<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span style="font-size: 18px"><b><u>ELITE TEMPTATION</u></b></span></span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 12px">by Rhizome x Queenie<br/>
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<hr class="bbc-hr"/></span><br/><b><u>Upper Bridgeton, New York State</u></b><br/>The Pratt Estate<br/><br/>The wrought iron gates swung open, and the silhouette in the gatehouse shifted to the road-side portal. "Good evening, Mr. Pratt!" chimed the security guard. Ralph has monitored and regulated the Pratt Estate perimeter since Richard had been a young boy. Other security companies approached his parents, offering better deals and younger personnel, canine units and state-of-the-art surveillance. The elder Pratts waved them all off, never thinking for a moment to replace a man who protected them like family. The Pratts sent both his children through college and attended their graduations, as well as the funeral for Ralph's late wife, Irene. Richard knew the responsibility he had to uphold, and he hoped one day to find one as loyal to him as Ralph was to his parents.<br/><br/>Richard waved to Ralph, spoke a few kind words but didn't dawdle. It was already 10pm and he knew Ralph stayed up at the behest of his parents to ensure that he arrived home safe and sound. The reason became evident when the guard delivered news. "Your parents are out of town for a month. Said they left ya a note somewhere," Ralph informed him. Richard took an exasperated breath; was it so hard to text? They both had phones that Richard purchased himself.<i>Nevermind</i>, he thought. Richard thanked Ralph, rolling up his window.<br/><br/>Shifting his Audi into gear, Richard drove past the ancient stone walls erected during the Revolutionary War that he used to play on as a kid, though he hardly noticed them these days. Graduating from Cornell University in Economics, then attending Oxford University for graduate studies, slated him to one day grasp the reins over the vast and lucrative Pratt financial holdings. His father held them a touch too tightly for Richard's taste, though he rationalized his father's reluctance to delegate as a miserable attempt by an aging duffer to delude himself of the inevitable. Time claimed all, and his father must have suddenly realized — in abject, existential terror — that you really cannot take it with you.<br/><br/>The car garage more resembled a small aircraft hanger, and Richard parked his Audi in its proper location. James met Richard as he entered the residential section, arms behind his back in a gesture of serene patience. "Welcome home, Sir. Was your meeting successful?" he asked.<br/><br/>"No," Richard replied. "Though, it wasn't a complete failure. I think we've captured Luxembourg's black mica supply." Richard shrugged. "A small victory."<br/><br/>"But, a victory nonetheless," he retorted kindly.<br/><br/>Richard inched up a small smile. "BLT sandwich and a glass of Laphraoig, please."<br/><br/>"Right away, Sir." James retreated toward the kitchen area and Richard found his office space. A folded note card sat upright on the rich, mahogany desk surface. Richard picked up the card, whose stiff fibers resisted his attempt at opening to read the script within.<br/><br/><div class="bbCodeSpoiler">
<button class="bbCodeSpoiler-button button--longText button" data-xf-click="toggle" data-xf-init="tooltip" title="Click to reveal or hide spoiler" type="button"><span class="button-text">
<span>Spoiler: <span class="bbCodeSpoiler-button-title">Dearest Richard</span></span>
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<div class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--spoiler">
<div class="bbCodeBlock-content"><span style="font-size: 18px">Hello, Richard.<br/>
<br/>
Father and I are headed to Monaco for a month. I believe we warned you over Christmas? Perhaps, we forgot. We know that you'll run everything smoothly in our absence. In fact, the first order of business will be interviewing staff to help clean your area. Normally, James would simply take care of this detail, but the new maid will be in contact with you. We thought you might want a say in the choice. Estrada arrives at 8:00am, Rebecca arrives at 9:00am, and Evie arrives at 10am ... all tomorrow. Sorry again for the late notice, dear.<br/>
<br/>
Much love.<br/>
Mums</span></div>
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</div><br/>Richard felt a migraine creeping into his cranium.<i>So fucking typical</i>. It was a miracle that their business interests hadn't imploded, though their fuddled approach to everything — consequence-free, thanks to excessive cash reserves — had certainly kept their financial value stagnated. He sighed and read the three names.<br/><br/><i>At the very least,</i>he thought,<i>I'll get to meet three ladies in the morning. </i>