Performance (2)

Anai'ya washed her hands looking at herself in the mirror.

She looked at her reflection and frowned. She had a pretty face compliments of her parents but all she really saw when she looked at herself was the wickedness beneath her exterior. Her face was a mask to her, deceiving everyone around her.

Tending to always think of negative things by default looked down. Closing her eyes and breathing in twice. Constantly plagued with such thoughts even when she was out to have fun she'd always have moments like these.

She sighed and shook off the dark thoughts. 'You're out with friends, forget everything else and just relax. You can go back to brooding tomorrow' she told herself.

Drying her hands she opened the door and stepped out.

A cloud of smoke attacked her senses, the smell of nicotine wafted into her nostrils making her slightly lick her lips. She could taste the nicotine in the air and her mild addiction started to act up.

She looked over and saw a tall shadow leaning against the wall. She couldn't make out the features of the person but she could tell it was a man at least 6'1 with a broad build. The lighting in the hall leading back to the lounge was very dim, obstructing the man's face.

"You got another one?" She asked as she approached him staying a respectable distance away leaning sideways on the wall facing him.

The man extended the box of cigarettes out and a lighter.

"Thanks," she said, taking one and lighting it. She turned her body to have her back fully against the wall.

Relishing the taste she inhaled and exhaled letting the cigarette calm her mind. She closed her eyes.

Both of them stood there in silence leaning on the wall smoking, both in their own thoughts.

She didn't bother to ask his name or introduce herself but she somehow felt comfortable like this.

Two strangers sharing silence.

The man had stood on alert the moment she came out. The dim lights hid her face but he could see her eyes glowing when she looked over at him. A cloud of smoke had gathered in the hallway but those golden eyes showed regardless of the bad lighting and smoke clouds.

His breath hitched when he felt her eyes look straight at him. The intensity of her stare made his heart skip a beat. When she walked over he could faintly make out the expression on her face. A dark cloud seemed to encompass her, there was no smile on her face but her eyes flickered in desire when she inhaled the smoke.

Then he heard her voice, it was smooth and even rich like chocolate. It wasn't deep or high and girly it was just right. He could see her lips move exposing her white teeth as she leaned sideways on the wall never looking away from him.

She had asked for a cigarette but he didn't know what happened to his voice. He couldn't respond verbally so he just held out the box and his lighter.

He watched her light it, watching her inhale and exhale slowly as if she was relishing the taste. Her eyes closed and her head leaned back on the wall.

She seemed to be lost in her thoughts. He didn't want to bother her or break the comfortable silence so he just watched her.

Standing near her like this gave him a sense of calmness he had never felt before, he decided to just enjoy it, not bothering to speak.

They stood like this until she finished smoking, she licked her lips.

"Thanks again" she said as she started to walk back to the lounge throwing the cigarette butt in the garbage. She never looked back to the man.

He watched her walk away and a small smile formed on his lips when he looked down he realized she didn't return his lighter.

Backstage Nadia was doing some quick vocal exercises to warm up. Madam came in and let her know that whenever she was ready the stage was open and piano prepared.

Nadia nodded and stood up. She gave herself one last glance, smiling in satisfaction she headed out and towards the stage. She asked the stagehand to lower the lights and do a dim spotlight on her when she walked out and played.

She heard Madam telling the audience that the performance was about to start. She mentally prepared herself and waited for the lights to lower.

"I am pleased to introduce Nadia Skyes. Let's give her a warm welcome" Madam said onstage.

A round of applause was heard when the audience heard Nadia's name. Most of them were familiar with her name since she was a supermodel.