TO BITE WITH LOVE

ARRIVAL

CHAPTER 2

ARRIVAL

JADE’S POV:

We drove silently in Scarlett’s red Porsche convertible. I felt self-conscious and continually found myself pulling down on the incredibly short black dress I was wearing. Scarlett glanced over at me a handful of times, smiling to herself. I suppose she found amusement in my misery.

“Relax, you look like a million bucks.” She assured me as we pulled around to the valet parking.

“Are we supposed to be getting valet parking? Do we have VIP status or something?” I asked as my friend put her car in park and quickly got out.

“We do. Courtney’s dad is one of the investors, so she automatically got a grouping of VIP passes. Our name is on the list. Don’t worry.” She said, turning towards me, waiting for me to get out of the car as well. The young man working at the valet walked up to us confidently and Scarlett tossed him the keys.

“Take good care of it, this car is my pride and joy.” she smiled as she flipped her hair back and out of her face. The young man chuckled and nodded warmly to her.

“Of course, ma’am” he responded, catching the keys effortlessly despite Scarlett tossing them too far to the left. I exited the car reluctantly, already dreading tonight, and as soon as I shut the door, the young valet got in and pulled away with the sports car. There was no going back now. Scarlet laughed at my expression, leaned towards me and looped her arm through mine.

“OK girl let's go. It’s party time.” I rolled my eyes; however, she simply began pulling me to the line of patrons waiting to get in. The line began at the valet station, went around the entire building to the main entrance, where we could hear the beat of the music already. Confidently Scarlett led me to the head of the line, garnering several resentful and annoyed looks. At the front of the line there were a pair of muscle-bound bouncers and a velvet rope preventing people from entering the club. They scowled as they saw us approach, and I wanted to melt into the sidewalk.

“Name.” The larger of the two snarled at us, gazing over both of us, carefully examining every square inch to ensure that we belonged. Scarlett handed over her license.

“Scarlet O’Connell and Jade Colón. We are VIP guests of Courtney Mathers and the owner, Karl Marks.” Scarlett’s manner was aloof and haughty. She was a socialite, a sorority girl, and played the part well. The second bouncer casually leaned over and leaned over the shoulder of his larger co-worker and glanced at her ID, and then a list he carried in his hand. He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips nudging his co-worker.

“Yeah, look here man, she's on the list. Let her in.” The larger bouncer almost seemed annoyed as he handed Scarlett her ID back and undid the clasp of velvet rope and stood aside, allowing us to enter. He scowled at us, causing me to balk and nearly trip into Scarlett. She returned the scowl coldly and gripped my arm tightly, leading me passed quickly. She then turned her attention to the bouncer that had confirmed we were on the list and smiled sweetly.

“Thank you so much for recognizing we were on the list. We truly appreciated it, and I will make sure to let's Karl know how helpful you were.” The smaller bouncer smiled happily as he watched us enter.

Upon entering, we walked down a dimly lit hallway, and as we entered the main part of the club the neolithic light show began. Strobes lights swirled everywhere, the techno beat pulsated throughout the building, making light conversation nearly impossible. I could feel the base though the soles of my feet, and had it not been for Scarlett, I felt I would have tripped over my own feet trying to acclimatize to the flashing light show. It was awful and I already hated it. I wasn’t sure why I agreed to this.

“Scarlet it's so loud in here I can't even think. This is awful.” I yelled, even though I was leaning against her shoulder, her arm still looped into mine.

“It’s always loudest when you come near the dance floor. Don’t worry, it will be fine when we get upstairs to the VIP level.” She assured me. If it had been up to me, I would have turned around and went back home, however I felt my feet moving against my better judgement up to the elaborate brass staircase. “This place is really badass! I can’t wait to see what else is here.” she added, squeezing my arms as she led me up the stairs.

As we traveled up the stairs, a pair of bouncers scanned us up and down, contemplating if they should allow us to pass. Scarlett simply placed her palm on the one to the left and spoke with a sweet smile.

“Courtney Mathers party, guests of Karl Marks.” She cooed, and both bouncers immediately stepped aside, allowing us to pass. The upstairs was substantially quieter, although the music was still blasting, and strobe lights encircled the room, black lights were strategically hung throughout. We casually walked over to an enormous black contemporary bar lit up with a neon blue under glow. It was very haunting I thought, as were a fair number of the people present. I noticed a good many eyes on me, and a handful of the men standing at the bar were pale and eerie. I shuddered yet continued with Scarlett. The electrifying glow of the backboard cast all a ghostly have over the array of alcoholic bottles, making them appear as though they were on blue fire.

“What can I get ya?” A tall young good looking male bartender asked pushing an escaped strand of chestnut hair from his face.

“Two dirty Grey Goose martini is my sexy bartender. Scarlett smiled brightly. She was in her element, me on the other hand, I already was hot and claustrophobic. I was annoyed that I had even agreed to come, the pulsating lights and pounding beat was making my head hurt. I was looking forward to when I was able get home and curl up with my cat. Just then, I heard a squeal from across the bar and instantly recognized Courtney. She was being followed by her shadow, Chandel, as they trotted over to us like prancing ponies. I rolled my eyes; this was just getting better and better. The two most fake human beings I had the misfortune of knowing.

Scarlett handed me my drink, then reached over and hugged Courtney and Chandel, a huge smile plastered over her face. The two obnoxious blonde Barbie girls along with Scarlett screeched and jumped up-and-down with excitement. Excitement of what, I wasn’t exactly sure to be frank. All three were characteristically plastic Barbie dolls, the two blondes were the worst. All of them top have had some sort of procedure done, from a nose job, breast enhancements, and I think Courtney had even had a BBL. I couldn't even imagine the amount of money they had spent on all that frivolity. I smiled half-heartedly as the two girls leaned over and gave me a much more somber hug than they had Scarlet. While I was welcome, I was the odd ball out. I had caramel skin, dark walnut hair, and large dark doe eyes, and I had not spent one cent on cosmetic surgery. The only reason was welcome was because my father was rich.

“Oh my God girl, did you get your boobs done? They look fabulous.” Courtney smiled brightly. I knew it pained her that I have never had any work done, and I couldn’t help myself but roll my eyes at her.

“No, I haven’t.” I replied flatly. Courtney and Chandel gave me a very disbelieving look.

“Jade, it is perfectly acceptable to admit when you have enhancements done. I meant there’s not a girl in this club tonight that wouldn't kill to have the name of your plastic surgeon. He’s quite a master.” Chandel added with a playful grin. I guess this was a crude way to give me a compliment. I wasn't sure how to respond so I smiled sweetly and just nodded, taking a step closer to Scarlett. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Courtney smirked and wrapped a strand of her satin blonde hair around her pinky finger as she smacked together her obnoxiously puffy lips.

“So my friend Roger is here and there's a whole group of guys over in the VIP section waiting for us. In fact, we will get to hang out with Karl Marks, the owner of the club shortly. When we saw you, we simply just had to race over and get you. We have a booth just over there.” Courtney pointed, and although she was speaking to both of us, I knew she was speaking primarily to Scarlett. “Of course, I will introduce you to Karl as well. He’s totally amazing. My father has invested in this location, it’s one of five he owns nationwide, and this club is rocking! Daddy thinks this will be the crown jewel of clubbing within the next year or so.” Courtney and Chandel took a quick step forward in their obnoxiously high stilettos and drug Scarlett and I forward towards their exclusive table. This was going to be a long night.