I had been a schoolteacher before my divorce but now I was set with cash from my ex-husband and ready to mingle. I had been married for almost 16 years when I had caught him with another woman. Now it was my time to reclaim my lost youth. It was my time to have fun.
I got invited to the first party by a friend of a friend who wanted to date me. I wasn't so sure about him but I went on the date anyway. To my shock and delight, it was in downtown Hollywood at a building so tall that I couldn't believe the view when we got to the penthouse.
"Whose party is this?" I asked Larry, my date.
"It's Nico Corolla's party. He's a bigshot Hollywood producer. He produced a lot of the biggest movies of our time," Larry explained.
"How do you know him?"
"We go to these other parties together."
"What kind of parties?" I asked, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he changed the subject and I let it go. Suddenly, the music stopped and the DJ began to introduce the host.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming out tonight! You guys ready to party?" The crowd cheered. "I knew it! I think you all are in for a big treat tonight. Let's give a warm welcome for your host, Nico Corolla!"
I was shocked when I saw Nico. I don't know what I expected, but he wasn't what I thought he would be. He was short and balding a bit. I wasn't sure how old he was but it was definitely over age 50. He wore a full suit and he looked about as nice as someone could look when they were sixty pounds overweight. I didn't find him attractive but I noticed something right away.
As he began to make a speech of thanks to all of his guests I could see all the young girls at the party shift their eyes onto Nico. They were like a pack of money-hungry vultures, ready to fight over a carcass. Nico was that carcass, old and graying but still stuffed full of money and resources that every young lady in the room had their heart set on being the one who could have Nico.
It was disgusting, honestly. Nico was disgusting too. I sighed but decided since I was there, I should enjoy the party. It was an open bar and the people were all so delightfully intriguing. I didn't notice when Nico snuck up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Yes?" I asked turning to see it was him. "Wait! Aren't you the host? What was your name again? I'm so sorry I can't remember," I apologized. I knew his name, I just didn't like him. I wanted him to know that not everybody gave a shit about him.
"And you are?" he asked me, a smirk on his face.
"I'm Emy."
"Emy? What is your last name?" He looked interested.
"I'd rather not give my last name. In fact, I should be going."
"Oh, don't go just yet, Emy. The night has barely begun. You should come upstairs with us and see where the real party is."
"My date is somewhere around here, though. I can't leave him."
"You're not leaving, just coming upstairs. Let me show you. Excuse me," he pushed through a crowd of guests and I followed him up a long, white-carpeted staircase.
He opened a door and I was shocked to see an additional party happening in a private suite in the building. The views from this spot were spectacular, slightly higher than those on the penthouse floor had been. I hadn't realized you could get higher than the penthouse.