Ethan Parker, a renowned writer from New York City, values maturity, respect, and open communication in all his relationships. His recognition and appreciation stem from numerous national and international awards. Beyond his books, Ethan regularly contributes to several prestigious magazines. However, his greatest success has been the adaptation of seven of his novels into films, earning him not only prestige but also significant financial rewards. Ethan has never been married, yet he holds a deep respect for women and enjoys their company. He lives alone in an elegant house and owns the Dream Exclusive Club.
Tonight, Ethan is thoroughly enjoying himself with Nolan. The two are engrossed in conversation, savoring a few drinks. Nolan Baxter, the General Manager of Dream Exclusive Club, oversees a place where men and women come to unwind, forget their worries, and lose themselves in gossip and love stories.
The club, designed with imagination, resembles a flower with a corolla formed by five petals. The central hall is a circular space, carefully crafted to make every visitor feel safe and comfortable. To the left are low, legless tables with small chairs. The bar is at the back, while the dance floor occupies the center of the room. The high ceiling is adorned with lighting systems tailored to the specific features of each section. The artwork displayed here is exclusive to subscribed artists.
As usual, the club buzzes with energy. Colored lights dance on the walls, and music pulses from the speakers. Nolan and Ethan are the center of attention, engaging in lively conversations and laughing alongside a crowd of beautiful women. The two friends believe life is too short to waste on long-term relationships.
"Ethan, have you noticed the new dancer?" Nolan asked, subtly nodding toward a stunning woman dancing, surrounded by men. "Her name is Cassandra. She's the club's new star."
"Please, tell me more about Cassandra. What makes her so special?" Ethan asked, raising his whisky glass. "To friendship and an unforgettable night."
"She uniquely approaches every song. She doesn't follow any clichéd routines. She always improvises, which makes her original."
As the evening progressed, gossip and stories swirled around them. Ethan and Nolan savored every moment, as every corner of the club seemed to hide secrets and lies.
Neither of the two friends suspected the avalanche of events that would soon change their lives.
Two elegant women entered the club, their presence adding a note of mystery. One of them, Makenna, a discreet woman, was a familiar face at Dream Exclusive Club. She is the preferred manicurist of many Hollywood stars and numerous women who regularly visit the club. Makenna is always dressed elegantly, with a hairstyle and makeup that require time and skill. She wears designer clothes and jewelry. Her avant-garde nails, adorned with precious stones, are a true calling card of her profession.
Nolan, ever the gentleman, stood and greeted the two ladies with respect.
The other woman introduced herself as Ava Bennett, a successful young woman. A fashion designer who owns a store and an art gallery in New York.
Soon, Ethan found himself drawn to Ava. She was distinctive, confident, and sharp-minded. Ava's passion for her work, her vast travel history, and her remarkable achievements in the art world contributed to her charm, making her irresistible to Ethan.
"So, Ava, tell me about your gallery. How did you begin your career in the art world? I'm a novice, you know."
"Well, you don't need to be an expert to love art. I grew up in a small town, surrounded by nothing but cornfields and the occasional art class," she replied. "The only world where I could escape and dream was art. I spent hours with my nose buried in books about Renaissance artists, pretending my tiny bedroom was a grand hall where the world's great artists displayed their works."
"You must have had quite a vivid imagination," Ethan remarked. "What inspires your next event you plan to offer art enthusiasts?"
Ava's smile widened, as if she had just opened the door to a treasure trove.
"Ah, the latest! It's a fusion of urban landscapes and dreamlike scenes I encountered in Tokyo last spring. There are layers of paint that create a distortion—reflecting the chaos and beauty that hold the secrets of certain cities."
Ethan nodded, captivated.
"I'd love to see your work. Art has always fascinated me, though I might not fully understand it."
Cassandra, under the spotlight, executed a slow, original twirl, her silhouette framed ethereally by the pulsing lights. Each sway of her hips wove an air of magic around her.
"What brought you to Dream Club?"
"I came to meet Makenna for a business opportunity. But…" she leaned closer to Ethan, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper, "I wouldn't mind something a bit more unusual. It's a little bold, isn't it?"
Ethan winked, delighted by her boldness.
"Cassandra!" Nolan called out. "Make sure to find us for a drink. We'd love to hear how your dance tells stories."
Cassandra's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Only if you promise to dance with me afterward, Nolan. After all, isn't that what the club is about?"
Nolan chuckled, caught between enthusiasm and trepidation. Sensing Ethan's gaze on Ava, he winked back, feeling a surge of bravado.
"Absolutely. Consider it part of my improvisation lesson!"
As Cassandra gracefully approached their table, Ethan's imagination reached its peak. Little did he know that this night was about to plunge him into the unknown—a night where illusions dressed in colors too enticing to ignore. Past relationships, secrets, and an inexplicable desire to explore the new would soon overtake him.
"So, what happens next? Shall we test what true boldness means?"
"Absolutely. Sometimes, the most remarkable stories come from the greatest risks."
"There are private tables at the restaurant. Would you like to go there for more privacy?"
"A rather direct suggestion coming a bit fast, but I agree," Ava responded.
"They have a wonderful selection of wines," he said.
"I'd like a glass of white wine," she nodded. "Do you recommend it?"
"I think it's a good choice."
"My love for art has accompanied me since childhood. I studied art history at university and worked at several galleries before opening my own. My passion for fashion came naturally as a challenge. Fashion isn't just clothing. It's a form of self-expression. It reflects personality and self-perception. I took a step forward," Ava explained.
"I discover new things and concepts. Is there a particular style or artist you prefer in your gallery?"
"I have an unexpressed appreciation for artists who tend to push boundaries. Yet, there's no greater satisfaction than understanding the silent dialogue between styles. It's fascinating. If you agree, we can explore this topic another time. I'm eager to learn more about you and your books. Is there a particular subject you enjoy writing about?"
"What I write is a simple exploration of the complexity of human nature. Love is unpredictable, yet fascinating. It's the miracle that allows a person to create their own universe."
"Have you ever written about personal peace, yours or someone else's?" Ava asked.
"Personal peace is the brilliance of your inner sky."
"Do people have an inner sky? You've already impressed me. Have you written about this?"
"No. This is the first time I've spoken about it."
"You're joking?"
"Not at all. I wasn't sure of the real existence of the sky. Together with you, I've discovered the existence of the sky within some people. After all, people have a very different concept of life in general and of feelings or concepts in particular. I am the keeper of an impressive stock of opinions I hold. If I made them public, many readers would radically change their opinion of me. What I see is different from what I believe. There are things hidden from the human eye, just as there are thoughts each person hides from others' eyes. What do you hide, Ava?"
"Interesting things, like any woman. And where do you draw your inspiration? Do your experiences with women help, or do you use pure fiction? That's where I was heading, and here we are."
"It seems you haven't heard very nice things about me," Ethan said.
"What can you tell me about your experience with women? For example, what do you think of me?"
"You're a charming woman who is currently not in a stable relationship. You have difficulty attaching to a man and wouldn't mind if I kissed you. What would you say if I kissed you now?"
"That depends on how you do it."
Ava's voice carried a mix of challenge and intrigue.
Ethan kissed Ava gently.
"I like it when you do it with respect."
"What do you think about relationships? Do you believe love can surprise you?"
"Indeed. When you fall in love, your life can change quickly. Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"There are moments when you meet someone and feel an instant attraction to that person. What do you think?" Ethan asked.
"I've always been a bit confused about love at first sight. Generally, I've had difficulty talking about love."
Ava paused for a moment, then continued.
"Still, it's a provocative image—to be carried away by a huge wave. Look, I'd love to see something like that expressed in a painting. You've just given me a theme to think about. Time has flown in your company."
"How about you accompany me home?"
"I could talk to you all night," he admitted.
"I'm sure you could talk, and you know what a woman likes to hear. But I think we could always find something much more interesting to do than talk," she suggested.
"We could go out and enjoy the nightlife," he proposed.
"Where?" Ava asked.
"My car is parked nearby," Ethan said. "I can take you home directly or take you out of the city."
"I promise we'll go another time. I'm tired now."
Ethan parked the car at the curb. His gaze lingered on Ava's face for a few moments.
"Thank you for the time we spent together. Goodbye."
Ethan sat in the car for a few minutes. It had been a while since a woman had left him pondering. Usually, he consumed relationships quickly, gathering what women offered in a night of adventure and fun at the club.
Now, Ethan was perplexed by the situation. Did he need complications? After all, it might not even be his decision. It's better to let things unfold naturally. The truth is, life always surprises you when you least expect it. Ethan acknowledged that this woman represented something special.
From behind the curtain of her room, Ava watched Ethan until he drove away.
Ava's face betrayed no emotion.