Cafe Amara

Chapter Two

Scarlett looked down at the outfit that Hazel laid out for her.

“See?! Much sexier! Put it on!” She grinned widely. The outfit was a very short black velvet v-neck dress that came with over the elbow matching gloves and a mask, of course. A black laced mask.

“And- we can match! I got the same thing in white!” She exclaimed. Scarlett giggled at her friend, feeling slightly ridiculous. She did feel a bit more confident today, possibly due to all of the compliments she got at work. The old lady from the farmers market was a bit eerie but she did know how to make a good perfume. She squeezed on the black velvet dress and slid the gloves over her arms.

“You look fantastic! Lemme go put mine on.” Hazel squealed. Scarlett matched the outfit with long black suede boots and a long black suede trench coat. At least if she had to wear something that showed so much skin she could cover it up a bit for the early fall chill in the evening air.

They both drank a glass of rose wine before they left, drink prices at clubs were always insane in San Francisco. She felt a little lighter, maybe she could let go and have a little bit of fun for the night.

They were stunned when they entered the club, it was better than she could have imagined. Everything looked luxurious and sexy with the red ambient lighting and loud French house music beating in the background. In the middle of the floor was a metal statue of the Eiffel Tower with twinkling lights draped all over it.

“Stunning” Scarlett said in amazement. Hazel was already squealing and dancing her way in making her way to the floor. Scarlett followed her lead and jumped into the sea of moving masked faces and bodies. If there was one thing she knew about her friend, it was that she knew how to have a good time. They fell into the flow of the music and the crowd and let their bodies move with it.

“ I knew you would love it!” Hazel smiled.

“I’m going to get us some drinks!” Scarlett smiled back, wanting to feel more tipsy. She made her way to the gorgeous oak bar, but before she could reach it she felt a hand on the bottom of her back. She startled back confused, and glanced up to see a blonde haired man way too close to her. He grinned at her, his blue eyes looking her up and down and then through her.

“Excuse me-” she said, trying to walk around him. He grabbed her arm, stopping her mid step.

“Darling, that’s now how you treat someone who just bought you and your friend drinks. How about a thank you and a dance?”

“We are fine, thank you. We will get our own drinks.” She said sternly, him still gripping her arm. He squeezed her arm harder, looking upset.

“You’re hurting me, let go!” She sharply spat at him. He shoved her against the brick wall.

“You should learn to be more respectful. You think you’re all that just because you’re pretty?” He said too close to her face practically spitting on her. All she could do was stand there frozen, backed against a wall. She shut her eyes, wincing at the pain of his grip when suddenly he let go. She looked up cautiously, just to see the end of him getting shoved onto the floor.

“Don’t you even think about grabbing her or another woman like that again.” A loud, commanding voice boomed over. Scarlett looked up at the man who was looking at her with a worried expression.

“Are you okay?” He looked down at her arm, and then back at her eyes. Security came over and picked up the blonde haired asshole dragging him towards the exit. His cursing was drowned out by the noise of the club.

“Ye-Yes, thank you.” She said, still startled. She looked at his handsome, familiar masked face, but she was too jumbled to know where he was from. He was tall, at least 6’1 with a sharp jawline, dark warm skin and pine green eyes. He looked strong, it was no wonder he pushed that guy over so easily.

“That guy was horrible, I am sorry that happened to you.” He said, still concerned. His hand gently touched her arm, looking at the mark. “That will probably leave a bruise..” Scarlett looked at him slightly dazed, his handsome face close to hers. Has she seen him before? She couldn’t tell with the masquerade mask.

“Oh there you are!” Hazel’s voice called out. She ran over as fast as she could in her heels with a concerned expression. She draped her arms around Scarlett, pushing herself between the man and her. “What happened?”

“I-I don’t know. This guy just grabbed me and then he pushed him over.” Scarlett said.

“I am so sorry, I shouldn’t have let you go alone.” Hazel cried, still wrapped around her.

“It’s not your fault.” She said looking back up at the man.

“Please, take care and get home safely. Do you want me to call you a ride?” He said, still a look of worry on his face.

“We are okay, thank you again. I owe you one.” Scarlett answered, and with that he watched the girls walk away.

“Let’s go home” Hazel said, teary eyed and holding Scarlett's hand. The whole walk home was a daze. She thought about the man who saved her, she didn’t even get his name. It was lucky he was there at just the right time.