The Prelude
Sometimes I wish my life could be more planned out. I will eat this bagel at this time on this day and not gain an ounce...that kind of deal. I mean I don't want to know every step I am about to take but it would be nice to know if I was about to run into a brick wall. Or if the floor is about to give out and I was about to fall into a pit of snakes. Which is actually what figuratively happened to me.
"You should go! It will be SO much fun!" My friend Connie pleaded with me "And besides you might meet someone." she winked at me.
"Yeah, it sounds like LOADS if fun but I am just too busy. I really just don't think I can squeeze this...What exactly are you trying to drag me off too again?"
"It's a banquet that my company is throwing and I was told to bring a friend along."
"I believe they meant a male friend"
She huffed and placed her hands on her hips, "Well seeing as I don't have one of those I guess you'll just have to do"
I was at my door with my keys in the lock and I was trying to decline but she cut me off, told me I was going and sashayed away saying she would pick me up and 7:30. I sighed and opened my door. I placed my purse on the table next to the door and headed straight to the kitchen for a sandwich. I leaned against the counter, sandwich in hand and defeated said, "I guess I have no choice then. I guess I am going to have to go hunh?" I looked to my cat for assurance. He crooked his head at me and then rubbed himself against my leg. I took that as a sign that he agreed and then headed to my bedroom to get ready
I went to the bathroom, showered, and while my shoulder-length, loosely curled, black-brown hair dried I swiped on a little eyeliner and mascara. Then I shuffled to the bedroom and threw on a sleek black dress that I was saving for just an occasion as this. I checked my self in the mirror. I looked pretty good. I turned away and to my closet to find shoes. I chose a low strappy heel, deciding I was tall enough already at the height of 5'8". I chose a small black handbag to complete the outfit and threw on a coat. I was ready and out of the door just as Connie pulled up.
"Wow you look great! Thanks again for coming with me."
I smiled at her and assured her that is was no problem. "Who's going to be there? Anyone super important.?" I asked.
"Nobody to important this time" She said laughingly, "I would still be on my p's and q's though if I were you."
"Yes ma'am" I replied.
We laughed and joked up until we entered the hotel where the reception was being held at. When we entered I paused at the doorway taking in what I was seeing.
The hotel was a ritzy, very ritzy, well-known hotel with a lot of rich history behind it. It had great big crystal chandeliers casting rainbows all across the floor and all over the elegant, grand staircase that led to the second floor. I snapped out of my fix and handed my coat off to the staff member standing at the door. I had lost Connie while I had been in my daze and I went off to find her. The gala was set up very nicely. There were long white tables ordained with all types of snacks and food with waiters and waitresses busing tables and taking dishes in and out of the kitchen area. People were milling around trying to set up deals and boasting about their company's future. I decided that being a wallflower in this picture might not be such a bad idea. I leaned against a wall with a glass of wine in hand observing the scene when I sensed I wasn't alone anymore. I turned my head to see who it was.
A ferret-looking man who was wearing too much cologne was standing there ogling me. He was 2 inches shorter than I was with an ugly, ill-fitting, purple suit on with a leopard print cravat wrapped on around his skinny neck. He was way too hairy with too many rings and necklaces on and alligator shoes that weren't right for any occasion. "Hey there" he said with an oily smile.
"Hi" I said with obvious disdain.
"So what brings a bombshell like you to a boring party like this?"
"I am here with my friend."
"Is he around?" He said while he inched in closer.
I cringed away and craning my neck around the room and answered, "Yes and he is going to be very mad if I don't find him so If you will please excuse me."
I started to walk away when the man grabbed my arm. I turned horrified, trying to get away and he said, "You're not going anywhere sugar.He can find you later. You're coming with me."
I was just about to kick him in a very private place when I felt a hand at the back of my neck. I snapped my head back to see who it was and sucked in some air. A very handsome man was standing behind me. He was drop dead gorgeous in fact. He had jet black hair that was swept to one and fell in soft curls on the back of his neck. He was a few inches taller than me with a lean body and broad shoulders. He had ivory skin that wasn't pale in anyway. He looked down at me with bedroom eyes and a smile that would make any woman's heart beat fast. He winked at me and turned towards the man with an irritated face.
"What are you trying to do with my woman Finny?"
The man in the purple suit staggered back and stammered, "Your woman? I didn't know she was your woman."
"Be more careful next time Finny"
"Cer-Certainly. Anything you ask." The man scampered away and the gentleman behind me scoffed. He then turned his face to mine and asked politely, "I hope that that man didn't trouble you in any way."
I nudged myself away and with a snap in my voice I remarked, "As a matter of fact he did. Now if you will excuse me I was just about to leave."
"Without your friend?"
He had a point. I scanned the room for Connie and couldn't see her anywhere. I made a few inquires and found out that she had already left for the night. I stomped a little back to my table, the man standing by my things. "Well?" He asked.
"She has already left for the night."
"Ah. So you wouldn't care to stay without her?"
"Not really"
"That's a shame. I was hoping that you might replace my date. It seems that she has run off. And since your date has left..."
I stood there and stared at the man like he was nuts, "No I should really get home." I had picked up my things as was ready to head out the door.
"Let me walk you to your car then." He took my purse and placed my arm in his and we strolled across the floor. All eyes were on us and people were whispering to each other. I heard a few 'Well who is that?' and things of that nature. Who was this guy that he could get this kind of reaction out of people? We had reached the lady who had taken my coat from me. She retrieved my coat and he took it from her and helped me get it on. We were stopped at the door by one of the waiters.
"Sir, I don't believe you can leave-"
"I am leaving for the evening with my friend you can let everyone upstairs know that." I stammered and tried to protest but I was rushed out the door by this man.
"Oh crap" I muttered under my breath.
"What?" He inquired kindly.
I looked at him and admitted, "I don't have my car."
He grinned down at me and then said, "See I have to leave. I have to take you home."
We went over to the valet. In a matter of minutes a black Bentley was pulled up and he opened the passenger door to let me in. I gaped for a second and climbed into the car. He went around to the driver's side, angled himself in and soon we were off.
This was a mess. Why exactly did I let myself do this? I looked at the man driving. I didn't even know his name. I had no idea who he was. And there he was, driving me home. How did this happen? He relaxed in his seat, slouching back, let one hand lazily steer the car. "Thank god I am out of there. That place was a hell-hole" He said with a sigh of relief.
I looked at him in disbelief, "That place was a hell-hole? I'd hate to see where you live." I said very sarcastically.
He looked at me with covered eyes and a devious smile and said smoothly, "Oh that's too bad. Guess we'll just have to stay at your place then."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that we should hang out tonight."
"No way. No. I don't even know who you are."
"You could get to know me."
"Over a longer amount of time than an hour! Let me out. Let me out of this car now."
"Alright" He said with a small smile. He pulled the car over and I got out. He was driving down the street when I realized I had no idea where I was. "Shit" I muttered under my breath. I wrenched my purse and started searching for my cellphone. I had just put my hand on it when I started to hear cat calls and wolf whistles. "Shit" I said this time with a little more fear in my voice. I turned to see who it was.
There were three young hoodlums advancing towards me with oily smiles, leering eyes, jabbing their elbows at one another admiring their catch. "Hello
"You should go! It will be SO much fun!" My friend Connie pleaded with me "And besides you might meet someone." she winked at me.
"Yeah, it sounds like LOADS if fun but I am just too busy. I really just don't think I can squeeze this...What exactly are you trying to drag me off too again?"
"It's a banquet that my company is throwing and I was told to bring a friend along."
"I believe they meant a male friend"
She huffed and placed her hands on her hips, "Well seeing as I don't have one of those I guess you'll just have to do"
I was at my door with my keys in the lock and I was trying to decline but she cut me off, told me I was going and sashayed away saying she would pick me up and 7:30. I sighed and opened my door. I placed my purse on the table next to the door and headed straight to the kitchen for a sandwich. I leaned against the counter, sandwich in hand and defeated said, "I guess I have no choice then. I guess I am going to have to go hunh?" I looked to my cat for assurance. He crooked his head at me and then rubbed himself against my leg. I took that as a sign that he agreed and then headed to my bedroom to get ready
I went to the bathroom, showered, and while my shoulder-length, loosely curled, black-brown hair dried I swiped on a little eyeliner and mascara. Then I shuffled to the bedroom and threw on a sleek black dress that I was saving for just an occasion as this. I checked my self in the mirror. I looked pretty good. I turned away and to my closet to find shoes. I chose a low strappy heel, deciding I was tall enough already at the height of 5'8". I chose a small black handbag to complete the outfit and threw on a coat. I was ready and out of the door just as Connie pulled up.
"Wow you look great! Thanks again for coming with me."
I smiled at her and assured her that is was no problem. "Who's going to be there? Anyone super important.?" I asked.
"Nobody to important this time" She said laughingly, "I would still be on my p's and q's though if I were you."
"Yes ma'am" I replied.
We laughed and joked up until we entered the hotel where the reception was being held at. When we entered I paused at the doorway taking in what I was seeing.
The hotel was a ritzy, very ritzy, well-known hotel with a lot of rich history behind it. It had great big crystal chandeliers casting rainbows all across the floor and all over the elegant, grand staircase that led to the second floor. I snapped out of my fix and handed my coat off to the staff member standing at the door. I had lost Connie while I had been in my daze and I went off to find her. The gala was set up very nicely. There were long white tables ordained with all types of snacks and food with waiters and waitresses busing tables and taking dishes in and out of the kitchen area. People were milling around trying to set up deals and boasting about their company's future. I decided that being a wallflower in this picture might not be such a bad idea. I leaned against a wall with a glass of wine in hand observing the scene when I sensed I wasn't alone anymore. I turned my head to see who it was.
A ferret-looking man who was wearing too much cologne was standing there ogling me. He was 2 inches shorter than I was with an ugly, ill-fitting, purple suit on with a leopard print cravat wrapped on around his skinny neck. He was way too hairy with too many rings and necklaces on and alligator shoes that weren't right for any occasion. "Hey there" he said with an oily smile.
"Hi" I said with obvious disdain.
"So what brings a bombshell like you to a boring party like this?"
"I am here with my friend."
"Is he around?" He said while he inched in closer.
I cringed away and craning my neck around the room and answered, "Yes and he is going to be very mad if I don't find him so If you will please excuse me."
I started to walk away when the man grabbed my arm. I turned horrified, trying to get away and he said, "You're not going anywhere sugar.He can find you later. You're coming with me."
I was just about to kick him in a very private place when I felt a hand at the back of my neck. I snapped my head back to see who it was and sucked in some air. A very handsome man was standing behind me. He was drop dead gorgeous in fact. He had jet black hair that was swept to one and fell in soft curls on the back of his neck. He was a few inches taller than me with a lean body and broad shoulders. He had ivory skin that wasn't pale in anyway. He looked down at me with bedroom eyes and a smile that would make any woman's heart beat fast. He winked at me and turned towards the man with an irritated face.
"What are you trying to do with my woman Finny?"
The man in the purple suit staggered back and stammered, "Your woman? I didn't know she was your woman."
"Be more careful next time Finny"
"Cer-Certainly. Anything you ask." The man scampered away and the gentleman behind me scoffed. He then turned his face to mine and asked politely, "I hope that that man didn't trouble you in any way."
I nudged myself away and with a snap in my voice I remarked, "As a matter of fact he did. Now if you will excuse me I was just about to leave."
"Without your friend?"
He had a point. I scanned the room for Connie and couldn't see her anywhere. I made a few inquires and found out that she had already left for the night. I stomped a little back to my table, the man standing by my things. "Well?" He asked.
"She has already left for the night."
"Ah. So you wouldn't care to stay without her?"
"Not really"
"That's a shame. I was hoping that you might replace my date. It seems that she has run off. And since your date has left..."
I stood there and stared at the man like he was nuts, "No I should really get home." I had picked up my things as was ready to head out the door.
"Let me walk you to your car then." He took my purse and placed my arm in his and we strolled across the floor. All eyes were on us and people were whispering to each other. I heard a few 'Well who is that?' and things of that nature. Who was this guy that he could get this kind of reaction out of people? We had reached the lady who had taken my coat from me. She retrieved my coat and he took it from her and helped me get it on. We were stopped at the door by one of the waiters.
"Sir, I don't believe you can leave-"
"I am leaving for the evening with my friend you can let everyone upstairs know that." I stammered and tried to protest but I was rushed out the door by this man.
"Oh crap" I muttered under my breath.
"What?" He inquired kindly.
I looked at him and admitted, "I don't have my car."
He grinned down at me and then said, "See I have to leave. I have to take you home."
We went over to the valet. In a matter of minutes a black Bentley was pulled up and he opened the passenger door to let me in. I gaped for a second and climbed into the car. He went around to the driver's side, angled himself in and soon we were off.
This was a mess. Why exactly did I let myself do this? I looked at the man driving. I didn't even know his name. I had no idea who he was. And there he was, driving me home. How did this happen? He relaxed in his seat, slouching back, let one hand lazily steer the car. "Thank god I am out of there. That place was a hell-hole" He said with a sigh of relief.
I looked at him in disbelief, "That place was a hell-hole? I'd hate to see where you live." I said very sarcastically.
He looked at me with covered eyes and a devious smile and said smoothly, "Oh that's too bad. Guess we'll just have to stay at your place then."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that we should hang out tonight."
"No way. No. I don't even know who you are."
"You could get to know me."
"Over a longer amount of time than an hour! Let me out. Let me out of this car now."
"Alright" He said with a small smile. He pulled the car over and I got out. He was driving down the street when I realized I had no idea where I was. "Shit" I muttered under my breath. I wrenched my purse and started searching for my cellphone. I had just put my hand on it when I started to hear cat calls and wolf whistles. "Shit" I said this time with a little more fear in my voice. I turned to see who it was.
There were three young hoodlums advancing towards me with oily smiles, leering eyes, jabbing their elbows at one another admiring their catch. "Hello