Chapter 36 - Folie à Deux
1432 Words
“Saturday night, I feel the air is getting hot! Like you baby,” Helen was singing along to the music playing, swinging her hips and sipping prosecco, while Isabel was putting on her make-up.
“I didn’t know you were into the nineties!” Isabel laughed.
“Dabadidam, dabidabadidabada!” Helen tossed her vanilla blonde hair from side to side. “I love it! This song is so cute.”
“Mmm, I’m not too sure,” Isabel chuckled.
"But it's catchy, don't you think? It makes you happy and want to dance," Helen grinned.
“Yeah, but those electronics beats...” Isabel wrinkled her nose. “But you’re right! It has some charm.” Isabel laughed, and started move her hips as well.
“Ooh, I love that color on you, by the way,” Helen was watching as Isabel put on a ruby-colored lipstick.
“Is it a bit... too much?” Isabel pouted at herself in the mirror.
“Not at all,” Helen objected. “You’re wearing a black dress; red lipstick is the way to go.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Isabel turned, facing her friend. “Wow, you look amazing!” she exclaimed, admiring Helen in her red bodycon dress. Helen was very tall, almost a head taller than most other girls, and the dress was hugging her voluptuous curves.
“You look like a real man-eater,” Isabel stated.
“That’s because I am,” Helen laughed with her big white teeth. Isabel wondered if she had had them bleached? They were almost unnaturally white.
“Are you ready to go?” Helen asked. “Eileen just texted, she’s on her way to Folie à Deux already.”
“Did she take a cab?” Isabel put on her black Jimmy Choo stilettos. “Yeez! I think I need some more booze! I had forgotten how high these heels were.”
“They're absolutely gorgeous!” Helen smiled approvingly. “Don’t worry, we’ll fill you up,” she grinned. “But no, she didn’t take a cab, she lives just around the corner from Folie.”
“I’ve never been there before, what kind of bar is it?”
“A fancy one,” Helen looked at herself in the mirror, twisting and turning to see herself from several angles. “And very pricy! But we’re just going to have a drink or two, then we’ll move on to the clubs.”
“OK, let’s go,” Isabel's heels tapped against the floor echoing down the hallway as they left Helen's apartment.
As she stepped out into the cool evening air, she paused to adjust the black blazer she had draped over her shoulders, which contrasted beautifully with the dazzling sequined black dress she was wearing underneath.
They took a cab to Folie à Deux, a renowned fine dining restaurant and bar nestled in one of the oldest buildings in the city.
When they arrived, Isabel was immediately struck by the grandeur and luxuriousness of the place! Crystal chandeliers hung from the ornate, soaring ceiling, casting their glittering light across the richly decorated interior radiating with power and wealth.
The restaurant was full of people wearing expensive suits and dresses. Helen hadn't been joking, it was a very fancy place! Isabel found it a little too uptight for her taste, but Helen was beaming, clearly feeling at ease and in her true element. She was moving around as if she was a queen arriving at her castle, greeting people from left to right as they walked towards the bar.
“Oliver!” Helen smiled sweetly as they approached a man in a tuxedo, his dark hair in a classic side part. “He’s the owner,” she whispered to Isabel.
Oliver was tall and handsome, standing leisurely by the bar. He was wearing his attire as if he had been born with it, looking totally relaxed and comfortable at the same time as he had that vibe of being someone who was used to get what he wanted.
“Helen!” he kissed her on the cheek. “You look fabulous as always.”
“Well, thank you,” Helen oozed of confidence. “This is my friend Isabel.”
“Nice to meet you,” Isabel held out her hand for a handshake.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Oliver took Isabel’s hand in his.
With a penetrating gaze, he locked his eyes onto hers and slowly lifted her hand to his lips. As he leaned in, the heat of his breath sent a shiver down her spine, and his surprisingly warm lips pressed softly against the back of her hand.
"Intriguing..." he muttered.
"Eileen is coming as well," Helen cleared her throat.
“Do you wish to sit by the bar or by a table tonight?” he straightened, slowly letting go of Isabel’s hand.
“The bar,” Helen smiled stiffly. “We won’t be long.”
“What a pity,” Oliver was still staring at Isabel, who was starting to get uncomfortable under his burning gaze.
What was it with men nowadays?
“May I ask were you’re heading?” he smiled wryly, redirecting his attention to Helen.
“We’re going dancing,” Helen started walking towards the bar, her swag making him loose his focus. “Maybe Royale,” she continued, glancing at him over her shoulder, showing of her big hollywood smile. “Perhaps you will join us?”
“I’m afraid I have too much work to do,” he smiled appreciatively, “but who knows? The night is young.”
He left them by the bar, making sure the waiter took their orders immediately before he went, leaving Isabel and Helen giggling when he had left.
“Oh my God,” Isabel breathed. “That guy is really full of himself!”
“I know,” Helen rolled her eyes. “But he’s good-looking and has a body like Adonis... And quite an impressive penthouse.”
“Oh really?” Isabel teased. “Sounds like you talk from experience.”
“What can I say?” Helen grinned. “He’s great in bed.”
“Is that so?” Isabel laughed. “Oh, look, there’s Eileen.”
Eileen came walking towards them in high heels, her glossy brown curls bouncing with every step. She was wearing a short forest green cocktail dress, turning heads as she walked by.
“Hello girls!” she joined them, taking a seat by the bar. "How nice to see you again!" she smiled at Isabel, giving her a hug.
"Dito," Isabel smiled back. "How are you?"
“I'm great! I can't wait to go out dancing tonight. But hey, guess who I just ran into?” she asked excitedly.
“Who?” Helen laughed at her enthusiasm.
“That hot guy we met last weekend!”
Isabel's heart summersaulted in her chest as she was scanning the room. John? Was John here?´But no, she couldn’t see him anywhere in the crowd.
“Which one?” Helen grimaced, glancing at Isabel.
“The ginger one,” Eileen looked from Helen to Isabel, and then back.
“Marcus,” Helen chuckled. “Jeez, that guy is everywhere!”
Isabel couldn’t decide whether she was relieved or not. A part of her really wished it had been John, but the other got furious just thinking about him. And Marcus… Well, he had started to grow on her, but his mysterious connection with John was very bothering, and of course the fact that Emma liked him was troublesome.
It all was all a little too complicated, and she had enough of complicated things going on in her life right now.
“Is he here?” Isabel looked over her shoulder, this time looking for Marcus.
“No, he and his friend were going somewhere else... I don’t remember. But he asked about you, so I told him we’re going out clubbing later… Did I do something wrong?” Eileen swallowed, her eyes worried.
“No, no honey,” Helen reassured her. “Marcus is fine. We are just planning to go dancing without any c**k-blockers tonight.”
“Well, that sounds like a great idea,” Eileen laughed. “I can’t wait. When do we leave?”
“Hold your horses!” Helen handed over their margaritas. “Our friend here needs to get waisted first,” she winked at Isabel.
“Give it to me, baby,” Isabel smiled.
“Good girl,” Helen grinned. “Cheers!”
- Writer
