July of 2017, Miami
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Di? I mean... I'd love to see Zedd, but we're flying back to London tomorrow noon. We both know you're gonna be a hangover zombie after this party" Isla laughed, looking at her own reflection in the mirror. She was acting skeptical, but she was in fact really excited. She's never been on a VIP party before. Actually, she never liked going to clubs, she much prefered partying at home with a group of friends.
But this time it's different. She's going to have the best night of her life and she and Diana have a good reason to celebrate. They're opening their own clothing brand next week. It was their biggest dream since they were fifteen. They flew to Miami to do a photo shoot for their site and Instagram. Isla thought that it was unnecessary, since they could do it in London. But Hayes has already decided.
Diana: "Oh my gosh, will you ever stop complaining? I'm taking you to a VIP party and you're worried about some stupid flight. And if I'll get really drunk, you'll be the reason why. Are you ready?" Diane asked, while putting phone and lipstick in to her bag.
She looked stunning, but that's nothing new. She wore a red mini dress from their brand DILA. Isla decided to put on one of her favourite piece. A beautiful green dress that reminds her of the one that Keira Knightley wore in Atonement. It's obviously not the exact same one, but she loves it either way. And she absolutely loves the movie.
"How do you even know this guy?" Isla asked as soon as Jameson, the guy, left to get them something to drink.
Di: "Oh, I matched with him on Tinder yesterday. It's so nice of him that he invited us here, isn't it? Maybe we'll meet Justin Bieber here!"
"OH. MY. LORD. DIANA! You're so reckless! What if he's a serial killer?"
Di: "Geez, calm down, girl. If I was reckless, I would've come here without you"
"No? You're recklessly reckless because now he's gonna kill us both"
Di: "Can we talk about this later, please? Let's just enjoy our last night in Miami"
"I think you meant last night on the Earth"
J: "What are you talking about, ladies?" the conversation got interrupted by Jameson, who came back to us with colorful drinks.
"There's no way I'm drinking this. What if he added something there?" Isla whispered to her blonde friend, who seemed not to give a f**k about those words as she grabbed one of the glasses. "Fine, I'll let him kill you"
Moore stood up and went straight to the bar. The club was pretty crowded, most of the people had already had a few drinks. Isla had to drink something too otherwise she's not going to make it. She just doesn't fit into places like this. It's too loud, too hot. She asked for a glass of red wine. Boring, huh?
"Thanks. You see this guy over there? He's gonna pay" Isla smiled, pointing at Jameson, whose hand was laid on Diana's tigh. Bartender looked at her suspiciously, but eventually nodded. She took her wine with her and decided to go back to Diana and her future killer. Isla took a step forward and at the same time some dude took a step back and they bumped into each other.
"Shit!" her amazing green dress was now wet and wine-stained. Ruined. Normally, she would drink wine to calm the nerves, but the wine soaked up into her dress.
Guy: "I'm so sorry!" she looked up and her brown eyes met a pair of shiny deep brown eyes. Then she saw his curls. She never really knew how to describe her type and seeing this man was some kind of epiphany.
"It's fine" she said still amazed by his eyes. She should move but her body refused to walk away from this man.
Guy: "Here, take it, it'll cover the stain" he took off his jean jacket and gave it to her. Her gaze met his arm tattoos.
"Yeah, thanks" she whispered and turned around as she couldn't help but blush. Damn, Isla, stop acting like a teen she thought. She almost ran to the sofa but Diana was nowhere to be found. "Well, rest in peace, DILA is now all mine"
Moore sat down and put on the jacket. It smelled so good she almost started daydreaming about unknown man. She pulled her phone out of her bag and saw a text from Diana:
"we're dancing"
Great. Isla decided to text her sister. Amelia was most definitely asleep due to the time difference. But she texted her anyway:
i'm at the party
it sucksdiana's having fun with her tinder matchmy dress is ruinedTHE GREEN ONE!!
Guy: "Hey, I have something for you" she knew that voice, but refused to believe that he actually walked up to her. She lifted her head and yet again saw these wonderful eyes. He was standing in front of her with two glasses of red wine.
"Thank you" she smiled and patted a place next to her. He accepted the invitation and sat right next to her, handing her a glass.
Guy: "I'm sorry about your dress. But you look amazing even with that huge stain on it. And I have to admit that my jacket looks way better on you" he winked and smiled at her. His smile was something different. Everybody smiles but not everyone's smile makes others smile. His smile alone could make her day.
"You're making me blush and I don't even know your name" she laughed. It felt weird in the best way possible. She felt shy and confident at the same time.
Guy: "Oh, right. I'm Daniel"
"And I'm Isla" they shook their hands.
Daniel: "Beautiful name. Are you here by yourself?"
"Yes. No. I mean... Technically I'm here with my friend Diana but she's gone somewhere with her tinder match" he laughed at her words and, dear god, that was the best sound she's ever heard.
D: "I see. Listen, I know you probably hate me because of this dress" he laughed again and she completely melted "But my friends also disappeared and you seem bored with this party... Would you run away with me? Not literally of course. We could talk or watch something"
"I don't know if I should..."
D: "I won't hurt you"
"Yeah... I think every killer says this" she winked at him. Just minutes ago she was pissed off because her friend went on the party with some guy she met on the internet and now she's about to make equally stupid decision. But how can you say no to those eyes? "Fine"
D: "Really? I was ready to beg you on my knees"
"Okay, okay, I get it. I'm ready to go, are you?"
"Hands, touching hands..." she muttered hearing one of her mom's favourite songs on the radio.
D: "Louder, please" Daniel smiled. They were in the backseat of the taxi, going to his hotel room. It may sound bad but neither of them even thought about sleeping together. Of course they were attracted to each other but she's not into one night stands.
"Only if you'll sing with me"
D: "Is this a Carpool Karaoke?" they both laughed but sang the whole song:
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so goodI've been inclinedTo believe they never would
D: "We can order pizza and watch a movie of your choice" he said as they walked into his room. It was big and modern. Isla took off her heels and jumped on the king-sized bed.
"We'll watch Atonement. My dress is kinda similar to the one in the movie" she said proudly. This probably wasn't the best movie choice knowing that she's not able to watch it without crying.
D: "Wow, you're good at making decisions. Help me pick a pizza then"
They watched the movie, drank a bottle of wine and ate pizza. She tried hard not to cry and almost succeeded. She thought that Daniel was focused on the movie and didn't notice. But he did. He noticed everything. Every soft smile, every frown, every deep breath. That night he watched his new favourite movie and it was her.
D: "You're so beautiful" he whispered as she decided to look at him. Her nose was a little red revealing a secret that she cried. He couldn't help but place his hand on her cheek. But she moved her head away. She panicked and he didn't know what to do or what to say. "Maybe I'll bring another bottle..."
"Stay" she said, grabbing his arm. Fuck this she thought as she moved closer. Was it alcohol? His scent? His starry eyes? Or maybe that was a need. She needed to know his kisses on her lips, neck, her whole body. He needed her hands on his chest and in his hair and her wine-stained dress on the floor. They were drunk in the need.
Isla was waken up by the bright warm rays of sun. She turned around to say 'good morning' to Daniel but his pillow was empty. "Daniel? Where are you?" she asked as she picked up her dress from the floor. The only answer she got was silence. She quickly put her clothes on and also his jacket from the night before. She looked around hoping she'll find him. But she was in his room all alone. She didn't know what to do. She sat on the bed and reached out for her phone. It was muted. 24 missed calls from Diana, 47 text messages. Some messages from Amelia. Isla decided to call her friend. Hayes' probably pissed off.
Di: "ISLA MOORE I'M GOING TO KILL YOU"
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I'll tell you everything when I'll get to the hotel"
Di: "This better be a good story because I almost died worrying about your stupid ass"
"It is... At least I think so"
Di: "Now hurry up bitch, flight won't wait for you"
She hung up. Moore once again scanned the whole room with her gaze. She felt stupid. She trusted him, she felt some kind of connection with him. She liked him. She was so naive and yet so hurt. She couldn't stay any longer in this room so she left with teary eyes. For the first time she felt used and it was gut-wrenching. What happens in Miami, stays in Miami with this in mind she headed to her hotel.
April of 2023, London
"Happy birthday, my sweethearts!" she smiled as she lit 5 candles on the cake. Caroline and Cecilia begged their mother for a cake for breakfast. It's their birthday and there's nothing she wouldn't do to fulfill their wishes. "Now make a wish and blow out the candles!"
She grabbed her phone and started filming. The blow was really dramatic but so are the girls.
"What's your wish?"
Caroline: "A daddy!"
Cecilia: "Now it won't come true!"
Yeah, it most definitely won't come true.
author's note:
Hi! So here it is - the 1st chapter. I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous. I hope you'll like it. English isn't my first language so I'm so sorry for mistakes. Also it's 1:30 in the morning so there's probably many of them.
I'm open to any suggestions.
Till the next chapter!