Consumed (2 page)

“Good night.” Dana calls out as I re-enter my room and close the door behind me. I sink back down into my bed, grabbing my bag of abandoned chocolate I toss it onto the night stand that sits to the right of my bed. I don’t want to go out but deep down I know that I need to. I need to find a way to live my life without Grayson. I need to find out who Addison Grant really is.

Truth is, I have lived my life for someone else for so long I’m fearful that I lost myself along the way. I can’t stay holed up in my room forever. My relationship is over not my life. I only hope I can find the strength to one day really believe that.

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“J
ust about finished for the day?” I hear a familiar voice say behind me. I spin around in my chair to find a very cheerful Sam grinning back at me.

“Unfortunately yes.” I respond, rolling my eyes.

“Not the answer I was expecting.” He smiles, running his hand through his dirty blonde hair and sitting down on the edge of my cubicle style desk.

“Dana and Kristina are forcing me to go out tonight. To say I am dreading it would be an understatement.” I click off my computer and stand, straightening my black pencil skirt. Sam makes no attempt to move so I side step around him to grab my purse from the back of my cubicle. He catches my wrist causing me to tense.

I glance to his face to find him studying me. “What?” I ask a little unsure about what exactly is happening and suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

“Listen, I know that you are just recently single but I was really hoping that maybe you and I could go out some time.” He rambles off quickly breaking eye contact to stare down at his hand still around my wrist.

I pull my hand away and he lets me, not making any attempt to hold the contact. “Sam you're an awesome guy and I am really happy that we are friends but that's all we are, friends.” His eyes raise to meet mine again and I can't help but feel a ping of guilt. He's a good looking enough guy. Dirty blonde spiked hair, blue eyes, the kind of smile that just warms you. But I'm not looking to get involved with anyone and I am certainly not looking to complicate the few friendships that I have let alone start something that could create a very uncomfortable working environment.

“Hey no worries.” He says. “Figured I would give it a shot before someone else snatches you up.” He winks and gives me one of those amazing smiles before turning and walking away without saying another word.

I exhale loudly and resume gathering my things to leave for the day. The week has flown by. I dove in first thing Monday morning and have been non stop since then. I have been determined to keep myself busy and to not think about Grayson too much.

I expected to hear from him by now but he still has made no attempt to contact me. In a way I am thankful but on the other hand I can't help but feel like after all the years we spent together he should at least care enough to make sure that I am okay.

I make my way down the row where my desks sits, past four cubicles all identical to mine. When I reach the last desk I notice that Kristina is not there. She must still be in her meeting. She is heading up a huge fundraiser for some Casino and Resort and has spent most of her time in meetings here recently. If I didn't see her at home every night I would probably miss her.

I turn to the left and make my way to the elevators on the far side of the wall. R.L. Advertising resides on the fourth floor of the luxurious Strike Tower. Several other businesses make up the other thirteen floors but other than seeing names here and there I really don't know what they are or what they do for that matter.

The elevator doors slide open and I am grateful that it's empty. I step inside and hit the first floor button. The doors close and I sink back into the corner. I am thankful for a moment of peace. Kristina has not let me spend a moment alone in the last four days. Determined not to let me sulk any longer, shes filled our time with movies, girl talk, and wine.

The elevator dings signaling I have arrived at my destination. I force my eyes open and peel myself away from the wall, for the first time wishing that my office was higher up so the trip wasn't so short lived.

The doors slide open revealing a beautiful marble floored lobby. People are bustling around, most heading home for the weekend. I step out, adjusting my purse on my shoulder before setting off to the revolving doors that lead out of the building.

The lobby is beautifully decorated with multiple fountains strategically placed throughout the wide open space. The exterior walls are made completely of glass that gives the floor a rainbow color effect when the sun hits the tinted windows just right. I wave to Carl, the security guard who greets me every morning and tells me to have a good night every evening. He's an older man, maybe late fifties. Chubby and short with salt and pepper hair. He reminds me a lot of my uncle Luke which is why I guess I am so fond of the man.

He nods and returns my wave as I pass the reception area and step outside. The warm air swallows me almost instantly. I still have yet to adapt to the Nevada heat. It's not hot by any means but compared to Vermont weather in March it's very warm.

I make my way to the left, past several more buildings very similar to Strike Tower, to the parking garage where R.L. Advertising and several other businesses employees park. I scored a parking spot two rows down from the exit this morning and quickly spot my white KIA Sorento that I named Moesha the day I bought her. She was the first car I ever purchased for myself and while it's nothing too fancy, I am very proud of her.

I hop in, roll the windows down, and make my way out of the garage and on to the busy street. Traffic is much lighter than I am used to and it takes me less than twenty minutes to reach my apartment building a few miles across town. Our home is just fifteen minutes from the action of Las Vegas and in all the months I have been here I have yet to venture there.

I park Moesha on the curb and grab my things before making my way inside. The apartment is quiet. I can't help but hope that Kristina gets stuck at work late and changes her mind about going out this evening. Just as my tension starts to ease, my cell phone signals and new text message. It's from Dana.

I'm coming over early to help you get ready. Be there in ten.

My stomach instantly knots. This means only one thing. She plans on getting me all dolled up and trying to send me home with the first suitable bachelor she can find. I hate to burst her bubble but that most certainly is not going to happen.

I hurry to my room and grab my robe before heading to the bathroom to take a quick shower. By the time I am finished Dana has already arrived and is waiting patiently on the brown wrap around couch that takes up a third of the living room space.

She jumps up as soon as she spots me, picking up several bags from the floor. “Um... What's all this?” I ask as she carries the bags into my bedroom and flops them down on the bed.

“Wardrobe selections for tonight.” She sings, smiling widely.

“I have plenty of my own clothes, thanks. I'm sure I can find something to wear.” I say turning away from her and walking into my small walk in closet. It takes me all of two minutes to admit defeat and realize that I really don't have anything I want to wear. As much as I don't want to take the time and energy to get all done up, I can't deny that dressing up and having a night on the town with the girls will be just what I need.

“I knew you would see reason.” Dana teases as I re-enter my room with no clothes in hand. “I have the perfect outfit for you!” She squeals, turning her attention to the clothes now draped across my bed.

She holds up a little red number with a low neck line. I immediately shake my head no. It's so short I would be worried my ass was hanging out all night. Dana laughs, clearly catching the reason I was so quick to turn the outfit down and picks up another. This time she presents me with a gorgeous black cocktail dress. I grab it from her hands without saying a word and go back into the closet to try it on.

I slip right into the dress. It fits perfectly and I turn to examine myself in the floor length mirror hanging on the back of my closet door. As much as I hate to admit it, the dress looks killer. Sleeveless with two inch straps, it hugs tight around the bust area and then flares out to just above my knees. I twirl around loving how the dress swishes with me as I move.

I step back into my room. Dana instantly shoots up from my bed. “That's it! Oh my god Addie you are going to look so hot!”

“What are you wearing?” I try to distract her from focusing on me. I don't like being the center of attention and right now I have a feeling that is going to be the tone of the night.

“Well since you passed on this one.” She says holding up the way too short red dress. “I think I'm gonna go for sexy siren tonight.” She winks and then bursts into laughter. I can't help but join her. She has one of those infectious laughs that just takes over you and you can't help but laugh with her.

Two hours later, Kristina has finally made it home and we are all ready to leave. I take one last look at my finished product in the bathroom mirror. My blue eyes are intensified with a smoky eyeshadow and dark mascara. My face looks practically airbrushed after Kristina got a hold of me, and my shoulder length dark hair is so full of product I wonder how many times I will have to wash it to get it all out. I can't complain too much, it's laying just right and my makeup looks amazing.

It's funny how a little more makeup than usual, some hairspray, and a gorgeous dress can make a girl feel like a whole new person. I exit the bathroom to find two stunning girls standing in the living room. Dana went with the red dress and I am so glad she did. Partnered with red heels and a black clutch, she looks like she's out to kill tonight. Her long blonde hair is tied off in a fancy pony and her silver drop earrings with matching necklace complete the look.

To her left is Kristina. Decked out in a royal cobalt halter dress and silver heels. Her short blonde bob is fluffed and her make up light. She looks typical Kristina, elegant and beautiful.

I slip on my black four inch heels, happy that for at least right now I am not the shortest girl in the room. Standing only at 5'2”, it's very rare to find people much shorter than me. Dana isn't much taller than I am but Kristina is one of those girls with legs to die for and she stands at least six inches taller than me.

“You ready?” Kristina asks practically jumping out of her skin. She hands me my black wrist-let purse and ushers me out the door before I have a chance to protest.

“Don't worry girl, as hot as you look tonight the last thing you are going to find yourself worrying about is that ass of an ex. Guys are going to be lining up to talk to you.” She winks, opening the door to her small black sports car. I climb into the back and settle in, doing my best to keep my nerves in check.

I don't know why I am so nervous. Well that's not entirely true. I have never been out to a girls night like this. For the first time in my life I can do whatever I want with whomever I want and no one around to tell me otherwise. The thought both excites me and scares the shit out me.

––––––––

W
ithin seconds of pulling into the Bella Vita Resort and Casino I was ready to turn around and head back home. By the time we enter the lush establishment my anxiety has reached a breaking point and my knees are all but crashing together. I don't know why I let the girls talk me into this.

We enter through the main entrance and after having our I.D.'s checked we are ushered through a line of people and finally enter the main floor of the casino. It's unlike anything I have ever seen. Lights and sounds coming from every direction make it difficult for my mind to catch up with the scenery taking place around me.

On either side of us are rows upon rows of slot machines varying in denomination. Down the center strip of the floor there are several card tables all crowded with a sea of people. Dana grabs my hand and steers me to the walk way on the left, leading me through a row of slot machines to a set of escalators that are set in the middle surrounded by a barrier of glass.

I keep my mouth shut and my eyes forward as I take in my surroundings. Just above us there is a huge chandelier with what looks like crystal hanging from it in various lengths. The red carpet gives off a Hollywood appeal and the silver and gold trim give it just enough elegance.

When we reach the bottom of the escalator Kristina leans over and gives my arm a squeeze. “We will hit up some slots later, but first we're going to get drunk and dance like fools... Come on!” She squeals grabbing my forearm and practically dragging me off to the side wall where a club scene has just unfolded before my eyes. There are dozens of people all dressed to the nines and lined up at the door of what appears to be a bar. A bright red sign above the entrance guarded by four bouncers reads
Serendipity
.

Kristina approaches a bouncer directly to our right. His arms are as big around as my waist and he looks seven feet tall. His bald head and tattoo on his neck only intensify his intimidating demeanor. She leans over and whispers something in his ear that I can't hear. He smiles and unclasps the red rope separating the lower level of the casino from the club and signals for us to go on in.

“What did you say to him?” I ask as we step inside.

“That's Jake, an old friend of mine. I was just saying hello.” She says winking and leading the way through the busy entrance of the bar. I want to push for more but as I am led into the main circuit of the bar all my thoughts are drowned out by loud pulsating music that seems to have manifested from no where at all.

In front of me is the largest club I have ever seen. There are high top tables and chairs strategically placed throughout the carpeted area. All occupied by slutty looking girls and guys who look like they are looking for only one thing. The girls lead me through the tables where the floor opens up to a humongous dance floor, a stage directly in the center on the back wall where a disc jockey is already set up and doing his thing. Ceiling high speakers line both sides of the stage which lead up to a balcony that wraps the entire length of the club. Several people have already crowded the area and are chatting wildly and dancing around.