Currently on deck: Part Two of Chapter Three!
Writing fiction has given me the opportunity to have fun with a story and decide how I want things to go. I can either have a happy or sad ending, play with plot twists and even change characters. Personally, I've grown to love the story I'm writing and really try to connect with the characters as much as I can by adding real experiences. I'm going to try and play more with all the characters in the future and maybe even write some separate stories, just bare with me lol.
In part two, the gang heads to an art event for a local artist with a talent for still life paintings. While everyone goes the separate ways, Alex and Freddy brave the art world together and meet a man named Alan Jay. Something sweet is in the air and looks like Freddy is taking a slice out of life!
Part Two:
Later that day, Patrick, Lila and I arrived at the boutique that Leo worked at and approached with caution. “Do all of us have to go in there? I mean after all, he’s your roommate, Freddy.” Lila said as we stared at the glass door that stood before us. “Do we have to go through this every time I bring you guys here?” I asked not making a move myself for fear of what awaited us on the other side. You see, this boutique was no ordinary boutique. It was like the Mount Olympus of all shoe boutiques. Some of Eastway’s most well groomed, high class, beautiful people worked there. They were like gods and goddesses prancing around in their designer clothes living a life of leisure surrounded by Italian leather ready to strike you down if you didn’t have any plastic made of platinum. Adored by the masses and intimidating to the mere mortals who worked in bookstores such as us. We looked at each other as if we weren’t going to come back out and proceeded to open the door with the fancy calligraphy on it that said “Welcome”.
As we walked in, the smell of Chanel No. 5 perfume was lingering in the air. We walked past the associates; the women with their flawless makeup and the men with their perfect alluring smiles we made our way to the front register. A woman by the name of Lucinda gave us a stunning smile to go along with her sparkling eyes.
“Hi, we’re here to see Leo.” I told her. She simply nodded and walked to the back room. Seconds later, Leo emerged with a sparkling presence just as everyone else who worked there. He looked different in this light. At home, as bubbly and loud as his personality is, he was usually quiet and to himself. I’d walk by his office at home sometimes and see him in deep contemplation, as if the rest of the world around him was still because he commanded it so. I couldn’t help but wonder if all he wanted was just peace and quiet in his own chaotic world.
“My loves!” he screamed in his perkiest voice, “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m about to go on lunch. Let me leave some things for Lucinda and we’ll be on our way.” Lucinda nodded quietly and I leaned into Leo, “Is she always this quiet?” I asked trying to maintain a smile without making it awkward for her. “She’s just shy.” He replied as we walked arm in arm out of there as quickly as possible. I try not to make it a habit of going in there very often.
Later that night the four of us arrived at downtown Eastway at a local art gallery famous for their chic events. We were gathered here tonight to celebrate the debut of a local artist who specialized in still life paintings. When we walked in we saw Alex standing in front of a painting of a vase of flowers, pink roses in particular, my favorite flower.
“Hey you” I said pulling him out of his train of thought. He was all dressed up in dress pants, polished shoes and a new shirt. I think this was the first time I had seen him in something other than an old t-shirt and jeans with holes in them. “What’s with the get up?” I asked.
“Can’t a guy put on some nice clothes without getting the third degree?” Looking almost bashful by my question, “Plus, Leo invited me and I had the night off so I figured the timing was perfect.” I circled him eye balling his outfit. I had sometimes thought what Alex would look like outside of The Bluestone. Upon closer inspection he had product in his hair and did I detect the subtle aroma of cologne? I didn’t even know he owned a single bottle of fragrance. I did a survey of the room and he seemed to have the attention of every potential bachelor in the building. He caught me staring at him and I jumped awkwardly.
“So I never took you for the artsy type, Freddy.” Alex said. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.” I told him, “I’m just full of surprises.”
“Oh, yes”, Alex said, “Because you’re SO complicated.” He let out a laugh. “As a matter of fact” I continued, “I’m the one who said that Leo should come out tonight.” I neglected to mention the fact that it was really the other way around.
“Well, let’s take a look around and see if we can’t get drunk enough to be look like we belong here.”
I followed him to a waiter with a tray of drinks and we proceeded to walk around for about half an hour looking at different still life paintings: Fruits in bowls, cocktails, pottery, vegetables and even various desserts which did nothing but make me hungry. “So what do you think about this one?” Alex asked as we stood in front of a painting of a three tiered cake with black and white frosting and white pearls cascading from top to bottom.
“Food art, never really understood it. I do, however, want to know what flavor that cake is I’m starving.” I said as I looked around for some form of solid that didn’t include olives in a martini glass.
“Red velvet.” A voice said behind us. Both Alex and I turned around and a man dressed from head to toe in a black suit, dark brunette hair and hazel eyes that I couldn’t help but notice the hints of gold around his pupil.
“Pardon me?” I asked looking at this mysterious stranger staring back at me not breaking eye contact. “The cake. It’s red velvet.”
“How can you tell?” I asked looking at the painting then back at him. “I don’t know, it just looks like it’d be, right? It could be that or the fact that I’m the artist who painted that. It’s actually my sister’s wedding cake. I snapped a shot of it before the wedding and painted it a couple months later. I think I’ll give it to them as their one year anniversary. Hi I’m Alan Jay or AJ for short.” He stuck out his hand and I met it with my own. He had a firm handshake, his skin didn’t feel rough at all and I noticed he didn’t have dirt underneath his fingernails which is a huge pet peeve of mine.
Just then Alex broke our short silence, “Hi, I’m Alex. You have some really nice paintings here.” Alan shifted his body in Alex’s direction. “Thanks”, he said, “I take a lot of pride in my work. Too bad I’m always a nervous wreck when I showcase new art. But people seem to be responding to it positively.” I caught him glancing in my direction before returning back to Alex and suddenly I felt a strange stir in my stomach. “Well, you guys enjoy yourselves and it was nice meeting the both of you.” He smiled at both of us before turning and walking away disappearing in the crowd.
“Well, that was awkward.” Alex whispered to me to pull me out of what I assume was inappropriate staring. “What are you talking about?” I asked looking at him quizzically. “Alan. He was totally into you.” I raised an eyebrow at him hoping that at some point he’d fill me in on this theory of his. “Alex, the man must’ve overheard us talking and decided to take it upon himself to answer a question we clearly didn’t know the answer to. He was here for five minutes. That’s hardly enough time to assume someone is flirting with someone else.”
“I don’t know about that, sir” he slurred a bit. “All I know is while you were looking around at everyone else like a child with A.D.D. he was looking at you.”
“You’re crazy and a tad drunk so why don’t we grab the gang and call it a night? I think I filled my social butterfly quota for the week.” We made our way to the door and I looked around to see where everyone was at. Lila found herself the main attraction in a circle of men. She looked stunning in her cocktail dress and black stilettos, “She won’t be cold tonight.” Alex whispered to me. I had to hold back my laughter but wasn’t doing a very good job at it. I spotted Patrick at the bar exchanging a phone number with a tall blonde with arms the size of SUV’s. Leo was entertaining a group of people with one of his many witty anecdotes. Something about buying the wrong night cream I think. And I was walking my slightly inebriated friend to his car. Everyone looked like they wanted to stay in their current positions of attention so I thought I’d quietly excuse myself undetected.
Before starting the car I noticed my phone was missing. “Oh, shoot. I think I left my phone inside. I’ll be right back. Stay here and out of trouble.” Alex rolled his eyes before reclining his seat back to fall asleep. “We sure do know how to party don’t we, Freddy?” I took the keys with me and locked the door. “Why’d you do that for?” he asked before closing his eyes. “For your own good.” I told him.
I wasn’t paying attention as I walked back into the gallery and slammed into someone walking out. “Oh my gosh I am so sorry!” I looked up and it was that guy Alan. “Hey” he said, “I saw you leave this and I wanted to catch you before you forgot it.”
“Thank you so much. You basically saved my life.” I said feeling that stir in my stomach again. Ok, sure, this guy was attractive if you were into that coiffed, suave, artsy type. He had a kind smile and looked like he worked out. But that was beside that point. “Sure, anytime.” he said not breaking eye contact again. I had to look down for a second because I felt my face becoming hot. He smiled at me and handed me my phone. “Have a good night.” He said and walked back inside. “Well, that is that.” I thought to myself and made my way back to the car.
The next morning over morning coffee Leo and I sat at the table discussing what I missed after I left. “-and we closed the gallery down then went for breakfast afterwards. Stimulating group of people. So where’d you run off to? Maybe with a certain gentleman perhaps?” I was sitting across from him wrapped up in a blanket dipping part of my doughnut in my coffee. “Actually, yes as a matter of fact I took Alex home.” His face went from excited to disappointment. “Alex? You guys didn’t. . . .” “No!” I yelled, “He had a little bit too much to drink and so I played designated driver.” His brow was furrowed and he looked at me as if he was trying to understand the situation.
“You look mad and confused” I said.
“Not mad just upset.”
“Why? I did exactly what I was supposed to. I got all dolled up and went out to something despite my better judgments.” I think I was the one who was feeling confused. “I was just hoping you’d meet someone there. Let’s face it, kid, you’re kind of in a dry spell.” It’s an age old dilemma. Just as you’re settling comfortably into your single status your close friends take it upon themselves to decide that you’re not happy and want to change it. Did I reek of loneliness? Desperation?
Before I could answer him the doorbell rang. When I opened the door there was no one there. I looked down and there was a box from “Sugar and Spice” bakery. I had a guilty pleasure for baked sweets and they had the best cakes in town. I took the box inside and put it on the table. There was a note attached to it:
“I hear you like desserts, but how do you feel about dinners? Give me a call sometime.” It was signed with two letters “A.J.” with his number attached. I opened the box and inside was a tiny red velvet cake with black and white frosting. “What’s that? Dessert? This early?” Leo asked peeking over my shoulder.
“I think its dinner.” I told him. Out of the corner of my eye I swear his face went back to excited after hearing this. We sat down and shared a slice of cake and I could feel that stir again rolling around my stomach. Was it nerves or excitement?
Stay tuned!
Xoxo.
B.
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