Chapter 19 : Revelation

Ella:

“I will never be vulnerable again” I promise my 25-year old self as I wipe off any remaining tears.

As I head home, it starts drizzling all of a sudden. Weather in New York could be so unpredictable at times.

I run onto the main street to get a cab as it starts pouring heavily. With no luck in hailing a cab, I quickly seek refuge under the roof of Four Seasons. Every time I pass that hotel, I am reminded of Mary’s acidic jibes that my husband would be washing dishes here.

A huge number of expensive cars seemed to be approaching the entrance constantly. As I looked closely, celebrities and wealthy people were alighting from their SUVs. Looks like there was a major event being hosted tonight.

“Excuse me Ma’am, are you here for the Masquerade Party?”” I swung around to see a burly bouncer looking at me.

“Ahmmm Sorry what?” I replied confused for a moment.

He leaned in politely repeating, “Are you here for the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Bash?”

I paused for a while before being consumed by an adventurous streak, “ Oh yes, indeed, I am” I sweetly replied.

I had never partied solo, hell I had never even had dinner by myself or watched a movie on my own. This was going to be my first ever and for once in my life, I wasn’t so scared of going alone.

He stamps the initials of the hotel on my wrist and directs me to head straight to the roof-top. After heading out of the elevator I head straight towards the ladies’ washroom to have a quick look at myself.

My eyes were all swollen and black from the smudged eye-makeup. Damn it! It’s a good thing I carry q-tips and make-up remover. Off comes all the smudged bits. A brief touch up here and there and Voila, I looked like a snack again! ;)

“Would you like a mask?” A pretty hostess stood at the entrance counter with a wide array of colourful veils and disguises.

“These are so pretty, I don’t know” I replied mesmerized by the collection.

“Here, this red and gold lace Venetian one will go beautifully with your outfit” She turned me around and gently tied it across my face. I looked at myself in the huge antique mirror and could barely recognize the person looking back at me. “Exquisite!” the hostess exclaimed.

I thanked her and entered the colourful Halloween inspired venue, enraptured by the A list revellers. OMG!!! There were the ramp queens and BFFs Kate Blanc and Cara Delvin dressed in identical over sized jackets flaunting their never ending legs for the paparazzi . I walked quickly past them for the fear of being flashed and labelled as a stalker.

As I walked around, I saw this swanky premier rooftop bar boasting of a back-lit marble counter with professionals dishing signature cocktails. I walk with long confident strides and perch myself on a bar-stool.

“Hit me with your most lethal cocktail, will you?” I wink at the bartender handing my card over.

“There you go, the first drink is on the house, sip it cautiously though” he winks back at me.

I wasn’t in the mood to heed anybody’s advice especially tonight. The view from the rooftop looked mesmerizing.

As I sip on my dirty cocktail, the DJ starts spinning classic coldplayy hits. The moment I hear “skyy full of stars” I gulp down the rest of my drink and run towards the dance-floor. Tonight was all about forgetting my worries and loving myself a little more! :)