Ella Frank - Exquisite

Dearest Lena,

If you’re reading this it must mean the inevitable happened. I know you’re probably upset at me, but let me tell you right now, it’s not worth being angry over. There’s nothing you can do to change it now, just like there was nothing you could do to make me change my mind then.

You weren’t supposed to know anything more than what Mason or Rachel knew. I never wanted to put you in a position where you’d have to be in the middle. Unfortunately, you knew more than you should and I asked you to do the unthinkable, keep it from someone you love.

He’s probably pretty angry with you right now if he found out that you knew I was ill, but Lena you have to fight. He’s stubborn and once he makes a decision, whether it be right or wrong, he’ll stick to it. Just like he stuck to the idea of breaking through to you.

Don’t let him walk away, decide to fight for him and fight. He was the first person that ever made you smile, you lit up a room when you were both in it, don’t let that light go out. It’s your turn now to save him, like he saved you.

You were one of my biggest accomplishments in life. You mean the world to me, a sad lonely teenager who seemed to have no direction and yet found her way to me.

I believe in fate and I believe you were supposed to walk into my life, so Mason could walk into yours. I love you Lena, just as I love all my children.

Catherine

Lena folded the letter back up and wiped the tears from her cheek. Shaking her head and looking down at the grave beneath her feet she whispered softly, “How is it you’re still giving me the best advice? I love you too.”

The next day Lena found herself standing in Shelly’s office.

“Okay here’s the thing,” she said crossing her arms as she stood in front of Shelly’s desk. “I don’t want to give up on him.”

Shelly sat back in her chair and tapped her fingers, narrowing her eyes as she studied Lena. “Just so we’re clear, we are referring to Mason?”

“Of course we’re referring to Mason, who else?” Lena asked with an exasperated sigh.

Shelly held her hands up and smirked at her. “I was just checking, because remember, you outlawed the use of his name and anyone else’s name that was remotely close or related to him.”

“Very funny.” Lena sat down in the chair facing her friend raising a hand to scratch her head. “I have no idea how to do this.”

“Lucky for you, you have me. And I know exactly how to do this.”

Lena shook her head, feeling her courage about to take a flying leap out the window. It was all very good and well to sit here and plot on how to get him back, but in reality she knew she had no idea and no skills. After all he was the first person she’d dated, for longer than three hours , in nine years. Looking at the amused and slightly evil grin on Shelly’s face, Lena really started to worry.

“Can I ask why the sudden change of heart?”

“Let’s just say a wise woman told me that I should fight for what I wanted.”

“And he’s what you want?”

Lena didn’t even think twice.“He’s exactly what I want.”

It had just turned 11pm and Mason found himself sitting at the bar. The music was throbbing through the air and he felt it pulse through him in time with the throbbing in his head. After Wendy had left the other day he’d told her he would make an appearance at the restaurant, so he had for 20 minutes this evening. So what? She hadn’t specified how long he had to stay. So he’d put in his time then made his way back to the club he’d been frequenting.

He was about four drinks in and was feeling rather relaxed except for the headache that never seemed to disappear. He turned around on the stool he was sitting on and spotted a blonde looking him over. He watched as her eyes made their way up from his black boots to the worn-out jeans he was wearing, then they dragged over the silver buckled belt to crawl up his black button-down top. Finally her eyes landed on his and she gave him a flirty smile and raised her hand to beckon him with a crook of her finger. He grinned back at her picked up the glass of scotch swallowed it down and made his way over.

She was half way wearing a tight red dress that was strapless, and held up by a pair of breasts he could be smothered in, and it ended mid thigh showing off miles of skin. When he reached her she stepped forward and was about to say something but Mason didn’t want to hear it. He just wanted to lose himself in the throb of the music and the feel of the body, he didn’t care one little bit about what she wanted to say. So he held a finger up and placed it against her lips quickly, she seemed to get the message and smiled up at him wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her in close, closing his eyes and picturing someone else.

Lena walked into Exquisite , her eyes searched the main dining room looking for Mason. She couldn’t see him anywhere but she did spot Wendy over behind the bar. Making her way through the crowded tables she noticed the minute Wendy spotted her, she thought the lady looked a little tense, and she wasn’t the only one because she heard Shelly whisper, “Uh oh.”

“What do you think that’s about?”

“Dunno.” her friend answered and took her hand, “Come on, lets be brave.”

They made their way to the bar and stopped at the end waiting for Wendy to come over to them. She finished serving a customer then made her way over wiping her hands on her apron. “Hey there Lena.”

“Hey Wendy. How’s it going?” Lena asked genuinely concerned for the frazzled looking lady. For as long as Lena had known her, Wendy had always been one of the most put together women she knew and right now she looked like she needed to sleep for a few weeks.

“Honestly? Trust me you don’t want to know.”

Lena grimaced and shook her head knowing this couldn’t be good. Looking around again then back to the manager she noticed Wendy was shaking her head.

“He isn’t here.” she paused, sighing. “He never is anymore.”

Tilting her head to the side she was about to ask what she meant when Shelly jumped in.

“What do you mean? Where is he?”

Wendy snorted and ran a hand through her hair, “Probably down at Blue Moon getting drunk. That’s his usual pattern these days.”

Lena looked at Shelly with a raised brow, “Blue Moon? What is that? A Bar?”

Shelly shook her head and replied, “Nope. Dance club.”

Groaning Lena shut her eyes for a moment. “A dance club? Ahh, I hate dancing.”

Wendy made a noise in front of her and she looked at her smirk. “Why does it matter? You wont get anywhere, he’s checked out for the moment. Trust me I’ve tried.” she paused then asked, “I didn’t think you two were talking, has that changed?”

Lena shook her head and answered, “No. But it’s about to.”

The first thing Lena noticed was how dark it was inside the club. They’d been lined up for the last half hour waiting to get inside and now that they finally had paid and stepped in, the glare from the outside flood lights had faded and they were in a dimly lit, basement like warehouse. There were people everywhere, from one wall to the other and the music was pounding so loudly Lena could feel it pulsating through her whole body. She felt Shelly tug on her arm and she leaned in close to hear her say.

“Let’s go over to the bar? Get something to drink and scan the floor.”

Nodding she followed Shelly through the crowd. She was easy to keep track of in her hot pink strapless tube dress. Lena noticed eyes from both men and women go up and down her friend, as she strutted through the crowds of people on her black spiked stilettos. Her hair was in a sleek blond ponytail and Lena marveled over the effortless confidence she had. Squinting against the bright strobe lights that had begun flashing with the next song Lena tried to scan the crowd looking for anyone even remotley resembling Mason but she came up with nothing. Following her friend they stopped at the bar and Shelly ordered two tequila shots. Lena glanced at her friend quickly.