La Vie en Rose

I could feel his eyes on me from across the smoky cafe. Even with the distractions from the captive audience spread out in front of me, the lights that blinded me intermittently, and the musical accompaniment from the house band, his rapt attention was still of the utmost intesity.

“He’ll build a little home that’s meant for two,” I crooned the melody, letting my fingertips graze Jessie, my piano man's, shoulder. He smiled up at me, his fingers dancing lightly over the ivory keys. “From which I’ll never roam; who would? Would you?”

I paused for dramatic effect, spun around and sat right next to Jessie. I crossed my legs, simultaneously showing off the dangerous slit in my red gown and exposing a great deal of my right thigh. “And so all else above, I’m waiting for the man…I…love.”

Applause commenced as I mounted the microphone on Jessie’s stand so he could continue his set. I made my way through the tables, graciously smiling whilst receiving accolades on my rendition of the beloved song.

It was then that my gaze zeroed in on the perfect specimen. His companion was every bit the epitome of a blonde bombshell; pins curls and rouge, perfect porcelain skin, and an appropriate blue pleated dress that matched her eyes. That didn’t deter me in the least as I sauntered over to the table.

"Hiya, soldier. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"I didn’t break the intense stare of the man in uniform, as his eyes drank me in slowly.

“Umm, you were really wonderful up there,” the meek, mild-tempered voice at my side spoke up. I tossed a coy smile at the young woman, realizing she was out of her depth.

“Thanks, dollface. Why don’t you skedaddle and let me show my appreciation to this patriot? Your tab is on me."

“Oh, gee…I suppose-“

“Here, why don’t you grab yourself a cab? I’d hate for you to have to walk home alone.” I stressed the last word as I fished a few francs, tucked safely in my brassiere, out and handed them to the young lady. “Be careful; it’s getting awful late.”

She rose, cheeks burning, and bid us a shaky adieu. I didn’t have time to worry about her injured feelings. I nodded at one of the security goons the establishment employed, indicating he was to escort the young lady safely into a taxi. He caught the gesture and followed suite.

Remaining on my feet, I extended my neatly manicured hand to the seated soldier. “Fancy a dance?”

“I reckon you’re the best dancer this place has ever seen, and I’ve been cursed with two left feet.” There was a boyish quality to his smile that I found irresistibly charming.

“A well lubricated man moves a lot smoother with less intent,” I replied saucily as he rose, towering over me with all 6’2 of his manly frame. “Let’s get you a drink, first.”

He offered his arm and I took it, walking towards the bar. “How’d you know I was underwhelmed by my date?”

“Were you? I hadn’t noticed. All I saw were your ocean eyes.”

“I couldn’t take them off you,” he shot back smoothly.

“Doesn’t bother you that I’m a stronger cup of coffee than you may be used to, sugar?”

“Only color I noticed was your red dress. And now, up close, your beautiful, green eyes.”

Good answer, I thought to myself. It was a progressive man, indeed, who could look past my brown skin in this day and age. Even if we were in France and the entire world was on fire.

“So, first date?"

“We met at a USO mixer. I mentioned I liked jazz, she recommended this place…and subsequently invited herself.”

“A girl who goes after what she wants. I like her."

“Not enough to refrain from sending her packing.”

“Touché. Did I stand in the way of true love?" I gazed up at him through lowered lashes.

The strong man slipped his right arm around my waist and pulled me closer, his hand resting on the small of my back. “She was a nice girl. I prefer grown women."

I knew we were being watched, but I barely even noticed when the bartender brought over two glasses full of a rich, red liquid.

“Your favorite red, doll. Mr. B insists you and your soldier have one on the house.”

My eyes lit up immediately. “This is one of the richest merlots I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting,” I told my companion. “And that’s heavy handed, considering we are in France.”

He let go of me to take the glass I handed him. He stared into his reflection for a moment as I took my first sip of the fruit infused delight, noting the oaky highlights and hint of spice.

"I don't know much about wine," he admitted with a wry smile, swirling the dark beverage around.

"Trust me, handsome," I goaded him, smiling sweetly as he gave in.

"It's divine isn't it?" I laughed as his eyes widened.

"Indeed. I think it calls for a toast."

"What shall we toast to?" I raised my left eyebrow as well as my glass.

"A magical night in Paris, with the most beautiful woman on the Thames, who introduced me to a divine merlot."

A blush warmed my dimpled cheeks as we clinked glasses. "You're far too kind."

We finished off our first glasses, exchanging whispers and laughter as if we'd known each other longer than a night. By our second, we gazed into each other's eyes like predestined lovers. While I polished off my third glass, he tried to take his time and maintain his gentlemanly demeanor. I destroyed that reticence by placing two fingers underneath his glass as he drank, applying pressure upwards so he'd drain the rest of the wine.

"You're something else," he told me placing the empty crystal ware on the bar.

"Darling, you have no idea," I replied leading him to the dance floor.

I felt every pair of eyes on us. Whether it was because we were a mixed couple or because we were two beautiful people basking in each other, it mattered not. I motioned to Jessie, catching his eye and signaling to play something with a slower tempo.

“Alright, dolls and gents, we’re going to play a little ditty known to the regulars. In honor of our dazzling lady in red, this is La Vie en Rose.”

As the band started up and the music swelled, the handsome man spun me around into his embrace deftly. His strong arms wrapped around my waist as I reached up and placed my hands on his broad shoulders.

"Where have you been all my life?" I could feel the vibration of his deep voice through his chest.

"Closer than you think, gorgeous." I slid my hands up to gently let my fingertips graze the nape of his neck.

He stared down at me as if I was the 8th wonder of the world. The tenderness in his eyes literally left me breathless. It was like someone was deflating the oxygen from my lungs and reinflating them with a hallucinogen. All the color drained from my surroundings and everything was 2 dimensional. Everything... except him. He was the only true form, and his stormy, blue eyes the only brilliant color in the world. I doubted there was a lifeboat equipped to save me from drowning in his eyes, so I tried focusing on his lips. Pink the color perfectly ripened grapefruit flooded my vision, literally making my mouth water. I gently tugged on his neck and he followed the unspoken direction; leaning in until our foreheads were touching and our eyes locked in on each other. And then I began to sang.

"When you speak, angels sing from above. Everyday words seem to turn into love songs. So...give your heart and soul to me, and life will always be-"

"La vie en Rose," he whispered the last words as I finished singing the French lyrics.

We were transfixed in the moment, so much so that we didn't notice when someone approached.

"Time to wrap it up," a gruff voice interrupted us. "Mr. B's orders."

"Ok, Seb," I replied to the surly, self-appointed, buzzkill. His impatience was palpable as he ran his fingers through his shaggy hair.

"C'mon soldier, let's get you a ride. I have to help close up."

"I can wait," my companion replied hopefully, asking with his eyes for me to leave with him.

"Out of all the bars in all the world," I stroked the side of his face with a soft smile. "Alas, I fear this is one of those moments."

"What moments?"

Interlacing my fingers with his, I led him towards the door as I wove a bittersweet tale for him.

"A moment so perfect, it should be memorialized. No names, no expectations. One night in Paris, a singer and a soldier met. They drank wine, they danced, and the entire world fell away for a few precious moments. And though he had to go off and save the world, leaving her behind-"

"They knew that, if only for a night, it was love," he cut me off.

We had made our way to the sidewalk, a cab already out front idling. The stars were plentiful and somehow twinkling bigger and brighter than ever before. The man in uniform faced me, taking both my hands in his and placing light kisses on each. My pulse quickened and I could feel my temperature rise.

"It was love."

He opened the door to the cab and climbed in, not noticing when I pulled a small, folded piece of paper out the top of my dress. I waited until he closed the door to tap on the window, so he'd know to roll it down.

"I forgot there's only one way to end a perfect love story."

"Happily ever after?" He asked, chuckling softly.

"No."

I tossed the folded note into his lap, and he picked it up. He noticed his name scrawled across the front, and turned his questioning gaze on me. It was right as I leaned in through the window and grabbed his tie pulling him closer.

"With a kiss." I covered his lips with mine. He barely had time to struggle as he quickly slipped into an unconscious state. I disengaged and leaned his limp body back against the seat.

The cab driver peered at me as I wiped the smudge from below my bottom lip and stepped back. "You know where to take him," I instructed.

I felt a strong hand wrap around my arm and spin me around. That intense, brooding gaze that had been on me all night now had something extra lingering. Something resembling jealousy.

"You kissed your mark?"

"Get the hell off of me," I gave him a hard shove, stumbling a bit myself.

"That wasn't part of the plan."

"I'm your superior. I make the plans."

"Whatever," he grumbled. "He'll be dead soon, anyway. That poison you gave him only takes an hour to activate. Did you get the information?"

"No. I gave him information." I was struggling to focus my steadily blurry line of vision.

"What the hell are you talking about? He was already unconscious!" This time Seb yanked me towards him, the leather of his jacket feeling like butter melting against my skin. "Talk!"

"That's what knock out lipstick does, genius," my words were beginning to slur and my knees getting weaker. For the first time, perhaps ever, I saw panic and worry in his eyes. "By the way...I think the powder kicks in much sooner."

He sounded a million miles away as he screamed for help, and I felt his strong embrace scoop me up and cradle me in his arms. I knew he was saying my name but I couldn't hear it, his cold gray eyes the last thing I saw before the world went dark.