Fallen (Chronicles Of The Fallen) (2 page)

Mariah
smiles.
“Okay, you’re all set. I look forward to seeing you then. Welcome to Elite PR & Marketing!”

Lisa smiles back
.
“Thank-you so much, Mariah. I look forward to working with you, as well.”

She
walks towards the elevator, pressing the down button. Standing and
waiting, she looks down at
the
floor,
holding her briefcase in front of her. When
the
elevator
arrives,
she
steps
inside
and
pushes
the
button
for
the
first
floor. Relaxing against the elevator wall, she lets out a long sigh.
“I did it! Holy shit, I did it!”

Lisa
squeals,
as she
does
a little tap dance. She gains control of herself as the elevator
doors
open, exposing her to the sunlight of the reception area. Stepping out onto the marble
floor, she reaches into her briefcase and pulls out her
keys,
sunglasses, and smartphone.

Pushing through the revolving doors, the breeze
blows gently across her body as she slips on her sunglasses. Dialing her friend Jill, she leaves her a voice mail: “We’re going out tonight! I got it!” Not saying anything else, she presses END and
puts her phone back in her briefcase.

Unlocking her Volvo, she climbs in, turns
on the ignition, and turns up the stereo. The Scorpions “Rock You Like A Hurricane” blasts through the car. The grin on her face gets wider. Taking off for home, she can’t wait to celebrate her new career.

FIVE YEARS LATER

Making his way towards his favorite red leather chair inside his den, the incubus takes a seat. Relaxing, he listens to the sounds of the embers occasionally popping in the fireplace, the whimpers and a few giggles from the two women making out on a rug in front of him. The chill of the leather against his bare skin relaxes him, his gaze remaining focused on the two women on the floor. The blond straddles her legs over the brunette’s waist as they continue to kiss. She looks at him and raises a hand, motioning for him to join them. He smirks and shakes his head. “I enjoy watching. I’ll join you soon enough.” The blond grins and turns back to the brunette.

A soft breeze brushes by his hand, and the telltale smell of sulfur fills his nose. Turning in the direction of the scent, he sees a bound parchment. The tan paper, enclosed with a red ribbon and a red wax seal, beckons to be opened. The seal is pressed in the shape of a naked woman hanging by chains. With a rough and deep voice, he says, “And he calls…” He picks up the parchment and runs his finger underneath the seal, breaking it. The pieces of wax fall into his lap, and he brushes it off onto the floor. Unrolling the parchment, he reads “Lisa Adams”.

The name sinks into his mind, and he closes his eyes. Her features invade his thoughts: her long hair; her light, porcelain-like skin; and her emerald green eyes. Seeing her soft, pouty lips, he imagines himself kissing her. Her tone frame exuded confidence and turned him on.

Opening his eyes, he crumples up the parchment. Squeezing it, smoke begins to billow out of his hand. Sulfur fills his nostrils as the parchment disintegrates. Opening his hand, ashes fall from his palm. “And so it begins..."

Standing, he makes his way over to the women on the floor. They stop kissing and look up at him with excitement. Kneeling down to the floor, he reaches for the blond woman and pulls her to him, pressing his lips to hers. The brunette positions herself behind him, kissing along his neck.

Having just broken up with her boyfriend, Lisa and her best friend, Jill, felt that it was time to go out and have a night on the town. "We deserve this," sighs Lisa. "I can't believe I put up with his bullshit for as long as I did."

Jill nods, fixing her hair. “He’s a worthless piece of shit, Lisa. I'm just sad it took you so long to see it." Jill looks at her in the mirror. Lisa was gorgeous. Her long, auburn hair drapes across her ivory skin; her green eyes were painted with tan hues, black eyeliner and mascara. Tall and slender, Lisa could wear anything and make it look good.

Looking back at herself, Jill runs her flat iron through her long, blond locks. Examining her makeup, Jill asks, "Seriously, Lisa, what did you see in him?" Jill crosses her slender legs, adjusting herself in front of the vanity. The bulbs built around it reminded Jill of a 1950's movie set with the mirrored vanity, save for the light tan walls and black bedspread.

Looking over to her friend, Lisa sighs and shakes her head. She picks up the hairspray so she can put the final touches on her hair, which is set in soft curls that tumble down her back. "He wasn't so bad at first. He was very sweet and actually cared for me." She looks at her friend. "He wooed me, Jill." Both girls laugh. "He was good at so many things, but honestly…Jill, he was hung!" She laughs and sets the hairspray down, trading it for her tube of lip gloss. Pulling the wand out, she applies the light pink gloss over her lips.

"Sex isn't everything, Lisa."

"Yeah, I know," Lisa huffs, as she sets her gloss down. "But as all things do, the true colors come pouring out at some point. His were just black."

"I'm sorry, honey, but at least you found that out," Jill says and glances at her. "And now you know."

"It's been too long since I've been out just for fun and not for work.” Lisa grins, pulling her friend into a hug. “Thank-you for being my friend. I love you."

"I love you, too, honey.” Jill smiles, as she pulls back. “As far as your job…yeah, you got it real hard. PR executive who gets to rub shoulders with celebrities. How can you stand having such an awful job?” Jill rolls her eyes, and Lisa giggles.

She’s worked for Elite PR & Marketing for just over five years. She's made her way up the corporate ladder, and watched as others rode on her coattail of success. She knew she had it made it there but sometimes, she wondered to what extent? The work was hard, but self-gratifying. She loves her career and the success she’s built, but there are times that she finds herself daydreaming of finding “Mr. Right” and maybe having children. Shaking it off, she smiles at Jill and they both stand up.

Walking away from the vanity, Lisa steps into her closet and Jill approaches a dress stand that holds a black cocktail dress she has every intention of showing off tonight. Slipping out of her t-shirt and boy shorts, she pulls the sleeveless dress off the hanger, unzips it, then steps into it. Pulling it up her slender frame, she slips her arms through the shoulders. The dress fits snugly against her body. She steps in front of the full-length mirror and looks herself over. She reaches over and pulls up the zipper. Smoothing down the dress, she checks how it looks from all angles. The hem of it ends at Jill's mid-thigh, and the back of it is cut low to her bra line. Smiling in the mirror, she walks across the room and slips on her black Jimmy Choo's. Pulling the strap around her heel, the sequined shoes complete her outfit.

Stepping to where her purse lay on the bed, Jill pulls opens her
Louis Vuitton Westminster bag, grabbing the jewelry that she packed. She pulls out a backwards silver necklace with a long-hanging, encrusted pendant. Slipping it around her neck, it hangs down her backside, sending a cold shiver when the pendant touches her skin. Reaching back in her bag, she pulls out a diamond bracelet and lays it across her wrist, fastening it.
Walking back towards the mirror, she stands and adjusts her dress, pushing her breasts up. Grinning to herself, she runs her fingers through her hair. With her freshly manicured nails, which were painted red with the third fingernail painted black and accented with rhinestones, her outfit is set.

"Do you have anything new in that wardrobe of yours?" Jill looks over the finished product of what she's put together. Smiling to herself, she steps away from the mirror. Walking towards the closet, she watches Lisa struggle with what to wear.

Allowing her fingers to glide across the hangers of clothing, Lisa looks at what she has to choose from…black cocktail dresses, two-piece outfits, mix-and-matches. Moving towards the back, her hands move hanger after hanger. Jill leans against the wall, watching her. Lisa turns and her eyes widen. “Wow, you look stunning!”

“Why, thank-you.” Jill smiles. “Anything new in here?”

Lisa turns back and shakes her head. “Not really.”

She continues to look through her clothes until she comes across a dress that she forgot she bought…a red cocktail dress she hasn’t worn since buying it. Turning towards Jill, running a hand over the silky fabric, she asks, "Too much?"

Jill grins and shakes her head. "Not at all. It's perfect."

Lisa grins then hangs it briefly on the closet rack. Unbuttoning her white shirt, she tosses it to the floor, then slips off her shorts, kicking them from her feet. Picking up the dress, she unzips it. The inside of it is lined with a luscious fabric that Lisa imagines would
feel like silk against her skin. Placing the hanger back in the closet, Lisa steps into the dress. Pulling it up her body, she slips her left arm into it and adjusts it across her chest. The neckline cuts down across her body, underneath her right arm, the hemline hitting mid-thigh. The one-shoulder dress fits her like a glove.

Jill smiles and nods to her friend. "Absolutely perfect! Turn around and I'll zip you up." Lisa turns around and looks down at the dress, the fabric feeling cool against her skin. Jill's fingers grasp the zipper, pulling it up. “Just so we’re on the same page, I hate you in this dress.”

Lisa’s mouth opens in shock, then she grins. "Jill, tell me how you really feel! Thank-you for doing this with me." She reaches up, pulling a stray hair off of Jill's dress.

"Get your shoes on, hooker. Let's go!" Jill winks at her friend, then turns to leave.

Lisa laughs, then turns back into her closet to find the perfect shoes. Opening a Manolo Blahnik box, she finds a pair of black-and-red peep-toe pumps. The red fabric, accented with cheetah-style print, will be perfect. Pulling them from the box, she slips them on. Her red toenail polish peeking out from the ends of the shoes goes perfectly. Replacing the box lid, Lisa walks back towards the bedroom, her smile growing as she playfully flips her hair, resting her hands on her hips.

"Wow, Lisa! I officially hate you
and
your long legs!"

Lisa giggles and waves her friend off. "Whatever. You turn heads anywhere you go! And speaking of, let's go!"

She picks up her clutch and places her license, lip gloss, and credit card inside. The girls walk out of Lisa's bedroom, towards the front door of her condo. By the door is a wooden table that Lisa’s grandfather made back when she was a little girl. It stands waist high with a drawer, two doors, and a few shelves. Lisa grabs her keys from a crystal bowl sitting on the table. "Ready?" Jill nods, as she sets her black clutch under her arm. The girls walk out the front door, locking it behind them.

Taking the elevator down to the parking garage, their shoes striking against the pavement echo through the garage as they make their way towards Lisa's new Audi R8. The two-door, red convertible shines under the garage lights. She presses the unlock button and the headlights flash twice. Pulling the doors open, the girls slide into the tan leather seats. "Buying this car is one of the best investments you've made, Lisa."

Grinning, Lisa says, "I love my car!"

Turning on the ignition, the car purrs to life, the LED lights illuminating the tan leather dashboard; the GPS map coming to life, providing the location of where the car is currently sitting; and music begins to play, Lisa nodding her head along to the beat. After pulling on their seatbelts, Lisa puts the car into drive and pulls out
of the garage, onto the open road for their night on the town. The buildings in downtown Manhattan are lit up, the lights glowing in the evening shade. Building after building is lined with florescent-colored lights that illuminate the area. People are walking on the sidewalks, cars attempting to drive down the busy street.

Lisa pulls into the valet parking lot for Dance 52. The club recently opened, with Lisa’s firm hosting the PR event. In contrast to the brown building, the white letters of DANCE 52 across the awning really light up the corner. The place is crowded with people. They’re even lining the wall outside, waiting to get in. The valet attendants open both car doors, and offer hands to Lisa and Jill. Stepping out, they look around as the cool breeze kisses against their exposed skin.

"Nice ride," the valet attendant tells Lisa.

"Thank-you. Be nice to my baby now." She hands the young man a fifty dollar bill and he smiles, climbing
into the front seat.

Lisa walks over to Jill, slipping the valet ticket into her clutch. Looking at the line of people waiting to get inside, she turns to Jill with a sly grin. "I've got this."

Jill smiles and nods to her friend, and they walk towards the front of the line. Lisa approaches the bouncer guarding the front door. The music from inside provides a faint beat for the line of people. "Hi, Mike. Miss me?"

Mike the bouncer turns to size her up, crossing his arms over his massive chest. His bald head shines under the light of the awning, putting the tattoos covering his scalp on display. He inhales, giving him a bigger appearance than he actually is. In a deep voice, he asks, "Miss Lisa, are you headlining inside tonight?" His voice deep, he raises a brow, then looks over to Jill and gives her a nod. She nods back, then looks at Lisa.

"I'll have some clients coming in later tonight, or so they say. I can introduce you, if you like." She smiles sweetly to Mike. He steps aside and pulls the red rope open to allow the ladies to enter.

"Make sure when
they arrives tonight, they make it out to Mike and Amy. My wife would kill me if she knew VI was here and I didn't get an autograph." Mike chuckles lightly, as Lisa cups his cheek with one hand.

"You're the best, Mike." He grins down at Lisa and closes the red rope after the ladies enter. The people waiting outside begin to yell and protest. Mike ignores them and crosses his thick arms over his chest again, glaring down at the people waiting.

The atmosphere in the club is lit up in a blue hue. Light fog fills the air from the fog machines, and people move in rhythm to the music. The walls are striped in blue and white, and laser lights bounce off them in multiple colors. The club is lined with U-shaped bench seats with tables. The backs of the seats are lit with running lights that provide a light blue hue. On the outskirts of the dance floor are tall tables where people stand and lean, setting their drinks on them as they talk.

The DJ has his headphones covering one ear as his hands move across the table, reviewing music, talking to people, and taking tips for tunes. The waitresses’ making their rounds carry trays lit with a blue light. Their outfits are white one-piece dresses that come down to just below their asses. The bust is cut low, their breasts pushed up for display. Their hair is pulled to the nape of their neck, save for the waitresses with short hair. They wear knee-high white boots that give them a futuristic look.

Jill turns to Lisa. "This place is absolutely amazing!" Her face lights up, and she bounces a little in her step. The energy in the club is making its way into Jill and Lisa.

Lisa smiles at her friend, looping her hand through Jill’s arm. "Welcome home, Jill." Jill grins and laughs as they move further inside.

A good looking, tall young man with dirty blond hair and tan skin, wearing a light blue polo shirt that pulls against his muscular arms and chest, walks by the ladies. He looks over and gives them a smile, winking at Jill. "Wow," is all Lisa had to say and Jill nods. He turns in his step and walks backwards before he accidentally runs into someone. Jill and Lisa both laugh, and head towards the bar.

They see that a single stool is empty. The bartender looks up and nods at Lisa. A man sitting next to the open stool turns to see them and he immediately stands, nudging his friend and offering their seats. Lisa smiles and the two take a seat at the bar. The setup is sleek. The top is white with a blue underlining light, which makes the bar appear like it’s glowing, and the edge rounding it out is a stainless steel finish. Jill asks, "Well, what do you want to start with? A shot of tequila?" She crosses her legs and taps her foot to the beat of the music.

Lisa nods, smiling. "Sure, then let's go dance!"

Jill shakes her head. “I haven't had enough to drink yet to bust a move.”

Lisa shrugs as they order their shots. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Lisa turns to find the blond guy from before standing at her side. “Hi,” he grins at Lisa. “I'm Tad.” He leans over and catches Jill's eyes. "May I buy you this round?"

Lisa smiles, then looks over to Jill. She nods and gives a small smile. Lisa turns back to Tad. “Of course, as long as my friend can have one, too.”

"Absolutely." Tad pulls out forty dollars and lays it on the bar. “Three shots of Jose Cuervo, please." The bartender nods, taking the money. He lines up three shot glasses, pouring into all three at once. Tad hands Lisa and Jill their shot. Lisa brings her glass to Jill’s and taps it, then shoots the tequila back, appreciating the burn it provides in her throat. Tad tips his shot back, then sets the glass on the bar. Jill lets out a “woot” sound that makes Lisa giggle.