Bleed Myself Dry, Chapter 3: Creatures

Creatures

I'm standing in front of the mirror and looking at a girl in big black dress with a black lace eye mask on. I look like a mysterious woman. Organizing everything about the masquerade was taking my attention from the nervousness but now it’s hard to breath. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I will be in the same room with my heroes and because maybe they will like the girl in the big black goth queen dress even if they don’t like Karen in it. Now it's time, so I have to leave my hotel room. Before I opened the door I looked through the room to check if I forgot something or not. I checked the do list, probably everything will be fine with the guests and the party, I bought some dark decors, black lace and chiffon curtains. I think I’ve done a creative work. Okay.. so I’m ready but I almost forget to put on the black lipstick!
After finishing my make up, I finally left my room and I put the card into my handbag. While I was waiting for the elevator my phone started to ring.
„Hallo?”
„Hey, it’s Margaret. I’m the daughter of the manager of Motionless In White. I have got a few do for you.”
„Fine, what am I have to do?”
„First, the special wine you ordered is terrible so order something else. Second, call Maria to sing for us tonight. Third, make some Bloody Marys because what the bartender do tonight is pathetic. Furthermore you forgot to take black makeup products to both of the female and male toilets so please do it. Oh, and I want bigger black candles. Byebye Karen.”
The call ended before I could say bye. I’m a bit disappointed and upset because the party has already started and if I do all of this, I will miss the whole masquerade. I really have to hurry!
I ordered an expensive wine a few hours before I don't know what's the problem with that.. but now I'm making a phone call with a restaurant and choose a more expensive alcohol. It's gonna be here in half an hour.
Okay.. now I have to speak with Chris to ask for Maria's phone number. Oh my gosh..
On my way to the hall I decided to check the toilets.. Yes, there aren't any make up products in them, but nobody told me before the party started that I have to put dark eye shadows in them.
What am I have to do?? I rush out of the hotel and go towards the nearest supermarket. Of course, every people has to stare at me.. A crazy girl in eye mask, big black dress with black lipstick when it's not halloween.
I bought 40 black candles. I had luck because it was all.
With the big bags I run back to the hotel and started to exchange the candles. The previous ones were hot and the liquid wax run to my hand.. Ouch.
I haven't finished it yet when I had a phonecall that the wine is here. I left the bags with the candles next to a table and went to the reception. I asked two waitresses to help me to serve the wine. It took a lot of time!
When I was again in the place where I finished with the candles before, I didn't see my bags. Oh no!
"Sorry, did you see bags with candles?" I said it more than 10 times.. but nothing. Okay. Fuck that candles.
Where is Chris? I have to call Maria Brink and I have to buy dark makeup. Oh no.. and the Bloody Mary's..!
I went to my room to google some shops that are open this time, late at night. It took 20 minutes while I finally found one. I call them and I ordered 30 black eyeshadows, 30 black eyeliners and 30 black lipsticks. What a waste of money and makeup!
It's gonna be here in an hour.. almost at midnight.
I went to the hall while my eyes were searcing for Chris. He doesn't answer his phone.
I have found a bloody mary recipe on google so I went to the bar and ask the bartender to do anything else. He told me that nobody has made complaint about the drink but he did what I asked for. It was hard for me to make coctails for as much I haven't made drink like that before. The bartender, Tom was kind and helped me. We spoke a bit, I did some glass of coctails and then I suddenly got to saw Chris. I thought. But it was someone else. I asked some people if they know where is he but they said that they haven't seen either of the MIW members all night. It's strange.
After I've done with the makeups - anyways the men I asked for to bring the makeups to the male toilets watched me like I was an idiot - I went back to the bar. I thought I'm failed with this job because of the candles and Maria. I failed with organizing the party well. And I haven't danced yet.. despite of Chris told me that I'm invited.. but now I'm not a guest, I'm an assistant. Of course, I am.. Karen is just Karen, a fool. I'm here since a day and I'm pathetic and self-pitying. I'm ridiculous. I'm working here, not partying. It's my job. So I don't understand myself. Gosh.. Chris told me to buy a nice dress! He didn't say that it will be my work clothes!
I was making the coctailes and talking with the guests who came there for a drink. Every woman was pretty and the guys too, everybody has got tattoos, colorful or black hair.. It's an amazing party with amazing people.
I was just starting to make another bloody mary when someone said my name.
"Karen?"
I turn around.
"Yes, I am."
"Dance with me, please"
"Sorry, I can't. I have a lot of things to do." - I said and I thought that it's the end of the conversation.
"You are the dark princess of the night you shouldn't do anything. So please, come and dance with me." - He smiled. I don't know him.
"Go, honey" - Tom said.
"Okay.. but please Tom, do not make bloody mary's!"
"I promise. You've made a lot of of it so.." - Tom grined at me.
I turned toward the man in dark blue suits and I look him in the eyes. The mask was covering his face but I saw his grey eyes. I saw something weird in them.
He grasped my hand and started to walk to the dance floor. When we stopped, we started to move and he always tried to get nearer and nearer to me. But I didn't like him.
After a few awkward minutes the clock ticked midnight. At that time someone grasped my hip and move me towards the door. The man in the dark blue suits tried to hold me back with a bit of anger but than stopped resisting. What's going on? I can't see the guy behing me. When we were out of the hall I still can't turn around so I started to talk.
"What are you doing to me? Who are you?"
"Pst!"
"Let me go!"
"So here you are!" - The most beautiful woman stepped out of a room next to us. "Thank you, for bringing her here!"
Then the man who brought me here left. I just saw his back at that time so I still didn't know who were he.
"Karen." - The woman came nearer to me. "What did I ask from you?"
Oh my god! It was Margaret!
"Sorry, I.."
"Shut up! You have done everything wrong. Everything. I think that it is your last day here. And where is Chris?"
I stared to the floor. This red-hair-lady made me feel worse.
"Nobody has seen the band all night."
"You are the only one who has to know where they are! Maybe it's because of the low quality party. Or you did something with them!"
"What??"
What the hell is she talking about?
"Sorry, who are you?" - I asked.
"I have already told you. I'm the daughter of the manager of the Miw."
"And why do you told me what to do?"
"Hey, girl. You are just an assistant so go and make those pathetic Bloody Marys and let's hope that the guys are okay! If they not.. I will make your life a nightmare!"
"Fuck you" - I whispered.
She smiled at me and while leaving she turned once around.
"And baby girl. Leave Chris alone! Do not speak with him again or you will hurt."
What the hell???
I went back to the bar.
"Are you okay?" - Tom asked me.
"Do you know Margaret?"
"Sorry, I don't.."
"Then nothing.."
When I have done with the millionth coctail and wanted to start to clean some glasses somebody grasp my shoulder from the back again.
I became angry but I was waiting what will happen.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" - someone whispered to my ear.
It was Chris' voice! The butterflies started to fly inside of my stomack.
"I just doing my job." - I said.
"I told you that you are invited not that you have to work at night."
I turned around and I almost swoon. The most beautiful man on the planet were standing behind me. He was look like in the Angel Eyes music video. No. Much better. So much better. I blushed but wanted to see like a confident girl.
"Yes, but I have to repair what I organized wrong."
"Everything is fine do not be more perfectionist 'cause when the idea came to your mind everything was perfect already at that time! So calm down and come dance with me."
"And what about the makeups, the candles, the wine, the bloody mary and Maria?" - I said.
Chris looked at me like I was fool.
"What the hell are you talking about? Everything is out of this world! What do you want from Maria? You mean Maria Brink? She is in Europe now."
"Margaret told me that..."
"Margaret??" - He interrupted me. - "What did she say to you?"
He became really angry.
"She told me that some things went wrong in the masquerade so I had to fix them but I couldn't do everything fine."
"You didn't have to do anything, Karen. I'm gonna talk with her, and I swear that she will never hurt you again."
"She didn't hurt me.."
"Then she will. And I have to prevent this. " - He took my hand. - "Come."
We went to the other Miw members.
"Hey, girl!" - Ricky winked at me.
"Chris you have the most beautiful woman this night." - Balz said.
"Hello, what's your name?" - Ryan was so kind.
"Guys, it's Karen. Our assistant." - Chris said and almost laughed. He looked at me and then I almost melted. "But she really looks beautiful."
"Oh, man!" - Ricky said.

Bleed Myself Dry, Chapter 2: Masquerade

Masquerade

Chris told me to be in his room in twenty minutes so I had to hurry up with the fridge to Ricky. I went down to the reception to ask if they could take a mini fridge to the Room 148. They said that a man has already talked to them about it but they couldn't help him with that. Then I asked them that what kind of hotel is this that there aren't any fridges in each rooms. They apologised. After that I went up to my room to use my netbook. I ordered a mini fridge. In the future I will have to ask Chris about the financial matters. I have made some phone calls so the fridge were in the hotel in fifteen minutes. I told the courier to bring the mashine to Ricky's hotel room.
After all of that I fixed my make-up, brushed my hair and put on scent. I was a bit late.
Now I feel butterflies in my stomach while I'm standing in front of the Room 150. I knocked. After a few seconds Chris opened the door.
- Hey, little girl! - he smiled - You don't have to knock!
- But I always will Chris, I don't wanna disturb you.
Shit... I bet that if I didn't knock, a model girl would be in his bed! Brr
- Are you okay? - he touched my shoulder.
No longer! His touch gives me the creeps.
- Of course. So it's your room - I took a few steps from the door.
- Yes, Karen. But it's like yours.
- Really - I said innocently and he started to laugh.
- Come in, take a seat - he pointed to a red armchair.
- Thanks. So how can I help you with the dinner? - I asked.
He sat in front of me and started to stare me. I felt embarrassed.
- It's not only a dinner.
- Okay, than what is it? - I have to be patient in the future with Chris.
- We always organize a special party when we go to every tenth hotel. Actually, our friends never know when we are in the tenth.. but they always get to know about the party in that day so that nobody can hear about it who don't have to. Do you understand?
- Exactly. And what kind of party will be today?
- I don't know yet. You have to help me.
- And why did you say dinner?
- It would have been so long to explain everything about the night. And honestly I've wanted to make sure that you are a nice girl, not an obsessed fan. Don't get me wrong! I really like my fans but working with them is not so good.
Cool. From now on I will have to keep a secret: I'm a big fan of Motionless in White.
- I understand what you say - I put on a smile.
- Thank you. So what do you think about the night?
- Mm.. It's not that easy! - I stood up and circle the room.
I saw something under the bed and I bend for it. Chris was watching me curiously.
I went red when I realised that I was holding an eye mask in my hands that has text on it: sex slave.
I had two choises. 1. throw it away 2. smile and take it in a drower..  maybe next to the handcuffs and whips.
Chris was trying to hold back his laughter at this time.
- That's my.. that's my.. haha! Just put it on the bed. Sometimes I'm sleeping with that eye mask on.
Then an idea came to my mind.
- Chris - I said slowly.
- Hm?
- What about organizing a masquerade?
He looked me in the eyes for a few seconds.
- So? - I asked.
- It's a great idea Karen! I knew you are perfect for this job!
- How.. - I said softly but he didn't hear me.
- Please write a text message to the people you find on my white Iphone. It's on the desk next to the bed.
- Okay.
- Everybody has to wear costumes and eye masks. It will be fun that nobody will know who are who.
- I'm gonna organize everything - and I went to the door.
When I opened it, Chris said:
- Karen?
- Yes?
- You are invited too. So buy a dress and an eye mask. You can use the credit card that is in the envelope I put on your desk with the neck pass and the important papers.
- Oh, thanks a lot! So I can use a credit card! It's good to know. I bought a fridge from my own money to Ricky.
- You don't say? Oh, please forgive me that I haven't told you the things I gave you.
- Honestly.. I haven't seen the things on the desk. It's my fault.
When I turned towards the door Chris started to speak again.
- Karen?
- Hm, Chris? - I said with shaking lips.
- I can't wait for the masquerade.
I smiled and left the room.

Bleed Myself Dry, Chapter 1: City lights

City lights

Two days ago I went to the town to speak with one of my friends' uncle, Pete. I want a summer job and Greta said that Pete can help me to find one.
When I entered the coffee shop I didn't see him so I just sat down next to the window to watch the people passing by. 10 minutes later someone poked my left shoulder.
- Ouch!
- Hi Karen! - Pete winked at me.
- Hey! Sit down! - I said.
- How are you? Have you ordered something yet?
- No.. I was waiting for you.
- Oh.. Ok. Then what do you wanna drink? Or are you hungry? - he started to read the menu.
- No, I'll be fine with a cup of coffe with milk and honey.
When the waitress left our table he pulled out some papers from his handbag.
- So Karen. What kind of job do you want?
- I don't really know. I just want to earn some money to buy some clothes and go to concerts..
- You say concerts?
- Yes - his question sounds weird. - Why?
- What if you were working with a band as an assistant.. maybe a slave as far as I know the musicians nowadays - he laughed.
- With who? - I became excited. I've known that he has some acquaintances in the music industry.
- Where are that sheet of paper.. - he had almost fifteen sheets.
- Anyways.. thanks Pete for your help. It means so much to me!
- Oh, nothing sweetheart, it's one of my jobs so.. Yes! Here it is! Sorry.. it doesn't say the name of the band or the singer..
- Could you ask somebody? It would be so much fun if I could work with musicians!
- I don't know.. Do you wanna know what are the other jobs?
- I don't think so.. - I laughed.
- Ok.. But what if the band was something classical..?
- That's why you have to ask somebody Pete!
- You're like a fourteen-year-old girl now...
- I'm 20.
- I know!
- And I'm into music.
- I see. Ok.. I call Adam - he started dialling.
While he was on the phone I was staring at him. Then he put the Iphone on the desk.
- So?
- I'm not sure if you know that band.
- Try me.
- It's called.. Motionless in white.
- What? - I whispered.
- Motionle..
- Stop! What the fuck? Are you fucking kidding me?? Motionless in white?? - I screamed.
Everybody in the coffee shop looked at me like I was an idiot.
- Ok, now you are really like a little teen girl.
- Chris Motionless is my musical hero oh my goodness!!
- I think that it's not the perfect job for you Karen. If you are a big fan of them it won't be a good idea.
- Oh come on! Please!
- Do you think that you would be fine with working there?
- Totally!
- Fine.
After that we did what we had to and now I'm standing on the pavement with my big suitcase and I'm waiting for the car that will bring me to the hotel where the guys staying at.
A beautiful black Audi stopped right in front of me. The driver got off the car and came to me.
- Miss Crawford?
- Yes, I am - I said excitedly.
He put my suitcase in the trunk and opened the door to me. I got in the backseat.
It was a 15 minutes road from the airport.
I thought that the band will greet me in the hall but I was wrong. We went to my room, it's number was 125. The man didn't say any information to me but he's already left. I went to the window. Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm here.. And what a view from here! The city lights are so bright and beautiful. It gives me strength and hope for the future. I'm so calm here.. It's just a dream coming true..
- Where is she?? - someone opened my door suddenly. - Oh here she is!
It was Ricky!
- Hello. My name is Karen Crawford. I'm your new assistant..
- Right. I'm Ricky and I want a fucking fridge in my room now!
- Mmm... A fridge? - I was a bit surprised.
- Did you hear me? Oh my.. I hope you are not a beauty with an empty soul because I..
- Hey! - Chris entered the room.
OH MY GOD!!
- Hello.. - I whispered.
- Is everything ok Ricky? - he asked.
- I hope so! But that chick is a little bit slow and she can't hear well.
- My ears and my hearing is fine, thanks - it was embarrassing.
- Ok. Than don't forget the fridge to the Room 148! - he left.
I was disappointed and I stared the floor.
- He had a bad day. Never mind! - hearing Chris' voice reminds me that he is in the room too.
- I'm fine - I put on a smile with shaking lips.
- I'm Chris Cerulli. What's your name? - he was so hot and kind. I'm melted..
- My name is Karen Crawford.
- Karen. Nice to meet you. Could you help me with planning the dinner?
- Sure..
We smiled at each other. I wanted to stay lost in that moment forever.