A year with you.

MRS?

Presently

“I’m married?”......

“I'm MARRIED….no no; I don’t want to get married. I don’t want to BE married.”

I think I’m having a panic attack. Anxiety creeps in and I forget how to breathe. My knees go weak; my lungs begin to fail me. I think my nervous system is shutting down.

“Please God, I know I’ve not been the best listener or even a good child, but please, you’ve got to help me.

Let it be a prank, you know.”

“From the court? Honey, that’s unlikely”. Ebony says.

“Right, but it’s not a big deal, we’ll just find whoever this Rhett is and file for a divorce. It’s really no big deal, Debbie,” Caroline adds.

I’m sitting on the floor now. Hands in my hair, I’m trying to recall my time in Vegas.

A month ago, one night in LAS VEGAS.

We arrive at our destination, Las Vegas. We’re a bit weary but tonight, we're going to party so hardddd!!!

Ebony gets us checked in at the luxurious, 'the cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ hotel, where we'll be staying. Yes, luxurious.

Our rooms are beside each other and ebony insisted on a beautiful view for each room, and V.I.P treatments, because, of course we didn't come to play, but to make bad decisions while having a wonderful time.

My room is beautiful and spacious, with a beautiful view of the city, just how I like it.

Although, I prefer the mountains, but enough of that Lana Del Rey s**t, let's get our gaga on.

After unpacking, i decided to take a nap to get my brain, muscles and liver ready for what's coming tonight.

"Wake up!!!! Get dressed, let's get this party started," Ebony yells from the other side of my room door. It's currently 6 pm and I still want to sleep.

"Ughhhhhhh.....five more minutes please, I'm enjoying my nap." I doubt she heard me.

Let me close my eyes for 15 more minutes.....

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...... someone wants to break my door

"f**k, who's that?” I reluctantly find my way out of bed and open the door.

Ebony walks in, in a white Robe. I think she just had her bath.

"I thought you were up like an hour ago." She says.

"It was fifteen minutes ago, don't be dramatic."

"I'm not being dramatic, it was an hour ago, I checked."

"Alright, but is Caroline getting ready yet?"

Trying to guilt her into giving me more time to sleep.

"Yes, and she's almost ready." She gives me a stern look.

"That proves nothing," I mumble.

A quick cold shower sharpens my senses and washes the sleep away.

But, while everyone is in their room getting ready for a crazy night at the club. I'm here stuffing my face with food. The trick to not getting ultimately wasted is a full stomach. The effect of alcohol is slowed but be careful not to eat too much or you'll be throwing up the whole night. Just eat the right amount and you're good to go.

After deceiving myself by eating so that the alcohol won't have as much effect as it should, i get dressed for the crazy night.

I put on leather bum shorts, a white strapless tube top and a leather jacket over it to match.

I let my "crown" ( hair) fall and put on some make-up. I did some smokey eye thingy and lip liner/gloss combo and a little blush. I've never been a fan of makeup, i invest more in my skin.

I'm pairing it with black knee-high-heeled leather boots and a black chain bag. One look in the mirror and, without a doubt i look smoking hot....like sizzling hot.

A thorough fit check, then i headed to Caroline's room. I'm guessing ebony is there too.

"Are you ready girls?"

Caroline is a strange character, I tell you, she's making us answer like it's a spongebob and the sluts cartoon.

"Aye aye captain"...., I still answer though.

"I can't hear youuuuu"

"Aye aye captain!!......"

Let's goooooooooo!!!!!!

* *****

This club is amazing!!!!! Clubs have never really been my thing but, right now, I'm having so much funnnnn. We rolled into Omnia, a swanky club on the Strip. The DJ is killing it, and my girls are dancing like nobody's business. My eyes scanned the crowd to see if I could spot any A-list celebrity, and boom — I spotted a certain handsome stranger at the bar, sipping whiskey.

"HEYY, GUESS WHO I JUST SAW OVER AT THE BAR." I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, so they can hear me over the music.

"WHATTT!!!!!" Caroline moves closer.

"GUESS WHO I JUST SAW OVER BY THE BAR"

"YOU SAW JUSTIN BIEBER?¿". I swear ebony is wasted. How did you get Justin beiber out of that sentence?

"NO..HOW--". I give up. I had better take them somewhere less noisy.

"COME ON...... LET'S GO TO THE RESTROOM."

In the restroom.

"Alright wassup, why the restroom?"... Caroline, who is more interested in the mirror in front of her, asks.

"Guess who i just saw over at the bar."

"Who?" Ebony asks while taking the opportunity to fix her make-up.

"The handsome stranger at the model casting."

"Oooooooo he's here." Caroline's full attention is on me now. "Will you at least say hi this time?"

"Yeah Debbie, at least flirt a little. It's been almost a decade since your coochie and heart experienced excitement."

"No, I don't know him like that, I don't have the balls to flirt with him, and i can live without that kind of excitement." I protest.

"Ohhh come on, a couple more shots, and you won't even need balls," Ebony replies with a smile.

"No....No... I really don't want to". I really don't want to, I'm too shy.

"Ha ha so true, she'll be all over him without an iota of shame or concern," Caroline adds...

"f**k you" I can't help but laugh because it's really true.

"Debbie, I know you don't want to get your heart broken again, but not every man is luke. And even if they are, there's no harm in flirting".

Ebony looks at me with sad eyes, "Let's get some alcohol inside that head of yours, maybe it'll help you make you entertain bad ideas. Remember you said that you’re going to let loose in Vegas and deal with the consequences in Asheville. "

“Alright, let’s get me some balls.”

15 minutes and 3 shots of tequila later, I'm feeling fly. Why was i even scared? It's not like I’m going to fall in love with him. I don't think i can give my heart to anyone again after Luke. It’s just for fun. A flirty smile and sweet conversation isn't such a bad idea. I've been single for 4 years now; a flirting buddy is a good reminder that I've still got my charm, and confirmation that it's not buried underneath a mountain in Asheville.

I scan the club one more time, to make sure he's still there, and he is, still sipping whiskey at the bar.

Shouldn't he be mingling over at the same table with his friends? I know because i saw him talking to a guy earlier, they seemed close.

I'm going in.

I make my way to the bar and casually flash a friendly smile in his direction, but his response is a puzzled look. I bet i look like a constipated raccoon. That’s why he gave me that look. Okay, try again.

I move closer and this time we're standing side by side.

I start with the friendliest smile I can muster. "Hey, mind if i join you?"

Barely looking up, he replies uninterested. "Sure, suit yourself."

"Uhmmmm OK, vodka soda please." Is it just me or is there something else to the way?" he replied.

"Coming right up," the bartender replied.

"Thanks"

OK, just see it through Debra.

"Next round is on me." This time, I'm talking to the handsome stranger beside me.

The bartender hands me my Vodka soda. "Cheers....." raising my glass, I take a sip.

Then he turns to me, and the look on his face isn't that of familiarity, it's one of disgust and frustration.

"Lady?" He looks visibly irritated.

"Me?"

"Why are you talking to me?"

"I don't understand your question," I reply, clearly confused.

"It's not rocket science, it's just a question."

"I.....i...sa..saw you from where i was sitting with my friends. You looked a bit forlorn. I just wanted to at least try and lighten your mood". I lie.

No sir, the truth is i wanted to flirt with you. I thought you'd at least say, "Oh, you look familiar," and our journey of flirting without serious intentions would commence. But i won't say that.

"Ahhhh, I looked a bit forlorn." he looks amused."

"Yes, so i thought i should come over, you know..." What a stupid excuse...but i still replied with a smile.

"Lady, go back to whatever it is you were doing. I don't remember asking for a pity party." He takes one last gulp of his whiskey, tips the bartender and storms off.

I stood there for a moment, transfixed, flushed, embarrassed and confused.

"What the f**k just happened?" I'm genuinely puzzled. I don't remember saying anything triggering or mean.

"f**k this". I make a mental note never to entertain any bad idea ever again. I won't let this jerk ruin my night.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, i had it coming though. Why did i even talk to him? I should've just kept my distance. Rude prick.

I tip the bartender generously and casually make my way back to my girls.

"SOOOO, HOW DID IT GO?" Ebony asks.

I give a bitter-sweet smile, "IT WAS NICE, IT WAS NICE."

YOU'LL TELL US ALL ABOUT IT TOMORROW OKAY?...ebony says.

"SURE, LETS PARTY!!!!!" It’s best to distract myself, or I'm going to find that man and let him have it.

"YEAHHHHHH, KEEP THE DRINKS COMING," Caroline yells.

Ooooohhhhh yeahhhhh I feel good!!!! I can't feel my eyes. Wowwwww, this feels amazing...hahaha. Suddenly, I wanted to pee.

"HEYY, I'M GOING TO VISIT THE RESTROOM. I'll BE BACK."

Caroline nods and gives me thumps up. She didn't hear anything i just said.

"LET ME....LET....LET ME, I WANT TO FOLLOW YOU." Ebony looks like a starfish in this drunken state.

"OH NO NO NO". I'm wasted for sure, but ebony is gone. It’s like she's in a different realm right now. "I'll BE FAST."

"OK, BUY ME CHOCOLATES TOO," Caroline yells.

I wonder how we're going to find our way back to the hotel.

After bumping into almost everyone in the club, i finally made it to the restroom. I do my business and quickly leave.

Instead of going back, I took a detour.

There's a door there, and I’m sure I'm lost, but i still open it.

The cold night air welcomes me; the smell of cigarettes fills the air. It’s a quiet corner behind the club. It’s chilly but it’s nice.

I'll stay here for a while, maybe I’ll sober up.

There's a voice coming from a distance

“Look, Cory, I’m getting tired of your excuses. You better find this creep, or we’re going to have a big problem." it’s a man's voice, he sounds pissed. I would never want to be the person on the other line.

Footsteps approach me, I think he's coming. I want to see who it is.

As soon as i see the person behind the voice, i hiss. "Rude prick." I make sure my voice is loud enough for him to hear me.

"Excuse me?" he turns, looking a bit perturbed and offended.

"You heard me. I know you're not deaf, stupid maybe, but definitely not deaf." I walked towards him.

Standing this close to him, he's a lot taller than i am, but i won't back down. He had no right to treat me the way he did at the bar, only ebony and Caroline treats me like a pest.