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I was wearing the brightest royal blue mermaid dress with a daring plunge neckline. I knew it would attract attention. Honestly, that wasn’t my intention. It was actually a last minute choice. I hadn’t been planning to attend Zimmerman’s hotel launch event so I bought just yesterday. It was the one out of four dresses I tried on that fit me best and up until two hours ago, I was still debating whether I should wear it or not. I wasn’t feeling up to stepping out of the comfort zone that was my apartment. Then after much deliberating and following Joe’s unceasing nagging, I figured I needed some kind of pick-me-up. So I dolled myself up and wore this expensive dress with my best smile.
“Thank you, Rolf. And congratulations to you. This hotel is even more splendid than what we expected to find. I’m sure it will be a booming success like your every other venture.”
“I owe part of tonight’s success to you two and Sam. You really outdid yourselves. You and all your talents combined make one brilliantly successful team. It’s a bummer that Sam ignored my invite and I cannot extend this salute to him in person.”
“Thank you again.” I said.
“And thank you to you too, Rolf.” Joe offered a handshake to Zimmerman. “It sure was an experience working for you. I look forward to the next project with you. Hopefully.”
“Absolutely.” Zimmerman assured him.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Zimmerman’s new hotel, an extravagant reception was being held in the main hall – the most luxurious hall I’d ever seen. The hotel launch and the reveal of Zimmerman’s new brand identity had attracted a lot of buzz, as expected I dare say, considering that the marketing campaign we rolled out was the bestest plan we’ve ever created. Journalists were also present at the event and some online marketing blogs have already posted a whole article about the new branding. Mentions of Sam’s company were listed everywhere followed by tons of praise and recommendations. Never have I been prouder in my life. We did it.
“Okay now.” Zimmerman said. “I got to go mingle with everyone else here. Got to go sell some suites for the weekend. Oh, and try the champagne. It’s the expensive one.”
When Zimmerman stepped away, I looped my arm with Joe’s. “I’m actually kinda thirsty. How about we take up his advice?”
“I love expensive champagne.”
Together, Joe and I beelined to the champagne table.
I admit, the first few sips I took were not sips at all. I downed half the champagne flute at once. The French brut was exquisite – toasty with subtle notes of vanilla.
I noticed Joe peering around the room. “Tell me you’re not scouting for clients. For one night, please let’s forget about work.”
“Definitely won’t be doing any work tonight. It’s boss’s job to scout twenty-four-seven and not a boss anymore. I was just wondering if they’re letting anyone tour the grounds. I want to see the rest of this beautiful hotel.”
“Do you think they’d let me tour it with a champagne flute in hand?”
Joe shook his head at me with a chuckle. “Come on. Let’s go see if the rooftop deck lives up to the rendered images Zimmerman showed us. Sunset must be spectacular from up there.”
Chugging down the last remaining champagne, I set the empty flute on the table and then made our way through the throng of guests towards the door, pausing at a passing waiter to steal a sushi ball. Hmm, this food was amazing. I just couldn’t not stop at a second waiter to grab myself another salmon rice ball. Though the final gulp almost went down my windpipe when suddenly I froze at once.
Joe bumped into my back at my sudden stop. “What the…” His question trailed off as soon as he saw what I saw too.
I stared at the wide-arched entryway, specifically at the man strutting through the hall wearing the same grey suit that I had caused its emergency trip to the dry cleaners. Over the reverb of my thumping heartbeat, the jazz band’s musical notes became a whisper. Time slowed down to an infinite eternity. The whole room became a blur. Excepthim. He was the singular focus of my vision.
Attack incoming. And this was no anxiety attack. This was a heart attack. No, I mean,a heart’s attack. I mean… Sam, he was here, right in front of me.
And oh dear, bless my galloping heart, he was coming straight towards us.
Joe leaned to whisper in my ear. “The champagne working yet?”
As if any amount of alcohol was enough to prepare me for this.
“Shut up and just stay near.” My arm snaked around Joe’s in a tight clutch as if my life depended on it. My quivering feet sure were relying on him.
“Sam, you made it.” Joe welcomed with his fondest grin.
“Told you I would.” Sam beamed at Joe. Then his gaze shifted to me for one millisecond.
That tiny gesture made my heart tug. Literally felt my heart squeeze a little. I was the enemy now. Joe was his sidekick. And the realization of that made me feel worse than knowing how much I deserved it.
Then Sam looked back at me again, this time, holding my gaze. His jaw was clenched, making me think he was struggling not to look. But he did. And he seemed he couldn’t tear his eyes away from mine now. Neither did I. I just couldn’t stop looking at him.
“You look beautiful in blue.”
The last time this man had spoken to me, I had told him goodbye. Nowthiswas his hello – passing grand compliments and flashing his wonderful smile, even if half-hearted. The gentleman, as always. To say that my heart had fluttered wildly was an absolute understatement. It could have stopped beating and I wouldn’t have noticed.
