by S.E. Akers
“What’s so special about that one?” I inquired as I inspected the tiny fluted crystal bottle that boasted a red crystal stopper and featured a small golden “R” secured by a fancy red & gold tassel.
“Oh, it’s just about a thousand dollars — an ounce!” Katie explained, still looking blown away by its presence.
I puckered my lips and belted out a sharp whistle.
“It’s supposed to smell different on everyone, and it has pheromones in it that drives guys crazy . . . And it’s blended with real rubies.” Katie held the crystal bottle up to my eyes and pointed out the tiny ruby chips floating around the bottom. “See them in there.” Katie shook her head, still looking dumbfounded. “My mom doesn’t even have a bottle of THIS,” she scoffed.
I watched the delicate ruby fragments swim gracefully within in the bottle. Before I knew it, Katie had removed the red crystal stopper and was sweeping it across my wrist.
She lifted it up to my nose. “Smells good, huh?” Katie posed.
I had to admit the fragrance smelled heavenly. It possessed a sweet florally bouquet with an undertone of some exotic-scented spice. But what I found even more intriguing was that each time I took another whiff, I detected a slightly different aroma coming from the blend, followed by an overwhelming surge of energy that pulsated through my body.
Weird… “What’s it called?” I asked.
“It doesn’t have an actual name,” Katie answered. “It’s imported from India and just goes by its signature initial ‘R’ that’s attached to the bottle.” Katie pushed back my hair. “Here . . . Let me dab some on you.” She gently lifted up my necklace and proceeded to apply the intoxicating fragrance around my neck, all along my skin where the chain would lay. Then she swept the applicator’s crystal tip downward, trailing a path towards the center of my chest. I halted her hand, just shy of my cleavage.
“What are you doing?” I asked cluelessly.
Katie tried to contain her giggles. “Well, you don’t know what that hound-dog waitin’ for you out there is bound to sniff out tonight,” she teased, brows twitching.
I smacked her shoulder straightaway.
“Easy now — I don’t want to spill it on your dress,” Katie chuckled and quickly capped the cologne with its ornate topper. “Let me see if I can find that clutch.” She handed me the dainty crystal bottle and then disappeared into Charlotte’s cedar-lined walk-in closet.
After giving the ruby chips one more swirl, I placed the bottle back down on the tray and joined Katie in her search. My determined BFF was rooting around the shelves, shifting Charlotte’s things like she was on a sandy beach in search of buried treasure. From out of nowhere, I felt a slight twinge of heat radiating around my neck and down my chest. Oddly, the warm sensation seemed to be intensifying.
Katie stood up on a few stacked containers and located the clutch, lying on an upper shelf. “Found it!” she called out.
I wasn’t paying much attention to her discovery. My focus was directed towards the peculiar burning sensation now singeing my skin.
It couldn’t be the cologne, could it? My wrists aren’t burning.
Katie noticed my discomfort. “Shi, What’s wrong?”
I started to tell her when I spotted an awfully familiar envelope that had slid forward and was now dangling on the edge of the shelf.
Are my eyes deceiving me?
“Move, Katie. Let me up there!” I snapped, ignoring the pain.
Katie hopped off the makeshift stool. I balanced myself carefully on the toes of my new stilettos and climbed onto the containers. I grabbed the yellow envelope off the shelf. My worst fears were confirmed, and my rage overcame any physical pain I was feeling. It was addressed,