Greyson
My office door opened and Adrian strolled in without waiting, holding food boxes.
"I brought takeouts," he announced, holding up the boxes. "You need to consume something other than liquor."
"I know doc." I rolled my eyes.
He sat down across my desk and opened the boxes. The aroma made my stomach growl.
He raised an eyebrow with an annoying smirk.
I shot him a 'you better say nothing look.' "Aren't you supposed to be working?"
"I left early to prepare for the gala. Remember?"
"You're more excited about this gala than I am."
"Of course, I'm not the one who will run into the once love of his life."
"Very funny," I replied sarcastically.
"You have to relax man, she might not even recognize you."
"Like hell she wouldn't."
We ate the rest of the food and Adrian cleared the empty packs.
"Got to run, still have some business to attend to"
"Alright, thanks for the takeout."
"Anytime."
It was noon, and I still had a half-done sketch on my desk. I dragged a hand through my hair. The possibility of seeing her tonight had pulled my mind away from work all day.
A soft knock at the door brought me out of my reverie.
"Come in."
Bridget stepped in. "Just got off the phone with the technician, the final lighting would be installed tomorrow, and the furniture in the second board room would all be in place tomorrow."
"Good, so we're done with setup?"
"Yes boss, the cleaning company would also be coming over by the weekend."
"That's good, inform HR that everyone should come in by Monday. We're set."
"Thank heavens, this place was starting to feel like a ghost town."
"I liked it."
"I'm not even a bit surprised."
"Is that all?"
"Yes boss, I'm done for the day. Would you be needing anything else?"
"No. I will head home soon."
"Okay, would you be coming in tomorrow?"
"Don't think so, send any messages to my email."
"Will do boss, see you on Monday."
I opened my laptop, checked for important emails, replied to some, and closed it.
I headed home.
Blueprints and unfinished sketches were scattered all over my desk in front of me but the lines refused to make sense. I pinched the bridge of my nose and just then my phone buzzed.
"Mr Hale, please don't tell me you're still in that office. It's well past eight."
"I'm home, Bridget. I'm not a total workaholic."
"Mm. You know you are."
I swirled the drink in my glass. "Do you have anything for me?"
"Well just checking in to be sure you're not ditching the gala."
"Thinking of it."
"Not a chance. The tuxedo's already been delivered, and you'll look devastating. Also, try not to scowl too much."
"Scowling is the only thing that gets me through these events."
She chuckled. "If you say so, just make sure you scowl in style."
"Yes ma'am"
"Goodnight boss, have a great time."
I poured myself another drink and stepped onto the balcony of my penthouse apartment that overlooked the city lines.
No matter the occasion, events were never my thing, but I couldn't avoid them, mostly the ones that led to zeros being added to my account were involved.
Inside my phone buzzed again. A message from Adrian.
"You're still down for the gala right?"
"Can't back out now."
"Good, see you there."
The drive to the gala would take well over forty minutes. I might as well get ready, so I headed to the shower.
The car hummed smoothly along Newport's bright lit street, headlights sweeping across exquisite buildings. I tugged at my tie, the damn thing felt like a rope.
Bridget's voice crackled through the speaker. "On your way?"
I exhaled. "Yes."
"Ok. Just making sure you didn't find an excuse to cancel at the last minute.
I sighed. "Happy?"
"You bet. I'm surprised you let the driver pick you up instead of sneaking in behind the wheel."
"Not in the mood for control tonight."
"That's the scariest thing you've said all week," she teased. "Also, try to smile when you get there. The ladies might faint if you look approachable."
I glanced out the tinted window. My reflection stared back at me, older, sharper carrying weights I hadn't shaken.
"What's worth smiling about?"
Bridget sighed on the line. "Who knows? Maybe you might find it tonight."
The call clicked off, leaving only the hum of the engine and my heart pounding.
I leaned back against the leather seat, adjusting my cufflinks. This was going to be one hell of a night and I knew it. The kind that would tear open old wounds I'd thought were buried.
And deep down the thought of seeing her again terrified me.
The driver eased the car to a halt in front of the hotel's entrance. Camera flashes exploded as couples stepped out of sleek black exotic cars. I tugged at my cufflinks and masked my expression into one expected of me. Control. Untouchable.
Inside the ballroom, chandeliers spilled gold light over marble floors. The air was filled with perfumes, champagne, and politics.
A waiter approached. "Welcome."
I nodded, taking the offered glass of champagne, I had no interest in drinking.
In the last five minutes, I had shaken too many hands, endured many hollow compliments, and faked plenty of smiles.
I let the conversations wash over me, nodding at a few faces I recognized, old acquaintances, investors, wives whose smiles lingered for too long.
The first twenty minutes were predictable.
"Greyson Hale as I live and breathe. You've built quite an empire since your father's days."
I offered a polite nod. "Some of us prefer to let the work speak louder than the name."
The older man chuckled. "And it definitely has. Newport hadn't seen such designs in years. I visited one of your developments last month and I was amazed."
I allowed the faintest curve of a smile. "I take pride in what I do."
"Excellent. Designs like yours are rare to see these days."
"I don't just stack bricks, I build structures people want to live in and experience, not just to pass through."
The man's eyes shone with interest.
"Exactly why you should be the one I talk to on this. There's a waterfall project about to break ground, and it needs someone with vision. I'd like to have you on this, will have my assistant send the details."
I raised my glass slightly letting the liquid touch the light. "I'll take a look, and if it's worth it, I'll get back to you."
He laughed nervously relieved. "Very well, I'll be in touch."
And with that, he drifted into the crowd.
Adrian had said half the city would be here and he wasn't wrong. Every significant name in Newport was in attendance.
Speaking off... Why haven't I seen him?
I drifted towards the edge of the crowd, scanning faces while avoiding eye contact, I had no interest in making small talk.
And then...
By the bar, across the glittering room. I saw her.
Back turned at first, long waves of hair cascading down her back, golden light catching the smooth curve of her shoulder.
A drink in hand, her posture poised.
Elena.
My chest tightened. She hadn't seen me yet, but I saw every inch of her, and in that instant, five years collapsed into dust.
She lifted her head, eyes scanning the room as if searching for an escape.
And then finally her gaze collided with mine.
The rest of the ballroom fell away.
