This is something that has been kicking around in my head, so I thought i'd try to get it down and see how it looked. Don't expect miracles this is a first attmpt in writing something that resembles an actual story. Ironically I don't even know how it's going to end.
The limousine pulls to a stop to yet another club. One club starting to look a lot like the last, Georgina, GG for short, positively coos
" You will just love this place. The guys here are to die for!" How she manages to look perpetually excited about each new place, eludes me. GG's thinks the best and only remedy for a failed marriage is to go clubbing. Despite my protests of wanting to be left alone to heal, and having nothing of caliber to wear in such places, here we are at our fourth or fifth place of the evening. When I arrived on her immense, columned doorstep. She whisked me in and immediately set to making my life perfect again. Or at least her idea of perfect. First in order was to re-outfit my person from the inside out. Only the best in clothing will do. Brand names had my head spinning, trying to calculate the cost.
Now don't get me wrong, I am no stranger to Chanel, Givinchy or Prada, it's just now more than ever I have to watch where every single dollar of mine goes. To put it bluntly, I'm broke. Or more accurately my ex-husband and I are broke. Money squandered away on frivolous purchases through his now bankrupt company. But ironically, I am the only one without means, when he saw that the company was going belly up, he began romancing a rich, yet rather socially isolated debutante. Then when her hand was secured it was "sorry darling, we're broke, and I've met someone, I'm leaving" Just like that and he was gone. A quick trip to the solicitors confirmed what the deadbeat said. Everything we owned was mortgaged to the hilt and hence had to be sold. While he was serving me papers for divorce, from Reno I might add, I was trying to figure out how I was going to live.
Enter GG, we became fast friends after I was married. She part of His monied social circle. Now mentally refer to him as "The Jerk". She called immediately when she heard the news. Yes, of course the property had to be sold or divided. While I'm trying to get back on my feet again, what better idea was there than for me to stay with her. Not wanting to impose or reveal the dire straits I was in, I politely refused, but GG being GG wouldn't hear of it. She couriered the plane ticket overnight. There wasn't anywhere else for me to go, so I thought what the hell?? When I arrived she enveloped me in this big sympathetic hug, murmuring what a right knob The Jerk was being. Seeing my overnight bag, she blithely suggested we send for the rest of my things later. I didn't have the heart to tell her that this was all of my things. When everything was said and done I got out with almost literally the shirt on my back. After a whirlwind shopping trip of indeterminate sums. I sat looking out at the latest stop for the evening.
Stepping out of the limo in the latest black heeled, below the knee Prada boots, I smoothed my Versace mini skirt, paired expertly with a matching bustier and bolero jacket. Also black. Up the front of the bustier were red laces - loose at the top and tight at the bottom. Catching sight of myself I really did need to start picking out my own outfits. The look while trashy chic, just wasn't me. Shaking my head at my reflection I happen to notice the name of the club. The word Fates was in writing inside a triquatra. Each point having one of the three fates tools inside. The sheers, the wheel and the thread.
The outside simple in it's elegance is deceptive for the grandeur within.. The doors a mauve blue shade, with ornate handles. The entrance way was more of a grand receiving room complete with mosaic tiling on the floor. Pale marbled walls with shades of pink running through at various places. A glimpse beyond the entrance to where the club really was showed waitresses dressed in fashionable togas and the waiters in a similar style with a waisted covering and a sash diagonally across the chest and back fixed at the shoulder with some kind of ornamentation. A costumed lady took our coats and invited us to enjoy the nights festivities.
All a twitter GG practically dragged me through the doors leading to where the music was booming it's sensual rhythm. First things first, leave it to GG to zero in on the bar right away. Opting to stay put and just casually observe my surrounds she promised to be right back. Coming to lean on the railing I realised that there were more levels that the outside appearances hinted at. Below me there was the wall to wall packed dance floor. People of all shapes and colours moving almost in unison to the low bass type beat. Shaking my head at the virtual synchronicity of it I felt my hips swaying with the dancers below. Firmly stopping myself a toga clad girl approached me to hand me a drink. She said it was from the woman at the bar. Looking over I spot GG involved in a flirtation with a rather handsome guy, and know that I'm on my own, for a while anyway. Sipping the fruity concoction, I notice the murals scattered about the walls of the club. One was of a mother holding a new born babe, with the Three Fates above measuring the thread of life for the child. Another was of an old sickly man on his deathbed, while the Fates held the ever shrinking thread signifying the end of his life. As I looked up hoping to spot yet another example of how life is measured, I notice and man leaning on the upper balcony. What caught my attention was that even in the dimness of the club he wore sunglasses.
Thinking perhaps he may be blind, I watched as he caught the young buxom blonde's hand before it could land on his arm. The poor girl seemed to be doing everything in her power to get his attention, but aside from one word responses he ignored her. Thinking what a dumb ass, I could understand the girls interest. He was tall, slenderly built, which could be mistaken for weakness but there seemed to be strength throughout his body. Dressed in a long black duster with dark blue fitted jeans and a black shirt, it was his hair that was his crowning glory. From the front it fell in curls just below his shoulders, but the back had a length past his shoulder blades. The only relief from his darkness was the butterscotch highlights that still managed to lend him an air of mystery and danger. Even from a distance this man set my self preservation instincts in to hyper overload. Yet I stood there staring transfixed.
Until those shades pointed in my direction. Fear knifed down through my gut. Looking away taking a healthy sip of the fruity drink, I convinced myself that he couldn't possibly be looking at me. Seriously, there were a number of finer looking women much more likely to be his eye candy. With the dark glasses it was impossible to know exactly what he was looking at. Slyly I glanced over to where he'd been before. The spot now vacant, I felt a stab of disappointment. Shaking my head to shake it off, I reminded myself I have far bigger things to worry about than a hot looking man in black. That thought firmly entrenched, I spun around to locate GG. Coming face to face with the Dark One himself. My drink along with my jaw dropped. Lightning fast he catches my glass without spilling a drop. A lazy smile crosses his lips, as he hand my drink back to me.
"My apologises if I frightened you. Twas not my intent" His voice softer, more cultured than I would have imagined. Like velvety silk, or Baileys Irish Cream poured over ice. Trying to find my voice I managed to squeak out.
"Thanks, that would have made quite a mess."
Suddenly, I was wishing I could see his eyes. The eyes being the windows to the soul, I wanted to see what kind of person resided within. Smiling slightly, he reached up and set his sunglasses up above his forehead pulling some of his hair back in the process. The man was gorgeous. Not the pretty boy model type but a stunner none the less. Briefly I wondered why he'd hide his good looks behind the shades, then I noticed a scar running along the top of his right eyebrow ending around the bridge of his nose. The effect gave him a ruggedly handsome, yet mysterious appearance. But it was his eyes that drew me the most. Those warm liquid brown eyes that seemed to promise both pleasure and pain. The man positively exuded raw male sensuality. I was torn between common sense urging me to run the other way as far and as fast as I could. And the unsatisfied woman within wanting to indulge in a little fun.
As Luck or Fate would have it, the decision was made for me. GG came up behind me with a quizzical look on her face. Knowing that look I settled back into the scenery. It's not that GG deliberately tries to take a guy who may have sparked an interest in me it's just that when she's around everyone else seems to pale in comparison. So I watched dejectedly while GG did her thing. Or at least attempted to. Brushing by her he walked over to the table I sat down at.
"Perhaps it is no longer in vogue, but where I come from, when man assists a lady, he is usually rewarded with the courtesy of an introduction." I was flabbergasted, no one had ever blown GG off like that before, and I drew a total blank. Luckily GG saved me yet again, much to his chagrin.
"Sebastian, please allow me to introduce you to my very good friend Serenity Markus."
"Uh, Seren for short." I interjected quickly it saves on the questions. "Pleasure to meet you Mr.........?"
"Claren, Sebastian Claren. And the pleasure is all mine." He said taking my hand and pressing a kiss into the back of it. After he released my hand the area his lips had touched still tingled.
He cocked his head to one side, listening, then it shot up. He looking around searching for someone or something his eyes stopped. Spying something, a hard look crossed his features, turning them to stone. Looking back towards me his face softened somewhat. "It was lovely to make your acquaintance, but I fear I must depart for other somewhat urgent matters." With that he bowed, turned on heel and strode purposefully away. A gape, I watched his duster sway to and fro with each stride he took. Curiously the crowd seemed to part before him. Never once did he have to elbow or excuse his way through a knot of people. And as he disappeared I noticed the absence in the atmosphere. As thought it had departed with him. The club now felt like any of the other places we had visited that night.
I became aware of GG staring at me in a very bemused way. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable under her gaze I squirmed a bit in my seat.
"What??" I finally asked. Smiling, like the cat who ate the cream, she chuckled shaking her head.
"I have been to this club time and again since it opened. And not once has anyone seen that perfect example of male godliness leave his accustomed perch up on yon balcony, let alone voluntarily speak with one of the patrons." Thinking GG was having one over one me I turned my attention back to my drink. Glancing up I noticed people were subtly pointing or looking in my direction. Their faces full of enquiring questions. Looking back at GG, I raised my eyebrow in a silent "What the hell??" Before she could answer another costumed waitress brought over a set of drinks. Thinking GG had signalled for another round, I asked her to hold on a sec as I went for my wallet to pay. The girl shook her head smiling, saying they were compliments of the house. This was becoming a tad on the Twilight Zone side. Gorgeous M.I.B, manners to put a debutante to shame. I was used to good service, but not that good of service. The only thing that was missing was the voice over "....picture a time...."
"This is what I've been trying to tell you." GG said positively glowing with intrigue. "You now know more about the man than anybody else in the club ever has" I knew the mans name. Yippee!! Get Guiness. GG who performed my introduction, has conveniently forgotten that she too knew as much as I.
"I'm quite sure that's not true. Seriously, he probably thought he was behaving rudely by leaving so abruptly and sent the drinks by way of apology. I'm sure you heard how he spoke."
"Yes I did, it was practically out of an old Victorian classic!" GG giggled. Rolling my eyes, I continued.
"He appears to have a higher standard for morals and manners. I'm sure the mysterious enigma is part of his image. As is the speech and the mannerisms. I'd be willing to bet that under all that glamour is just a regular Joe just as broken and damaged as the rest of us"
Frowning at my rather cryptic assassination, GG queries.
"If that were true, Ms. Nancy Drew, then how do you explain the fact that in all the time the club has been open, not once has he taken any notice of a member of the opposite sex unless forced upon him?" This line of questioning had me remembering the buxom blond, desperately trying to get a bit of his attention.
"Club scene monotony. You said yourself how everyone starts to blur into the same type of crowd. I don't look like I fit. Morbid curiousity would be my guess."
GG's face shifting to concern and sympathy, she put her arms around me a gives a little squeeze.
"Aww sweetie, don't be like that. That man is a "Right Royal Bastard" for even making you think this way." That man being my now remarried, rich once again, ex, The Jerk. "Look at you, dressed to the nines, great figure, gorgeous hair even I would kill for. The only thing that doesn't fit, is in here." She said lightly tapping my head. "Nothing morbid about any curiousity about you darling." Ahh, gotta love GG, she sees the world as it should be, not how it really is. Feeling defunct and worn out, I just wanted to give up. But GG is one of those people who won't let you....even if it kills you in the process. Everyone needs a GG in their life, especially the times when they would absolutely hate her for it.
