Semblance (17 page)

I rolled my eyes. “You mixed your own drink,” I pointed out.

“Whatever,” she muttered. “You didn’t store your vodka properly or something or maybe your juice went bad. Regardless, your drink tastes terrible.” 

“It’s probably the aftertaste of the right angled dicks you shove in your mouth,” I snapped.

Calisto and Kara both gave me a puzzled look.

“Never mind,” I muttered.

Kara took her jacket and handed it to me, along with Barbie Girl’s which I had tossed outside my door.

“I found this lying on the ground outside,” Kara pointed out.

“Oh, geez,” I faked ignorance. “No idea how that got out there. Thanks for pointing that out.”

“I really love your place,” Kara said as both she and Calisto made their way to the living room. “Your style is lovely.”

With both their backs turned to me, I opened the door and tossed the Barbie bitch’s jacket back outside the door, and then hung up both Calisto and Kara’s coats.

“She probably didn’t pick out the décor,” the Barbie Girl said. “It’s probably whatever rich ape that she’s sleeping with. Really Calisto, I didn’t know you kept such shabby company.”

“The ape you’re talking about is my brother,” Calisto pointed out, “And my shabby company is the Golden Virgin.”

The Barbie Girl laughed. “I knew there was a peasant quality about this girl from the moment I saw her at the gym. Even when I was talking to you that night, I knew you weren’t worthy of being at the celebration.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “I don’t recall ever speaking with a queen-sized twat at Shadow’s party.”

“I was the girl in the swan mask, who stood next to you.”

Suddenly all the pieces fit together. I should have known.

“Bria, you’re insulting my brother and his judgment,” Calisto said.

“So what?” Bria said, clearly not caring. “Your brother has always been an idiot, and he knows it. I’ve told him to his face many times before.”

“You only think he’s an idiot because he refused to sleep with you that one time,” Calisto pointed out.

I snorted. All of a sudden, everything was making sense. Bria was the jealous bitch who couldn’t handle the fact that Shadow had no interest in her. Added to the fact that he chose a “peasant” to be his soul mate must have been eating away at her like acid. And the oh-so-sweet icing on the cake was the revelation that the Golden Virgin was the
same
girl, moi, who told her that she dressed like a whore in the gym just last week.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Calisto,” Bria said, feigning ignorance. “I never wanted to sleep with your brother.”

“Yes you did,” Calisto said. “He even told me to keep you away from him; that you were like a mad dog in heat.”

“Shadow made me cum twice,” I announced proudly, deciding that now was a good time as any to rub it in the blonde bitch’s face.

Suddenly all eyes turned to me.

Too far Aria, too far,
I thought as I saw Calisto raise her brow.

“I’ll go make everyone a drink,” I declared, as I left the living room and entered into the kitchen, red-faced.

This was going to be an interesting night.

#

“Your skin is so soft,” Kara said as she gently brushed my cheeks with the tips of the makeup brush, applying a thin layer of powder. “Honestly, I don’t need to do that much work on you. You have an elegant look—this natural beauty needs almost no work.”

“She’s not that great,” Bria huffed as she sat on my bed and folded her arms.

“Really Bria, give it a rest,” Calisto, who was standing in front of my full-length vanity mirror, checking herself out. “I look great Kara, first class work as always.”

“You’re another easy one Calisto,” Kara said. “Honestly, for the amount you’re paying me, I feel almost guilty. I don’t need to do much with you.”

“Nonsense,” Calisto said. “I pay you for your artistic vision, not for how much make up you smear on my face. It’s those small little touches that really bring out the best in my features.”

“What about me?” Bria asked. “How’s my natural beauty?”

“Do you mind not sitting on my bed, or cross your legs if you do?” I said. “I’m afraid what toxic chemicals might escape through your vagina.”

Both Calisto and Kara laughed at my joke, but Bria sat there in silence, her lips pursed. She was clearly pissed.

I knew I was being cruel, but it was less than what she deserved, right?

After all, I was Shadow’s girl now, and I had an image to maintain for his sake. If I was to be the girlfriend of the Lord of the Midnight Society, I couldn’t let someone talk down to me like Bria did.

“Did you ever consider dying your hair black, like I suggested Bria?” Kara asked. “I think it’ll be quite a good, exotic look for you.”

“I did it once in high school but didn’t take a liking to it,” Bria replied. “With my pasty white skin tone, I got mixed up for Calisto a few times, and we all know that I’m an original.”

“More tall tales out of your mouth Bria,” Calisto sighed. “No one ever mixed us up.”

“Brad did, when he blew you that kiss, which was really meant for me.”

“How are you so sure it wasn’t intended for me?” Calisto asked.

“Brad was my boyfriend at the time,” Bria stated.

“Once again, how are you so sure it wasn’t intended for me?” Calisto said with a sly smile.

“Forget it,” Bria exclaimed. “Let’s just get out of here and go to the club.”

Kara applied the final dab of mascara and then stood back and reflected on her work.

“Absolutely lovely,” she said. “You’re going to kill it in the club tonight.”

I took a look in the mirror and was astounded by my own reflection. With only a little bit of makeup and foundation, Kara had made me look like a princess. For the first time, I actually felt worthy to be a part of the upper echelon of society.

“Oh gosh,” I said, my breath taken away. “I look…”

“You look the same as you always did,” Kara said, “Which is motherfucking gorgeous. I just brought out a little more of your best features.”

I wished Shadow were here to see me like this.

He would fall in love with me.

After regaining my composure, I turned to Kara.

“Are you coming out with us tonight?” I asked.

She shook her head. “My time for partying is long gone,” she laughed. “I have a husband and a hyper little boy to get home to.”

“As always, the money’s been deposited into your account. I’ll have one of my drivers take you home Kara,” Calisto said as she gave her a hug. “You. Are. A. Godsend.”

“It’s always a pleasure babe,” Kara replied.

Calisto then turned to me. “Are you ready to roll?”

“Yeah,” I said. I was filled with enthusiasm. Earlier in the evening I wanted to just stay home and bang on my piano, but now with a dolled up face and a few drinks in me, I was ready to show off the new Aria to the world. “It’s been a long time since I hit up a club. I’m excited.”

“Well, let’s not wait any longer then,” Calisto said. “Let’s get girl’s night started already.”

As we headed towards the door, Bria had a look of confusion on her face.

“Has anyone seen my jacket?” 

#

From the second we set foot in the Diamond Lounge, we were immediately treated like rock stars. The club’s personal security escorted us to the exclusive VIP area, which so happened to be on an elevated platform right dead centre in the club, overlooking the dance floor. It was as if we were drunken goddesses at the epicenter of the dancing universe and the sea of clubbers—bumping and grinding to the heavy beats of a cute, tattooed blonde DJ—were at our feet, worshipping us.

At first, I sat there in the slick white leather lounge chairs, bopping my head and sipping generously on my vodka. Every time I finished my drink, another one found its way into my hands and I just couldn’t say no. Four stiff drinks later, I was standing at the edge of the platform and dancing like it was my first time clubbing—full of enthusiasm and moving like no one was watching.

“Those guys have been checking you out all night,” Calisto whispered into my ear as she snuck up behind me and pointed in the direction of two men who were built like trucks.

“They’re kind of cute,” I said, though I couldn’t tell for sure. My vision seemed to have been clouded by the Oval Swarovski Crystal Vodka that clocked in at seven thousand per bottle.

“Let’s give them something to watch,” Calisto said as she spun me around until I was facing her. Before I could protest, she was dancing with me seductively, her silky body rubbing up against mine.

My first instinct was to take a step back but when I did, Calisto was quick to draw me back to her.

Fuck it. It was time to free myself of my inhibitions.

I followed her lead and moved to the music seductively, following her rhythm. We were two girls in control of our sexuality, and making everyone all around us jealous—including Bria who sat by herself on the couch, staring dully into her drink.

“I think she’s bored,” I pointed out to Calisto.

“Fuck her,” Calisto replied. “I can’t babysit her and her mood swings all the time. Take your eyes off of Bria and turn your attention back to Sergeant Sexy and Admiral Arousing.”

I did. Both of them were watching us with the intensity of hungry animals, which only served to fuel us even more in our provocative display.

Calisto turned her back to me and brushed up her rear against mine, her arms reaching back and taking hold of the back of my neck. I ran my hands gently down the curves of her breasts, and then held them around her waist. The entire time, Calisto was focused in on the two guys, while the rest of the club focused in on us.

“We’re stealing the show honey,” Calisto said. “How does it feel to know that at this very moment, all women want to be us and all men want to be
with
us?”

“Pretty damn hot,” I replied. “I feel like a sex symbol.”

“You
are
a sex symbol,” Calisto emphasized. “Make no mistake about it; from this point on in your life, there will be men who will masturbate thinking about you.”

“Gross,” I said.

“Embrace it. Half the thrill of being a sexual creature is knowledge that someone wants to fuck you—not the act of fucking itself.”

“You do know that I’m committed to your brother, right?” I said.

Calisto turned around and faced me again, putting one arm over my shoulder and another around my hip. She used one leg to push apart my legs slightly.

“Don’t get me wrong, I expect you to make my brother happy. That’s very important to me,” she said, “And I know that you’ll never break his heart. You’re not one to flash your vagina around like a cock-magnet, unlike me. But at the same time no one will fault you if you play the seduction game and steal men’s heart
s as they lust after you. It’s highly addicting.”

“No thanks,” I said. “One man lusting after me is all I need.”

Calisto smiled. “I’m so glad Shadow chose you,” she said. “Just between you and me, but I had some strange feeling he would gravitate towards you. You fit his type.”

I thought now was a good time as any to keep my end of the bargain with Lincoln and try and steer Calisto’s thoughts towards him.

“You never had thoughts of finding one man and settling down with him?”

“Maybe if I’d find one worthy enough,” she said, “But for now I’m perfectly content on tasting a different piece of meat every night.”

“What about Lincoln?” I asked. “He seems like a pretty good guy. I saw you guys talking at Shadow’s party.”

“Lincoln?”

“Yes. He’s pretty funny, charming, intelligent, and extremely cute,” I pointed out. “I mean if he strolled into the club tonight, I’m sure he’d have half the women eating out of the palm of his hand.”

“Granted, Lincoln is quite the fine candidate in bed,” Calisto began, “And he does know how to satisfy me, it’s the after-sex that puts me off.”

“What’s the after-sex?”

“He wants me to spend the night, or if I have already, he wants to make me breakfast,” Calisto replied.

“What’s wrong with breakfast? I eat breakfast. Damn, I don’t remember the last time anyone made me eggs and toast.”

“I can’t explain it Aria,” Calisto said. “Believe me, I tried to figure it out before, but I just can’t. The more someone pines after me, the more I don’t want to be around them. I don’t want a man who will look after me—I can do that for myself. I want a man that can break me apart.”

“I don’t get it,” I said.

“Believe me Aria, I don’t either.”

“So there’s no interest in Lincoln then?” I asked.

“I won’t say ‘never’,” Calisto said. “But he’s not what I want at the moment—emotionally anyways. Physically, he’s a like a roller coaster. You always end up holding on tight and screaming.” She winked at me.