(Been doing a lot of plot work. Probably just gonna start releasing chapters as I write them instead of scheduling. Enjoy.)
Clinks, drinks, and the sinking mood. Eric has been a buzzkill for as long as I have known him. If he didn't have a corporate reputation to uphold, I have no doubt he quite literally wouldn't be able to keep his dick in his pants.
Over a dozen minutes creeped by at a snail's pace, each second grinding against my very bones. If Eric's voice didn't belong to Eric, it would be quite nice. Instead, due to the intentions lurking behind them, they stabbed my ears like nails across a chalk board.
Even worse, I glanced over to find Jamie barely fending off the galling goons that were relentlessly bothering her. This was unbearable. I could tolerate my own suffering but not that of my best friend.
Eric had that signature disgusting smile on his face. He sure was proud of himself. For a moment, I tuned back into whatever Eric was droning on about. "… and after all that, you'd never believe where I found him. He was with the maid the entire time! HA! The look on the old man's face when he found his son-"
Fuck it. I turned around in my bar stool and nearly grabbed the bartender by the collar. I looked straight into his eyes with great fury in mine. "Scotch, neat, now."
He nodded timidly and quickly walked to fulfill my request.
Eric cleared his throat behind me. "Ahem, Susan, dear, we haven't even had dinner yet. I doubt that liquor will do you any good."
Just in time, the bartender returned with a glass of scotch. There appeared to be two shots in the glass. This should do the trick.
I grabbed the glass and downed it in one gulp. The slight sting made me wince slightly but the warmth of the alcohol numbing my brain quickly drowned it out.
My shoulders sank slightly as I released a sigh of pure pleasure. "Haaaaaaah."
Suddenly I felt a hand gently touch my back as Eric's face emerged from my left side. "Susan, are you alright?"
I shifted my elbow, pushing his arm away with a scowl on my face. "Don't touch me, please."
Eric stammered for a moment, struggling to figure out a response. "I-Come on, Susan, don't be like that."
Another voice, female and very familiar to me, came from behind Eric. It had a slight hint of venom in it, clearly annoyed by what was happening. "Don't be like what?"
Eric spun around confidently but looked visibly startled when he realized who was sitting behind him. "Oh! Jillian, it's wonderful to see you."
I caught the corner of Jillian's face as she smiled and huffed out a chuckle. "I wish I could say the same. Do you mind if I catch up with Susan? It has been so long since we've gotten to sit down together."
Eric visibly gulped before nodding. "Not at all. I'll excuse myself then. See you both at dinner."
He quickly retreated, bringing his two pets with him. I could only sigh in relief. "Thanks, Jill."
Jillian giggled and shook her head. "Oh please, the look on his face was all the thanks I need."
Jamie sheepishly walked over and stood next to us, sighing as she did so. "Those two… UGH."
I shook my head and turned to Jamie. "Jamie, you remember-"
She cut me off before I could finish with a smile. "Jillian! It's been so long." She turned to me and continued. "How could I possibly forget little miss Marriot?"
Jillian smiled. "Jamie, I'm so glad you came. You're a breath of fresh air compared to all these stale pricks. Tell me what the two of you have been up to! Business has been booming as of late."
I nodded. "You can say that again. My father signed off on this venture that I've been pestering him about for a while. With the rapid development of technology, I just needed to get a piece of it. I'm now heading up the newest division of Berkshire. I've named it Abyss Capital. There's so much potential out there that it would take an abyss to hold it all, hence the name. We focus on some more unconventional investments."
Jillian clapped and giggled. "You must be so excited. Numbers bore me considerably, but you've always had a place in your heart for that stuff. I prefer the more adventurous side of business."
I raised my brow as I picked my half-full glass of wine on the bar. "Do tell." I took a sip.
Jillian smiled and appeared visibly excited. "Well, I'm spearheading a huge expansion project. It's not some run-of-the-mill renovation. I'm going to bring Marriot to South America! So much history and culture there. The profits will be endless. Jamie, what about you?"
Jamie sighed. "Oh it's nothing."
Jillian sipped her wine and then shook her head. "Nope. Not allowed. Spill it."
Jamie rolled her eyes and tilted her head to the side. "Ughhh, fineee. I've just landed a contract to get my first book published."
Jillian's eyes lit up as she stood and hugged Jamie. "That's amazing! You're smart, creative, and abhorrently gorgeous. How are we supposed to compete?"
Jamie laughed and shook her head. "It's all the dress."
Jillian scoffed. "Women pay millions to get even close to your looks. Now, tell me everything."
Jamie smiled and nodded. "Okay. Well, it's a romance story that starts in a coffee…"
I sipped my wine but fell into a daze as my eyes fell onto someone. The lights sparkled over him, turning all else dull and without color. His slick black hair twinkled in the dimly lit room. His brown eyes weirdly vibrant but thoroughly captivating.
A shiver came over me as I felt his eyes briefly lock with mine. The corner of his mouth curled ever so slightly as he acknowledged my improper and enchanted stare. He had noticed me.
I quickly turned to Jillian, cutting off Jamie. "Who is that?" I nodded my head towards the one who caught my eye.
Observing the urgency in my tone, Jillian snuck a glance in the direction I indicated. A smirk slowly formed on her face.
I looked back towards the man and noticed that he was gradually making his way towards us. He would have probably already been upon us if not for the endless crowd of people trying to grab his attention. He would greet each one with his full attention before politely excusing himself to continue his trek.
Jillian giggled, catching my attention. "Hehehe, I see the young Senator has caught your eye. Here I was thinking you didn't swing that way."
I felt a slight mist spray on my arm as Jamie spit out her drink laughing. Fortunately, no one's dress was spoiled. I quickly patted my dress down and tried to hold my wine glass as elegantly as possible. Best foot forward, right?
I struggled to stay in character as I saw Jamie's smirk and heard Jillian stifling a giggle. Those bitches, ugh.
Then, he arrived. "Miss Buffet, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making you and your friend's acquaintance. I have met Jillian, of course."
Jillian smiled and nodded. "Paul, it's wonderful to see you again. Allow me to introduce you to these two." She gestured towards Jamie first. "This is Jamie, a budding writer." She then casually pointed towards me. "And this is Susan. You knew that already though." Then, the bitch had the gall to wink at me.
I rolled my eyes slightly and looked back at Paul. That smile… I felt my heart skip a beat and my breath disappear. The sparkle in his eyes didn't help much either.
Paul nodded and shifted his gaze across Jamie and Jillian. With a gentle smile, he spoke. "Indeed, I did. In my line of work, I wouldn't even be worth my weight in salt if I didn't know people." His eyes then locked onto mine. "Even with all that, some people are just impossible to forget."
He paused, peering deep into my soul with a comforting warmth in his gaze. "Would the three of you mind if I joined you for a drink?"
Jillian chuckled. "How about two?"
Paul nodded deeply. "Even better."