Page 14 of A Pawn for Malice
Florence shared short quips of individualsJessica would most definitely meet that evening. The same circle ofsocialites always attended such gatherings, and Florence told her,that she would be bored of them quickly. Then, there would beothers Jessica needed to avoid extending relations to beyond asimple introduction. Florence promised to steer her away from thosemost readily.
It was something she never had to familiarizeherself with back in Maine. She rarely had the opportunity toattend such gatherings with Richard. Hell, they never had a datenight after they were married. Those, she was graced to appear at,were strictly for ‘show’. Her gown was always rented. Her jewelswere borrowed from her mother-in-law, and she was expected to keepher mouth shut, smile prettily, and basically act like anadornment, and nothing more.
The carriage driver pulled up alongside thecurb, where a long red carpet had been stretched out, that led upto the bottom of the Museum’s massive staircase. The entrance wasflooded in light, as though the opening premier of a movie wasbeing promoted.
Jessica’s adrenaline ran hot as blood pumpedfuriously through her veins, and her excitement climaxed. The“Met”, as it was known to all in New York, looked like a whiteelephant against the evening sky, its many steps leading upwards,as if in homage to a god. She recognized many of the dignitariesentering ahead of them and felt rather privileged to be amongstthem.
A distinguished and handsome older gent movedforward to greet them, when they reached the top of the stairs, hisface alight with pleasure.
“Florence! What an honor it is to have yougrace our presentation. I can’t tell you how happy I am that youchose to attend our simple little gala this evening,” he bowed, ashe brushed the tips of her fingers with his lips.
“Oh, Hayden,” her Aunt rebuked playfully witha wave of her free hand. “You don’t do simple. We all knowthat.”
He smiled devilishly, tilting his headslightly.
“You know me we well, my beauty.” He winked.“But still, my words are true in my happiness to see you,” hecontinued, as he tenderly held her hand between his.
“You are a charming flirt, and you know Iadore you.” She slipped her hand from his and placed it uponJessica’s arm. “Now, let me introduce you to my niece. Dear, thisis Hayden Morrison, Director of the Museum. Hayden, my darlingniece, Jessica Rochelle Wilton.”
Jessica extended her hand. “It’s a pleasureto make your acquaintance, Mr. Morrison.”
She liked him immediately for the way he madeher Aunt’s eyes sparkle. They both seemed to be cut from the samecloth, jarring back and forth playfully. Even a stranger coud tellthat they were enamored with each other.
“You are a beauty my dear, but of course, itonly compares second to your Aunt’s,” he gallantly bowed, pressingher fingers to his lips in the same debonair fashion. “I hope youenjoy your evening with us, and it would be an honor, if youpleasured this old man with a dance later this evening. Now, ifyou’ll excuse me ladies, I must greet the rest of my guests.”
Jessica bumped her Aunt’s side playfully.
“I like your gentleman friend, Aunt Florence,and do believe he has a mad crush on you. I’d set my sights on thatone, if I were you. He’s a cutie.”
“I’m working on it, dear. Men like Haydenlove to pursue, and I like playing hard to get. I’ll let him catchme eventually.”
Her Aunt grabbed two glasses of champagnefrom a passing waiter, handed one to Jessica, and raised hers intoast to the evening ahead, before taking a slow sip.
It was the 60thAnniversary of theMuseum’s opening and the guest list transcended any Jessica couldhave imagined. There were business tycoons, former and presentrepresentatives of government, starlets with their leading men fromthe theatres on Broadway, New York’s socialites, and those from thefashion world.
The champagne flowed, hor’deurves were aplenty, fondues, delectable pastry, and gourmet dip stations wereset up everywhere. It was an extravaganza as a twelve-piece bigband played continuously for their listening and dancing pleasurehit songs from the past six decades.
Her Aunt introduced her to New York’s finest,famed and influential. In turn, they were quite surprised that thishad been her first visit to the city. Everyone she talked toprofessed there was no other city in the world quite like NewYork.
It got a little old, after the first hour,almost to the point of being lectured to.
“You know dear,” former Governor, LawrenceIves, caught her ear, “I have lived a great deal of my life here,and although I have lived at shorter lengths in others, none ismore captivating. It is the nation’s most populated, the capital ofworld finance, business, and communication. It may not be thecenter of our universe, but it does occupy a central place in theworld’s lifestyle. Certainly, by any standard, you must agree itaffects the lives of nearly every American in one way or theother.”
Jessica wanted to look at him like he had twoheads, but she responded as demurely as she could muster.
“Governor, I have found that nearly everyperson in this room shares your sentiments. Everyone, but I, thatis,” she chuckled lightly, noticing the look of utter surprise,that registered on his face. She raised her point finger quickly tostop him, as his mouth opened in argument. “Please don’t get mewrong. A man of your stature and traveling experience, would knowthis so much more than I. This is my first time visiting, and otherthan living in Bar Harbor, I have nothing else to compare thiscity’s greatness too.” She smiled demurely. “Now, if you’ll excuseme.”
Jessica quickly exited her retreat, as sheexchanged a look of boredom with her Aunt and headed for thenearest exit to catch a breath of fresh air.
The temperature that greeted her was morebiting, than when they first arrived. She didn’t mind though, asshe found it refreshing. Despite the tall buildings, she could tellthat the sky was clear, allowing the moon above to alighteverything below in its soft glow. She leaned up against one of thehuge, white palisades and rested the back of her head against it,closing her eyes and letting the silence embrace her. Slowly, shebreathed in deeply and hadn’t realized just how thick the air wasinside with so much pomp and circumstance strutting about.
Jessica was startled by a voice that camefrom the other side of the pillar she had been leaning against.
“Really, stuffy inside, isn’t it? There’snothing like a little night air to clear one’s senses, smog notincluded, of course.”
She didn’t know whether she wanted torespond, or just exit quickly.
“My apologies, if I interrupted your quiettime,” he continued, making his appearance further known. Hisfeatures were only slightly notable, as he stood somewhat hidden inthe shadow of the same pillar he stood beside.
