Semblance (8 page)

Chapter Nine

I had to be in a dream. The condo—my new home—was simply stunning. It was a four thousand square-foot urbanized wonderland filled with expensive and stylish furniture, marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a view to the city that took my breath away. The best part was the brilliant D-274 Steinway piano sitting at the centre of the living room.

I felt like a queen sitting high on her throne above the clouds.

“I’m absolutely speechless,” I gasped. “This is seriously all mine?”

“Yes,” Abraham replied.

“What about yearly taxes on this thing? I can’t afford it you know.”

“All the maintenance and condo fees will be taken care of,” Abraham said.

“Until the end of time?”

“Yes, until the sky falls and the earth swallow
s us whole.”

“Wow.”

I rushed to the piano like an excited schoolgirl on Christmas morning. The sounds from it were majestic, echoing throughout the penthouse suite, creating a full, rich sound.

“We had some of the city’s top acoustic engineers in to calculate the optimal spot for this piano,” Abraham said.

“You’re kidding, right?” I asked.

“It’s true. Shadow wanted everything absolutely perfect for you.”

I raised a brow. “You know, Shadow is spending quite a bit of money on a girl he plans on dumping in a couple of weeks.”

“What can I say? He’s a gentleman about it, as long as you don’t break his heart.”

“Like that’s going to happen,” I snickered as I rose from the piano and examined the few books I owned neatly lined up on the bookshelf. “He doesn’t even want a relationship.” There was a brief silence. “So you guys moved all my stuff?” I asked, changing the subject of conversation.

“Yes,” Abraham said. “It’s all here.”

“You moved my underwear as well?” I asked, feeling embarrassed that they may have seen a couple of pairs of granny panties that I owned.

“
I
didn’t move it,” Abraham stated. “Shadow had a few of his maids from his estate come down and pack, move, and unpack all of your belongings. It didn’t take too much time.”

He paused for a moment, glancing at his watch. “Well, I best give you some time to settle into your new home,” he said. “On the fridge is a list of numbers should you need anything. There’s a personal chef, a personal maid, a gym trainer, a chauffeur, and whatever else you desire.” 

After he left, I spent the next three hours running around my brilliant new condo squealing like a complete idiot.

After I was done, I grabbed my phone, wanting to call Justin to tell him how kick-ass my new place was. However I remembered he was pissed at me. I stared at the limited list of numbers on my phone and realized that there was really no one I could call to share my excitement with.

What good was having all this amazing stuff if I had to experience it alone?

#

I decided to head to the gym in the condo and work out. Aside from playing piano, exercise was another quick pick-me-up when I needed an immediate injection of endorphins to combat the blues.

Dressed in my ratty pair of jogging pants, and an old t-shirt displaying the ravenous mug of the Cookie Monster, I entered into the exercise room, found a treadmill, and attacked it.

While I ran, I couldn’t help but wonder if Justin would ever forgive me. Even though it’s been only a day since he stormed off, I missed him already.

Of course now that I had money to spare, I could go out and try to meet some new people, but who was I kidding? I liked having Justin around. He never judged me like others did.

I could come to class dressed like a donkey’s ass and he’d still chat me up like a normal human being without second glancing me.

But I had to let him go. It was the right thing to do, wasn’t it?

I felt my legs begin to seize up and I stopped the treadmill. Sweat dripped down my face, which I wiped away with my t-shirt.

The exercise didn’t help my mood much. Not only was I still pissy, but now I was a sweaty mess as well.

As I stepped off the treadmill to get some water, I noticed that three other girls in the gym were staring at me. They were all dolled up in expensive yoga pants while plastered with makeup and they stared at me like I was the creature from the black lagoon.

Seriously--it was a fucking gym. They could at least try to break a sweat.

I scowled at them and they immediately broke out into gossipy whispers, which was irritating.

I snapped.

“What the hell are you looking at?” I asked.

One of them, a snooty little Barbie girl with a condescending smile shook her head. “Nothing sweetheart,” she laughed. She had a familiar voice. “I’m looking at absolutely nothing. I love your outfit by the way. I heard Sesame Street is
in
this year.”

“Apparently so is dressing up like a whore,” I retaliated. Perhaps that was a little harsh.

“Bitch,” the blonde said, looking aghast. She spat in my direction and then headed for the exit, her little minions hot on her heels.

Great.

Less than five hours in my new condo and I’ve already made enemies, which was the complete opposite of making new friends.

As I strolled towards the elevators, I noticed that everyone who passed me by glared at me like I was some disgusting sweaty pig. Was this what it was going to be like living here? To have judgment cast on me by these rich bastards every time I set foot outside my condo?

I entered into the elevator, which to my relief was empty.

Now, more than ever, I missed Justin and how normal I felt around him.

When the elevator doors opened again on my floor, hot tears were streaming down my sweaty face.

#

I tried texting Justin a few times throughout the week, hoping to hear from him, just to make sure he was okay.

Okay that was a lie. I missed him and his friendship.

Even though I crushed his heart, I just wanted the small glimmer of hope that one day he would speak to me again, despite me deserving nothing less than the finger from him.

I became a slave to my phone, frequently checking to see if there was a text back.

None.

I felt myself sink into depression.

Justin didn’t show up to lectures either, which was strange. He was the model of punctuality and discipline when it came to classes. If the world was burning all around us and the skies were raining blood, he’d still be sitting in his seat during lecture time.

I spent the next few days going to class, and then going straight to my condo and locking myself away from the rest of the outside world. I didn’t want anyone to see me this miserable.

Tonight, I ended up lying on my couch, watching episodes of shitty reality shows in front of a seventy-inch television while devouring an entire Hawaiian pizza.

I felt like I was going through a break up. I wondered if this was what the rest of my life was going to be like, living life in solitary like a spinster, avoiding human interaction like a plague.

I missed my dad. I missed Justin. I missed talking to someone--anyone about my day and listening to theirs in return.

I just wanted to feel like someone cared about me. That someone out there still loved me.

Tomorrow was my first date with Shadow, and unexpectedly, I was looking forward to it. I desperately needed company.

I closed my eyes and crumpled into the couch, feeling like an empty husk.

My last thoughts before I drifted to sleep were of Shadow and his beautiful eyes filled with the same overwhelming loneliness that I felt now.

#

Chapter Ten

Why was I feeling nervous? It was ridiculous for me to feel this way, especially since my date with Shadow tonight was nothing more than a glorified show for all the snooty bastards to see.

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it; and the anticipation made me nervous. I had really misjudged just how much I relied on Justin’s friendship over the past few years and the loneliness I now experienced left me feeling empty and the guilt from our confrontation gnawed at my conscience.

I spent at least three hours on my appearance, enhancing every one of my facial features with makeup I had just bought.

I also invested a good amount of time on my hair, trimming every loose strand and running it through the curling iron, transforming my straight, boring lock
s into soft voluminous curls.

Finding the perfect dress to wear was the hardest decision. It seemed a lot easier when all I had in my closet was one little black dress. In a matter of days I acquired an extensive collection of evening wear and finding the right one was a time-suck. Eventually, after much deliberation, I settled on an elegant midnight colored cocktail dress that was sexier than the usual stuff I wore.

I was applying a few finishing touches to my makeup when I heard a knock on my condo door. I opened it and Abraham greeted me.

“Looks like you’ve become my own personal chauffer,” I said.

“I find these little car rides of ours enjoyable. Your company always brightens my day,” he replied. “I must add that you look absolutely brilliant. Shadow will fall head over heels for you tonight.”

“I doubt it,” I laughed, “This date is all a song and dance, remember?”

Abraham put his index finger up to his lips, hushing me. “Let’s just keep that our little secret.”

#

The limo pulled up next to Starfall Supper Club, a prestigious dining establishment that boasted being one of the highest peaks on our urban landscape. It offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city’s sparking lights.

When the doors of the high-speed elevator opened at the top floor, I saw Shadow standing by the north window with a drink in hand, and staring out into the skyline.

He looked handsome wearing a dark suit, and his black dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He
was
the cliché of tall, dark, and handsome.

I strolled over to Shadow and hid my excitement to see him—or anyone for that matter.

It’s been a long, lonely week.

“Hey there,” I said, sneaking up behind him.

He turned around and smiled as he did a glance over on me. “You look stunning,” he said.

“You look…” I paused, “…huh.”

Shadow laughed. “Not going to let me forget that one, are you?”

“Not a chance. You know the saying about a woman scorned?”

“They need to get over it?”

“We’ll work on your manly charms a bit later,” I replied. “But how about you buy me a drink first?”

He nodded and led me over to the island bar situated at the centre of the room.

“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked, a kindly looking grey man with a genuine smile that seemed to light up his eyes.

“What does the lady want?” Shadow asked.

The bartender shook his head and laughed. “A true gentleman with a woman as lovely as this should already know what the lady wants before coming here.”

I liked the bartender already. I made a mental note to leave him a generous tip.

Shadow looked at me with his brooding eyes, as if peering deep into my soul. I gave him a funny look that shouted ‘what the heck are you doing?’

After analyzing me for a few seconds like a lab specimen, he finally said, “The lady will have a gin and tonic.”

“Vodka soda with two limes,” I corrected him. I turned to Shadow and grinned. “Nice try Sherlock.”

“Deduction was never one of my strengths,” Shadow said. The waiter brought back my drink and set it down in front of me.

“Can I pay for this?” I asked.

“What do you think?” Shadow replied.

I sighed, reaching into my purse and pulling out a ten dollar bill. “At least let me leave a tip.”

Shadow shrugged and watched as I pushed the bill towards the bartender, who took the tip and nodded graciously.

“You’re most kind,” he said, before walking away to serve another couple at the far side of the bar.

“You see how happy he was receiving my tip?” I said, feeling good about myself. I hated not having to pay for stuff, as odd as that sounded. Everything I owned, before this Midnight Society business happened, was stuff I purchased with my own money. Sure, my clothes were bought from thrift stores and my handbags and sunglasses were cheap knockoffs from Chinatown, but at least I earned them.

The last thing I wanted in life was to be in debt to someone.

Just as I finished that thought, Shadow snickered.

“What?” I asked. “Do you find something funny about me leaving the hardworking bartender a tip so he knows that he’s appreciated?’

“No,” Shadow said, “Of course not. It’s just that he makes about five thousand bucks a night working here and if you take a peek over at the couple for just a moment, you’ll see why I’m laughing.”

My eyes followed where he was pointing to, and sure enough I saw a swanky-dressed patron across the bar pull out a hundred dollar bill and hand it over to the bartender as tip.”

“Oh God,” I said. “I must look like the biggest cheapskate ever.

“Don’t worry about it,” Shadow said. “Collin’s a good guy. He knows that you’re not swimming in green.”

“I honestly thought that giving him ten dollars was more than generous. I mean, that’s ninety percent more than what I usually tip a bartender at the Beer Dome.”

“This isn’t a university bar,” Shadow said, “But as I said, don’t worry about it. Collin isn’t one to judge people by the tips they give.”

“I’m still embarrassed.”

“Come on,” Shadow said gesturing towards an open table situated by the window. “Let’s have a seat.”

I looked outside.

The city skyline was astonishing, lit up by thousands of shimmering blue lights that reminded me of moonbeams reflected on crystal waters. Cars sped across the highways like dancing fireflies. I was staring at a stunning urban wonderland from high above.

“The view always gets me every time I come here,” Shadow said. “It’s funny how some things can take your breath away no matter how many times you see it: our city lights on a moonlit night, the streets of Paris during an afternoon sun shower, the sun rising above the falls of Plitvice Lakes in Croatia.” He paused and looked at me before adding, “A beautiful woman who takes your breath away.”

I couldn’t help but blush, though I managed to refrain myself from giggling like a stupid schoolgirl.

“Are you trying to flatter me?” I asked. “I thought this date was all for show.”

“What makes you think I was talking about you?” Shadow teased.

I decided to steer the conversation to matters of more importance. “I received all your gifts and I’m grateful, I really am. However I can’t accept any more of these freebies,” I said.

“Here we go,” Shadow sighed.

“What?”

“The song and dance that you girls like to give,” he replied. “About how it’s an equal opportunity world and how you’re
independent and don’t want handouts.”

“Well yes,” I replied. “That’s exactly it.”

“Heard it all before,” Shadow sighed. “Look, if it makes you feel any better, you’re earning all that stuff right now.”

“How? By going on a date with you?”

“Yes,” he said.

“What do I look like? A high end escort?”

“I never said that.”

“But that’s essentially what I’m doing, isn’t it?”

“No,” Shadow said. “I don’t go on dates with hookers. That’s the difference.”

I needed him to understand the type of person I was.

“I’ve always had to work for everything I own, and though it’s been difficult to…eat this past semester, I could at least hold my head high and say that I’ve never accepted anyone else’s charity.”

“What’s wrong with charity?”

“There are other people in the world that need it more than I do.”

Shadow sighed. “Do you want the stuff I’ve given you or not?”

“I want to earn it.”

“I already told you, you’re earning it now.”

“No,” I demanded. “I want to earn it in some other way, and if you can’t think of any other means, then I’m going to have to hand you back the keys to the condo.”

Shadow looked at me with a pensive look as he took a sip of his drink. “You’re being serious?”

I reached into my purse and grabbed the keys and access card and set them on the table.

“Those are yours until I’ve figured out a way to earn them,” I replied. “That’s the way things will have to be with me.”

Shadow looked at the keys and pass card with a furrowed brow.

“Huh,” he muttered.

“Again with the
huh
?” I replied.

“You’re a stubborn one.”

“I don’t want to be your trophy-two date girlfriend,” I replied. “I earn whatever you give me; period.”

Shadow leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin. “Okay,” he said with a glimmer in his dark eyes. “There is one thing I’d love from you.”

“Choose wisely,” I said. “Otherwise this vodka soda and two limes are going right in your face.”

“Relax,” Shadow said. “What I want is nothing sexual in nature.”

“Good,” I said with a stern nod. Though I had to admit, I was slightly disappointed. I had hot flashes picturing his naked body on top of me. However I wasn’t the type of girl to accept bribes for the prize in between my legs. Sex without feelings was pointless to me.

“There are five piano pieces that have always infatuated me,” Shadow said. “I would love an original recording of all five pieces from the Golden Virgin.”

“That’s it? That’s hardly worth the price of a condo.”

“Wait until I tell you what the pieces are,” Shadow said as he grabbed a napkin and removed a pen from his side pocket. After he finished scribbling on the napkin, he handed it to me.

“Ravel’s
Gaspard de la nuit
, Boulez’s
Second Sonata
, Stavinsky’s
Three Movements from Petrushka
, Prokofiev’s
Eighth Sonata
, and Beethoven’s
Sonata Hammerklavier
,” I read aloud. I set down the napkin and gave him an evil scowl. “You’re kidding right?”

“No, I want for you to perfect these five songs and record them. Not one mistake allowed in the recordings.”

“You picked the five fucking hardest pieces in all of piano. People spend years trying to master one of them,” I said.

“You have to admit, my request is equal to the worth of a condo, isn’t it?”

He was right, it was. I was still surprised Shadow was so well versed in classical music to be able to choose the five toughest songs to master technically.

“So we have a deal?” Shadow asked, extending his hand towards me.

“Deal,” I replied. I was intrigued by this arrangement. Those pieces had always been on my list of songs to learn and perfect. I had attempted
Gaspard de la Nuit
once before but my fingers weren’t as well trained at the time, and I ended up giving up. I was now three years wiser and more confident in my abilities. If mastering this song along with the others would pay for the condo and my single-day lunatic shopping spree, then so be it.”

“Call Abraham whenever you’re ready to record the songs and he can arrange a time at Lincoln’s studio.”

I couldn’t help but smile when Shadow mentioned Abraham’s name. I was curious about their relationship. It seemed like Abraham was always there to do whatever Shadow requested, despite not being under his employment.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about Abraham,” I said. “He’s not your servant, he’s not your butler, but he’ll clearly do anything you ask of him. His loyalty to you is astounding.”

“He’s been a good friend to my family over the years,” Shadow said. “I can never repay him for all that he’s done for my sister and me.”

“He loves you. You can tell just from the way he talks about you,” I said. “He’s very fatherly. I miss having someone like that in my life.”

Every time I thought about dad, the pipes attached to my tear ducts threatened to burst. I had to get a grip. Unleashing waterworks on our first fake date was inappropriate.

As I glanced over at Shadow’s face, I noticed his eyes were glistening, sympathetic to the strong emotions I was feeling. He too had lost his own father, and I was being a fool by digging up sad memories.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sour the mood of our date,” I said.