Love In Thorns

As the last echoes of the clattering dishes and fading laughter filled the restaurant, Emily wiped down the last table. The ticking clock on the wall seemed to be making attempts at outpacing her heartbeat but all to no avail; she was anxious and rightfully so, as she was fully aware that this was the opportunity of a lifetime—a chance for her to be in the same room with men and women powerful and influential enough to take her art career to the heights she had always dreamed. “Goodnight, everyone!” she waved as she dashed out the restaurant door and walked hurriedly down the road while blocking the glare from the streetlights. She successfully hailed a cab and boarded it. She was on her way home, where she was about to perform the transformation of the century: from waitress to soirée enchantress. Behind the closed doors of her modest apartment, Emily shed the practicalities of her waitress attire and adorned herself with the beauty of a goddess. As the clattering of choice jewelry filled the room, so did the alluring scent of her perfume. With her long blonde hair cascading over shoulders, and her beautiful dress accentuating her slender and curvy figure, she took one last glance at herself in the mirror and headed out. ~ “Your name again?” The bodyguard who stood at the door asked. “Emily Parker,” Emily said now apprehensively for the second time. “I'm sorry, ma’am, but you’re clearly not on the list. Please leave the premises,” the bodyguard said, showing little to no empathy. “This can’t be right,” Emily said stammering as the words seemed heavy upon leaving her mouth. “I have my invite right here.” She pulled out the invitation card she instinctively took along with her and handed it to the unfazed and emotionless bodyguard who shook his head in refusal. Tears began to fill her eyes as she could see her hopes beginning to crumble before her eyes till she felt a warm hand on the right side of her waist which her dress left bare as though it was made just for this purpose. “She’s with me,” the figure with the hand wrapped delicately about her waist said. “Welcome, Mr. Hawthorne,” the bodyguard said as he immediately opened the door and let them in. Emily tried to look at who this mysterious person was, but all she could see was his strong jawline as his eyes were fixed forward. “Just keep your eyes forward,” he said. As much as she wanted to protest, she couldn’t because this man just opened the door standing before her success with only but three words. She would do anything he asked her to. He led her to a corner of the ball that was teeming with all manner of dignitaries and people carrying the scent of old money. She could finally look him in the eye. They stood face to face as he looked at her with a gentle smirk. Emily could barely find her words, “Thank you, sir, I-I-I don’t know what to s-” “What’s your name?” He interrupted, stepping closer to her. “Emily, sir,” she replied still in shock of how she had just been rescued from the claws of certain heart-wrenching disappointment. “Your eyes are blue, let me get your phone number,” he said. She could barely believe her ears. She didn’t know which to be more confused by: the fact that he just complimented her eyes out of the blues or the fact that a properly influential man she does not know just asked for her contact details. “You never gave me your name, Sir,” she said rather unsure whether she was overstepping. He let out a loud laugh that made her thighs quiver. “I thought you’d never ask,” he replied with a charming smile. “The name’s Alexander, Alexander Hawthorne, and you can quit calling me ‘sir.’” His charisma was imposing, as was his figure as he stood rather taller than her. She was conflicted with the feeling of safety and nervousness in his presence, and he had broad shoulders and big arms covered by his expensive tuxedo. “Alright, Alexander,” she pulled out her phone and entered his number as he called it out. “Call me when you’re home,” Alexander said as he took a step back. ”I have business to attend to. Enjoy the rest of the evening, Emily.” He turned around and left her presence. Emily watched him leave as her eyes lingered on his outline and figure. She was still in awe of what had just transpired in the last ten minutes. It was like a fever dream. She let out a sigh, relieving herself of all the tension that had built up within her in those moments and continued the gala by herself till she thought it time to make her way back home. ~ "Hi, it’s Emily from the gala last night,” Emily said over the phone as she got out of bed in her nightgown. “I’m sorry I didn’t call last night like you asked, but I figured you needed some time to rest as you seemed rather busy.” “Hey Emily,” Alexander’s morning voice tore through the phone and sent shivers down Emily's spine. "That's alright." Goosebumps crawled over Emily's skin like a plague as a smile slowly found its way to her face. She tried to pull herself together. "I'd like to see you today," Alexander said, breaking the silence caused by Emily's lack of a reply. "This evening by six at my place." "Sure thing," Emily replied quickly without a thought. It was as though he owned her and she was to do whatever he said. "Alright then, I'd send you the address, see you then." "See you then." Emily laid back in bed looking up to the ceiling with thoughts rushing her mind. She didn't know why, but she knew she was excited and eager to see Alexander—a man she barely knew—again. ~ Stepping into the house of the head of the Hawthorne empire, it was like nothing she imagined. She did her research on him—even though it began to look like stalking—and the papers did not fail to mention how wealthy and influential he is. "Welcome, Emily," the now familiar voice of Alexander welcomed her. She looked up ahead, and there he was. "You have a beautiful house," she said. "Not half as beautiful as you," he replied with the same charming smile. She tried to pull herself together but found herself smiling uncontrollably at his flattering compliment. "Thank you, Alexander." "Call me Alex," he said as he approached her with a glass of wine in both hands and handed her one. She collected it gracefully and took a sip. "Tell me about yourself, Emily," Alexander said as he gestured for her to sit on the obviously expensive couch where he also sat. "What do you want to know, Alexander?" she replied as she took another sip. "What makes you smile like that?" he asked. She smiled even wider, almost spilling the wine in her mouth. "There's nothing about me that would excite someone of the likes of you," Emily said, avoiding eye contact while feeling his gaze on her. "And what do you know about me?" "I know you come from wealth and are the head of the well-known Hawthorne empire." "So you see it's unfair that you know more about me than I know of you," he says, staring her in the eye. "I'm an artist who comes from a rather humble background trying to make ends meet as a restaurant waiter," Emily said after summoning enough courage. "Like I said, that would, of course, be of no interest to you." "You're wrong," he said while taking her glass from her and placing it on the tempered glass table that sat before them. "Walk with me," Alexander said as he got up and walked towards the balcony which presented the most magnetic view of the vast amount of estate under his name. "Is all this yours?" Emily asked, trying to reconcile the amount of wealth this implied. She stepped forward to get a better view as if to absorb it all with her eyes. "Yes, Emily," he smiled and put both hands on her waist. Emily felt the familiar hand on her waist again but this time on both sides. She turns around to look at him, bringing them closer physically than they've ever been. "And it could all be yours," Alexander completed. His voice was just as calm and provocative as ever, causing Emily to almost begin to tremble. "Your eyes…they're black," Emily stated with a shaky voice, unsure why she just said the first words that came to her mouth. She was losing all sense of control, and even her words were starting to slip out on their own. Alexander pulled her close to him, causing more intense body contact. Emily could feel her thighs trembling; everything else became insignificant, her eyes were locked on his. He had her in a spell, one she wouldn't free herself from even if she could. "And yours are blue," Alexander replied while he gently strengthened his grip on Emily. There was no escaping this. Emily's body had responded to Alexander's advances as she could feel the moistness between her legs. The air was tense and heavy. Each could feel the other's hearts pounding and speaking the same language. Alexander kissed Emily passionately as though it was something he was waiting to do all his life. Emily let out a moan. Unsure where the rest of the night was headed, but she knew it was unfolding to be one of passion.