Lost and Found - 13

13

Dinner? She was actually looking forward to a relaxing evening alone. Just as the last six or eight had been. But she did deserve a night out. She knew what Cole was, knew that he was after one thing. She’d never gone in for casual sex, that just wasn’t her thing, and she couldn’t see herself starting that now. Cole was good looking and charming, she even found his presumption and forwardness quite endearing, there was an element of risk in Cole, and she spent her whole working life taking risks, and for that reason always seemed to opt for a safe home life, risk free. Cole represented an upset. But she also knew that she’d have fun. She’d not taken the chance to really get into this City, live the life, and she knew if anyone knew the places to go, the people to see, it was Cole.

                “Ok, there are two conditions. First I’m not sleeping with you tonight, whatever you might think, and secondly, I need to go change first.”

Cole’s eyes widened in surprise at her blunt words, but nodding he stood, “deal. Meet me at seven?” He named a restaurant that he told her was in midtown, and THE place to be. Then he was gone.

Ah! What to wear? Who’d know how classy this place was? Clay...she knew she couldn’t really tell him about Cole, he’d disapprove and she couldn’t deal with that. After all there were a few boundaries that even going for dinner were crossing. Marilyn!

Rushing along the corridor she found the older woman packing up for her trip home.

                “Marilyn! I need a quick word!”

She looked up in surprise, “hey hun, what is it?”

                “I’ve been invited to a restaurant tonight...and I’ve no idea what the dress code is, as you’re the fountain of knowledge fir all things New York that you’d be the best one to ask.”

                “What restaurant?” she asked with a grin, tapping her chin with the pen she held in her hand. Amelia named the place and Marilyn’s eyes widened, “Wow! Who’ve you been sweet too? That place is the BEST place at the moment! Frequented by film stars and politicians, I would strongly suggest smart yet trendy, in case the paparazzi are there!”

Amelia gulped, “not my idea of a quiet night out then!” 

Marilyn shook her head then jotted an address on to a Post-It note, “this is one of a few shops close together that will be I think what you’re looking for!”

Grinning she dashed out to find a taxi.

Two hours later she hailed a taxi outside her home and gave the name of the restaurant. She’d settled on a fairly slinky dress with knee high leather boots, topped off with a black and white dogtooth checked fitted coat that was an inch longer than her dress. It was formal, but the funky design on the dress gave it a little individuality and she felt great, that much was true. 

Marilyn was right there was a flank of photographers poised, awaiting patiently each cab or car that arrived. There was a unanimous sigh as the unrecognisable Amelia slithered out of the cab, but smiling with amusement, she sauntered past them all and into the high class establishment.

 A smart looking man, the maitre’d approached and as soon as she mentioned Cole’s name, his face broke into a beam and he showed her to a secluded table. Marilyn was also right about the clientele, looking around she was agog with the famous faces, so much so that she didn’t notice Cole approach until he was right in front of her.

                “Daydreaming?” he asked pulling out the seat opposite her, “I’m sorry I’m late, life is never simple with my father!”

Amelia smiled, “I can imagine that! And you’re not late, I was unfashionably prompt!”

He picked up the menu before glancing at her, “I’d expect nothing less of you Miss Parkin. Now champagne?”

Despite it being a question he didn’t wait for a response, but called over a waiter, “Hi Marcel, your best vintage please?”

A few minutes later she was sipping the crispest, dry champagne enjoying the sensation of the bubbles flooding her nostrils! The whole menu was both mouth watering and exotic and soon they were eating well. The conversation was superficial but free flowing, and once they’d finished, he tossed a variety of large bills on the table.

                “Come on, there’s a club opening tonight, we can get a few drinks in a bar I know then hit this place. It’ll be great!”  Leading her out of the building he ignored the photographers, pulling her close as he shoulder barged the errant ones out of his path to dive into a waiting cab.

                “Sorry! But those scumbag photographers annoy me, like vultures. You ok?”

She nodded, leaning back against the seat to relax, “I’m fine!”

The taxi wove through the busy streets of Manhattan; Amelia gazed at the lights as they passed bars, restaurants. Sneaking a glance at Cole, she tried to decide how she felt about him. He was good looking, that much she knew, he was generous and funny, all good attributes, and he seemed to like her, another bonus. But only last week she’d seen pictures of him on the front of a gossip mag in the supermarket escorting some Hollywood babe to a party. He was hardly an A list celeb, and before the trip to the Catskills she’d not even heard of him, but since then been more aware of him, to the point that she knew he’d made the New York Post most eligible bachelors list.

The cab stopping almost surprised Amelia, she’d drifted so far away. Following him out of the cab, they entered a door into a bar. She’d have had no idea it existed from outside, but inside it was exactly how she imagined a speakeasy was in the twenties, small circular tables and booths surrounded a stage, a solitary candle in the centre of each the only illumination, other than the long bar that flanked the length of the right hand side of the room.

                “What is this place?” she asked as they were shown to a table by a scantily clad woman.

                “Somewhere away from Joe Public and the tourists.” He ordered champagne then settled back into the chair opposite her. A lone saxophonist played a haunting melody from the stage, and as she studied the room in a little more detail she realised that in the darkened corners couples were enmeshed in heated embraces.

Turning she stared at Cole, “what the hell have you brought me to?”

He followed her gaze then laughed, “I swear it’s not some sort of sex club, don’t worry! I’m not like that!”

They shared the champagne and a few people came over and chatted, he was obviously a popular man. Then he announced it was time to visit this famous new club.

Monday 7^th April 2008

Amelia’s head was pounding, a combination of too much alcohol, dancing and too little sleep. She should have gone to bed earlier the previous night, but her and Cole had partied all weekend...hard.  And now work...she groaned, she should’ve come home before three am, and should never have drunk so much vodka.

It had started Friday they’d headed to this new club and met up with dozens of Cole’s friends. There’d been unlimited drinking, dancing...and drugs. Not that she’d touched THOSE. But she had seen Cole snorting cocaine, and there were pills being passed between his friends. As promised she’d travelled home alone, but he’d been knocking her door the following evening and dragged her out yet again. Three nights was too much for her, and now she faced work as she never had before, tired...make that exhausted, with a pounding headache and blistered feet from too long in ridiculous heels, she felt like death. And she’d always prided herself on being professional. She hoped that Clay was elsewhere today, the last thing she needed was him seeing her at her worst.

She managed to hide in her office until lunchtime, despite feeling so rough she kept up with her investments and her portfolios. It was mid afternoon when she heard a kafuffle in the outer office. Clay had arrived from a business meeting across town, and one glance had Amelia worried. She’d never seen Clay look anything other than calm and relaxed, he was anything but today.

Keeping her head down she worked diligently fighting the hangover from hell that was threatening to kick in since mid morning. As she was packing up, more relieved than she’d ever known to be going home, Clay appeared at her door.

                “Don’t ever turn up in that state again Parkin! And don’t drag my business into the gutter. You are dispensable.” Before turning to walk out of the office, he stepped towards her desk and threw an internet print out onto her desk. 

As she saw the headline “Financier youngsters’ drug den revealed” and various pictures of people entering and leaving INCLUDING herself, she felt sick.

                “Clay I can explain!”

He held a hand aloft, “frankly there are no words, I’m both disappointed and embarrassed, we won’t make this a formal warning, but take heed.”

Amelia felt sick. All the way home she rued her bad decisions. What had come over her? She was nothing if not conscientious; she’d prided herself on being so in control, so able to separate her life from her work. But today she’d failed, and in doing so she’d let down herself and let down Clay, and it was so out of character.

As she pottered in the kitchen her mind with awash with reasoning. Why had she fallen into such a path of destruction? Her mind came back to Sol, but this was one thing he COULDN’T blame him for, though she’d have a good try. She’d spoken to Li prior to this weekend, confirmed she’d be back for the launch, that she’d wander into the lion’s den and see Sol and Helena so in love. But that wasn’t an excuse for this. She supposed she’d never done this before, partied, forgot reality. Maybe she was trying to say goodbye to her youth, to enjoy herself for a change before she became too old to. She was twenty six in a few weeks, she was in a position where she should be buying a home, growing up...maybe this was the rebel that lived inside her trying to have a last fling with youth?

But as she dried herself after a bath, one thing was clear; here she was sat alone, again with no one to support her. At that moment she knew she was right to keep herself emotionally separate from Cole, he was great to party with, but now when she needed him he was nowhere to be seen. Saying that, she’d seen him in his true colours over the weekend, an abuser and a user. Amelia had no intention of becoming part of that scene, and whilst she’d enjoyed most things, she had a good idea that his life was one small step away from self destruction. No, she’d had her fun, from now on it was work...hard!

Amelia was sitting with a cup of tea listening to music, she’d been sent a new album by Li, a band up and coming back home, and she was trying to get to grips with them when the doorbell rang. At last some recourse from Cole. She pulled the door back with a knowing look in her face, and then froze, stood on her doorstep was Clay.

Amelia felt her head drop, the disappointment and criticism from him earlier in the day had devastated her. Throughout her time in New York, Clay’s support and approval was unwavering, and losing that was worse than anything else.

                “Clay!” She nodded meekly at him, and he groaned.

                “I’m sorry Amelia; I had no right to talk to you like that today. Can I come in?”

Stepping back Amelia let him in to her home, then followed him in to the lounge.

                “Drink?” she asked perching on the arm of the sofa.

                “I shouldn’t have talked to you like that today; you’ve never failed to give more than one hundred percent in work. But...” He started to pace the room, and when he finally turned to her he looked bleak, “there’s a lot of insecurity in the financial world, there’s a knock on effect from Northern Rock being bailed out in the UK last year. Half of California is moving into foreclosure. I honestly think that there are rough times ahead. I had meetings earlier which did little to change my thoughts. I was in a really black mood. And then I saw you with him...Amelia the man’s an idiot, an unscrupulous bastard, and I worry about what effect he has on you.”

Amelia sighed then tried a smile, “I know exactly what he is Clay, and having seen him snort lines of coke with one hundred dollar bills...well let’s just say he’s not the sort of man I’d want to take home to see my father.”

Exhaling with obvious relief, Clay slumped down onto the sofa, “I was thinking...”

Amelia chuckled, “I didn’t even kiss him Clay, let alone anything more. My virtue is safe! Now do you want a beer whilst you tell me all about this financial crisis?”