A little black book speaks volumes

KJ thumbed through the little, black book on the desk in the opulent room. The view from the 15th floor of the 4-star hotel on the Magnificent Mile was fantastic. Between views of the Chicago River, bridges and the downtown hustle and bustle, it was a breath-taking sight. The room was as neat as when KJ checked in. Bed meticulously made, towels folded neatly, not a thing out of place save for the empty wrapper from the coffee cup and hazelnut-flavored, Keurig pod.

The black book on the desk was filled with names. Beside each name was a brief description that ended with a method of contact. Sometimes it was an email, sometimes it was a direct line to an automated voicemail or to a burner phone that would periodically change.

This was how KJ kept all the details and appointments straight. There were meetings upon meetings with various clients with various proclivities. KJ was an affluent “companion to the stars” or what may be described as a modern-day, escort. In this “modern-day”, business was good.

After 2022’s rebound into ordinary living, where people could actually meet, mingle and touch again, 2023 turned out to be a banner year for KJ. Of course, there was still an arduous screening process both KJ and the client had to adhere to in order to book time together but KJ’s reputation as an excellent companion was beyond reproach and clients were therefore willing to pay top dollar. The book proved that.

This book was invaluable to KJ and would fetch top-dollar if it ever fell into the hands of a tabloid journalist or digital, gossip-ingenue. The descriptions in it were rich with vibrant details of the likes and dislikes of every type of celebrity. From the way tenured, TV personalities liked their coffee in the morning to how often a certain YouTube personality with 19 million subscribers liked to be struck with a ping pong paddle per session, the book was bursting at the seams with juicy tidbits of information.

KJ looked upon each page with bemusement. It had been a whirlwind ride. From growing up in the Englewood and West Lawn neighborhoods of Chicago to staying at pricey hotels, eating at the best restaurants and a lifestyle of all-expense-paid globetrotting, KJ felt like Cinderella, revamped with urban appeal and a chic taste in clothing.

Nothing KJ wore cost less than an average worker’s week of pay. From designer loafers to form-fitting jeans and prescription-less, designer eyewear, the star-escort made sure to look like new money every time the clients came around. The look facilitated the necessary attention of every suitor in a room KJ walked into. Being beautiful and hard to obtain was the catnip that put the many vying clients into a frenzy.

To be wanted by everyone but only touched by a few is what drove the prices of companionship up for KJ. Just last night, KJ had been offered $20, 000 for a 6-hour date by a potential, new client who happened to be a million-dollar point guard in the NBA. Naturally, KJ was taken and elated by the offer but couldn’t just accept without vetting the potential benefactor and assessing the risk.

KJ kept his twitter DM’s open as an avenue for business. The escort business was tricky and finding a way to allow potential new clients to contact him, without putting out a full page ad somewhere wasn’t the easiest as a newcomer in the game. However, when KJ began his work in 2018, he knew there was always a potential for referrals so he maintained one social media page, and one alone, as a way to be somewhat accessible and also to vet potential clientele.

The point guard who requested his company was gorgeous. He was currently a mid-level performer riding out the remainder of his million dollar contract with The Nets on the pine. Originally, it was thought he would be some type of Messiah for an ailing franchise. Turns out, the young man was plagued by injuries and had probably only played about 30 games over the course of the past 4 years. He had one year left in his contract but had invested a large chunk of his earnings into starting businesses and real estate; he had a magnificent cushion to fall back on.

The point guard had been replaced by something new and hot on the team and with his large, financial safety net, it made him an ideal candidate for KJ. Once a player drifted off into obscurity after a lukewarm start, outside of his hometown, very few people recognized him. Also, with his significant wealth, KJ was sure that if they enjoyed each other, he’d soon be whisked away to some obscure island and lavished with gifts so the PG’s offer seemed very alluring.

After going back and forth for a bit in his messages, KJ agreed to meet the basketball player for dinner in Chicago and took his Zelle payment upfront. The ball player had a game against the Bulls the following night so KJ let him know that they could meet in the lobby of his hotel for drinks. KJ was already in Chicago visiting family so the timing of this meeting seemed to be kismet.

KJ never slept at night so after coming in around 4am from hanging with his family and copious drinks with old friends, watching the sun come up and the city come to life, he badly needed a bit of rest. After all, he had a reputation to uphold this evening.

KJ closed the book and slipped on his Gucci slides. He grabbed the ice bucket and stuffed the room key in the back pocket of his silk trousers. As KJ opened the door, he saw housekeeping making their way down the corridor to clean the unoccupied rooms. The one thing he hated more than having his sleep disturbed was having his belongings rearranged by strangers so KJ made sure to put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door before schlepping through the hallway in search of an ice machine.

After walking around a bit, he came to a sign that indicated the ice machine was on the floor below him which irritated him slightly. KJ had the perfect sleepy-time remedy in mind but it involved Bourbon. For that, he required ice so despite his minor annoyance, KJ waited on the elevator, trekked through the 14th floor, filled up the container and waited for the elevator to go back up.

Rounding the corner, KJ noticed that housekeeping seemed to be done with their cleaning duties as the floor was devoid of vacuum noise, carts or open hotel doors. In fact, the floor was eerily quiet. He looked down at his gold, Omega watch and realized it was only 7:36 am.

Housekeeping never comes that early, KJ thought. He placed his key to the contactless entry fob outside the room and entered. As KJ opened the door, his eyes fell squarely upon the desk he was just sitting at. The ice bucket fell to the carpet, spilling the fruits of his four-minute journey unto the carpet. KJ’s eyes swept the room to no avail: his little black book was gone.