Exquisite

Chapter Twenty Seven

Christmas had come and gone. Lena’s parents had come down to visit on Christmas Eve and it’d gone well. It was the first Christmas in years where Lena had been able to discuss anything relating to her sister. The only ache in her heart this time around was caused by a six-foot three-man, who was still not speaking to her. Her mother had asked about Mason but she hadn’t known what to say, so instead she’d told her about Catherine, cried and hugged her. Somehow she couldn’t bring herself to tell her that she’d known all along that Mason’s mother was sick. She couldn’t bear the judgment that would cross her mother’s face as it had Mason’s.

Lena had just got back from her run and was sitting down taking her shoes off when she looked across to the desk by the window. Sitting on top of the mail was the envelope Mason had given her. Lena had procrastinated for the last few days on what could be in that letter but she still hadn’t had the guts to open it. Sighing, she kicked off her shoes and leaned back on the couch. Rubbing her eyes she tried to imagine what Catherine had possibly wanted to say to her. She knew she took first place when it came to putting things off, but this was something she knew she had to do.

Lena decided she was going to go down to visit Catherine and she would take the letter with her. Standing up she padded into her bedroom to get her coat, she looked over to the dresser where the picture of Carly sat. She remembered the night Mason had first asked her about Carly, Lena had not been very receptive, and if she was being honest she now found herself in a similar situation. Mason was hurting, she knew the grief he was suffering was so deep that it was hard to crawl out of, and she also knew that she hadn’t helped the issue. No matter which way she looked at it there wasn’t any other way she could have handled it. Either way, whether she’d told him or the fact that she had not, someone would’ve been hurt or disappointed. In the end, she’d chosen to go with her professional opinion, but unfortunately Mason didn’t want to hear that. She grabbed a coat and walked back out to the living room. Picking up the envelope she stuffed her feet into her boots and made her way out the door. It was time to go and talk to an old friend.

Mason’s head hurt. He was lying in bed and the sun was beaming through the window hitting him right in the eye. Last night had been rough, he’d gone down to the local nightclub and had a few too many Scotch on the rocks. This had become a ritual for him. He found it difficult to sleep at night, nightmares seem to plague him where he got a phone call and some strange man told them his mother had died. So yeah, drinking himself to sleep seemed like a much better idea. Until the morning that is.

His head was throbbing his mouth tasted horrible and quite honestly he felt miserable. He hadn’t shown up at Exquisite three nights this week and he knew Rachel was going to kick his ass, not to mention what Wendy would do. Mason knew he’d been slacking, he had no excuse and honestly he didn’t care, it seemed like the last two months of his life had gone to shit real quick. He didn’t really see a way out. There was no way he could bring back his mother, there was no way he could forget the pain of betrayal, and he was starting to think there was no way he would ever be able to forget her. He should know he’d tried. No matter how much liquor he drank or how many women he looked at, all he thought about was Lena.

He’d tried over and over to tell himself that what she’d done had not been done maliciously but no matter which way he looked at it the fact that she’d known something was wrong, killed him. Sitting up he ran a hand through his hair and groaned as his stomach lurched. Yawning he stood and stretched his arms above his head and that’s when he heard the knock. He walked to the door slowly and the knocks sounded again.

“Alright alright I’m coming.” he grumbled as he moved toward the door quicker.

“Open the damn door Mason!” Wendy yelled back. Mason yanked the door open and glared at Wendy who was standing on the other side with a tray of coffees. She pushed her way past him and moved into the living room, placing the tray down on his coffee table. She looked over her shoulder and glared at him. He pushed the door and it slammed its way shut.

“Do you mind?”

“Do I mind? Where the hell have you been the last three days?” Wendy demanded as she pointed at him. Mason put his hands on his hips. “Listen here, Exquisite is mine. If I want to take a day off I will! I don’t need your permission.”

“That would be fine and dandy but it’s been three days and you haven’t bothered to call anyone!” she yelled back at him.

Mason scratched his head and walked over to her. “Look Wendy. I just need a fucking break. Do you think you could give me that?”

Moving in close to him she jabbed his chest with her finger. “You listen to me Mason Langley. You weren’t the only one who lost their mother.”

“I know that.” he hissed.

“Really? Because you don’t act like it. You leave Rachel to run the restaurant all day, all by herself without a thought in the world to how she feels.”

Mason’s chest was starting to hurt where she was poking him. He stepped back and raised an eyebrow. “Look I’m really sorry but I just can’t be there right now. I can’t be fucking anywhere.”

He walked around her and moved over to the window, looking out at the people below walking around the tracks and crossing the street to get into the park, he wondered how it had all gone so wrong. He heard movement behind him and knew she was walking over to stand beside him. She took a deep breath when she stopped by his side and reached out a hand and took his. He turned his head to look down at her. “God I miss her.”

Wendy gave him a half smile then whispered, “Which one?”

Lena stepped onto the fresh grass and made her way through the tombstones that lined the the way. It’d only been a little over a month since she had last been here. In her hand she held the envelope that Mason had given her. It was still unread and still sealed, and as she stopped in front of Catherine’s resting place she glanced down and took a deep breath. The sun was out today but the wind was still cool as a whipped around her hair. She raised her hand and brushed a stray piece behind her ear then she glanced up at the sky and watched as a bird flew overhead. Sighing softly she looked down to the grass below her where fresh flowers added color to a green canvas.

“So I thought I’d come and visit you today.” she said softly as she fiddled with the envelope. “You always told me I couldn’t run for my problems and that I needed to face them head on, even when I found that so difficult. From the time we met you urged me to face the fear that I had inside myself and to live life the way Carly would’ve wanted me to.”

She shuffled her feet back and forth feeling uneasy talking to someone who would never talk back.

“Mason gave me your letter. I haven’t opened it yet, but I bet that doesn’t surprise you. I mean after all it took me nine years to gather the nerve to go and visit Carly and yet you think I’m going to be able to read a letter from you just like that, huh?”

Lena took in a deep breath and looked down at the envelope in her hand. Closing her eyes she remembered Mason telling her that his mother had once told him that a cemetery was a place for the living, not the dead. This was the place where the living came to talk, to say goodbye or cry with the ones they loved. It was a place where no one judged and you could say whatever you wanted to them and know that they heard you. Smiling at that memory she opened her eyes and undid the envelope.

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.

‘What?” she asked innocently, “Liquid courage. You’ll need it here.”

“Gee thanks a lot.” Lena shouted over the music.

“Well it’s true! You hate drinking, you hate having to be aggressive and I know you hate dancing. Tonight, here.” she paused looking around at the sweaty pulsing bodies, “You’ll need to do all three.”

Swallowing deeply Lena nodded agreeing with her friend and wondering how the hell she’d ended up here and reached out to grab the drink. Tipping it up she slammed it home and coughed once screwing her nose up, “Oh shit!”

Shelly burst out laughing then turned to face the crowd. Lena felt her friend freeze and her hand grip her wrist. “Lena. Over there.”

Lena turned her head in the direction her friend was looking and froze on the spot. Under the flashing lights she saw Mason, in amongst the sweaty gyrating bodies, pressed hip to hip with a blonde who was all over him like a second skin. He had his big hands on the blonde’s ass and had her hips pulled in tight to his and her arms were wrapped up around his neck with her fingers running through his wet black hair. He had his eyes shut and was grinding his hips against the blonde’s like there was no material between the two of them and Lena wanted to walk over grab the blonde’s hair and yank her off him. However, he was doing just as much clinging, so maybe she could rip the blonde off him then knee him in the balls. She grinned maliciously at that thought then turned to Shelly who had her eyes glued to the scene in front of them.

“Ahh, so.” Shelly said then looked over to Lena, “Now what?”

Lena narrowed her eyes and said in a soft voice that concealed all the pent up emotions she was having. “Now I have a second shot of tequila.”

Mason had finally lost himself. It’d taken him around half a bottle of scotch and half an hour with Cindy, or was it Mindy? He couldn’t remember and didn’t care. She’d stopped talking and was clinging and rubbing all over him and that was what he wanted, no talking, just a sweaty curvy body. The music was moving through him and his hips were working up a delicious friction in the notch between her thighs and from the way she was moaning in his ear and gripping his hair he decided she must like the fact that his hard on was pressing up against her. Sure, he wouldn’t do anything with her or it, but it felt nice to think about it for the moment and not all the other bullshit in his life.

He opened his eyes as the music switched up and for a crazy second he was sure he saw Lena moving toward him. He blinked his eyes figuring the combination of alcohol and the strobe lighting was playing tricks on him, but no, there she was again as the lights flickered then it went back to dark. He shifted Cindy in his grip and she groaned thinking he was moving their position, when in fact he was just moving his, then he lost sight of the vision in the crowd. Shaking his head he turned back to look down at Cindy whose mouth was open and he noticed her eyes were dilated, all signs that she was one hundred percent turned on and he suddenly decided he needed another drink, and to get away from the blonde. He took a step back reaching up behind his neck to grab her hands, and she blinked a few times at him.

“Let go hon.”

She smiled, what he figured she thought was a seductive smile, and said loudly over the music. “I can come with you.”

Shaking his head he replied, “No it’s fine.”

She ran a palm down his chest clutching his shirt and pulling him a bit closer. “Really. I’ll let you do whatever you like.”

He took her hand and pulled it off shaking his head again, shit couldn’t she take a hint. “Not interested.”

He watched her eyes narrow and he thought if it was possible smoke would be coming out of her ears. His head was starting to swirl and he ran a tongue over his bottom lip then turned on his heel to make his way back to the bar and that’s when he saw her. Standing right in front of him, like some kind of fucked up hallucination, was Lena. She was dressed in a strapless corset of deep burgundy that laced from her navel to between her breasts. Wrapped snugly around her hips was the smallest leather mini skirt he’d ever seen and on her feet were the most wicked pair of fuck me boots ever designed. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail and was long enough that he knew it fell down to the middle of her back and altogether the picture she made was a fucking sexy one.