Two years ago, December 24th, 2007.
*
I was slouching over the bar counter, staring straight down into my martini. Here I was Christmas Eve, drunkenly contemplating life, and why I was sitting here so alone.
So what if I was the successful vice president of my male-oriented company? So what if I lived in a high-rise apartment complex in downtown Manhattan? None of that meant anything without someone to share it with. And lately, work had consumed my life.
My last relationship ended the minute I left college and entered the real world in 2005. I couldn't even remember what sex feels like. What happened to my life?
I was too consumed, and in all honesty, too drunk to notice someone slide into the bar stool next to me. When the person spoke up, I jumped and spilled my drink onto my designer business skirt.
As I started to dab a napkin onto my lap, I felt her hand reach down and start patting me. I looked up at her incredulously.
"Hi," she said. "I'm sorry I scared you." Drunk or sober, I had never seen such a beautiful girl- or person. She had long chestnut hair, that fell to her hips, mile-long legs that she showed off in a short skirt, large breast that filled her beautiful business blouse to the brim.
"Oh, no, it's fine. I'm just too self-absorbed to notice my surroundings," I said, adding a bashful 'thank you' for her help.
"Really, what's the matter? Something another girl can help with?" she asked quizzically.
"Not really... I mean I'm alone on Christmas Eve for the second year in a row. How do you help that? Well, so are you, but God, you're beautiful, why are you a-"
She cut me off mid-babble. "This isn't about me. You are stunning. I can't imagine why a girl like you would be alone. Please, do elaborate."
She was perfect. Her emerald eyes seared right through me, as if piercing my soul, searching for an answer.
"I.. well, I can't find time for a man, and even if I could- men just seem to run when they find out I am more successful than they probably ever will be. I know how cocky I seem, but it's the truth. No man will even hit on me at my office, because they are too embarrassed that I outrank them."
Her eyes lit up. "Interesting. So you're going crazy sexually?"
"Well, yes," I admitted. "
"I'm Grace Micelli, what is your name?"
"Adrienne Troy."
"Pleased to meet you Adrienne. I live in the hotel above, would you like to come up and continue our conversation where it's quieter?"
I wondered where her boyfriend was. She must have one.
"Sure," I said.
We made our way through the Christmas garland-clad bar, to the shimmery gold elevator, and up to her beautiful suite that overlooked the city. She offered me another martini from her personal bar, to which I accepted.
"Adrienne, like I said, you are gorgeous. And you do not deserve to be alone on Christmas Eve. Please, get comfortable." I looked around and saw many black and white photographs on the walls of various nude women.
I gulped and I obliged as I removed my coat. As she made my drink, I could not help but to stare at her beautiful curves and perfect face. My heart raced, and I felt myself becoming nervous despite my liquored-up state.
Grace walked over to me and sat right next to me on the white leather couch. There were three other couches and yet she still chose to sit so close that I could see straight down into her shirt. Her breasts were perfectly sitting in the cups.
I leaned back into the plush couch, and as she began to speak, I again felt her hand on my lap. I instantly felt even more nervous.
"Please, don't be nervous. I'm just another girl. Did you know that I am a photographer?
"I had noticed a few photographs around, did you take those?"
"Yes, I am a professional nude photographer for a magazine here in the city. Do you like any?"
"I do. That one over there with the woman laying in the silk sheets is beautiful," I said.
"Well, Adrienne, that was taken here in my apartment. But you know what, I think you are so beautiful that I would love to photograph you. It would be strictly professional"
I was shaken up. I was dunk, and I was getting worse. My body was numb, my heart was racing, and yet I nodded a yes. She was mesmerizing. It was like I couldn't say no.
She grinned. "That's amazing. I'll get the consent forms tomorrow for you, but right now, let's do this."