Love beyond ice

The Date

Esme stood draped in front of her closet,with a frown creasing her sweaty forehead as she flicked to and fro through hangers of dresses. Her fingertips brushed against silks,satins,crests and chiffons,but nothing seemed to look engaging enough and perfect for the occasion at hand. Tonight was going to be a very different night, as Don Carson had asked her out on a date-a gesture so unexpected and surprising that still made her heart beat fast.

She turned to the mirror,holding up a deep red dress against her frame,then shaking her head and tossing it aside. Every dress seemed too formal or overly casual,none capturing the essence of the evening she hoped for. With a deep sigh,she leaned against the wardrobe,feeing a mix of anticipation,frustration and defeat.

Just then,there was a soft gentle knock at her door-soft but assertive. Esme straightened,smoothing her long ombré silk soft hair as she adjusted and went to see who it was.

Carson stood there nonchalantly,leaned in at the side of the door with a hand in his pocket,and a garment bag draped over his arm,with a rare smile playing at the corner of his lips. “May I come in?” He asked,his voice as smooth as velvet. “Oh! Don,yes sure!” Esme let out shyly as she adjusted to let Don Carson in. The room seemed to shrink with his aura, his quiet firm authority and demeanor filling the space. “Here…take this” Carson stretched his arms forward, handing her the garment bag, and not breaking eye contact with hers. “I thought you might need this”, he said simply while shrugging his shoulders in a hidden feeling of satisfaction and happiness.

Curious and almost breathless,Esme held and unzipped the bag slowly,revealing an exquisite glittering evening gown of emerald green, which dazzled and reflected gorgeously in her palms. It’s fabric shimmering under the light’s reflection,shown perfection as it captured both grace and elegance,a fit well befitting for a date with the Don. “Thank you”,Esme whispered,barely audible and in a daze of emotions. Her almond hazel beautiful eyes sparkled with happiness and sadness,as she gazed at Don Carson with gratitude. Carson nodded,his gaze slightly softening. “I would love to see you in this tonight,it’s part of my apology to you. See you downstairs” Carson finished,as he majestically strolled out of her room.

Out of sight, Esme let out an evil smile as she stared at the gown in her hands. “What about my apology to you,Don Carson!”,she scoffed as she turned around to continue with her preparations. Esme took her time getting ready,the anticipation building with each passing moment.

The hired stylist worked wonders as she concealed Esme’s wounds and bruises while transforming her luscious hair into softer cascading waves. Esme slipped right into the dress after her makeover,as she marveled at how it seemed to accentuate her body and beauty,as it hugged her curves in the right places.

As she slowly descended the stairs with the hidden cast under her dress, Carson stood below in his emerald magnificent suit,and hands in check,waiting for Esme. His usual stoic, unreadable and mean expression gave way to a look of genuine admiration. “You look absolutely stunning,I must say” he said offering his arms to Esme,as he gently and carefully let her to the lined up sleek black SUV’s waiting at the drive way,and the drive to the exclusive reserved 5 star hotel- La’composte, passed in a comfortable relaxing silence.

The private dining area was a breathtaking masterpiece of elegance,with floor-to-dash ceiling glass windows offering a breathtaking generous view of the city and city lights, and a table set with the most finest,luxurious and unique lines,and silverware’s. The dinner was a blast of flavors and aromas,as each course tend to perform more exquisitely better than the previous.

Carson carefully watched and observed Esme take her every bite,as his eyes lit up in an unnoticeable form. His mind dived back to the way he took Esme in as a collateral to an unpaid debt owed by his dad,and has gradually grown to become fun of her…

He gently shook his head sideways,trying to let go of those nostalgic thoughts for another day,and just sincerely enjoy the moment with this dainty little woman seated right in front of him. He has not experienced a date with any woman in a very long time,as he felt broken down and vulnerable at the moment. He had always been the most feared,respected,mysterious and ambitious man in the city and beyond,as no counterpart crosses his domain and goes scot free,and “here I am with this dainty little angel.” Carson said to himself within,as a mocking naughty smile escaped through the corner of his pink lips. Carson barely said a word as he nibbled lazily at the dished served at his front. As the night wore on, a strange uncertain feeling began to creep into the room,and Carson instincts honed by navigating the treacherous waters of the underworld,sensed that something was amiss-the air grew chilly and dangerous as Carson glanced around,his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room for any signs of danger. “Azai!!!” Don Carson shouted trying to summon his loyal right hand man from the corridors which they were assigned to watch and observe from,but there was no response.

Just then the maitre d’ approached their table with a small red elegant box,held fancifully with a white rope tied into a little bow. “A gift,sir,” he said,bowing slightly. Carson’s reflex made him ready,as he was about pulling out his weapon,but then he paused,taking the box and opening it cautiously.

Inside was a note, written in an elegant script. “Hope you are enjoying your evening. But remember,every moment of happiness comes with a price. Your enemies are closer than you think.” Carson’s blood ran cold as he looked up at Esme who was watching him keenly with her eyes widened in curiosity and confusion. “What’s going on?”, she whispered,leaning further into the table. Before Don Carson could respond,the light in the room flickered and went out plunging them into total darkness.

A sense of dread filled the room as Carson’s men marched into the room in unison,their flashlights piercing the gloom. “Stay close to me!” Carson commanded,his voice low and urgent,while reaching out for Esme’s hand as he pulled her towards the exit. But just as soon as they moved,the sound of slow footsteps echoed through the hallway-footsteps that were neither of Carson’s men nor the hotel staff.

A group of masked figures emerged from the shadows,with their weapons drawn. Carson immediately pushed Esme behind him,his mind racing. This was supposed to be a night of respite, but his enemies had found a way to turn it to a battleground. “Get her out of here!”,Carson shouted to his men who formed a protective circle around Esme.

The masked figures moved closer,their intentions clear- this was a coordinated attack,designed to send a message. Gunfire erupted,the sound deafening in the confined space. Carson’s men fought back,but they were outgunned and outnumbered. Carson himself wasn’t left out,as he engaged in the fray,his movements precise and deadly. Even as he fought,his primary concern was for the safety of Esme. “Go!” He urged her,his voice cutting through the chaos. “I will hold them off ,get to the car and don’t look back.” Esme hesitated,her eyes locking onto his for a brief agonizing moment,then she turned and ran,flanked by Carson’s remaining men. They navigated through the darkened eerie corridor’s,as the sound of battle faded behind them. Outside, the night was eerily quiet,as the SUV’s engines roared to life when Esme and the men got in. She looked back at the hotel,with fear and uncertainty gnawing at her. The car sped away,with the city lights blurring into streaks of color. Esme’s mind was in a wind of emotions- relief from escaping,and unseen guilt for leaving Carson behind.

The news of the attack had spread quickly and Carson’s men regrouped with a strong resolve to go save the Don and his right hand man-Azai,while Esme paced the room,waiting for any word of Carson’s fate.

Finally,the door opened and Carson stepped in,looking disheveled,but his eyes sharp and focused. He had fought his way out,leaving a trail of defeated enemies in his way. “Esme”, he said,his voice weary yet relived “glad you are okay. But this isn’t over yet.” Esme nodded,understanding the gravity of the situation. Their enemies had made a bold move,but Carson was no one to back down. As Carson turned to give further orders to his men,Esme’s expression shifted subtly.

A cold calculating glint appeared in her eyes as she watched him,with her mind already working on her next hidden agenda- for this wasn’t the real Esme.