Taming Cinderella

Chapter 10 : Dance with me

Ella:

“I will never be vulnerable again” I promise my 25-year old self as I wipe off any remaining tears.

As I head home, it starts drizzling all of a sudden. Weather in New York could be so unpredictable at times.

I run onto the main street to get a cab as it starts pouring heavily. With no luck in hailing a cab, I quickly seek refuge under the roof of Four Seasons. Every time I pass that hotel, I am reminded of Mary’s acidic jibes that my husband would be washing dishes here.

A huge number of expensive cars seemed to be approaching the entrance constantly. As I looked closely, celebrities and wealthy people were alighting from their SUVs. Looks like there was a major event being hosted tonight.

“Excuse me Ma’am, are you here for the Masquerade Party?”” I swung around to see a burly bouncer looking at me.

“Ahmmm Sorry what?” I replied confused for a moment.

He leaned in politely repeating, “Are you here for the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Bash?”

I paused for a while before being consumed by an adventurous streak, “ Oh yes, indeed, I am” I sweetly replied.

I had never partied solo, hell I had never even had dinner by myself or watched a movie on my own. This was going to be my first ever and for once in my life, I wasn’t so scared of going alone.

He stamps the initials of the hotel on my wrist and directs me to head straight to the roof-top. After heading out of the elevator I head straight towards the ladies’ washroom to have a quick look at myself.

My eyes were all swollen and black from the smudged eye-makeup. Damn it! It’s a good thing I carry q-tips and make-up remover. Off comes all the smudged bits. A brief touch up here and there and Voila, I looked like a snack again! ;)

“Would you like a mask?” A pretty hostess stood at the entrance counter with a wide array of colourful veils and disguises.

“These are so pretty, I don’t know” I replied mesmerized by the collection.

“Here, this red and gold lace Venetian one will go beautifully with your outfit” She turned me around and gently tied it across my face. I looked at myself in the huge antique mirror and could barely recognize the person looking back at me. “Exquisite!” the hostess exclaimed.

I thanked her and entered the colourful Halloween inspired venue, enraptured by the A list revellers. OMG!!! There were the ramp queens and BFFs Kate Blanc and Cara Delvin dressed in identical oversized jackets flaunting their never ending legs for the paparazzi . I walked quickly past them for the fear of being flashed and labelled as a stalker. 

As I walked around, I saw this swanky premier rooftop bar boasting of a backlit marble counter with professionals dishing signature cocktails. I walk with long confident strides and perch myself on a barstool.

“Hit me with your most lethal cocktail, will you?” I wink at the bartender handing my card over.

“There you go, the first drink is on the house,  sip it cautiously though” he winks back at me.

I wasn’t in the mood to heed anybody’s advice especially tonight. The view from the rooftop looked mesmerizing. 

As I sip on my dirty cocktail, the DJ starts spinning classic coldplayy hits. The moment I hear “skyy full of stars” I gulp down the rest of my drink and run towards the dance-floor. Tonight was all about forgetting my worries and loving myself a little more! :)

I looked up at the sky and I could see stars shining along the New York skyline which was quite a rarity in cosmopolitan cities. The rhythm started making me sway, moving my legs and hips from side to side. I should have been upset about what happened earlier but I was done.

I close my eyes experiencing freedom like never before. Like a free bird, I raise my hands up in the hair and sing, I don't care, go on and tear me apart. I did not care who was around me or who was noticing me. Men around were glancing at me over their girlfriend’s shoulders. My hands played around with my now messy updo. I was loving this carefree version of me, enjoying a night all by myself.

As the song ended, I went to the bar to get another drink, Hell they had to keep coming!

“One espresso martini, please you cute looking thing!” I slurred handing him her credit card.

The bartender smiles, swipes the card and it beeps, He swipes it again without any success.

“I am sorry Ma’am your card isn't working.” he politely replied

“And why do I expect things to be going my way?'' I mutter under my breath as I reach out for my purse. 

“Here you go, Sam”, a man with this back facing me, casually drawls as he hands over his platinum card without even looking at me. Who did he think he was?

“Thanks but you didn't have to, How do I pay you back?” I replied half drunk but with full self respect. 

“How about a dance?” He swirled around the bar-stool looking at me nonchalantly through his mask. Although it was difficult to see his face, I noticed his chiseled jaw twitching as his thin lips broke into a lopsided grin.

“Excuse me,” I said, shocked at his audacity as he tilted his head checking me out shamelessly.

“Well you wanted to pay me back, didn't you?”  he smirks, amused by the look on my face as he acknowledged that he liked what he saw.

“I don't think you'd be able to keep up with me.” I replied openly challenging him. Having learnt and practised quick steps, jive, waltz and cha-cha since I was 19, there was a time when I just wanted to be the famous popstar Ciara Cyrus; I could kill to even be a fly on her wall.

“Well, we shall see,'' he says as he leads me on the dance floor. This guy was almost six feet tall and walked lithely with such confidence, it was difficult to ignore him. The ladies around me  couldn’t as well. Looking at his backside closely, I was sure he broke into a sweat in the gym everyday. His toned physique fit perfectly into his tailored Armani as he turned around to face me.

He tugs at my hand, the sudden jerk forcing me to collide into him with both my forearms on his firm chest. He had a remarkable citrus fragrance with hints of cocoa and patchouli. Oh wow! I arched one of my brows pleasantly surprised. He gently grabs my waist and holds out his left hand indicating I place my right hand into his. I take a deep breath coming closer as our hands instinctively lock with each other. 

I did mind the arrogance though, who did he think he was? I step on one of his toes deliberately and exclaim, “Oh, I am so sorry I can be clumsy sometimes!”

“No worries princess, I anyways like to exercise control,” he says as he pulls me closer tauntingly until there is barely any space between us.