Tempo (27 page)

“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.” Staring into Michael’s eyes I see the love he has for me. 

“I want you to laugh Karlie. I want to hear you giggle in my arms again. Tomorrow begins the New Year; lets put all of this stuff behind us. Please don’t ever leave me again.” Michael leans forward and I meet him in the middle. The minute our lips meet the electricity between us is undeniable.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Michaels eye are looking at me, and I can see the hope bloom in them.

“Yes Michael, I’ll stay with you.” How could I deny this man anything?

“As much as I would love to stay here all night and kiss your lovely lips. I have guests to attend to. Stand with me tonight. What’s mine is yours.” As we walk to the elevator he pats my bottom. “Do you ever wear underwear?” 

The next several hours pass by in a blur. Two hundred of the rooms are occupied tonight, courtesy of Michael. The alcohol flows freely and the food is delicious. Live bands are playing in all of the lounges. The casino is in full swing. Michael disappeared a few minutes ago, leaving me with Anna. She seems so pleased with everything and I am so happy to have made her proud. A tap on my shoulder grabs my attention. Earl is standing next me.

“Karlie, Mr. Scarpetti has asked me to take you to him.”

I look to Anna and shrug; she leans forward, kisses me on the cheek, and tells me to have fun. Earl escorts me to the elevator, and as we step in he inserts a special key before pressing the button for the twenty-first floor. The elevator dashes to its destination. Earl stands aside as the door opens. I reach over and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for delivering me safely Earl.”

“It’s what I do Karlie,” h
e says as he enters the elevator and disappears.

Standing in front of me is the most beautiful man dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie. He closes the space that is separating us and welcomes me home. He takes my han
d and walks me to the bronzed iron gate of his home. It is an exact replica of the elevator door in Denver. I look at him, and he shrugs his shoulders. The entry floor is tiled. The walls are a beautiful polished burled wood. It would seem as if he got his elevator after all. My favorite piece of art from the Denver exhibit hangs on the wall in front of me. I look to Michael and I see the pride in his eyes. “You said it was too special to be mass produced.”

I stare
at the art for a long time. It’s such a surprise to find it hanging here in a place of honor in his entryway. Your options from this point are to either go left or go right. Above the left entrance, 3B is posted over the door, to the right is 3A. The reference to our airline seats is not lost on me. Michael tugs me to 3B. He opens the door with a flourish, bending at his waist and swinging his arm to the side. On the wall in front of me are gold letters set against a mahogany wall.

Karlie McKenna Design

Tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. “What’s this?”

“It’s a space just for you.”  As we walk through the rooms
, I can see that he has gone to great lengths to make it special just for me. There is an office, a conference room, and a room dedicated to samples. He turns me around and embraces me. “I love you Karlie. I want to be with you forever.” Moving once more, I am ushered to 3A. He picks up a Styrofoam container from the nearby table and places it in my hand. 

“Hold on to this for now.” He is up to something. The sparkle in his eye means he’s up to no good. Entering 3A, I am astonished at what I see. My portfolio stands in front of me, each room created from a specific picture. The kitchen is exactly the way I had envisioned it would be. The glass tiles of the backsplash, the simple cabinets, the dark floors, it’s a work of art. I can feel a lump starting in my throat. I try to swallow the tears that insist on coming. Taking my hand, he gives me the grand tour. Each room is exactly like the picture that inspired it. In the livin
g room, there is a wall of built-in bookshelves. There are only two decorations present. They are both framed pictures. One is of him carrying me to the pool, and the other is of the kiss behind the Jazz Joint. “I hope to fill each cubby with pictures of our life together.” He softly says. Walking down a hallway, I am guided into the largest bathroom I have ever seen. Sitting dead center is the beautiful stone bathtub. “A lovely girl once told me that these tubs can hold several people at one time. It makes me want to try it out now.”

“Okay
,” I say. Reaching up to undo his bow tie, he takes my hand and pulls it to his lips. Kissing every finger he tells me, “All in good time baby. We have one more room to see.” The next room he shows me is empty, except for a king sized bed. “Some time ago I was looking through a portfolio. It was the house of your dreams, but it was missing a master bedroom. You told me that someday you would want to take your partners wishes into consideration when you design the space. I have added my wish Karlie. All I need is you and this bed. It’s time to open the package baby.”

Looking down at the s
tyrofoam container in my hand, I slowly peel back the top. Inside sits a toilet paper scroll. As I unfurl the delicate paper, I see that something is written on each square. The first square says: The Design for a Perfect Life.

Each subsequent square contains an item from a checklist.

1.
       
Find the perfect girl
X

2.
      
Fall in love
X

3.
      
Buy a big tub
X

4.
     
Buy a big bed
X

5.
      
Practice, Practice, Practice
X

6.
      
 

7.
      
Live a happy life. __

My eyes leave the scroll and find Michael on his knees in front of me.

“Number six is missing,” I say as I try to contain my tears.

“Oh, I need some help with that one. Removing the container and scroll from my hand
; Michael holds both of my hands in his. Looking down at him, I can see the man who I will love forever. His eyes lift towards mine.

“Karlie, will you marry me? Promise me you will always be mine.”

“Yes Michael, I will always be yours.”

Taking a pen from his pocket he writes  “Marry Her” next to the number six. Directly next to that he inks in a check mark.

Your smartest decision ever.
The smart girl says.

Michael uses his resources to procure a minister. Standing under the beautiful lobby sculpture, I pledge my life to him. Anna stands to my left, while Lloyd stands to Michael’s right. Earl has the honor of giving me away. In front of hundreds of guests, we toast our lives together and bring in the New Year. Michael leans in towards me and whispers, “Are you ready to go home baby?” I wrap my arms around him and realize that in his arms, I am already there.

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