Disclaimer: I own nothing but a Lord of the Rings Calendar and a tape dispenser. With the exception of Jules Archer and Max Shepard, the characters in this story are the intellectual property of Ken Corday and Days of Our Lives.
Chapter 8: Opening Night
Brady Black had never been one to dream about the future. As an adolescent, he didn't waste countless hours contemplating who and what he was going to be as an adult. Perhaps he had realized early on that such dreams rarely came to fruition, maybe he believed on some level that the events of his life were beyond his control, or quite possibly the answer lie in a combination of the two. Brady didn't dream; he set goals. Dreams were fleeting, but goals were attainable.
If pushed, Brady would describe himself as "career minded." While he would not characterize himself as obsessed with success, the choices he had made and the goals he had set in the past were primarily for the betterment of his career. At some unknown point in time, Brady had unconsciously decided that he would get his career solidified before worrying about the other parts of his life. Outside of his family, his friends were business associates and likeminded executives. His social life for the past five-years, with few notable exceptions, had consisted of business lunch-ins and society functions where making an appearance was more mandatory than voluntary. His efforts were rewarded with a fair bit of success.
Belle's lecture had turned Brady's mind towards an avenue of his life that he had been reluctant to explore, his love life. When you came right down to it, Chloe was the closest thing to a serious relationship he had ever had and that wasn't saying much. There had been a few girls both before and after his relationship/friendship/whatever with Chloe, but there was not one among them that left him with any special memories or warm feelings. Chloe had been it. Before her everything was adolescent, and after her everything else was meaningless.
Belle's question haunted him, "Did you even try, Brady?" No he hadn't. He had waited in the wings for some sort of cue, but it never came. Things fall apart easily when they aren't sewn together tightly enough. He hadn't fought; so, losing was his only option. In the back reaches of his mind, Brady started wondered what would have happened if he had turned all his energy towards Chloe and pursued her with the dogged persistence that he used to woo clients. Would she have been able to withstand the full determination of Brady Black? I think not, Brady smirked.
Knowing that he wanted Chloe and deciding to pull out the stops to win her, gave purpose and focus to his life. Brady began to create new goals and plans. This time, he would do everything the proper way. No doubt would be left in Chloe's mind as to exactly what his intentions were. He had no time for misunderstandings now. The first move had been to ask her out. She had accepted, so the avalanche would begin.
The morning of the opening of Jules and Max's club, Brady sent a bouquet of flowers to Chloe. His first inclination was to send long-stemmed roses, but they seemed more suited to a diva than a doctor. Instead, he chose a beautiful mix of iris, tulips, and lilies. On the card he had simply written, "See you tonight, Brady."
The news of the Brady and Chloe's date had not remained a secret for long. Belle, the ever-perceptive sister, had picked up on his unusually good mood. She had hounded for two whole days before he confessed. Once Belle knew the truth, everybody else did as well. He loved his baby sister, but she couldn't keep a secret to save her soul. His family's reaction had been overwhelmingly supportive. Although Brady never knew it, his lack of a social life had become an increasing cause for concern for those around him. The re-appearance of Chloe Wesley had shone a new light on Brady's confusing behavior.
Brady left the office early that afternoon. Actually, his father had sent him home. "Son you're so distracted that you're distracting me," John had good-naturedly grumbled. "Go home."
At 6:30, Brady stood before his bathroom mirror. He had changed three times before finding something that suited the occasion. At first, the importance of the evening seemed to warrant a suit. Then he remembered the casual zaniness of Jules and Max's club and changed into jeans and a print shirt. Finally, he decided to go with a conservative mix of formal and casual. He was pleased by the end combination of charcoal gray trousers and a lightweight blue turtleneck sweater that Belle had given him to match his eyes.
The drive between his and Chloe's place seemed to take an eternity. As he turned onto the street and the club came into sight, he could tell that a lot had changed since his last visit. A tall wrought iron fence enclosed the parking lot, and a large neon sign identical to the one on the side of the building had been erected as an invitation to all. As he pulled into the parking lot, he nodded towards the attendant. There were half-a-dozen cars already parked along the side of the building. Brady pulled in along side them.
As he walked towards the entrance, he noticed that the landscaping had been completed. The flowers appeared to be thriving, and the bare ground around the plants had been filled in with cedar chips. The hole in the ground had been built into an attractively lighted water fountain and modern sculpture. A plaque on the base of the fountain read, "Your wish will make other wishes come true. All coins in the fountain will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation." Brady smiled as he added a few coins from his pocket to those already littering the mosaic tiles beneath the water's surface.
A tall, burly man stood outside the door to the club blocking Brady's entrance. "Name?" the man grunted with a grim expression on his face. Obviously, the bouncer had been chosen for his brute strength and not his sparkling personality.
"Brady Black," he answered automatically.
The bouncer checked a list he withdrew from his back pocket. Unceremoniously he pulled open the door, "Welcome to Fantabulous Mr. Black."
"Thanks," Brady said as he passed the bouncer. A quick scan of the room didn't reveal Chloe. A few people, clearly part of the staff, scurried around the room, and a small group of colorfully dressed people was congregated around the bar. The first people he recognized were Jules and Max. Indeed, the couple would have been impossible to miss. Jules was wearing a pink, purple, and green paisley mini dress with a pair of pink platform go-go boots. She had changed her hair color from blue to purple for the occasion, and it was arranged in a style that defied description. Max was decked out in a similar fashion. He had on dark olive green bell-bottoms with a loud print 70s style shirt. On any other couple their ensembles would have been complete disasters, but Jules and Max managed to make it look not only hip but also attractive.
When Jules spotted Brady, she came running forward. "Brady," she gasped throwing her arms around him. She smelled like cotton candy. "I'm so glad you came!"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said giving her a little squeeze. "Where's Chloe?"
"Oh, she just ran upstairs to check the dinner," Jules explained drawing him forward. "She'll be back down in a second."
"Hey Brady," Max said greeting him with a firm handshake. "Can I get you something to drink? On the house of course!"
"Yeah sure," Brady replied. "Scotch and water on the rocks."
"You got it," Max said disappearing.
It was a good thing Chloe appeared before Max returned with his drink, or Fantabulous' glassware would have suffered its first fatality. She was wearing a sleeveless oriental-style dress of black silk embroidered with a silver floral phoenix design. It was form fitting and long. As she walked, the slits on either side of skirt opened to reveal the delicate curve of her leg. Her rich mahogany hair was swept up in orient-inspired design. Every stroke of make up on her from the polish on her nails, to her ruby lips, to the glittering eye shadow was designed to make her look both alluring and exotic.
Brady's mouth went dry as they made eye contact. Her generous mouth slide into an easy smile, and she made a b-line towards him. "You're here," she whispered walking into his arms. As they embraced, Brady inhaled the scent of oranges and spice. They drew apart, but he kept his arm around her waist. He liked the warm, smooth feel of the silk fabric under his hand. "Where else would I be?" he whispered in her ear.
"Thank you for the flowers," she said, "They were beautiful."
Brady felt the ridiculous urge to blush. "I'm glad you liked them."
Chloe made the rounds introducing Brady since the majority of the guests were unknown to him. They were her friends from college. Luckily for Brady, Craig and Nancy were also present and dressed in their finest. Brady and Chloe remained in easy conversation with them until Jules announced that dinner was served.
The party retired to Jules and Max's apartment for dinner. Like the couple, their apartment's décor was wild and vibrant yet strangely inviting and comfortable. Before the meal started, Chloe whispered to Brady not to question the food too closely but just to enjoy it. He did. Although he wasn't sure he could identify a single thing they ate, the food was a mixture of exotic flavors that was all together satisfying.
Conversation flowed freely during and after dinner. Chloe's friends were charming and open. Stories were being told and, in some cases, being acted out from their college days. The group laughed heartily until their sides ached. For the most part, Brady was content to just relax and observe Chloe with her friends. How she sparkled! She radiated as brightly as the evening star with a smile always on her lips and laughter on her tongue.
Time danced by merrily, and the excitement level began to noticeably grow within the party. Every single person was there because they loved and supported Jules and Max, and everyone wanted tonight to be a smashing success. Nine o'clock, the time of the club's opening, soon loomed large.
Within a half an hour of opening, Brady thought it clear that Fantabulous was going to be a great success. Although it was still early in terms of the nightlife, the club was already packed. All of Salem had seemingly turned out for the event, and from what he could tell they were enjoying the club.
Shortly before Jules and Max opened the doors, Chloe and Brady had snagged one of the booths along the wall. They were magically designed to afford semi-privacy to the occupants while giving a full view of everything that was going on in the club. Each booth had its own decorative theme, and the inspiration for their particular booth seemed to be a Monopoly board. A waitress had promptly come by with a little sign for their table that read, "Reserved for VIPs." Brady couldn't help laughing as he asked, "Whose the VIP, you or me?"
"Sadly," Chloe sighed dramatically, "I think it is I. Living upstairs has its perks, reserved seating and free drinks."
"Someday soon," Brady quipped, "I'll have to take you on date where I will actually pay for things."
"I'll hold you to that," she replied slyly slipping her hand in his.
Brady smiled pulling her close. Tonight was definitely a good night.