Past Forgiven

by Jesse Lorenzo

  The beauty staff enjoyed teasing her with worried noises, gasps, and sarcastic comments. But after several hours had passed, Adelle grew increasingly anxious. Right when she was beginning to regret her decision, they announced that the process was complete and turned her chair around.

  Stunned.

  That is what she was as she sat staring at the reflection in the mirror. This stranger staring back at her couldn’t possibly be the same person. This girl was stunning. The stylist had lightened her hair several shades, to a soft strawberry blonde with subtle honey colored highlights skillfully blended in. The combination caught the light at every angle, making it shimmer. Then the beautician showed her how to use her new favorite tool… a straightening iron!

  Once her frizzy ringlets were smoothed out, Adelle’s hair was a lot longer looking than one would originally suspect. The color change transformed her skin tone from pale and pasty… to porcelain perfection. The cosmetologist with the reverse Mohawk showed her different makeup techniques that blew her mind. This wasn’t like the movies where they remove a ponytail and glasses, throw a dress at you, and poof! It was a miraculous, kind of makeover. After several hours of work, Adelle truly looked like a completely different person. It almost frightened her.

  After witnessing first-hand the petty confrontation and cruel treatment from Shannon, the beauty staff pledged their allegiances to Adelle. While working on her, they each told their own heartbreaking bullying stories, for no other reason than being different.

  “Come in here as much as you want, honey. We’ll touch you up until you’re a master at it. Soon enough, you’ll be able to apply your makeup in the dark, with one hand tied behind your back. My hand to God,” Promised the flashy beautician.

  Leiah was jumping up and down, completely blown away by the transformation. She almost seemed happier than Adelle. “Oh my God, you’ve got to go to the party now! We’ll find the sexiest, most dangerously seductive costume around. You have to go. It’s your last night here. Go out with a bang!”

  Adelle had to admit that the thought excited her at first, but just as quickly, she tamped it down. “The moment Shannon sees my face, she’ll be all over me like a vulture on a carcass. No matter how I look now, if she sees me, my fun will be over.”

  Adelle’s enthusiastic friend shook her head confidently. “Nope. You’re not getting off that easy. It’s a costume party. We’ll find a gorgeous eye mask to cover the only thing anyone would recognize. The rest is too drastic a change for anyone to know that it’s you. Tada!” She waved her hands with practiced spirit fingers as she uttered the words in a sing-song rhythm.

  Adelle let herself get worked up again. “That’s right. A costume party, hmm,” she mused out loud. She definitely liked the idea of walking away on an epic note.

  “Honey, you better go. I want to hear how this story plays out,” Mohawk urged her, flicking her wrist as she talked. For just a moment, the transformed beauty let herself think that with this makeover she finally looked like a girl Gavin would go for. With a confident grin spreading across her face, she announced, “Let’s do it!”

  Her friend clapped excitedly as the beauty staff high-fived, now feeling like a part of the story. “Yaaaaaaay! We’ve gotta go now. We need to find you an epic costume.”

  AFTER CHECKING every overpriced store selection in town, Leiah got an idea. She drove right to the edge of their harbor town before entering the highlands. The remote location made Adelle lift a curious eyebrow. Glancing at her friend, she didn’t even have to ask… they were mind-mates after all.

  One look was all it took and Leiah answered, “Naughty Burlesque and Masquerade costumes.” She wiggled her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue playfully. “No one else in town will wear one of these sexy numbers… guaranteed! You’ll be the center of attention for sure. C’mon, let’s go try something on.”

  Adelle linked her arm with her friend and hesitantly walked into the house-styled boutique. “Oh my God. I never would’ve thought in a zillion years that I’d ever walk into a store like this, let alone purchase something to wear in public.” She shook her head in delighted disbelief. Adelle originally thought that the items in a shop like this would be trashy or cheap looking. Boy was she wrong. The articles were erotic yet elegant and sultry perfection all wrapped into each and every collection.

  One piece, in particular, captured her attention immediately. This was hers. The newly made-up girl didn’t care how much it’d set her back; she would walk into the lion’s den armed with her new look… and this show stopping costume. The piece she claimed was a crimson silk corset with intricately patterned black lace overlay. The bodice was elegantly handcrafted with black beading arranged in an antique, gothic-like look. Red and black ribbon weaved itself along the back to close the corset.

  It was breathtaking. The equally stunning burlesque mask matched it in color. This mask was artfully shaped and covered the top half of her face and her tell-tale feature. Her freckles lay hidden behind silk and lace. The red silk only covered above the eyes, the tops of the cheekbones and over the bridge of the nose, whereas the black lace overlay extended past the silk into a lace-like butterfly pattern into the forehead area and out to one side.

  An oversized black feather demanded its own attention from the small accessory as it easily stood a foot in length. The shop paired the sinfully sexy outfit on display with a black velvet choker. A teardrop-shaped medallion hung low and basically pointed to the prominent cleavage the corset promised to reveal.

  Black thigh highs, barely-there lace stockings, and an artfully crafted garter decorated the mannequin’s legs. Unlike most typical garters, this one had black rosettes on each side, drawing one’s attention to the wearer’s exposed thigh. No detail was overlooked when this outfit was crafted. She loved it!

  “I’ll take all of this.” Adelle swept her hand up and down grandly. “Give me the whole shebang.”

  “Life is a masquerade.

  Everywhere you look are people

  hiding behind masks.”

  ADELLE WAS DROPPED off in front of Gavin’s house. Leiah shouted out the window, “Remember, this is your world. They all just live in it! Go in and rock that joint! Have fun, Ellie. I’ll pick you up in a few hours. Better have some good stories by then, and I want details. Go shake your tail feathers.”

  She sped off, leaving her standing alone. Adelle wished she could walk in with her friend, but it was decided, by Leiah, that everyone knew who she was. It wouldn’t be a big mystery as to whom Leiah was walking in with, so Adelle was going in alone. She wasn’t scared or anything, just a little nervous. “Here goes nothin’.”

  She scaled the steps, walking into blaring music, laughing, and couples dancing. A group of guys gave themselves whiplash as they did double-takes in her direction. Immediately, she snatched up a red cup of a strong smelling fruity drink and gulped half of it down. It burned down her throat and warmed her stomach. She’d definitely need the help of some liquid courage to get through this evening.

  Her eyes were drawn to a group of people in the room across the way. She recognized Behr and Shannon immediately. She was a slutty Disney Princess, of course, and he was a Roman gladiator. Their costumes suited them both perfectly. A man with a long impressive red velvet cape and a helmet with red feathers stood imposingly. He commanded the attention of the other party-goers in the center of the room, but his back was to her.

  When another man beside him whistled at Adelle’s risqué outfit, he turned. Her jaw dropped like a hungry snake’s. It was Gavin. He was dressed as a Spartan with his impressively toned, athletic body proudly on display. Her heart slammed into her chest like a solid punch.

  He was mouthwatering. His broad chest, chiseled abs, and low hanging leather sarong wrap left very little to the imagination. They hung dangerously low, exposing the forbidden V line, almost pointing at what would be a promise of an amazing night. That. Was. It. Adelle unabashedly took her time appreciating the million-dollar view, whil
e hiding behind the mask. She felt emboldened when the object of every one of her fantasies zeroed in on her hungrily.

  Gavin slowly weaved around his partying friends and the furniture situated directly in the way of his next marked target. His eyes were trained solely on hers. He didn’t know who this beautiful stranger was, but he sure as hell wanted to find out. Adelle gave him a devilishly wanton smirk. This new façade gave her a sense of power she’d never felt before. Behind this mask, she felt brave, daring, and unstoppable.

  Lifting her hand, Adelle curled her finger, signaling for him to come closer. His sexy crooked grin grew at her unspoken invitation. He approached, towering over her with his own confident boldness. The inner bad-girl itched to reach up and run her fingers over his washboard abs. The temptation was almost too much to ignore.

  “Nice party you’ve got here.”

  Gavin’s eyes closed briefly at the sound of her voice. Its tone was a melody he could listen to forever. It sent chills down his spine. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it somehow sounded familiar to him, which was ridiculous considering he had never met someone as incredibly mouthwatering and stunning as the beauty standing before him. Heated sensations were awakened inside him at the look she gave him.

  “Thanks, lass. Your outfit looks like it could very well be considered a felony in these parts. You might be charged with murder if all the lads in here staring at you dropped with heart attacks.” He poked fun, taking in the outfit in question. He took his time giving it the attention it deserved.

  “Why, thank you. I thought I’d dress up and class up the place of all the cheap supermarket costumes.” She scrunched up her nose, playfully teasing him—a gesture she gave often. Gavin noticed and smiled widely at her. If she wasn’t careful, she might get caught. She was going to have to watch herself.

  Gavin reached out, running his hands over the delicate feathers at her hip. This was the closest he had ever come to touching her in a lustful way. Her inexperienced body betrayed her innocence by spreading a hot humming sensation. It grew deep in the pit of her belly at his closeness. She wondered how she would react if he actually put his hands on her.

  A deep blush spread across her porcelain skin. Gavin noticed immediately and tilted his head to the side with a smirk.

  “You’ve definitely succeeded. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing a heart-stopping outfit quite like this… on such a mysteriously stunning creature as you.”

  Adelle lifted a suspicious brow at his pickup line. This is interesting, she thought. She made him a little nervous. What a turn of events this day turned out to be. This was epic. Gavin clenched his fists tightly when he caught the mystery woman looking down at his wandering hands, then dropped them abruptly. He just couldn’t help himself. He was like a moth to a brilliant flame.

  Since the moment she walked in, he’d been helplessly drawn to her. An overwhelming sense of déjà vu struck him like lightning. He felt like he knew her somehow, and he had to know more about her.

  “Can I get you something to drink, beautiful stranger standing in my living room?”

  Adelle lifted one corner of her mouth, lifting a newly manicured eyebrow. She brought her arm up and shook the red cup in her hand, signaling she had one already. “I’m way ahead of you, King Leonidas.”

  Gavin’s expression was beaming with delight. “What’s your name, love? I’ve gotta know.”

  Adelle had a moment of panic. She decided it would be best if she didn’t tell him just yet. Playing hard to get, she simply ran her delicate hand over the ridges of his iron stomach.

  “Call me whatever you’d like, my king.”

  Gavin’s eyes darkened with a deep-seated need that coursed through him at her irresistible touch. He hissed out an appreciative breath as he shifted his stance, trying hard to tamp down the growing desire that was sure to be noticed soon enough.

  “Oh, c’mon, I’ve gotta know the name of my future wife.” There he was. The over confident flirt was back. Adelle walked her fingers up his body and played with the medallion that held his cape together.

  “Oh, is that so? Well, let’s see if you play your cards right. I might tell you a little more than you bargained for.”

  Gavin nodded, accepting the terms. He loved a good challenge, and Adelle knew he was a sucker for the chase. Running his hands longingly up and down her arms, he answered, “Oh, you’ll tell me, love. You’ll tell me everything I want to know and more by the end of the night.” Gavin sounded like rough gravel as his voice dipped lower after every sworn word. He grasped her wandering hands, kissed her knuckles, and led her into the room with him. Gavin paraded her right into the center of the game room where a group of people hung around a large pool table.

  “Do they love you

  or the mask you put on every day?”

  ~ Shimika Bowers

  OH, THIS IS perfect, she thought. Adelle had a pool table at home that she played with her brothers and their friends all the time. Yup, she had skills, and she couldn’t wait to showcase her talents.

  “Hey, guys. This magnificent, decadent dessert is my date for the night,” Gavin announced, as he puffed up his chest with pride. Behr smiled at his friend. They passed a look between one another, and understanding appeared on his face as he nodded at his old friend.

  “Very pleased to meet you, Miss,” Behr said politely, as Shannon narrowed her eyes on her, glaring at her outfit with jealousy.

  Adelle beat her to the punch this time. “Oh, you went with skanky Cinderella, huh? Bold choice. I bet you really worked up a sweat, concentrating hard, very hard on working those unused brain cells to come up with that choice.”

  Shannon’s face turned red, as anger clearly shown on her overly made-up face. Everyone within earshot laughed… even Behr.

  “Oh yeah! Well, you look…”

  Gavin interrupted her before she could finish. “Epic, sexy, breathtaking, and to die for.”

  This Spartan couldn’t take his eyes off her. He didn’t know what had come over him, but he was helplessly drawn to this mystery woman. She was bold, witty, and unfathomably stunning. He didn’t care what he had to do; he was going to taste her perfectly plump lips before this already unforgettable night ended. He thought of a way he could get closer to her. He needed to be closer. Gavin desperately wanted to feel her tiny body up against his almost bare skin. In fact, he craved that.

  “Hey, you guys wanna play a game of pool?”

  Perfect. Most women needed help breaking and needed instruction on how to properly hold the cue stick. This would be a great excuse to wrap his arms around her.

  “Oh… I’m game!” she agreed. Before Gavin could even begin to explain the game to her, or even work his game on her, he watched in awe as she skillfully gathered all the balls and racked them in the triangle. She lined them up to the mark on the table, released the triangle, and readied herself to break.

  Every guy at the party seemed to find their way into that room to watch ‘the sexy mystery woman.’ She bent down sensuously, lining up her shot. Gavin’s temperature rose and his mouth watered as he looked over every delicious curve her body beheld. Everything else around him seemed to fade away as his whole world revolved solely around her at that moment. Either time stood still, or her movements were deliberately in slow motion.

  Gavin’s heart skipped a beat as he watched her slide the pool stick back and forth, testing her rhythm. The masked mystery woman raised her eyes, locking right on Gavin’s. The fire in them sparked behind the mask as they shimmered in the party light. Every nerve in his body awakened. An overwhelming electric current connected their mutual desire for each other and spread warmly through his body.

  Her eyes had the power to keep him frozen on the spot. He was lost in them. She struck the balls, even as her eyes stayed focused on his. She seemed to look right through him. The cracking noise snapped Gavin out of the spell she cast. Several balls made it into pockets. Gavin was blown away. He hadn’t met many me
n who could break that skillfully.

  He had to find out who this girl was. This Spartan was in serious danger of falling in love with an enticing stranger. No one else even had a chance to step up and take a shot. She chose Stripes and cleared the table of all of them.

  The game ended quickly when she announced, “Eight ball in the corner pocket.”

  Finishing with a show-stopping win, no one dared to challenge her. Adelle lifted the stick and leaned on it. Looking around the room, she asked with boastful confidence, “Anyone wanna play? I’ll let you shoot first.”

  All the guys standing around laughed and shook their heads in unison, declining her offer. No one wanted to be showed up and shot down by this vixen. After the game, Adelle’s stomach grumbled noisily. She realized that this had been a day filled with so much excitement and activities that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Her hunger led the way. She found herself wandering into the kitchen against her will. Her feet carried her over to the delicious aroma of chocolate, pastries, and salty snacks that wafted out of the room.

  The décor hadn’t changed, even after all these years. It was an inviting Harbor nautical-styled kitchen. His parents did well for themselves, owning and operating the Portree Harbor Boat terminal. Adelle was greeted by a gory, bloodied table that had been decorated perfectly for the occasion. There were fake spider webs on any and every still surface. Fake blood stained the white linen table cloth, and fake oversized fuzzy tarantulas were scattered throughout.

  The table had an array of Halloween themed goodies spread out. There was a tin tray to her left with large syringes filled with some kind of red colored shots… very clever. Adelle smiled at the cute setup. A punch bowl in the middle had lime green juice with a brilliant chunk of ice shaped as a large brain floating in the middle. To the right were two more trays of edible, gory treats. The first were popsicles shaped as corpse fingers, and the second was deep fried Oreo balls that looked like bloodshot eyes.