the night belongs to her.
[ having arrived in NYC, nothing but the BEST would do. and given her target, her PREY, it only made sense to follow in the path that he was connected to. The Parthenon, a luxury jewel in the hospitality as well as the entertainment industry. It would suffice.
]
[ She arrived, with several doorman struggling behind her, carrying her luggage. checking in, she presented herself with a cool, icy, polished demeanor. speaking with clarity and a professional edge. she presented the intimidated guest service attendant with a platinum card, it identified her as the newest "high roller" of the hotel. she walks with confidence and pose, jimmy choo stillettos carry her with the grace of a super model and she regards those around her with elegant disdain as she repaired to her diamond presidential suite.]
[ the hotel had been abuzz about her. she was very polite, but not without a tone of disdain about her. they couldnt tell if she was "old" money or "new" money...some THOUGHT they recognized her face from somewhere, but only the jet set could possibly have seen her on the french riviera, monte carlo or some other glamorous, far away place.]
[ after several days of private hob knobs and business inquiries, the mysterious woman had been a fixture at some high profile events including an album listening party for Madonna's "Hard Candy", a fund raiser for an overseas AIDS charity AND a stop at XS where mingled with the likes of Diddy, Donald Trump etc. WHO WAS SHE? was what so many people asked. She interacted with them as though she'd been BORN into their realm but no one could really place her!]
[ tonight it wouldnt matter, she would "ARRIVE", although it would be a small "intimate" affair more to her liking, performing with a noted jazz pianist with live accompaniment from strings and precussion as she gave an elegant, yet sexy and sultry performance in the Moonlight Lounge of the Parthenon. This was clearly NOT designed for the "bling" crowd, although a few music moguls with more diverse tastes like L.A. Ried , Jill Scott and Diddy were in attendance...other celebs in attendance included
Diahann Carroll and many more. ]
Announcer: Ladies and Gentleman, it is with great pleasure that i welcome you to this evening's event, a night of smooth music, sultry sounds and a comfortable intimate setting, as decreed by our woman of the evening. Without any further delay, I give you, Ms. Dominique Deveraux!
[ the lights dim and the applause quiets and soon is silent, as the pianist begins to play, before being backed by the rest of the set. Dominique steps forward as the light shifts to herald her arrival onto the center stage. the statuesque women is drapped in a figure flattering gown designed by Carolina Herrera, her hair pulled back into a sleek, glossed bun and her make up is flawless, with special care paid to her eyes, those striking blue eyes accented by the smokey eye make up.]
[ she opens her performance with a tender, yet feeling cover of
Vanessa L. Williams' (
) hit classic
Just for tonight. she moves out onto the catwalk from the center circular stage, reaching out to the audience, as she soothes them with her bell like purity in voice.]
[ as she finishes and pulls back, the audience respondes with a strong applause, whistles and cheers. the announcer mustve anticipated Dominique trying to leave because he implored her for one more song....as the audience signals its agreement with the announcer, there is more than a delayed response from Dominique as she turns and sees a woman in white among the crowd....sitting further back, at a table by herself. the woman looks on knowingly, as if she's making direct, personal EYE CONTACT. and WHO IS SHE? the woman in white is clapping as well...]
[ after a few moments, and inspite of a mild flash of irritation, Dominique returns to the center stage and she obliged. she appeared on the stage, sitting/drapped over the piano with poise and confidence as the lights dimmed and the clapping ceased. the lighting then shifts to draw the right attention to her. she looks up. her sparkling blue eyes are enchanting and as holds the mic like it was her talisman, she opens her mouth and begins to captivate the crowd with her voice. beautifull sultry voice with clarity and a lilt yet there was seasoned strength behind it as she does a soulfull and loyal cover of
Chaka Khan's End of a love affair. as the song progresses, she slides off of the piano and moves around the stage, which is in the center of the lounge and slowly revolves, allowing her to address and "make love" to every part of her audience. the right moves, the right turns, a gesture here and there. the song builds, as does her voice as she stands tall and tilts her head back. Backed by her pianist and other live backers, She takes the audience on a journey and anyone who has ever known love and lost it ...can FEEL it , some women (and perhaps a few men) feel misty eyed from nostalgia of lost loves. as the song winds down and comes to a close...she holds the ending note , bows her head and the lights fade to black around her.]
[ and with that, Dominique has completed her set, leaving the crowd wanting more, as she does with most that she deals with. She's gone, leaving the a listers to hob knob in the crystal room or the moonlight lounge of the parthenon. the bubbly flows, the evening carries on...with more buzz...and among other things...everyone asking "WHO IS SHE?"]
[ well there's ONE person who will soon find out...much to his PAINFULL regret.]
