That was 23rd December, I still had to settle her Christmas present and she had to settle mine. We met at Orchard, where I headed to Tangs to pick out the it's-so-Aviel (as said by a few people, I'm still dumbfounded by that knowing expression of exasperation in their face when I pointed the object-of-concern) black long sleeve motif Italian made shirt that I already had my eyes on the past week. Jane kindly offered to sponsor almost 40% of the shirt's cost as a marriage of my birthday and christmas present.
My present settled, we moved on to hers. Running around Topshop and BYSI, she ran against the inevitable store closing hours, hurriedly pushing through hangers of glittery clothes and asking me what I thought (it really didn't matter and was a clear example why guys feel they are redundant when shopping with the fairer sex, save for the credit card or in my case the mouldy 10 year old POSB card in my smelly wallet).
We didn't find any garment that fit her taste and budget so we walked hand-in hand to the Meritus Mandarin where she had already checked in, in the afternoon.
After exchanging dazzling smiles and waves with her entourage whom were waiting for her at the hotel lobby, we headed for the 26th floor of the hotel.
We found it a bit boring and St. James was out. So, we took a fifty dollar bill and went to Cheers to stock up on instant noodles, potato chips and of course the mixers cranberry juice and orange juice to complement the two bottles of vodka sitting pretty in the room.
We got a deck of poker cards and went for a honestly, unexpectedly, wild night.
"Jane and I, before getting drunk"
We played Indian poker. The six of us comprising me, Jane, the high-flyer(literally) and her entourage mixed the drink which the poor soul who had the smallest card would have to force down his/ her gullet, hook or by crook.
I was so clever, I developed a method to know without-a-doubt, the value of the card which I picked from the stack and therefore make the correct decision whether to discard the card or keep it and save myself from the mixed drink, which was getting stronger and stronger as the people got drunker and drunker( no there is no word "drunker", I'm using it for alliteration's sake) but for some inexplicable reason, my laughter became higher and higher pitched (yes it sucks) and I found myself swooning and being constantly asked whether I was alright.
Eventually the high-flyer had enough and because the room happened to be under his name, I listened to his suggestion to bring the wailing (yes you were!) Jane down, out of the hotel and onto the street where the denizens walk by the Richard Mille store with its poster of an ugly black mouth with too-white teeth biting on a glittery watch that costs more, than what half of Singaporeans mormally make in an entire year.
"The beautiful empty street, love the lilac lights"
Well, me and Jane had a heart to heart talk on issues (that had already been thrown to discussion so many times) and I felt like crying. Crying because I felt so bad physically (read: laughing at myself when I declared I woudn't get drunk) and because of the realization that some things will never change.
After a while, the high-flyer came down with a long-lost primary school friend who was also part of Miss Chia's entourage. Jane was escorted back to the hotel room after which, three guys proceeded to The Coffee Club across the road where the chicken pie barely saved me from wasted-ness.
"Chicken pie for supper and breakfast! Good hot or cold"
By the time we got back to the hotel room, it was already 20 minutes past 4 in the morning and after a warm invigorating shower, proceeded to lie on the sheet spread out for me on the floor( the bed was already taken by those not at Coffee Club and Ms Chia)
"Shower of the Meritus, notice the 5 heads below the shower? They wash your body, like a car in the car wash, and yes the backside is taken care of as well"
The high-flyer laid down beside me and we slept through the sun rise.
When I woke up, there were only three people left in the room. Me, Jane and the primary school friend. The rest had left in the early morning.
"The view down on Orchard Road"
My snoring had apparently scared them off. The high-flyer had already went to check into the Pan-Pacific executive suite which Jane was to use for her Christmas eve countdown that day.
Jane woke up and seemed invigorated. Not wearing any makeup, she stepped out of the hotel, into Orchard Road and into Zara at Takashimaya where she finally found a black glittery top which was my christmas present to her and what she would wear for the evening's party.
At 12.30pm, we were out of the Meritus Mandarin and after saying goodbye to Mr primary school, made our way to the Pan Pacific.
The suite that the high-flyer had booked was incredible. Seriously. Any parties I hold in the future, I'll definitely consider this place.
"Living Room"
"Bedroom"
"Bathroom"
"Hit entertainment! 1 of 2 Plasma TVs"
"Complimentary chocolate ganache cake"
In the evening, I met up with Vincent and senior at the Fullerton Hotel where we were due to meet two friends for a seafood dinner. I was feeling proud of myself till I realised that the dinner was actually at Palm Beach Seafood at One Fullerton across the road and that our two friends, were already impatiently waiting for the three of us.
"Christmas at the Fullerton Hotel. Some parts of the decoration are actually edible"
"What's christmas without a Santa"
Well the dinner was fantastic. The lobster sashimi was perfect and opened my appetite for the rest of the meal. The chilli crab was good as well, but I was more focused on keeping my pure white shirt pure white while cracking the crab and that took a bit of pleasure from the taste.
We headed to the Ritz Carlton after dinner for dessert which had meen meticulously prepared by the two gracious hosts. There was lots of Moet and Chandon, both the original and also the rose version, chocolates from Royce and Chocz and the best strawberries, blueberries, grapes and sweet prunes.
"Berry full plate"
Dessert? We had tapas, prepared to all their pretty glory by the chefs of the Ritz and came in a bewidering amalgation of flavours. Chestnut Chocolate how about that?
"Some quality time in the tub. Yes, the large window offers the best platform for exbitionists. Unwrap the present first, by pulling off the ribbon!"
Since I was the youngest at the party, I was given the snowman chocolate. The cutest of the lot undoubtedly, just like me at the party. Yes!
"Snowman!"
Champagne and chocolates at the Ritz done, Vincent and I headed to the Pan Pacific to meet Jane and an even bigger entourage. But with the humongous executive suite, everybody was left happy and out of each other's faces. Yup, out of each other's faces and bonding happily on the bed. With the Nintendo Wii of course.
There was turkey, champage, vodka and home-made desserts by the boys.
"Another creation by Mr Itchy-Hands. The flower logo to rival the Pan Pacific's"
I had a great time overall. What better way to relax than with liquor and hot friends in an executive suite in town?
I may actually, plan something of my own, for my friends. And best of all, you don't have to be a high-flyer to be invited.
