Six Flavours of Sin by Poppet Read Free Book Online Page B

today. Can I ask you to take the calls?"
    She nods, and drops her bag as she places her cute derriere into the chair at the desk pushed up against mine, "No problem. Just take it easy."
    Mr Security Guard overhears and now he's staring through me as if he's trying to read my mind.
    One of 'those' clients is actually on a mission to get my attention. He has come into the bank to meet me numerous times and doesn't know how to take ‘no’ for an answer. He is a tall Indian man with contrasting azure eyes. If Gary knew, he'd throw a fit. Not just about me talking to other men – full stop – but to one who isn't snow white, I shudder to think of the repercussions.
    Of all the days to pull a stunt on me, today is my cursed day.
    Flowers arrive for me. From blue eyes: my Indian suitor who is, by the way, married and has a new-born.
    I cannot function today. I don't react like someone should at receiving flowers. I do pluck up the courage to phone him and say thank you. He is adamant about taking me to lunch. Oh yes, he can sense the disease eating me from the inside out. My answer is no . My excuse, "I'm not feeling well today."
    How do you answer, ‘What is wrong my darling?’ – ‘Oh I'm just so horny that if Gary doesn't shag me soon, I may end up in an institution.’?
    By evening, when everyone has left, I get up from my desk. I have sat there all day without moving. I have made as little eye contact with everyone as possible. And I need air! I grab my bag and my flowers and make my way to the staff door. I'm breaking the rule. I'm waiting outside.
    This sets off alarm bells in Mr Security Guard, and he refuses to open the door. He grabs my elbow, "Are you okay?"
    "I'm fine."
    "No, you're not. You haven't been yourself today."
    Finally, I look up at his eyes and feel deeply touched by his concern. It draws moisture into my eyes.
    "I'm fine. Promise."
    "Did he ...? You know you can talk to me if you're having problems right?"
    Worry seeps through my weak legs. Great, now he thinks Gary is beating me or something. I have to stop this.
    "I'm just not feeling well today. I swear, otherwise I'm fine."
    He pauses, waiting for me to say more, giving me the opportunity to look for support. I don't need support. I need Gary.
    He releases my elbow and opens the door. I smile, "Thanks."
    I walk back to the steps, sit down and light a smoke. He's worried as all hell and opens the door and walks to me. He hands me a slip of paper. I glance at it as I take it. It's a phone number.
    "If you need help, phone me."
    Okay, now I'm all mushy and feel like I'm seriously going to cry. My lips tremor and my voice sounds shaky, "Thanks."
    Please go inside, if Gary sees you I'm going to be in it deep.
    I put the number into my bag and watch him walk away back behind the door. He doesn't take his eyes off me until I leave with Gary. I consider how impractical his dialling code has made him. I live in Rondebosch, he lives in Milnerton. He is nowhere near my side of the world.
    I couldn't wait to see Gary. My anticipation had morphed my body back into an amoeba. I step into his capsule and the scowl paralyses me.
    "Who the fuck gave you those?"
    Gulp. "A client."
    "Why? Does he want to fuck you?"
    "No. It's just to say thank you for helping him with an issue." (What a lie.)
    "Throw them away." He stops the car next to a trash bin.
    "No!"
    I never get flowers and don't particularly feel like giving these carnations up right now.
    He gets out of the car, stalks around to my side and yanks open the S3's door. I struggle with him as he attempts to yank the flowers out of my hands. I'm not giving them up.    
    Big mistake . Now it's war.
    He gets back in behind the wheel and glares at me, "Who is he?"
    "A customer."             
    His expression conveys I'm retarded.
    "What. Is. His. Name?"
    I start quivering. I can't let Gary make shit with the clients. I'll get fired.
    Whisper, "Mr Pillay."
    " A fucking samoosa gave that to you ?"
    I