Fallen Too Far

by Mia Moore

Annik and Tom had watched the crowd as the Staff circulated with complimentary drinks and hor’s douvres. Almost three hundred people were attending; they had to close off admission for the night in the second week of December.

  She was wearing a holiday red evening gown. It was a one shoulder backless chiffon number. Almost front-less too—the bodice was scooped out on one side under her breasts halfway to her navel. The slit on the side went up far enough to be daring. She had her hair down, and the ringlets fell below her waist.

  She looked over at Tom. His tuxedo was a crisp nightshade. He wore it well. Who was she kidding, he wore everything well.

  Annik and the Major had agonized over the floor show. All Event Nights previously had strong BDSM themes, but for tonight they wanted to back off from that a bit for New Year’s Eve.

  “Let’s keep it light for this night, Major. What do you think?” she had asked.

  “But sexy, right?”

  “Of course. And no playing of any kind on the main floor. We’ll open up all the rooms on the second floor with a directory at the top of the stairs.”

  The Major laughed. “Adults Only Beyond This Point sort of thing?”

  “Yes. And maybe ‘Explicit Activity’ or something. That way if people want to play, they can, but we’re more here to party.”

  It worked out marvelously. The Major added the idea of ‘masque’ for the evening. They decided that everyone should wear a mask of one sort or another. If people wanted to wear costumes they could; she didn’t want it to be a Halloween party.

  A few Patrons arrived in full regalia, but for the most part it was formal wear and elaborate masks. Both she and Tom had decided on plain dominoes as most of the Patrons had. She found it fascinating how the combination of formal dress and a sense of anonymity increased the sensual tension.

  She and Tom stood at the bar during the cocktail hour. They waved at guests as they entered and formed knots of people chatting. Staff circulated among them with drinks and appetizers.

  The Major announced that they could all be seated for dinner and the floor show. The guests checked their tickets and headed to their assigned tables. During the show, the dinner courses were served. The new layout of the place enabled the servers to look after the tables quickly between acts.

  The show was wonderful. It opened with a troupe of dancers and a comedian who had Annik laughing until her sides ached. The vocal group was fantastic, and the finale with the whole troupe got everyone ready to start dancing.

  The floor show had just ended, and dinner was being cleared away.

  She and Tom were at a table for two. They had decided if they took a table in a group there would be too much of a chance of slighting some people.

  When the DJ began to play dance music, Tom leaned over to her.

  “I’m glad it’s just the two of us for now, Annik.” He took both her hands in his. “The floor show was fantastic.”

  “Thanks, I let the Major take care of it. They did a great job.”

  “So what are your plans now?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you have other options besides Pandora’s.” He ticked off his fingers. “You and I are seriously talking about starting a family in the near future. Because of my sister, you’ll be able to complete your studies and become a therapist. And there’s your business here. You won’t be able to do all of them well if you do them all at once.”

  She smiled and nodded. “You left out planning a wedding.”

  “Oops.” They laughed.

  “We’ll have to talk about where we want to be, Tom. I think the rest of it will just come naturally.”

  He stroked her hand. “As long as we’re together, I’m fine.”

  “Hey you lovebirds!” They both turned. Bonnie and Anthony were there. Bonnie was dressed in a black sequined evening dress and a feathered mask she had been given at the entrance. Anthony’s arm was around her waist.

  “I have to tell you Tom, I’m a little disappointed.”

  “Huh?”

  She waved her arm to the people dancing. “I mean, I was scared to death—”

  “I was turned on as hell—” Anthony said.

  “Shhh! I was scared to death coming to a kinky sex club for New Year’s Eve, and this looks so--”

  “Vanilla?” Tom was smirking.

  “Yes! Where’s the whips and chains—”

  “And nekkid people!” added Anthony. He ducked under Bonnie’s swat.

  “Oh. That.” Tom twirled his champagne flute and eyed the couple. Bonnie had decided to check out Pandora’s because of the investment he and Annik had made. She told them that since she and Anthony were empty nesters now they could just as easily see how the other half lived.

  “Well?” they both asked in unison.

  “Over there,” said Annik pointing to the staircase. Four or five couples were on the staircase already heading up. “Now those rooms are usually private, but for this event we removed all the doors, so it’s public play up there for now.” A light buffet would be set up and served after midnight in the ballroom which was usually open for public play.

  “See?” Anthony said. “Told you there’d be nekkid people. Let’s go.”

  Bonnie turned to Tom. “This is weird now.”

  “Yep.” Tom was grinning. “Don’t worry. We weren’t planning on going upstairs tonight, so I won’t be up there, sis.”

  “Okay. We’ll have a lot to talk about back at your place later I guess…” Bonnie was kneading her hands.

  Annik reached out and rubbed her forearm. “Or, you can talk to me if you want, okay? We actually call it a debriefing for newbies.”

  Bonnie kept looking at the top of the stairs and back to Annik, and back up the staircase. “Wha—what’s up there anyway?”

  Annik sat back. She didn’t want to overwhelm Bonnie, but she didn’t want her to be too shocked. “People from all walks of life celebrating their bodies in an open atmosphere, Bonnie.” She turned to Anthony. “And yes, some will be ‘nekkid’.”

  “Oh.” Bonnie’s eyes drifted down to watch her fingers. “Kind of nervous here…”

  “Nervous makes for thrilling, Bonnie,” said Annik. “Just go take a look, and you and Anthony talk about it.”

  “I won’t have to take my clothes off will I?” Bonnie’s eyes were wide looking back up.

  “Too much information.” said Tom, laughing.

  “No, you won’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Think of it as ‘research’ and you’ll be fine,” Annik said. “Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.” She took Anthony’s hand and placed it on top of Bonnie’s. “Don’t be too pushy, just suggest; and have faith in your years together that have brought you this far, okay?”

  Bonnie leaned over and kissed Annik’s cheek. “Okay.” She turned to Anthony. “Let’s go where no Bonn has gone before. Hurry, before I lose my nerve, honey.” They left the table and holding hands climbed the staircase.

  Annik turned to Tom. “Hey, if you don’t mind, I’m going to stay back for a bit and supervise the closing up for the night, alright? I’ll have the Major drop me off at home.”

  “Yeah, you hinted enough about that when I asked the gang back to our place for a nightcap. I have the limo until dawn, and we can all leave together. Good idea to have the Major drop you off though. It would be murder to try to get a taxi.” He refilled their champagne flutes. “You want to dance?” The DJ had started a set of slower, more romantic songs. He held out his hand and Annik took it.

  After the first song they just swayed and looked in each other’s eyes. They turned to head back to their table when Diana waved to them from a love seat. They walked over to say hi to Diana and Danny.

  “You guys are coming tonight, right?” Tom asked. He parked Annik next to Diana and joined Danny on the facing sofa.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, man,” Danny replied. Like Tom, he was wearing a tuxedo and a domino mask. Except Danny’s tux w
as in camouflage fabric. They watched the ladies chatter away girl to girl for a moment. “Hey, I got to tell you something, alright?”

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  Danny looked over to Diana. She was seven, maybe eight years older than him; in her early forties. His gaze was an awed hunger. He turned back to Tom. “She’s my life, y’know.”

  Tom nodded. “I know the feeling, yeah.”

  “We met here, Tom.” He pointed to an area of the dance floor. “Right over there, about a year and a half ago.”

  “Uh huh. I saw it. You spoke with her for about a minute and dropped to your knees I think.”

  “Yeah, I did.” He rubbed his hands through his hair, and leaned into Tom, speaking quietly. “If this place didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have met, you know? You and Annik taking over… it gives other people maybe a chance to meet their soul mate.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s Annik’s doing, Danny—”

  “Nah. I can put two and two together. And I hear things here and there. You backed her. If you didn’t back her, it wouldn’t have happened, bro,” he patted Tom’s knee.

  Tom smiled with one side of his face. “I don’t know. Maybe. But I know what you’re saying, and Danny, I was happy to help her.”

  The two men looked over at the women chatting. Each one watching the center of their life.

  “Yeah… well… there’s something more, okay?”

  “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “I’m not going to go into details, but… I found a sort of forgiveness here I think.” He gestured to Diana. “I sub to her, and it’s awesome. There was some stuff for me that I needed… I don’t know… maybe to pay penance or something.” He looked eye to eye with Tom. “Because of Pandora’s, I was able to forgive myself, and found love at the same time, dude.”

  “I’m glad, Danny.”

  “Now all I have is the love, man—and it rocks.” He stuck his hand out and Tom shook it. Glancing over, the two women were now touching foreheads chattering away. “But there’s more…”

  ****

  When they had come over, Diana had patted the seat next to her. Annik saw Danny start speaking with Tom as she curled down into her seat. As soon as she settled in, Diana reached over and embraced her. What the hell? Miss Diana, as she was known at Pandora’s was anything but physically affectionate. Annik returned the embrace happily. After all, it was Miss Diana who had mentored her when she decided to add BDSM to her repertoire as an Escort.

  “Happy New Year, Annik.”

  “And to you, Diana.” The women disengaged, and Diana took her hand.

  “Thank you, Annik. For everything.” Diana’s eyes were shining.

  “You’re welcome. Welcome for what, I don’t have a clue, but my pleasure?” They laughed together.

  “This place will always be a treasure for me and my Danny, you know.”

  Annik nodded.

  “But it’s more than that now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Diana’s fingers entwined with Annik’s. She held her hand firmly. “How old is Tom?”

  “Diana, you’re his doctor; you know the answer—he’s forty-eight.”

  She nodded. “Yes, he’s six years older than me.”

  “The secret of your age is safe with me, Diana. I thought you were younger.”

  Diana patted Annik’s hand. “No problem.” She looked over to Danny. “My guy loves me, that’s all that counts, right?”

  Annik nodded.

  “You and Tom—you’re planning on having a family, right?”

  “Yes. But not for about a year or more… but yes, I’d love us to have some kids.” A daughter, if it was possible. She would have Annik’s old room.

  “When Tom approached me, it got me thinking about things…” She looked back up to Annik. A single tear, just a crystal drop was sitting at the corner of her eye. The joy on Diana’s sharp features indicated the type of tear. “I told my parents this afternoon, and you’re the first friends I’m telling.”

  “Telling what?”

  “I had amnio yesterday and everything’s wonderful.” Now both of her eyes were glistening.

  “Amnio? Do you mean?”

  Diana held out her left hand. The sparkle on her ring finger blazed in the room’s light. “Danny gave me this at dinner.”

  “It’s beautiful, Diana! Congratulations. But amnio?”

  “The wedding’s in February and I deliver in July. I think it’s twins!”

  “Oh Diana.” Annik pulled her hand from Diana’s and embraced her fully. She kissed her cheek again and again…

  ****

  A while afterward the Major appeared on stage and began the countdown for the New Year. The entire party crowded into the main ballroom. People in varying stages of dress and undress, some wearing only bath towels watched from the balcony and staircase from the second floor. Annik’s eyes gazed over the crowd. Bonnie’s dress was on crooked, and Anthony’s jacket and tie were missing. Both of them looked like the cat after the canary. She decided not to point them out to Tom.

  The Major was wearing his regimental kilt and full dress uniform. In his hands he held the biggest pocket watch Annik had ever seen. He counted down to midnight from 10. When they hit zero, the whole hall erupted with cries and shouts of ‘Happy New Year!’ A trio of pipers entered from the kitchen playing ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Balloons dropped from the ceiling, small indoor fire crackers exploded streamers across the room and a star burst of light played across the hall as everyone grabbed each other and kissed the New Year in. Music, laughter and light filled the ballroom as Annik and Tom kissed in the beginning of their first full year together.

  It was a kiss for the ages.

  The DJ began a beautiful song full of hope and happiness and the entire audience swayed with each other.

  When the melody finished, a second song came up right behind it and a man tapped Tom’s shoulder.

  “Hey, mind if we switch partners?” asked Craig Forsythe. He had Jessica’s hand. She waved to Annik smiling with a gesture of ‘you better!’

  Tom took Jessica’s hands as Craig stepped to Annik, holding her like he was dancing with his cousin.

  “I need to tell you something,” he said. “But just for you, just from me.”

  “Sure, Craig. And Happy New Year.” She leaned in and bussed his cheek. His beard was soft. Jessica had a good idea with getting together with a man with a beard—no five o’clock shadow to scratch.

  “And to you.” He tucked in a little closer, but not too close. “I want to thank you again.”

  Annik laughed. This was about the tenth time in the last two years that Craig had thanked her. “You know, Craig, you’re starting to sound like a broken record.”

  “So be it. You saved us, you know.”

  “All I really did was tell a smart guy he was being dumb.” She took Craig by the face. “I love her too, you know. Jessica’s wonderful.” She glanced over to see Jessica and Tom chatting on the side of the dance floor.

  “Yeah, I know.” He looked away. “But if you didn’t step in, I wouldn’t have had the guts to stick it out.” He looked back at Annik. “I would have let it die a’borning.”

  She nodded.

  “And instead of being so happy right now, I’d be hollow.” He embraced her. “Thank you for saving our us, and for saving me, Annik.” He stepped back and cradled her face. “I can never repay you…”

  “Sure you can.”

  “How?”

  “Love her. Love Jessica with everything you got Craig.” She put her hands over his. “And when you run out of love, she’ll show you where there’s more.” Annik looked over to where her dearest friend stood, then back to Craig. “She’s like that.”

  Craig grinned. “I’ve heard that before.”

  “Not from me—that’s an Annik Dandridge Original.”

  “No, not from you. And it’s a good thing to be reminded of.” He turned his head to where his Jessica was standing. “Let’s
go. She’s got something to tell you.” They wandered over to Tom and Jessica.

  When they rejoined them, Annik’s hand was grabbed. “Ladies room trip, gentlemen,” Jessica said. Pulling Annik’s arm she strutted towards the washrooms.

  “Hey! I don’t have to go.”

  “Me neither. I just wanted some privacy.”

  “Oh. Then let’s go here.” Annik peeled them away from the washroom line up. She was going to have to fix that. She guided them to a door under the main staircase that led into a meeting room.

  “We can talk in the parlor,” she said, opening the door that had ‘Private’ painted on it. She flicked on a couple of the lights and turned to Jessica. “What’s going on?”

  Jessica held out her left hand. It was the biggest diamond Annik had ever seen.

  “We’re not moving in, Annik. We’re getting married.”

  For the second time Annik squealed with joy. She hugged Jessica and admired the ring. They chatted about weddings and receptions and so forth for about twenty minutes. She was so thrilled for her friend.

  When they started to run out of steam, Jessica took Annik’s hand.

  “I wanted you to be the first to know. I’ll be calling my parents tomorrow, and the office will know in a couple of days. When Craig slipped this on me, the first person I wanted to share this with was you.”

  Annik took Jessica’s hand and again admired the ring.

  “Annik.”

  She looked up. Jessica’s eyes weren’t wet. They were too happy for tears. “I want you to know something.” She took both of Annik’s hands in her own.

  “Annik Dandridge, I have been, and always shall be… your friend.”

  Chapter 24

  It had been a long day for Paul. Since eight o’clock that night he had been parked on the street near Pandora’s. Dressed in Aortic wear he was in the trees watching. Finally, she appeared. A stretch limousine pulled up to the front door, the driver got out and opened it and there she was. She was with Tom. With his arm around her they ascended the steps and went inside.

  A limo?

  This bitch had done very well for herself in just a couple of years. From the seedy motel where they had met, now a mansion and limousines? Check that—mansions. The workman he had spoken to in the driveway said Annik was the owner of Pandora’s.