Precious Stones by Darrien Lee

Author:Darrien Lee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Urban Books
Published: 2012-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Michael brought the New Year in with strangers in a D.C. bar. As he drank the complimentary champagne and watched the celebration in Times Square on the TV, a beautiful woman in a red dress, who looked like she was Creole, walked over to him and asked, “Is anyone sitting here?”

He looked into her mesmerizing green eyes and said, “No, it’s all yours.”

The woman took a seat and quickly ordered a mojito. She turned to Michael and said, “Happy New Year.”

Michael raised his glass to her without responding.

“Are you here with anyone?” she asked as she glanced at his full lips.

“No, just enjoying the festivities,” he replied.

She crossed her legs, giving him a full view. “I came with my girlfriends, but it looks like they have all abandoned me and hooked up,” she said as she pointed to a nearby table.

Michael could care less about her friends. It was her shapely legs that caught his eye.

“A woman as beautiful as you shouldn’t have any problem finding a date, either.”

She giggled and gave his bicep a flirty squeeze. “You’re sweet, and you look very familiar. Have we ever met before?”

“Not that I remember,” he answered casually as he took another sip of champagne.

She took a sip of her mojito and shook her head and said, “No, I never forget a face. This bar is usually a hangout for journalists and people in the political arena, but I must say you don’t look like either, and I have to admit ... I love a good mystery.”

Michael laughed before finishing off his drink and said, “That will make you a journalist, huh?”

She smiled and said, “Touché. Well, actually, I’m a freelance writer for a local magazine, so I wouldn’t call myself a journalist.”

Michael pulled out a fifty-dollar bill, handed it to the bartender, and said, “Thanks for the drink. This should be enough to take care of her drink and whatever else she wants.”

“Thanks,” she said seductively as she took his hand in hers. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

He smiled and said, “I would love to stick around, but it’s been a long day.”

“But the night is young, and the party’s just beginning. I wish you would stay a while longer.”

He gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, “Happy New Year ...”

“Madeline,” she said, to finish his sentence. “Madeline Savoi.”

He gave her hand a gentle shake and said, “Well, Madeline, my name is Michael Monroe, and it was nice meeting you. I hope you have a great rest of the night.”

Madeline watched as he disappeared in the crowd of inebriated revelers.

As he walked through the crowded room, he thought about Keilah and the special place she held in his heart. He really did care deeply for her and wished he could turn back the hands of time and do things differently when he was dating her. After stepping outside the bar, he closed his coat tighter as the cold night air swirled around him.

“Sir, do you need a cab?” the valet asked.

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