Introducing Giselle

Rain pounded on the roof of the old bed and breakfast in the mountains of Bisbee, Arizona. In the air was a constant, warm humidity, cooled slightly by a subtle breeze and raucous thunderstorm. The large building was easily over one hundred years old but maintained an elegance and charm suitable for the tastes of any guest. Though charming, five years ago the building could have been described as anything other than what it's current appearance suggested. The overactive imaginations of many guests could swear echoes of the past still flitted around at night. The owner had tried to influence people into forgetting about the building's unfortunate past. However, continuing odd occurrences made forgetting quite impossible.

A sound of spattering droplets above the heads of the guests only slightly impaired the ability to converse. Though it had begun to rain only twenty minutes after the party started, Giselle could not have been more delighted with the events the night had presented her. Giselle's dark eyes sparkled with mischief as she playfully shouldered Ifechi's arm. She could feel his strong muscular physique under his tight cotton white shirt as she flirtatiously bumped him for telling a bad joke. The party smelled of booze and women's perfume. She inched closer to him on the faded green velvet couch, taking in the masculine cologne emanating from his warm body. The contrast of the white shirt against his swarthy skin was startling.

"Giselle," he spoke in a deep voice with a heavy Nigerian accent, "you have the most captivating eyes. Would you stop me if I tried to kiss you?"

A slow seductive smile played across her glossed lips and she narrowed her eyes, drawing attention to her long dark eyelashes. Before Giselle had a chance to reply, Robin none-too-gracefully wedged herself between the two people.

"Hi!" She exclaimed, cheerily swinging an arm around the shoulders of each person. "Whatcha doin?" Her sun-kissed acorn colored hair flung itself wherever it pleased, carefree waves tossed in every direction.

Ifechi cast an irritated glance toward Giselle.

"I will call you." He said with a meaningful look. As he stood and walked toward the exit, Giselle huffily rounded on Robin.

"Really?" She said flatly. "Remind me never to invite you to a college party again."

Robin blinked innocently and pecked Gisele on the cheek in a sisterly fashion.

"You can do so much better than him, Zella."

"That's what you always say. By your standards, the perfect person for me would have to be a saint.

"I just feel like there is no one good enough for you," Robin stated fondly. "A saint might be ok though."

Giselle rolled her eyes with a smile and said in a low tone, "I don't want a saint, Robby. I'll keep my eyes out for any available monks for you though."

Giselle got up from the velvet couch and winked at Robbin.

"Enjoy yourself and try not to scare off my handsome, young suitors."