Wearing ample makeup and a dress, Milly enters a taxicab.
“Ambrosia,” she says. “The nightclub.” Then, stone-faced silence.
Yet my presence means something is stirring her emotions.
With a smile, she gathers her friends around the bar.
Kevala points. “Isn’t that one of the Arison brothers?”
One friend gawks. “The one who disappeared?”
Milly rolls her eyes. “No, the other one.”
The gals gossip …
“The handsome one?”
“Celebrities?”
“This club is getting hot!”
Kevala wags her finger. “He’s not that famous, just rich. His dad runs ABI.”
“Rian Arison is pretty famous.”
“He’s an ass.”
“Who said?”
“That’s what I heard.”
Rian Arison is tall and lanky, that much is certain, with an undeniable full head of brown hair. A hostess guides him, with his entourage, to a dark, velvety booth.
Milly locates the nightclub owner and leans into his ear.
He tilts his head. “You sure?”
She nods.
“Well, let me help — a discount.”
Milly pays for the booth next to Rian’s. Even with that discount, the cost is outrageous. She returns with the hostess.
Kevala’s mouth drops. “Mil, what the shit?”
“I had a good month at work.” Milly slides into the booth.
A girlfriend asks, “What do you do, anyway?”
“Does that matter?”
“No?”
Milly pats the velvet. “Sit.”
The inclusive bottle of vodka arrives with the mixers. The gals cheer. “This booth is deluxe.” The ladies chat; antique music continues.
Ethan’s curated a great DJ set tonight. Perfect transitions — top form.
Milly and Rian make eye contact.
She summons the hostess. “Whatever he’s drinking, send him another.”
Her friend pokes Milly’s shoulder. “Power move!”
“I don’t think you understand power.”
Minutes later, the hostess delivers the cocktail. Brow furrowed in confusion, Rian raises his glass to Milly. From a distance, she toasts, then turns away, talking to her friends.
Rian’s eyes stay on Milly. He gulps down half his drink.
She gets up.
His head pivots, following Milly across the dance floor.
Ethan greets her from the DJ booth. She whispers in his ear. He holds up a record.
She nods. “That’s the one.”
Ethan grins with those perfect teeth.
🎵 “Rich Girl” – Hall and Oates 🎵
Once the song begins, Milly saunters back to Rian’s booth. His face softens as he finishes his cocktail. She outstretches her hand.
Rian rises to his feet. Milly ignores a dozen stares from his entourage and her girlfriends. As Milly and Rian enter the dance floor, the chorus of the song lands. In heels, she stands as tall as he does. Her wrists ease over Rian’s shoulders. His hands grip Milly’s waist.
“I watched you,” he says. “Walk across the club. And back again.”
She smiles. “Mm-hmm?”
“I was waiting.”
Her eyebrows inch upward. “For what?”
“For the moment your body disappointed me.”
“And?🎵”
“That moment never came.” Rian’s palms slide down her hips.
Her bracelet drifts across his back. Milly leans in, nuzzling his cheek with her hair.
“You smell like”—he gulps—“fantastic?”
As the pair sway, a beautiful, petite brunette approaches. “Hey, he’s mine.”
Milly ignores her.
“Blondie, I’m talking to you!”
Staring at Rian, Milly says, “No one belongs to anyone.”
The brunette pushes her.
With a quick snatch, Milly folds the young woman’s wrist backward.
“You’re hurting me,” the brunette whines.
“Your pain”—Milly turns to her—“belongs to you. Withdraw and it will stop.”
The brunette’s jaw drops. Her eyes quiver, pleading at Rian.
He holds up one finger without turning, without saying a word.
She whimpers.
Milly releases her.
Sobbing, the brunette storms off.
Wrapping her fingers around Rian’s, Milly places his hand on her neck. As he looks down, she presses her chest against him. Their lips touch. Milly shivers a little.
“Who’re you?” he slurs.
“Milly.”
“What’re you doing?”
“Whatever I like.”
As Rian leans in, he closes his eyes. Milly’s remain open. Their lips meet again. She blinks. This time, their kiss is wet and lengthy.
Back at the DJ booth, Ethan looks over — his face sags — absolutely crushed.
Whoa. 'Cause you know it don't matter anyway'. Excellent writing. Very, very good. Enjoyed this. - Jim