Chapter 4

The ride from the penthouse to Four Seasons took 10 minutes with traffic.  When we arrived I stepped out of the car after Stella.  We walked up the stone stairs and into the marble lobby of the hotel.  "Name please," a girl in a tight black dress suit says.  "DuPont plus 1," Stella calmly says.  "Go ahead," the girl motions towards the door.  

Stella can definitely tell I'm nervous as heck.  "Calm down Chlo, you look great.  Just be calm and cool and Charlotte will hopefully, hopefully accept you."  Or else my life is over, she mutters under her breath.

We walk into a huge ballroom and see hundreds of gorgeous girls and hot guys walking around in black and white and sipping virgin drinks.  I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable here....

"Stella!"  A high-pitched voice calls.  A bubbly blonde girl rushes over to us and air kisses Stella on both cheeks.  "Hey Remy!" Stella says.  "Ehmagawd, looking fab!"  "Same, loooove the MJ, new right?"  Remy flips her hair and looks at Stella.  "Awf course," she says.  "Is Char here?" 

"Yeah, she's over there flirting with some hot guys from Harrisons," she says.  "Let's go over," Stella says.  They start to walk over and I follow.  How could she not notice me standing here??

"Charlotte," Stella says.  "Love the Chanel, so hawt."  Charlotte air kisses both girls.  "You look great too."  She glances at me.  "Who's that?"  

"Oh, that's my cousin Chloe, Char.  She's living with us for a little bit, remember?"  

"Hi," I say.  "My name's Chloe Brooks.  Nice to meet you."

"Uh-huh,"  Charlotte says and looks away.  

"Cute dress," I say.

Charlotte looks at me. 

"Drinks anyone?"  A cute waiter comes over with a tray of virgin champagne.  I take a thin glass and sip.  Stella takes one as well, the other two girls are already sipping them.

"So Chloe, where are you from?"  Charlotte flips her hair.

"San Francisco," I reply.  "Pacific Heights," I add in case that helps, but it doesn't seem to.

"So why are you here again?" She asks.  "The last thing I need is another follower."  The other girls laugh.

"I'm a model," I say, hoping to impress them.  "I did some shoots for Hollister in California but I wanted to come to New York to do some more."

Charlotte tries not to look impressed but I can tell she is.  

"A model?"  She says.  "Wow."

"Yup," I say.  At that moment, a few hot guys come up to us.  I recognize one of them, Hottie #1 a.ka. Riley.

"Hey girls," Riley says.  He goes up to Charlotte, slides his hands around her thin waist, and gives her a wet kiss.  

"Hey sexy," she says.

Riley's dating her?!??!?!?!

"Stella, is that your cousin?" Riley says astounded.

"That would be her," Stella says smiling.  I can tell she's happy her plan is working.

"Hey pretty lady," he says coming over to me.  His line is cheesy but he's sooo cute!

"Hi," I say, my cheeks turning the color of raspberry sorbet.

Charlotte looks like she's about to stab me.

"Anybody want to get some food?" I ask trying to start a conversation.  

Charlotte shrugs.  "Whatever," she says and starts to walk towards the food, Riley's hand around her waist.  

The rest follows--Me, Stella, Annie, Remy, and some other guys.  I grab a small roastbeef sandwich and some caeser salad.  We sit down at a circular table, I sit between Stella and Riley.

"Aren't you glad I bought you new clothes?" Stella whispers in my ear looking at Riley.

"Toh-tally!  I so owe you.  Riley is sooo hot!"

"Yup," Stella says.  "I dated him last year for a bit.  He's like an amazing kisser."

"Do you have a boyfriend Stell?" I ask

"Nahh.  But i've got my eye on some."  She takes a sip of her "champagne."

The night flies by, I had a lot of fun and talked to a lot of people.  I don't think Charlotte likes me yet, but oh well.  Riley and I talked, and Charlotte looked really pissed.  Too bad, he's mine cuz!!  When we left Riley gave me a hug and we exchanged phone numbers.

Faa-bulous night!!