Post the presentations everyone left into the main hall where there was champagne and fancy canapés given out by the waiting staff with fake customer service smiles on.
Emilia emerged from the corridor which led to the backstage. She did her best to conceal her nervousness. She still felt out of place in these circles, but more so, she was uncertain about Christopher Hayden.
His words whilst intoxicated were still echoing in her mind. What you must think of me? Thank you for everything you have done.
Each word was still sounding so clearly in her head as if she could still hear it.
She tried not to think of him. She lived in his manor for over four months and barely saw him, but… Every single word he ever said to her was still fresh in her mind. She shouldn't get hang on it. She shouldn't. Tell me how it looks through your eyes. If only he knew how he looked through her eyes. If only he knew what his blue eyes stirred inside of her. If only he knew how he confused her. They barely spoke. Yet, she looked out of the window this morning and saw the very sculpture she admired in the gallery placed carefully in the garden within her line of view - the woman blowing the dandelion. And now, he saw her present for Earthly, and within his domain of expertise. What will he think of her and her abilities within the subject?
"Here you are!" Jacob appeared straight away. "Everyone's talking about you."
"That's not great." Emilia mumbled nervously as Jacob led her through the crowd.
"This is Dr Emilia Vincent, the consultant and soon to be partner for Earthly." Jacob introduced her eagerly to the group of people.
She joined them in pleasantries whilst feeling burning gazes on her back. Everyone seemed to look at her and speak of her.
Her mind wandered off as the topic of the conversation changed, but she was snapped back to it very soon.
"Did you see Mr Hayden?" The man beside her asked.
"He is rather odd, isn't he?"
"I would say that it is rather odd that he announced his marriage in such a way."
"What is odd about it?" Emilia asked directly.
"No name, no picture. Just a statement."
"Mr Hayden seems to truly value his privacy." Emilia said in thought. "Besides, I heard some good things about him."
"Did you?"
"He is…" Emilia looked at the back of the man that she spoke of. "Very generous in many ways. He supports so many charitable causes. I am sure that he is equally caring of his wife."
"Oh yes, I've heard that he started to sponson yet another charity in recent days. Something about carers and volunteers."
Emilia smiled lightly, but something hurt inside of her. She forgot all about his mysterious wife, and she hated the thought of Christopher being with someone else.
Meanwhile, Christopher was bothered by a different group of men, nonetheless, the topic quickly steered to that of Emilia.
"I had no idea she was speaking here. Jacob must be thrilled." Someone said out loud beside him.
"Did you had a pleasure?" Someone else asked them.
"I've met Dr Vincent a few years ago now. She presented a very interesting research during a conference. She worked for the research company called… I can't recall. They went bust about four months ago quite suddenly. It was a shame. But it looks that Dr Vincent has done well for herself."
"She was incredible up there. So poised and articulate. I never knew she had such a knack for public speaking." Christopher whispered to Patrick in awe as he was captivated by Emilia's presence, unable to take his eyes off her.
"She's remarkable, isn't she?" The first man said with a smile tugging on his lips.
"Indeed, sir. Dr. Vincent is a force to be reckoned with."
Christopher managed to spot Emilia speaking with people, trying to find the best opportunity to approach her. Then he saw Jacob beside her. Christopher hated that Jacob touched Emilia, that he placed his hand on her back. However friendly and casual it was, it reminded Christopher that Emilia has picked Jacob over him.
It was many hours later and well into the evening when Emilia managed to find a quiet spot and stand on the side, sipping a glass of sparkling grape juice. She watched the crowd from the side, relieved to not be bothered at last. It didn't last long before someone moved beside her, a long shadow casted along the floor. She didn't have the energy to look over and see who it was. But she smelled the faint scent of cologne which was familiar. When she smelled it before there was an overwhelming smell of alcohol over it. She looked over to the side seeing Christopher leaning over the table behind her. He sipped on a glass of champagne, and he was quiet and composed. He was nothing like the night before. Emilia bit her lip, unsure whether she should start the conversation.
"You're the talk of the night." Christopher pointed out.
"I'm the amusement of the night." Emilia said carefully.
"Is that a bad thing?" Christopher moved his gaze from the crowd to her.
"Perhaps. My goal is to truly make a difference, but…" Emilia looked at the crowd cautiously. "I am not yet persuaded that this is the way. It feels forced. Artificial. It's an act or a performance."
"Why do you do it?"
"I suppose I hope that I can influence at least one person in the room. Make the smallest change. Because any change at all is still better than none."
"Why do you consult Bleam's company?"
"I believe in their values."
"Is that what you were studying for?"
"Not exactly, Mr Hayden." Emilia blushed in embarrassment.
"I recognised a lot of your books the other week."
"Quite likely. I am doing a Masters in Business Administration, an MBA course at the Smith University. I believe you did the very same course yourself a few years ago. One of my selected modules is on accounting and finance which is exactly as you, but I opted for sustainability in business as my dissertation project."
"Do you need help with your assignment?"
"I have long submitted it, Mr Hayden. I received my first marks too."
"How did you do?"
"I have made a grievous error of accidentally going over the word count by a hundred words. It knocked my mark down to 94%."
"Maybe you should be the one helping me?" Christopher looked at Emilia with astonishment.
"I hardly doubt that, sir. I have quoted your work more than anyone else's. I have a lot to learn on this topic."
"You did better job than my accounting team."
"It's human to make mistakes."
"Yes, it is." Christopher agreed.
"Mr Hayden! How great it is to see you!" An old man who Christopher detested showed up, a very lawyer that executed his father's will and ensured his marriage against his will.
"Mr Thompson, how unexpected. Let me introduce you to Emilia…"
"Emilia Vincent." Emilia finished her introduction and she shook the elder man's hand with a bright smile on her face.
"Gregory Thompson." The man smiled in return. "I saw your presentation earlier. It was very thought provoking."
"I rather hope that's good."
"And good evening, Mr Hayden. I presume all is well?"
"Indeed."
"Still married?"
"As per my father's dying wish." Christopher raised his glass of champagne. Emilia looked at him curiously. He was married. She should never let herself think of him.
"That makes some things a little bit easier, doesn't it. I hope that she doesn't make you too miserable?"
"I couldn't pick a better one, Mr Thompson. If you'll excuse me…" Christopher walked away as soon as he could, visibly more tense than a few moments later. Emilia looked behind him warily.
"We didn't get a chance to acquaint yet." The voice of the man snapped her back.
"No, we haven't." Emilia looked back at him, putting her fake customer service smile on. At least she didn't feel like she had to fake it in front of Mr Hayden. "What is it that you do? I do apologise for my lack of knowledge on that front."
"I'm a lawyer by profession. I tend to be well versed in business law. Occasionally, I represent individual's such as William Hayden, Christopher's father."
"Oh. That sounds like a big job."
"Sometimes. One thing I know for sure, in many ways, like father like son." The man looked at Christopher at the far end of the crowd with a slight smile on his face. "Both stubborn beyond measure."
"How did you become Mr Hayden's lawyer?"
"I've met William when I was in law school. We've been friends for decades. You know, I've introduced him to his wife. And the rest is history."
"I am sorry for your loss." Emilia mumbled.
"It was his time. He battled cancer for years and it was definitely for the better. It ended his suffering."
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how is his son doing with it? Do you know?"
"Truthfully? Christopher hasn't spoken to his father for the last few years. I do not know what happened but they never reconciled. And now, Christopher hasn't announced a word of his father's death as if he hoped that people will forget about William's existence. And then maybe they will." Gregory shrugged. "Never mind such a sombre topic for this evening. We have many more things to celebrate tonight!"
"Perhaps." Emilia smiled weakly. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Christopher, and everything she had just learnt of him. But she raised the toast with her sparkling white grape juice which was easily disguised as champagne. It was Jacob's doing. He ensured that non-alcoholic option was available for her during the event.