Opening the door, I glance out and see the taxi in the parking lot. Turning around, I lock the door and leave, hoping that I didn't make the wrong decision about coming tonight. I open the back door of the cab and slide in, smiling at Elle. "Are you ready to start shopping?" she asks.
"Oh yeah, let's go!" I replied, eagerly showing my enthusiasm through my voice. The ride to the mall was very informative, as she told me all about this guy she wanted to hook me up with, and I told her all about me losing my job and why. The situation was unfair to me, and now I would end up losing my apartment if I couldn't find another job soon. I was planning to start the job search tomorrow, so today, I was determined to try and release my frustrations in liquid form.
When we got to the mall, we walked through store after store, trying to find the right outfit. I had no luck. Everything I found was not for me, and I was losing interest in going out tonight. Heading into what we agreed would be the last store, I glance over at Elle to see her heading toward the dressing room. She has a hand full of garments to try on. As I walk around the store scanning the racks, my eyes are drawn to it. It was just right, so I had to put it on. In the adjacent room, I told Elle I was there and tried on the dress.
After trying the dress on, I stepped out of the room to see Elle's choices were now down to three. One was black and very revealing while the other was dark emerald green in color and was long, tight-fitting, and cut in a teasing way but wasn't too revealing. A deep purple, short, sexy, and tight one was the final choice. "I think the purple one is my favorite!" I tell her, trying to help her with her decision. I hold up the dress I have found. It was black, mid-length, and elegant instead of sexy. I knew I would look gorgeous in this dress; the style was baby-doll off the shoulders and the front was cut in a teasing way. I happily paid $115 for the dress and then continued shopping for shoes to match the dress I'd just bought.
Walking into a store called Forever 21, I saw the most gorgeous pair right away. The black-colored, sequin-encrusted heels would add sparkle to the outfit. I was planning to wear those shoes tonight. I was going to look stunning. I knew I was going to blow him away.
After we were done with our shopping, Elle dropped me off at my apartment around 5 pm. I had just enough time to eat a bit of something and get ready for my night out. I microwaved a microwaveable dinner and got ready for my night. I was unaware that someone in a high position had plans of his own that would eventually prove to be dangerous and would intertwine with mine.
A couple of hours later...
I admired my reflection as I stood in front of my mirror. I was absolutely gorgeous, and I felt confident about myself. I wore a black dress and high heels. My hair was pulled back into a half-do to frame my face, and I used eyeshadow, black eyeliner, and fake lashes. I applied blush to my cheeks and painted my lips with bright red lipstick. I knew I was going to be drinking, so I called a cab because I didn't want to drive my car drunk. From the window, I waited patiently for the cab to arrive.
The cab pulled up and honked to let me know it was there, so I quickly grabbed my purse and locked my door. Then, I walked outside and down the stairs, climbing into the taxi cab. I gave the driver the name of the club we were meeting at and he took off driving in that direction. I was nervous because I had never been to a club, let alone one as hot as Bubble. Bubble opened a few months ago, and I heard it was packed every night since it opened.
As the taxi pulled up to the club, I paid the driver and tipped him before climbing out of the car to thank him for the safe ride. I scanned the crowd looking for Elle, finding her standing in line a few groups back from the door. She was standing among a crowd of strangers and I slowly willed myself to walk up to her and say hi. They were so busy talking among themselves that they didn't even notice I approached them. I cleared my throat loudly and waited for Elle to turn around.
As she turns her head, a big smile appears on her face. "Oh, Az. You're a little bit late," she says as she pulls up the rope, letting me join her group in line. "Let me introduce you to everyone! These two knuckleheads are my best friends, Amelia and Rachel. The guys are Steven, Mathew, Preston, and Felix." She pauses and pulls me in close to whisper something in my ear. "Felix is the boy I was telling you about. He's from a wealthy family."
I didn't know what I needed to do until Felix sent me a smile. "Hello, so I hear you're a newcomer to the big apple?" he asks. I wasn't sure whether or not I should answer that question, but I felt like I should be friendly.
"Yes, I moved here a few months ago!" I answered him over the noise of the people in line for the club. This was really ridiculous. The line itself looked to be about a mile in length.
"It's okay Az, he's nothing like Lorenzo Albertini!" I heard her say and I glared at her. I didn't want to be reminded of him right now. I wanted to forget him and all the rest of my problems.
Felix stares at me in disbelief. "You know Lorenzo Albertini?" he asks.
"Actually, I have met him only a couple of times and both experiences gave me nightmares." I sighed, not wanting to go into too much detail.
"It's more like he's rescued her a couple of times, she's always getting into trouble!" Elle snaps, earning herself a glare. I didn't want to explain to a guy I didn't know how I had met the famous and dangerous Lorenzo Albertini.
"What do you mean by he saved her?" he asks Elle. Instead of letting her tell my story, I tell the group how Lorenzo Albertini saved me twice. After I told him a little bit about my history, I felt better. Maybe tonight I will actually let my guard down and have some fun. Finally, it was time to enter the club, and I was so nervous since I wasn't old enough. This was my first time using a fake ID for something like this. I used it only to get my job.
As we entered the club my eyes widened. It was very luxurious, and there were lights all over. There were bubble lights hanging everywhere from the ceiling that all glowed a different color. The lights too were changing colors. There were couches and tables everywhere, and it had a separate dance floor. We walked along until we found an empty table that would fit us, and we sat around it. Felix sitting by me made me feel nervous, but I tried to push that to the back of my mind. I intended to drink tonight. I needed to let go of my worries.
A young woman with long, black hair pulled up in a braid approached our table. "What can I get you all tonight? I recommend "sex on the beach," which is on special tonight." She told us, pulling out a small notepad to jot down our orders. We all showed her our IDs, and mine was a fake one, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"I want the strongest drink you have here!" yelled Elle. The others ordered drinks I had never heard of. When she got to me, I said, "I'll have the beach drink you talked about earlier." She smiled at me, as she walked to the bar to order the drinks.
When she returned with a tray full of drinks of all colors and sizes, I was amazed that there was so much variety. She put a tall glass full of oranges and yellows in front of me. The drink was in a tall glass with a lemon slice and two cherries for garnish. I took a drink and immediately thought it was heaven on earth.
Everyone left Felix and me to go to the dance floor. I wasn't feeling like dancing so I decided to stay here and protect our table. I sat there happily drinking my drink as he drank his. "You really don't want to dance?" he asks me, as he moves his chair closer to mine.
"No, I am just as happy to sit here and watch the table," I replied. I wasn't feeling it with him and wasn't sure why. He was handsome. He wore his brown hair sleeked into a faux-hawk, and his green eyes sparkled with interest. He had a defining dimple on his chin that spoke of wealth and money.
"Okay then," he said before walking out onto the dance floor alone. I watched him find a girl to dance with, and instantly noticed he was flirting with her, and she was receptive. I smiled. He deserved to be with someone more in this life. I sat by myself at the table, drinking and ordering more as I felt myself getting first buzzed, then drunk. I figured I had had enough after my fifth 'sex on the beach' and ordered water when the waitress lady came back.
I wasn't sure I liked the feeling of being drunk. Everything was spinning and I couldn't stop it. I felt really relaxed though as if I didn't have a care in the world. I felt like I didn't care about anything. I could just go with the flow and let things be. I watched as a tall dark and handsome man walked up to me, whispering about how hot I looked. Before taking a seat across from me. He continued to ask if I needed a ride home and offered his services. I didn't know why, but I burst out laughing in his face and told him to screw off. He looked at me in disbelief that I had said that and walked away. That's right stalker! Walk away!
As I sat there, I couldn't stop thinking about someone in particular. I wondered what he was doing right now, and whether or not I would see him again. Probably not, and that's probably good since he was rich and famous and I was just me. Poor and average, but I secretly hoped he would turn up just out of the blue like he did the last few times I saw him. I snapped out of my thoughts as Felix sat next to me. His eyes were rimmed with red and his face was serious with an odd look; was that lust in his eyes?