Benson gave him a fast rundown of the situation, and Jarvach sighed heavily. “I see. How…Flash Danceof you.”
“I knew it.”
“No, it’s romantic, but the other party rarely sees it that way, at least at first. I’d say not to tell him, but you’re terribly honest. In fact, I often wonder how the hell you’ve gotten so rich being honest, but…the exceptions prove the rule and all that.”
“He’s beautiful, and in his eyes, you can see it, Jarvach. You see his pain, his determination, all the things he feels. And, well, having once been in his shoes, I relate to him.”
“Oh, darling, you do. Well, I guess this party comes off perfectly, so you can show him that you are a perfectionist too. The first thing you have in common.”
“I’m not, though.”
“You are, which is why you hire me for these affairs, sorry for the pun.”
“Jarvach…”
“Romantic, Greek, casual, so to put all possible fears at ease. Hmm, this will be a challenge.”
“And you love a challenge.”
“Yes, I do,” he said with a wink. “I’ll have a mood board for you this afternoon, and I’ll send my people over to give the suite a good cleaning before the event. I’ll have to rent the suite for at least a day before and after as well as the night of the party, but you can afford it.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll see you soon,” he said, getting up and heading for the door. It was fast, it was productive and, for some reason, that storm in Prada loafers always put him at ease.
That afternoon, he was looking at mood boards and a computer-generated hotel room with his jaw on the floor, as always. Jarvach had a way of shocking him with his insight and flair, but the party for the cast and crew was above anything he’d done for Benson thus far.
Using simple textures of linens and wood and stone, he’d transformed the suite into a luxury space that was indeed as serene as well as functional.
He’d used the blue of the Greek flag and mixed it with the colors of sand and stone for the rugs, throw pillows and fabrics on the sofas, chairs and tables. The tall lanterns held white candles, and the hanging lanterns held sandy-colored candles. The food was placed on a long table, not in plates or bowls, but on slates of marble and thick pieces of wood.
On the walls, the artwork was replaced with Greek scenes of theater and the coliseums they performed in front of large audiences, as well as the most beautiful seascapes.
“This is beautiful, Jarvach.”
“You act surprised.”
Throwing an arm around the man’s shoulders, he said, “You never stop surprising me. I feel…better just looking at this. It’s perfect.”
“I know. It is one of my best. Notice the way the bedroom door is slightly open?”
“Not until you pointed it out, but yes, now I do.”
Jarvach took the top picture down and leaned it on the side of the sofa to reveal the picture under it.
The bed in the center was canopied with wistful white fabric, the same fabric that was on the windows. The same Grecian blue that was barely visible on the pillows that were strategically placed to lean on the headboard and filed down to the center of the bed only broke the white of the curtains. The entire room was lit with only candles and the romance just screamed off the board.
“I never said you had to do the bedroom.”
“Oh, I know. I think of everything. If this cute boy likes you, and you two wanted to get away from the other guests…well…”
“You’re terrible.”
“At least sleep there yourself.”
“I will definitely do that. Thank you, Jar. Now the invitations?”
“Already planned. And the wine was ordered, as well as other spirits, but nothing too heavy.”
