Padmé came as last.
"I am sorry but the traffic is, uh, typical New York. Even in Boston and Washington, D.C., the situation is better. If you no longer live here, then..."
"Tell me, what exactly happened with Pat? Cody said…" Came from Dormé without warning.
"Pat? What about Pat?
"Well Sabé, you obviously didn't sleep with Rex, otherwise you would definitely know. Dorme spent the night with Cody, therefore Satine is also aware of this. After dinner, the men went to the Broadway Lounge, where they ran across Pat, who was ready to attack Anakin again when she was stopped and chased away."
"Why on earth would I have slept with Rex, I can't believe it."
"Because it feels good to be with someone you like..."
"I could imagine that that would feel good, Dormé, but I don't have the experience you had."
"You've known Rex for a while, he's nice boy, so maybe having sex with him feels great. You're as good as free, girlfriend."
"Should I ask him about it? You are crazy."
"He is bound to approach you based on the way he is looking at you."
"Are you hungry for food or just for sex?"
"I bet you've already had sex today, Padmé."
"Twice, Dormé." And winked.
"So, you're ahead of all of us."
Up until 3:30 pm, they laughed together, and when they split up, Padmé took a taxi to go to her parents' office on W 57 St.
The parents were overjoyed, Padmé was presentable again. Her former colleagues and coworkers had not seen her in a while. Some others worried if she would return because they knew why she left the firm and under what conditions. By announcing her engagement and letting everyone know that she lives in Boston and would stay there, she hoped to put an end to this rumor as soon as possible.
"And who's the lucky one?" Everyone was interested, but only one former colleague had the guts to ask.
"His name is Anakin Skywalker, and he is currently working on his dissertation after getting his master's from MIT."
"Isn't that your ex-boyfriend? I think so...my sister Irene told me about him, they were out for dinner...with his mother. She said he's a very shy young man and that she believed he had no interest in women."
"He's only interested in one woman...and he's not shy at all...and that's a good thing."
Padmé thought she was going to ask him about it and why he was thought to be gay. But since it wasn't a date, it wasn't really important. Padmé realized that he was still envious of his dates, even of his dates when they weren't together anymore...like she didn't have one, but that was different...just professionally.
After that, she went to Sola with her mother and then to Wona Bridal together. There she had already ordered a couple of wedding gowns online to try on. There were five in total. Dormé and Sabé, who were meant to be her bridesmaids needed clothing as well, were already waiting in the store. Everyone agreed that Padmé should go with the one gown made entirely of lace and nearly transparent. It had a high neck, long sleeves, and a mermaid-style train. Moreover, a simple veil that is the same length as the gown' train. She chose a cape of medium length because it was winter. Nothing needed to be adjusted, everything fit. The Alia model from Jimmy Choo should be the shoes. Dresses and shoes in Padmé's favorite shade of light blue were chosen for Dormé and Sabé. Pooja and Ryoo's clothing will be selected by Sola. Once everything was neatly packed, they proceeded to the cash.
"Now it's your time, Mom."
"Naturally, sweetie."
This was common practice.
Sola would take her home once she said bye to her friends. The concierge assisted with carrying the things upstairs, when Mom comes to Boston, she will bring them all.
Sola was waiting in the car.
"I'll take you home right away. Tell me, little sister, how your Michelangelo's David is doing right now—is it the same as it was before, better, or even better than better, huh?
"Sola!"
With a smirk, she said, "Come on, give your sister something."
"It's different and at the same time known, intimate, but more mature and deeper in emotion...Shit Sola, are you satisfied now?"
"You give so little..."
"Want the description of how we do it?" she laughed.
"Damn Padmé, I'm happy to see you smiling again. You can find happiness only with Anakin . You've been moving like a zombie for a while, but suddenly you're alive again. I've always known that he loves you, Padmé, endlessly."
"Yeah, he keeps saying that, but nothing is separating us this time. Yes, this Corona still frightens me, but we can't let it stop our lives because I want him forever, a family, and a baby now, his baby."
Because girls attend school, they talked about the upcoming wedding, when the family is coming, how long they will all be staying, and other things. Ahead of the house, they kissed goodbye.
At home she wanted to keep things in order, oh god, Anakin didn't, or not anymore since they were together, typical men.
Anakin was prepared to leave and had clothed. His stylish ensemble included a dark gray suit, a white shirt, an orange Hermes tie, and black Oxford shoes. It complemented his black wool coat perfectly. He once again put the Borsalino on per Padmé's suggestion.
"You're not really missing, are you?"
"If you wish, I can drop off the Borsalino." She like it when he winked and teased her.
"I think people would grab you if you were naked,"
"Then especially."
She approached him, cupped his face in her hands, and gave him a kiss.
"Go right away so I don't give in to temptation."
Anakin grinned and left. He knew exactly how he affected her, how he affected any woman, he had charm and sex appeal, he was aware of his beauty, but he only wanted to be seen as a man by one woman. Padme.
Per Se is an expensive restaurant and you can eat very well there, exquisite. The audience was accordingly, the top ten thousand, as they call it. Anakin, Rex and Cody were part of it and it showed. All the female eyes in the restaurant, whether accompanied or not, swept the trio. The active football players, the stars of the Miami Dolphins, were instantly recognizable, but Anakin was the real eye-catcher, a rare example of perfect manhood.
They'd eaten well, chatted about football, the playoffs and the upcoming Superball and all sorts of football stuff.
It was 9:30pm by the time they finished their fifth course and Rex whined, "I'll pay the tab but fuck Skywalker, I could eat a bit more. Hopefully Ascent has something and you'll pay for it."
"No problem Rex, you wanted fine dining and you know, the finer the restaurant, the smaller the portions."
Rex paid, tipped handsomely and they walked on...few steps to Ascent Lounge. Many guests in the Ascent, but not all seats are occupied. The atmosphere was wrapped in dim light and a mixture of smells from cocktails and the finest perfumes of women and men. The three made their way over to the row of chairs next to the windows and sat down in the white seats.
"Would you like something else to drink… I mean there are other good drinks besides Whiskey on the Rocks. It's getting boring."
"What does it say Skywalker, never change a winning team."
"You believe that drinking whiskey on the rocks will shake you the quickest?"
"Makes me forget the quickest."
"Forget? What to forget?
"That I'm still single."
"Damn Rex, you can have any."
"That's it; none of them are wanted. Nothing except stupid girls who all want my money, or to pose with me, or both.
Silence.
The breathtaking view of lively Manhattan below them, was not in the least bit concealed by the glass front. Columbus Circle was displayed in all its nocturnal splendor, glistening with traffic lights, street lamps, and neighboring skylines. The most stunning and significant location from which all distances to and from New York are calculated is Columbus Circle. The monument, which stands 65 feet tall and features a figure of Christopher Columbus on top of it, was built in 1892 as part of celebrations for the 400th anniversary of America's discovery. The square's improvements and reconfiguration were finished in 2005.
"Do you remember the renovations made when the square nearby was redone. What a mess, but now, which drink shall we choose? A Columbus?"
"No, better have a Manhattan and bring me something to eat."
After a short while, they got drinks and a generous portion of finger food in addition to Anakin's departure. " Just eat, Rex, I'm full and don't need 10,000 calories a day anymore."
"Really not? Isn't Padmé challenging you that much?"
"Asshole."
"Tell me honestly, Skywalker, how things are today compared to way they used to be."
"Better, Cody….like never in my life. It used to be beautiful, but also hormone-driven, now it's passionate and yet deeply emotional... and I don't know why I'm telling you this..." he shook his head and laughed at himself.
"Because we're friends?"
"Yes my friend, what about Dorme now, like before or better?"
"Different ... and it could be something."
"And why don't I know about it, brother?"
"Now you know it...and I'll be spending a few days with her in Washington, D.C. , just to know it too."
Anakin found the brothers' interactions amusing.
"How can you leave me alone?"
"I can. We are twins but not Siamese twins. Mom and Dad are at home, they will give you bottles and change diapers, you can do without me."
"I've missed that all along..." Anakin laughed out loud..."...why don't you let Sabé take care of the feeding and diapering? After all, she's not a stranger. Did you used to with her...?"
"I wasn't as active as my brothers, so no, I didn't."
"Why don't you ask her out, what can happen?"
"That she rejects me...?"
"Has a woman ever rejected you?"
"Yes, Anakin, but definitely not you. You have no idea how it is."
"You're a big boy...uh, do you want me to sound out?" Padmé probably knows a little more than I do."
"Do that...oh shit..." Cody looked at Bar with an almost fearful expression on his face.
"What's shit?" Anakin looked in the same direction.
"Really shit. I do not believe it."
The three friends observed Pat, an old classmate, approaching them at that very time.
"So see you again... and where is your married friend? No permission to go out?"
"Tell me Pat, did you put a tracking device in my coat pocket?"
"If so, how? But no, Anakin, I frequently visit."
"On the hunt? Most women here are. Haven't found anything suitable yet?" Cody couldn't help but utter those complimentary comments.
"Anakin is here." Pat gave him a sexy smile.
"I'm not here, not for you, and are you actually slow on the uptake, or are you just bold? Nothing has ever been with us and nothing will ever be. Just get out of my way."
"Why are you so irritated, Anakin? I just wanted to chat with my ex-classmates, you guys are sitting here so alone unaccompanied, it assumes you are still available …..handsome rich men."
"Mostly rich, isn't it. That's what you're interested in." Cody was starting to get pissed off.
"I have something to offer, too."
"Not enough."
"Good...then I wish you good time."
"When you're not here, we'll have..."
"I heard that, Cody, not fair."
"Fair or not, as long as you're gone."
She was gone, so it's likely that she missed that. It didn't dampen the spirits of the three friends. A second round of Manhattan cocktail was delivered by Anakin, and they sat and discussed the world.
At midnight the lounge closed, Anakin paid the bill, they went downstairs, flagged down a taxi and said goodbye in three different directions.
New York is just as lively at midnight as it is during the day. Only the sky is dark, but the lights don't fade.
Anakin thought the men's evenings out as he sat in the taxi. Spending time with them and seeing them all again, was really pleasant. In the last seven years, he could have always attended such men's nights, either with NFL teammates or other MIT students, but he had no interest and no enjoyment of life. It was different now. His friends were back, Padmé was with him, and his life was once again fulfilling. Even if she wasn't always present, going out and partying was still fun.
. .
Best regards from Germany