LoveBird

Chapter Three

We arrived at Artis Event Center by 8:05, we left a few minutes early but due to traffic being at a standstill on the way we were a few minutes late. Alana made sure to express her dislike in so many colorful words along the way. We parked a few blocks down, Alana saying she didn't trust any bellboy to valet her baby, and she couldn't risk it. But I think she didn't want to wait in the long line of limos and lamborghinis being parked for the event. Walking through the dim lit gardens to Artis was like walking through the a dream. The summer nights breeze was warm and the humity heavy.

I couldn't help but stop a moment and take in my surroundings. There were so many flowers everywhere. This place was gorgeous. I wonder if the director of the event thought to make a outdoor exhibition for some of the art work.

"Come on Zosime we are running late for the event. Stop standing around." My sisters heels seemed to hit the ground harded as she got more fustrated about being late. To not deal with her fustration targeted toward me I hurried to try and keep up with her. Rounding the corner of a archway in the garden we came to a door leading into the building, lights and people were everywhere. We entered inside, everyone was dressed in elegant gowns and three piece suits. The place was dazzling with the different pieces of art scattered among the walls, flowers arranged everywhere, and lights colored to compliment the decoration.

If this is the kind of events I would have to take part of while working for this company I don't know if I would ever get used to it. A waiter came by with a cocktail tray and my sister and I took one. "Make sure not to drink to many you know you are. If you need me I will be over there with Eric and Mr. Redmont." With that she left leaving me to look among the art and drink my champaign.

I made my way through the room, trying to blend into the background, this type of world was not something I fit into. I found Basil and Rose standing at a table with people I assumed from the office chatting. Even though we were dressed up they were easy to spot out of the crowd. I walked up behind Basil grabbing his shoulder quickly to scare him. He jumped yelling loudly turning around. Everyone at the table laughed, he studied me really closely trying to figure out who I was. "Zosime! You scared the s**t out of me!" He started laughing with everyone, making a spot for me at the table to fit in.

"You look amazing Zosime, where did you get that dress from? Your sisters looks great to. Did you both get them from the same place?" Rose asks me, coming around to the other side to look at the whole outfit.

"My mom makes our dresses, she owns the boutique Esmeraldas." I say, everyone seems to zero in on that.

"Your mother is Esmeralda? The one who makes all the dresses for events for everyone in Naples?" Rose asks, I just nod my head. Her and Basil's mouths are wide open looking at me and my dress.

"I love your mother's dresses do you think she could make me a dress?" Rose asks, "Could she make me a custom tux maybe something with exotic colors and peacock feathers on it?"Basil says making us all laugh. His flamboyant personality brings smiles on everyone's faces. "I am sure she would any friends of mine are a friend of hers."

With that we all continue to talk about the party and different dresses other people are wearing. "By the way I haven't seen Olivia anywhere." I say, hoping that her attitude doesn't come this way or hopefully she got stuck in the office and was not able to attend.

"Shes here probably looking for Asher, she has always had a crush on him. He can not stand the woman and is always trying to get away from her. When he would come to the office she was always hanging around him never letting him breath." Basil moved closer to Rose and I. "Rumor has it though that he will be taking over his father at the company, that Mr. Redmont is going abroad for a while and giving his position to Asher." Rose almost choked on her drink from this news.

"Your telling me that Asher, made like a greek god from the heavens is going to be our boss?" She whispers so loud everyone could hear it. Basil cleared his throat sending her a nod. Rose was so excited she could barely hold it in. "Well I think we should go dance, Basil, Zosime what do you think?" Basil agreed but not me. "You both go ahead I am going to go look through the art exhibit some more."

I watched as they disappeared into the auditorium were the ball was being held. Walking through the halls I found that the art exhibit branched off into other rooms. Showing different pictures in each room. I found another waiter holding champaign and grabbed another drink. Walking through the halls I found another room shimmering pink with pictures of landscapes on the wall. Each picture was exquisite in its own way. Each breathtaking almost as if they were drawing me into them and taking me to a different place.

I was mesmerized by the photos so much that I didn't realize someone else had entered the empty room. A deep husky voice came from behind me, "There you are I've been looking everywhere for you." Before I knew what was happening I was turned around and a pair of hands grabbed through my curls pushing my head up so a pair of hot lips pressed against mine. It was a toe curling head spinning type of kiss. One that made time stop and you forget where you are. I felt myself start to tremble from this kiss. Remembering that it was a stranger I quickly tore away from the man only seeing a glance of a brown beard and black mask, looking at the ground I seen a pair of red loafers.

Remembering that it was a stranger I quickly tore away from the man only seeing a glance of a brown beard and black mask, looking at the ground I seen a pair of red loafers

How funny the devil wears red shoes and I just kissed a stranger. The second kiss I have ever gotten was a kiss from a stranger.

I ran out of there as fast as I could not even spairing him a second glass. My face was the color red of a r****h. I made my way back to the main hall where everyone was gathered and found Basil and Rose. "Where have you been girl they are about to start the presentation for this event." Trying to collect myself, I focus forward on the presentation as Mr. Redmont, Eric and a mysterious man make there way on to the stage. The third man looks as if he is someone straight out of the jungle. His brunette hair was wild untamable as it fell shoulder length, he had a medium length beard that covered most of his jawline, he had a nice tan as if he spent most of his time out in the son and he stood atleast another foot above the other men.

His aura seemed to captivate everyone in the room making all eyes fall on him. "Zosime, that is Asher the one I was telling you about, Mr. Redmont's eldest son and our new boss." Basil whispered to me. Rose was not lying with her description the man was beautiful. I kept glancing throughout the crowd looking for a pair of red loafers but just my luck I found tons of men wearing a pair.

The speech was over soon enough and I decided to join Basil and Rose on the dance floor for the rest of the night. My thoughts the entire time on that kiss and searching the crowds for any I suspected as the mysterious man. My sister soon found me and decided that we should leave since it was getting late and we had to work the next day.

The drive home was uneventful as I staired out of the window thinking about the events from the night.

.......

The sound of my alarm woke me from a dream I was having about living in a house with 20 dogs that looked like Duke. Could you imagine twenty dobermans in one house, thats alot of hair. I go through my regular morning routine of letting the dog out and going to the kitchen, my mom and dad are the only ones in there this morning, my sister had not made it down stairs yet.

My dad raises his head from his newspaper looking at me from across the top with a smile that always crinkles his eyes. "Goodmorning sweetheart, how was your night last night?" Looking into those same emerald eyes I see in the mirror I can't help but be happy. My father has always been my number one supporter in everything I do. Even when I had first started painting and they weren't even good my dad would hang my pictures all over the house. "It was good dad, alot of people were there and I wish you could of seen all of the art displayed. It puts my own paintings to shame."

"Thats absolutely wonderful honey, I am so glad you enjoyed yourself. How do you like work?"

Mom decided to put the breakfast on the table at this time interrupting our conversation. I started shoving my face full of food. I had not eaten much yesterday but the pizza and I was starving.

"Its okay, most of the people are super nice. It might be to soon for me to set this job in stone though. We will see after this week I guess."

I continued eating my mom and dad offering me tips and such on how to stand out from the other employees that work at the company. Although the food was good my mind could not help but wonder back to the kiss from the stranger at the gala. I had expected for a wild night but nothing that wild. Should I try to find this stranger or act like it didn't happen. I don't think I can forget it though so maybe trying to find who it was would not be a bad idea. The way the kiss made me feel, his hands running through my hair, pushing my head up to dominate my mouth. The smell of him, a deep musky scent mixed with the sunshine like someone who spent most of there time outside. It was wild and just thinking about it makes my body tingle all over.

"Zosime are you feeling well, your face is a little red?"My mom comes over placing her hand on my forehead. Oh god if my mother found out I kissed someone at a work event she would kill me. "I'm fine mom I swear, just tired." I direct the conversation somewhere else.

After I finish eating I put my plates in the sink and run upstairs. My sister is getting ready, she is playing her music and scream to the top of her lungs singing the lyrics. Living down the hall from your older sister I ten out of ten do not recommend. I start to get ready for work, taking care and pride in my appearance today. If I am going to have to confront someone about kissing me I atleast need to look good for it.

I leave my hair long and curly and apply a some light makeup, still wanting to look good but professional. I decide to wear a flowy light shear tanktop and tuck it in to a short denim skirt, and pair it with a nice denim jacket. I throw on some sneakers to go with it. Looking at myself in the mirror I feel satisfied with my look. My sister is downstairs waiting on me when I get done.

"Girl come on we got to go!" She yells at me running out the door to the car.

Well I guess its time to get to work.