Kiss of Death

Three

Esmeralda... 

      Esmeralda and Alexandria laughed as they left the gown shop. "I told you" Esmeralda stated while attempting to catch her breath. Feeling winded she stopped in the middle of the street, completely oblivious to the sea of bodies that attempted to move around them. 

     "Well I just didn't think I would like it so much" Alexandria responded. Esmeralda watched as her face went from happy and carefree to concerned. "We should probably get out of the middle of the sidewalk" she spoke in hast as her eyes darted around the crowd. 

      'I mean my French is rusty, but it doesn't sound that bad" Esmeralda spoke. Alexandria ignored her comment and pulled her close to her as they made their way to the car they had rented for the afternoon. "It's not that" Alexandria whispered into her ear. "A couple of the guys that passed by us, belong in Max's clan" Alex elaborated. Esmeralda simply nodded as they continued to walk. 

       "Should we put on a show. Draw interest so they bring us up next time they see Max" Esmeralda spoke, lightly laughing to herself. However, instead of lighting the mood, Esmeralda seemed to have cast a darker cloud over Alex's head. "Don't be such a worry wort, it's probably just a coincidence" she added in an attempt to derail Alexandria's massive mood swing. 

     "I don't think it is Gabriel" Alexandria spoke causing one of the men she was watching intently to turn his head slightly back towards them as he walked a few yards ahead of them. 

     "Alright then" Esmeralda spoke fully aware of his sudden interest in them. "I think you need to find a place to change so we can make our reservation. Then we can take the car back to my apartment and get ready for tonight's party" Esmeralda spoke in the girliest and clueless tone she could muster. Esmeralda has had many years to practice the art of being something your not. She is somewhat a master at it, but sometimes it just gets annoying. 

     Instantly Esmeralda had flashed of Dominic flying through her mind. The only person who really knew her. The one person on this earth she could be completely real with. As soon as the flashes of him came, they were gone. 

     "Are you okay?" Alexandria asked. "It dinner is going to be too much we can just order some food and stay in" 

      "No, it's fine, just memories. This was our favorite city and I haven't been back since I left. It will be alright. Plus you and I have gotten into this much fun since when we were younger, if you catch my drift, " Esmeralda spoke trying to make light of the current storm brewing inside of her. 

     "I know what you mean. Well, the masquerade with be a welcomed treat. We could seriously get into some trouble. Who knows if Max likes you, he could put you on his client list then we can really party the pain away and wash our memories clear of men and enjoy the moment" Alexandria laughed as she placed a hand on the smack of her back. 

     Alex had found a place to change into her dinner dress as we made our way back to the vehicle. We chose to ignore the members of Max's clan stocking us, but we made sure to keep our eyes peeled and public conversation light. 

      "Can you bring these dress bags back to Gabriel's apartment building and have the doorman place them in her apartment, Fredrick. He handles her apartment when away. Ask the front desk for him" Alexandria spoke as she followed Esmeralda our of their car. 

      "Sure thing miss" replied the driver. Esmeralda notices the daylight being on his left index finger. 

       Alex closed the door behind her as she watched the car drive off. "Is he one of his guys?" Esmeralda asked. 

        "Yeah, just cause the man hasn't pulled me into the inner circle doesn't mean he doesn't like my business" Alexandria muttered as the made there a way to the restaurant. 

      "I see" Esmeralda spoke. 

       "That's what you are here for. I'm sure he's going to love you though. We might be able to get us into the super-exclusive VIP parties that only his trusted circle attend. I hear there even better than the parties he throws" Alexandria gushed as they entered the bar. 

      Esmeralda stopped dead in her tracks. The place was huge. 50fr ceiling which housed a massive chandelier in the center of the room. A bar sat off to the right of the place with an even larger dance floor. A stage stood at the back for lice performance next to a set of doors secured by two burly looking men in a black suit. 

     "Remind me not to piss one of them off" Esmeralda muttered 

      "Than just be your delectable self, because our reservations are for the back room. Wine, Entrees, and a bloody buffet to die for" Alexandria squealed as she looped her arm with Esmeralda's and lead them to the door. 

       "Miss Alexandria we have been expecting you" the first bouncer spoke as he called over a waitress in a cocktail gown. "Enjoy your evening" he states as the three women walked past him. 

       Esmeralda glanced over her shoulder and sure enough, the man watched them walk away. Esmeralda could hear him curse under his breath as the doors closed firmly behind them. "Remind me to give a tall dark and handsome a call later on. I'm sure he could keep me busy for a few days" Esmeralda teased with Alex as they finally made their way to dinner. 

      The woman in the cocktail dress led them to a private booth and placed a menu down before them. "I'm Maria and I will be your server for the evening" she started through a grin. Esmeralda wasn't one to shy away from female partners and Maria was putting on just enough charm that Esmeralda wanted to take her home with her instead of the burly bouncer man. "Would you like something to start?" Maria asked. 

      "I'll have a tall glass of red" Alex stated. "How about you white or red?" Alex asked. 

       Esmeralda let her eyes wander over Maria. "Definitely Red, but can you bring us a bottle and your number if it's available" Esmeralda gushed. 

       "I'll be right back" Maria replied as she headed for the smaller bar which was almost an exact replica of the one in the main room. Alex hugged Esmeralda on the side. 

     "Hey" Esmeralda shouted, startled. "What was that for?" Esmeralda asked. 

      "Stop gushing over Maria" Alex spoke, accentuating the syllables of Maria. "We came here to have fun, and so you could get a sneak peek at Max before tonight" Alex added impatiently. 

      "Alright, but I secretly am hoping when she comes back with the bottle that she totally gives me her number" Esmeralda joked. "Okay on a serious note, where is this Max you have been fishing about?" Esmeralda asked. 

      Alex slides to closer to the edge of the booth and pointed her finger behind Esmeralda towards a booth in the back, visible from almost every point of the restaurant. "Right there" Alex spoke. "Brown hair, green eyes. The one with the scar down his left cheek" Alex replied. 

      Esmeralda followed her finger and noticed the man she was speaking off. "I don't recognize him" Esmeralda replied. The man they had both been staring at lifted his glass and called the waitress over. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear" Esmeralda spoke. 

      Their waitress disappeared behind the bar. Only to appear thirty seconds later from the other side with a tray. "Your drinks" Maria stated as she placed a bottle of res on the table and two glasses. She uncorked the bottle and filled their glasses. "From the gentlemen" Maria added as she placed two shots onto the table. "Enjoy" Maria spoke as she turned to leave. "I almost forgot. My number. I am free this weekend if you aren't too busy" Maria spoke as she wanted and turned to leave. 

      Alex baffled at the scene in front of her. "I know I have the game, but you my dear have better" Alex spoke as she lifted the shot glass. Both turned to face Max and cheers him from afar. "Salute, " Alex states. 

      "Salute" responded Esmeralda as they swigged back the shot. "Let the fun begin" Esmeralda added.