* First, I wanted to say thank you to all the people who read my work and comment on it. It helps me grow as a writer to know what people like and don't like. Secondly, This is the first part of what could be an on-going story. If it gets as much love as some of my other stories (ie. Comments) I will continue to write. Again, thank you to all the readers. *
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He came out of no where. I didn't know he was watching be, but it was almost as if I knew. I would catch myself starring out the window at nothing at all. Sitting on the couch and waiting for the door bell to ring, but knowing no one was coming over. I would shake my head and go on with whatever I was doing, assuring myself it was only because I was pregnant.
This would be a good time to explain a bit about myself. My name is Elizabeth 'Beth' Christian. I am twenty seven years old, and before taking maternity leave, I had been Senior Editor for a large publishing company. I was very happy with my life, if a bit lonely. I was engaged to be married in a few weeks to my long time boyfriend, Eric Roberts.
As I said a second ago, I am pregnant. Eight and a half months pregnant with I hope a little girl. I didn't want to know the sex of the baby. But what makes me a horrible person? Eric is not the father of my baby. And that's where all my misery began.
Nearly nine months ago, I was home when a girlfriend called. I don't share an apartment with Eric, partially because he's never home. At this time, he hadn't been home in over six months and I was feeling more lonely than I had ever felt in my life. So when Kristina called and offered to go out with me, I was more than willing, and couldn't say yes fast enough.
I got ready quickly, unable to be not excited about going out. Besides work and the occasional dinner with a client, I was hardly out of the apartment. Oh, sure, shopping was one thing, but really going out and mingling with people? No.
I took a quick shower and dressed quickly in a dark blue, nearly black, dress. It had very thin straps that held it onto my shoulders, and small beads beaded into the bodice. It hugged my breasts tightly, pushing them up slightly, and then flared out. It was all the rage at the time, and the most expensive thing I owned. But when Krissy said that we were going to the hot new club on the west side, I couldn't help it.
I pulled my black curly hair up and pinned it so that it fell in delicate waves from the crown of my head back. Slapping on a little makeup and I was ready. I am not one for the whole base, blush, yadda yadda yadda. Mascara, eye liner, eye shadow and a sheer sparkling gloss, and I was ready to go.
Just as I slipped on my matching heals on the couch, the door bell rang. Giddily I opened it up to an even giddier Krissy. She thrust her arm out at me with a big grin. Looking at what she held I gave her a puzzled look. It was a mask, like something you'd see in an old movie about masked balls. It had dark blue feathers jutting out of the top, and was encrusted with beautiful blue beads and what looked like small pearls.
"Come on. Tonights the 'Masked Ball!'" She giggled. I shrugged my shoulders and took it. Grabbing a small matching purse I had thrown my ID and some cash into, I followed her out the door. Locking up behind me, I followed her down and out of my building and on to the street. It was hot outside, humid and I was glad I hadn't brought a wrap.
Sliding into Krissy's car we drove off and quickly arrived at the hot spot. Krissy was a publicist, and could get into anything. Before we gave the car up to the Valet, she put her mask on. "Hurry up and put your mask on. Don't want anyone to know who you are, dear!" I almost asked her what she meant by that, but changed my mind. Kristina was the flighty type and probably couldn't explain herself if she tried.
Slipping it on carefully over my hair, I opened the door and stepped out. I was suddenly glad I was wearing the mask. The paparazzi were everywhere! They zoomed in on Krissy's flashy new Benz when we pulled up, masks in place. I began to see spots as the flashes kept on coming. I could hardly see where I was when I stood up. Krissy must have seen my plight, because she rounded the car and took my arm. With a bright smile and a wave at them, we walked down the carpet to the front door.
A bouncer stood there with a list in his hand. He didn't look very happy. "Name." He demandedin a loud voice. Krissy seemed to take it all in stride. "Kristina Waterly. It should say I have a guest with me?" She waited for a minuted until he unclipped the rope and let us by. Another man stood by the door and opened it for us as we approached.
"Thank you," I murmured. The music was loud, but not as loud as those dance clubs down the street. You could still hear yourself think in there.
I looked around happily at all the masked people. A lot were dancing, some were at the bar at the far side of the room, while others were gathered in what looked to be like a common room with couches and large chairs.
"I'm going to get a drink," I told Kristina, as she bounced happily toward the common room.
"Grab me one too!" I nodded and made my way toward the bar. It had been decorated lavishly with blue neon lights running under the bar, casting a blue shadow against the wood. Sitting on an empty barstool, I waited for a bartender to notice me. Finally a the bartender closest to me did and smiled. He ignored other customers shouting drink orders and walked up to me.
"What can I get for you?"
"I need a cosmopolitan and..." I thought about what Krissy would want. "An AMF." He nodded and began to make the drinks. I watched in silence while he made them in record speed. He put the drinks on the bar and smiled at me.
"Twelve fifty." I dug in my small hand bag and handed him fifteen.
"Change is tip," I stated, picking up the drinks. He gave a smile and thanked me.
Moving through the people, I spilled a little bit of the AMF on the floor, but kept moving. I reached the common room and looked around, finding Kristina talking to a group of people. Moving through the room, I came to her side and sat down next to her on the fluffy couch. It was almost the same shade as my dress.
"Here," I said handing her the expensive drink. She smiled taking it from me.
"This is my friend Jane." Krissy said, nodding to me. I almost asked her who Jane was, when I saw everyone in the group look at me and say "Hi Jane," and "Nice to meet you Jane." I smiled politely at everyone and adjusted my dress over my legs. No point in flashing undies.
We all talked for a while about this and that. A lot about the music and the artists that were popular with music. There was a brief political discussion about the current Presidential race at hand. The women seemed more to listen to it, than participate. So when I put my two cents in, they all looked at me curiously.
It went from curiosity to downright hate, when the object of their affection, a man who looked to be in his late twenties, or early thirties, engaged me in a political debate. When I came out the victor, he grinned at me from beneath his mask. He wore a red and gold mask, sans the feathers. It had intricate design work, but was manly at the same time.
I had been impressed with his look when I first saw him. Tight but not too tight black pants, button up red shirt, very expensive looking, and a easy going black jacket. He looked like he'd come straight from the office. He was clean shaven with the exception of some black stubble from his five o'clock shadow, and a little patch of hair under his bottom lip. It wasn't enough to constitute a goat-tee, but close.
