Chapter 10

• Ms. Lilly and I made it out the room until we reached the pool area. The stars were shining like huge diamonds in the sky. The black background seem to light up as the cool breeze whipped through the trees. The trees shook as the leaves played a simple composition of peaceful melodies. It was calming as the lightening bugs swooned in the paper lanterns that hung from the trees. I wondered how long it took to get all the lightening bugs gathered together to make the light glow in the dim setting? I could tell no expense was spared. The outside was decorated with candles inside white small bags and more floated on lilly pads in the pool. It was a beautiful sight.
• She led me to a small table where another handsome man sat with two women. They were both pretty and they seemed to be listening and hanging on to every word he said. I recognized him from my book. Robert Grandeur. He owned the local New Orleans Sharks football team and Granduer Automotive Group. He was middle aged to be around early to mid-forties. He wasn't quite as attractive as the others but there was a charismatic charm to him as he excused himself from the other ladies.
• "Lilly you have outdone yourself," he said giving her a kiss on each cheek. Looking at me.
• "Robert this is Cadence, Cadence, Robert Grandeur." She introduced us with a smile.
• "It's an honor to meet you Mr. Grandeur. Your philanthropy is most noteworthy. You give from the heart and it shows."
• He raised his eyebrow at me. "Definitely enchanting, Lilly."
• "I say that because you rebuilt the middle and the highschools in the Ninth Ward so now kids will get an opportunity to earn an education and not bussed thirty minutes away. I attended St. Augusta High School, many many years ago, so I would like to thank you for helping to ensure the future of those children."
• "Well, thank you Cadence. That means a lot." He looked a little shocked by my monologue. "Maybe we need to discuss this more a little later if given the chance." His eyes had a twinkle as I began to blush. He really was adorable, even if he was probably old enough to be my father. He had a swagger that left the other two girls throwing death glares. Lilly turned around and they got up and walked away. Did she give them a signal?
• "Would you like to dance Cadence?"
• He caught me off guard, because he was the only one to ask me to dance. He held his hand up and I placed mine in his. Leading me to the middle of the dance floor we did the waltz. I laid my head against his chest as we glided across the wooden dance floor outside.
• He smelled really nice. Not too much to overpower the senses. I actually felt safe in his arms as he twirled me around the dance floor. Even with the stupid wings on, he managed to dip me at the end song. His lips were so close to mine as his eyes went from mine to my lips. I could tell he wanted to kiss me, but he was controlling himself. He was so strong as we held the position longer than most.
• "Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away. Please forgive me, Cadence."
• "There is nothing to be sorry about. It was a dance. I had fun. You were the first to ask me to dance and I feel honored. Thank you, Mr. Grandeur."
• "Please Cadence, call me Robert. Mr. Gradeur is my father and he is sixty-five, I'm only forty. I am a little greyer because I seem to be a workaholic. Maybe with a beautiful woman like yourself, I could change."
• I smiled at him. Why did he have to be so nice? I really looked at him. He was definitely in shape. His tuxedo was very nice and the black and white silk bow-tie made him look fancy. He looked to be a little uncomfortable in it.
• "Let me guess you are a blue jean, t-shirt wearing kind of guy."
• "Why would you say that?" He said putting his hands in his pockets as we walked back to table where Lilly and another gentleman were talking.
• "Because you seem as uncomfortable as I am in these god-awful wings. I prefer blue jeans and t-shirts."
• He laughed. I got a little worried as people started to look around. "Cadence you seem to amaze me. You are absolutely right, I prefer more casual clothes. I wasn't born into money like most of the men in here. I earned every penny by working hard. Lisen, if you don't choose me, I would still like to spend time with you. It has been a pleasure meeting you. I can see Lilly giving me the watch signal, so I better let you go."
• I saw almost sadness in his eyes. Did he reallly want to spend quality time with me? I almost didn't want to leave myself. Robert Grandeur seemed to have an old soul, which I truly liked. Could I see myself giving him the one thing I had prided myself on all these years, or was he trying to play games with me? I could see myself falling for him, but I had to remember, this was business and I was being paid to provide a service. I would play along, put I knew to be careful with him. "I would really like that, but I'm not sure how that works?"
• He kissed me on both cheeks. "Don't worry about it, Lilly and I can work something out. It has truly been a pleasure," he said as Lilly walked up to my side.
• "He is very charming. I think he likes you. I haven't heard any rumors about him. His wife died about six years ago of cancer. After she died about three years ago he became a member. He really doesn't come to events, but every now and again he hooks up with one of the girls. You are the first I've seen him actually dance with."
• "He really is nice, Lilly. I can tell." She smiled and led me back towards the ballroom.
• "Remember men will say and do things to get next to you. You are very beautiful and no man with any common sense will turn down a night with you. White, black, orange, green it doesn't matter. You are a treasure and to say they are the first, it would be a honor for them. They have probably never had a virgin or it's been a very long time. I am getting offers from across the room. You have sparked so many, I can't keep track. Believe me by tomorrow, the list to have you will be very long. I would prefer for you to stick with one of the five, but like I said it is your choice."
• I looked across the crowed room as couples sat at the tables and stood across the wall. Some of the people were engaging in covert behaviors that I knew would lead to the inevitable. Some were more apparent then others.
• "There is one more person, I want you to meet. Let's see if we can find him." We walked all over the dance floor looking for the mystery man. My feet started to hurt, the wings were beginning to weigh heavily upon my shoulders. The music continued to play in the background as I took a seat. Lilly walked to over to Langston. He nodded his head and spoke into his microphone. Langston stood just like a bodyguard as he said a few words and Lilly smiled. She walked back over to me.
• "He is out by the lake. It is not that far away."