Party at Decadence
The black executive Mercedes cruised through the luxury suburb, rain pouring from the night sky. Mark fidgeted in his tuxedo, a little out of discomfort but mostly from nerves. He checked out his hair again in the vanity mirror, every hair was still perfectly in place. He took a little confidence from the fact he was looking sharp. His short dark hair was gelled back, his face looked fresh from the close shave he had had at the Italian barbers just few hours before. He looked as ready as he could be. He glanced over to Serena, she was driving carefully through the rain drenched streets focused - calm. She also looked immaculate, her blond hair hung in gentle waves down to her bare shoulders. Mark had no idea how much that evening dress cost, but she looked a million dollars.
Mark hadn't known Serena long, just a few months. He was a first-year associate at the law firm and Serena had maybe five years on him and was a rising star. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before she made partner, just as everyone knew how tough she was. She had built herself a reputation of being as ruthless and as cut-throat in the courtroom as anyone in the office. A reputation she enjoyed. While Mark's reputation was just he was pretty quick on the copy machine and didn't mess up the coffee orders... too often. He felt more than just a little intimidated by her.
Serena slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the road, "Ok, this is where we were told to send the text," she said and turned to Mark.
"Yes, right," answered Mark as he pulled out his phone and the invitation. He felt his fingers tremble, this wasn't helped as he felt Serena's scrutiny. "There, I have sent the message, guess we just wait."
"Guess so," came Serena's response.
They sat listening to the rain drum on the roof in silence. Mark turned the invitation over and over again in his hand. It was a thick black card with an embossed gold image depicting the outlines of a man and woman entwined. On the back of the card was the phone number, date and time - 22:00. Mark checked his watch it was 21:58. Serena's normally ice-cold faΓ§ade gave way slightly as Mark saw nibble her lower lip and adjust her hair. Mark didn't know what to say, or if to say anything at all. He really didn't know her well at all. Sure he had seen her around the office, all the guys had! But none of his close colleagues has ever spoken to her. Before last week his only contact with her was when they shared an elevator ride together for five floors - during which time they didn't exchange a single word.
It was last Friday, after work, when one of the senior partners was taking the entire department out for celebratory drinks for closing a deal, that he actually spoke to Serena. It was one of those super swanky New York wine bars where every drink costs a small fortune - luckily that night it was all going on the firm's tab. Mark had gone up to the bar for a refill of a single malt when he noticed Serena sitting at the bar looking lost in thought. Even in her business suit, she looked incredible, and since he'd had a few drinks to fuel his courage he managed a nod. Serena had given him a curious look, not unfriendly but not exactly inviting either.
"I would have offered to buy you a drink, but as Rob is covering everything I can't exactly do that," Mark had said trying to create some kind of opening.
"I don't need men to buy me drinks," Serena replied curtly.
"Oh, right, yeah sorry I didn't mean it like that," Mark had said feeling embarrassed even though the alcohol in his system and turned to leave with his tail between his legs.
"Come here, sit," Serena beckoned him over.
Mark did what he was instructed and sat next to her, the sweet scent of her perfume had washed over him and he felt mesmerized in her blue eyes.
"What's your name," Serena had asked.
Mark couldn't recall exactly how the next half an hour transpire, but he did remember he had felt like he was being interviewed but interviewed for what he wasn't sure. Then the conversation had taken an even stranger turn.
"This kind of job gets in the way of life, if you want to succeed you need to give everything and that means not much opportunity to have any excitement," Serena had said.
"Yes, I understand and I am fully committed I am prepared..." Mark had started before Serena cut him off.
"I am sure you will, but I am not interested in what you do at work. I have been given an opportunity. A unique opportunity to experience something... something very few people will ever experience. Unfortunately the person I was supposed to do it with has had a change of heart and rules say there must be two of us."
"I'm sorry I don't follow. Rules? Rules for what?"
"Due to some of the clients I have helped I have been invited to a very exclusive gathering. It is next week and unless I find a partner I won't be allowed to go."
"Oh, ok, so you want me to be your plus one at this party?" Mark had asked not sure if he was now understanding her proposal or if something else was going on.
"This isn't some standard champagne party, this is the most premier sensual experience in the world?"
"Er... you mean like some swingers sex party?"
Serena sighed and leaned back, "Never mind."
"No, no, I am interested," Mark had blurted out to recover the situation. Of course, he had been interested. Serena was right, this job was all-consuming and he hadn't been laid in months. That and the prospect of getting intimate with the office beauty that he had only ever been able to ogle from afar had sent his blood pumping. "But why me?"
Serena had looked him up and down, "Two reasons, firstly you are handsome and in good shape."
Mark had puffed up at this comment and flexed his muscles straining the tight-fitting shirt, "Thanks."
"But more importantly, I don't know you well and as you are my junior you can have no effect on my career. I don't want to share this part of my life with my personal friends and certainly not with my peers at work. This means nothing that happens at the party between us can have any effect on either our personal or professional relationship because we have neither."
These clinical comments had deflated Mark slightly but he was still up for this adventure.
Serena had taken out a card from her purse and handed it over to him. It was made of the highest quality card stock and embossed with golden figures clinging onto each other in the midst of rapture. "So are you in?" She had asked.
A beep from the phone shook Mark from his thoughts and he became aware of the rain pounding on the metal roof and the sweet smell of perfume.
"39 Kensington Road," said Serena reading out the message on the phone, "it's just a couple of miles away."
A fresh pang of nerves washed over Mark and he felt his palms sweat, what the hell had he gotten himself into? He noticed even Serena hesitate, her hand fidgeted on the gears. "So are we doing this?" Mark asked, his voice full of doubt.
Serena pushed the car into drive, "Of course," but she didn't sound her usual confident self. The car pulled away and moved slowly down the leafy street with the rain bouncing relentlessly off the windscreen. Mark peered out into the gloom, all the houses were huge, he could only ever dream of owning a house even a fraction of the grandeur of these. He saw a sign for 35, then 37, then 39. The car slowed and then they looked up the long treelined drive. The house was so far set back they could barely see it - perfect for a private function.
They drove up the driveway and reached a large stone house, many of the lights were on but all the windows had thick curtains drawn and they could see nothing inside. There were about a dozen or so cars, a collection of Bentleys, Roles Royces, BMWs and other luxury brands. Serena parked up and turned off the engine. They sat for moment, the only sound the rain. Mark looked to Serena for guidance. She noticed this.
"Well nothing much is going to happen out here," she reached into the back seat and got her raincoat. Mark kicked himself for not bringing his, then again he had been very distracted when he was getting ready and weather conditions weren't really on his mind.
They made a dash for the double door entrance of the house. It was only a couple of dozen meters but Mark felt the rain pouring down the back of his collar and splashing up his trousers. By the time they got to the door, he was soaked. Serena had been protected by her raincoat and now gave Mark a disapproving look. He thought he was about to get told off but then the door opened and an exquisite vision of a lady stood there. She was late twenties, had dark short cropped hair, delicate features and a petite, yet perfectly toned, figure that was enhanced by a gold sequined dress.