The Procurement Process (Closed for Fillor)

[Fi_llor]

The drive was not that long and Steven stopped in front so the Valet could park the car. He walked to the passenger side and opens the door for Anne. Steven placed his hand on her arm and they walked in.

The hostess remembered him and she took them to their table. From the table they had a great view of the stage and the dance floor, but the table was discreetly placed for privacy.

The band didn’t come on till 10 pm and would play till 2am with breaks in between, but Steven didn’t tell her he wanted to keep the surprise as long as he could.

I hope you like sitting at this table Anne, but if you don’t, I’ll see to it that we can sit where you prefer it.” He said smiling at her

 

[pipper]

"I hope you like sitting at this table Anne, but if you don’t, I’ll see to it that we can sit where you prefer it.”

"No, this is fine. It is a lovely establishment. Thank you for bringing me here," Anne said, while sounding like a fifteen year old on her first serious date.

She looked around the room, taking in the soft lighting, the walls with their murals, the dance floor, and especially the stage.

All she wanted now, was a waiter or waitress to arrive at their table with a pair of menus.

 

[Fi_llor]

"No, this is fine. It is a lovely establishment. Thank you for bringing me here," she told him.

“Anne I had thought of you and it was about time I take you out on a date, and when I came here to see it and taste the food I thought you might like it.”
Steven caught the hostess eyes and she walked over with the menus.

 

[pipper]

As Anne looked at her menu, she took in the list of Mediterranean food, something she knew little of. Her concentration was broken when the hostess asked her, "What would you like to drink?"

Quickly regaining her composure, Anne replied, "I'll have a gin and tonic, please."

Then she went back to her menu, looking for something that she would love to eat.

 

[Fi_llor]

Steven was looking at his menu then turned and ordered a Scotch and water.

“You find anything that does appeals to you Anne?” he asked her

“I like lamb so I`m going to order the “Herbed Lamb Chops with Greek Couscous Salad”

 

[pipper]

"You find anything that does appeals to you Anne?”

"Actually, I think I'll choose roast beef, roast potatoes, peas, gravy, and some mint sauce. I know it's not what you call, 'Mediterranean' food, but if it's okay with you, I'll go with what I know."

 

[Fi_llor]

"Actually, I think I'll choose roast beef, roast potatoes, peas, gravy, and some mint sauce. She said.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong eating what you like Anne, that’s why I’ve ordered the lamb because I like it.”

 

[pipper]

While Anne sipped on her gin and tonic, while waiting for her meal to arrive, there was one question that was consistently going through her mind, and the only person, she knew, that could give her an answer was the person sitting across from her.

"Tell me, something Steven. What was so special about that party tonight? Oh, I know it was to promote an escort service, so why would you think that I would attend such a party?

 

[Fi_llor]

Steven looked at Anne surprised by her question. “I didn’t Anne. The invitation was for me and a guest and I didn’t plan on going and it just so happen that I got your email, so I thought I asked if you would like to go. To me was just a party with music and dance, and I know you like both.”

He took a sip of his drink. “Why do you?”

 

[pipper]

Anne somehow knew Steven wasn't being completely truthful.

After finishing her drink, she said, "I'm confused. Why would they invite you in the first place? Are you somehow connected to this escort business?"

 

[Fi_llor]

"I'm confused. Why would they invite you in the first place? Are you somehow connected to this escort business?"

The question took Steven by surprise and he never thought she would ask question about it. He hesitated for a moment wondering if by chance Anne was interested. He hated lying to her and he decided to tell her the truth, the way she back out from going to the party he wasn’t sure she would believe the truth, but he had to try.

“Ok. What I told you before I didn’t plan on going, but after your email I thought you wouldn’t mind going as my date. The reason I was invited was that I have invested money in it, and I saw the chance of making very good money. I am not involved with the operation I’m a silent partner, and the girls pay us 60/40 in return. Mind you the girls can make between 5 to 10 thousands per date.”

 

[pipper]

Anne was stunned as Steven finally told her the reason he had been invited to the party. He had a part ownership in the business. First he said that it was both women and men, when he first invited her, now it seemed that only girls were involved.

"Escort girls making 5 to 10 thousand per date!! That sounds like a high class escort service which includes prostitution to me, Steven."

 

[Fi_llor]

Steven could see the surprise on Anne’s face, and hoped that it wouldn’t ruin their relationship as he really liked her.

"Escort girls making 5 to 10 thousand per date!! That sounds like a high class escort service which includes prostitution to me, Steven." She commented.

“Not as far as we’re concerned, the girls are under contract to be solely an escort, but if they want to sleep with their dates after the date time ended is their affair.” He told her. Steven looked into her eyes trying to read something that would tell what was her interested in this.

“Anne for someone that that declined to go to the party, you seem very interested enough to ask question about it. Can’t I ask why?”

 

[pipper]

“Anne for someone that that declined to go to the party, you seem very interested enough to ask question about it. Can’t I ask why?”

This discussion was making the date a bit difficult for the two of them, but Anne wasn't going to let Steven off the hook that easily.

"It was the fact that you invited me to that party, a party to promote an escort service, and at the same time requesting me to wear an evening gown to it. How on earth did you think that I would enjoy such a party, while talking to the girls involved, now knowing that they may be prostitutes on the side?"

 

[Fi_llor]

“Anne the fact that I invited you was because I wanted your company and none other. The party had nothing to do with you. The party was just a party and only a few of the girls were part of the escort service, the rest were wives, girlfriends or whatever, and it was a formal dress as it was high class escort business. I had no idea you were so against it. The escort business started when the humans came to hearth and it will never change”

“Anne be honest with me, what’s this all about why are so concerned and upset over it.”

 

[pipper]

“Anne be honest with me, what’s this all about why are so concerned and upset over it.”

This was getting to her, in a big way. "Okay, Steven, here's why I'm so upset over it. I don't like dating a man who owns part of an escort service, who also knows that some of the girls sell their bodies for sex!"

 

[Fi_llor]

"Okay, Steven, here's why I'm so upset over it. I don't like dating a man who owns part of an escort service, who also knows that some of the girls sell their bodies for sex!"

Steven couldn’t believe Anne actually said that, but that was how she felt and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Well I’m sorry you feel that away Anne because I really did like you. Look I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, and seen that we’ve finished dinner, why don’t I take you back to your place and don’t have to see me again.”

 

[pipper]

Now he doesn't want to see me again, Anne thought. It was obvious she had hit him where it hurt, but it was also obvious that he thought more of the escort business he part owned, rather than maintaining a friendship with her.

"If that is what you want to do, Steven, but I would like us to keep being friends, but that is up to you."

 

[Fi_llor]

I’m sorry Anne, I’m a little confused. I never said I didn’t want to see you. You just said you don’t like dating a man that’s part of an escort service, and now you said you still like to see me I don’t get it. I’m the same man you don’t like to date, why would you want to be friend with him.

 

[pipper]

"How dare you contradict yourself! I know for a fact you said, and I quote, " Why don’t I take you back to your place and don’t have to see me again. You were the one that told me that I didn't have...or you didn't want...I'm confused. Take me home, now please Steven."

 

[Fi_llor]

Anne that answers was a reply based on you telling me you don’t like to date a man that is in business with an escort service, and you were referring to me. If you didn’t like to date that man, he was doing you a favor by removing himself so you wouldn't have to see him any longer.

“Anne I am the same man you liked to be with, but you are not the same woman that wanted to be with me. I’ve never forced myself on any one and never will least of all on you.”

Steven got up and waited for her so he could take her home.

 

[pipper]

Anne sat silently in the car as Steven drove her home. Had she condemned Steven too quickly? After all, he had decided to spend time with her, instead of attending the party. Maybe this escort businesses he part owned wasn't as bad as she had thought, though he had admitted that some of the girls did have paid sex with their clients.

As they arrived at her home, Anne said, "I'm sorry for ruining your evening."

Then an idea came to her. "At University they want us to write a story on any subject we want to. I was wondering if you could email some facts of your business. I won't name you or your business. Maybe that way, I can view your business in a proper way, rather than condemning it."

 

[Fi_llor]

Steven drove in silence as there was nothing he could say to her that would change her mind, but he drove within the speed limit.

As he stopped the car Anne spoke. "I'm sorry for ruining your evening." She said.

“Don’t worry about my evening Anne; it’s spoiling yours that bothers me.”

Steven was about to get out of the car when Anne asked something.

I’m sorry, as I told you I am a silent partner and anything that concerns the escort service has to be approved by the board. I don’t even go into the office unless it’s a meeting involving every member of the board.”

 

[pipper]

Anne was disapointed that Steven couldn't go along with her request, but understood.

"Well, thank you again for the dinner. I'll send you an email tomorrow."

With that she got out of Steven's car by herself, walked to her front door, opened it, waved goodbye, and then entered in and closed the door.

 

[Fi_llor]

Anne said. "Well, thank you again for the dinner. I'll send you an email tomorrow." And opens the door and got out of the car.

Steven waited till she was inside and saw her waving good bye. He sat there for a few minutes than puts the car in gear and drives home. Wondering why Anne would want to send him an email, what else was there she wanted to say.