Rejected by One Man and Loved By Three

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!

When I reached the center of the floor, Mark acted like his usual charismatic self. At the same time, I was still in a state of shock!

"I promise I will give you what you want, Charlize. And I promise to meet all your needs, baby. You might just get married this weekend." The crowd went crazy, cheering and applauding at his flirtatious gestures. But I couldn't take his words seriously even though my heart inside me was leaping for joy!

"Mark, please, don't joke about something like that," I said in a shy tone.

"Alright, alright. Well, everyone! This is the lovely winner of tonight's prize! Charlize Johnson!" When they left the center of the applauding crowd and took a seat at a VIP table. Mark tells her.

"Here, baby, give me your phone number. I'll call you and get your address so I will know where to pick you up later. When I call you, be ready on time. I got to go back to work, enjoy club "Spectacular."

Charlize thought this must be a sign that it was probably meant for them to meet and reunite. But she never felt confident that Mark liked her the way she wanted him to. But when they talked over the phone a couple of days before the trip. He promised that he had come to his senses and was now more established and a grown man who had made some changes. I thought everyone deserved a second chance, especially since it wasn't like I had a dozen eligible bachelors knocking down my door with marriage proposals.

Besides, I couldn't prove Mark had left me because he had someone else. To deal with the fact that he left me back then, I kept telling myself, Mark's issues aren't uncommon for young guys. He preferred spending time partying and hanging out with his shady friends. And I told myself he did it to make something of himself. Now he was a nightclub owner! Back then, maybe I wasn't pretty or sexy enough, or, as he said, I was too dull. But all the while, I kept hoping we would one day meet up again.

This time things will be different, and this weekend he promised I would experience more romance and intimacy than I could handle. Those words got me all perky! Besides, I was lonely and was feeling deprived romantically all the time and frustrated for male attention. All I did was work and stay home and overeat ice cream, not wanting to do anything else. Yes! How fortunate could I be tonight! Finally, I'm reuniting with a man I had fallen for in my past. It was like picking up a good book and moving on to the next chapter.

I'm looking forward to renewing our companionship again. I wasn't sure it would work, but I kept hope alive!

"So, tell me what you're into these days, Charlize? Are you still into poetry and romance?

"Oh my god, you remembered!" I exclaimed happily.

Tonight, he promised to take me somewhere special for a fun night and a long romantic weekend to a place I had never been.

I packed a weekend bag and decided to wear my only little black dress. I rarely wear dresses and high heels. But for Mark, I wanted to surprise him by letting him see I'm not as reserved as I used to be. I hoped by letting my hair down and dressing up tonight. He would recognize I was a woman now who had desires and needs. I hope this outfit is perfect for where he was supposed to take me tonight. I had never heard of this place, Pleasure Paradise. But Mark says it has everything I would enjoy. It has a nightclub called After Dark, that's supposed to be a romantic spot that offers live entertainment. It has contemporary dancers who perform sensually to music while poets recite sultry poetry.

Since I worked at a medical lab as a technician 12 hours a day, six days a week, my favorite pastime was reading romance novels and poetry. This place sounds like my fantasies are about to come true! I live for romantic things. This whole trip sounds like an excellent place to reignite our romance. For the past few days and nights, I couldn't stop thinking about it ever since Mark described this place to me last week. I have been anxiously wanting to go and experience this romantic weekend. It's what our relationship needs and what I crave and want. I can't wait!

Mark says it's on an exclusive island far enough to make us feel like we are away from all the hustle and bustle we must deal with living in the city. So, I was looking forward to relaxation and sleeping in a bungalow on the beach! Something I had never done before. But I hate to admit it. I was concerned about Mark showing me a good time. When I thought about him as my boyfriend in the past, he didn't have a romantic bone in his body. Mark's idea of romance back then, when I knew him in college, sucked. The man thought taking me out to get burgers and fries and bringing the food back to the house to watch a football game together was romantic.

I haven't been with anyone seriously since Mark. So, as you can see, I'm starving for male attention and true romance. And what girl doesn't want to be told she's pretty and be wine and dine? And the fact that my ex-boyfriend is willing to take me to a place he found, like Pleasure Paradise, was a step in the right direction. Maybe he has changed and matured, and I'll finally be treated like a lady this weekend. My boyfriend promised it would be just me and him and that he would make up for all the rotten weekends I experienced with this one weekend.

~~~~

'About time,' I muttered. Then, standing from the porch steps, I nervously smoothed my dress down as I headed over to meet him in the car. Mark took my bag, and then shockingly, he kissed me. That had never happened before when he picked me up in the past. I smiled, thinking, 'Maybe he has changed.'

"Wow! I can't believe you are wearing a dress!"

"Yes, I am," I said, smiling.

So, when I got in the car, he told me he needed to make a few stops. He picked up someone at each house we visited, and the car was packed before long. It was filled with his boys that worked at his nightclub! I instantly got upset! I was more than angry that his four other friends were intruding on our night out together, and Mark didn't see anything wrong with them tagging along. So, once, on our way to our excursion, I complained that I didn't want them to go with us.

They all looked at me and then at Mark. I wondered what was going on. Then I tried to think positively about it. Maybe Mark had planned a surprise party for me, and that's why they were coming along. But then I thought about it. This scene looked very familiar. It's been quite a few times I've seen his guys leaving the nightclub with a girl.

So, I immediately went back to complaining. Mark kept driving for at least two hours, ignoring me, which wasn't unusual.

"Bring me back to the city!" I demanded. "Mark, stop this car, turn it around, and bring me back home! I'm no longer interested in going out to watch you and your friends while you guys flirt with other girls!"

Then suddenly, he stops the car on this dark road and decides to pull over. Then he states. Charlize, we are not going with you."

"What! What do you mean you're not going with me?"

The passenger side of the car door was opened by two of his friends. They took and put me out of the car as I stood there yelling. "Let me go! What is going on here, Mark?"

"Sweetheart, this is the end of the road for you and me."

Before I could respond, he had put the car in the driving position. My temper had gotten the best of me. I was then yelling at him in the window.

"I'm not going by myself. Give the guys the keys so they can return home, and Mark, you get out of this car! You promised, and I have put up with enough of your foolishness! You owe me this much!"

"Baby, I said we're not going here. I never wanted to do this to you. You, of all people. I didn't think I would ever see you again. But you were in the right place but at the wrong time. And now it has come to this. I'm a man of my word! So, I got to say goodbye. It's either you or me, and you know I will always choose me."

Tears began to form in my eyes. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was sure my ears had misunderstood, but they weren't. Then I couldn't believe what he had done next!

It took me a second to recognize that I was stranded on this dark road; all I saw was dark woods, and all that could be heard were crickets. I stood there repeating. "This is not happening to me. He will turn around and come back for me; Mark will never leave me out here like this."

But after several minutes went by, I realized he wasn't returning. Instead, he had driven away and was gone leaving me all alone. So I began walking, frightened and fighting tears.

"I knew I shouldn't have trusted or given him another chance. So why couldn't I tell his mother no and move on? I know there's got to be one nice guy in this world who will treat me, right?"

I still couldn't believe he had left me out there all alone. I was now stuck out somewhere far from home. I didn't see any other cars or a taxi in sight. The road was desolated! I went from being devastatingly hurt to boiling angry! Then to being petrified, and then very sad. What was supposed to have been one of the most incredible nights in my Life has turned out to be one of the most frightening and unbelievable! But things got even worse when I reached for my purse on my shoulder to get my cell phone and realized I had left it in his car!

"Oh, God! Oh God! What am I going to do?"

Panicking, I eyed my surroundings. Thinking I'll keep going hoping I find the resort; it can't be too far. Once I get there, I can ask to use the phone to get a taxi or call someone to come and pick me up. So, I kept walking along the da k road. The foliage was thick due to the late spring growth. As I kept walking, I noticed the road led to a bridge surrounded by tall trees. I stepped onto this wood-planked movable bridge. I felt inclined even though I couldn't see it being shielded from any curious eyes that might be around. Even though I focused as hard as possible, I didn't see a soul out there. And yet, strangely enough, I felt watched. I took the platform itself, being careful to be sure-footed. With each step, it slowly started ascending, startling me, but I could see it was a well-used path. But by whom? So, I kept walking, inhaling deeply as my poor feet ached from my high heel shoes and the distance I had walked. The smell of the trees and woods served as a distraction. The leaves smelled sweet, as if they were fragranced with flowers or maybe spritzed with perfume, but the scent wafted into my

nostrils.

Then as I kept forging ahead, there was another musky and spicy scent with a hint of citrus. It smelled like a man's cologne. I paused and backed toward one of the trees when I saw a staircase in the distance. I wondered if it led to the resort or this place, Nightclub After Dark. Curiosity compelled me forward as I kept walking. Now I could feel the unseen eyes upon me even more; being watched made me stop again and back away. I reached my hand out in front of me, but I couldn't see or feel anyone. So I concentrated on climbing the stairs, trying not to think of the height I had climbed or the eyes I felt were watching me. I realized the plank wood bridge ended at the staircase. It was so dark, the only light I had was from the moon and stars, but I did reach the staircase, and the minute I stepped on the stairs, they began descending back to the ground. I held on tight to these flimsy-looking rails. When I neared the bottom, I wondered if the club was inside the giant tree trunk. Each step I took led me inside the massive tree. Then the descending of the staircase stopped in midair as I locked eyes with a man standing a couple of steps down from me. Where did he come from? I asked myself as my heart began racing! I turned to climb back up the stairs, but to no avail; the stairs only moved in one direction, his!

I held on tight to the flimsy rail staring at the man. He was tall, shirt partially open with muscles galore! My breath caught to see the powerful swells beneath his pale skin. My gaze skittered down to where the burly guy's shirt was tucked into pants that revealed legs as strong as his upper body. His waist-length platinum silky hair drifted loose in the breeze, waving in the brisk night air. His large blue cat-like eyes narrowed as he looked at me as if he could drill into my soul with his gaze. The man had sensual lips in defiance of the carved masculinity of his face. They curled in a knowing smile.

"Welcome, we were expecting you. I see you came alone as planned." He said in a deep tenor.

I stepped back though my feet ached something terrible I had to put distance between me, that ruthless leer of his eyes, and the deep tenor of his voice.

"What?" I responded. "My boyfriend made reservations for two tonight, not just me. So, you expected me to come alone?" The man looked around and behind me and stated.

"Yes. I don't see anyone else. We were told only to be expecting you." The man replied, smiling with a hint of mischievousness.

My legs trembled with sudden weakness, not this time from m aching feet. What was he saying? Mark made reservations for two, didn't he? My gut squeezed tight as I eyed the man, who seemed to be the type that would take what they wanted. I was already drained and scarred to death from the long walk, but something seemed to drain the rest of the little strength I had in my body. Then I found myself staring at the two men with unblinking stares. In response to my retreat, the muscular one advanced another step. He had to be at least six feet and five inches tall, maybe six. The closer he got the guy was towering over me in my high heels. I lifted my foot as if to take a step forward, only to place it behind me, taking a huge step backward. I saw movement behind him, alerting me to the second man on the stairs. I took another step back, realizing I had no room to retreat. I was going to run, but the stairs steadily descended as if I had stepped on an escalator.

The first man's companion came up the stairs and stood beside him. This one was slender but no less impressive. His tan face was narrow but chiseled with smooth skin. The features were sharp and pointy, with warmth in his eyes but with lust curling his lips. His hair was long past his shoulders and wavy and midnight blue. It was thick and soft looking, the kind of hair you would want to get lost in forever. He had brushed to one side of his shoulder. It was an exciting midnight blue and black color. He wore a snug crew-cut clean white shirt with his slender but muscular arms and fitted black slacks.

I gasped, stepping back, but all at once, they surrounded me. The scent I smelled earlier was very potent. I couldn't think how to form words as a calloused hand closed over my arms, holding me prisoner while simultaneously supporting me. Then I felt one of the men pull at my dress, his eyes staring intently into mines as he touched me.

Then the other sniffed down her neck and between where my breast met-taking my breath away as I barely managed to defend myself. I managed not to squirm at the solicitous touch though it made my skin quiver. My breast responded to the warmth of his nose and lips in between them.

"What are you doing? Get away from me!"

The man backed away as his eyes darted at the muscular one nodding his head as he noticed the body's response. I looked down at my chest and saw the perkiness of my breasts. The slender man licks his lips as he looks at me intently.

"We are not going to harm you in any way. Welcome to Pleasure Paradise. From what we have an exam so far, you have been very abandoned and deprived. You are very emotionally and physically dehydrated." The first man said in a low deep voice, his nose flaring as he inhaled my skin again, making me shiver.

"Come." They said as they both took me by the arms down the stairs. In my mind, I was resisting, putting up a fight. But physically, I cooperated with the two men. I knew something was wrong, and I surrendered myself to them. Already the sense of a warm euphoria crept over me, a sweet intoxication that overwhelmed any instinct for self-preservation. My weakened knees shook even harder. It took all I had not to collapse on the stairs.

The slender guy's eager smile grew wider still. They entered the base of the tree trunk, and we ascended, and then we entered this circular room. They lowered me to one of the cushions.

"What is this place?" I gazed at my captors, my vision hazy with intoxication though I hadn't been drinking or given anything to take.

"You have entered Pleasure Paradise. You will be our private guest." I couldn't take my eyes away from the one with the large cat-like eyes peering at me. I batted my lashes sitting there utterly afraid of what would happen to me next.