Stone King

Chapter One

Engagement parties can go either way happiness and joy or hateful with negativity and jealousy. In this moment I am happy because it happens to be my best friend's engagement party but deep inside I have the negative feeling of jealousy. Now I for one am not a jealous girl but after being dumped 6 months ago by my now I know narcissistic boyfriend of 4 years it's hard to feel happy. But here I am trying to find myself in the social world in the sexiest velvet blue dress that unfortunately my ex bought for me.

"Oh my gosh Elise you made it!" My best friend Sarah yelled while squeezing me. I hugged her back and plaster my fake smile "Of course duh what did you think I was going to stay home and watch Breakfast at Tiffany's over and over while eating Ben and Jerry's?" I laughed nervously. "It's exactly what I thought you were going to do." And she was right since I've been doing it for the last 6 months. "Well I am happy you're here because I need my best friend slash maid of honor to be here."
I almost choked "Wait that's a lot of responsibility are you sure?" She laughed "Yes but don't worry the planning of my bachelorette is all going to be handled by me."
I placed my hand over my heart both relieved but honored. "Thanks Sarah and since I have no choice I gladly accept." She laughed and then cleared her throat "One more thing." She pinned her arm around my arm leading me inside the venue leaving me no choice to escape if I wanted to "Brett as in your ex is here I'm so sorry he happens to date my cousin's girlfriend's sister." My heart began to beat harder and faster. "Are you freaking kidding me!" She shook her head nervously "No but listen you look sexy and remember he's a narcissistic control freak and you are doing better make him want you and miss you but do not give in." I sighed and nodded her words repeating in my head. "Okay I got this." She kissed my cheek "Alright I have to greet some guests just remember and come to me for anything!" I nodded and walked away. I looked around taking the view of the place to get rid of the terrible memories of my relationship I locked away. I almost forgot I was in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. It's a beautiful Museum filled with paintings and old art collections. In the center of the building where the party was held was the garden area. I began following the signs and couldn't help but admire the art and artifacts. It's funny Sarah chose this place because we use to come here a lot when we were little. It's not too odd though since she's a middle school history teacher and her husband to be is the art teacher of the same school.
I began walking down a hall accidentally entering a room dimly lit almost as if it's restricted but a statue caught my eye it looked Roman. The statues from those times such of Alexander the Great or any world leaders always fascinated me but this statue was off. I had never seen it and I've practically have this place memorized. The statue reminded me of the statue of David but the eyes looked worried instead of bored. Of course the body was chiseled perfectly with an athletic built exposed veins and muscles. There was a drape that covered his genitals.
"Hey you can't be in here." I jumped as I turned and saw one of the guards with a flashlight pointing at me. "Sorry!" He sighed and waved his flashlight over to himself "the party is down the hall to the right and that will lead you to the garden." I meekly smiled and rushed out of there.
The most notorious thing about this museum was the unfortunate thieving of a few paintings that have never been recovered. So being found in an area I wasn't supposed to be would make me feel like a teenager all over again because the last impression I want to leave in this place is me being a thief I know I sound paranoid but it's a crazy world.

Finally getting to the garden I couldn't help but be in awe of the surroundings the plants the way the moon shone through the glass ceiling above was beautiful. Small tables were placed about. Sarah told me they would only allow drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Waiters walked around with variety of drinks and hors d'oeuvres of the couples favorite. I picked a champagne off a waiters tray and began sipping and looking around.
The party started to fill in and I was talking to a few friends of Sarah and her fiancé Riley. They were all sweet. Riley introduced me to his best friend and best man Jackson "Jackson this is the lovely Elise we've told you about she's Sarah's best friend." I smiled at Riley he was always sweet to me I often considered him an older brother. I held out my hand to Jackson "Nice to meet you." He smiled with pearly straight teeth. "Likewise." He was pretty handsome his hair was blonde and slicked back he smelled good and dressed well, he oozed with confidence almost reminded me of my ex which made me want to keep him at a distance. "So what do you do Elise?" I took a sip of my 3rd glass of champagne before answering "I'm a photographer." He raised his eyebrow "Oh that's nice I've always wanted to take up photography but just don't have the talent." I smiled trying to keep my conversation less intimate "what about you?" "Oh I'm just a art curator at the Museum of Fine arts here in Boston." I smiled and took another sip about to say my exit line to excuse myself but I noticed a pair of familiar brown eyes my ex boyfriend Brett staring at me while his arms wrapped around his date. I casually looked away as if I was looking at the crowd in front of him and then looked back at Jackson slowly bending my leg forward to have it peek out of the slit of my dress and tucked my long brown hair behind my ear and smiled flirtatiously "Any work I may know?" He smiled now that he got my attention "Have you seen the recent Ancient Nubia Now exhibit?" I nodded "Oh yes Sarah dragged me to it, I honestly found it interesting." He smiled. Before I knew it we were in a pretty deep conversation about art and traveling. At first I felt a little guilty for using him as I know Brett was watching me but as we got to know more about each other it was fun and I actually started to find him more attractive. Jackson wasn't an over confident jerk I thought he was , his confidence was more a facade as we got more into our personal lives sharing our guilty pleasures like him hosting dungeon and dragons night with his friends once a week at his house. I giggled as I tried to imagine him hosting one.
"We should have coffee I mean about the wedding if you want and..."
He began to trip over his words and I giggled cutting him off. "I would love that. Let me give you my number." As I said this he ran his hands over his suit. "I think I left it in my coat which I checked in let me get it and I will be right back don't go anywhere." I laughed and raised my champagne glass "I'll be here don't you worry." As he left I couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly happy it was a mixture of the buzz from the alcohol and the great conversation just made me feel like my life won't be bad after all.