I want to thank everyone who read, reviewed or messaged. It means a lot to know that the story is being enjoyed :). I know it has been sometime since I have undated and I want to apologize for that. Creating the story is the easy part, but when it comes to putting it on paper I'm never satisfied with the outcome. So needless to say this chapter has been wrote several different times and this is one I am most pleased with. I hope you continue to enjoy!
Tyler retreated to a small room provider to her by the directors of the charity event. Small as it might have been it was far for lacking the finest of trimmings, as to be expected. A wooden wardrobe sat against the wall where she retired her dance attire for something a little more appropriate for the occasion. The vanity that contained a glass top with a bouquet of fresh tiger lilies, silver linings for the frame work and a plush velvet chair to match sat opposite the wardrobe. Within the reflection of the vanity's oblong mirror was the 27 year old dancer. She was no longer the deadly temptress as she once was, with the final removal of the makeup leaving only mascara and eye liner she was once again herself.
With the transformation complete, Tyler laid back into the comfort of the overly stuffed chair. The chill that the room offered was more than refreshing. The silence set her mind at ease. She had accomplished what she had been sent to do; entertain. She was pleased with the performance and the reaction from the audience. Now with that behind her, her mini vacation could start.
"Tyler? Are you decent?" a voice called from the door.
"I am." She answered returning to her setting position.
The door opened to reveal a woman who appeared to be in her early 40's. She was by no means a stranger to Tyler, if anything she had become a close friend.
"Tyler!" she exclaimed once her eyes feel upon her.
"Hello Mrs. Hudson." Tyler was greeted with a hug.
"You have known me too long to still be greeting me as Mrs. Hudson. Please, call me Linda." She pulled a metal folding chair beside Tyler, with legs crossed and elbows resting on her knees she smiled. "I have to say my dear, that performance was brilliant! As well as the choreography! You are never a disappointment to watch."
"Thank you, it means a lot coming from you." Which was true. Tyler had always valued the opinion of others, and Linda was one of the forerunners.
"You know you're a favorite of mine." Mrs. Hudson smiled, "So tell me, how are things going with you?"
"Busy, as always. But they are going well."
"And things at the studio? How is Jim treating you? Good, I hope."
Tyler couldn't help but to chuckle at her series of questions. It was something she had grown accustomed to over the eleven years she had known her. "Same. Jim has more or less become more of a manager for me then a boss. I don't often get to dance with the studio anymore as you can see."
Linda sat back in the chair, with cold metal against her back. Her face didn't hold the pep it did just a few moments before, but a blank expression. Tyler took notice, a little weary of the sudden change.
"Sounds like him. Always striving for fame and money."
Again Tyler was offset by the remark. Not knowing quite how to react she stood and walked to the wardrobe where her white strapped hills and clutch purse was held. "I'm not sure how to respond to that." Tyler slipped one of her hills on and began to buckle it.
"Tyler, Jim is the type of man who will use you until you are no longer worth his time."
Yet again Tyler was placed in the instance where she wasn't quite sure how to respond to the sudden negativity that was being shown. She continued with strapping the other hill around her ankle. "Why the sudden hostility towards Jim?" Her voice was not harsh, and the tone remained as it had been.
Linda sighed and stood as well. "I'm sorry Tyler. I don't want the same to happen to you as it did to me."
Curious as to what the loaded sentence held, Tyler straightened her posture and gave Linda her upmost attention.
"I'm just worried about you. The dance world is a harsh and a cruel place. You and I know that. Once you start, it's very hard to walk away from the stage." Linda walked closer to Tyler, "I spend the better part of my life devoted to dancing. It was what I wanted to be, and all I wanted to do. I spent countless hours perfecting and scrutinizing over every little turn, leg position, arm position, head position. Sound familiar?"
Tyler's posture stiffened at her question.
Noticing, Linda smiled. "Sound too familiar doesn't it?" There was no answer, so she continued, "They pushed me beyond my limit and what's worse was…I let them because I enjoyed every moment of it. That is until my body would no longer hold up to the never ending demand of performances." She paused again taking the moment to look directly at Tyler. "It's not just talent they are after; it's the beauty as well. Maybe even more so." Linda said leaving it at that.
Silence filled the room leaving Tyler feeling a bit awkward to say the least and at loss for words. It was evident that Linda spoke from experience and hurt that she tried to hide within her eyes were apparent.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is when an opportunity comes around—take it, because you might not get the another chance." Her eyes fell to the floor as he fiddled with her hands. "Well now, that is enough of that now isn't it," she chirped. Just as quickly as her cheerfulness left, it returned. "I will let you finish getting dress so you can enjoy the time left you have." As she opened the door she stopped and turned back, "Be sure to try the drinks. The bartenders are very skilled at their job, and not bad looking either." And with that, she closed the door behind her.
Tyler stared at the door. What could be said? Her words of warning were very much true. The dance world was not for the weak of heart, or those who lacked confidence. Many people see only the glamorous side and will never know the darkness that sounds the stage. The constant pressure to be the best, the long nights and the early mornings had consumed many young dancers. Tyler agreed with Linda, and knew at some point in time it would be her turn to walk away from the stage just as many others before her, but that time wasn't tonight. Tyler had looked forward to having some time away from home, just to get away. So tonight was to be a night of fun. She got her clutch purse and headed towards the door. Tonight was going to be all hers.
Casual chitter chatter roared through spacious lounge. Everyone was dressed to impress; the woman wore only the finest dresses and gowns accented by extravagant jewelry while the men wore their most expensive suits. The guests were offered many types of different, delicious delicacies offer to them by the waiters and waitresses who skillfully carried their large trays while weaving in and out of the crowds. Drinks were severed as well at the bar which contained a couple bartenders in order to keep up; a destination that immediately caught Tyler's eye. Words from Linda who advise her to try the drink replayed in her ears. A drink would relax her tense muscles, and if not then no hurt gained.
During her journey through the sea of people she received friendly smiles, nods and even a few toasts as a gesture to show approval of her performance. Tyler said nothing; instead she returned the smile as a silent thank you.
The bartender was finishing up with another order as Tyler approached.
"Good evening ma'am. What can I get for you tonight?"
"Scotch please. On the rocks." Tyler hoisted herself up onto the swiveling stool, as the bartender set to work on her order. Within a few short seconds her drink was placed before her with a small napkin. "Thank you." She said as she opened her purse.
"It's already paid for ma'am."
"Oh? By who?"
"Let's just say he is a close family friend." A voice spoke.
Tyler quickly turned her chair to meet the face of a neatly shaved man, with short dark hair and blue eyes. "Jax?" she questioned only to reassure herself she wasn't hallucinating.
"The one and only." He said while giving Tyler a tight hug.
"I'm rather surprised to see you here. I thought you were still in Hawaii." She kept her gaze on him as he took the set next to her and ordered himself a drink.
"I was. The director of this event is a good friend of mine." Jax nodded his thanks to the bartender when his drink was placed in front of him, then quickly emptied his glass. "He called to let me know that if I was in town that I could drop by, and to inform me about the entertainment. When he told me you were going to perform, I caught the next flight."
"I'm glad you could make it. It has been a long time hasn't it?"
"Indeed it has. To long." Tyler smiled. Jax on the other hand didn't. His fingers drummed across the edge of the bar as he took a deep breath. "I want to apologize to you…in person, for not attending the funeral. I had some personal issues with my investments that needed to be looked into. I know that that is not a good enough- -…"
"No need to apologize. I understand, and I know my father would of too. If anyone understands being a workaholic he would." A pleasant smile appeared across her lips.
"You know he was always proud of you, and if he could have been here tonight he would have been glowing with pride."
Jax laid a comforting hand on Tyler's back. "I know." She said in a whisper. "So tell me about Hawaii. Is it really a paradise as I have heard?"
Tony mingled in the crowd, speaking shortly to those who greeted him and flashing his infamous grin at the ladies. After all, it would be considered rude to ignore a woman…right? Events such as this to him could be closely compared to shopping for a woman; just as a woman has many different types of clothes to choose from, Tony had just as many if not more different types of woman to choose from. And tonight was no different, though instead of choosing he already had one in mind.
"Well if it isn't the luckiest bastard I know." An older gentleman approached Tony followed by two others, halting Tony in his search. "How the hell you been." He said, clapping Tony hard on the back.
"I can assure you I have been better." Tony adjusted his jacket. He didn't have time to listen to them brag about their latest money scheme, or about the most recent blonde they paid to have in their bed. If truth be known, he already won the bragging contest without saying a word. But none of that matter right now. He was on a quest to find the temptress known as Tyler. She had sparked his interest; an interest that needed to be satisfied. Watching the way her body moved on stage only prompted his mind to wander to a more intimate scenario; very little clothing if any, in his bedroom preforming a private dance for him. The possibilities were endless, but first he had to find her.
Tony stood with the group of men as they rambled on. He took the opportunity to look over the crowd. She was still here; she just had to be found among this enormous crowd. A needle in the hay stack type of challenge. A challenge he willing accepted, except he was on borrowed time. At any time she could leave, or worse…be intrigued by another man. There were many beautiful women who could provide him the fix he was craving, but he wanted her. Thankfully though, if she was for some reason unable to be found or seduced he would able to find another, only because he was flexible like that.
The sound of laughter directed his attention to the bar. His eyes quickly fell upon the caramel skinned beauty he had been searching for. Unfortunately his eyes also fell upon the man who was making her laugh. He watched for signs to see if the man was of any intimate value to her and concluded he was not, but that didn't seem to be the case for the man. The man's body language, though maybe not obvious to others, told the story. This could prove a problem for Tony. Now it wasn't a matter of getting her, it was getting her without his knowledge.
Tony grinned at the new challenge. It wasn't the first time there had been an obstacle in his way during a pursuit of a woman, though they were rare, he would win. He always did.
"You still alive boy?"
"Never better." Tony kept Tyler in his sights not bothering to look at the men. Just then a waiter walked by carrying a tray of drinks setting Tony's strategy into motion. "Waiter!" he said while snapping his fingers.
"Drink sir?"
"Never could turn down a good drink," he said taking a glass from the tray, "I need paper."
"Paper sir? I'm sorry but I don't have any? All I have is a napkin."
"That works." Tony finished his drink and placed it back onto the tray. "Now I need a pen."
The waiter tilted his head at Tony and the odd requests. "A pen? Again, I'm sorry. I don't have a pen."
"Of course not." Tony looked to the men who surrounded him. "I need this." He said pulling a pen from one of the men's front pocket.
"Now turn around." He said to the waiter.
"Sir? Why do I need to turn around…"
Tony turned the waiter by his shoulders so his back could act as a table. "You shouldn't ask so many questions. It's really annoying. One way or the other he was going to get her attention. Even if it was sent via napkin.