Duncan Blackwell

Emily sat at a bistro table outside of the downtown cafe, near the headquarters of Blackwell Security. She stared at the latte on the table in front of her. It was still nearly full but had grown cold. The busy streets of the city buzzed passed the cafes street side patio. She was lost in thought, weighing her options. Enslaved by the banks and sold to the highest bidder, whoever that might be, or sell herself to a man she didn't fully know or trust.

It had only been a few hours after she had left Mr. Fischer's office. Duncan Blackwell had called her back personally only 30 minutes after getting off the phone with his secretary. He seemed all too eager to drop everything to meet with Emily.

Deep in thought she didn't feel the large imposing figure approach her form the opposite side of the table. "Emily.." She snapped out of it, and looked up at the 6' 4" tall man with wide shoulders and muscular build that had soften slight in his late 50s. He was well groomed, clean shaved face and shaved head. His eyes were a piercing blue and smile with confidence and arrogance. He wore black slacks and a white dress shirt unbuttoned just below the collar to show the tops of his clean shaved pecs. "Mr. Blackwell." She greeted him with the upmost respect. Knowing that she had to keep him happy.

As Emily rose from her chair, he leaned in to give her a tight embrace. The smell of his cologne and touch gave her chills, reminding her of the days when her mother was his receptionist. Whenever he would see her he would flirt with her, lay a hand on the small of her back or waist.

They sat down across from each other. A server came by in a black pleated skirt and blouse tucked into it. "What can I get you, Sir?" Emily watched Duncan Blackwell smile at the young woman, clearly intrigued by the young woman. "I'll have a sparkling water." Eyeing the young woman from head to toe unapologetically. "Right away, Sir." She turned and left the two of them.

He turned back to Emily. "So, how are you?" Emily nervously played with the spoon next to her Latte. "Um...I-i've been better. That's why I wanted to talk to you. I..um..I need help..." Emily focused hard not to let outa tear as she nervously fidgeted in her chair. "Help with what, Kiddo?" Duncan asked as he sat very relaxed in his chair. "Well...I..uh...I just met with an attorney who's settling my Mother's estate. Apparently She owed quite a bit of money, but now I..." Emily cleared her throat and took a sip of her now cold latte to wet her drying throat, on the verge of tears. "...now I owe that money."

Duncan Blackwell slowly shook his head. Emily could almost swear she saw him smile for a split second. "How much?" He ask plainly, to the point. Emily looked up at the man for a second, almost too nervous to even say the number. "$400k" Emily fidgeted in her seat watching Duncan Blackwell react. His brow raised and winced at the number. "That's um...that's quite a bit of money. I suppose you're asking me to help you pay that off."

Emily only sat there quietly, wanting to say yes, but too embarrassed. He was about to speak when the server came back with his water. They waited in silence as she place the water down with a napkin. This time Duncan Blackwell paid attention solely on Emily. When she was gone, he continued. "That's quite the chunk of change. You know what that would require of you, right?" He sat there letting her stew in that question. which only made her fidget more.

Eventually Emily nodded, her hand playing with the saucer her Latte sat on. "Um...y-yeah...en...enslavement, right?" Duncan only sat for a long moment, smiling. He had the young woman where he wanted her for so long now, and she knew it. "I'll tell you what. I want you to go home, relax for a few days. I'll contact you after i've spoken with both my lawyer and my accountant. Whats the name of this attorney?" Emily reached into her shoulder bag and took out the card the attorney had given him, handing it over to Duncan. "Edward Fischer." Duncan took the card and tucked it into his pocket without looking at it.

"I'll take care of this Emily...and you will be safely owned by someone you know." Emily let out a tear at that comment. Gently wiping it away with a finger tip. Duncan took a long sip of his sparkling water and rose from the table dropping a bunch of bills on the table that would pay for both of them. "I need to get back to the office, Em. Like I said, relax and in a couple of days i'll get in touch with you." Emily rose to give Duncan a hug goodbye. She trembled in his arms, wondering what kind of things were going on in his head. "Thank you, Duncan." Emily said as they separated from their embrace. "Don't thank me yet, Kiddo." He said as he gave her chin a quick stroke between thumb and fore finger.

With that, Duncan Blackwell quietly turned and left Emily there on the street side patio. Again Emily was left to her own thoughts...

(More to come...)