D's Alluring Lounge...
It was an exclusive place, known for its fine dishes and music that ranged from scallop sashimi with sweet Meyer lemon confit to tiramisu layer cake to sweet rhythm and bass to jazz. It would have been an injustice if the Dawson Enterprise didn't choose it as the perfect venue for their anniversary. It was also a bonus that Jack's Aunt, Dominique happened to be the owner.
After all tonight was a big family affair, it wasn't everyday a company still stood after four decades especially at the level of success they had.
For Jack seeing the way in which the family company developed would have been enough to gratify him if it weren't for the fact he felt now that something was missing.
He grabbed the glass of champagne, hoping it would evoke a convincing smile out of him. The business was expanding, quite a stark contrast to his personal life. He had yet to find the courage to get rid of his wedding band...
As he sat at the table immersing himself in the alcohol listening half-heartedly to his parents, Erica held her breath secretly hoping she wouldn't forget her words. She couldn't afford to mess up this performance. After all it wasn't everyday, she was sought after for a performance. The owner, a sweet woman had come to Monty's spot and after her performance approached her.
Smoothing down any visible wrinkles on her dress she took a few calming breaths." You've done this many times before, just relax," she whispered taking her place on the dark stage.
The music starts, a slow number that immediately grabs the audience's attention.
He placed his full attention on her the minute the spotlight touched her skin laying gentle kisses on her skin. He held his breath sending a silent 'thank you' to Aunt Dominique for asking her to perform tonight.
Whether she knew it or not in his mind she always sang for him.
Her husky voice washed over his form caressing his soul anytime he heard her perform. And as she gave the crowd a teasing look he licked his suddenly dry lips.
If only I can tell you
I now see glimpses of Heaven with you,
That at night as you sleep,
I envy the very sheets tracing your skin,
Tracing every mark and scar to
Every dip and ridge burning it all to memory.
She moved her hands along her curves, closing her eyes to not see the way Jack had shifted in his seat entranced by the sweet melody.
If only I can tell you
If you ever hold me, I already fear you will leave.
Dreams showing after trying to fight the ghosts of my past lovers,
Giving up is what you will do...
He only registered the sound of applause when she graciously bowed and left the stage. To him the song had never ended.
It scared him how attached he felt to this woman. And given the natural beauty that she carried, he doubted she'd have any interest in him. Shaking his head, he grabbed the champagne again and took a few more sips to calm his raging heart. In the hopes the liquid would deplete the infatuation and make him more focused for the event.
As the celebration unfolded Jack made his way onto the stage by the podium set up. His aunt had really gone out of her way, restructuring the setup of the restaurant. As his emerald eyes settled onto the crowd, the room quietened automatically. When one holds the company in his hands, respect comes with it. He broke eye contact for a split second gathering his thoughts. He preferred speaking from the heart. Unlike some people, he wasn't in it for the money, it was for the passion. And he valued his family enough to see what his family built stand.
"It was only forty years ago; Frank Dawson had an idea. A vision. Despite growing up on a farm with a father who only saw education as a frivolous thing, he saw it as an opportunity," he paused briefly taking in the faces of his employees whom he considered as family." An opportunity to find ways to help others. I don't want to bore you with the details tonight, I already do that in the boardroom," he joked relaxing further to use the podium to support part of his body weight.
Just when he's about to continue his eyes landed on her again as she leaned casually against the bar so far back no one else could see her but him. His eyes couldn't exactly shift away from the figure whose movements grasped his attention simultaneously disrupting the rhythm at which all rational thoughts inside him moved.
For some odd reason when she connected her eyes with his, his breath got caught in his throat. He was used to watching her and now the tables had turned.
Licking his lips, he continued speaking." H-He worked hard, developed a work ethic that led to this company being where it is... against his better judgement he looked at the back to find the woman still watching him. The beauty painting her features appealing to him only to intensify his nerves at her silent scrutiny. He couldn't look away.
Truth be told he easily became distracted falling prey to her midnight eyes.
Tempting him," to put those beautiful breasts in my mouth." His face grew hot upon realising he had just said that aloud given the light gasps amongst the crowd. A number of people in the room snickered, he found himself suddenly hot and flabbergasted at his slip. He wanted to bury himself into a hole when he saw the way she was smirking. And the look of disapproval on his father's face was the icing on this uncomfortable moment.
Erica couldn't help laughing at him, his embarrassment showing as he instantly looked away from her.
"I-I apologize," he quickly recovered taking a few calming breaths. This had never happened to him before and the last place he wanted to come across as unprofessional was here. He proceeded with the rest of his speech keeping his eyes trained on a particular part of the room where she wasn't standing.
By the time he stepped off stage still flushed, he eventually gained enough courage to look up to where she was standing. Only to find her... gone.
***
"How was your night?" Sabrina asked pausing the movie on her laptop. Erica discarded her shoes taking a seat on Sabrina's bed.
"Uneventful," she replied stretching her body. Her muscles whined in protest from the busy day.
"That's not what one of my co-workers told me," she smirked eyeing her cousin. Erica perked up and found Sabrina looking at her very much amused.
"You are so childish," she responded rolling her eyes.
"Me?" Sabrina responded acting offended," It's not my fault the man wants to put your... what did he say again?" she placed her hand on her chin pretending to be in deep thought.
"Beautiful breasts in my mouth." Erica burst out laughing at her cousin's attempts to mimic the poor man's deep voice." This is some bullshit! The one night I have off and I miss out on someone messing up their speech. Life's not fair," Sabrina pouted.
"It was oddly adorable in a way," she said grinning. It caught her off guard seeing the man go off on a tangent like that. When she first saw him stand on the podium, she immediately recognised him.
Jack... that was his name and under the bright light she could now see as clear as day the colour of his eyes. They were green.
"You were checking him out, weren't you?" Her cousin's voice had risen significantly as her interest increased.
"No," she quickly responded hoping she sounded convincing in her lie. Though he was appealing he wasn't morphed into the package she preferred...
"Oh," Sabrina said a bit disappointed before she lied down on the bed again.
"You don't sound so happy?"
"I just thought you were finally-"
"Nope. I wouldn't hold my breath on that."
"So what? You're just going to wait until Maxwell finally looks your way," Sabrina looked at her sceptically. She was trying to be understanding.
"I don't want to get into this with you."
"Why not?"
"Because unlike you, I have assignments waiting for me. Bye," she replied turning on her heel to leave. She ignored her cousin calling her name knowing she wasn't in the mood to discuss Maxwell.
And as she closed her door and leaned against it, she found herself agreeing with her cousin, when it came to him... life really wasn't fair.