Back to LA - Memories

And the story continues on...

We finished lunch at the deli and I suggested to Shiba that we take up our new friend's offer. 
Shiba said: "You kiddin'. Right?"
Me: "No. It's just a friendly drink. What's wrong with that? Just follow me."
Shiba did not persist with any further resistance and followed me as I tried to find the bar Pauli had mentioned. The name was fish-related is all I recalled. Whale Bar? Dolphin Bar? Who knows? Anyhow, we walked into an almost empty restaurant and at the bar, a cute guy, his big blue eyes half-hidden by his blond curls was eying us with a smile. Pauli was nowhere to be seen. So, we walked out in disappointment and walked into the first boutique. Before reaching out for a shirt to try on, Pauli appeared and explained how his friend Captain Chaos had noticed us while he had been to the restroom. And so, we followed him back to the bar.

I was married then and there was no question of adultery. It was the sense of adventure and innocent fun I was after. The new me had begun to form and life had taken on a new role of simply feeling the freedom to be me again; where I had left off before I got married. 

We joined the boys at their table and had a cocktail while we got better acquainted. Pauli was in LA to join his friend Captain Chaos; the midnight radio DJ, to attend the funeral of his angelic teenage goddaughter. They were obviously sad and in need of some good company! They kindly offered to drop us off at our hotel before going their way. We agreed and got into Captain Chaos' run-down, rustic car (and that's an understatement). They drove us through the Bel Air roads, guiding us through the celebrity mansions. As we passed the PlayBoy Mansion of Hugh Hefner, Captain Chaos stopped the car outside the entrance gate where the keys to call the mansion were and rang it, hanging halfway outside his car window. As someone answered the entryphone, we all screamed and made a runner. Laughing our way back to the hotel, the boys were hungry, so we offered them room service in our suite. They gladly accepted no doubt hoping for more than food, and we parked at the drive of the Peninsula, in a run-down car almost falling apart, having left in the morning in a Rolls Royce! With Pauli and the chaotic-looking captain, we handed the keys to the doorman looking rather stunned at our new entourage and entered the reception area.

In the lobby, the grand salon was filled with glamorous ladies having afternoon tea. They looked so picture-perfect, all dressed up in their finest with the absolutely latest Chanel and Hermes bags in abundance. It had the image of a Hollywood movie. However, their glare following us, we walked through the lobby to get to the door leading to the pool. It was most amusing.
Pauli remarked: "Make sure you don't take a match close to anyone here, they'll melt. It's all plastic!"

We walked faster as we reached the gardens and burst into laughter before getting to our 'upgraded suite'. The order of food arrived, starting with one bottle of white wine, then two or was it three? Who was counting. The boys' eyes lit up as I began rolling a joint. After the smoke, Pauli turned into an acrobatics performer and entertained us while we roared with laughter. 
They finally parted later that afternoon and arranged to pick us up in the evening to accompany us to the Blues Bar.

Pauli happened to be a founder member and got us into the VIP. After settling into the lounge chairs, Pauli ordered their famous Mawi Mawi cocktail. Captain Chaos was tired and headed home while we mingled with everyone in the smoking area of the private bar. We spotted Daryl Hannah walk past. As I got better acquainted with a young girl who looked so like Drew Barrymore, we went through one cocktail after another, clicking our glasses to toast: "Mawi... Mawi." Only each time our voices got louder till the manager... Yes, another manager, reprimanded us asking us or more like telling us to keep our voices down! In disbelief, I went to Shiba and said: "Can you believe it, the guy actually came to tell me to keep quiet! How cool is that?"
Shiba asked: "And what did you say?"
Me: "I laughed and asked... You talkin' to me?"
Shiba: "You talkin' to me? Haha."
I then left my friend talking to Pauli and walked to the next room where I could hear a live Latino band playing and a couple of flamenco dancers, performing. A crowd had gathered around them.  

My dancing diva mode on, I barged into the middle of their act and joined them dancing my version of the flamenco, à la Perse! Formidable! Oblivious to whether they were humouring me, they seemed to welcome me into their circle with their smiles. I looked in the crowd and saw my friend Shiba's face watching me in disbelief yet amusement.  

When the gorgeous-looking band of four Latinos finally stopped playing, we began getting acquainted with the musicians and taking photos with them while Shiba pretended we were Vogue Editors from England! Naughty... But definitely fun all around. 
By the time the place closed, we had met most of the staff, musicians and customers.

To celebrate our last morning, we decided to have our last meal by the pool on the rooftop, catching the last rays of the sun. Breakfast consisted of granola topped with yoghurt and fresh fruit of the forest (very LA). As we swam, I put my robe on walking towards the shower room when I saw this gorgeous creature appear full of sweat, in front of me. Of course, I knew that face only too well, but what was his name? Our glances met and like a schoolgirl who's found her first crush, I shied away and walked off. It was after all ten years ago, confident as I may have seemed, there were many insecurities hidden inside. I was, however, for the first time having fun without feeling guilty! Francois' therapy sessions were paying off. I was desperate to find peace and happiness and finally, it was time to do something about it.

As we were getting in the cab, I saw the beau from the pool at the entrance door.
"Look Shiba," I exclaimed, "It's the guy I bumped into this morning. Who's he?"
"You're talkin' to me?" Shiba's memory of names is no better than mine.
However, I overheard the couple passing by mention 'Kevin Bacon'. Yep, it sure was him. He did smile back as we left. Very cute.

And finally, before our departure, we met up with Captain Chaos (CC... that name still makes me smile) and Pauli for sushi downtown. It was just as one would imagine sushi in LA would taste; awesome. When we parted, to head for the airport, CC called me: "Haldita, wait."
He approached me, grabbed hold of me by the waist and gave me a cheeky kiss on the lips, staring at me with his big blue eyes! 

The End