Walkingthe rest of the red carpet up to the building seemed like something out of a dream. They met up with a few people, other players, and she was introduced to a few of their spouses. Steffiwas almost relieved to see that her dress, while plain black and sleek compared to the others, looked almost comfortable. One woman was wearing an encrusted gown with a weird arch from her shoulder blade that went over her head. How she was going to sit, dance, or move around – Steffi wasn’t sure. Everyone was dressed formally, so many designer gowns, so much pomp and flair, it was staggering.
Entering the main ballroom, Steffi discovered there would be an auction tonight for charity and realized that was what Drake meant about ‘spending some money’. She walked slowly, gazing at the tables and marveling at the luxurious gowns, elaborate hair-dos, and the pageantry of it all – until she heard Drake make a small noise. Her head turned sharply toward him in alarm, and she saw him frowning.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dang it, they put my favorite glove at the front of the auction.”
“You donated a glove? Was it signed?”
“Forget the signature – it’s my favorite,” he looked so discouraged, so upset, that she couldn’t help but chuckle softly at him. He looked so gorgeous in his tuxedo, and this whole event felt like something straight out of a fairy tale. Her husband let out a whine – and actually stomped one of his feet.
“Drake…”
“I donated it – and now I want it back,” he grumbled, making her laugh at the frustration he was barely containing. “You don’t understand, it’s perfectly broken-in and I don’t even like my new glove.”
“I’m sure your new glove will be just fine – eventually.”
“I was gonna bid on my glove…”
“So bid on it.”
“It’s at the front – which means they're expecting top dollar.”
“Okay, Mr. Egotistical – do you really think your glove is gonna command top dollar?” she mocked, taunting him. He turned slowly, looked at her, and then marched forward toward the glove that was waiting, poised, under a snazzy-looking glass display case complete with a gold badge on the front. “Drake! Drake, wait a second…” she began, rushing after him just as he yanked up the glass, lifted the glove that he claimed was his – and licked the palm of the filthy leather mitt. The hum of activity died around them as everyone turned to stare.
Her husband didn’t miss a beat.
“I licked it – so it’s mine.”
“Oh my gosh,” Steffi muttered audibly, putting her hand on her forehead as the room exploded in laughter and the cameras began flashing. Her beloved husband looked so distraught, so frustrated, that she rushed to his side.
“Don’t they know I’m serious? Why are they laughing? It’s mine. It was mine, and I want it back - so I licked it. Rules of the house, yo…”
“I don’t think it works like that, Drake.”
“It works like that everywhere.”
“Not here,” she hissed under her breath, pulling the glove from his hands and giving it to the team of security people that were suddenly surrounding them. “You probably just drove up the cost with that saliva sample. I hope they don’t clone you…”
“I’m one of a kind,” he boasted, making her laugh as they walked away toward their table for the evening.
“That you are, my Darling Weirdo.”
Two hours later,Steffi was done.
The event was dragging on, the courses had been served with giant silver cloche domes, and then yoinked away before she was finished as the first guest speaker got up to talk. The auction hadn’t even started yet, and people were starting to get restless – including her.
She had to use the bathroom.
“Excuse me,” she whispered to Drake who looked like he was ready to nod off. “I’m dying the slowest death possible, and I’ve got to stretch my legs, or I’ll pass out. Which way is the bathroom?”
“By the entrance – and I understand what you mean. Want me to walk you there?”
“Oh, I’ve got it – you stay here and enjoy…that,” she whispered, gesturing as another speaker rose to the stage. Making her escape, she quickly navigated through the tables, needing a moment to break up the monotony of the evening, and idly wondered how long they would be there tonight. As she entered the stunning restroom, she was shocked to see an attendant waiting with a tray of perfumes, hair spray, different toiletries, and chewing gum. Nodding, she smiled – and disappeared in one of the stalls before a second problem hit her.
How was she going to do this?
Several moments later, contorting her body, stretching the seams of her gown, and hovering indelicately… she finally had finished her business and righted her outfit. Leaving the stall, she realized that with the attendant there, she had an audience of one.