It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

4

Inhaling a deep breath, Melissa made her way through the throng of people, she had just about made it to the bar when Mr and Mrs Robins and their daughter Anita stopped her.

Mr and Mrs Robins owned a hardware business, they probably made enough each year that they were comfortable, Melissa hated and their horse faced daughter, she wasn’t really horse faced Melissa called her that because of her braying laugh and her ability to make people feel uncomfortable. They also behaved like they had money to burn, and that Anita was a debutante.

“Melissa, darling.” Anita called out to her, Melissa fixed her business smile in place and walked two steps in their direction.

“I was just telling mother and father, I said there’s Melissa, she’s alone, I wonder why? Then mother said that you hadn’t got a boyfriend and you’d remain a spinster you’re whole life. And I said that Melissa should find someone like my Kevin.” Taking a breath in to come out with the next part, Melissa politely said “Anita I’ve just arrived do you mind if I mingle and get a drink first please?”

Anita looked a little shocked, but quickly recovered “Oh I’m so sorry, of course. Talk to you later. I’m going to find Kevin.”

Melissa knew who Anita was talking about, Kevin Green, he was short, and fat, his suit always looked three sizes to small, and was always brightly coloured he always wore spats, he was a slimy, smarmy character, who thought that he could bed everything that moved, he had greasy hair that he slicked back with, god only knows what, he had a spotty face and was always overtly staring at a girls, arse, or boobs and made an excuse to touch girls inappropriately.

He gave her the creeps to be honest and Melissa always went out of her way to avoid him.

She was grateful to Anita that she’d given her the heads up he was here, she could be on her guard.

Finally she got to the bar, after what seemed like an age, the bartenders were rushed off their feet. The young guy who served her had olive skin, deep blue eyes, and blonde hair, but with his bow tie and white shirt he looked nice.

“What can I get for you?” The young guy asked

“Bourbon neat please.” Melissa replied with a smile. Smiling back he bent down,

“This is the good stuff. Don’t tell anyone else.” Giving her wink she handed over a hundred and said “Keep the change.”

Staring at her he said “That’s nearly 90 dollars.” She just turned and walked away.

With drink in hand, Melissa scanned the room for a table. When she was bumped into suddenly and her drink was spilt over her.

She disappeared to the ladies to mop up the spill, as she pushed the door she heard a noise.

“Mmmmm Kevin.” Well Kevin and Anita are getting busy Melissa said in a whisper to herself.

She heard the noises they were making, as she dabbed at her dress with paper towels.

That’s when she heard it “Oh Nancy baby I’m coming. Let me come inside you baby.” Melissa’s eyes locked on to the door the sound was coming from, she couldn’t believe that Nancy and Kevin were doing this, here.

The door unlocked and Kevin said “Clean yourself up.” As he walked out he was putting his d**k away when he caught Melissa’s reflection in the mirror, still rapping at the dress.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Melissa.” He licked his thin lips, and sniffed hard.

“I swear on any deity that’s listening you come near me and I will leave you a eunuch. You’re disgusting. What about poor Anita.”

Melissa didn’t like Anita but she wouldn’t wish that on her. That’s when she heard the next voice.

“Oh my god, you’re here?”

”Nancy Kettleman. I might have known. Your dad with you tonight? Because I’m sure he’d love to know what his daughter a Hartford employee is getting up to. Especially after he signed that he’d be responsible for your actions.”

“You can’t say anything I do out of work.” Nancy screeched the hair she was desperately trying to tame flying everywhere.

“Actually at a big event like this, where you will be telling people where you work and who you work for, in other words representing MY company. I can.”

Nancy’s face was red now. Melissa had managed to get the spill out of her dress. She turned on her heel.

Kevin grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall. “Maybe I should shut that pretty little mouth of yours.” He stunk of garlic, b.o. and s*x.

Melissa had been aware he might do this, he looked at her and made her feel sick. Trying to grab at her dress, when the door flew open. There stood the young bartender.

“What are you doing to this lady?” He asked quietly.

“We were just having a conversation that’s none of your business.” Kevin replied over his shoulder.

Whiel he was distracted Melissa brought her knee up between his legs, hard and painfully. Kevin immediately dropped to the floor.

“You b***h!” He screamed as he held onto his balls. Standing over him and Nancy cowered away.

“If you ever come near me or any other woman aside from your girlfriend again I will embarrass you, that you will need to leave the country.” Melissa snarled “I dare you to call my bluff.”

Looking him in the eye, so he knew she was serious, she then turned and walked away.

The bartender followed “Listen thank you for coming when did.” Melissa said to the young guy. The bartender gave her a crooked smile a mock salute and ran off.

Going back to the auditorium, she quickly found a table, and stood leaning against it. A bourbon was placed in front of her, looking up she saw the bartender, he gave her a quick wink and left.

Sipping the mahogany coloured liquid she looked around the room. 

The awards would start in about an hour, slowly very slowly Melissa started to relax. Scanning the room she saw Jackson.

Jackson White and his family were self-made like Melissa and her family, Melissa liked Jackson they did business regularly and he often accompanied her to business events as her plus one.

Jackson White was the epitome of an underwear model, he had tanned skin, short spiky blonde hair and big brown eyes, Melissa had once been set up on a blind date with him by her loving father, a merge with Hartford Industries would be good for White and Co, there was one small snag to them getting together, Jackson is gay, and had a long term boyfriend called Julian who adored Melissa as much as she adored them.

Jackson was a fair distance away from Melissa but she could see that he was deep in conversation with a guy. Looking around the auditorium she saw a man he was talking to Anita, Melissa almost spat her bourbon out, 'Holy Crap is that Blake?' Turning his back towards her, thinking she must have made a mistake when suddenly she felt eyes on her.

Jackson broke her concentration when he ran across the room picking Melissa up in a bear hug, "Hey, if it isn't my best friend."

"I thought Julian was your best friend," Melissa replied with a grin once Jackson had put her down.

"That's what he likes to think," Jackson said with a wink.

Melissa suddenly felt a strange sense of unease, as if she was being watched, "What's wrong?" Jackson asked peering into her eyes.

Shrugging sightly "I think Kevin Green is watching me, will you look and see please?" Melissa asked

Looking around there was no sign of Kevin, giving a thumbs up Melissa sighed with relief.

The MC cane around each table and asked for business cards, Melissa offered up hers, she'd asked Sam to print some off earlier.

The rest of the night was pretty quiet, when it came to the awards Melissa zoned out listening to and telling Jackson dirty jokes.

The MC's booming voice came down the microphone "This last award is for New CEO's we had so many entries, but I honestly think that this person really deserves her award."

Pausing for dramatic tension he then said "The winner of New CEO is......."

"Melissa Hartford of Hartford Industries"

Melissa almost dropped her drink in shock. "Go on, get up there and get your award." The thundering of the applause was deafening, Melissa took a step towards the stage as if in a dream, she got to the stairs at the side of the stage 1 step, 2 stairs 3 stairs. The MC stood there with his hand ready to shake, and the trophy in the other, stepping up to the podium the spotlight was bright in her eyes, and she could only see the people at the front.

"Hi everyone, I hadn't prepared a speech for tonight because, to be honest, I never expected it to win. Now my brain is screaming 'Let's just wing it' and 'Don't tell them that you'll sound dumb" This proceeded to get a laugh. Melissa always did well being put on the spot. Continuing on she said "This award means a lot to me. It's not just an award but recognition of my hard work and achievements over the past 12 months. Although I didn't just get this position a few of you will know I started in the mailroom and worked my way up. My father showed how much he trusted me by making me CEO. I just want to thank everyone who thought I deserved this award. So thank you." With a million-dollar smile, the room erupted into applause. There were whistles and cheers as Melissa left the stage and stood next to Jackson.

“Well-wishers in 3....2.....1” Jackson whispered from the side of his mouth, Melissa was suddenly surrounded by good wishes, shaking her hand, air kisses the works.

Some people she didn’t even know. A guy in a white suit came up to her. “I remember your papa when he first started in business over here, you and your stepmother and brother we’re in the U.K. and you guys were coming for a visit, the night before you arrived he said “Honestly, Clive, that girl will be the CEO of Hartford U.K. then she’ll be CEO of Hartford New York, then when we establish our headquarters over in Indiana, she will work from over there. He’s so proud of you you know that right?”

Blushing slightly at the slightly overweight guys praise, she gently returned the hug he gave her. Melissa respected Clive, he had been hugely successful and supportive even offering his condo to her rent-free when she was in New York, all he wanted in return was that it was left as clean as she found it. And that wasn’t difficult for a neat freak like Melissa, she even stayed with Clive and his family until her own family found a house out here, Clive’s wife was an amazing cook, and in the first month in Indiana, she had gained 50 pounds.

Once all the well-wishers had gone and suddenly she was alone with Jackson she drained her drink, Melissa said to Jackson "That's me done for the night. I’m really busy and I need to get out of these shoes they're killing my feet."

Smiling Jackson asked, "Do you need a ride?" Shaking her head she simply said "Vinnie." and made a beeline for the exit.