The more or less professional conversation between Steven and Mary was slowly blossoming into a friendly – almost affectionate – talk about life, Steven’s choice of becoming a publisher and Mary’s love for literature. A stranger, who might have been watching them, would probably have said that this could be the beginning of a great love story – the stuff that Hollywood was made of. Steven truly enjoyed Mary’s intelligent and deep remarks that she – at times – accentuated with her dry sense of humor. And Mary felt at ease in Steven’s presence. Finally a man who was interested in books, in poetry, in the written word… It seemed like fate that she had ended up sitting next to the publisher of the author whose reading she had so looked forward to. Fate – that this man didn’t seem to notice her shyness and inexperience with men and other people in general.
They were so engaged in their budding talk and themselves that Mary almost jumped out of her skin when they were interrupted by the star of the evening, Marc Jacobs. Marc was accompanied by a stunning Hispanic-looking beauty, whom he introduced as Susan Fernandez. This Hispanic goddess immediately took over the talking-part and both men lost themselves in her dark brown eyes. Mary stood there – unsure of herself – feeling less comfortable by the minute. She didn’t know what to contribute to this meaningless chat, what to say, how to sound sophisticated. These people were high-fashion. She didn’t belong here, didn’t fit in, couldn’t stay – so she left. – Without saying a word and without anyone noticing.
As if Mary was never part of his evening, Steven was totally wrapped in Susan’s eyes and was hanging on every shallow word she was saying. Susan knew how to play with men. She knew which buttons to push to get just what she wanted. And Steven was just like any other guy she had ever dated. – So wealthy, so predictable. Just bat your eyes a little, show a little more cleavage than appropriate, tell them how great they are and then – they were all hers. They always were. And Steven and Marc were no different. Why was it that men always looked into her eyes but never into her heart? Why couldn’t she pass for the person she desperately wanted to be?
Blinded by Susan’s brown eyes and red lips, light-brown-haired Steven, a hunk with his muscular, though short physique, could hardly contain his desire. He wanted Susan so badly that he didn’t notice how her attention started to shift, when Hollywood’s rising blonde star, Hugh, arrived. Although Susan almost instantly went from admiring Steven to openly flirting with Hugh, Steven felt a great lost, when Susan – absent-minded – said her good-byes to Marc and Steven only to disappear in a black limousine. Steven stood in the middle of the still crowded conference room and felt like a lost puppy. What had just happened? How did this just happen? He was so used to getting his way with the ladies that he did not see this turn coming.
Now he felt lost at his own public event. He felt out of place. Just – just – just like Mary had felt. Mary – who had been so refreshing genuine… Steven, feeling ashamed of himself, took his coat and hat and left.
