What Once Was

Chapter 23: The Other Woman

-Mimzy POV-

I slipped myself closed inside my office. And slumped myself against the door, which seemed to vibrate from the booming music right outside. The flickering of the neon colored lights dancing on the small space under the door crept inside my office.

I leaned my head against the door as I felt a tingling sensation in the back of my neck, and a growing headache. It wasn't not so long ago that I had felt such joy inside my leaping heart as I saw Alastor's presence in that crowd. Looking at him made nostalgia wash over me about back then. Back to those nights at the bar. Back to how I was gaining popularity, and the eyes of those men who sought for my attention were envious of how I focused my attention on Alastor. All those small talks we slipped between the break times of my next performance. And how his smile would bring fluttering butterflies inside me, and my cheeks grow warm because his attention was on me. And I felt seen by him.

And I still did, nothing really changed since we got here. Now though, I was a tid bit more famous here than back in the human world , which was flattering. Besides that, once I realized things didn't really change I thought I could have a chance with him. Oh for how long had I dreaded for this moment to happen, but life... and death... seem to hate me so.

-New Orleans,

-September 16th, 1920

7:45 p.m

On a bright summer day, I had told my mom what I  wanted the most in the world was to be famous. She gave me half -hearted chuckle, and simply told me that it was hard to be famous, but she never said it was impossible. So I hope she was proud of me beyond her grave, I did turn out to be famous.

Although it was a small sense of it though, but I was famous here in New Orleans. People instantly recognized me while I simply walked down the street to get my usual cup of coffee. Admirers would crowd around me to greet me with flowers and sweets, and sometimes lots of dough (money). But none of those admirers was the one that I wanted it to be.

Alastor. The most handsome man I had ever seen. With a mysterious and charming demeanor, and beautiful chocolate colored eyes that captivated me every time I stared into them. And that smile... sweet God, the way it melted me. He was truly , the perfect man.

It had been a while since I last saw him, he seem to have been drowned in work to make an appearance at the juice joint (speakeasy). Which was boring, since he helped me cope with my boredom. He would crack jokes that were genuinely funny, and my snorting laughter made him chuckle. In the past months it was a pleasure to spend time with him, and enjoy his company, no matter if it was only for a brief moment, or I caught his eye out in the street. I would feel seen him.

I had a feeling he would be here today. So I got my favorite perfume which smelled of amber floral. Spraying some perfume onto my collarbone, I checked my appearance for a last time. I decided to change out of my signature garnet colored flapper dress, and wore a cadmium green colored flapper dress, which complimented my curves. I put on the matching headband, and brushed my hair one last time so that my curls could be a bit more noticeable than usual.

-Juice joint-Speakeasy-

-8:01 p.m-

I walked in, and the sweet smell of alcoholic drinks mixed with fruits greeted me. Some of the clients greeted me, but I was half focused on them as I searched for Alastor in his usual seat.

"Mimzy, doll, are you going to sing?" One of them slurred his words out. He was a business man from what I last remembered. He was relatively young, and quite handsome, but not as handsome as Alastor, no one could ever compete against him.