by Ashley Woods
Kristen looked again at Anthony and felt sad for him. When she was with him in the Bahamas, they were so intimate and free with each other, that she felt there had been a strong bond between them. She didn’t think he was hiding his heart from anyone. Anthony noticed her, and gave her a nod, and a sad look. Kristen returned a small smile. He never came over.
Kristen’s spirit was no longer at the party. She thanked Kittens, and then went back over to Ariel’s table, and watched Melanie and Kate with their partners.
Kristen still didn’t dance, and Anthony didn’t either. He just stayed in the same place, as different groups of friends approached him. He seemed to be enjoying himself.
The party ended at midnight, and Melanie and Kristen went to the front steps to retrieve their cars from the valet. Kate left with her Parisian.
Melanie said, “I will call you in the morning to go shopping. I am not leaving until Monday.”
Melanie could tell Kristen was glum about something. She studied her with a worried look, “Are you going to be alright?”
As the valet pulled up, Kristen sighed, “I’m fine. Thanks for coming.” She gave Melanie a half-hug and climbed into her car.
As she was about to drive away, a woman dressed completely in black, came up to her window. She had a scarf pulled down on her head that hid her eyes. Kristen had an ominous feeling and chose not to talk to her. The woman stood patiently waiting.
Kristen put her car into gear and slowly rolled down the drive. The woman ran alongside her, knocking hard on the window. She drowned out her own words as she said,
“You are in grave danger. Do not return to the Whitestone.”
Kristen could not hear her, and figured she was someone who drank too much at the party. She thought nothing more of it and drove home.
Kristen walked into her house and sat down at the kitchen table. She opened her small clutch to look for some aspirin, and noticed that her phone indicated that a text came in. It was from Anthony. All he had done was type a question mark. Kristen felt better but didn’t think she was brave enough to call him back. She said out loud,
“A question mark? Can’t he make a better attempt than that? Does he really care if he hears from me?” She wondered what prompted him to contact her, and where he went after the party. Then she thought, that maybe it was just sent in error. He was probably just trying to text another woman.
That night, her moments with Anthony vividly played themselves out in her dreams. They would always be together, as long as she did not wake up.
12 TESTING THE WATERS
Kristen woke up early and walked down to the beach. It was a cold morning, and the wind whipped through her hair, as the ocean angrily pounded the shore with its waves. She preferred the wilder days to the tranquil ones. It was raining hard, and it masked the tears that slowly escaped from her eyes. It was the perfect setting to match the turmoil that was going on inside of her.
Kristen knew she should be happy that Anthony sent her a text, but she wouldn’t let herself get hopeful and project that they were going to be together again. This had been something special, and she had to guard herself, and not anticipate anything, or it would really do a number on her. She didn’t know why she let him make her feel so down. Maybe she just was feeling tired.
She walked for a long time picking up small shells and tossing them back in the water. She put her cell phone down, took off her leather sandals, and began walking out into the water up to her waist. She was too upset to worry about any sharks this time.
She could feel the warmth surround her as the swell came up higher. Her toes dug into the bottom, and she felt the sand sift through them as it loosened and sunk her deeper. She just wanted to emotionally release herself, and she thought this would revive her.
Taking a deep breath, she let the next wave submerge her. Kristen kept her eyes tightly closed, as the tide then lifted her up and carried her away. She could feel her body being tossed in different directions as the wind changed its mind. She remembered that she was near the Hell’s tunnel, and almost wished that it would pull her to its core.
When she opened her eyes, she saw that she was an uncomfortable distance from land. She looked sadly toward the horizon, and then turned around. Laying back, she watched the dark clouds grow blacker, as another wave swept into her and washed her gently back up on the shore.
Kristen sat on the beach for a long time with her head down, as the fog enveloped her. She began feeling cold, so she stood up, shook out her sandals, and made her way back to the street.
As she looked up, she noticed a dark car was sitting far down the block. She couldn’t tell what make it was, or if anyone was in it. She hoped it was Anthony, but that was too much to wish for.
Her phone vibrated, and then rang. Kristen looked toward the car, and then to the phone, to see who was calling. It was only Melanie.
She said, “Well, I feel like sludge because I drank too much, but let’s go shopping!” Her enthusiasm perked Kristen up.
Kristen replied, “OK, I’ll meet you over at Neiman’s in an hour.” As she was hanging up, the car slowly made a U-turn and drove off in the opposite direction. Kristen thought it had out of state plates, so it couldn't have been him.
The afternoon lightened up and being with her friend brought Kristen out of her melancholy.
Kate called while they were in the dressing room.
“I am just letting you know that I did make it home in one piece, in case either of you were wondering. I am too exhausted to even talk right now. Bye.”
“Melanie then texted her, to invite her back to the island for tonight too, if she was up for it.”
Kate texted, “Too tired. Thanks.” Kate didn’t mention her friend from France. And, if she wasn’t offering information, Kristen knew better than to ask.
The girls decided to get manicures and see a movie, before they hit up the late-night clubs off the island. It was a long, but depressing night for Kristen. All she could think about was Anthony.
Three weeks later, one of her island friends, called her to tell her about a charity bachelor auction that was taking place that night. She had heard that celebrities were even flying in to participate. Kristen was not even aware of it, and she wondered how that slipped by her. She quickly agreed to go.
At 7 PM, a limousine pulled in front of her house, and Kristen climbed in. All of them were dressed to kill. They passed around a bottle of champagne, and enjoyed the limo’s psychedelic disco effects, as the wall panels changed patterns with the music.
The auction was being held in a large restaurant and the attendees sat down to a five-course meal before it started. It was a festive atmosphere, and it was just what Kristen needed to get in the groove again.
The men for sale were scattered about, wearing large cards on their suits with their numbers on it. They were doing very well at flirting with their prospective owners and drumming up enthusiasm.
The event finally started with the single members from the Palm Beach Police and Fire department being auctioned off. They were wearing their uniforms and looked very hot! One of Kristen’s friends laughed and started the bidding at ten thousand.
A half-hour later, Kristen walked out to the lobby to see if any more of her friends had arrived yet. As she opened the glass door and peered out onto the street, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around.
“Kristen, I am so glad to see you.” It was Anthony! Kristen looked startled, and nervously noticed he was wearing a number. He poked at his card and laughed, “I’m going to be one of the bargains tonight.” Kristen felt shy and smiled at him.
Anthony was bubbly, “So why didn’t you call me? Didn’t you get that text?” Kristen didn’t know how to answer him. She felt like she was in a dream that he was talking to her. It had been too long since she had last seen him.
Anthony looked concerned at her silence.
“Kristen, I need you to do a big favor for me.”
Curious, she final
ly spoke, “What would that be?”
Anthony pulled his checkbook from inside of his suit coat,
“I don’t have much time until I am up. I want you to buy me. I like this charity, and I want to make sure it makes enough money tonight. One of my friends is on the committee and talked me into this.”
He pulled out a check and started writing on it. He handed it to Kristen. It was made out for $80,000. She loosened up with him now.
She held it up laughing, “You think you’re worth that much?”
Anthony gave her a friendly leer, “Depends on what you want to do with me.”
Kristen replied, “You mean I will really win you?”
“Absolutely! You are the only woman that I want to have own me.”
Kristen felt her feelings for him swiftly returning.
Anthony was getting ready to walk back in to the room.
“Kristen, we need to talk about what happened. I don’t want to lose you. You need to know I reacted on the jet as I did, because I am not used to sharing my life with anyone. I like to keep things private. That includes my business and my feelings. Believe me. It is better for you that way.”
He paused and carefully continued, “I saw you in the ocean last month. I have been very worried about you.”
Kristen looked at him, “That was you in the car? How did you know I was down there?”
“Kristen, I make sure that I know everything about you. You are very important to me.” He had no time to keep talking and started to walk.
Kristen was a bit puzzled by what he said, but cheerfully followed him into the room. She went back to her table and was feeling very happy and relieved. She understood in some part what he meant about being private. She knew even more that she needed him in her life.
One of her friends looked at her, “What are you beaming about?”
Kristen smiled, “You’ll see.”
Anthony now joined the small line of men left that were waiting to go on the stage. He didn’t tell Kristen that he was the last one and was the grand prize. His number was finally called and he hopped up the stairs. He looked just like a GQ cover. His dark hair and classy Italian looks made him stand out. He was so debonair!
The bidding resumed, and the opening amount was $50,000. Kristen worried instantly that she was not going to be able to afford him. She tried to catch his eye to get some sort of sign from him on what to do, but he was too busy charming the audience.
The women in the place were going wild. Kristen raised her hand to bid the $80,000, but the price kept rising as the crowd reached a fervent pitch. It was like being in a male stripper club!
She wondered if Anthony knew that he was going to be that popular tonight. She thought about bidding much more but didn’t want to do that unless he had approved it. She was also thinking of putting her own money into it but decided not to.
The final bid was $150,000. It was made by a famous heiress from Germany. She was obviously single and was beautiful! Kristen nervously watched as the woman went up on the stage and pretended to stuff her winning check down the front of his pants.
The crowd had a good laugh, as Anthony pulled her hands off him, and up over her head. He then kissed her cheek, put his arm around her, and they walked off the stage and into the hallway.
A lady in the audience said loudly, “Wow! Is she lucky. They look like Barbie and Ken dolls.”
Kristen remained at her table to have a parting drink with her friends. She wasn’t sure what her next move should be. A minute later she could feel her phone buzzing in her purse. She pulled it out and saw a text from Anthony. He had inserted smiley faces into it and it read, “I will call you tomorrow. I miss you.”
Kristen was very happy with how he was now acting. Her girlfriend broke the spell, when she went over to the banquet table in front of the stage. It had the lists of what the bachelors promised to do for their dates. Her friend held up Anthony’s itinerary, and started reading aloud.
It was for a date the following day in St. Croix. Anthony would be flying the winner there on his private jet. Kristen’s heart sunk. This was more than she could bear. Anthony looked a little too happy when the heiress won him. She now just felt like going back to the ocean, and swimming away.
Still deflated, she was very quiet on the limousine ride back to her house. Her friend asked, “Why were you bidding 80,000 dollars on Anthony Fiore? Do you know him?”
Kristen shook her shoulders “I’ve seen him around. I was just doing it for the charity.”
All the girls laughed, “Yeah, right Kristen. What aren’t you telling us?”
One of the girls added, “He’s going to have a memorable time with Margit. She’s an infamous man-eater.” She studied Kristen to watch her reaction, but Kristen remained stoic.
Kristen arrived home and prepared for bed. She was just about to turn her cell phone off, when it rang.
Anthony was laughing on the other end, “Why didn’t you bid more for me? Don’t you want me?”
Kristen answered, “I wasn’t sure you would want to go that high.”
“How was I to know Margit would bid that much. I’m scared!”
“You’re a big boy, you will be alright.”
“I am going to tell her I have to sit with the pilot in the cockpit and help him fly.”
He begged, “Seriously Kristen, I am going to send the jet back for you, and I want you to meet me in St. Croix for dinner. I am only obligated for the day in paradise, not the night. I don’t want this wrecking anything between us. Will you please come and meet me?”
“No, no that’s crazy. You don’t want that.”
Anthony insisted, “Yes, I do. I am going to wear a parachute and if she tries anything, I swear I will jump out!”
Kristen started laughing hard, “I’ll be sure to rent a boat and rescue you then. You will be fine, and I am not going. I have a late luncheon to go to for gala planning.”
It seemed that Anthony, was satisfied that he did his best trying to convince her. Kristen wondered if it was just an act. She wasn’t all that worried anymore.
They talked for a bit longer, and then signed off with Anthony saying, “Good night Dream Girl.”
The next day, Kristen knew she was going to feel uneasy until she saw Anthony again. As each hour passed, she kept picturing what she thought her new boyfriend and Margit were doing that moment in St. Croix. She couldn’t get it out of her head.
She went to her gala meeting and was very surprised when they appointed her Co-Chair for the next year’s event. They must have been impressed by her high bid the night before. The title carried a considerable amount of prestige, along with the work involved to bring it all together.
That day, several more women in the group acknowledged her, and started telling her about various social functions that they would like to invite her to. Kristen was being treated like she was the new “buzz” of the island social network. She felt like her mother must have, and she hoped that Anthony would be by her side through all of it.
Kristen survived through the evening, and into the next afternoon without a call from Anthony. Her worst fears were confirmed when she saw the Palm Beach Shiny Sheet.
Again, Anthony was pictured on the front page, and was looking very comfortable, lying on the beach with Margit. There was a caption that read, “Palm Beach Lovebirds”, and it featured a spread of various cozy shots of them on their date.
Kristen thought, “If this date didn’t mean anything to him, he was doing a great job of acting.” She wanted to call up Suzie or Melanie, and cry about it, but decided against it. She didn’t want everyone else to know what she was going through. They would tire of it soon, if dating Anthony caused her to whine about all her problems. She didn’t want her friends to be afraid to pick up the phone.
Kristen made a decision to not give him another chance to upset her. She didn’t even want to hear about the date, and that nothing happened. Judging by the pictures, everything was happening! It see
med effortless for Anthony to like someone. He really was just a Playboy, and her heart would never be strong enough to accept that. She had to forget about him, for her own good.
She had no plans for the evening and made a bowl of popcorn. She was wearing her “comfy” clothes, and looked like a mess, as she lay on her couch watching television.
There was a light knock on her door. She stood up, and shuffled in her slippers, to peek out the side window. She was surprised to see Anthony on the steps.
He called through the door, “Kristen please open up. I know you are standing there.”
She slowly let down on the latch, and he pushed the door open. He didn’t give her a chance to speak. He raised her up in his arms and carried her over to the front room couch. He lay her down, as he kneeled on the floor, and intensely kissed her.
The copy of the newspaper was near-by on the coffee table, and he reached behind him with his hand to pick it up. After he pulled his lips from hers, he held up the paper.
“I was afraid you would see this. That “Twit” hired a photographer to follow us there. It was all staged. Look closely at the shots. Can’t you tell I don’t look happy?”
She tried to take a look, but he went in again for more kissing, and Kristen couldn’t see or breathe. She was at one with him and did not want to stop. His lips were so sensuous, that she felt giddy.
He started talking again, “We had some bad weather over there, so we couldn’t fly back until this afternoon. I was afraid to call you and figured that I should just come over to show you how much I care for you now. I am sorry if I made you feel bad at any time.”
Kristen believed him, and now tried to talk, but Anthony would not let her.
“Kristen, I want you to be my girl. I can’t imagine being without you again. I have never felt like this before. Let me show you.”
He picked her up from the couch and carried her up her stairs to her bedroom. Anthony whispered in her ear.
“I am staying with you tonight. I can’t bear to be without you. I love you Kristen, you need to know that.”
