Rejected By One Man and Loved By Three

I can't believe I allowed my co-worker and friend to convince me to stand in a line outside in the cold. I glanced at my watch; it was about 15 minutes waiting to enter the Nightclub. I was surprised that people would do this every weekend to get into a lounge. But a line had formed around the block! So now I was curious about all the hype and what went on in this nightclub that excited so many people. Even the elite and wealthy were pulling up in their expensive cars and exiting their vehicles with these gold VIP tickets in their hands. "See Charlize! I told you this is the place to be! Girl, watch. You are going to find a man tonight! And not some scrub like your last boyfriend! But a man who can roll out the red carpet for you." I just laughed at my co-worker and friend. She had been begging me for months to come and check out this new hot spot in the city. I wasn't the party type or one who went out to clubs. But I thought, why not? A little fun might be just what I need to get back into the dating scene, especially since I have been flying solo for so long. "Girl, I'm so glad you came tonight. You can't let one man stop your show!" The one guy that my friend is speaking of is the man I dated some years ago. I guess she was right, I hadn't dated anyone since him, but I thought he was the one. I had been warned about him. But admittedly, I didn't listen back then. I was so excited about being away from home and on my own. When I met Mark, it was during my first year in college. Immediately I was impressed because he was a few years older than me, a man in his early twenties. The idea of dating someone in their twenties sounded exciting and fun. Not to mention he was known all over campus. When we conversed about his future goals, I admired his ambition. But, with rose-colored glasses on, I didn't see him like others. I thought it was cool he was so popular. But most saw him as an attention seeker who would do anything for money and notoriety. When they met him, my few friends and mother noticed he was about image and a flirt. They would say he wasn't the guy I should be dating. But I was only eighteen and easily impressed, and Mark was the only guy to give a shy girl like me any attention. I found him charming and super charismatic to be around. He was the opposite of me. When he asked me out, I was so excited! We went out on a few dates, and I was falling so fast for him. For sure, I thought he was the one. But then, things began to change so swiftly. He slowly but surely stops coming around. Mark didn't ask me out on any more dates. And when I tried to call him, I found out his number had been changed. I would look for him on campus, but he could not be found. That's when I realized he was ghosting me. I was so hurt. "Come on, Charlize. The line is moving. I think the doors have finally opened!" My friend said excitedly, grabbing my hand. The atmosphere was powerful! The minute I walked through the doors, my senses heightened. Instantly I thought of only one person who had envisioned a place like this. The music vibrated through my body as the lights were synchronized with the beat. I scanned my eyes around, looking at the males and females alike. The men's server was dressed in tight mesh short-sleeve shirts, skinny-leg black jeans, and combat boots. The lady servers wore little black shorts, ankle-high heel booties, and a silver glittery halter top. "So, this is the Nightclub called "Spectacular!" My friend says. Looking around, I thought the name fitted the scene of the place. It had wall-to-wall windows that gave this amazing panoramic view of the city! And if you were somebody, then this was the place to be! They had rich and famous people crawling all over the place. They made it one of the most popular party night spots. It played music that drew in the locals and elite tourists who love the hip-hop environment. It was quickly becoming known by those who wanted to enjoy the flavor and sound of pop, hip-hop, K-pop, and R&B music. The mixture of international music blasted loud enough to make you want to dance all night. Whirling strobe lights flashed overhead on the two-floor levels of the club, with cool neon colors glowing in a semi-dark room. So, when we entered, the host gave me a golden ticket and told me to write my name on it and drop it in the golden bowl. She said I would win an exclusive date with the owner if selected. I thought, why not? I never win anything, and I won't get to win a date with anyone. So, I dropped my name into the golden bowl, then my girlfriend and I found a table and ordered some drinks. The owner looks out the window from the second floor of his office and makes eye contact with his boys, nodding at each of them. He went downstairs over to the bar where they all gathered. He knew he had to bring back one of the most significant events that made Spectacular so famous in the early days would work! "Are you all ready to get paid?!" he said enthusiastically to his boys, who were gathered around him, as he looked out at the crowd as they continued to fill the club. They all responded, but not to his satisfaction. So, he repeated. "I said! Are you "Kings" ready to get PAID?!" All everyone could hear was the thunder of male voices barking and cheering throughout the club. Like a proud peacock, the owner got up and walked away, leaving the bar as he finished his chocolate martini. His eyes roamed around Club "Spectacular," which he named and owned, basking in the crowds that poured into his establishment. Drinks flowed freely, and girls were plentiful and scantily clad, gyrating against men on top of the tables and polls throughout the place. This is because so many video vixens regularly frequent the Nightclub. These girls are willing to sell their souls, hoping to be recognized by some famous entertainer who selected girls from Club "Spectacular" for a part in one of their music videos. It was time; the owner noticed his boys kept giving him the eye, so he gave them a quizzical look; they all knew this wasn't a regular night at Club "Spectacular!" They were up to something, and whatever it was, he figured he had better get to the real purpose of this party. Little did Charlize know she had come on a special night. Tonight's big event would warrant some special lady all her fantasies at this grand party if selected a great opportunity," it was the highlight called the "pot of gold" or the golden bowl. This is when the sizeable golden bowl makes its grand entrance in the center of the room with a spotlight shining for everyone to see. The "Pot of Gold" represented a young lady spending one glorious Fantasy evening with the handsome, charismatic owner and winning various prizes! She would be treated like a queen by the CEO of this fine elite establishment. The owner devised this idea to keep his investors happy and paid. The contest was used to generate business for the club. They would give away prizes, a weekend trip to this exclusive island. In the early days of the Nightclub's opening, this event occurred monthly at "Spectacular!" It would be filled with girls who readily put their names in the "pot of gold," If their names were selected from the golden bowl, they might be allowed to be in one of the music videos. Over time, this ignited the growth and publicity of Club Spectacular Fantasy," and everyone looked forward to the "Pot of Gold" event in earlier years. But once the Nightclub became popular, the owner discontinued this event. Of course, the investors frowned upon its owner for making this decision without approval. But with the constant expansion of the Nightclub, the owners' expenses were mounting. It was time now to use the "Pot of Gold" to keep business booming, So the owner thought tonight was the perfect night for the "Pot of Gold" to make its grand entrance again! And tonight was the night Charlize had attended the club "Spectacular!" The DJ turned the music down, asking the crowd. "Are you all having a good time?" The groups applauded and made sounds of cheers. "Now that I have everyone's attention." DJ Smiles. He sees a half-dressed female who catches his attention; he says in his cool, sultry voice, "Alright, little sexy Shawty over there on the table. Can you stop dancing just for a second, baby?" The young lady blew him a kiss as she stopped dancing. "Thank you, baby; now, can everybody please face this way." Then, the dancing came to a complete stop, and everyone faccalmJ Smiles. "Could everyone please step back and form a large circle?" Once, he got everyone to step back. He says in an excited tone, "Ladies and Gents! It's that time to highlight the "Pot of Gold!!!" The crowd broke out in thunderous screams. DJ Smile waited for everyone to calm down. Then this tall, attractive, well-dressed man walked to the center of the room, putting his hand in the golden bowl. And he pulls out a golden ticket and announces the name on the microphone. "Charlize Johnson!" Mark Meadows, the owner, eyes expanded. He recognized the girl's name immediately. And when I heard my name being called, I gasped! I was confused for two reasons: I never win anything at events! So, to hear my name being called, surely it was a mistake. Second, when I saw it was Mark standing in the spotlight. I couldn't believe my eyes! He was the man who vanished from my life years ago!