by Maxine Storm
I paced back and forth a moment. Where was she? I phoned Marsha, hoping she might have had an idea.
"Marsha," I said, "I'm looking for Michelle."
"Ah," Marsha responded, "it's too bad, because I just saw her."
"What?"
"Yes, she was waiting down near the entrance. She said she was going to a club." Marsha laughed.
"A club?" I asked with surprise. "What was she doing going there? She hates clubbing."
Marsha laughed again.
"I wondered the same thing. I could tell it wasn't for her at all."
"You can say that again," I said.
I remembered when Michelle and I went to a club back in high school during our last summer vacation before my final year. We were both underage and had to have someone we knew on the inside sneak us in past security. That part was fun. But the rest was kind of laughably a disaster.
The moment we got in, Michelle clutched her ears because the music was so loud. I didn't like it either, but because we were with some other friends, I didn't want to not look macho in front of them. But Michelle didn't care about that. "This place sucks!" she had said. I had basically agreed with her at the time. But although it was terrible in that respect, I still remember fondly dancing with her, grinding against her and feeling her body become sweaty with mine. I had been so hard the entire time, and it was the closest thing we had had to sex that I could remember up to that point. I could even feel my orgasm building as she sexily pressed her ass into my crotch, rubbing her soft cheeks against my hardness. I guess because it was in a different context that she had been able to enjoy it. But after when we had gotten out of the club, I tried to get close to her again. It didn't work. In that moment though, she was able to forget whatever it was that had been controlling her and limiting her relations with me. I felt her passion for me there and I knew no matter what was being told to her to contain it and hide it, it was there.
"So Brent," Marsha asked, snapping me back to reality, "are you going to go after her?"
"Of course," I said, jogging to the elevator. "Which club is it again?"
***
The Boulevard nightclub was a place I loathed. I had gone there before for some industry event, and I hated every minute of it there, from the moment I stepped to the moment I got out of that God-forsaken shithole. It was full of fake people who just wanted to get to know what you could do for them and advanced their standing in life. "Hey, you're famous, can I suck your dick?" They'd practically say. It made me sick, that pit of snakes. I had to spend more time with people like that ever since my business took off, but I can't say I ever enjoyed it. I tried to limit my interactions with those types of people, and focused on people with solid character and good hearts. I was blessed I could tell the difference at this point in my life.
With that in mind, I wondered why Michelle headed to that place. I doubt she could tolerate it any more than I could. We were remarkably similar in that regard. The only thing we could ever possibly enjoy about it was making fun of the ridiculous and pretentious behavior we encountered afterward when we were alone.
My limo finally stopped in front of the club. I could practically smell the stench of back stabbing and fakeness seeping through the walls and neon lights.
I told my driver to wait around the corner, only because I was mindful of the fact that it was likely someone would probably puke all over the car, being the classy joint The Boulevard was.
I wish I brought earplugs, I thought, as I got closer to the entrance. This music, if you could call it that, was horrible. I knew Michelle was detesting every drum beat inside there and it made me smile, knowing how alike we were.
I got to the entrance and the doorman stuck his hand out to block the way without looking at me. I merely cleared his throat and he took of his glasses to get a better look at me.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stevenson," he said. "Please, come in."
I nodded, and slowly stepped inside. I didn't want to be here, but now I had to find Michelle. It was the only thing that mattered to me and I wasn't going to leave until I had her.
Chapter 21 - Michelle
I was lost in my thoughts, tuning out the music that was doing its best to give me a headache. The song was "Fucking Annoying" by DJ Squeelo and his merry gang of idiots. But during a respite in the music, probably so DJ Squeelo could snort a kilo, thoughts about where I was heading with Brent came to mind.
Could I have ended up like Emily, I wondered. If I had stayed with Small. If I lost myself in this lifestyle of the rich and famous. Who knows if I would ever find my way out again, to the real me. I knew Brent, as rich as he was now, wouldn't fit in this fake place. I found myself unwittingly thinking of him and realized how alone I was in this entire club packed wall to wall with people just wanting to be noticed by someone more famous than them.
I was bumping past people when suddenly someone grabbed my arm. I tried to take a few steps forward, thinking it was just a drunk person reaching out for balance, but the hand was firm.
"Excuse me," I said.
"No," the other voice said.
I turned around to see who was holding me and some drunk bro.
"You're looking real nice, girl," he said, still holding on to me.
"Let me go," I said.
The bro didn't let go, but he did loosen his grip.
"So what are you doing out here?" he asked.
The club goers continued to shuffle around us.
"None of your business," I replied.
"Feisty," he said. "I like it. I can see why guys have been eyeing you up, here. Especially those juicy tits you got there."
"Fuck off," I said, trying to whip my arm loose from him.
"You know," he said, "I'm glad I ran into you."
"Can't say I feel the same," I said, with a look of disgust.
"I can make some big plans for you," he said, raising his eyebrows, "if you help me out."
"I literally cannot think of something more repulsive than that," I said, frowning.
The bro looked at me with daggers in his eyes. I knew I touched a nerve.
He pulled my arm one the one hand and drew his other around my back. I was sickeningly close to him. He smelled completely like alcohol and my nose wriggled at the odor.
"I got a plan," he said, his breath forcing my face to turn away.
"Stuff your plan," I said.
I pushed back from him and got back some distance.
The bro belched and I could smell the alcohol from his rotten breath. He was as drunk as one can be and I almost felt sorry for him, were he not a disgusting pig.
The music suddenly silenced in my ears and I couldn't hear anything.
The bro jerked me towards him again.
"So what do you say, huh?" he said, wiping his mouth with his shirt. "Ready to be a rich bitch? It'll be easy. You just bounce those tits in front of me and I'll be yours."
I furrowed my brows in disgust and pushed the bro away, this time with two hands.
He took a step menacingly towards me and reached his grubby hand out again to grab me.
"Come here," he said, with venom.
I pushed him away but he started towards me and my heart raced. I called out for help but it was drowned out by the climaxing dance music. I saw his hand right before me and I closed my eyes.
And then there was a thwack, and another thwack, and then the sound bone smashing bone. I heard the bro groan and I opened my eyes.
Standing before me was Brent, and his fist was drawn back like the hammer in a gun, ready to unload another punch. The bro was toppled on the ground and rubbing his forehead.
"Don't you ever touch her again," Brent boomed, his voice cutting through the wall of sound.
The bro just groaned and shook his head back and forth.
"Fuck you," he said, unable to focus his eyes on Brent from the dizziness.
Brent moved to deliver another terrible blow to the bro but I pulled on Brent's arm to restrain him.
I could feel Brent's arm flexing, almost lifting me up from the ground with its power.
The bro got up slowly, wavering on the way up like a slinky, and gave a dirty look to Brent and me. He turned around and clutched his temple and disappeared into the crowd.
"Are you OK?" Brent asked me, his eyes still scanning the crowd for any dangers.
"Yes," I said.
"Let's get out of here," Brent said, grabbing my hand. He led me out of the club and while I was still mad at Brent, I was glad to be out of this place.
***
We were in the limo as it drove down the street and out of the club district. But the throbbing music of The Boulevard was replaced by a deafening silence between Brent and I. My arms were crossed and I was turned away from him, and we stayed like that for minutes.
"You could have been hurt there," Brent said.
I didn't say anything.
"That place isn't safe," he continued. "Something could have happened to you."
"What do you care?" I shot back. "I was just in your way before, because of your precious business meetings. Sorry I'm not some big shot executive who isn't worth your time."
"It's not like that, Michelle," Brent said.
"It isn't?" I said, with annoyance.
"I care what happens to you," he said.
"Only if it's not too inconvenient and fits your schedule, right? Gotta fit the busy schedule of Mr. CEO."
"No, Michelle," Brent said, and he reached his hand towards me. But I pushed it away.
"What were you doing in that club?" Brent asked.
"What does it matter?" I said. "It's not like I'm wasting your time if I'm there. You should be happy."
"I'm not happy worrying about you," Brent said, raising his voice. "It doesn't make me happy wondering if you're OK or if something's happening to you."
I turned away from him even more.
"I'm not some kid," I said, under my breath. "You don't control me like that."
We sat separately again as the limo continued to drive. I could feel the intense silence between us as my heart never let up, and I could hear Brent breathing in frustration. Well, be frustrated, because I was pretty damn frustrated myself, I thought.
"Leonard," Brent suddenly exclaimed, "stop the car."
The car stopped and I was stunned at Brent's behavior. What had made him act in such a way.
He got out of the limo and slammed his door shut. I heard his footsteps go around the limo and I saw him just outside my passenger side window. He swung the door open and pulled me out.
"Hey," I said, "what's the matter with you?"
Brent didn't say anything as he made sure I was safely out of the door's range before he closed it. He took my hide and walked me down the steps to the beach we had stopped in front of. Nobody was around because it was the night time, so the beach looked clear under the moon and beside the murmuring ocean.
We were standing on the beach side by side, not saying a word to each other. Finally Brent broke the silence.
"Michelle, I was really worried about you back there," he said, turning his body towards me.
"You didn't need to," I said quickly.
"No, I did. Because this time, I worried about losing you, for real. In the forest, that was tough, I'm not going to lie. And when we were younger, it hurt me like hell to leave. That was my mistake. But I didn't want to screw this up again. I didn't anything at all to happen to you. Because if something did, I don't know what I'd do. It'd kill me. It'd seriously kill me. And I realized how bad I fucked up in treating you like that, when I said I had those business meetings. That's not me. It was me these past years, but that's because you weren't here. The moment you arrived, that fake me had died. I remembered how I used to be when I saw you. That's what I want. I want you. I'm sorry I treated you like that. Not just the other day, but when we were younger, too. I didn't know a damn thing then. I want to make it work with you, Michelle. More than anything."
I swallowed hard.
I felt the tears starting to burst out of my eyes, slowly at first, and then into a full sob as my heart felt as if it were on fire and my stomach was upside. As the tide went in and out I felt the tears flow and flow as I turned and ran to Brent and wrapped my arms around him.
I held him as tightly as I could and he accepted me completely in his embrace. I pressed my face against his chest and felt my tears wet my face as he caressed me.
"Brent," I said, barely able to speak.
"Shh," Brent said, running his hands over my hair. "Shh, Michelle. You don't have to say anything. It's OK."
We stood there, holding each other as the tide gently went over the sand and back into the depths. I felt Brent's finger softly lift up my chin and we were looking up at the night sky together.
"We may not have been able to really enjoy the sunrise," Brent said.
"That's an understatement," I said, smiling.
"And not the sunset either," he continued, "but at least tonight we have the moon."
Brent kissed me softly and our lips moved in unison, slowly, delicately, savoring the moment. We were far away from the maddening crowd, and finally alone with ourselves, and it was all the company we ever needed.
We stood there together, enjoying the beauty of nature and of the moment, until I felt a yawn. I rubbed Brent's chest and gave it a kiss.
"Let's get you home," he said, rubbing my cheek. "It's been a long day."
He bent down to kiss me again and then led me back up the stairs by the hand to the limo.
***
I found myself being woken Brent rubbing my shoulder.
"We're here, Michelle," he said.
I rubbed my eyes. I could barely stay awake. I was having such a pleasant rest lying on Brent's lap.
"Do we have to go?" I said, sensing that I was about to fall asleep again.
"Well," he said, "we can't sleep in the limo all night."
"We can't?" I said, covering my mouth again as I yawned.
Brent lightly smacked my bum.
"Do I need to carry you?" he said, rubbing my lower back.
"Hmmmm, maybe," I said.
Brent rubbed my forehead and as I opened my eyes I saw his charming smile. He really could have been a model. Well he was - my model.
Brent got out of the limo and lowered his hand so he could help me out. Once on my feet, though, he immediately swooped his hands under my knees and my back and lifted me up effortlessly. It was so comfortable being held and protected like this, as I was gently rocked me while carrying me into the hotel.
We were passing the bar and I felt someone tap my hand.
"Ah, so you found your boyfriend you were telling me about," the voice said.
I opened my eyes and saw it was the elderly businessman who had spoken to me before Brent had taken me up on the plane.
"Yes," I said, smiling. "He found me."
Brent looked at the man and then down at me.
"It took some effort, but I got her," Brent said.
"Well," said the man, "good on you, son. She's definitely a keeper."
"That she is," Brent said, "That she is."
"Well, goodnight," I said, as Brent carried me away. The man waved at me and I waved back. I feel myself drifting off to sleep again in Brent's arms. The images of the day started appearing through my hazy imagination but they kept returning to Brent. It was all made better by him. He didn't even have to take me to my bed, I felt. It was so perfect right here and right now with him.
Chapter 22 - Brent
I had forgotten how sensitive and delicate Michelle was. It's true she could have a tough exterior. It's true she could be feisty at times. She could be sarcastic and fry you with a precise observation.
But all of that was something that endeared her to me.
And deep down she had a heart of gold, and that's what kept me fighting for her. I knew I couldn't lose her again. The first time, it's true, wa
s my fault. But I was young, I was dumb, I was full of... coming up with crazy ideas that I couldn't see what was right in front of me, what was right in front of me and perfect - her. I didn't want to make that same mistake again. If I lost her this time, it'd be like losing the entire world. It'd be like losing myself, because I had realized how much she had become part of me, and how much my personality had changed after loving her for so long. I wish it didn't take me so long to come to that. I wish I hadn't been so slow to acknowledge that. I guess I thought it wasn't like me, that a woman could make me feel so alive. That she could make me feel like myself. That I wasn't really myself when I was without her. It took a long time to realize that. But when I was standing on the beach with her, holding her, showing her that she was the one for me - and no one else - that I understood how close we had become. I couldn't imagine not being with her, not having her.
When I thought about it, I knew that she was with me always, all through these years. She was there somewhere in my mind, my memories, silently reminding me of the man that I could truly become. And I had blocked out her voice because I didn't want to acknowledge how I had hurt her, how I had screwed things up, and how I had let her down - and in the process, let myself down.
I was different now, though. I had changed. And I wasn't going to lose her again. I wasn't going to let her slip through my fingers as I retreated into the darkness of my soul, numbing myself to the outside world and what I sincerely wished I had. There was no real life without her in the picture. I knew that now. If only I could have gone back in time to tell my younger self that! But being that damn teenager I was, I probably wouldn't have listened. I'm just happy that somehow, our paths crossed one more time.
***
I finally had the meeting scheduled with some of the other airport and hotel magnates. This had been in the works for a long time but it could never be fully scheduled until now. These were the key people who could take this new business of mine into the stratosphere: a global empire. This would be a huge step forward and could mean a gigantic breakthrough for the new business and its killer app.