"So a handsome stranger comes along, helps you out and you don't even try to get his name?" Michelle questioned.
"I... don't know what happened. It was like my brain just shut off and I was just in awe of him. Michelle, you have no idea, he was gorgeous! Nothing like these City guys, who always feel they have to strut around, trying to prove something."
Michelle continued to gaze at Emilene with a questioning look and threw her magazine on the floor.
"Sometimes I just don't understand you. Well enough of this, get ready because we are going to be late."
Michelle Umana has been Emilene's friend since they were in kindergarten. She fondly remembered how they met, it was when Christian Moore pushed Emilene into a mud puddle because she would not share her chocolate pudding pack with him. Michelle came running up to Christian and kicked him in the stomach. Granted she had detention for a week because of the incident, but Emilene stayed with her in detention. It was in detention that they learned about their shared love of Barbie, Sailor Moon, orange sherbet, and playing soccer. Of course as they grew up their shared interests expanded into music, movies, guys, fashion, and art.
"What time did you say we would meet everyone? What is the name of this place again?" Emilene asked while curling her hair.
Michelle looked up from another magazine and rolled her eyes.
"We are suppose to meet Ian at eight, but the rate you are going it may be around nine." chuckled Michelle.
"Anyways, the place is Nyne, it's the new club that opened up on Broadway and rumor is that this place is suppose to be THE spot. You have to know somebody, that is a somebody, to get in."
Emilene sighed, she always felt a bit guilty when Ian was able to get them into the new "It" spots. Ian never seemed to mind since he worked for the largest PR firm in New York, and it did give Emilene a chance to get name and art out there in the public eye.
"Ok, do I look presentable... Miss Fashionista?" Emilene twirled around at Michelle's feet.
"I must say... someone finally took heed to my advice!"
Emilene stopped twirling and glanced at herself in the mirror. Her golden curls hung loosely around her face, partially hiding her delicate features. Her chocolate brown eyes stood out against the pale pink eyeshadow and black metallic colored eye liner, a light, but subtle blush colored gloss coated her lips. Her outfit was made up of dark straight leg jeans with her favorite black knee high boots over them. A heather grey scoop neck t-shirt was covered by a short, black vest. A few strands of silver and black adorned her neck.
Emilene smirked at Michelle as she gathered her items in her purse. "I guess you can say that I had a little boost of confidence today!"
"I thought you two were not going to show up! I was about to go inside, good thing I saw you when I did!" huffed Ian.
Michelle let out a small laugh. "Oh Ian it was worth it. Now you can enter with two of the most beautiful girls in New York!"
Ian let out a small sigh and shuffled the two girls to the front door. Since Ian worked at Fishman PR, one of New York's largest and most prominant PR firms, it was very easy to get an invite to the hottest parties and newest "It" places. Tonight was no exception, the bouncer just glanced at Ian, unhooked the red velvet rope and let us inside. Once inside, Emilene new exactly why Nyne had such a reputation. Red and black leather couches were scattered about, seperated by small, rectangular glass tables. Tiny, round mirrors hung from the ceiling reflecting the dim lighting off the walls. Dark red paint adorned the walls, covered with paintings from such talents as Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, and Francisco de Goya. Then the people that filled the venue were some of the most gorgeous people she ever saw. Slowly, Emilene began to recognize some of the faces that danced across her television late at night, that filled her car with some of her favorite melodies. Then she saw him. The dark braids, his lip ring glistening in the dim lighting, and the faint sound of his voice.
Whether it was nerves or not knowing what exactly to do, Emilene turned around and started her way back to her friends. It was then, she realized that she had wandered away from them once they entered the club, and did not take notice what area they were heading too.
A deep voice cooed from behind. "We meet again."
It was him! Slowly, she turned around and met face-to-face with her stranger. Did he notice her staring at him dumbfoundly?
"I guess... you can say it is a meeting of... fate."
Idiot! Meeting of fate? Where did that come from?
His right eyebrow raised, and he was giving her a questioning look. "Fate? Have to admit, that is first time I had a girl say that to me." He purred.
Emilene didn't know what to say, her mouth was dry, her palms became sweaty and she felt her body begin to get warm. Her cheeks slowly started to heat up and her legs started to tremble.
What is going on? Why do I feel like putty around him?
His scent began to take over her senses, and the remnants of his voice replayed in her mind.
He began to take notice that her demeanor changed. He watched her delicate face turn a light shade of crimson red. He noticed how she clenched and unclenched her fists. Her eyes are what captivated him, the deep chocolate brown color showed him a kind, gentle soul. He could stare into her eyes for hours, but then reality hit and he composed himself.
He stretched out his hand. "Tom."
Looking down at the outstretched hand, she placed it into hers and took notice at how soft, but lightly rough his hands were. She felt a ripple of energy throughout her body and let out a small gasp. Slowly, she looked back at Tom's face. "A name to my mysterious rescuer."
Ian and Michelle were watching Emilene and the stranger from a distance.
Playing with the straw in her drink, Michelle started to giggle. "I wonder if that is her mystery man from earlier today?"
Ian turned to look at Michelle with interest in his eyes. "Please tell me why you kept this from me?"
Michelle laughed again and repeated the incident as Emilene told her, when she was done Ian had a huge grin on his face and turned his attention back to his friend.
"From the looks of it, Emilene is becoming quite enamored with the young man."
Michelle turned her attention back on the two. She could sense the nervousness and curiosity from Emilene, but also noticed that the young man had a sense of longing for her dear friend.
"Ian, I think she will be just fine tonight. We should get back to our area and enjoy the night."
Ian watched Michelle turn around and make her way back to their V.I.P section. Normally he would be a little irked by her nonchalant attitude, but not tonight. He knew that if Emilene needed them, she could find them. He let out a sigh and made his way back with Michelle.