Chapter 1 Reunited

I can’t believe I allowed my co-worker and friend to convince me to stand in a line outside, waiting for about 15 minutes to enter some nightclub. I was surprised that people would do this every weekend to get into a lounge. But the line had formed around the block! So now I was curious about all the hype and what went on in this Nightclub that excited so many people. Even the elite and wealthy were pulling up in their expensive cars and exiting their vehicles with these gold VIP tickets in their hands.

“See Charlize! I told you this is the place to be! Girl, watch. You are going to find a man tonight! And not some scrub! But a man who can roll out the red carpet for you.”

I just laughed at my co-worker and friend, who finally convinced me to come out with her. She had been begging me for months to come and check out this new hot spot in the city. I wasn't the party type or one who went out to clubs. But I thought, why not. A little fun might be just what I need to get back into the dating scene, especially since I had been flying solo for so long.

“Girl, I’m so glad you came tonight. You can’t let one man stop your show!”

The one guy that my friend is speaking of is the man I dated some years ago. I guess she was right, I hadn’t dated anyone since him, but I thought he was the one. I had been warned about him. But admittedly, I didn’t listen back then. I was so excited about being away from home and on my own. When I met Mark, it was during my first year in college. Immediately I was impressed because he was a few years older than me, a man in his early twenties. The idea of dating someone in their twenties sounded exciting and fun. Not to mention he was known all over campus.

When we conversed about his future goals, I admired his ambition. But, with rose-colored glasses on, I didn't see him like others. I thought it was cool he was so popular. But most saw him as an attention seeker who would do anything for money and notoriety. When they met him, my few friends and mother noticed he was about image and a flirt. They would say he wasn't the guy I should be dating. But I was only eighteen and easily impressed, and Mark was the only guy to give a shy girl like me any attention. I found him charming and super charismatic to be around. He was the opposite of me. We went out a few times, and I was swept off my feet, and it was the beginning of love for me. It was easy to fall hard and fast for a man like him. But things began to change swiftly. He never asked me out again. Then he stopped coming around. And when I tried calling him, I found out he had changed his phone number. Also, I never saw him around campus again. It all was so sudden I never heard from him again. I was hurt by his ghosting me.

“Come on, Charlize. The line is moving. I think the doors have finally opened!” My friend said excitedly, grabbing my hand.

The atmosphere pulls you in and heightens your senses when you walk through the door. Instantly I thought of only one person. The music vibrated through the building as the lights were synchronized with the beat. I scanned my eyes around, looking at the males and females alike. The men's server was dressed in tight mesh short-sleeve shirts, skinny-leg black jeans, and combat boots. The lady servers wore little black shorts, ankle-high heel booties, and a silver glitter halter top.

So, this is the Nightclub called "Spectacular!" Its name fits the scene of the place. It had a spectacular view of the city. And if you were somebody, then this was the place to be! They had rich and famous people crawling all over the place. They made it one of the most popular party night spots.

It played music that drew in the locals and elite tourists who love the hip-hop environment. It was quickly becoming known by those who wanted to enjoy the flavor and sound of pop, hip-hop, K-pop, and R&B music. The mixture of international music blasted loud enough to make you want to dance all night. Whirling strobe lights flashed overhead on two-floor levels of the club, with cool neon colors glowing in a semi-dark room. So, when we entered, the hostess gave me a golden ticket and told me to write my name on it and drop it in the golden bowl. She said I would win an exclusive date with the owner if selected. I thought, why not? I never win anything, and I won't get to win a date with anyone. So, I dropped my name into the golden bowl, then my girlfriend and I found a table and ordered some drinks.

The owner looks out the window from the second floor of his office and makes eye contact with his boys nodding his head at each of them. He came downstairs and went to the bar where they all gathered. He knew he had to bring back one of the most significant events that made Spectacular so famous in the early days would work!

"Are you all ready to get paid?!" he said enthusiastically to his boys, who were gathered around him, as he looked out at the crowd and continued filling the club to compacity.

They all responded, but not to his satisfaction. So, he repeated himself. "I said! Are you "Kings" ready to get PAID?!" All everyone could hear was the thunder of male voices barking and cheering throughout the club.

Like a proud peacock, the owner got up and walked away, leaving the bar as he finished his chocolate martini. His eyes roamed around Club "Spectacular," which he named and owned, basking in the crowds that poured into his establishment.

Drinks flowed freely, and girls were plentiful and scantily clad, gyrating against men on top of the tables and polls throughout the place. This is because so many video vixens regularly frequent the Nightclub. These girls are willing to sell their souls, hoping to be recognized by some famous entertainer who selected girls from Club "Spectacular” for a part in one of their music videos.

It was time; the owner noticed his boys kept giving him the eye, so he gave them a quizzical look; they all knew this wasn't a regular night at Club “Spectacular” They were up to something, and whatever it was, he figured he better get to the real purpose of this party.

Little did Charlize know she had come on a special night. Tonight's big event would warrant some special lady at this grand party if selected a great opportunity," it was the highlight called the "pot of gold" or the golden bowl.

This is when the sizeable golden bowl makes its grand entrance in the center of the room with a spotlight shining for everyone to see. The "Pot of Gold" represented a young lady spending one evening with the handsome, charismatic owner and winning various prizes! She would be treated like a queen by the CEO of this fine elite establishment. The owner devised this idea to keep his investors happy and paid. The contest was used to generate business for the club. They would give away prizes, a weekend trip to this exclusive island.

In the early days of the Nightclub's opening, this event occurred once a month at club "Spectacular!" It would be filled with girls who readily put their names in the "pot of gold," If their names were selected from the golden bowl, they might be allowed to be in one of the music videos. Over time this ignited the growth and publicity of Club Spectacular," and everyone looked forward to the "Pot of Gold" event in earlier years. But once the Nightclub became popular, the owner discontinued this event. Of course, the investors frowned upon its owner for making this decision without approval.

But with the constant expansion of the Nightclub, the owners' expenses were mounting. It was time now to use the "Pot of Gold" to keep business booming, So the owner thought tonight was the perfect night for the "Pot of Gold" to make its grand entrance again!

And tonight was the night Charlize had attended club "Spectacular!"

The DJ turned the music down, asking the crowd. "Are you all having a good time?" The groups applauded and made sounds of cheers.

"Now that I have everyone's attention."

DJ Smiles. He sees a half-dress female who catches his attention; he says in his calm, sultry voice, "Alright, little sexy Shawty over there on the table. Can you stop dancing just for a second, baby?"

The young lady blew him a kiss as she stopped dancing.

"Thank you, baby; now, can everybody please face this way." Then, the dancing came to a complete stop, and everyone faced DJ Smiles.

"Could everyone please step back and form a large circle?"

Once he got everyone to step back. He says in an excited tone, "Ladies and Gents! It's that time to highlight the "Pot of Gold!!!"

The crowds broke out in thunderous screams. DJ Smile waited for everyone to calm down. Then the tall, attractive cocky owner walks to the center of the room, putting his hand in the golden bowl. And he pulls out a golden ticket and announces the name in the microphone.

"Charlize Johnson!" Mark Meadows, the owner, eyes expanded. He recognized the girl's name immediately.

I gasped! I was confused for two reasons: I've never won anything! So, to hear my name being called, indeed, it was a mistake. Second, when I saw it was Mark standing in the spotlight. I couldn’t believe my eyes!

He was the man who vanished from my life entirely many years ago!