CHAPTER 3

(TARA'S P.O.V)

I woke up to the smell of food, as I yawned and stretched. I frowned as I realized that I was in my bedroom. The last place I remember I was in Dr. Taylor's office, and i was given a valium to sleep. I quietly opened my bedroom door to immediately hear Mario singing in the distance. A small smile formed on my lips, as I tiptoed to the kitchen. There Mario was singing, while he was putting food on two plates. "Your voice is beautiful," I spoke up shyly. He put the plates down on the table and grinned. "Thanks," he responded as I joined him at the table. Mario had made Lasagna with baked chicken and peas. "How are you feeling?," Mario inquired as I smiled. "Much better. Thanks for suggesting therapy to me, I got a lot off my chest. Sorry about 's window though." "Don't sweat it," he smiled as we sat down to eat.

"Mario…" I smiled as my eyes watered and my voice cracked a bit. "Thank you for taking care of everything." "Hey, Hey," he immediately pulled his chair closer to mine. He quickly took his right thumb and wiped my eyes. "You needed someone to comfort you, and I'm damn glad I was there." I smiled at his response as the tears continued to fall. What happened this afternoon in 's office was months of pent up emotions, that I let loose of my pain, regret and loss. I was just sorry Mario had to see that. I'm so relieved that I didn't offend him. "So," he suddenly smiled, taking me out of my thoughts. "Are you up for a little fun tonight?," he asked cheerfully. "Fun?," I echoed in confusion. "Yeah, if you're up to it of course." I stayed quiet not knowing what to say.

"I thought you would see it when you woke up, but I guessed you missed it. Check behind your bedroom door."

Curious now, I slowly headed to the bedroom. I gasped as I peeped behind the bedroom door, to see a beautiful fitted glittery gold Atelier Versace gown. "Mario!," I squealed in surprise. I put the dress against me, as I stood in front of the mirror, stuck between shock and excitement. "You like?," He said from the doorway. "Mario…" I paused, turning to him. "What are you planning?." "This afternoon was a heartbreaking moment, so I thought about a night of fun. If you don't want to go I understand." "I do," I clarified. "I want to go." "Ok well where we're going is a surprise and I promise," he paused as he raised his hands in surrender. "It's not a date just as friends." An hour later, we were heading to the town next to Bon Temp. We arrived and parked at a very beautiful brown and white Cape Cod mansion.

Music could be heard faintly, as Mario switched off the engine. "Don't be scared," he smiled seeing my shocked look on my face. "So I brought you to a private party that was being held tonight. No paparazzi to embarrass us, and even if someone recognizes me I can say I'm a look alike. I promise I got you. Tonight we can get lit, and dance the night away." As nervous as I was, that sounded like a plan. "I'm up for it," I smiled back. We walked through the small crowd of people that were spread out on the lawn, with Mario holding my hand pulling me along. Instead of entering inside, we went to the side of the mansion, which had a fenced door with a bouncer guarding it. He immediately opened it, and smiled on seeing Mario. "Welcome we've been expecting you." Upon entering, we were greeted with R&B music, a gigantic pool with folks diving in. The rest of the manicured lawn had small groups of people who were either laughing and talking or drinking. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. We decided to stand in the middle as a server served us champayne. Two more drinks later, we were laughing and talking about the fun parts of our childhood. Suddenly, one of Mario's song came on (Let me help you.) Cheers throughout the mansion, and the yard could be heard, as Mario stretched forward his hand indicating he wanted to dance.

I smiled and took his hand, as he pulled me against him,and started dancing. We both gyrated to the music, my back against Mario, as he singed the words into my ears, as I closed my eyes. I suddenly turned to face him, as he continued to sing. He then brushes his right knuckles against my left cheek making me blush. We stared at one another awhile, as he had stopped singing; me blushing and him having a small smile on his face. He suddenly gently leans in for a kiss which I leaned forward to. "Tara?!," Lafayette's shocked voice caused both of us to pause, and turned around to see him staring at us wide eyed. "Well well well, if this isn't a surprise," Lafayette said downing the last of his champagne. "Are y'all two dating?," Lafayette questioned boldly. "No we came as friends," I nervously replied, as Mario shaked his head in agreement.

"Uh-huh," Lafayette responded, looking back and forth between us, not convinced at all, especially what he almost witnessed. "You know what," I said to Mario before the situation could get even more awkward. "I had fun how 'bout we go home. I would rather spend the rest of the evening hanging out with you alone." "Sounds like a plan," Mario responded. "That's perfect, I'll ride with ya'll,my car's at the shop, and I don't have a ride to go home." Ten minutes later we were back on the road heading to Bon Temp. "DJ Martin Garrix always keeps the best private parties in Bon Temp or the next town man," Lafayette said to Mario who was driving. "If you liked that party you should see the ones he keeps in LA." "Glad you got Tara to come out the house, I've been trying for months." Lafayette eyed me as I rolled my eyes. "She don't go out?," Mario questioned turning to me, smiling mischievously. "When she feels like it." Lafayette explained. "Don't let that quietness fool you, when she gets lit, she gets lit." Lafayette's comment made all of us laugh, as we sped past the: Welcome to Bon Temp sign. In the midst of the laughter, Mario suddenly slammed his foot on the brakes causing all of us to instantly become silent. We were about to ask Mario what was wrong, as he silently pointed straight ahead.

"The fuck is this?..." Lafayette murmured as all three of us stared wide eyed at a white haired unicorn, which walked across the road in front of us into the woods.