"𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎'𝚍 𝚍𝚘."
~~~
𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐞'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕
After four consecutive sleepless nights of planning and worrying about this banquet, the night was finally here and I felt like throwing up today's breakfast.
I panic check over my list one final time, before crumbling the tiny piece of paper and throwing it in the nearest trash can.
"Hey, you!" I motion towards the last minute hire, I pulled an incredible amount of strings to get here tonight. He barely glances in my direction but we still make some form of eye contact. "Yes, you. I need you to look happy. Our rich guests don't want to be greeted with a sour face." I attempted to glare but the guard nearly doubled down in a fit of laughter at my scrunched brows and pursed lips. I roll my eyes, thinking that he got the message.
The waiters have begun making rounds for champagne. Check.
The photographer and DJ have already set up their respective equipment. Check.
The red ropes accompanying the carpet are velvet and not silk. That always seemed to be a rookie mistake. Check.
A waiter dressed in a white tuxedo walks past me with a platter of glasses half filled with champagne. Without as much as a second thought, I grab a glass and take a small sip, letting the cool liquid hydrate my dry throat.
"No, this is way too warm." I take a longer sip and confirm my suspicions. "Did you guys not purchase ice? I mean who drinks warm champagne. I need to speak with your supervisor and his supervisor." I grow more irritated when the waiter just stands there looking at me with a bewildered expression like he had no idea what I was talking about.
"Hey, hey, hey what's going on here?" Elliot's hand slides to the small of my back as he examines the situation. I don't miss the way his eyes travel down the length of my dress. He clears his throat and drags his stare back towards my face.
"Elliot, oh thank god you made it." I sigh. "Here, take a sip. I bring the glass to his lips and he refuses before I raise my brow in a convincing manner. With sheer intimidation masking his face, he gulps down the liquid in a matter of three short seconds. "Warm right? I specifically told the caterers to keep the drinks refrigerated until seven."
With just one look at my expression, Elliot softly shakes his head and places the glass back onto the waiter's platter muttering a few apologetic words.
"C'mere." He gently pulls my arm towards a secluded hallway and we enter one of many empty fitting rooms in this gorgeous venue.
Completely caught off guard, I tug my hand away as he locks the door behind us. "Wait, no—Elliot. I have a million things to look over before Rosalind gets here and the guests have already started arriving."
He grabs my hands that've been waving all over the place for and intertwined our fingers. "Just breathe, Sage. Everything looks perfect and none of this wouldn't have been possible without you. Rosalind can be picky all she wants but when I saw her walk in here. Sage, you should've seen the look on her face. I don't think she could've picked a better person to get all this done in just a week."
I gulp, looking behind his shoulder at the door blocking out all the light chatter and music. "She's here?"
Elliot silently nods and it gives me the opportunity to admire his formal fitted attire. The black on black suit and button down that's not fully buttoned to the collar does crazy things to my imagination. The slight stubble on his chin is gone and replaced with a cleanly shaven jawline that I'm not used to. His feet are covered in dress shoes and the golden jewelry accents around his neck and on his wrist pull the entire look together. All of a sudden my throat goes dry when I realize he's checking me out as well.
"I didn't get a chance to before but Sage, you look..." He pauses mid sentence to pinch the bridge of his nose. The soft breath he blew between his lips caused me to look away. "You look absolutely beautiful."
"T-Thank you." I blush at his compliment. "Uhh, you do as well." I add in return.
For a brief moment, I catch his eyes flickering to my lips and stay there longer than usual. His face suddenly inches closer to mine and this time I remind myself we aren't drunk on New Year's Eve with nobody else to fill out our loneliness. We're completely sober and aware of what comes next in a situation like this. And that's exactly why I pull away.
"S-She can't—I mean Rosalind can't see us come out of here, together. It wouldn't look good." I step back, looking at my numb feet screaming for dear life in these stiletto heels. It's the only thing distracting me from the unbearable tension that has formed between these four walls.
Elliot disguised his disappointment by clearing his throat and avoiding my eyes. "Right."
"I'll catch up with you later?"
"Yeah." He answers, faking a smile I know all too well. "Later."
I grab my clutch from the decorative corner table and tuck it underneath my arm, before disappearing out the door and leaving Elliot's broken heart behind it.
I was mad at myself for not feeling anything at all when he walked into a room. Elliot was the guy you brought back home to your parents. Nice, extremely handsome, with a stable job and overall a respectful person to everyone he came in contact with. But that couldn't explain why my heart never flipped when we kissed or why I only see him as a friend and nothing more.
The last couple of years I've dated only one other person. His name was Matthew, we met my final year at Syracuse and let's just say he liked to rotate through multiple women.
At the same time.
I can admit finding out he was a lying cheater sucked. I was just starting to put myself out there again and my worst fear came true.
Plastering a smile on my face once I get into eyes view of everyone in attendance so far, I spot a full body mirror and use this as an opportunity to double check my lipstick. The humidity of the room I almost kissed Elliot in caused a few stray curls that I had purposely left out of my top bun to fall flat and my cheeks were already too red for my taste.
I run a hand down the silk fabric of my gown while attempting to suck in my clearly visible pudge. The backless design and silver metallic chains holding the dress up by my shoulders does turn a few heads and suddenly I'm back into my eighteen year old body.
Insecurity begins to eat at my core and it's been a long time since I've felt that way. My hourglass figure wasn't the typical tiny waist and full bottom and chest. I had learned to live with the cellulite, stretch marks and love handles that graced every curve of my body.
My weekly therapy sessions had progressed to once a month and Dr. Paola was sure we'd be ready to part ways at the end of the year.
"Sage!" Stacey beams at me from afar. "Finally, God, I've been searching everywhere for you." Stacey walks with determination to where I stood and locks her arm around mine in order to drag me behind her. I let my gaze sweep over her gorgeous figure and the elegant dark green strapless column dress she's picked out when we went shopping earlier this week. With a floral silver pin, her jett black curls are pulled to one side of her face, accentuating her bold smokey eye makeup choice.
"I just needed a moment."I answer, following after her. I throw a welcoming smile at a few entering guests as we walk towards the main entrance.
She turns her head both ways before asking. "Have you seen Elliot? He was just here."
"Nope, haven't seen him yet." The lie easily slips off my tongue. Stacey has no idea about the kiss and I'm glad she didn't because I'm sure the whole office would've known by the next morning. Don't get me wrong I loved the girl but she had an unpredictable mouth on her.
"Hmm, that's weird. Anyway, you need to be socializing. My department wants a few candid photos of you and the guest plus there's an endless supply of rich men out there, it wouldn't hurt to take one home." She smirks, raising a brow.
"What the hell Stace. You have a boyfriend." I lean in to whisper, in case anybody just heard what she had said.
"I wasn't talking about myself silly." She laughs.
Realizing the extent of her words, my eyebrows crease. "Absolutely not." I walk ahead, leaving her trailing behind.
Stacey holds the hem of her dress while she tries to catch up with my long strides. "Sage c'mon, you haven't gotten laid since Matthew and that was like what, two years ago."
I remain silent, letting her reasoning sink in. I wanted to date, not have meaningless sex with strangers but no one ever compared. I don't think they ever would and that alone terrified the living hell out of me. The reality that no one would ever make me feel the way he did.
"It's only been a year." I mutter.
Once we enter the main dining area my eyes do a once over the generously packed ballroom filled with people that screamed wealth. The open bar was fairly busy like I had expected it to be and fancy looking hor d'oeuvres were making their way into the mouths of guest, flooding my nose with the smell of shrimp and deviled eggs.
The turnout didn't surprise me. Despite the evites going out on such last-minute notice, Rosalind's reputation pulled its weight. Every table was full and people were already enjoying themselves.
Just like Elliot had said, the place looked absolutely breathtaking and my vision had come to life with the help of the company's master card. From the black and white tie theme down to the subtle golden accents and hints of red adorning each table's floral arrangements. The venue was already constructed with intricate details, columns and a spiral staircase that lead to the balcony overlooking the entire first floor. I recognized a few athletes I've seen floating around the press. They all had gorgeous women hanging on their arms and my heart felt like it would be battling a war any minute.
I know he's here.
I just had to avoid him for three, maybe four more hours then everything would be fine.
Once the feedback of a microphone echoes throughout the room, the chatter slowly dies down and everyone's head turns towards the stage, where Rosalind stood behind a glass podium. Instead of the usual business suit she almost never took off, she was dressed in a deep red silhouette gown that brought out her rich dark skin. I bring my clutch under my armpit as the audience claps once she's introduced.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Hope you all are enjoying your night so far." A majority of the guest nod their head in agreement. "If not there's an open bar in the back. That should do the trick." That earns a few chuckles to spread across the room. "On a more serious note, as you all know Urban Scopes is dedicated to giving back to the future of journalism and because of you all today we are able to extend our generosity to underfunded HBCUs across the country. It's not everyday we see charities give back to college students who are about to enter the workforce. If you could just take a moment to think back to your junior or senior year in college. At one point we were all lost, confused and scared about what the real world would offer our inexperienced minds. Lately, I have had the pleasure of working with the upcoming generation of journalism through Urban Scopes Junior Internship Program and there I have met the greatest of minds. One special lady in particular. She knows who she is and I am extremely proud of how far she's come."
Stacey nudges my shoulder and I suppress a giddy smile as Rosalind winks in my direction. This is probably the first and only time Rosalind has said something nice about me while I was in the room.
For the rest of the speech, Rosalind acknowledges our partners, calls up a few honorable guests to speak and displays a presentation on where all charitable donations will be allocated towards. I find myself admiring more than just her dress. To see a woman who looks like me in this position only further proves, that I can do it too. I will do it too.
Once a slow song comes on I quickly make my way out of the mix of couples and business associates who are beginning to walk to the dance floor together.
I scan the bar for the waiter I had yelled at earlier to apologize but he's nowhere in sight. Sighing, I take a seat on one of the few empty barstools and signal for the bartender. "One martini please."
In my peripheral view, I watch the open seat next to me be conveniently filled. "I'll have a refill club soda. Thanks."
"Elliot." I breathe, taking one short second to see him leaning against the countertop with an empty glass full of ice in his hand.
"Told you she loved it." He smiles warmly like nothing almost happened earlier.
I go along with it. "Yeah, you were right. I overthink a lot and this was just one of those days where—
"You try to put on a confident face but no matter how hard you try, it fails."
"Yeah," I nod, bringing the fancy glass to my lips and drinking the entire martini in one classless go. The alcohol buzzes down my throat while numbing my heightened anxiety. "Another."
The bartender nods and begins preparing the second glass.
"Woah, you can't get drunk halfway into the event, Sage."
"I'm not going to get drunk from two martinis, El. I'm just trying to loosen up. I feel like I'm the only one not having any fun at this thing."
"Fun, you say?" A mischievous brow on Elliot's face lifts and a goofy smile spread across his lips, showcasing the matching dimples on his cheeks. Standing up, Elliot tucks one hand behind his back and holds out the other in front of me, while slightly bending his back, "May I have this dance, Ms. Winters?"
My lips quirk up a fraction as I roll my eyes. "You may, Mr.Castillo." I let my hand fall into his and he tugs me out of the chair while guiding us both to the ballrooms brightly lit dance floor.
My arms wrap around his neck at the same time his settle on the swell of my widened hips. The live piano music playing in the background slows as he leads and I follow his routine footsteps. Swaying side to side with the melody of the song, the both of us remain quiet and I contemplate if what I was doing was a form of cruelty. Leading him on like this. None of it was fair. The line between friendship and relationship had clearly blurred and sooner or later one of us was going to cross it.
Spinning me on my heel so now that I'm facing the opposite side of the room where more of the guests are visible, I use the peacefulness of this moment to collect my thoughts.
I try to focus on my footwork but my feet does this weird criss crossy thing and I inhale, bracing for the impact that never comes. Instead Elliot steadys me by holding my bare back and a shiver runs down my exposed spine.
"Woah, you alright?"
"Sorry," I muttered sheepishly.
He simply nods and we go back to silently dancing. This has been the only moment of the entire night where I wasn't worrying about the chefs in the back or if every table had ten decorative plate arrangements.
By the sudden flutter in my chest and light goosebumps that breakout on my skin, I could feel someone watching me.
I'm not nearly as tall as Elliot but when I lift my resting head from his shoulder and peek over the edge of his suit, I allow my eyes to sweep over the crowd of people once more when my gaze settles on a familiar pair of dim gray eyes.
I can't seem to differentiate between my heart breaking and my heart fluttering.
I'm unable to breath, unable to move because several feet in front of me, Zachariah, the guy who's heart I broke four long years ago, is dancing with a woman. A drop dead gorgeous woman, with light brown skin and wavy chestnut hair. I hadn't even seen her face yet and my skin was instantly crawling with jealousy.
There's something about the way his hands wrap around her waist and the proximity of his lips to hers that makes me nauseous. Maybe because they looked perfect together, like America's favorite power couple that I wanted to run straight home and hide.
"Sage, you okay?" Elliot asks, probably sensing the tension radiating off of my body. He pulls back to examine my expression and the corners of my lips tug up in response.
"Mhmm, fine."
Zachariahs eyes didn't break away from me for the entirety of the dance. I went back to swaying in Elliot's warm embrace despite my focus being on another man.
He looked different. A good different and I hate myself for noticing the way the black velvet suit hugs his well toned figure. The formal fit enhances his muscular build and I could just imagine all the new tattoos he probably had underneath. Zachariah's hair was pulled into a bun and I can only assume it's because he let his hair grow down to his shoulders. His chiseled jaw is covered in light stubble and I'm not nearly done checking him out when his eyes settle on the back of Elliot's head like he wanted to rip it off his shoulders.
Noticing, I was staring, his focus shifted back to his date. My lips pressed together when I watched the way the women's head tilted back in laughter at something he whispered in her ear. Zach laughed as well and it seemed genuine from where I was standing.
Looking away, I realign my focus back on Elliot. I smell the bitter scent of alcohol radiating from his breath. "I never forgot about New Year's eve."
I don't reply right away, chewing the inside of my cheek. "El, we can't."
This time he doesn't hold back. "I like you, Sage. A lot. At first, I tried not to, thinking it was just a work crush but then we started hanging out outside of the office and I got to see not only how amazing you are at your job, but you manage to put a smile on anybody's face that you come in contact with. And at the New Year's party I was going to ask you out after we kissed but you just left and it was awkward because I no longer knew where we stood."
"Elliot—" I shake my head, stepping out of his arms.
"One date, Sage." He steps forward, grabbing my hands. "I'd never forgive myself if I never asked."
My mouth gapes open but I have no idea what to say.
Yes.
No.
I look behind his shoulder again but Rosalind is sauntering towards us instead.
Shit.
"Ms.Winters, Mr.Castillo. Aren't you two a beautiful pair this evening?" Rosalind beams with a smile while walking up to us both. She looks so carefree in this type of environment. It's kind of refreshing to see something other than a scowl on her face.
"Ms.Campbell." Elliot greets, in acknowledgment.
"You know my name Elliot, don't be afraid to use it." She comments eyeing him up and down, before turning behind her where my biggest nightmare comes into view. "Can I introduce you to, Mr.Stone and Ms.Campbell? These two have been long term ambassadors of E-Sports."
My eyes involuntarily glide over to Zachariah's hand that rests above her hip. When I look up, his eyes connect to mine. Their purely vacant, nothing significant lies behind them. Just as a waiter passes us by, I pick up a champagne glass from his tray and take a small but sufficient sip.
I needed something much stronger if I was going to make it through the rest of the night without making a fool of myself.
"It is finally so nice to meet Rosalind's second hand women. She has told me plenty about your dedication to journalism. I'm Cora." The supermodel sticks her hand out for me to shake and unfortunately I have no choice but to greet her formally. I keep my poker face on but in reality I am in absolute awe of her radiant smile.
God. I wanted to hate her.
Because my skin senses something cold and metallic, my eyes fall to the occupied ring finger on her left hand. I force back the bile that made its way up my throat as I examine the shiny rock of a ring.
Yeah. Now, I definitely hate her.
Shoving down my pride, I respond. "Nice to meet you too and please, call me Sage. This is Elliot, he also works for Urban Scopes."
"Zachariah Stone." A deep alluring voice speaks as he holds eye contact with Elliot.
"Cowboys wide receiver. I'm a huge fan. Elliot Castillo." Elliot doesn't reach for his hand and I thank god because I'm not sure if he would've taken it.
"Thanks." His voice is tight like it took everything in him to say that one word.
I hate that I do it but I visually compare the two men standing side by side and the difference couldn't be any clearer.
Zach reaches into his three piece suit and pulls out a small checkbook and pen. "How many HBCU's journalism programs are you planning to fund."
"We are looking towards the bottom 10 funded of the 69 HBCUs that offer journalism programs. We're optimistic that by tonight we'll reach our goal." I reply, while avoiding any prolonged eye contact.
"That's excellent. I can also talk to a few friends of mine who would be interested in donating. I'm sure they'd love to contribute to such a needful cause."
"That would be—awesome. Thank you, Cora."
"No need to thank me. Urban Scopes is doing all the hard work here." She crosses her arms over her neckline and Rosalind's eyes instantly widen.
"Is that a ring?!" All surrounding eyes focus on us. "Oh my, it is! Congratulations! It's gigantic." Rosalind's expression lit up with pure excitement that matches Cora.
"Yeah, we tried to keep it a surprise but I just couldn't help but slip it on this morning."
I swallow the boulder blocking my airway yet I can't find any celebratory words to say in response.
I try to replace the image of him getting down on one knee in front of her in my mind but it just reappears. Over and over again.
I need a drink.
No, I need air.
"E-Excuse me—I'm just going to mingle with a few other guests. It was truly a pleasure meeting you."
"You want company?" Elliot turns to asks, gently holding my elbow. He looks concerned at my sudden drop in mood.
I watch as Zach visibly tenses when Elliot leaves no more than an inch between us. "No, no, you stay and uhh chat. I'll be back." I throw in a fake smile for precaution.
As soon as I turn around my stoic expression dissolves into thin air and the tear I tried so hard to hold in, slowly slides down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away before I gather my dress at the hips and leave the entire ballroom in a hurry.
Too bad chaos greets me as soon as the front doors push open.
I exit through the front door forgetting the paparazzi I had avoided earlier were still very much outside and in large numbers. The sudden camera flashes and shouts in my direction dug up deep wounds of my past.
My pulse quickened as I tried to evade them. But it's no use. The circle that's formed around me suddenly grows smaller as I try to push my way back into the building. I didn't miss this. The suffocation of the media has always been a distant memory, one that I kept hidden for so long.
"Ms.Winters, how are you?! What a surprise!"
Flash after flash blindsided me.
"It's been a while. Are you stepping back into the spotlight?!"
I use my hand to block the cameras but they come barreling at full force.
"Is it awkward being in a room with your ex, Zachariah Stone."
Turning around, my hands collide with something hard. A pair of protective arms suddenly wrap around my shivering shoulders and guides me to a more secluded part of the street. I gasp, trying to come up for air. "Shh, you're okay."
My breathing becomes shallow as I try to come to terms with what just happened. "Sage-
No, no, no, no.
"You need to go." I mutter loud enough for him to hear. I quicken my pace in the opposite direction we came from.
"Sage, please stop running!" His heavy footsteps trail behind me. They get faster, closer.
"Why are you following me?!" Don't you have a wife to get back to. I continue walking down the cold dark and empty street while rummaging through my clutch for my car keys.
They have my picture.
They have my picture.
And I look like this.
I'm going to be in the press with Zachariah Stone hovering over me and the whole world is going to see it.
Zach's hand closed on my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. With one swift pull, he manages to turn my entire body around. "I need to know you're okay. Just please tell me you're okay." His voice softens to a whisper.
He holds me tight as if he knows I need a minute to recuperate.
I look up at him. My eyes trail over his concerned expression, then down to his lips then back up to his eyes. Unlike inside the ballroom, they aren't guarded and unreadable. They're full of emotion. One I refuse to describe.
"I'm okay." I lie and he knows it. "You-you should really get back to the event. You have a speech to give and I'm sure Cora wouldn't appreciate you leaving her in the middle of the evening."
He straightens and swallows roughly. But still no answer. His head is slightly angled to the left of my face. Like it hurts too much to look at me.
"And Elliot wouldn't?" Zach stood there, his jaw clenched, his shoulders tense.
His blazing eyes search mine for an eternity. Now that my breathing has evened out, I immediately notice the gap between us can only be measured in millimeters.
I sigh, shutting my eyes. "El and I are friends. We work together."
Zach's hooded stare trails down the length of my dress, drinking me in and savoring the image like it was taking everything in him to control himself. Our rising chests remained pressed up against one another and the anticipation of not knowing if he'll close the gap between us or walk away next sends me spiraling.
What the hell Sage. He's engaged.
The shiver I attempt to hide is no use as he shrugs off his suit jacket and placed it around my exposed shoulders, leaving him in only that annoyingly sexy dress shirt. The husky smell is intoxicatingly strong but still my senses find peace in the familiarity.
My thighs clench together and so do my eyes when Zach leans forward, his lips barely brush the tip of my ear and a deep whisper follows.
"Trust me, he doesn't want to be your friend Sage and I-" He pauses looking to the ground, like the words are too difficult to voice out loud. "I can't blame him."
End of Chapter
And they meet again...whew the TENSION, things are definitely heating up. Sorry for the extremely long chapter. I couldn't stop writing once I started.
Thoughts on Elliot and Stacey? Specifically Elliot's confession.
Zach's POV is next and it won't disappoint!