Semblance Read Free Page B

Calisto replied. “I want you.”
    “And these guests of yours won’t be disappointed that an undiscovered nobody musician will be playing at this grand event?”
    Her smile was sly and full of mischief. “Here’s the beautiful thing,” Calisto said. “I’ve already made you a star in this inner circle of ours.”
    “I don’t follow.”
    “I created a story about you, one that may be on the fictitious side,” Calisto said. “Right now you’re known as the Golden Virgin, a mysterious pianist who lives a life of chastity so that your music is as pure as your heart.”
    “But I’m not a virgin,” I said.
    “Just pretend.”
    “I dunno,” I replied. “I’ve never been a good liar.”
    “When’s the last time you had sex?”
    It was a rather blunt question to ask. I was fairly private when it came to my personal life and felt uncomfortable discussing it with someone whom I met ten minutes ago. I was also embarrassed to admit that my sex life was as dry as a sand dune over the past two years.
    Having no money didn’t exactly give me the freedom to go out and meet people worthy of dating.
    “I guess it was an intrusive question to ask,” Calisto said, after a brief moment of awkward silence. “I’m fairly open about my indecent escapades. The last time I had sex was yesterday with a Chilean carpenter who was installing hardwood floors in one of my condos. He looked like Johnny Depp with muscles. I came twice that night.”
    “Uh…”
    “I thought I’d share that with you, just so you understand that my question to you had no cruel intentions behind it.”
    Oh, what the hell. What harm was it in telling Calisto about my dismal and chaste personal life.
    “Two years,” I said.
    “Two years?”
    “Yes.”
    “Perfect. You’re practically chaste anyways. I’m sure you’ll play the part of the Golden Virgin well.”
    “So this story telling of yours, does that make you a habitual liar?” I asked. I was always cautious around storytellers. I hated being the fool.
    “No,” Calisto replied. “It makes me a habitual marketer.”
    “I see.”
    She must have noticed the look of disapproval on my face. She immediately took my hands and gave me a pleasant, and strangely hypnotic, smile.
    “So Aria, it all comes down to this,” Calisto said. “For ten thousand dollars, will you play at our exclusive party?”
    I didn’t have to think long nor hard about it.
    “Yes,” I replied. I needed to take every opportunity I could get. Also ten thousand dollars would cover my rent for the year along with supplying me with some much-needed groceries.
    “Excellent,” Calisto said clasping her hands together. “Now remember, you mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone else.”
    “I swear, not another soul will hear about this,” I raised my hand in the air, as if I were pledging my allegiance.
    “Good,” Calisto said. “The punishment for violating the sanctity of our little secret is death—to you and the person you divulge to.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh at the amusing cliché.
    “Sadly, I wish I was joking,” Calisto replied. Her words sent an instant shiver up my spine and for a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was getting myself into.

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    The black limo pulled up in front of the sad little shanty that I called home. I was surprised to see Abraham, dressed in a splendid slim-fit tuxedo, step out of the driver’s side door, greeting me with his trademark smile.
    “You’re my chauffeur for the evening?” I asked.
    “Indeed,” he said, opening the backseat door for me like a true gentleman. “I’m a jack of all trades: restaurant owner, respected socialite, and for this evening, your personal driver.”
    “Well if anyone’s to drive me to my potential career suicide, I’m glad it’s you,” I said. Since this morning, I’ve had some issues with my confidence.
    It went missing.
    I was as jittery as a pornstar in church. I blamed Calisto and her