The Closer (18+) ✓

| 9.2 | the silver jubilee

❝We're on the right side of rock bottom
and I hope that we keep falling,
we're on the good side of bad karma
cause we keep on coming back for more.❞

Chapter Nine:
The Silver Jubilee
(cont'd)

"Are you sure you want to come?" Tim boomed over the loudspeaker for the umpteenth time. I groaned, loud enough for him to hear despite the fact I was ten feet away from my phone, rummaging through my closet to find the perfect dress.

"Yes. Yes I am. I can't miss out on the silver jubilee celebration Tim, it's a big deal for the company."

"I get that but he is going to be there."

"Don't you think I'm aware of that?" Although Tim couldn't see me, he knew very well just how I felt about the possibility of running into Hans. I couldn't have a repeat of what happened at the bar happening again, with me bolting and leaving the party. Not only would that be utterly embarrassing but it would be like admitting defeat...at whatever this gamble was. At the same time, I couldn't count on Tim showing up and rescuing the day every time. Things hadn't exactly changed between the two of us - we were still friends. After silently deducing the reason behind my sadness was none other than Hans, he had come to accept that a part of me did reach out to the tall, raven-haired stallion. Unlike other men who would have seen it as an opportunity to pounce, Tim gave me the space I needed and never once attempted to kiss me or proclaim his feelings for me again. That didn't mean I denied the tension between us that would flare up when we were alone together; in the office, at the bar, at his place or mine. It was palpable but ignored. I didn't have time to waste on feelings again.

My hands shook ever so slightly as I paused, staring at the dress in front of me. The red stain had never left, effectively ruining the beautiful white that Helena had bawled her eyes over when I showed her. The rouge-turned-pink stains had settled permanently into the soft synthetic, serving as a memory of that first night. A memory I'd never had the heart to throw out.

A pang of wistfulness hit me square in the chest and I pushed the dress to the back of the rack, continuing to look through the remaining hangers. I sighed and turned back to glance at my phone on the bed-top. Tim was a perfect friend but he just wasn't Helena at helping me choose what to wear.

"What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"I'll get there myself, don't worry."

Tim paused and I knew he was going to ask me 'you sure' again but I cut him to the chase.

"Yes, mother, I'm sure. I'm a big girl and I can get myself to the prince's ball. Now let me get ready, and I'll see you there in an hour, okay?"

"I don't appreciate the attitude Tris, but fine."

I giggled and said the classic 'I love your stupid face, Tim-Tim' for which I got a snort before the line went dead. I could deal with Tim later. I could deal with the thoughts running around my head that going with him to the party was almost like an official date. Almost. But right now, I needed a dress that would make Hans eat his heart out for ever dropping me...and nothing in my wardrobe did the job. Internally groaning, I flopped down on the bed, grabbing my phone and sifting through my contacts to check if Helena was online. Truth be told, I didn't want to go to this party.

Sure, the twenty-five year anniversary of the company marked an important milestone. Helena said I was lucky to be going for the big bash, noting that a lot of her business-journalist friends wanted to go but couldn't secure an invitation for the upscale party.