In The Mood
Beth and Alana stood in front of the full length mirror in Alana's bedroom, a picture of Old Hollywood elegance, fully dressed, made up and almost ready to attend Josef's Charity Gala. Beth wore a delicate satin Monique Lhuillier gown, and Alana an emerald green satin floor length Suzie Turner evening dress. They both wore borrowed jewelry from famous designers.
Alana's left wrist and ankle were decorated with yellow gold and emeralds to match the only piece of jewelry she wore that was her own; the ring on her right hand. Beth's jewelry; a white gold and diamond wrist cuff bracelet and a white gold vintage diamond ring, were as beautiful and delicate as the satin her gown was made of.
Both chose to wear drop earrings; Alana's a pair of three tier, tear drop shaped, yellow gold and emerald like the rest of her jewelry, Beth's were dainty, white gold, diamond and pearl.
Alana, who was now the only red head standing in front of the mirror, bent down to retrieve her shoes from the carpeted floor.
"What time did the guys say the limo was coming?" Beth asked as she finished putting on her earrings.
"I think they said the limo'd be arrivin' at eight thirty." Alana replied slipping her foot into a gold, strappy, open toed sandal. She bent to fasten the ankle strap with little difficulty and straightened to gaze at her reflection from head to toe.
Beth, who was getting nervous now that they were actually dressed and getting ready to go, took a deep breath and turned to her friend. "What time is it now?" she questioned playing with the bracelet on her wrist.
Alana laughed and backed away from the mirror. "It's eight o' five, five minutes from the last time ye asked me."
Beth smiled and laughed nervously. "Oh." She moved to Alana's bed where she sat down to put on her Manolo Blahnik silver toned embellished pumps, the most expensive shoes she'd ever worn in her life.
Alana fluffed her beautiful red hair which was loosely finger waved and parted like the classic old Hollywood star Rita Hayworth. She turned to face Beth. "Ye know I really like those shoes. I'm so glad I convinced ye ta buy them, and it's such a coincidence that they happen ta be me size." Alana said with a wink trying distract her anxious friend.
"As long as I don't throw up on them, feel free to borrow them anytime." Beth replied. She brought a hand to her fluttering stomach. "It's just a party. I've been to parties before. I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"Aye, could it be because yer goin' with Mick?" Alana teased knowingly. "I guarantee ye he's goin' ta drop dead when he sees ye." She thought for a moment. "Oops too late." She lifted a hand to her mouth and giggled at her bad joke.
Beth shot the red head a look and brushed a loose strand of her newly stripped blonde hair away from her face.
Alana came up behind Beth and brought her hands to her shoulders. "Calm yerself. Everythin's goin' ta be fine."
Beth closed her eyes and nodded. "You're right. I have nothing to worry about. It's just Mick. He's seen me at my worst, without makeup and in laundry day sweats before."
"Yer not in sweats tonight, and yer makeup looks perfect." Alana assured her friend dropping her hands from Beth's shoulders. "Although I think somethin's missin' from yer ensemble." She brought a perfectly manicured finger to her chin thoughtfully. "I've got it!" Alana cried before disappearing into her well organized walk in closet. "I've jest the thin' ."
Beth looked in the mirror and then reached up to the back of her hair which had been curled, pinned at the nape of her neck and accented with a vintage hair comb. "I've got the dress, the shoes, jewelry, my purse.. What else do I need?" she wondered aloud.
Alana slipped back into her bedroom holding a white fur shrug. "Yer never fully dressed without a shrug."
"I thought it was your never fully dressed without a smile?" Beth tilted her head.
"Ye need that too. But this," Alana handed Beth the shrug. "is perfect fer yer dress."
Beth hesitated for a moment but took the fur from her friend.
"It's faux Beth. I don't believe in wearin' animals." Alana explained carefully.
Beth bit her bottom lip and draped the shrug over her shoulder. "Are you sure it's not too much?"
Alana shook her head in response. "It's jest enough." she assured her.
Lysander strolled into the room and hopped up onto Alana's bed. "Me-ow." he cried making his presence known.
"See, even Lysander approves." Alana said motioning to the mass of fur that was her cat. "And ta get that cat's approval well…"
Lysander meowed again but this time his meow was followed by the distinct ring of a doorbell.
Beth heard the bell and immediately froze and brought her hands to her stomach smoothing over the satin material there. "They're here! What time is it?" she managed breathlessly.
"Time ta go ta the ball Cinderella." Alana said with a giggle. "Yer prince charmin' awaits." She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. "Of course they're early. Well, they can wait jest a moment. She turned to Beth. "Is there eny lipstick on me teeth?" She asked making a face.
Beth shook her head. "You're good. Perfect. You look incredible, and Josef, I think he'll be doing more of that stuttering flustered teenager act with you tonight."
Alana smiled. "Ye think so? "
Beth nodded. "I'm sure of it. Green really is your color." She glanced in the mirror one last time parting her lips so she could see if there was any lipstick on her own teeth.
"Thanks." Alana said with a happy grin. She looked at Beth. "Yer good. Grab yer purse and let's go." Alana instructed fluffing her hair one last time.
Beth grabbed the two clutches that were sitting on the bed near the cat and handed Alana hers, a gold one.
"Ready?" the red head asked accepting the bag from Beth and reaching inside for the final piece of her costume, a pair of long white gloves.
Beth smiled nervously, slipped her white clutch under her arm and adjusted the borrowed shrug on her shoulders. "Ready." she told the red head but did not move from where she was standing.
Alana grabbed her friend by the hand. "Jest breathe." she told Beth with a knowing smile as she squeezed her hand and led her out of the bedroom.
Alana finally released Beth's hand when they reached the living room.
"I'm just going to use the ladies room real quick." Beth informed the redhead before scampering off to Alana's guest bathroom.
"Don't throw up on yer shoes!" Alana warned playfully as she opened her front door to reveal Mick standing on her stoop looking very dapper in his black and white pinstriped zoot suit, crisp white dress shirt and a black tie. On his feet were black and white wing tipped shoes. From his belt hung an extra long, white gold, double waist chain and on his head was a black fedora with a white band.
Mick removed his hat in a gentlemanly fashion and greeted Josef's beautiful secretary with a smile. "Alana."
"Mick." Alana said returning his smile. "Don't ye look handsome this evenin'!" she exclaimed tugging on her gloves.
"Why, thank you." he replied with a grin. "You look lovely as always." He returned her compliment mindful of what Josef had told him about Alana the night before. She did look lovely; beautiful in her green dress. Josef was a very lucky man tonight. He thought to himself.
Alana couldn't help but blush a little bit. "Come on in." She stepped aside so he could enter. "Cinderella's jest powderin' her nose. Jest wait til ye see her!" She stood at the door and peered out at the limo waiting by the curb. "Is Josef waitin' in the limo?" she asked turning to Mick. "That lazy vampire."
Mick looked down at the hat he held in his hands and then up at the redhead. "Uh no, Josef couldn't make it. He really wanted to be here, but Mayor Trask arrived earlier than expected and Josef got stuck at the manor entertaining him and his nineteen year old daughter Whitney." he explained thoughtfully.
"Oh." Alana answered softly disappointment evident in her voice. "Well ye know Josef. He's all about appearances."
"He really did want to be here Alana, I assure you." Mick insisted.
Alana shrugged. "It's fine Mick." She plastered a smile on her face. If Josef didn't care enough to show up as her escort, she was still going to go to the party and have a good time. "I think I'm goin' ta check on Beth. Excuse me fer jest a moment. I'd offer ye somethin' ta drink, but I was jest at the Red Cross last week and I'm not supposed ta donate fer about two months. " she joked playfully.
Mick nodded and stifled a laugh. "I had something before.."
Alana nodded "Right." she responded with a nod before walking off in the direction of her guest bathroom.
Mick stood in the middle of Alana's living room feeling uncomfortable and out of place. He walked over to the couch and took a seat. He looked around the room. It was a typical living room; sofa, coffee table decorative pillows, television, bookshelves, photographs and art on the walls.
Suddenly a large fluffy mess, the color of mud and sand hopped up on the couch beside him.
"What the-?" Mick looked over at the living teased out ball of fur.
"Re-ow!" Lysander replied staring at Mick with his good eye.
"Oh, you're a cat." the vampire stated sounding confused. "You must be Lysander."
The cat inched closer to Mick showing no signs of fear.
"Why aren't you afraid of me?" Mick questioned watching the cat with interest.
Lysander gave Mick a once over, challenging him with his eyes. "Me-ow."
Mick made a face. "Great I'm talking to a cat." He shook his head and then rose from the couch. Lysander sprawled across it, taking up the space Mick had just been occupying.
He turned to the cat and raised his hands in defeat. "Alright you win. Your couch. I'll stand."
Behind him the girls entered the room. "Lysander! Ye know better then ta treat guests this way. Mick hasn't done anythin' ta ye!" Alana scolded the animal. "Sorry Mick."
Mick turned to face the girls his eyes lighting up and his jaw dropping when he saw Beth. She looked incredible, more than incredible. There weren't words to describe how she looked. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever laid eyes on, a heavenly vision in white and she was going to Josef's party with him.
"Beth, you look…Wow." He somehow managed to speak.
"Thanks." Beth smiled her whole face aglow. Mick looked devastatingly handsome in his black and white pinstriped suit. She took a deep breath. "The forties definitely look good on you."
"In the actual forties, I could never afford to dress quite this well." Mick said with a grin.
Beth and Mick stood silently staring at one another for a few minutes, unaware of Alana's presence. Both wore huge genuine smiles on their faces.
"Aye, she's breath takin'. Yer handsome. Can we go now?" Alana interrupted. "Mick, could ye please pick yer jaw up off the floor and quit droolin' on me rug?"
Beth laughed lightly dissolving the moment between she and the dark haired vampire. "We should probably get going." she said softly.
Mick tore his gaze from Beth's "Oh yeah, we should go. Don't want to keep Josef waiting." Mick turned to Alana with a grin.
Alana scoffed. "Josef isn't waitin' fer us. He's otherwise preoccupied. I'm more interested in gettin' there before all the crab puffs are gone." She then turned to Lysander who had stretched out across the entire length of the couch. "Now ye behave while I'm at the party. No TV after eleven and don't ye dare be tryin' ta sleep in me bed. I'll know if ye do."
Mick and Beth watched Alana's exchange with the cat with curiosity.
Lysander me-owed in response to his owner's instructions. He turned over facing the back of the couch.
Alana shook her head at the obstinate feline. "Darn cat." she muttered and began walking towards the door, Mick and Beth following.
Mick stepped in front of the girls, put his hat back on, turned and linked his left arm through Beth's right and his right arm through Alana's left. "C'mon ladies. Let's go. I can't wait to get to the party. I'm sure to be the most envied gentlemen there with not one, but two of the most beautiful women in the world at my side."
Beth gushed at Mick's sentiment. Thankfully, she was no longer feeling nervous. She felt confident, strong and beautiful in her new dress.
"Thanks Mick, yer sweet." Alana said with a smile as she opened the front door.
Mick allowed the ladies to exit the house first. Alana locked the door behind them. Mick helped them both down the few front steps and walked them to the curb where the limo was parked.
The driver, who happened to be Martin, quickly got out of the vehicle and greeted Alana and Beth warmly. He opened the door for his passengers. "Good evening ladies. You both look beautiful."
"Thank you." Both Alana and Beth said with a smile.
"Josef has ye drivin' tonight Martin?" Alana asked before ducking her head and sliding carefully into the limousine.
"I'm not only driving you three, but I am the designated driver for this evening." Martin answered proudly.
Beth and then Mick followed Alana's lead getting into the car. The three took their seats inside the limo, the blonde and the vampire sitting together on one end, Alana across from them.
Beth whispered something into Mick's ear.
Mick nodded and Beth moved closer to where Alana was seated.
"Beth ye don't have ta sit with me really." Alana insisted speaking softly. "Sit with Mick. I can tell by the look on his face jest how much he wants ye to."
Beth bit her bottom lip. "I have plenty of time to sit and stare at Mick all night." she assured her with a silly grin. "I'm sorry Josef isn't here."
"I'm not." Alana answered gruffly.
Martin closed the door and quickly got back into the drivers seat. Once he was settled, his seat belt fastened he snuck a peak at the his three passengers. Mick and Beth looked happy and excited about the party, but Alana looked close to miserable. He remembered what Josef had told him. "Oh Miss Alana there is something important for you from Mr. Kostan on top of the mini fridge." he informed her before starting the vehicle.
Alana looked at Beth and then eyed Martin carefully. "There is?" she asked sounding a bit surprised.
"Mhmm, he instructed me to make sure you received it when you got into the limo."
Beth looked across the limo at Mick. "Do you know what's really going on with Josef tonight?" She mouthed.
Mick shook his head.
Alana got up from her seat, careful of her dress, and moved over to the bar. She wondered what was so important that couldn't wait until she got to the party. There on top of the shiny metal surface of the small refrigerator was a single lavender rose and a small white envelope with Alana's name on it. Alana took the rose and the envelope and made her way back to her seat. "Thank ye Martin."
"Your welcome Miss Alana. Are we ready to go?" he asked.
Beth looked over at Alana who had opened the envelope from Josef. A soft smile tugged at her lips. "I think we're ready to go." Beth said with a smile on her face. She looked over at Mick.
"Alright then. Let's get this show on the road." Martin replied pulling away from the curb.
They arrived at the Kostan manor about twenty minutes later. Martin pulled the limo into Josef's circular drive, parked and made his way to the passenger door.
Mick stepped out first helping Beth and Alana to exit the vehicle. Martin took Alana by the hand and helped her up the stone steps that lead to the manor. Beth slipped her hand in Mick's and they ascended the stairs as well.
"Thank ye Martin." Alana said with a smile. "I hope ye have a wonderful evenin'." She squeezed his hand.
"You too Miss Alana." He released her hand and turned to Mick and Beth. "Have a good time." he told the happy couple before scurrying back down the stairs to the limo out of view.
Alana waved at Martin and then made her way to the front door. There stood a woman in a salmon colored evening gown who was serving as the door person. A group of people had gathered near her and were chatting animatedly. Alana recognized a few of the women as Josef's freshies Kimberly, Lydia and Autumn.
Autumn squealed upon seeing Alana, rushed right over to her and began talking. Alana looked over her shoulder at Mick and Beth who were holding hands standing nearby. She smiled and turned back to the meaningless conversation Autumn was holding with her.
Beth paused at the landing and looked up at the exterior of Josef's gorgeous home. "This is Josef's house?" she asked in awe. "It looks more like a palace than someone's home."
"This is only one of them." Mick informed her.
"How many does he have?"
"He has the one in New York and one in Switzerland . We've been to the one in New York." he reminded her with a sad look.
"Right." Beth bit her bottom lip. "Have you ever been to his place in Switzerland? It must be gorgeous. "
Mick shook his head. "I wouldn't know. It's Josef's hideaway, he goes there whenever he needs his privacy."
Beth nodded her understanding. She turned to Alana who seemed to be in the middle of a conversation she was not enjoying with three very beautiful young girls.
Alana shot her a pleading look.
Beth who was still holding Mick's hand waved in Alana's direction. "Alana." she called.
Alana smiled and excused herself from the conversation with the freshies rushing over to Mick and Beth. "Thank ye. Ye saved me from a vapid discussion about spray tannin' what color should ye be in the winter."
Mick quirked a brow at Alana. "Spray tanning?" he asked.
"I'll explain it you later." Beth urged, pulling Mick through the crowd of people. "Let's go inside."
Alana followed closely behind trying her best not to make eye contact with any more of Josef's freshies. They reached the door without any more interruption, gave their names and were escorted into the spacious grand entrance hall.
Beth gasped. She'd never been in a place this lavish before. Her feet clicked against the polished marble floors as she walked. The hall was beautiful, lit well by a large chandelier hanging above them. The walls, a creamy beige, gave the room just enough color. Several simple arrangements of flowers decorated small tables across the room. On either side of the hall there were two large marble staircases. The railings were rod iron accented with gold.
Mick stifled a laugh when he saw the look on Beth's face. Beth had never been to Josef's manor before, but unlike her he was used to the older vampire's extravagant tastes.
"The ballroom's at the top of the stairs." Alana stated helpfully. "Ye can take either staircase." She began walking towards one of them.
Mick and Beth followed. The three climbed the staircase, the girls holding their dresses up with one hand careful not to trip.
Beth looked around as they walked up the stairs. "This place is just amazing and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious to see what the rest of it looked like."
"Ye can always go on a tour of the house. Josef usually charges but since yer such a good friend I'm sure ye could have a free tour."
Mick shook his head and laughed. "Leave it to Josef."
"He has tours of his home? Like guided tours?" Beth questioned with wonderment.
Alana chuckled. "The Kostan Manor is one of the few Mediterranean style homes in Brentwood California. It's amenities include ten bedrooms, eleven and a half bathrooms, two swimmin' pools, central air conditionin', fireplaces in four of the bedrooms, marble and hardwood floors, a full tennis court, a city view and an Ocean view." she shared with her friend proudly. "That's all in the tour brochure. Sometimes Josef's clients stay at the manor. Tis important ta inform them of where they'll be stayin'. I've only seen a few rooms of the house meself. Josef's freshies and his staff live in the main house. The guest houses are fer guests."
"Wow." Beth replied as they reached the top of the stairs where there was an archway with two large, very ornate, cherry wooden doors. Before she could even place her hand on the door handle the heavy door swung open. Beth jumped back a little in surprise.
A large bald man in a blue gangster suit similar to Mick's, who must have been serving as bouncer, smiled at Beth. "Please come in and join the party." he encouraged.
Beth stood with Mick ready to walk through the doors and enter the ballroom.
"Hello Francis." Alana greeted the man warmly. She reached up and hugged him.
"Hello Miss Dawson. You look beautiful tonight." Francis said with a smile.
"This is me very good friend Beth and her date fer the evenin' Mick St. John." She turned to Mick and Beth. "Mick, Beth this is Francis he is the best cook ever."
"Aww thanks Miss Dawson. I'm not cooking tonight though. Tonight I'm a guest. Josef saw you come up on the security cameras and he asked me to escort you inside." He held out his arm for her to take.
Alana smiled. "That's awfully kind. Thank ye Francis." she told the man placing her hand on his arm. She turned to Mick and Beth. "Ye two will be alright by yerselves fer a little bit right?" She winked at Beth.
Beth looked up at Mick who nodded.
"We'll be fine. We'll catch up with you later." Beth told her friend.
"Alright. See ye a in a while." Alana said before disappearing with Francis.
Mick smiled at Beth, took her hand in his and the two walked through the double doors.