“I never pictured you the sexy red underwear type.” I say, clasping my hands together in front of my pants. The move is to cover my erection, but as her eyes follow the red fabric in my hands, it only seems to draw more attention. When she realizes I’m watching her check me out, she diverts her eyes. I break up the awkward moment by continuing on jokingly. “I pictured you more in comfortable cotton panties to complement your power suits… maybe in white, or pale pink, definitely some nude co-”
“Will you shut up about my panties?! Get out and take those with you.”
Ok weird... I was not expecting the offer, but you don’t have to tell me twice. I stuff the undergarment in question in my pocket while ever so slowly leaving the room, hoping she’ll stop me.
“Really, Chance!!!” Alexa yells, appalled that I actually took her up on her offer as I head back to my room... erection, red panties and all.
Alex
Leave it to Chance to totally take my mind off the depressing shit and fill it with ridiculous bouts of frustration. I can’t figure out what’s going on with him exactly. He’s always liked to taunt me, but now he’s just flat out flirting. And don’t even get me started on the fact that he was aroused the whole time he was in the room, taking my panties with him. Maybe he has a women's underwear fetish... who knows. Now that he and the dark reminder of Pearce are gone, I can focus on securing this contract and not running into Pearce along the way.
Alex
I had forgottenhow much I hated Cacey’s fashion choices until this very moment. I’ve been plucked, buffed and polished for a good six hours. And I’m now looking at my reflection and the reflection of the black patent leather 6-inch heels sitting on the counter, silently taunting me.As if I needed to be any taller.I don’t know what possessed her to think that these were a good idea. Blowing out a breath, I snatch the shoes off of the counter, taking my fate into my own hands and head out into the main living area.
Chance
The car just called, letting me know they’re downstairs, so I put my drink down to go get Alexa to step it up. She’s been out all day doing whatever it is women do in these situations, only to be holed up in her locked room for another two hours. As I go to knock on the door, I’m knocked back… literally and figuratively, by Alexa rushing out of the room. I reach out to grab her before she runs me over. And make sure she’s steady while I step back and take in the black velvet dress. It shows off too much cleavage and has an indecent split, revealing a peek of bright red fabric lining the inside of her dress. The sight of red fabric takes me back to last night when her body pressed against mine. Unlike last night, this ensemble is all Cacey’s doing. Either way, Alexa still looks amazing. I can even feel my smile forming as I take in her frowning expression.
“How are we supposed to handle business with that scowl on your face?” Her frown gets more pronounced as she moves to the couch to put on her shoes.
“Don’t worry about my negotiation skills. Just try not to get any sexual harassment charges while handling your end tonight.”
As we arrive at the ballroom, I realize it’s a much bigger affair than I expected. I’m anxious. And can’t help but scan the room, scouting out the competition. When I look over at Alexa, it’s like she hit a switch. She’s beaming… smiling from ear to ear, actively seeking out anyone willing to listen. I get momentarily sidetracked just watching her work the room, but I regroup quickly.
We agreed to divide and conquer. Separating to gather as much information as possible. While divulging little to nothing about our objectives. Somehow leaving others intrigued enough with our proposal ideas that we stay relevant. That's a mouthful and confusing as fuck I know, but not my idea. Giving Alexa one last glance, I move to the opposite side of the room, refusing to be bested by her yet again. I spot an unassuming female with some type of formal satin pantsuit on. She looks like she is definitely here for business and is hating this formal setting.
“Hi, I’m Chance, from Sullivan Work Group.” I say as I extend my hand to shake hers, only to be rebuffed when she raises it, displaying the champagne glass she’s holding. Still standing with my hand out, I wait for her to switch it into her left hand. But she doesn’t. She does… however, give me her name. Alaina, I think. Who’s rude as fuck… not bothering to provide her affiliation or even look at me for that matter. Maybe she’s shy or trying to do this not divulging any information bullshit Alexa’s got me doing. I’ve never been a quitter, so I reattempt to establish some type of common ground or conversation with this chick. That’s until I follow her gaze and realize she’s been staring at Alexa the whole time. Once I decide I’m getting nowhere, I casually scout out my next victim,trying not to sweat the unofficial score in my head. Alex 2... Chance 0.
Alexa
Right now, the only thing I can do is keep smiling, shake hands, take a card, and give a card. My feet are on fire, but I refuse to let Chance outdo me on my own quasi home turf. Between my old job and Pearce’s obligations, I’ve been to a ton of these things in the same manner of dress. I spot some people that are vaguely familiar, and I try to move away from that part of the room, not wanting to run into any former associates of Pearce’s or mine. It works until the MC comes to the stage. He’s introducing the silent stakeholder that’s hosting this event and funding the new project we’re here to put in a proposal for. I go stiff when those grey eyes zero in on me. My mood shifting as he watches me and begins to talk about the multimillion dollar project he’s launching. A project that will be started by engaging everyone here tonight. I don’t bother looking around the room for Chance. I just turn around, practically sprinting to the exit as Pearce gets more animated and louder. It’s almost as if he is yelling at me. I remove the death traps Cacey calls shoes and make my way to the ladies’ room.
My nerves are tightly wound and I’m trying to focus on anything else while using the sink to splash some water on my face. It's probably destroying my makeup, but I couldn't care less at this point. Between my sore feet and my range of emotions, it’s hard not to burst into tears. I can't believe how stupid I've been not thoroughly researching this company we were trying to do business with. Obviously, I did the preliminary work. I just should have tried harder to look behind the curtain, so to speak. There were too many coincidences… starting with the location and timing. It just never occurred to me he would go this far.
As I stand in the bathroom looking in the mirror, I decide it’s definitely not a good idea for me to stay in New York to see this proposal through. I hate to admit defeat and concede to Chance, but he’ll have to decide if he wants to replace me or go forward with the proposal on his own. Satisfied with my decision, I try to fix my face as best as I can. Slowly putting my shoes back on to go in search of Chance, trying to handle this situation as professionally as possible. When I exit the bathroom, I can still hear Pearce's voice bellowing from the ballroom. It’s intimidating, but I suck it up to face him one last time.From a distance, of course.I feel a burst of pain at the back of my head after taking just two steps out the bathroom door. On impact, my body shuts down and I tumble to the floor, only noticing a scrap of black fabric passing over me before everything goes black.
Chance
After leaving Alaina standing in my wake, I'm able to make some good connections with a few companies out of the southeast region. I’m also able to get intel on a lot of our competition’s plans for this proposal. Looking at the time, I decide to circle back with Alexa to check on her progress. But when I look back to where I remember seeing her last, she’s nowhere to be found. I figure she’s moved on since she's been practically zig-zagging across the room all night, never staying in one area for any significant amount of time. I don't know if that's strategic or if she's avoiding all her old acquaintances in the room. Before I get any further in my search, the MC comes on stage, making this long-ass introduction of our speaker for the night. Midway through, it all starts to click. I’m able to put a face to a name and I’m seeing red by the time the speaker comes to the mic.
Before I can decide whether to full on go at this dude or double my efforts to find Alexa, I see a fucking smile on his face. He looks determined. Laser focused on someone in the crowd. I follow his gaze and see Alexa standing alone by a small refreshment area. I watch as she shuts down all visible emotion and goes off towards the exit like her feet are on fire.
Instead of going to catch up with her, I am warring with myself on whether I should square off with Pearce right now. As I turn back towards him, he keeps talking… with his eyes glued to the location where Alexa just exited. It’s as if his sole focus was knowing where she was at all times during the night. When I think about it, I'm sure he’s done exactly that. I'm heated. I knew this dude was twisted, but I can't believe he put on this elaborate ruse just to lure her back to New York. Back to him.
I look around at all this talent in the room. It’s a shame this project will never see the light of day. I text Miranda to have her rearrange our itinerary and get us the hell out of New York as soon as possible. Feeling the weight of someone's eyes on me, I instinctively look up to Pearce. He’s scowling in my direction now, but also seeming to look right through me like I’m nothing to him. Welcoming the challenge, I stare right back. Giving him my full attention as we have a silent stare off in this crowded ballroom. I don't know how long this lasts, twenty seconds… twenty minutes. Fuck, who knows? But once everyone breaks out into applause, I snap out of it. I can’t get arrested tonight and leave Alexa to fend for herself in the city again.
As that sick motherfucker is soaking up all this applause and attention, I check my phone to see that I have no messages and head towards the exit. I have to find Alexa. I figure I can start my search with the women’s bathroom, hoping she would at least text me if she were leaving. Pearce must’ve definitely drawn a crowd because the hall is completely empty. Looking toward the bathroom, I see a small trail of dark liquid on the floor. My heart starts to hammer in my chest, and I break into a sprint as I race towards the bathrooms to find the source, stopping dead in my tracks when I see Alexa’s still form lying there. She’s right outside of the bathroom door with blood pooling around her head.
Just yesterday I wished to erase all the foul things that Alexa told me about her time with Pearce, and now the image of her lying lifeless on the floor will be permanently etched into my memory. Something in me breaks as I struggle to stay focused and get her the help she needs. Somehow, I end up on the floor, cradling her in my arms when I know I shouldn’t move her. But I can’t help it. I’m now covered in blood and forced to find a dry surface to wipe my hand on...since myphone won’t even fucking dial 911 with so much moisture on my fingertips.
It feels like it takes forever for help to arrive, as I’m now using my suit jacket to put pressure on her wound. When I look around to see what direction the help is coming from, I notice that a small crowd has formed around us, and that Pearce is nowhere to be found.
After the paramedics literally pry Alexa from my arms, I stay glued to their side. But my attention is divided between staying with Alexa and finding Pearce. I know he's behind this somehow. Even if he gave himself the perfect alibi. I'm suffering from a weird cocktail of emotions as several bouts of rage, nausea and nervousness course through my body.
“Are you riding with her in the ambulance?” a paramedic asks, breaking my train of thought. I take that as a sign to retaliate another day.
As we pull up to the ER, I’m directed to a waiting area while they take Alexa back to be treated. While I wait and wait and wait some fucking more, I pull out my phone to call Cacey, my dad and Miranda. I wonder if there’s anyone else that needs to know about Alexa’s condition, and I come to the sad realization that I have no one else to call on her behalf. I knew she had little to no family and that when she lost her grandmother, she pretty much had no one left. It makes me feel like an asshole for taking my insecurities out on her all the times I felt my dad showed her more favor than me while we were growing up. Sure, we lost our mom at an early age, but Cacey and I always had each other, our dad, and a host of friends to go to for support, while Alexa just had her grandma, whose resources were limited at best.
