AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Tuesday November 14^th, 2000
Tiffany hit the button on the remote and took a bite of her pizza.  She had spent the entire day in her apartment on the phone responding to advertisements in the newspaper trying to find a job.  A few of the party planning businesses had shown some interest.
She glanced quickly towards the television when she heard the reporter's voice say, "Everyone's here at the Grand opening party for Manhattan Gold International tonight".  The cameras showed the entrance to Amir's new celebrity spa with red carpet on the sidewalk leading to the heavy glass doors.
"Who have you seen come in?"
"We've seen the mayor, Mr. Trump, and several senators.  The last movie star to come by was Blake Drew," the newsman said smiling as he held his microphone.
"Yes we could hear the women scream all the way back here in the studio when Blake Drew came in," the anchor woman in the studio laughed.
"We'll check back with you again in a few minutes.  Now to Hollywood and the other parties on the west coast," the newswoman said. 
Tiffany put down her pizza and wiped the tears from her cheek.  She had been so burdened with looking for a job that she had almost forgotten that tonight was Amir's opening party for Manhattan Gold International.  She should have been at the party tonight.  If Clark hadn't fired her she would have been there.  She wondered why Amir hadn't called her.  Tonight was his party, surely he had come home from his island to attend his own opening party.  She wondered if she had been too hard on him when he called her from his island.  How could he expect her not to be angry when she found out that he had a sick wife on his island?  He should have told her that he was married.  The last time she talked to him, he had said he would explain everything.  He said that he loved her.  He said that his wife had been in a coma for years and that's why he hadn't told her he was married.  Of course he had rushed home to be with his sick wife.  But maybe his wife wasn't in a coma anymore.  Maybe that's why he hadn't called her.  Her heart felt heavy with pain.  How could Amir be in New York tonight and not have called her.
She jumped when the telephone rang beside her, hoping it was Amir.  She quickly grabbed the phone.
"Hello".
"Tiffany"
"Yeah"
"It's Laney," the young model said into the phone.
"Laney hi.  Where are you?"
"I'm at Manhattan Gold, the big opening party for the spa. You should come over."
"I can't Laney.  I was fired."
"I know but I can get you in."
"Who are you with?"
"The old man….Stanley. But he's busy with his senators…come on over you should see all the good looking rich men."
"Have you seen Amir?"
"No.  He's not here yet.  If you come over then you could see him when he comes in," Laney said.  Even though Tiffany had never admitted to being in love with Amir, she could read between the lines.
"No.  I can't do that.  It wouldn't be right.  Besides I'm not dressed or anything," Tiffany said staring at the chipped polish on her nails.
"Okay.  Just thought I'd call and see.  It's packed here.  The snake woman is here too," Laney said referring to Stanley's daughter, Jan Morgan that was close to her own age.
"I really wouldn't want to see her.  Thanks for inviting me though"; Tiffany said.  The thought of Jan disgusted her after she had gotten her fired and tried so many times to break up her romance with Amir.   
"Sure.  I'll talk to you tomorrow.  Got to go! Blake Drew just walked by!  Blake Blake!"  Laney said excitedly before hanging up the phone.
Tiffany hung up the phone smiling as she visualized Laney and the extent she might go to get the attention of the young movie star.  She turned the volume up on the television quickly when she saw Amir walking up the red carpet towards the entrance of Manhattan Gold International with an attractive healthy looking young woman beside him.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.