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snapped the elastic on the thin strapped garment

 
     
     
     
    5
     
    Two weeks after the signing of the Non-Disclosure Agreement and Matthew Mayfield had all of his belongings packed and ready to be shipped out of Connecticut and into the city. He looked around the two bedroom apartment he’d shared for two years with his best friend Janet, and felt a little sad.
    “It’s not like I’m going to be across the country. It’s a train ride, and a subway token away. Hell I’ll get her to send a car once a week if you want.” Matthew insisted, as Janet stared at him with tears standing in her eyes.
    “I’m just gonna miss having you tripping all around the house, man.” She sniffed walking him out of the building. “And what about Pepper? Whose gonna take care of her while you’re busy schmoozing and screwing?”
    “They hired me a walker, plus I’m told that with her schedule I’ll have plenty of time on my hands to work. I mean it’s been two weeks since I’ve even seen her. It’s always those security guys, who don’t talk to me.”
    “But we’re still gonna work then?”
    “That’s why I’m doing this. I need thirteen female models, don’t rush, be sure they really want to do it, and will be comfortable in front of the lens. Do the screen shots like I showed you. Then come see me. I’ll send you the address as soon as I settle in.”
    “So you haven’t even seen the place?”
    “Nope, she was going with this posh little studio in the East Village, but then she said something about the commute to see me, so now I have no idea but she says that I’ll love the view.”
    “Well, I guess it’s that time, kiddos.” Raj smiled softly, trying not to cry as he put an arm around both of them. “I’ll take care of our girl. Don’t you worry.”
    “I bank on it.” Matthew hugged them as the Towncar pulled up and the last of his things, a large duffle bag and Pepper were loaded inside. The Security detail did not seemed pleased by the presence of the overly hyper pup.
    “You better call me and send pictures!”
    Matthew nodded with a smile as he climbed into the car, Pepper climbing into his lap.
    ***
    An hour and a half later they were outside The Stone Tower. He had not thought he would see the place from the inside again from the way the guards had reacted when he asked about it that first night. Now he saw the small truck and the movers unloading his things. As he entered the front desk clerk met him with a smile. A set of keys was pushed into his hand and he was escorted to the elevator.
    “Hello Mister Mayfield. My name is Xavier, if there is anything you need simply ring us by pressing zero. It’s floor Twenty-Seven, the second apartment on the left.”
    Matthew was put into the elevator and the clerk pushed the button before he could even think of any questions to ask.
    “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” He ran his hand down his face, taking off his glasses for a moment, to rub the bridge of his nose. The elevator doors opened as his easels went walking by in the hands of two movers. He followed them around the corner and into the second apartment to the left. “There has to be some mistake...”
    The space was three times the size of his previous apartment. Hell it was bigger than his mother’s house. A twenty foot Cathedral ceiling hung over the living room which was furnished with buttery soft brown leather couches and chairs facing the marble fireplace. Off of it was a small balcony that overlooked Central Park and the Metropolitan museum. From the balcony he realized that it also had a kitchen much like the one in the penthouse above. A place where he could spread out and really express himself through his cooking. Glass cooktops, a sink in the granite topped island in the center, plus gas stoves, double ovens and broilers. A double doored stainless steel fridge and upright freezer finished the space nicely. There was a dining room large enough to entertain and it was