Chapter Text
It was Tuesday night, the rain was pouring down, the darkness having taken over the sky long time ago. In front of the Armani Ristorante two Ferrari cars, one painted in black metallic and the other in matte white, stood parked facing each other, illuminated by the street lights. The view was nothing out of the ordinary giving the restaurant’s usual clientele, but somehow particularly these two cars looked like destined to crash their owners’ lives together.
Inside, the restaurant was buzzing like always. The not-so-small-and-intimate space, filled with chatter and clutter, seemed oblivious to the storm and coldness outside. Warm lights inside made sure to keep the atmosphere cozy and pleasant. Everyone appeared blissfully engaged in conversations with their companion. On the opposite ends of the floor were Carol Ross and Therese Belivet, both accompanied by young, good-looking gentlemen. However, what one would assume to be romantic dinners, were actually business meetings.
Later that night Carol found herself leaning against the outside glass panel utterly spent. With eyes closed and senses concentrated on the monotonous rhythm of the rain, her only movements were periodically bringing a cigarette to her crimson red lips, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. She was not a regular smoker, but after extremely stressful and tiring days something about the nicotine evading her system succeeded in calming her nerves. At those moments one might think her for absolutely disconnected from the real world and time.
The next client to walk out the door was no one else but Therese. Her day having been equally long and full of stress, made her lose no time before starting to rummage through her handbag in order to find the car keys, desperately needed for her finally getting home. She opened her umbrella next, eager to finally put an end to the hell of a day, when suddenly she caught the presence of someone with her peripheral vision.
On a second glance that someone appeared to be a blonde woman in an elegant black suit and killer red high heels. What caught her eyes next was the fact that her lips were perfectly painted in the same red shade. Therese let herself stare and pay closer attention to the details after registering the mysterious woman's eyes were closed. Her blonde hair was shoulder-length and had naturally looking soft waves to it. Her closed eyes revealed a flawless eyeliner, but apart from it and the lipstick, no more makeup appeared visible. When it came to her body it looked no less perfect, even her height was model-like. The woman might as well have just stepped out of a magazine cover. Therese knew she was not so bad herself, but in front of the blonde vision, her guess would be that she looked just ordinary and did not stand a chance. However, something inside her head screamed for her to not miss the chance. Even if she was to be rejected, at least she would have given it a try. After taking a few deep breaths and recomposing herself, she took a step towards the woman.
“Hey there.”
Carol was immediately brought back to the real world by the angelic voice. She opened her eyes slowly as if it was one of the hardest tasks, and turned her head towards the intruder of her little private moment.
As soon as her ice blue eyes came in contact with Therese’s sea green ones, it was like some sort of flame ignited within her body. The previously felt annoyance quickly turned into curiosity. The mysterious woman’s voice was not the only angelic thing about her. Dressed in a matching white suit, her darker hair appeared to be the only contrasting feature.
“Hey yourself.”
“Do you want some company?” Therese decided to be bolder than usual.
“I believe one must be a fool to say no to an offer like this”
“I believe you are right. So are you?” Therese did not know where that sudden confidence had come from but was grateful for it.
Carol was both surprised and impressed by the woman’s boldness. “No..." She smirked in her signature way and added "Not tonight at least.”
“Good. So what are you doing here all by yourself?”
Carol took a deep drag of her cigarette and answered after exhaling the toxic smoke. “It’s hard to find good company these days… and I’m comfortable enough in my own.”
“I see... And may I ask for your name?”
At work and for everyone outside her circle of close friends and family Carol Ross was well recognisable name. However, sometimes like this one when she did not want to be the Carol Ross, her answer would be just
“Carol.”
Therese’s situation was the same.
“Nice to meet you, Carol. My name is Therese.”
“Therese… what a beautiful name, just like its owner.”
“Thank you.” Therese’s cheeks became a nice shade of pink. “So, can I have a cigarette, Carol?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t have any, someone gave this one to me.” Carol glanced at her burned out cigarette and went to throw it. “I don’t usually smoke.”
“Me neither.” Therese felt chills running through her body, probably caused by the recent lack of decent sleep and the current stormy weather. “Carol, I think I’ll call it a night. Did you drive here?”
“Yes?” The answer came formed as a question.
“Would you like me to escort you to your car then? I see you don’t have an umbrella and the rain does not look like stopping anytime soon.”
“Yes, I would like that very much. Thank you, Therese.” And they both started taking considerably small steps in order to avoid damages to their shoes and clothes as much as possible. “It’s a short walk. The black Ferrari in front is mine.”
Therese decided not to mention that the white one was hers. She just complimented the blonde’s vehicle, which earned her a smile in return.
Once beside the car, Carol unlocked it and Therese opened the driver’s door for her to slip in.
“Why, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It was nice meeting you, Carol.” With that Therese gave one of her most charming smiles and turned around to take the few steps towards her own Ferrari, unlocking it in the mean time. She got inside and ignited the engine, making sure to produce an extra sound. The headlights illuminated Carol’s car with a stunned but smirking Carol inside. Therese was the one to take off first.
Carol Ross arrived at home as fast as usual. Her car of choice was not random nor a trophy showcasing wealthiness. One of the blonde's guilty pleasures was driving fast, gliding through the city streets, the world around turning into a blur.
Home in her case meant an apartment in The Woolworth Tower, Tribeca. The interior was sophisticated and dramatic. All of the rooms except one were covered in dark wood with hidden sources of light, making the atmosphere extremely intimate and cozy. The one exception was her bedroom. It contrasted to the whole picture being exactly the opposite of all other rooms. The walls were very pale greyish colour and the floor was white wood. The whole place was luxuriously decorated, but nothing being too much or looking out of place. Carol’s favourite feature of the apartment was the breathtaking view of the never sleeping city it offered. However, even though the apartment looked like out of a magazine, very few people have had the pleasure to set foot in it for Carol treasured it and the granted privacy. She was a top lawyer and a top law firm owner which meant that her work tended to follow her everywhere and take up most of her time, but at home she had the privilege to be away from clients, other lawyers, judges and everything connected to her career.
Carol’s night routine included taking a shower or a bath first thing after getting through the door. Tonight she opted for a shower due to the high probability of falling asleep in the bathtub.
After trying to wash the stress away for solid half an hour, she eventually gave up and went to dry herself. The inside temperature had nothing to do with the outside one so she was able to put on nothing more than a thong.
Once under the sheets her mind drifted away. First it recalled the events of the day. She had a nasty case going on and that day’s hearing in the court had went against her client. The judge seemed to be supporting the opposite side, so she was going to need to work harder on her arguments. On top of that the internet magnate William Stevens who has been loyal to her firm for five years now insisted on having dinner this particular night and she was left with no choice. Then she suddenly became grateful for the dinner, or the person to whom that dinner led her. Therese. What a strange woman. And she eventually drifted to sleep thinking about the angelic creature she met that night.