Chapter 2 - A Night To Remember

 

 

            We both reached for a curtain. I felt the gentle velvet between my fingers; cool and yet electric. They parted with ease, eager to invite us inward. We glided into the room, it felt like we were celebrities making our entrance; we entered the bar and dance area.

            The place was very modern but with an old gothic twist - a touch of glass. The elongated bar was to the right of us as we entered the room. It was sleek and black, with a red neon glow along the rim. There were a large variety of bottles covering the back wall of the bar - which was painted deep red with gold coloured flecks.

            There were two levels to the room, on the upper - where we were standing - looked like a seating area. There were wrought iron tables and chairs arranged neatly around the floor, which were decorated with black and red table clothes. A single red rose in a elongated black vase, decorating the centre of each table.

            The lower was the dance floor with is black and silver marble effect floor, and its array of multi-coloured dance lights.. There seemed a stage to the far right, suggesting live music as well as the DJ - who seemed to enjoy playing rock/metal music for the moment. He was mounted high on another level to the left of the dance floor; only a small glow from the laptops and a tiny lamp gave away his position.           

            I wasn't sure how long we were standing there gorping at our surroundings but I had a sudden feeling of eyes staring at us - a chill ran down my spine. I had a feeling Sammi felt that same when she suddenly blurted out,

            "May be we should get a drink before they eat us alive!" I turned to her but she was already gazing at the bar contemplating the drink she would have me buy her.

            "Yeah sure, why not!" I shrugged, my hair falling loosely behind my shoulders. "So what do you want ... something expensive that you've never tried before right." I continued.            Sammi turned to me with a glint of excitement in her eyes - I was right - so I simply smiled at her in acknowledgment.

            "Go on then, I doubt I have a choice in the matter. Let's see what they've got!" I waved her towards the bar. She was there well before me gazing curiously at the cocktail menu. "Cocktails ... I should have guessed!" I thought to myself as Sammi licked her lips anxiously.

            "Which one then?" I asked half-assed, not really bothered what she chose as long as I didn't end up taking out loan to pay for it.

            "Erm ... well, they all look so nice." She said, hypnotized by the list she was holding in her hand. "Hey Rai, look at these names. I've never heard of these before ... and look at the ingredients. A couple of these and we'd be out for the count!" She mused to herself.

            "Sammi ... which one. And when I say one, I mean one!" I explained, tilting my head and tapping my fingers on the bar patiently.

            "Oh Rai live a little. You're only young once!" She laughed. I didn't really share your mentality when it came to drinking the night away. That was where Sammi and I differed. We have nearly everything else in common apart from how we cut loose and enjoyed ourselves.

            "Oooo ..." I suddenly heard, "... this one. It's sounds perfect!" She purred, shoving the menu in my direction with her fingered glued to her selected poison.

            "Vampire's Kiss? Weird sounding cocktail!" I raised one eyebrow and look at the ingredients, "Woah ... now that's some ingredients. Are you sure about this one? I won't be picking you off the floor afterwards will I?" I look at her, peering over the menu to see her expression.

            "God woman you can be so uptight sometimes. Go on, one each - Lets both have one and then we can stick with boring safe drinks after, okay?" She argued. She wasn't going to let this go and I knew it. She really wanted to start things off with a bang and regrettably I was giving in to her.

            "Fine, fine! We'll try your bloody cocktail. But I'm not being held responsible for the consequences ... namely you ending up face down on the floor or in someone's lap!" I pouted, attempted to disguise my grin.

            "Woohoo, we get to have a ... wait ... you cheeky cow. How could you say something like that about your bestest friend in all the world? Remind me to beat you senseless later!" She said through clenched teeth and narrowed eyes, but I knew she was half joking  - only half mind you.

             I placed the menu on the bar and gazed anxiously at the tall, slender barman at the other end to gain his attention. Noticing me look at him, he gracefully walked towards me - though a little slow for my liking.

             "Yes madam. How can I help you?" He asked in an enticing foreign accent. It sounded Swedish or German but I wasn't sure.

             "Erm yes ... two ... err ..." I glanced at the cocktail menu again to re-affirm the name of the drink Sammi wanted us to have. "... two Vampire's Kiss please!" I don't know why I was having so much trouble asking for a drink. It was just the name of a cocktail, what was the big deal. The hairs rose of the back of my neck when he answered,

             "Of course madam." He smiled, though I'm not sure you would call it that. It was an alarming smile, almost as if he expected me to request this drink. Like he had heard the conversation between Sammi and me. But that was not possible ... was it?

             He turned abruptly and began spinning and throwing glasses and bottles about, making our drinks. I always hated that flashiness of bartenders when they did stuff like that - Too much ego for my liking. But Sammi had always loved that sort of thing, she thought a man who could do that with his hands but put to better use, could do amazing things.

              I looked at her now; she was watching the barman intently. Taking in every movement, entranced with each flip and twist of the bottles. She looked mesmerized by the entire event. I sighed and interrupted her captivation,

               "So, what we doing next. The drink is first obviously, but what then? What evil plot lingers in your mind for tonight's plan?" She faced me partially dazed, then as she spoke she began spark to life again,

                "Wait and see my dear, dear Rai. All will become clear!" Sammi seemed all too pleased with herself about tonight, her expression was enough to scared me - almost!

                "Should I be worried?" I asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

                "Hmm, maybe!" There was a glint of evil intent in her eyes and in her smile. "Oh dear, here we go!" I thought to myself.

                Just then the bartender, who was busy creating our concoctions, placed the drinks in front of us. "Here you go ladies, enjoy!" He said, leaning one elbow on the bar, "Anything else I can help you with?" I didn't much like the way he phrased that and before Sammi had a chance to expand on his generous offer, I interjected.     

                 "No that's fine thanks. How much?" I placed my purse on the side and with a side-glance took notice of Sammi. The corners of my mouth edged up into a sort of smile, while I watched her pouting.

                  "That'll be fifteen seventy!" He replied with a wink. I ignored the wink and quickly sifted through the money in my purse. "Trust her to find drinks that cost an arm and a leg." I thought to myself, as took out a twenty-pound note and handed it over to him.

                   "Thank you!" He replied, gently taking the note from my hand, almost caressing mine. "Ew ... What a perv!" I thought, quickly snatching my hand away. I waited patiently for my change, all the while staring in bewilderment at my cocktail.

                    Finally the bartender spun and faced me, change in hand. He placed the money in my hand, with a grin that would make any woman run for the hills. After the exchange, I had a sudden urge to wash my hands. Shrugging it off I grudgingly smiled back, shoved the money and my purse into my bag, grabbed my drink and swiftly moved away.  

                     I wondered over to Sammi, who was leaning onto the wrought iron railing that divided the upper and lower floors. She looked like she was musing over a table of men, slightly to the right of her.

                     "Sammi, behave!" I said, moving close to her ear. She jumped at my approach,

                     "Bish, don't scare me like that!" She shrieked with surprise, as she turned to face me.

                      "Oh keep your pants on ... literally might I add!" I laughed, forgetting I had a drink in my hand and almost spilling it. "Oops." Some of the cocktail spilled over the edge of the cocktail glass and down my hand.

                      "Ha! You should watch what your doing then shouldn't ya." Sammi replied, part joking, part annoyed. She was getting back at me for my little comment, not that I cared. I was too busy wanting to wash my hands before they became all sticky from the drink.

                      "Sammi ... just hold this will ya." I snapped, not meaning to sound as angry as I did. I pushed the drink into her hand and stormed away looking for the rest room.

                       About fifteen minutes later I wandered back to where I had last left Sammi, only to find she was no longer there. "Where the hell has she gone now?" I thought to myself. I scanned the room looking for her, my eyes stopping on a sofaed table in the corner, from the direction I had just come from.

                       "Why is she over there?" I thought before noticing the many gentlemen seated next to her. "Ah, I should have guessed!" I shook my head, I should have known better than to think she would have stood alone for long.

                        I dawdled over towards her, half hoping that she would notice me and leave the table before I arrived. I hated being made to speak to people I didn't know, I never knew what to say. Alas, she stayed where she was, chatting and laughing with the others at the table, oblivious to anything else - that is until I arrived and stood there shadowing over the table.

                     "Hey Rai, took you long enough. Come and join us!" She cheerfully spouted, patting at the soft red leather of the sofa next to her. I wasn't really sure what to do for the best - as I said, I'm not good in these situations.         

                     "I thought ..." I paused as one of the men moved, gesturing me to sit down next to Sammi. I reluctantly accepted, as I sat I leaned towards her ear and continued, "I thought we were staying with ourselves at first and then moving on to your number one interest? This is a little quick don't you think?"

                     "Oh don't be a spoilt sport. I'm just having a little fun and if we get a few drinks out of it ... well, bonus." She smiled and then laughed with the guy sitting opposite her, not that she was actually paying attention to him. She looked like she did it just out of courtesy.

                      I started to get anxious when the men around us starting to ask me questions or to interact in some sort of conversation. "Erm ..." I didn't know what to say when a young, blonde haired, green-eyes man from my left asked me if I cared to dance with him. I think I blushed slightly but unable to speak, I simply shook my head and smiled. He seemed to be flustered by my response but smiled back and was waded behind another man that approached. This one was older, but still handsome with his short silky black hair and amber eyes.His eyes exploding with such amazing energy that I though that they might burst into flames at any moment.

                     "Care for a drink ... I know the perfect one?" He asked, a deep intoxicating voice reverberated from his mouth, down my ear, sliding down my neck and sending a tingling sensation down my spine. I didn't know whether to say yes or melt into his arms. "What's wrong with me?" I thought, trying to slap myself back into focus. "I'm never like this. I'm the levelheaded one. I don't swoon over any Tom, Dick or Harry. Come on snap out of it!" The mental slapping seemed to snap me back to normal, I graciously declined his requested and quickly turned to Sammi, before another guy approached me.

                     "Sammi, I would really like to leave this table now and just have some fun ..." I paused to emphasize my point, "... just the two of us!" She didn't acknowledge me, or turn to look at me. I wasn't sure if she was even paying attention to me. All of a sudden she announced in a loud voice,

                     "Sorry guys, time for me and my friend to have some alone time. Maybe we'll see you all a bit later!" She turned her head towards me and winked, "Right?"

                      After the feeling of anxiety and frustration at being made to sit with complete strangers, and made to think that my own friend was ignoring me; I had a sudden sensation of relief that rose through me and escaped the only way it could - laughter. I simply couldn't help myself.

                      "Huh? You okay? Why are you laughing? Rai?" Sammi turning completely around in her seat and placing both hands on my shoulders. I wiped the tears from my eyes with my left hand,

                       "Yeah, I'm fine..." I chuckled, "...I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I have no idea why..." I started to laugh again. Sammi rose to her feet, smiled politely and taking me by the arm made me rise from my chair and walk towards the rest room. We rushed through the doors, she pushed me next one of to the white modern finished sinks and tutted,

                       "Look at your make-up. You like someone from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show'!" She started to run the cold water and walked over to one of the empty stalls, ripping away some toilet paper.

                        "Lets clean you up and try to make you more presentable." She smiled at me. I was still unable to contain myself completely with short bursts of laughter still escaping from between my lips.

                         "I'm sorry Sammi ..." I laughed, "... I didn't mean to embarrass you like that. I just couldn't control myself." I took several deep breaths to calm myself while Sammi ran some of the toilet paper under the cold water. She rinsed out the excess water and began to wipe my eyes. She sighed cupping my chin in her hand,

                         "Well I've never been able to escape a table of men so quickly and easily before." She shook her head, laughing a little herself whilst continuing to wipe my eyes.

                         "Now, what to do to remedy the situation?" She paused as if pondering what had happened. "I know ..." She raised her finger and waved it in front of my face, "You can buy me another cocktail!" She nodded to herself with a smile.

                         "What? But I didn't even get to drink my first one ..." I bit my lower lip, "... this isn't fair!" I pointed out with a grievous moan.

                         "True ..." She replied, while emptying out the contents of her bag. "... but you just embarrassed me in front of many gorgeous men. I deserve compensation!" She scrambled through the laid out contents of her bag searching for eye make-up. "Aha!" She quietly roared triumphantly.

                          "You can be quite vindictive when you want to be!" I groaned as she applied eye shadow and liner to my newly cleaned eyes.

"Really?" Sammi gave me an evil grin, "I've never noticed!" She began to batter her eyelids innocently again. I spluttered a giggle, trying to keep as still a possible while having she applied make-up to me.

                          "Look how's this," She sighed, "I buy you two drinks and you buy me one more cocktail, deal?" She chewed her lower lip, "There all done!" I peered at myself in the mirror - not as bad as I thought I might look.

                          "Fine, but one of those drinks has to be a cocktail or it's not fair!" I spun my head and looked at her in the eyes again. I tilted my head, battering my eyelids this time. "Come on, how can you resist this face." She splease don't use racial slursed, trying to cover it up with a pretend cough and covering her mouth with her hand.

                          "Fine ... what ever you say. Just no more hysteria moments or it's off to the padded white room for you!" She replied. I shook my head and put my hands to my face as if in fear,

                          "Oh no please, not there. I don't think I could handle ..." I turned away from her, spinning on my heels, I continued, "... your basement bondage room!" I laughed.

                          "Your cheeky ... how do you know about that?" We both laughed together and walked out of the rest room, rosy cheeked. "If anyone was looking closely, they would have got all sorts of wrong ideas." I thought to myself with a silly grin on my face.

                          "So what was that cocktail like?" I asked as we walked casually to the bar.

                          "Oh that ..." Sammi's face lit up and she looked to me with tightened lips, "They're staring at us still ... oh my God. Don't tell me what you did turned them on or something?" She tried to not laugh, but you could see her shoulders shudder slightly from her straining to not laugh loudly.

                         "Oh shut up ... maybe they're just deprived of people like us. They're don't look like they've seen a real woman in a long, long, long time." Raising my to my face to smoother my giggles. Sammi did the same,

                         "Come on lets sort out the drinks and then sort out the men!" She replied, I shook my head with disapproval but nothing more.

                         "So ..." I moaned, nudging Sammi's arm, "... what was the cocktail like?" She smiled and replied,

                          "Very, very nice ... strong, potent and oh so nice." She licked her lips and trailed one finger down her neck.

                          "Fine then I want one of those and a double vodka coke. Done?" I asked, raising one eyebrow. Sammi nodded,

                          "But don't forget you've got to get me one too. I want the same cocktail. Very yummy!" She mused, licking her lips.

                          "Fine. How about you order all of them and I give you the money for your drink. Save asking twice ... okay?" I paused for her answer but she simply nodded. I rummaged through my bag and purse for my money, I handed her the cash, while she attempted to get the attention of the bar staff.

                          "Hmm ... I think we‘re being ignored. I must not have the right look tonight." She huffed, folding her arms in front. "You try!" She prompted,

                          "Okay, sure. If you think it will help." I stood closer to the bar to make eye contact with one of the staff. Nothing. Not even a glimpse. "Strange..." I thought, "... did we do something to upset them or what?" Suddenly a breeze blew passed my face. It surprised me, making me lean back. Then there was a sudden wasp of fragrances -lavender and sandalwood - I drew it into me with deep breaths, enjoying every scented moment.

                          "Can I help you?" A voice came from my left. Deep, smooth and with a strong eastern accent,

                          "Huh?" I paused, catching myself and snapping to, "Oh yes ..." I turned toward the voice. "... can I have ..." My voice trailed off as our eyes met. He was dazzling; tall - about 6 foot - long flowing silver and white hair, pale skin and deep lavender eyes that engulfed me. His momentary gaze seemed to steal the words from my mind and my voice. Such radiant eyes, yet there, almost hidden within them I could see, no feel, a deep sadness and loneliness. I had a sudden urge to embrace him with all my might, but instead Sammi nudged me in the side and coughed - loudly.

                          "Rai, the man asked you a question. Wanna try answering sometime this century!"

                          "Right ... right. Drinks." I took a deep steady breath and veered my focus from his eyes to the bottles behind the bar, just behind his broad shoulders. "Could we have two Vampire's Kiss and a double vodka coke, please." I finally managed.

                          "Of course madam, I will have that sorted for you immediately." He replied in a soft, melodic tone. I felt like swooning, "What is wrong with me. First the guy at the table, now this guy. I need a swift drink and a lot of distractions." I thought, glimpsing up at this immense force, which had captured my senses. He turned and looked at me instantly, our eyes met. "How did he know that I was going to look at him?" The thought froze momentarily in my mind. Our eyes seemed locked in an almost unbreakable gaze. The way he looked at me, it felt like he could look straight through me, down into my very soul.

                           "Rai? Hey Rai, you listening to me?" Sammi's voice broke our gaze,

                           "Huh ... sorry, I zoned out there for a moment ... what were you saying?" I muttered, before taking a deep soothing breath to clear my head.

                          "As I was saying - misses I got my eye on a sexy guy and want to shag his brains out ..." She took a sharp breath and continued, "... he's that mysterious owner person, I got a description from one of those babbling, drooling guys at the table. I say you should juice this bad boy for as many free drinks as possible." A smile gracing once corner of her mouth.

                          "I don't know what you're talking about. So what if he's the owner ... wait, what did you say?" I hit her in the arm playfully, "I do not want to do that ... how dare you. I just," I bit my lower lip and continued, "find him interesting, that‘s all." I replied, playfully.

                          "Oh please. If every man I found interesting captivated me like he‘s done to you, I‘d have slept with every guy in town by now." She folded her arms in front of her, a cocky expression across her face.

                           "So you mean you haven't yet!" I replied sarcastically, with a subdued smile, "News to me".

                           "How dare ... your so ..." Before she could finish her sentence the owner returned, one of the bartenders in tow,

                           "Your drinks ladies." He motioned for the barman to present our drinks, which he did placing them courteously in front of us, "And I feel I must apologise for my staff's ignorance and lack of customer service. It was incompetence to make two such lovely ladies have to wait as long as you did. I will speak with them all after they're shifts. Such things are not acceptable." He finished with a subtle bow of his head.

                            "Oh no ... that's ..." I tried to object but was interrupted by him,

                            "Please..." He smiled, looking deeply him my eyes, "... enjoy these on the house and if you have any other further problems, please ask for myself and I will be happy to deal with any of your concerns." He paused for a brief moment and the continued, "My name is Lucian Von Kreig, but please, just call me Lucian." He bowed slightly again. I felt heat rise in my cheeks why shy embarrassment, but I couldn't remove myself from his gaze, it felt so ... "intoxicating" came to mind.

                            "Well thank you. That's very kind of you Lucian." Sammi purred, musing over his generosity, "We'll keep that in mind." I knew she was smiling wildly at him but all I could really see was him and those radiant lavender eyes.

                            "Yes ... thank you!" I managed, in hoarse, hushed voice. His lips did not move but I could swear I heard him reply, "My pleasure, madam." Then his gaze was gone and so was he.

                            I blinked wildly, as if I was just waking from a dream. I placed one hand to my head and the other against the bar to steady myself. "What was that?" I thought, instantly picking up one of the glasses in front of me, I didn't care which, and taking a drink. "Woah!" I gulped, "Now that is good!" I held up the glass to see what I was drinking. It was the cocktail, deep red and extremely tantalizing.

                            "Told you so. Good stuff huh?" I turned to Sammi and nodded furiously in agreement.

                            "Damn good." I paused for a moment, looking around and then continued, "Weren't you swooning over the owner a moment ago? What happened? No more free drinkies for you?"

                            "Shut up." She pouted, "Seemed to me that he only had eyes for you!"

                            "Oh don't be ridiculous. I mean ... please. Who would find me attractive?" I signalled towards an empty table situated near the steps leading to the dance floor - trying to numb the direction of the conversation. I took hold of my other drink, walked to the table and sat down.

                            "Not attractive, are you insane. If I was a man, even I would want to do you!"

                            "Oh now I feel so much better knowing you would do me, my fantasy has finally become a reality." I placed my hands over my heart and sighed like a love-struck teen.

                            "Oh come on ... I mean look at you. Men are drooling over you all the time!" She boasted, "Not as much as me I grant you but still enough."

                            "Great, now I'm second class meat!" I sighed,

                            "Not what I mean and you know it ..." I shrugged, "... I'm simply trying to say that, although they fawn over you, you never pay them any mind. You've always got your nose in a book or you're glued to your computer screen. You never look at all the men who want to play with you and take hold of your ..."

                             "Excuse me. Did I suddenly become a type of trophy now?" I dejected.

                             "Idiot." Sammi slapped me, playfully, across my arm. "You just don't get it. I don't know why I bloody bother sometimes." She sighed, took a large gulp of her cocktail and began staring out onto the dance floor.

                             "Wait, I know!" She announced, almost making me spill my cocktail all over me from the surprise. "I'll go ask to your wonder man, Lucian. He did say we could go to him with our concerns and this is definitely a concern!"

                             "Don't you even ..." I grabbed her by the arm to stop her from moving from the table. "You can be so evil sometimes." I narrowed my eyes.

                             "Only sometimes?"

                             "Okay you got me, it's all the time ... bish!" I tittered.

                             "nice young lady!" Sammi replied, laughing.

                             I gazed over the dance floor, attempted to focus on the flashing lights illuminating the clusters of sweaty and adrenalin driven individuals, that attempted to dance beneath them.

                             I was sure that the rest of the night would continue the way it had begun, with plenty of fun twists and turns, eventually merging into a montage of blurred images. My thoughts still betraying me as they continued to focus on a certain mysterious owner - "You truly are an idiot!"

 

G.Newey 2008