LEFT AT THE ALTAR

2. ARIELLE

Stefan our family driver drove me to the airport and helped me wheel my suitcases to the lounge. I sat at the airport lounge not knowing where to go, I looked at the board and saw different locations, how weird is it that different people are traveling to different places at the same time, and then I saw it. My new home, I’ve always wanted to visit there but I’ve also been scared of going alone. I think it’s time for me to start ticking things off my bucket list. I head to the counter to talk to the ticketing lady, I paid for a business ticket and went to sit down

Soon, it was time to board and I was on my way to my new home. In five hours thirty minutes we arrived at New York. I got a carrier and loaded my suitcases on it, while heading to the taxi, I took the taxi to Ritz-Carlton hotel. Soon I was in my single room, I arranged my clothings, underwear, perfumes, shower gels in their appropriate places then I took a bath and had my nap.

I woke up by nine pm and I was hungry, so I went down to the restaurant and ordered spaghetti with meatballs. I didn’t even know I was this hungry with the way I ate it. With a new rush if adrenaline, I wanted to tick off the next thing on my bucket list which is clubbing and getting drunk alone quite risky for a woman but I wonder what it feels like to be alone.

I went back to my hotel room and changed to a club outfit, I started applying my makeup when my mom called to ask how I am. I told her “Everything is going fine, I’m not crying and yes I have eaten” I hear her laugh and honestly it was good compared to the mood I left the house in this morning. “What about dad, is he still at home keeping you company?” she said “oh, he left quite a while ago he said he had something to sort out” the silence that passed between us made me understand that their marriage wasn’t quite stable yet and j was still the glue keeping them together. I said “ok mom, make sure you hang out a lot and don’t brood, remember men aren’t worth it” I knew she was going to reprimand me “Arielle don’t say that, you’re still going to meet someone who loves and cares about you” I know she’s trying to be hopeful but honestly I have lost all hope and I just want to live life on my terms so I said “Mom, I have to go and make new friends that won’t stab me at my back at least” I could sense the sad smile that etched her face as she said “Your life is still young, you’ll meet good people”. I said “Bye mom” and hang up. I was almost done with it my makeup, it is just remaining my lipstick. I was confused on either to go for red or nude so I picked red because I want to appear confident and sexy tonight and who knows I might put my waxed body to use this night. I laughed at the thought because there’s no way I’m getting laid tonight. I picked a black stilleto and a see through mesh gown. I felt bold as I looked at myself in the mirror. I headed out and took the elevator downstairs, stopped at the reception to hand out my keys and I felt all eyes on me and yes that’s what I want. To be the center of attraction, I will hold and decide who I speak to tonight. I sat at the lobby and ordered an Uber in less than a minute my Uber ride was here. I entered in and told him “Take me to the best club NYC has” he chuckled and said “that will be Casablanca” I said “Okie dokie let’s had there” there was a long queue but with the way I was dressed there’s no way I’m queuing up.

I head towards the bar as the music is pumping, I sit and cross my legs as the bartender asks what I will like to drink “A glass of red wine please, sweet to be specific” I feel anxious as I set my purse onto the bar, I have never behaved out if character before. The adrenaline from hanging out alone outs me on the edge “Here you go miss, I selected the best sweet red wine, you need it to calm your nerves”. I smile at this thoughtfulness and took a gulp of wine and I felt my stiff shoulders relax. I close my eyes and take a breath, a deep one of relief, I might as well settle in New York I thought. Just as my head clears, I feel an aura before seeing it and the command it holds amazes me, I open my eyes to see him looking at me, our eyes locked with a trace of wicked smirk on his face, God’s be damned, those eyes make him look sumptuous, his full plump lips makes me want to kiss him I can’t help but ask is it me or the wine? I feel he can hear my heartbeat from that distance and thankfully he looks away and said “Ill have what the sexy lady is drinking” I can’t help but smile “Do you mind if I buy you another glass?” Such a cliché line made my head spin so fast. His forest green eyes staring at me intently, his eyes shine like emerald if he commands me to kneel right now I will without any hesitation. Either way, this man is handsome the real definition of American Playboy. His Jet black hair looks rough in a certain way only few can pull off. He did a slight nod and I remembered he asked a question a blush crept up to my cheeks as he caught me checking him out “That’s very lovely, thank you” I couldn’t help but imagine that someone like this is nowhere being single “so who is this girl, there’s got to be one woman in your life to teach you chivalry” if I wasn’t staring I would have missed the uncomfortable shift “would you believe me if I say there is no one?” his tone is calm but I can guess either he is a playboy or lost his long love “with all this pretty muscles?” He laughed “is it safe to assume that you’re here alone?” “why, are you a kidnapper?” He laughed again and said “yiu have a really good sense of humor” he continues “so, what brings you to New York?” I was surprised ”What gave me away?” I ordered another glass while waiting to hear his reply “Your accent, it’s very reserved” I smiled and thought is this his way if saying posh? “Vacation and soul searching” “Ah, wish I had the time to do that”. Mr. Forest eyes stretched out his hand “Im Dmtri, it is a pleasure to sit with you”. His hand is so firm and large, my little hand disappears in his grip. “Im Arielle” my voice comes out raspy and dry “Arielle” he says, mh name sounds like it was dipped in honey from his lips “Like the movie Ariel the little mermaid?” I rolled my eyes “Hahaha very funny” he chuckled, the vibrations I feel make me know that we’re still holding hands. I change the topic abruptly “So, what brings you out tonight?” he shrugs “hoping to meet a beautiful lady” I take another sip of wine to calm down my nerves “you find me beautiful? That’s interesting”. He scoffs “who wouldn’t?”

One hour later and I’m still laughing and on my fourth glass of wine. He’s ne than a handsome face he’s smart, clever, funny but he is very guarded. The crowd around us has increased and I don’t know if it’s reflex but we got closer to be honest he pulled my still closer. The arm strength made me think of him pinning me down and f*****g me hard and fast. In surrounded by his scent and overwhelming presence and I’m basking in it. I’m blaming everything that happens after now on the alcohol because I’m blnded with lust.

“Dmtri….” I say and sio another glass “Would you like to come to my hotel room?”

I swear his green eyes got a shade darker

He stands and opens his wallet paying for all the drinks. He placed a hand on my arm and pulls me up. I shouldn’t have invited him to my hotel from but I’m sick of playing it safe, I’m sick of being pitied, I’m sick of being boring. I bit my lip and batted my eyelids at him. He extends his arm around my waist and guides me out. With the way he holds me I’m sure he always gets his way, his big hand grabs mine and our fingers intertwine as he pulls me through the crowd. This feels so intimate, so good. I chided myself as we headed out.