CHAPTER 5

The lights came up, and she cast her gaze around the vast, wildly cheering house; with a full-lipped smile and foggy eyes. Taking in the riotous acclaim for her and her superb body. A sheen of sweat glistened on her breasts, as they rose and fell. The crowd was out of its mind – shouting her name, vowing their love, begging her to stay. A tremor of joy, the purest joy, shimmered through her. As the cheering rolled on, she drew one foot behind the other, poised her free arm to the side – and bowed her head. Tendering her own love, in return, as a tear gleamed at the corner of her eye. Then she stepped forward, and waved with one hand, while cradling the flowers with the other. Triumphant; spent; supremely happy. The most sensational stripper in the world.

Although her head was swimming a bit, and the show over, she suddenly felt a hunger for one more breath of the ultra-potent fragrance. Just one more, before taking her leave, and boarding her chartered jet for the next record-breaking, sold-out engagement. To be followed by a month's leisure on the French Riviera, for the holidays – strolling the Mediterranean beaches; haute couture boutiques; movie premieres. Visiting her uncle's vineyard in Provence. The French Open regional in Saint-Tropez. Followed by Christmas in Marseilles with her cousines and their horses – and after midnight Mass, a video call to her parents via Telstar, on its trans-Atlantic pass (arranged by the US ambassador... who had seen her strip in Paris.)

Lunching with friends and stars; dinners with the most special few. The legendary night life. Sharing a moonlight walk, a kiss... her bed... or not, as the mood took her. And capped by her annual New Year's Eve performance at Casino de Monte-Carlo, to benefit Prince Rainier's charity guild (tickets starting at $7,000 American)

So she lifted the flowers, and immersed herself a final time in the lavish, scent-laden blooms. And with that last deep intake, her eyes went wide, and rolled in a circle. She felt herself start to sag; but also felt some sort of support like before, which gently lowered her to the stage. Her hands went limp, and she let loose of the bouquet. But it was still in her face somehow; the blossoms tickling her cheeks. The woozy pleasure increased, and she dozed off, with a blissful smile – the thunderous ovation, like crashing waves, still ringing in her ears.

"Dolores... Dolores...?" came Robert's voice, from a distance. "Are you all right?"

Her eyes drifted open, and focused on the concerned face, gazing down at her. After a moment she became more awake, and sat up. She held the lapels of her beach wrap with one hand, and touched the other to the swimsuit she wore underneath. "You were smelling the flowers, and seemed to get sleepy," Robert explained. "Then you sank to the floor."

"Oh my," she said, as Robert helped her up. "This is so embarrassing."

"No problem," he said reassuringly. "I'm just glad you're all right."

She got to her feet, and nestled the wrap around herself. "I really never faint like that." Then she paused for a moment – and added, "I had the craziest dream, too..."

"You might be coming down with something. Perhaps you should return to your cabin, and rest for a bit."

She took a few seconds, to gather her thoughts. Then she smiled. "I guess I'd better!"

"I can walk you there, if you like," Robert offered.

"No... no," she declined, not wanting to seem like a hapless girl. She drew a breath of the fresh sea breeze, coming through the open windows. The familiar rhythm of the surf was bracing. "I'll be okay. It was only for a minute."

"Hmmm, maybe we should forget about the whole project."

"No, of course not, Robert," she asserted, in a reassuring way herself. She placed her hand on his, and looked him straight in the eye. "I promise I'll be back tomorrow."

"Well, just to be on the safe side, maybe you should bring a friend along. I saw you talking with someone yesterday. Reddish brown hair. The girl who sings."

Dolores nodded. "Yes, that was Donna." She thought it over. "Yes, I think she'll come. That's a good idea, Robert. And I'm really, really sorry I couldn't do anything for you today."

"Think nothing of it," he said, with a friendly smile. "Nothing at all."

He walked her to the door where, impulsively, she squeezed his hand. Then she headed down the beachfront, towards the cabins – looking back for a moment to wave, but resisting the idea of blowing a kiss. That would be too forward, she felt. He waved back, and she happily went her way.

/ The End /