The Center

I watched as he lovingly brushed the hair out of her face and slowly wiped away the tear that was trailing down her cheek. He placed his hand beneath her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. I felt like I had stumbled into the midst of an intimate moment that was never meant to be shared with an outsider. He helped her to her feet and sent her from the room. I stood there slightly embarrassed and struggling to look this man in the face.

“Hello Ms. Johnson,” his voice was a smooth tenor that had a calming effect to it. “We would like to welcome you to our humble home. You must be wondering what you walked in on just now.”
I looked him directly in the eyes for the first time since I made my way into the room and my breath caught in my chest. I had never seen anything like them. They were a light brown that fell somewhere between honey and molasses. I felt caught in a trance and realized that his hand was extended. I placed my hand in his and greeted him with great pleasure.

“Mr. O’Connell,” I felt like a school girl talking to her biggest crush. “Thank you so much for allowing me to intrude. Is the young lady ok?”
“She recently lost the love of her life and is struggling with her recovery here.”
“What exactly is it that you do here?”
“Well, Jonathan told me you like to get straight to business.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that my editor expects me to get as much information as possible.”
“I understand. Well then, let’s get started”

The Center had been a topic that caused great controversy among people who knew what The Center was. My editor had sent me to do an in-depth piece that would help the public understand what The Center was all about. From what I understood it was little more than a harem. This man before me was supposedly taking in broken women and keeping them for himself. As I studied this man, I wondered how anyone could think such a thing about him. From the moment I walked on to the premises I had an overwhelming sense of calm. There was just something about this place that made you feel relaxed and feel as though nothing could possible go wrong.

Mr. O’Connell was a tall man with dark features that made him seem exotic. When he looked at me it took every ounce of self control that I had not to throw myself at him. He was magnetic. He led me to a sitting area in his office that was placed right in front of the fireplace. I took the seat across from him and took out my recorder. I wasn’t sure what to ask him or what exactly I would learn about this place, but I know that everyone else had a right to know what exactly was going on here.