Stunning is Only Part of You
I smiled, it was a small smile, the kind of smile that you wear when you know you have found something special, and oh so, wonderful. The last time I smiled like this was….well I can't remember, but I know it has been awhile. I bet it wouldn't surprise you if I told you that the cause of this smile was because of a woman.
I know I may sound like every other testosterone driven male here when I say this but, I love the way she moves. An air of mystery surrounds her and it intrigues me. Her graceful walk and proper, yet casual posture leads me to believe that she may be part angelic. She is not an ordinary woman, and because of this I have every right to be amazed by her.
I remember seeing her for the first time at the most prestige's dance club in town, and ever since then, I would go back to the club just so I could be mesmerized by her. It's not like I go there every night. I'm not a stalker or anything. I casually visit the area every Tuesday and Thursday, so don't judge me.
I arrive around 8:00pm, as I walk through the cherry wood double doors I immediately notice that she is already here. She was sitting at the table about 10 feet from the dance floor with a book open in front of her, and a mug of what I presume is tea next to her. Every so often Vic, one of the bartenders and a very good friend of mine, would approach her and refill the mug. She never looked up at him and he never said a word, it's like an unspoken courtesy passes between them.
I made my way over to the bar, taking a seat upon one of the stools while waving at Vic. Vic and I have been friends for about a two years now. Ever since he got this job 7 months ago he was promoted to manager status, but he likes working at the bar. And I have been able to get nice discounts on drinks. "I knew you would be back again." He said as he greeted me, "The usual?"
"Yeah, if you don't mind." I said
"Not a problem, coming right up"
As he ducked behind the counter I took a glance back at her. She exhibit's the image of a lady of eminence; it won't be easy to get her attention. Her eyes, currently on the dance floor, watching as the couples spin and twirl as they enjoyed themselves, while getting lost into the music. As she gazed I could see a hint of longing in her purple eyes.
Purple? Are my eyes deceiving me? I blinked several times before I was convinced that her eyes were indeed, a dark shade of violet. They are stunning.
The fast pace beat of the drums and the heartfelt solo of the guitar created a dramatic, and exciting climax to the song. The longing that I saw in her eyes began to spread throughout her body, but as soon as it had come it had left, and she turned back towards her open book and cold tea.
"Here ya go Gar." I turned my head towards the sound of my name.
"Thanks Vic." I grabbed the glass and took a drink.
"Are you going to dance tonight?" The bartender asked.
"You know I won't dance when she's here" I jerked my head towards the purpled eyed beauty.
"Aw, come on man, you know you got some moves. Why don't you just show her what you're made of?" He nudged my arm.
"I don't think that would impress her."
"Knowing Ms. Roth, probably not, but it's worth a shot." He grinned and winked at me.
"'Ms. Roth'? Why do you address her so formally?" I asked, while taking a swing from my drink. Vic grabbed a towel from behind the bar and started wiping down the area.
"Yeah, the small woman over there with short black hair, wearing glasses, she has purple eyes, that's Ms. Roth." He said happily "She's a very nice person once you get past her…exterior, but I don't blame her for having one."
Exterior? Why would she need one?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean the woman's been through a lot, it's amazing that she's still intact. I kind of admire her for that."
"What happened?" I asked curiously.
Vic threw the towel behind the counter after he was done "It's not my story to tell. If you want to know then you're gonna have to ask her and I doubt she'll tell you. No offense it's just she's not very trustful towards men. She only told me this a few days ago." He lifted his hands with his palms facing the ceiling, indicating that there was nothing else he could do.
Someone signaled for Vic's services and he left me to ponder about the mystery that is Ms. Roth.
I wonder what her first name is. I glanced at her table near the dance floor. Her eyes moved back and forth across the page. It seemed that part of her attention was not on the book. The way she kept crossing and uncrossing her legs was a little hint. If you haven't noticed already, I'm very good at reading people's body language.
A soft ballad began to play and its soothing sounds made its way across the room. The lead saxophone came in, slow and easy. As the music flowed the room began to let the melody bring in a relaxed romantic atmosphere. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a young man make his way across the room.
Now usually, I wouldn't even care to acknowledge something as insignificant as this but the way he was smirking to himself put a slight twitch in my eye. Then I noticed he was carrying two drinks. My eyes burned into the man's head.
I usually don't judge people based on first impressions or appearance, but when he approached her table with that fake smile I could tell he was expecting to get lucky tonight. He put the two drinks down onto her table and gave himself the pleasure of sitting down without her permission. Strike one.
I couldn't hear what the man was saying but judging by the way she was blatantly ignoring him, she didn't care. The lack of participation on Ms. Roth's part did nothing to slow him down, he kept on talking. Probably hoping he would say something charming. Strike two.
I chuckled lightly as Ms. Roth's expression turned from indifference to annoyance. Without looking away from her book she reached into her pocket and grabbed a small bell, she rang it twice before putting it on the table.
The sound carried itself to the bar. I laughed as the young man found the bell amusing. Vic immediately finished up what he was doing and made his way out from behind the counter. Quickly I put two and two together and jumped from my seat to reach him. I grabbed him by the arm causing him to stop and give me a quizzical look. I winked and told him to wait there as I approached the table.
I felt nervous, no doubt about it. I mean, look at how she's treating the poor guy at her table. She's about to humiliate him by having him physically removed from her presence, I hope I can convince him to leave of his own free will. Any man in his right mind would stay clear from her, luckily I'm not one of those men. Still that didn't stop my stomach from doing an apprehensive flip.
"Excuse me" I said as I tapped the man on the shoulder.
"Yes?" He answered an irate look on his scrawny little face. "We're having a conversation here."
I looked at Ms. Roth; she hadn't even lifted her eyes to my arrival.
"I hope you mean, you were trying to have a conversation." I shook my head and glanced at Ms. Roth, for a moment I thought I saw a ghost of a smile on her face. That gave me a little bit of reassurance.
"I'm sorry sir, I am not hear to make fun of you blindness to this woman's disinterest in you, but I am going to have to ask you to leave." My voice was polite, but my eyes were hardly playful.
The scrawny man stood and faced me. His hair was long and black, most of it rested upon the back of his neck. His face was long and his small chicken lips looked non existent while he pursed them in anger.
He stepped closer to me in a threatening way, definitely invading my personal space, I really don't like that.
"Who gave you the right to order me around?" He spat. Strike three. Never ever yell in my face.
I calmly took a step back, avoiding his gaze. I knew if I looked him in the face he wouldn't be able to handle what he saw. Just so you know though, my pupils slightly change shape when I get angry, similar to those of a feline. It usually freaks people out, they often think I'm a monster, but it's just the result of an accident when I was 7 years old.
"Vic!" I called, the big guy approached with fists clenched. "Please escort him away from the lady's table."
"As long as Ms. Roth approves." All eyes were fixated on her. She stayed motionless for half a second before she sighed and nodded her head, her eyes never leaving her book. Vic grinned and enclosed his hand around the annoying, scrawny man's arm.
"This way." The man grimaced at Vic's uncomfortably tight grip, all the while shouting like a banshee about how he wanted to talk to the owner.
I chuckled deeply before turning to the woman of my fascination. This being my first time to see her less than 20ft away, I can say with confidence, I am completely floored by her stunning beauty.
I stood gawking at her with my wide eyes, probably looking like an idiot. But I can say that I had the decency of keeping my jaw shut.
I composed my self and cleared my throat, hoping to catch her attention. She didn't move.
"Cold shoulder treatment huh?" I said, "That's fine, I understand, just got rid of one pest don't want to deal with another one."
I paused hoping to receive a reply. At the very least I wanted to hear her voice before I left for the night. "But before I give you your peace of mind, may I ask you a question?" I bowed slightly hoping to get her to speak through my gentleman like mannerisms.
Finally she lifted her head and our eyes met for the first time. As quickly as they did she glanced away breaking the contact and nodded her head. I straightened myself, giving me sometime to recover from the sudden contact. My hands were shaking as I put them into my pockets.
"I was wondering if you-"
"Excuse me, but if you're planning to ask me to an outing with you or anything else similar to the matter then I'm afraid your wasting your time."
Her voice was laced with irritation and frustration, but for some reason it reminded me of a stream, smooth, quick, and tranquil. All the characteristics she wasn't trying to express, but I heard them anyway. I smiled as the fire in her eyes glimmered as a warning.
She raised her eyebrows slightly as she saw my smile "I'm sorry Ms. Roth, but I'm not here to ask you for a date." She glanced away, trying to hid her embarrassment I presume.
"Fine, go ahead and ask you question" She replied her eyes still elsewhere.
"Well, I was wondering if you knew how I would be able to get in touch with the owner of the club." I bet she wasn't expecting that.
"Why would you need to speak with the owner? Do you have a complaint?" She asked.
"No, everything is fine." I replied earnestly "I just wanted to ask if the winter ball was being held here this year."
"Yes it is" She finally met my eyes. "But only invited guest's of the governor and the mayor of Jump City are allowed admittance."
I paused for a moment, "Ah, I see" Another smile crept across my face "I'll be able to find a way to attend if that's the case."
"I'm sure" She said sarcastically. "You must have some unknown ability to get past a secure location, if you plan on sneaking in." Her eyes were fixated on her book again.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence." I replied feigning a hurt look on my face. "Though I have to ask, how do you know that the guests have to be invited by the governor and the mayor? I thought such details were to be kept confidential, only for the owner to know."
She closed her book and grabbed her purse while getting up from her seat. "Yes they are." She stated while gathering her things. "Call me apprehensive, but I don't believe you came all this way to remove that man from my table, just to ask me about the winter ball."
Touché.
She turned to face me "What is it that you want?" her gaze was direct; I could feel my fingers tremble at her enchanting eyes.
"True." I said "I also want to know your name, but to be honest I was too nervous to ask. I didn't want you to think I was trying to hit on you."
She placed her left hand on her hip and gave me a skeptical look. "Then what are you trying to do?"
I smiled "I'm just trying to know your name."
She didn't smile or show expression that related to her having any interest in me, which is a bit discouraging.
"Mr…"
"Logan. My last name is Logan."
She raised her eyebrows at me.
"I'm not going to tell you my first name until you tell me yours." I stated firmly.
She continued on without dispute. "Well, Mr. Logan you seem to be a bright man, and I'm sure you've noticed how I treated the last man who approached me, so what makes you think that you're an exception?"
Her gaze fell from my eyes as she caught Vic's attention.
"My intentions are to know your name" I said sincere "I am not as vain as you think I am."
I could feel the intensity in my eyes flare. My gaze upon hers felt weighted as she glanced away. I had made her uncomfortable.
I took a step back, hoping the space would lighten her uneasiness. From the corner of my eye I saw Vic approaching, a slight frown on his face as he approached. He doesn't want to throw me out, but if push comes to shove he would do what he had to. I don't want to put him in that position.
"Ms. Roth, forgive me if I have made you uncomfortable," I said trying to appeal my amiable nature once again. "Maybe another time you'll trust me enough to tell me your name." I turned to leave, just before Vic approached the table.
"I hope he didn't bother you too much Ms. Roth" He said as she moved out from in front of her seat.
"He was slightly annoying, but he did compose himself in a gentlemanly fashion." She replied as Vic pushed in her chair. He chuckled as they made their way towards one of the back exits.
"Yeah, that's Gar, but he has a good heart."
"You know him?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am. I've known him since the end of my senior year in college, but if you don't mind me asking, what made him so annoying?" He asked as they approached a black Nissan Altima.
"He asked too many questions."
Vic laughed out loud, as he opened the car door for her. "Maybe he couldn't help himself; I think he might have a special interest in you Ms. Roth."
She placed her self inside the driver's seat as Vic closed the door after her. She started the car and a loud purring sound escaped the engine as the car came to life.
She rolled down her window "Men who have a special interest in me are usually the hardest to get rid of." She said tiredly. "Tell your friend to take a hint."
"I'll do my best." Vic replied.
"By the way, I won't be coming by until the week before the ball, so I'm placing you in charge."
He nodded "You can count on me."
She smiled slightly "I know. I'll call you about storage for the decorations throughout the weeks. The arrival dates vary, and I don't want anything happening to them."
With that said she put the car in gear and drove away. The encounter she had with Mr. Logan hanging over her thoughts.
As I made my way to the elevator, I couldn't help feel discouraged at tonight's events. At least it wasn't a complete loss; she actually spoke with me rather than ignoring me. For that I'll be grateful.
But she probably has me on her 'to avoid' list, which could prove to be a problem, especially since I plan on seeing her more often. Maybe it would be best if I laid low for a bit, hopefully she'll forget that I'm on her list.
I walked through the elevators doors and pressed for the twenty-seventh floor. My thoughts kept on bringing me back to our first encounter. I felt like I was missing something. I replayed my approach in my head; I skipped through the dismissal of the chicken lipped man and observed our conversation.
I reviewed what questions I asked and concentrated on her exact reply. I finished reviewing, but a part of me was saying, 'check again'. The elevator bell rang as I reached the floor, and that's when it all clicked.
She was the owner of the night club.
That explained why Vic was at her every beck and call. How could I have overlooked that important detail?
That means she will definitely be at the Winter Ball! Score!
Beautiful, witty, and owns her own business? What's the catch?
I opened the door to my flat and tossed my coat onto the couch as I approached the kitchen. While unbuttoning my shirt and pushing up the sleeves I opened the refrigerator door and pulled out the ingredients needed to make a salad.
I'm sure I haven't told you this, but I am a vegetarian. I don't eat meat, just tofu and some sea food. Fish is a valuable source of protein, and I don't consider it to be meat.
Anyway, back to more important thoughts. How am I going to win her over? She's somewhat unapproachable, and she analyzes everything I say or do quite cynically. I sighed as I put the last ingredients into my salad and walked out of the kitchen towards the family room. Hopefully watching animal planet will give me the answer.
On the plus side she has no idea who I am.