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xxHer studio was filled with the fragrant scent of roses, and when the crisp autumn breeze stirred the trees in the garden below there came through the open window the heavy scent of lilac, and the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn. By the light of the setting sun she read, her obsidian tipped fingernails turning the page every few minutes, dark eyes dancing along every printed word. This book was one of her favorites, a novel by Victor Hugo. She’s read it so many times the spine was cracked and worn; its cover weathered from years of use. From the corner of her studio, she sat — smoking, as was her habit — with her legs tucked up under her in her emerald velvet chair. The agitated murmur of paparazzi shouldering their way to the doors of Arris West seemed to make the stillness of the evening more oppressive. The dull roar of Los Angeles was like the bourdon note of a distant organ. Once she got up and pulled her window shut all the noise faded to a soft hum, white noise softly reverberating against the glass. If she hadn’t grown up in Paris, living in such a lively city may have annoyed her, but to Coraline it just felt like home.
Tonight, the Mani was hosting a Halloween party. Anyone who was anyone was expected to attend, including Coraline herself. Normally she would’ve politely declined an offer like this, not really one to involve herself in these kinds of social situations if she could avoid it, even when receiving a personal invitation from the owner. When it’s a personal invitation from the owner of Mani, however, she had happily made an exception.
Coraline would never pass up the chance to spend time with Isko Alvarez.
He’s been her upstairs neighbor since she moved to Los Angeles about a year and half ago, and a good friend for the better part of several months. With how busy he likes to keep himself and how much he throws himself into his work, Cora has actually found herself setting aside time for the club owner just to be able to see him. She’s done the same for Mae Chin Sun – Sunny, as Cora and many others are accustomed to calling her – on multiple occasions but setting time aside for a woman was a lot more in Coraline’s character. Her mother had brought her up to never rely on a man for anything, especially emotional comfort. Men were accessories for Quinn women, to be used and quickly discarded like an out of season pair of shoes. Cora couldn’t do that with Isko. He was kind, reserved, and respectful – the kind of man you could trust to be there for you no matter what. She likes being about to sit in a room with him, the two of them doing their own activity, and simply exist with one another in companionable silence. That kind of quality time was so rare and so cherished, and it wasn’t something Cora would willingly let go.
Snuffing her cigarette out, Cora placed her book back on the shelf, making her way into the bathroom to start getting ready for the party. An hour later she was sat at her vanity, skin exfoliated and hair pinned back; she meticulously put on her wig cap before she began applying makeup, making sure to conceal the edges of the cap. She contoured her high cheekbones with grey shadow to mimic the look of one Morticia Adams, finishing the look with her signature red lip – now a deeper shade of crimson to fit to the character. Her jet-black wig was lace front and it molded to her head perfectly; it looked completely natural, her own natural hair color just a few shades shy of what she wore now. Tightening a corset was something she was very familiar with and she had no trouble putting it on herself; it was an essential piece to her costume in order to obtain Morticia’s deep hourglass figure. Her black floor length dress accentuated her body attractively, the plunging neckline leaving very little to the imagination. Her nails were stilettos, just like her heels, both black with red bottoms.
It was nearing the start of the party by the time she was done. She was thankful that the party was being held in the same building she lived in, not wanting to have to deal with the crowd of people outside. Cora had no reason to bring a pocketbook with her on this adventure. Her phone was strapped to her inner thigh by a black lace garter, and she was able to get into her apartment with an app she’d downloaded when she first moved in. She didn’t have to bring any money; the bartenders knew her well and she always kept up with her tab. With all this in mind, Cora was able to step out of the elevator and into the rooftop lounge with full confidence, making her way to the bar just as she’s done several times before. She was met with a familiar face, a bartender she’s come to know on a first name basis.
“Happy All Hallow’s Eve, Alex.” Coraline says, her accent giving away her origins, it made her voice sound almost harmonic, a melodic tune that was always gentle on the ears. She took a seat at the end of the bar in her usual spot, taking in the barkeep’s attire. He was dressed in all black - slacks, button down, and waistcoat – strictly professional despite the festivities. If you knew Isko like Cora knew him, it didn’t come as much of a surprise.
Alex greets her with a smile, “And a happy Halloween to you too Miss Quinn,” his voice with light with amused glee, looking her over in complete wonder. “Or should I say, Mrs. Adams. I sure hope you convinced the boss man to dress up as Gomez.”
Cora smiled to herself, the image of her and Isko dressing in a “couple’s costume” bringing a soft blush to her cheeks. “I did not, unfortunately,” though now she wishes she had thought of it.
“Can I fix you a glass while you wait?” Alex asked, “I can let the boss know you’re here when I see him.”
“That would be great, Alex. Thank you.”
With a nod and a smile, he quickly poured a glass of red wine. It was malbec, she believed, and an excellent year. He tended the bar close by, keeping an ear out for her as he always did, just in case she needed a refill. She always liked Alex, and she tipped very well – which is probably why he liked her. That, and the fact that he and few of the other bartenders seemed to ‘ship’ her with their boss. She allowed herself to get lost in thought as she waited for more people to arrive, sipping at her wine as she watched the small cluster of people gyrate on the dancefloor.
RPG
