The best part was that the
boutique allowed customers to wear their purchases right away. Excited about my
new find, I decided to try on several other outfits to find the perfect dress
for the disco nightclub. However, despite my efforts, I couldn't make up my
mind. Just as I was changing in the dressing room, to my surprise, he peeked
inside.
Startled, I exclaimed,
"Hey, you're not supposed to be in here! I'm not decent!" My
face turned red with embarrassment as he gazed at my appearance, his eyes
brimming with longing.
"Allow
me to help," he said, entering the dressing room. With a tender touch, he
swept my hair aside and zipped up the back of my dress. The dress was a
stunning royal blue satin silk that hugged my figure perfectly, falling to
mid-calf with a daring side slit and a low-plunging neckline. To enhance the look, I paired it with a blue velvet choker accessory.
The soft fabric of my dress felt amazing against my skin. Gazing at my reflection, a contented smile
spread across my face. Standing behind me, his gentle touch on my
shoulders, sent a shiver down my spine, followed by a tender kiss. Moving
closer, he whispered, "You're stunning," causing my cheeks to flush
and my heart to quicken. When I mentioned needing shoes, he apologized, feeling
embarrassed by his oversight. "I'm sorry Butterfly, I must be
imposing on you," he said.
"Not really, you just caught me off
guard, that's all," I replied, feeling a bit flustered.
“He called me Butterfly,” I mused.
"I know I'm old and...," he began, but I cut
in, "You don't look that old. You seem like you're in your late 20s," I
nervously added. He blushed and grinned, "Indeed, I am," he said with
a flirtatious smile. "I'll buy the dress and jeans for you, and then we
can look for shoes," he suggested.
"Do you have something to wear to the
nightclub?" I asked him. He paused, pondering for a moment. "I believe so. I’ll check my closet; the
monolith can create outfits for me if necessary." After he left the
dressing room, I changed into the jeans he bought me. I carefully folded the
blue dress. While at the checkout, I asked the cashier about nearby dance clubs.
"Yes, I visited Studio One with my
boyfriend last week, and it's quite nice," she responded. I asked about
its location.
"It's in West
Hollywood," she replied.
Mr. Smith covered the cost of my outfit and shoes. I
expressed my gratitude and stepped outside with him.
"Do you think we can locate the nightclub?" I
asked.
"I'll ask the TDSC," he replied, pausing
for effect. "The monolith," he added playfully, giving me a wink. As
we strolled down the sidewalk, he held my hand, and I pondered whether the TDSC
could connect with him telepathically. I spotted a group of young men nearby,
they were probably around my age, one of whom was giving me a flirtatious
glance, which made Mr. Smith's expression darken with jealousy. "Can we go to that nightclub?" I asked
bashfully.
"Absolutely," he responded. Suddenly, the monolith transmitted
a signal that appeared on his watch. Mr. Smith checked his black
steampunk-esque wristwatch, showing cryptic symbols and numbers. It was evident that the markings were beyond human
comprehension. The monolith appeared in an alley nearby. As we made our way around the corner and entered the alley,
we suddenly spotted a couple who were closely observing the monolith.
Their expressions were filled with
bewilderment, clearly surprised by its sudden appearance. "It's
truly fascinating how the monolith has the ability to change its shape," I
mused.
"Excuse me," Mr. Smith uttered
politely to them as we strolled through the entrance and found ourselves
inside. Suddenly, the monolith vanished right before their eyes, leaving them
utterly shocked. In a state of fear, they ran away from the mysterious phenomenon.
"Do people usually get scared when the
monolith appears and disappears out of nowhere?" I asked.
He casually shrugged, "Maybe, but
they won't see it again, so it'll turn into a story they tell their kids and
grandkids," he replied nonchalantly as he gazed at the
holographic image above the crystals. "Oh yes, I've found the nightclub,
and the TDSC can take us there," he exclaimed. I looked at the image, and
it looked like a very high-tech layout of a map. It was something I cannot comprehend. "I
need to pick out an outfit," he mentioned before walking toward a corridor
and disappearing. I took the opportunity to explore the large room; the
intricate designs on the walls captivated me. The interior differed from the
exterior, despite sharing the same color scheme. I struggled to articulate the
beauty before me.

The walls boasted geometric lines that
formed a stunningly sculpted 3D shape. As I observed one of the shapes with a
sense of curiosity, an intriguing phenomenon began to unfold before my eyes. Gradually,
an otherworldly presence materialized a short distance away from me, taking the
form of a woman. Her appearance was ethereal, with long, sandy blonde curls
cascading down her shoulders, and her eyes shimmered with a gentle, bright blue
hue. A ghostly pallor adorned her face, adding an eerie touch to her overall
visage.
Caught off guard by this unexpected
encounter, I couldn't help but let out a startled gasp, instinctively taking a
few steps back to create some distance between us. In a hushed tone, I
muttered, “What the Fuck,” hoping not to draw any attention to myself. However,
as quickly as she had appeared, the mysterious woman vanished into thin air,
leaving me bewildered and slightly unnerved by the inexplicable occurrence.
Despite the lingering confusion and a tinge of fear that lingered within me, I
mustered the courage to continue exploring the room. To my astonishment, the
walls surrounding me were completely devoid of color, resembling the vast
expanse of a pitch-black night sky. This revelation added an eerie ambiance to
the environment, intensifying my sense of intrigue and curiosity.

Lost in my own thoughts, Mr. Smith
suddenly appeared, twirling around with a mischievous grin on his face, causing
me to laugh at his playful nature. "You know, you remind me of that guy
from that movie, Saturday Night Fever," I joked, prompting him to
chuckle.
“Do
you like it?” he asked for my opinion on his outfit, wondering if he should
keep it.
"Maybe
go for something more subtle, like a simple polyester disco shirt and
pants," I suggested with a hint of amusement in my tone. After a moment of
contemplation, he agreed that my idea might be better suited for the
occasion. As our conversation shifted, I couldn't resist sharing the
strange experience I had earlier. His eyes met mine with genuine curiosity,
creating a moment of silence that made me wonder if I had said something
wrong. Curiosity filled his face as he asked, "What exactly did you
see?" Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I proceeded to describe the
ethereal figure that had briefly appeared before me, though uncertain of its
true nature. I gulped, "I thought I saw an apparition, but I can't be
entirely certain," I admitted, feeling a hint of foolishness creeping in.
With a pause, he reassured
me, "It's nothing. That was the AI in the monolith. Sometimes it takes on
a holographic form. It was simply curious about you." His words eased my
fear, and I cleared my throat, confessing, "Well it just scared me, that's
all." Nonchalantly he revealed,
"The AI took the form of a former companion of mine. It captures the
essence of life, and since we were once intimately involved, it captured her
image." His solemn gaze met mine, conveying a depth of
emotions. Curiosity sparked within me, and I couldn't help but ask,
"Is she still alive?" He nodded, his expression carrying a hint of sadness. "Yes, but she's no longer with me." His words hung in the air, and I
sensed his reluctance to delve further into the topic. A pang of jealousy
washed over me as I realized I wasn't the first woman to accompany him on his
travels. Doubt crept in, making me question my own significance. However, I
quickly reassured him, "Well, we don't have to talk about it if you don't
want to.”

As we walked down the hallway, he flashed a reassuring smile and
said, “Don’t worry about it.” When we entered his room, I couldn't help but
notice the thoughtful expression on his face, as he tucked his hands casually
in his pockets. Feeling the need to apologize again for bringing up a sensitive
topic, I approached him and let out a sigh. However, he shook his head,
assuring me that it wasn't a big deal.
I softly rested my hand on his shoulder and reiterated my apologies, and
to my astonishment, he spun around and pulled me into a warm embrace. My face
blushed. In his embrace, I felt an undeniable yearning from him, a silent plea
for a deeper connection, perhaps a taste of intimacy.
With a playful grin, he said,
“I’ll go change.” He headed toward the
closet. He tapped a panel on the side, and he swiftly picked out a new outfit,
ready to move on from our conversation. I glanced away as he
started getting dressed, but I couldn't resist sneaking a peek over my shoulder
to admire his well-defined physique as he took off his shirt. I quickly looked
away, feeling a surge of excitement. Once he was done, he tapped my shoulder,
prompting me to face him. "What do you think?" he asked, his voice
tinged with anticipation.
"Looks great," I responded with a
grin, unable to conceal my attraction toward him. He was clad in a copper/gold
polyester button-up shirt,
paired with black polyester trousers and stylish
Disco-style men's shoes. His hair was slicked back, completing the ensemble.
Suddenly, the monolith materialized in an alley beside the nightclub. By the
way I seldom refer to the monolith as TDSC, it's simply the monolith to
me.
He turned to me, sporting his shades, and asked, "How do you like
my sunglasses?" I chuckled, "I don't think you need them at this time
of day."
"You're right," he admitted, taking off the
sunglasses. "I have to change my clothes. Can you give me a moment?"
I requested, blushing slightly. He lovingly kissed my forehead and gave me a
sly smile.
"Sure thing," he replied, playfully tapping my
nose. He exited his bedroom, allowing me to change into my dress and slip on my
shoes. I got the
eerie feeling of being watched but I brushed it off. As the clock struck eight in the evening, the nightclub
burst into life, with thumping music that echoed throughout the venue. The
doorman, responsible for security, politely requested my ID. Mr. Smith had
given me a card earlier, assuring me it proved I was of legal age.
The doorman checked my card and allowed us inside. It
didn’t occur to me then that Mr. Smith suspected I was not the age I said I
was. Stepping into the club, I couldn't help but sneak a quick look at the
card, only to be surprised by its emptiness - there was nothing written on it. Confused,
I couldn't resist asking Mr. Smith, “Why is this card completely blank?"
He chuckled and replied, "Oh, it's a magical ID card.” Although I found his playful explanation hard to believe,
I decided not to dwell on it. Memories of my grandmother's stories flooded my
mind. She used to recount her nights out at nightclubs, where she eventually
met my grandfather. The retro music playing in the background added to the
nostalgic atmosphere, with songs like, Rollercoaster, Car Wash, Heaven Must
be Missing an Angel and Turn the Beat Around set the perfect tone for the
evening.

Following our dance, we found our way back to our table and indulged
in some beverages, where the waitress pleasantly caught me off guard with a
delightful Long Island Iced tea. Mr. Smith warned me to be cautious with how
much I consumed, and he was spot on. I ended up feeling a bit intoxicated for
the remainder of the evening. As a slow melody filled the air, Mr. Smith and I
took to the dance floor once again. He held me close, enveloping me in a tight
embrace, his body exuding a comforting warmth as he drew me nearer to him. Our
cheeks touched, creating an intimate connection.
The song ended, and we sat back down at our table. "I'm
having such a great time. How about you?" he asked, his voice carrying a
hint of allure. I responded with a nod, a grin forming on my face, yet beneath
the surface, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more
profound brewing between us. Was he able to pick up on the deepening affection
I harbored for him?
Lost in a whirlwind of romantic and sensual musings, I
gazed around the club with a sense of enchantment, only to have my attention
abruptly diverted by a woman who seemed oddly familiar. A soft gasp escaped my
lips as I locked eyes with the mysterious woman, prompting him to question,
"What's the matter?" His gaze held a flicker of intrigue as he
followed my line of sight towards her. "That's my grandmother," I
blurted out, recognizing her from old family photographs. "I'm sure it's
her."
"It's
possible. I don't know your grandmother personally, but she might have
frequented the nightclubs in this area," he remarked casually, taking a
sip of his drink. As I made a move to approach her, he reached out to stop me,
shaking his head in disapproval. Ignoring his silent protest, I continued
towards the woman, prompting him to groan and reluctantly follow me. She sat at
the bar, exuding an air of anticipation, and if my memory served me right, she
should be around 21 years old at this time. Standing before her, I hoped she’d
notice me. Her captivating hazel eyes met mine, and there was a cocktail placed
in front of her, adding to the intrigue of the moment. She sat there with her long dark blonde colored hair, mostly
likely dyed, it is styled in that Farrah Fawcett hairdo and cascades gently
down her shoulders.
The white sleeveless sequin disco dress she wore hugged
her figure, accentuating her curves, while her black platform heels added a
hint of sophistication to her ensemble. Her long nails, painted in a shimmering silver glitter
nail polish, caught the light as she moved. As she turned her gaze towards me,
her eyes filled with curiosity, she paused, "Who let you in here? Aren't
you a little young to be in this club?" She seemingly questioned my
presence there.
"Oh, she's with me, she's twenty-one. I brought her here
for her birthday," Mr. Smith quickly intervened, his voice filled with a
protective tone, as he leaned in to give me a tender kiss on my head.
Her brow
furrowed slightly as she observed me, her curiosity piqued; then she turned to
Mr. Smith, "Are you
British?" she asked him, her voice laced with intrigue over his accent.
“European,”
he replied. Interrupting the conversation, I couldn't help but ask, "Is
your name Leena Cabrera?" My words hung in the air, a mix of uncertainty
and anticipation. I was hoping to find a connection, a familiar thread that
would tie us together.
"Well, it's Leena but not Cabrera. My last
name is..." she began, her voice trailing off. I interjected, "Sims?"
The words slipped out unexpectedly. "Do I know
you?" she asked, her curiosity now tinged with a hint of confusion. It was
clear that my presence had stirred something within her, a sense of familiarity
that she couldn't quite place. Feeling a sense of unease, I hesitated
before responding, aware of the delicate nature of time travel, you know, the
butterfly effect.
"Um, I just thought you were someone else,
sorry," I finally managed to say, my words laced with a mix of regret and
caution. The potential consequences of altering the past loomed over me,
reminding me of the fragility of time. Sensing the need to diffuse the
tension, Mr. Smith suggested that we leave.
"Maybe we
should go," he said. As we walked away from her, she trailed behind
us. She stopped me and whispered, "Is he related to you?" Her
suspicious gaze was fixed on Mr. Smith. I glanced at him, unsure of how to
respond. Trying to reassure her I said, "Yeah, he is." Mr. Smith gave
me a concerned look, making the situation even more tense. She exhaled, looking confused, she gave me a smile, and a
nod then headed back to the bar. The bartender signaled for another drink,
and she nodded, stealing a quick glance at us as we made our way out. I
couldn't believe that it was my grandmother.
“She’s, my grandmother!” I exclaimed, adding, “I never
thought I'd meet her before she met my grandfather. She looks stunning.”
Curious, he asked, "How do
you know she wasn't waiting for him here?" His question made me pause and
think. I remembered her telling me that she met my
grandfather at a nightclub in 1976, but I didn’t realize it was that one. Feeling
a bit tipsy, I stumbled slightly. "I shouldn't have drunk that tea," I admitted,
causing him to chuckle softly.
We returned to the TDSC (monolith). He adjusted the
crystals on the pillar; he called it a matrix table and then led me to his bedroom.
"Are we still in
the alley?" I asked, and he replied, “No, we're between space and time.”
I
gasped softly, "Can I take a look?" He smiled in response, saying,
"Maybe later." I shrugged, kicked off my shoes, and settled on his
bed, smiling contentedly. As we lay on his bed, I asked, “How is it like
traveling out there. Are you always alone?” He began to tell me about his
travels. I found myself fascinated by his stories. He then sighed and his eyes
held a touch of sadness that drew me in. When he gazed at me, his expression
softened, and a gentle smile graced his lips. With a tender touch, he traced
his finger along my lips. He requested the monolith to play some music, and the
room filled with the echoing melody of a song called, More, More, More, a
popular song from the 1970s.
“Right now, in this
very moment, being in your presence feels like the most exquisite place to be,"
he confessed, skillfully diverting the conversation. And in that precise
instant, he drew nearer, his lips colliding with mine in a fervent, passionate
kiss. His tongue explored the depths of my mouth, igniting an inferno of desire
within me. The weight of his body pressed against mine, intensifying the
longing that surged through my veins. As his hand ventured beneath my dress, a
thrill shot down my spine. With gentle, tantalizing strokes, he discovered my
moist tender bud, sending waves of euphoria coursing through my entire being.
Gasping softly, my heart raced, and my cheeks flushed with a potent blend of
anticipation and apprehension. Caught between the magnetic pull of desire and
the fear of surrender, I abruptly pushed him away in a moment of panic,
inadvertently causing him to tumble off the bed. "Ouch!" he
exclaimed, his expression a mixture of surprise and a hint of woundedness.
Overwhelmed by guilt, I extended my hand to help him up,
still not fully prepared to completely succumb to the intoxicating allure of
the moment.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice tinged with
uncertainty.
"Why the hell did you do that for?" he asked.
I hesitated, then confessed, "I'm still a
virgin," feeling a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability. In response, he
immediately apologized and joined me on the bed. He gently brushed my hair away
from my face and wrapped his arm around me.
With a sigh, he admitted, "I'm truly sorry, I had no
idea. I should have been more considerate. Let me take you back home," his
voice filled with disappointment. Overwhelmed by guilt and uncertainty, I
couldn't help but wonder about his intentions, especially considering his past
involvement with someone else. I let out a sigh, unsure of what to say next.