The Day I Kissed An Older Man

“Let’s all sit down and have a nice chat, then. We have no problems letting you go, but you need to leave this woman behind.” Esmond pointed at Rita’s face.

Sherman’s frown showed no signs of easing. Rita had never met Esmond before, yet her investigation seemed reason enough for Esmond to demand her life. It was absurd. “I’m all for a good chat. We came here today just to experience some of the attractions on offer here.”

Esmond retorted sharply, “Don’t play games with me. I’ve made myself clear:

the woman stays, and you can leave. I’ve walked a long road to get to where I am. You can’t seriously be thinking that you can leave here with her, do you?

Let’s be frank-this woman is nothing special. She’ll only bring you trouble. Other than her slightly pretty face, I don’t see anything about her that’s worth all your effort.”

Meanwhile, Esmond’s underlings ogled Rita. They could see her features clearly through the dim light even though she was hiding behind Sherman. “When did your standards get higher, boss? She’s not just slightly pretty. She’s super pretty! Heck, I think she’s much more beautiful than some celebrities in the entertainment industry! I can understand why Mister Sherman is so reluctant to let go of her!”

Boy, if I had a beauty like that by my

flushed in anger, but she resisted the urge to react. She never thought that she would be evaluated by these people like a commodity one day, but she knew that it was something

avoided any confrontations, as she knew that it was not worth her

two men’s banter became increasingly demeaning

Rita could

his hand and pointed at them. “I see no reason to sit down and

turf. He felt as though he had been manipulated by Sherman every step of the

of their flippant, obscene jokes while he was trying to negotiate a serious matter. They were acting as if that was the first time in