"So, you said you were a photographer?" He said.
"Uh-huh."
"What kind of work do you do?"
"Mostly fashion shoots and stuff like that."
"Aha, interesting."
"Not really."
"But you get to meet a lot of interesting people, right?"
"I guess."
His name was Michael, and he was kind of cute. They had came in contact through a dating app and now they were sitting in a bar near the Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, face to face for the first time. They had a conversation going, but as usual in situations like this Victoria didn't make it easy.
"Have you ever been published in one of those fashion magazines? Vogue, Bazaar?" Michael seemed a bit proud of knowing some of the big names.
"All the time."
"Really?" He raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed.
"Yes, really."
"So, what is your dream then? Professionally I mean? Make the Sports illustrated's swimsuit edition?"
"I did that two years ago. Not my idea of a dream exactly."
"Aha, well… hmm… I… hmm…"
His gaze drifted from her face, his hands fidgeted. The silence dragged on.
"Excuse me one minute." Victoria rose and headed for the restroom. It was a short walk. She slammed the door open, tears stinging in her eyes.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck.
The room was empty, thank god. She splashed her face thoroughly with water while trying to swallow a sob. Victoria only talked to herself when she was really upset.
"What the hell am I doing? He's a sweet guy! No need to act like this, Victoria. Get a grip!"
She took a deep breath and stared at herself in the mirror. She did not like what she saw; a tall lanky woman soon to be thirty, with puffy eyes and blotchy cheeks. She opened her exclusive purse and put on some more lipstick on lips that was too small and too thin, then quickly adjusted her hair. It made her feel somewhat better, but not by much.
"Come on now, smile up. You don't want to be lonely for the rest of your life, do you?"
She smoothed out her blouse and skirt and hastily stepped out of the restroom back to the main area. Seconds later a door to one of the stalls opened and a woman peeked out. Her face, framed by long auburn locks, showed a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
"…Vic?"
Victoria was already walking back to the bar. She took her seat on the stool and crossed her legs.
"Okay, where were we?"
Michael tried to look her in the eyes. "Well, hmm, I think…", he looked really embarrassed, "I am sorry, I don't think this is working out."
Victoria's face became an unreadable mask.
"I am very sorry, I don't feel… I mean… It was nice meeting you Victoria, and good luck in your future. With… everything."
He shook her hand briefly, then quickly turned and walked away.
Victoria just stared after him as he walked through the door and out on the lit street outside, head down between his shoulders.
"Yeah, same to you…"
She made a long exhale and smiled wryly.
Okay, that was quick. Fifteen minutes? Probably a personal record.
She turned to the bar to order something to drink when a tall blonde man loomed over her.
"Hi there, I couldn't help but overhear. I think I know what your problem is."
"You do, do you." Victoria's voice was flat.
"Yeah, you need a real man, not a boy like that."
Victoria tried to get the attention of the bartender, but she was busy.
"I kind of liked that boy."
"Really! Is that how you like people? Then I would love to see how you love someone." He winked at her.
"No thank you."
Fancy clothes, shiny leather shoes, gold link around the broad neck. A Patek Philippe watch on a tattooed muscular arm. A real bad boy then, clearly rich and showing it off.
He noticed her noticing and smiled confidently.
"Oh come on girl, I know how to have fun! And it looks like you haven't had fun in a long time."
His smile was shiny and contagious, and he smelled good.
"I'm Dunn by the way."
He offered a broad sun-tanned and well manicured hand. Victoria took it hesitantly.
"Victoria…"
It had all begun as an ordinary Friday. Victoria stood in the hallway on her way to her date, a bit short of time as usual but not wanting to go before she could say goodnight to the boys. Jonathan, three years old, was still having his evening bath with the help of their nanny Jessie. Abe, almost seven, came loitering with an annoyed expression to say goodbye to her.
"Mom, why do you have to go away every night?"
"It's not every night. Jessie will take care of you when I am out. And I will be back before you know it."
"But mom, it's almost every night. I want you to tell us the bedtime story. Yours are much better. We have heard all Jessie's stories before and they are boring."
"Honey, I know I am away too much. Maybe I don't have to any more soon."
"Why?"
"Well, do you remember the story about the princess and the toad? She had to kiss the ugly warty toad and it was turned into a prince?"
"Yeah… But that's just a story."
"Yes, but it's like that. I am the princess and I must kiss the toad to get a prince. I would very much like to have a prince, you know."
"I know…" said Abe, but she could see what he was thinking; but why would you really want a prince? Grownups are strange.
"And I haven't found the prince yet, just toads."
She kneeled beside him and ruffled his hair.
"Maybe I have to kiss a lot of toads before I find a real toad-prince."
Ugh, that did not sound very good at all.
"But you are not a real princess, are you mom?"
"No, not a princess-princess. But maybe someone's princess, and that someone could maybe be my prince." She scooped him up in an embrace and peppered him with kisses all over.
Abe tried to wrestle free from her grip. "Mo-om!" She released him and he immediately began wiping his hands over his face with a disgusted frown which made Victoria laugh. Six months ago he had loved kisses, now not so much.
"I hope you find your toad-prince tonight then," he said with a stoic face.
"Me too, honey, me too."
—-
Victoria glanced at Dunn as he ordered them drinks. He wasn't really her style to be honest, if she had a style, but he was clean and well mannered. That was something at least. And maybe the toad really could turn into a prince? You had to try before you knew. At least that was what people said. The drinks came and Dunn slid one over.
"So, you are out in the dating game I take it?"
"Well, yeah. Not much luck so far." It hurt to say it, but no point in lying really. She had never been a good liar, but always had to mask her feelings with attitude instead.
"Maybe you just haven't found the right man?"
"Good catch, captain obvious."
Dunn laughed.
"You're a cheeky lady, I give you that. And not entirely without charm."
"Thanks." Victoria's voice had a tang to it that could corrode glass.
Dunn raised his glass to her. "For fun times ahead, yeah?"
Victoria's appetite for fun was at rock bottom right now. She wanted to feel attracted to the tall broad shouldered man in front of her but it wasn't something she could just will. Well, she couldn't give up now. Victoria raised her glass in response and tried a smile.
"Fun times."
Dunn smiled a satisfied smile. They drank. They continued to chitchat and drink a bit more. Victoria did her best to behave and it went surprisingly well. Dunn was charming and funny and a good talker. She soon knew what he was working with and where he lived, where he came from and what he was doing in his free time. Victoria relaxed and enjoyed the drinks and the company. After a while she even started to smile at him and laugh at his jokes. This felt alright.
She was brought right out of her good feelings by a big hand on her thigh. Dunn didn't seem to notice her discomfort, or maybe he didn't care, he just continued talking.
"Excuse me…" Victoria said, a bit too low. She cleared her throat and raised her voice somewhat.
"Excuse me, your hand is on my leg."
"Well, you have really sexy legs." He moved his hand up a bit in under the hem of her short skirt.
"I am sorry, I don't want it there." She put her hands om his wrist and felt how strong he was. He didn't move away though she tried to push.
"Don't be like that, Victoria. I though we had something good going on here. Fun times, remember?"
He held his hand firm but didn't move it further upp. How considerate. Victoria felt an embryo of panic form in her stomach. She would absolutely hate to yell for help here in a public bar but what else could she do? Dunn smiled at her ever so charming but his eyes now held a dangerous glint.
"Please, this is not fun for me." Victoria said and tried to push his hand away again but this time he moved it in the opposite direction, further up her skirt. Dunn leaned in and whispered to her, "oh come on, I can feel that you like it, I can see it in your eyes."
Victorias stomach sunk.
Suddenly a woman barged in between them, glass in hand, shooting her a radiant smile.
"Victoria! Hiiiiii!"
Victoria stared dumbstruck at the woman. Rachel… fucking… Amber?! Where the hell did she come from?!
"Long time no see, Vic! How are you?"
Victoria was still too stunned to get a single word out. Dunn on the other hand withdrew from Victoria's skirt immediately, and he wasn't lost for words.
"Well, hello there," he said, then to Victoria without taking his eyes of the prize, "why don't you introduce me to your lovely lady-friend here?"
Victoria had never felt so happy about Rachel stealing the show.
"Ehm, Dunn, this is Rachel, Rachel, Dunn."
"Pleased to meet you." Rachel reached out her hand and Dunn took it with a wolfish grin on his face.
Victoria watched Rachel in action. It was fascinating. Rachel was animated and engaged even when talking to a total stranger like Dunn. And she really could talk. Rachel noticed Victoria's stare and gave her a quick wink. It made her blush profoundly and look away.
She saw a man walk up to them. He was bit older, well dressed and with a touch of grey at the temples. He sounded British when he talked.
"Oh there you are Rachel, I was wondering where you'd run off to."
Rachel said, "hi Jamie! Guys, this is…"
Dunn interrupted, "oh, you are here with your dad? That's nice."
The man didn't flinch but just gave him a lofty gaze. "Is this your pusher, Rachel? Do you think it's wise to meet him here?"
"Pusher? You have no Idea of who I am, old man."
"Touché, but I get the general idea. The 'vibes' if you will." The man contemptuously looked Dunn over from head to toe and back.
"Guys…hey… guys…" Rachel tried, but they were in their own world now. It was almost fun to see them duke it out over Rachel, like two cocks fighting over a chick. Rachel herself did't seem to enjoy it that much, having given up trying to talk some sense in them. She looked at Victoria and rolled her eyes.
In a moment of inspiration, Victoria grabbed her purse with one hand, grabbed Rachel with her other, and just walked away. The men didn't notice as the girls left them and trotted for the exit.
When they came out in the evening air Rachel gave Victoria peculiar look and laughed.
"Yes! Way to solve the gordian knot, Vee! Let's skip those obnoxious boys."
They stood looking at each other for a while, as if unsure of what to do next.
"Thank you for saving my ass in there." Victoria said at last.
"Likewise. We girls have to stick together, don't we?" She turned to Victoria and arched her eyebrows in that special Rachel-way, a finger on her chin. "What do you say? Let's have a girls night out tonight, just you and me? It'll be fun!"
Victoria looked at her wristwatch. The kids were probably already asleep so there were no point in returning home now. And it's not every night you are invited to party with the one and only Rachel Amber. Also, their successful escape had upped Victoria's spirit. She actually was in the mood for party.
"Yeah why the hell not?"
"Great! Let's go."
They walked down the street. Rachel's phone started ringing again and again, but she just looked at it and muted the calls.
"Your date?"
"Yes, he wasn't very fun to be honest. This date is much better." Rachel gave her a sidelong glance and a smile. She was unbelievable cute when she smiled. Victoria felt a slight queasiness to her stomach. Jealousy? That was what she usually felt when Rachel was around. Now she wasn't so sure.
"Lucky for me I never gave my number to Dunn."
"Clever girl," Rachel said and bumped Victoria with her shoulder. Victoria danced away by the force, giggling.
They came out on Sunset Boulevard and turned left, in the direction of the ocean.
"You know I'm originally from LA? Before we moved to Arcadia Bay." Rachel said as if that fact was possible to not know after the years of school at Blackwell. That Rachel was from Los Angeles was probably the very first gossip Victoria had heard about her, before they had even met.
"Yes, Long beach, right?" Victoria said, trying her best not to sound sarcastic. "But do you know I was born in New York?"
"That I did NOT know!"
"Yeah, downtown Manhattan, but we moved to Seattle when I was just two. I still have many relatives living in New York, though."
"I love New York!"
"Yes, it has its good sides…"
They almost jumped into each others arms to a sudden loud sound. A black sports car crept alongside them, just a couple of meters away, nearly driving on the sidewalk. Its revving engine's roaring sound made them want to cover their ears. Dunn looked out from the driver's seat. He seemed really pissed off.
"Hey bitches! Where do you think you are going?"
"Leave us alone," was all Victoria could think of saying.
"You are driving on the wrong side of the road." Rachel pointed out. "And you have been drinking, right? You really shouldn't drive at all."
"Fuck you!"
"You wish!" Victoria lashed back, scoring zero maturity points.
"Oh? You think I care about you? Two sad and worn out sluts, probably rug munchers who can't convince any men to fuck them anyway." He chuckled at his own ingenuity. "Oh I get so much better girls than you all the time, you would be envious. Fucking dykes."
"Yeah, is that so?" Victoria said, her heart racing, anger flashing in her eyes. "Men like you can convert any sane woman into a 'dyke', you pathetic fucker."
He was in a middle of a reply when Victoria grabbed Rachel by the shoulders and mashed her lips to Rachel's mouth, more in a collision than a kiss. Rachel's eyes widened in surprise, but she held her ground. Victoria stretched out her hand against the car and then slowly, meticulously, extended her middle finger, all the while pressing her lips to Rachel's, whose eyes were now sparkling with laughter.
Dunn swore at them and revved the engine again. With a deafening roar the car sped away, tires screeching, leaving them in a big cloud of stinking smoke.
They broke apart. Victoria giggled like a maniac.
"Did you see the look on his face? It was priceless, fucking priceless!"
Rachel stod silent, fingers over her lips, looking at Victoria with an odd expression.
"Hey, Rach, sorry I jumped you like that. I should've given you fair warning. Did I give you a swollen lip?"
"No problem, Vic, it was totally worth it."
Rachel stepped closer and hooked an arm around Victoria's elbow.
"I hope that was the last we saw of him. Let's go dancing, shall we? I know the perfect place for tonight."