The beep of Anna's alarm brought her back to the world of the living. She blinked a few times before realizing where she was. She rolled over and switched off the annoying ring of her daily alarm. She rubbed her eyes and wiped away the last traces of sleep. With a lot of effort, she swung her legs from the bed and got up. She grabbed her phone to check the time. 5:16. Time for work. She got dressed slowly, tucking her white shirt meticulously into her black pencil skirt. Barefoot she went to her kitchen and made one slice of toast. With the bread in her mouth, she went back to her room and put on her shoes.
She combed her brown hair and tied it into a sleek ponytail before applying her make-up. Traffic was hectic so she got all her things together and grabbed her car keys. She was at work one hour later at 7 sharp. Lucy was ready with her coffee and some paperwork. They were almost ready to send this month's issue out to the printers. There were just a few tweaks to be done. She still had to get that quote from Mr Stark at the Fundraiser tonight. The week had flown by and the day had arrived. Her boss had already flown out to Texas for the wedding the day before. Now she didn't have an intimidating boss lurking behind her all day.
She could work in peace and it calmed her nerves for tonight. One other person from the magazine would be there tonight and she didn't know the woman at all. They did not work in the same department and rarely saw each other in the corridor. She would know no one at the event and that made her slightly edgy.
The day was a dragging one where it seemed that it would never end. She was allowed to leave earlier than usual because of the event. She took a long bath when she got home. She felt instantly revitalized and slightly more confident. Then she was reminded of the dress in her cupboard. She had gone shopping alone and on a whim bought a very daring and revealing number which she usually would not go for.
She zipped the white bag open and slipped into her dark green dress. It was open-backed and very flowing. It was synched in at the waist by a wide, black band. With black heels and black eyeliner she completed her outfit with a matching clutch. The company car was waiting outside for her. She got into the back seat and greeted the driver in a friendly manner. They picked up Miranda, the other woman, and the car ride continued in an awkward silence. Miranda was dressed in a tight fitting purple dress which was covered in the front with sequence. It was quite something but not in a good way.
As they arrived in front of the huge mansion, one could see bright flashing lights coming from the house with the voices of many people chattering. Someone opened the door for them and Miranda got out first and she scooted to the door and got out after her. On her own she walked towards the house. As she entered, she was amazed by the interior and the view of the ocean was incredible. Immediately she was offered a flute of champagne. She gladly took the glass and gulped it down in one shot. She was ready to talk with her body.
Anna went to stand on her own when an elderly man came up to her and introduced her to others. She mingled and drank and talked. Time was nothing. The words just bubbled out of her mouth and her glass was always replaced by another. She had lost count to how many she had had this evening. The talk with the infamous host was out of her mind completely and she was just having a good time.
It started to get quite stuffy inside so she found a door and went outside. She took a deep breath. A cool breeze felt good on her flushed skin. That's when she heard footsteps behind her.
"Now what is a beautiful woman like you doing outside all by yourself?" asked the voice behind her.
"Getting some fresh air. Do you maybe have a cigarette?" she asked the man. She turned around to face him. He was extremely good-looking. He wore a black suit with a white shirt underneath. The first two buttons were undone and she wished that she could undo the rest. His hair was a pointing in all directions and he gave her a cocky smirk. He offered her from a packet he kept in his jacket pocket. She didn't usually smoke but tonight she was letting her hair loose literally.
Her lit her cigarette with what seemed like a very expensive lighter and lit one for him as well. He looked at her, his eyes travelling all over her body.
"Like what you see?" said the alcohol in her system.
"Very much but that dress would look much nicer on my bedroom floor." He replied with a wink.
"Well, Mr whoever you are, why don't we find out?" she replied cheekily. She threw her cigarette stub on the floor and crushed it with her shoe. He did the same and offered her his arm.
"By the way, I never got your name." he said to her.
"I'm Anna and what about you Mr Mysterious?" she replied, looking at him.
"All in good time Ms Anna." He said, leading her up the stairs and away from the party below…