn't need either of those."

Fiona's gaze dropped to Ms. Baker's legs and she stared for a long moment considering Ms. Baker's thighs. When she looked up she flushed with embarrassment. Ms. Baker smiled warmly again, easing the moment.

Fiona half grimaced and half-smiled. "Why wouldn't you need them?"

Jane laughed lightly, "Well ..." Jane raised her hands in front of her, wiggling her fingers in the air.

"Oh."

"Thank you for your time Ms. Donovan. I wish you the best of luck." Jane placed her business card and "jacket" on the coffee table and turned to leave. Jane moved confidently back toward the stairs. She could see the hesitation in Ms. Donovan's eyes before she turned to go and now she just needed a little luck. Halfway down the stairs she heard it.

"Ms. Baker? Why don't you stay? We can review your CV and I'll make an informed decision."

"My pleasure Ms. Donovan." Jane responded genuinely and found she was pleased to see the young woman smiling down at her.