October 31 - The Halloween Ball (Max)
I can't believe Johnny suckered me into attending this Halloween ball with him. All the pretentious upper class societies and their snooty parties. They only invited Johnny because they pretend that they understand his art. Really, no one knows what his art really conveys except for him. Even I don't get most of it and I've been dating him for more than six months now. We try our best to never discuss work - that means paintings and sketches for him and waitressing and diner gossips for me. But he was able to convince me to come to this ball after begging and pleading five times, then bringing me a basket of Swiss chocolates. How can I resist that?
Champagne, bubbly and refreshing. I gulp mine instantaneously. The best reason to attend a ball - open bar! I plan to get wasted on all these fancy cocktails and wines they serve. And of course, there's also the delicious appetizers that the servers bring around every five minutes. I try to make the most out of this miserable event by gorging myself with spinach quiches. Cheese and spinach, what a perfect combination. As I savour the last bit of quiche, my eyes glance over at Johnny and I see him fraternising with a circle of women. The women in their lustful and sexy gowns with masks covering their faces, are huddled around him ready to strike at a willing prey. Anger seethes from within me and my face heats up. You may wonder why I'm not there holding on to Johnny, clinging to him tightly like a Barbie to Ken. It's bad for his business as an artist especially if you're catering your work to the bourgeoise - the fancy word for upper-class snobs. It's a given that artists have to be flexible and willing to flirt and network your way around. Artists are supposed to be creative and not boxed in. Ironically, Johnny is trying to fit into that artist box.
Johnny always does this; he loves flirting with women and I wouldn't be surprised if he considers it as one of the perks of being an artist. Ladies find artists sexy. There is an air of mystery, danger and intrigue floating about them that draws everyone who is around them. I thought he would change when we started dating but it's still the same. I try to keep my cool but I've confronted him about this problem a number of times. He merely shrugs it off as if it's not true which pisses me off. He argues that I get jealous too easily and I hate it when he brings this up. It hits home for me because I don't have anyone who really loved me. My dad left and my mom is in prison. Yeah, my life is not the kind of stuff that would make it into a Disney movie but I've learned to deal. How I coped was to not let anyone into my life anymore. I liked being alone, living alone and not having to care about anyone else or worry that anyone cared for me. That was until the day Johnny entered the diner and chatted with me. I have never felt more comfortable with another stranger. We just clicked. I started sharing my personal stories with him; I never worried that he would judge me. He was always there to listen, not to give advice or tell me how screwed up I am, but just to listen. So I made an exception, and I told myself I would let someone into my life again just this once.
I glance over at Johnny's circle again and roll my eyes at the sight of Johnny giggling with the bevy of ladies. This party officially sucks; if only I could just disappear into my apartment and go to sleep in my bed. I finally decide to get up and leave this stupid party. My legs start walking out towards the front door. As I near the entrance, a loud voice booms from the speakers: "Ladies and gentlemen, please give your warmest applause as we welcome Caroline Channing, the daughter of the multi-billionaire and philantrophist, Martin Channing. The Channings sponsored this masquerade ball so that all you guests can enjoy the overflowing champagne and hors d'oeuvres."
All the guests burst in applause. I do too since I'm thankful for the free food and drinks. That's all this lame party has going for it. Caroline catwalks her way to the entrance in a red Monique Lhuillier halter evening gown. My gown is not even a designer gown; I bought it off the clearance section of K-Mart. She is gorgeous - I'll give her that. She reminds me of those angels in the Victoria Secret fashion runs. She even waves like one of the beauty queens in a pageant - sickeningly demure. Come on, we live in the 21st century now. As she makes her way through the crowd, cheers and whistles erupt from the room. Yes, give people free booze and you get them eating out of your palm. That's the world we live in and I am part of it too, so it's not like I view myself on a pedestal compared to others.
After about an hour, Caroline makes her way to Johnny's circle. Although I don't think she is Johnny's type, I still worry because she is very beautiful especially tonight. And add to that - extremely rich. 2 for Caroline, 0 for Max. Now I hate her with a passion for making me feel inferior. But then, she's blonde so she's probably a dumb bimbo anyway.
Caroline laughs after Johnny says something. Johnny smiles and shakes her hand.
Because I can't help what I'm feeling anymore, I head towards Johnny and put my arms around him. He jerks in surprise but grins when he sees my face. I give Caroline the evil stare, my trademark death stare, hoping she can read what's on my mind. He's mine, you little minx. She flashes me an intimidating look and I instantly know that the game is on. She's after my Johnny just because she thinks she can have her hands on anything in this damn world. Oh how disappointed she'll be that she won't be able to buy her way to what she wants this time. Well, she has to learn the lesson some time and I'm ecstatic that I'm the one to bring her hopes crashing down.
"Johnny, is she your girlfriend?" Caroline asks.
"Oh, I forgot my manners. This is Max. We've been dating for about six months now."
Caroline extends her hand and I shake it firmly, setting her straight and marking my territory. "It's an absolute pleasure to meet THE Caroline Channing." I say it with a hint of sarcasm. I think Caroline noticed the unfriendly tone because she pulls her hand back quickly and the color on her face became pale.
"I'll leave you now but it was great chatting with you, Johnny. And as I said, if you ever want to talk about art and how the Channing foundation can help sponsor your art works, you can give me a call." She hands Johnny her business card and blows a kiss in the air for him.
My right eyebrow curves up. The nerve of that woman! Luckily, she gets out of my hair and just leaves us alone for the rest of the night. I cling to Johnny like a trophy girlfriend (if I can be considered a trophy) while we saunter our way through all the different circles. Boy, am I glad that I am not an artist. I don't think I'll be able to survive this kind of mooching, day in and day out. The night already leaves me exhausted and I plop down on my bed as soon as we arrive back home in my apartment.
