This is a story that I wrote in high school in October 1999. I'm not looking for an award or anything, just thought since I wrote it I should put it on my site.
“Another slow night,” Sapphire Rose muttered to herself, while, out of sheer boredom, she thumbed though the latest issue of “PlayBoy” magazine. There was no one else in Heather’s Room, the porn shop where she worked. It was a rather tasteless job and she knew it, but where else could she work hours like this? Being the night owl she was, day jobs never worked for her. Tossing the magazine of false and fake women on the counter, she looked up at the store and giggled, “What a place for me to end up.” She sighed as she saw all the kinky toys, videos, blow up dolls, and party favors. It was rather ironic for her to be working in a place like this. She was a twenty-five year old virgin, not that there was anything wrong with that, but you have to admit, it’s rather funny for a virgin to work in a porn shop. Sapphire knew she wasn’t the most beautiful person on the face of the earth, definitely like her roommate and close friend Sirena. Sirena could put the models in “PlayBoy” to shame. Well, she was a model, just not a nude one. Sirena stood five foot seven, with peaches and cream skin, hair the color of melted chocolate that came to her mid-back, drop-dead, baby blue eyes with a hint of green, and a perfect hourglass figure. It just about made Sapphire sick, when she thought of the number of men that would sell their souls just for one night between Sirena’s sheets.
The truth was, none of Sapphire’s roommates where all that bad looking. There was Myrna, a tall redhead who had an opinion no matter what, she didn’t even care if she was wrong, which she was a lot but just don’t tell her she was. Myrna wasn’t a small woman, at five foot ten, but she was so beautiful with her waist-length thick red hair, deep searching hazel eyes, and curves that just wouldn’t stop. Myrna was a psychiatrist, and loved her job. The only thing she loved more than her job was Lucas. Lucas and Myrna were as far opposite as people could come. Since she was a doctor of mental health and he was a twisted painter. They were made for each other. When they were growing up, Myrna said that Sapphire would have a harem by now. But look at who is getting married next year, thought Sapphire Rose. Then there was Cherry and Kiara, who had been together since before Sapphire knew either of them. Cherry was a pixie-looking cheery woman that could be a sharp-tongued snake when things didn’t go her way; she was a sweetheart, nonetheless. Kiara was almost just like Cherry, but with more logic behind her. That’s why Kiara was a lawyer, and Cherry a fashion designer. Sirena was a model for Cherry. Last, but not least, were Odelia and Claude. Such a sweet couple they made. Claude was the six-foot gentle giant and Odelia the five-five-mother type. That’s why both of them made great elementary school teachers. With a smile, Sapphire thought of her roommates, then realized that the only people without significant others were Sirena and herself. Sapphire was not the most hideous thing in the world, either. She stood five-foot one and a half bear foot, with honey cinnamon hair that came to her upper back and dark topaz-colored eyes almost looked black.
Snapping out of her thoughts as the bell on the door rang, Sapphire looked up to see Nathan. Nathan was the owner of the store. A rather heavyset man, balding, but a very nice guy all the same. Seeing Nathan, Sapphire glanced at her watch. It was only five forty-five in the morning. “You’re early, Nat,” Sapphire finally spoke up.
"Thought I’d let you go early Rosie.” With a wrinkle of her nose, Sapphire just looked at him.
“Oh, I’m sorry Rose.” Rolling her eyes with a small grin on her face, she clocked out. Then, looking at him as she went towards door, “It had been super slow.” Turning around, she left and walked to where her car was. Driving home, she began to think again. How long had it been since she had even been kissed? Realizing she couldn’t remember, she shook her head and turned the radio up. Finding her street, La Veta Place, she drove down the hill to her house at the bottom. Stepping out of her car, she watched the sun rise over the Hudson River. How it lit up the sky with shades of vivid red, pink, purple and orange. Across the river, she could see the Tappan Zee Bridge. With a soft smile, she walked up the steps and into her house.
The smell of waffles filled the house. So, Sirena, Myrna, or Odelia were awake, since none of the others cook. Sniffing around, she walked into the kitchen, where she saw Myrna at the stove with Odelia, Claude, Sirena, and Lucas at the table.
“Hey persons,” Sapphire said, seeing everyone. They all looked at her.
“Hello, Sapph,” Sirena said, smiling.
“What’s up, guys?”
“Not much,” Lucas said, stealing the last waffle from Claude.
Odelia looked at the two men, “Now boys, there is more than enough food.” Sapphire tried not to laugh.
“Hey hon, you want some food?” Myrna asked sweetly.
With a shake of the head, Sapphire said, “No, I think I’m going to just take a bath and go to sleep.”
“Okay hon,” Odelia said, taking a sip of coffee.
Sirena said, “Oh, while you are up there, tell Cherry and Kiara if they want food they better come and get it now before the bottomless pits eat all of it.” With that, Claude and Lucas smiled, with crumbs falling from their lips.
“Will do,” Sapphire said, making her way out of the kitchen. Walking up the worn red carpet of the stairs she got to the top, and turned left, she walked to the door behind which Cherry and Kiara slept. Pounding on the door she yelled, “Hey people wake up. Food is on, get your lazy asses out of bed!” All she heard from behind the door was groans and muffled profanity. So Sapphire just turned and went to her room.
Shutting the door behind her, she walked to her adjoining bathroom, and started the tub. This was a large room with a round tub set into the floor. Sapphire undressed and slipped into the tub. Leaning on one side, she sighed and smiled. The warm water covered her and it felt good. She let her entire body relax, as the water washed over her almost to the point of falling asleep. Dragging herself out of the tub and draining it, she dried off, walked back to her bedroom she closed the shutters. She crawled into her bed and fell asleep.
Sapphire Rose’s alarm went off at 5:45 PM. Crawling out of her warm bed and wiping the sleep from her eyes, she went to her closet. Grabbing what she normally wore, which was a pair of loose fitting jeans and a plain T-shirt, she got dressed. Then, going downstairs, and collecting the mail, she started walking to the kitchen. Flipping through the mail and sorting it at the same time, she found an envelope addressed to “People of the House.” The only person who addressed letters like that was Elayne. Elayne was one of their friends; she was an animator, and a good one at that. Sapphire put the rest of the sorted mail on the kitchen table, and opened the envelope to see what it was. The card had a pumpkin and a black cat on the front of it. Sapphire smiled as she opened the card and read:
To The People of the House,
You are all invited to a party
On the night of October 31st
Starting at 6:30 PM
This is a masquerade
So you must be in costume and mask
Or Else…
I hope to see you all there
Call me to tell me if you are not coming.
Love,
Bear
Bear was Elayne’s nickname, because she has always been as cuddly as one. Smiling and setting the card on the kitchen table with the rest of the mail, she went to the fridge. Pulling out items of food, she started to make dinner. It had always been Sapphire’s job to make dinner, since she was the only one home. She had just finished setting the table, when the horde of people came in.
Looking like ravaged beasts, Lucas and Claude asked in practiced unison, “Rose, what’s for dinner?”
With a roll of the eyes, Sapphire smiled at the men, and said “Wild rice, mushroom sauce, and pear puree.” The men looked in shock and started to say something but Sapphire cut in, “And for you carnivorous types, chicken with lemon glaze.” Claude and Lucas’s eyes brightened and they said, “Yummy, sounds great.”
Just then, everyone else walked in “Hey guys, dinner’s ready. Have a seat and I’ll bring it out to you.” The rest of the commune sat at the dining room table as the hot, steaming food was brought out and set before them. Smiles arose from the table
“It smells so good, Rose,” Cherry spoke up, while taking some rice on her plate. The dinner table was filled with pleasant conversation about what had happened in the course of the day.
After a while, Sapphire piped up, “Oh, before I forget, Bear is having a Halloween masquerade and she wants us all to go.”
“Sounds like a wonderful idea,” Myrna said.
“Yes that it is. It would just be so much fun,” Odelia said.
Claude added to Sirena, “You never know, Damion just might be there.” Sirena just rolled her eyes with a discontent gaze. Damion was Elayne’s butler, who just has the world’s biggest crush on Sirena.
Odelia poked Claude in the ribs, “Now dear, stop that. But I still think it would be fun…”
Not letting Odelia finish her sentence, Cherry shrieked, “I will have to make all new things for us to wear, and they will have to be absolutely fabulous.” The table agreed, Cherry would choose what everyone would wear.
Claude asked in a joking voice, "Cherry could you put me in a pink tutu?”
Cherry chuckled, as she hopped up from the table, “Sure thing, dear heart, but burgundy is more of your color,” and, with that, she skittled up he stairs to her room to get started. By this time, everyone was done with their food, and Lucas started clearing the dishes.
“Well…” Kiara spoke up, “I’m gonna give Bear a call and tell her all of us will be there.” She stood up and walked over to the phone and called Elayne.
“Well, I should be getting to work,” Sapphire said, looking at her watch. Grabbing her coat, she walked out the door and got into her car, and drove to work.
When she got to work, Drusilla was there, “Hey Dru you’re off now aren’t you?”
Drusilla looked at Sapphire like she was high. “No hon, Nat gave you the night off; he says you are working way too hard and need to relax.”
“Oh,” was all Sapphire could say, since she was shocked. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you around then.” Sighing, she walked over to the shelf of erotic books to see if there was anything new that she hadn’t read. Nothing new, so she turned to go, just as Cybele walked in. Cybele was just as beautiful as Sirena. This Asian beauty, with hair almost the color of ravens wings, eyes that where almost jet, rather high cheekbones, and the same smashing hourglass shape. She often came into Heather’s Room. Cybele was a veterinarian and one of the best. She had a boyfriend, but she also had a kinky side. That’s why she came into the store so much. “Well, see you later Cybele and Dru,”
“Yeah, Rose,” they both said, as Sapphire walked out of the shop. Leaving her car there, Sapphire started walking around the city. This is the Big Apple, the City that Never Sleeps. Walking up and down streets like 5th Avenue and Broadway, looking at all the store windows, some even saying “Fashions by Cherry.”
Flopping against a store window she sighed and started to think of her life. Here she was living in a three-story house in Nyack, New York with a lawyer, model, fashion designer, painter, psychiatrist, and two elementary school teachers. Here she was, a girl working in a corner porn shop. Tears started to swell in her eyes and roll down her cheek. Fully crying now, people just passed by, not doing a thing. Sapphire covered her face with her hands, then she heard a voice. It was a soft voice saying, “My dear precious one, everything your heart desires will come true. Remember that on All Hollows Eve dreams can become reality and reality can become nothing more than a dream!” Sapphire looked up and no one was near her other than people walking by, but no one with in distance to whisper in her ear.
Being a little shook up, she chose to go home. She walked back to her car and drove, home. As she drove she couldn’t get the voice out of her head. Soft as velvet, so soothing you could almost drown in it, so intoxicating you could get drunk from just hearing it, the words lingered in Sapphire’s head.
As she drove up to her house, she got out of her car and walked down to the river taking in the cool night air. Staring at the river, and tossing a few rocks with a sigh, only staying out there for ten minutes, she walked into the house.
Everyone was shocked to see her home, then Cherry came bouncing down the stairs and shrieked, “Sapphy, I have the most fabulous fabric for your dress!” She grabbed Sapphire’s hand and whisking her upstairs to her room. Sapphire sat on her bed. Going to her closet, Cherry pulled out a bolt of fabric. It was shimmering black velvet with blue roses printed in no order on the fabric.
“It’s gorgeous, Cherry.”
“I know and it goes with your name so well, Miss Sapphire Rose.” She squeaked with a smile. “And I have the most wonderful dress in mind for you.”
“Okay hon, I’m going to go lay down; you do what you are good at.” Sapphire got up from Kiara and Cherry’s bed and walked next door to her own room. She laid down and fell asleep.
The days and nights before Halloween flew by like nothing at all. Sapphire could still hear the voice in her head as if the words were only spoken a few moments ago for some reason she didn’t mind it either.
The day of Halloween, everyone came home early and Sapphire took the night off, something she never did. At around 3:45 in the evening, everyone gathered in the living room to wait for the dresses Cherry had made. The men weren’t allowed to see, because Cherry wanted to see if Lucas could find Myrna, without knowing what she was wearing. The same went for Claude and Odelia. So, Cherry sent them to help Elayne. Cherry handed each of the women a dress bag then told them to go get ready. Around 4:45, they met downstairs, everyone looked stunning. Odelia was in a light pink off the shoulder dress that made her look like a Southern Bell. Kiara had a soft blue satin dress with a slit up to the thigh. Cherry was in bright cherry red silk, making herself look like a model. Myrna had a black velvet bodice with a hunter green skirt, making her look like a queen. Sirena, the goddess, was in a silver 1930’s style dress; she looked like she had just stepped out of that era. Sapphire was in the black velvet that Cherry showed her, spaghetti straps low cut dress that made her rather pleased to look at herself. Everyone was pleased with the dresses. The ladies got into Cherry’s bright red limousine and drove off. In the limousine, there where six boxes with one of the ladies names on it. Sapphire’s mask came just below her cheekbones, with twists and swirls of blue, sliver and black.
Arriving at Elayne’s house at 6:00 PM, everyone put on their mask before getting out of the limousine. Walking to the front door, finding it open, the six of them walked in, music filled the room. The ballroom wasn’t quite full of people yet. By seven it was rather full. Lucas had spotted Myrna right off and they where dancing still, the same for Odelia and Claude. Cherry and Kiara came together and knew what each other were wearing, right now they where necking in some hidden corner. Damion had spotted Sirena and the chase had begun. Cybele and her other half had shown up and Elayne was dancing with her husband. Even with all of them masked, Sapphire could tell who was who, she had a talent for that. She was standing against a wall looking around, the typical wallflower she was. She turned to walk to the garden, but just before reaching outside, she heard someone behind her saying “My dear Lady Rose, may I have this dance?” Sapphire stopped slowly and turned around.
There, standing before her was a man, who looked about six-foot tall, and rather thin. He was wore a tuxedo and a top hat all with deep red accents, he also carried a straight cane made of cherry wood with a deep red handle. His mask was gold with red jewels inlaid into it. A rather stunning man, even though Sapphire couldn‘t see any of his real features other then his eyes, those were the color of the darkest topaz, peering out from his mask. His eyes looked kind of inhuman.
Sapphire was speechless, but she forced the words “Excuse me?” while she stared at the man. The man gently reached down and picked up Sapphire’s hand and kissed it, then looked up at her he smiled with a gleam in his eye.
“May I have this dance?” he repeated.
Being rather shocked without even answering the man, Sapphire just ran over to Laramie, who was the bar piano player. Laramie knew everyone.
“Hey, hon,” Sapphire said while she hugged Laramie.
“Hello,” he said in a rather sweet tone.
“I have a question for you,” Sapphire spoke in an uneasy voice.
“What is it, Rose?” he said in a worried voice.
“I want to know who that man is?” Sapphire said pointing over to where the man was standing.
“What man?” he asked rather confused.
“The man by the garden doors, in the tuxedo with red accents and gold mask.”
“There is no one over there, sweetie.” Laramie said.
“What?!?!” Sapphire squeaked and looked, and, to her surprise, no one was there. “Well, sorry for bothering you.”
Sapphire sighed and walked to the garden doors again; this time she stepped out side. Moonlight beamed everywhere, stars where shining, and the sweet smells of, rose, jasmine, and lavender filled the cool night air. Stepping farther into the garden and up to the gazebo, she leaned on the rail looking up at the silken night with a smile. She heard a voice from behind her, “My dear, sweet lady Rose.”
Sapphire spun around and there was the same man. “Who are you?” Sapphire snapped.
“My dear, this is a masquerade. If I told you who I was, it would be no fun,” he said with a sly smile.
“Then how in the hell do you know my name?”
“Oh, calm yourself my sweet flower, and that information is mine and mine alone. Remember this is All Hallows Eve, where dreams can become reality and reality can become nothing more than a dream.” In a look of shock, Rose tried to run, but the man grabbed her and pulled her to him.
“Don’t run, my dear.” He spoke softly, and then he leaned down and kissed her. This kiss was so hard and deep Sapphire almost fell over, she just wrapped her arms around his neck and started kissing him. He pulled back slowly and released the kiss with a chuckle, “Like that, did you?”
All Sapphire could do was nod. He smiled and said, “good.” Sapphire just blinked. Taking her hand he kissed it. “Now, my little flower, may I have this dance? I have asked you and you gave no answer, in fact, you ran off.”
Sapphire spoke shyly and rather softly, “I’d love to.” With a smile, the man took her into his arms as they began to dance in the gazebo. They danced for a while, until the man leaned down and kissed her once more. The passion had grown between both of them until he was lying on top of her.
Ripping back and standing up, the man was short of breath he picked up Sapphire and with a few more kisses he carried her to his black Porsche. He set Sapphire in the passenger seat; then got in on the driver’s side, he gave her a few more kisses then drove off.
Out of breath and rather confused, Sapphire asked, “Where are we going?”
“To my house, flower. So I can give you a night like no other.”
“Then shouldn’t we take off our masks?”
“You can my sweet, but I shall not.”
“But, why?” With those words, he put his hand on Sapphire’s lips and ran his fingertips down her arm where he picked up her hand and kissed it. With a shiver, Sapphire melted into her chair. “If you won’t take off your mask, will you at least give me your name?”
“Ah, my name I shall gift you with when we get to my house. It would be rather unfair, since I do know yours.” Sapphire just nodded and he smiled.
“But how did you know my name?”
“I have my ways and secrets. And why are we so full of questions? Just sit back and relax, we’ll be at my house in no time.”
“Okay,” Sapphire said, as she snuggled into her seat.
Driving for about an hour, they pulled up to a large, gothic style house. Sapphire was so taken back by the house that she forgot about the man, who, by this time, was out of the car and picking her up. Planting a few more kisses on Sapphire’s lips, he carried her up to the front door. Opening the door, he led Sapphire into the house. It was a beautiful house, candles everywhere and Victorian furniture, but all Sapphire could do is turn to the man and say, “May I have your name Sir?”
“Patience please, fair maiden.” The man took her hand and led her up the stairs to a door that looked like it was made out of oak, with carvings of suns and Aphrodite on it. He opened the door and flipped on the lights. The room was ravishing, hard wood oak floors with an Oriental rugs right under the bed. The four-poster canopy bed was made out of Black Walnut; the canopy was made out of deep blue satin. A velvet coverlet lay on the bed. The room stunned Sapphire. The man went around behind her and picked her up, than set her on the bed.
Laying her gently on the bed he, just smiled, “Such beauty.” He leaned down and kisses her breasts; Sapphire sighed softly, and then he pulled back.
“I should give you my name before I start worshiping you now shouldn’t I?”
“Yes, please,” Sapphire just sighed.
“Well then sweet, my name is Adriel."
“That is a lovely name.”
“I know something even more lovely,” Adriel said as he took off his top hat, gloves, coat, bow tie, and cummerbund. Than he reached up and took off Sapphire’s mask. “I was right.”
Sapphire just blushed; Adriel leaned down and kisses her cheek. He kept kissing her while she unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it on the floor, and untied the ribbon that was in his hair. His hair was raven black. By this time Adriel was kissing Sapphires breasts again, as he slipped her out of her dress, then he took of his pants.
The hours flew by like seconds. When Sapphire woke up, she could still hear the screams of ecstasy, smell the sweat from him, and still taste his lips. She rolled over to look at the clock. It was five in the evening.
“Holy Hell,” was all Sapphire could say.
Adriel rolled over, still masked, looked at her then asked, “What, my sweet one?” Then he kissed her shoulder.
“It’s five o’clock, I need to get home! My friends must be worried sick.”
With a sigh, Adriel got out of bed, then dressed in a black and red pinstriped zoot suit. “I will drive you home, my dear.”
“Thank you, so much,” Sapphire said, as she jumped out of bed and got dressed in her dress from last night.
Running downstairs and getting into Adriel’s car, he drove her home. When they reached her house, Sapphire just looked at him and said, “Thank you, again.”
“Not a problem my flower, I will call you later, now get into your house.”
With that, Sapphire got out of the Porsche and went into her house. She was met with angry looks. “What?” Was all Sapphire could say.
Myrna looked at her, “Where were you?”
Cherry put in her words as well, “Yeah, where were you? We couldn’t find you after the party and because of that Rubert ran over some of Elayne’s lawn gnomes!”
“Wait, you are telling me, because I left, early that your chauffeur ran over lawn gnomes?”
“Yes!” Cherry piped.
“I think not! That man is so crazy he would hit a T-Rex if it were in front of him! And if all of you must know, I met a man at the party and was at his house. There, you happy?”
“You what?” Myrna barked.
“I went to a man’s house. You know, a man, the same thing Lucas is.” Sapphire said, in a rather unhappy tone.
“And what did you do there?” Lucas asked.
Sapphire just rolled her eyes and said in a rather sarcastic matter “We played corky all night long! What do you think we did? You are acting like parents after they find their teenage daughter sleeping with a forty-seven year old man! I’m 25 years old am I not allowed to have sex with someone?”
“She is right.” Odelia said. “She found someone. We should be happy for her. So tell us, Sapph, who is he? What’s he look like? And what’s his name?”
“Well, his name is Adriel, I really couldn’t tell you what he looked like, because he refused to take off his mask.”
“So, you slept with a man you don’t know what he looks like?” Myrna sounded disgusted. “That’s just sick!”
Sapphire couldn’t take anymore of this, she was tired as is, and she didn’t need her friends yelling at her because of this. Sapphire wasn’t ashamed she did it, either; in fact, if she could, she would do it again. She walked upstairs but she went up the stairs to the third floor the walked to what was called the “tower room.” She was the only one that could get into this room, so this is where she came when she just couldn’t take it anymore. She walked into the room and flopped on the bed. Letting herself cry, she cried herself to sleep.
When she woke up, no one was in the house, but the doorbell was ringing. Sapphire walked down and opened the door. Standing before her was Adriel still in his mask. Sapphire was rather stunned; he just walked in and wrapped his arms around her.
“Oh, my sweet little Rose, I didn’t mean for that to happen.” He kissed her cheek. “Forgive me my flower?”
“It wasn’t your fault, they are just being stupid. But how’d you know they got mad at me?”
Just a feeling, don’t worry sweetie. But just to be safe, I will come over when no one is home but you. Or go to your work to see you.”
This made Sapphire smile and she said, “Okay.”
Adriel just kissed her forehead. “Good, but I have to go to work. I’ll pick you up after work.”
Sapphire just nodded as he stood up and walked out. She stood up and went to the kitchen to make dinner, but then she started to think. Did she really want to make dinner for the people that where yelling at her? She sighed and did anyway. But she was gone before anyone got home. She was at the shop.
“Hey Nat,” She said, as she walked in.
“Hello Rosie, are you feeling okay?” Nathan was looking worried.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I just don’t want to talk.” Sapphire said, as she clocked in to start working.
“Okay hon,” he said as he walked out.
Sapphire started cleaning up the shop. No one came in, so she just watched the store. At about eleven, Drusilla came in for her shift. Dru just smiled at Sapphire.
“What’s up, Dru?” Sapphire asked.
“Not sure, sugar, but there is a masked man in a Porsche waiting for you.”
“Really?” Sapphire asked, while she clocked out. Then she went outside without even saying bye to Dru. Drusilla was right; in front of the store were the Porsche and Adriel leaning on it. When he saw her, he went over to her and gave her a kiss. “Hey you,” Adriel said with a smile.
“Hello,” Sapphire said with a smile. “What are we going to do this evening?”
“You ever been to “The Black Moon?”
“Once, that is the hottest night club in the city.”
“Yeah I know, well, that is where I am taking you.”
“Wow.” Was all Sapphire could say, before he kissed her. She just chuckled, as they got into his car and drove off. When they got to the club, there was already a line stretching around the block. Finding a place to park, Adriel and Sapphire got out of the car. The bouncer at the door let them in without even having to wait in line.
Once they got in, Adriel swept Sapphire onto the dance floor. They danced until the club closed. Then, Adriel drove Sapphire home.
When she walked in, her friends were not too happy to see her.
Myrna just looked at her that said, “And where have you been?”
Sapphire smiled smugly and said, “I’m not gonna tell you. What I do with my life is only your business when I feel like telling you. And, if I tell, you are only going to bitch me out. So I won’t tell you!” With that, Sapphire turned around and went to her room.
After awhile, someone knocked on her door, and Odelia walked in. “Hello hon, how are you?” She asked with a smile.
“I am great. Why wouldn’t I be? Just a bit tired. Dancing does that to you.”
Odelia nodded and walked out of the room. Sapphire just got undressed and fell asleep.
Adriel and Sapphire kept seeing each other, even though some of her friends didn’t like it. Sapphire really didn’t care. All she cared about was that he made her happy when he was around and she did the same for him. Sapphire really did mind that he never took off his mask either. By this time it really didn’t bother her.
They had been dating for about four months now, and it was almost Valentines Day, and Sapphire hadn’t heard from Adriel in more than two weeks. This was just more reason for her friends to tell her to dump him, Sapphire just ignored them. She was happy no one was getting hurt that’s all that mattered to Sapphire.
Valentines Day came and Sapphire went to work, feeling a bit bad. She had hoped that she would at least hear from Adriel, but she hadn’t. But she still had hope; she would not give up on him, no matter what anyone said.
When she got to work, the place was very busy. So, Drusilla and Sapphire had to work that night. Neither of them had a break since they clocked in at seven o’clock, and here it was almost ten-thirty. Things had died down a bit, when a deliveryman came into the store.
“Is Sapphire Rose here by any chance?” The man asked.
Looking rather confused, Sapphire said, “Yes, that’s me, why am I getting a package sent here?”
“Not sure ma’am, just please sign on the dotted line.” The man asked while handing her a clipboard. Sapphire signed and handed the board back to the man. He handed her a cardboard box. “Have a good night,” the deliveryman said, as he walked out of the store without another word.
“What is it?” Drusilla was peering over Sapphire’s shoulder like a little kid.
“I have no clue. We’ll just have to find out won’t we?” Sapphire said while she cut the tape off the box with her pocketknife. After putting the knife away, she slowly opened the box.
When she opened it, there was a bundle of satin and velvet. Looking rather confused, Sapphire took the fabric out of the box. Drusilla was still looking over Sapphire’s shoulder. Putting the material on the counter, she started to unwrap it. When she finished, there was Adriel’s mask with a note attached. The note read:
Meet me at “The Black Moon”
Right now!
Once you are there
I will turn all of your dreams into reality
Love,
You Know
Sapphire just looked at Drusilla speechless. Drusilla just gave her a hug and said, “Go, silly, I’ll be fine here and if not, I can call someone.”
“You sure, Dru?”
“Go, before I go for you!”
With that, Sapphire got into her car and drove to “The Black Moon.” She had a hard time finding a spot to park. When she got out of the car and started to go to the back of the line, the bouncer stopped her and told her to go in and told her there was a table waiting for her. She did what she was told, still being rather confused. In a corner of the club, there was a table. She walked over to it and sat down. In the middle of the table, there was a rose with a card tied to it. Picking up the rose, she read the card, it just said, “Look in me.” Sapphire looked into the middle of the rose and found a ring, Sapphire just smiled and looked at the ring.
It was a silver ring with a rose with sapphire and ruby on it. Sapphire just looked at the ring, when all of a sudden, she heard a voice, “My dear flower, I am so glad you made it.”
Sapphire turned around and there was Adriel. He was dressed in the same pinstriped zoot suit. Sapphire just jumped up and hugged him. After that she drew back to get a good look at him.
His black hair was tied back, his eyes looked black in the dimly lit room, he had rather high cheekbones and a refined jaw line. He was even out gorgeous then Sapphire had imagined.
“Well, my dear, what do you think?” Adriel asked.
He took the ring from her and placed it on her left hand. Then he looked at her, “Sapphire would you marry me?”
Sapphire just throw her arms around him and kissed him. Adriel looked at her and said “Should I take that as a yes or a cruel no?”
Sapphire nodded. “Yes!”
“Well, good” Adriel picked her up and kissed her then walked out of the nightclub. He took her to his car.
They got into his car and started driving. Sapphire just smiled, “ So where are we going?”
“To your house, to meet your friends.”
“What?!” Sapphire squealed in shock.
“Calm down hon,” he picked up Sapphire’s hand and kissed it, “I’m gonna have to meet them sooner or later. Now is a good time.” Adriel smiled and gave squeezed Sapphire’s hand.
As they drove Sapphire was a little nervous, but there wasn’t anything she could do. Plus, Adriel was right once every one found out that she was engaged they were going to have to meet him one way or another. So she just laid back in the chair and relaxed.
Once they drove up to her house Sapphire’s heart started to race as she got out of the car, “Well, this is the point of no return.” Sapphire said with a chuckle as she looked at Adriel.
“Well, we’re here lets go.”
Sapphire took Adriel’s hand and walked into the house. Everyone was home and even Cybele was there.
“Hey, persons,” Sapphire Rose said as she looked at everyone.
“Hi, Sappy, what are you doing home so early, and who is this you are dragging in behind you?” Sirena asked looking rather curious.
“Well…” Sapphire sounded a bit uneasy “well, everyone this is Adriel.” Then turning to Adriel “Hon these are my roommates.”
After everyone said their hellos and interdused themselves, Cherry jumped up and gave Sapphire a huge hug.
“Congragalations hon, the ring is just beautiful.”
“Thank you Cherry,” Sapphire said as she walked into the living room and took a seat on an empty couch. Adriel followed her and sat next to her. With a smile to everyone Sapphire said, “More than likely you guys have questions, well I know you have questions so go right a head and ask them.”
“Okay,” Myrna was the first one to say anything, “Adriel, why did you hide your face from Sapphire for almost four months?”
“Very simple,” Adriel said with a little smile, “I wish to find out if Rose could trust and fall in love with someone and something she could not see.”
“Adriel, why is it for the whole time your were seeing Rose you never came over?” Odelia asked kindly.
"Because I knew a few of you wouldn't be too happy with me. I didn't want any of you to be mad at Rose, because none of this was he fault."
After all this everyone seemed to calm down and not be so hostile. Then with a gaggle Cybele piped up, " So when is the big day?"
Sapphire smiles, "We just got engaged, plus we already have a wedding in June this year so lets wait a while." She looked over at Lucas and Myrna, both of them smiles at her. "And Cybele where is your other half, Jarole?"
Cybele smiled, "Oh, he's out with his friends, you know how boys are."
Everyone laughed.
"This is true,” Adriel said, and no one disagreed with him.
“Hon, you want me to show you around the house?’ Sapphire asked with a smile.
“I’d love to, thank you for asking” Claude answered, Odelia poked him in the ribs.
“I was talking to Adriel, not you Claude, but maybe next time.” Sapphire said as she got off the couch.
“Sure why not?” Adriel said as he got off the couch as well.
“Okay we’ll start on the third floor of the house.”
They went to the third floor of he house and down the hallway to the “tower room” and opened the door so they could go in to the hexagon shaped room with the buttercup colored walls. The room was almost empty except for a bed and a desk.
“What is this room?” Adriel asked as he looked around.
“This is a room that I come to when the word is driving me crazy.”
“Oh, okay,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
“No one else in the house has or can get into this room but me ever since we all moved in.”
“So I’m special aren’t I?” Adriel leaned down and kissed her.
“Well, I guess so,” Sapphire smiled.
“Good,” he leaned down and kisses her again. The kiss grew more passionate that Sapphire fell back onto the bed and Adriel on top of her. A few moments later Sapphire pulled back, “Wait, hon, every one is down stairs. And I’m supposed to be showing you around the house.”
Adriel sighed, “Okay,” he got off the bed and helped Sapphire off the bed as well, “You’re right, since you do get rather noisy.”
Sapphire rolled her eyes, “Hush you,” she was blushing so Adriel leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Come on show me the rest of the house.”
That is what Sapphire did until, the came to the living room once more. When they reached the living room everyone looked up and smiled.
“So what do you think of the house?” Cherry asked in a perky tone
“It’s very lovely,” Adriel answered.
“Good I did most of the decorating myself,” Cherry added proudly.
“Oh, Cherry enough bragging,” Sirena, said with a light chuckle.
“You want to go outside and see the yard?” Sapphire asked turning to Adriel.
“Sure why not,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead.
“Come on then,” Sapphire lead him outside and to the year by the river.
“I have a few questions for you myself if you don’t mind?” Sapphire asked as she stopped and looked at him.
“Go right a head, love, you know you can ask me anything,” Adriel said as he looked into her eyes.
“First of all at the party how’d you know my name?”
“That’s so easy, I guessed.”
“You what?!” How’d you do that?!”
“Calm down lovely, it war easy. I mean you were wearing blue roses on your dress, so I guessed your name was rose or at least a nickname.”
“And what if it wasn’t and I just liked blue roses?”
‘Then I would have looked like a freak, but that is not the case now is it I was right that’s all that matters.”
“True, and if you tell Cherry she’ll have more to brag about.”
“I’m sure she would be happy, but are you happy? That’s all I worry about.”
“Of course I’m happy why wouldn’t I be?”
“Just wanted to make sure.”
“Now, are you happy?” By this time Sapphire was sitting on the grass and Adriel was behind her looking at the river. Sapphire turned around to look at him. Adriel leaned down and wrapped his arms around her.
“Very happy, trust me please.”
“Okay, I will,” Sapphire said as she smiles, snuggled into him and shut her eyes. She just listened to his heartbeat until she fell asleep. He just picked her up took her into the house and to her room. He set her on her bed and watched her for moment then he started to leave, but he turned back and lay down next to her.
Home
Back to Stuff N' Things
