Kimmie's Awakening: Desire For Two Mates

Chapter Five

I drove up to the venue and passed my keys to the valet to park my car. I saw Sean standing near the entrance wearing a black tuxedo. He was standing near an equally dressed-up Tara. Her hair was loose while she wore an off-shoulder magenta lace dress. He looked very classy but professional.

Her eyes moved in my direction. She smiled as she turned toward me. They both hugged me as I drew closer to them. Since Tara wore heels she was significantly taller than her husband but he didn’t seem fazed by the height difference.

“Kimmie, you look stunning! Just the perfect friend I want near my Sean tonight.” She said as her eyes took in my appearance.

“Babe, I told you. I’m all yours.” Sean said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Tara giggled as her cheeks reddened. “I know that. It’s the other women I don’t trust. Now, if you two excuse me I have to get back to work. Enjoy yourselves.” With her final words, she grabbed her clipboard and earpiece and walked inside.

Sean shook his head and turned towards me fully. “Kimberly, if you see a hot guy, I can run. Tara may want you to watch out for me but I don’t want the single men to get the wrong idea.”

I’m sure my face resembled a tomato at his words. He laughed at my reaction and offered his arm to me, “Shall we?”

“We shall,” I responded as we ascended the stairs.

After obtaining our seating cards, we walked into the ballroom. The walls were light gold with a Roman Catholic mural on the ceiling. A live band had begun to play near the stage. Numerous tables were spread throughout the room except for the middle which held a dancefloor. The waitstaff wore white button-up shirts with either black trousers or skirts. Everything projected professional and upper-class.

Tara certainly outdid herself.

Sean and I’s table was situated closer to the back of the room. The tables closer to the band were reserved specifically for investors, donors, and hospital administration. I did not mind the seating arrangements because this night was not about me.

Within minutes, the room began to fill with people dressed in gowns and tuxedos. I was introduced to some of Sean’s colleagues, other doctors, and nurses. However, one of the women was flirting a little too hard with him. I didn’t physically push myself unto Sean but I made sure to introduce myself as his wife’s best friend. Needless to say, that girl didn’t come back around while Sean was in my presence.

As I listened to one of the surgeons' stories about a lung transplant, I felt my chest tighten. My heart began to beat erratically as my stomach felt warm.

Was I coming down with something?

I politely excused myself from the group as I made a quick escape to the bathroom. Once I was able to find the doors, I pushed them open and flew to the sink. I checked the stalls to make sure I was alone before I looked in the mirror. My face was ashen but my cheeks were slightly red. My heart continued to hammer in my chest. I knew I needed to calm myself down. Maybe it was my nerves. Also, I didn’t eat well today so maybe I could also be hungry and dehydrated. Right?

I grabbed a paper towel and wet it. Since I was wearing makeup I couldn’t wipe my face. Instead, I patted my neck. It did help to cool my heated skin slightly but did nothing for my heart. I then closed my eyes and took several deep breaths. Defeated, I left the bathroom and hoped I would be able to calm myself eventually.

The bathrooms were located in a small hallway opposite the entrance. I paused my steps as I realized the room must have doubled in occupants since my small trip to the bathroom. I glanced around the people as my heart continued to race.

Then I saw him…

All sound faded away and the edges of my vision blurred as my sights settled on him.

He was closer to the stage than the bathroom but I knew my vision didn’t fail me. His facial features were sharp and angular. Almost as if DaVinci sculpted him. He seemed tall as he was towering slightly than most men in the room. Unlike the other men who wore traditional black tuxedos, he wore a silver suit. He had medium-colored skin and dark brown hair slicked back. At that moment, it was as if he was the only person in the room.

Until a fair-skinned hand touched his shoulder. A woman appeared beside him. She had golden blonde hair that was curled and placed into an elegant bun. She seemed to have European features and was equally beautiful to the mystery man. She wore a silver gown with a slit that showed off a porcelain thigh when she walked. It wasn’t a revealing gown but it did cling to her like a second layer of skin. It was easy to view the shape of her curves and breasts.

They were beautiful.

She brought her mouth close to his face and seemed as if she was saying something to him. Both of their heads surveyed the room until their eyes landed on me and our eyes connected. It felt as though my heart exploded as my breath was caught in my throat. I felt something tugging on my chest even though nothing but the fabric I wore was on me. I wanted to walk closer to them. I wanted to be near them. No, I needed to be near them.

“Kimmie? Kimmie?”

Sound suddenly came back to me as a voice broke through my trance. I ripped my gaze from the beautiful people to see Sean beside me. He had a worried look as he lightly shook my shoulder.

“Are you okay? You left to the bathroom and never came back.” He said as his eyebrows pinched together.

I nodded my head as I tried to find the voice I seemed to have lost. “I’m okay. I just didn’t expect so many people I guess. If I feel weird again I’ll let you know. I promise.” I tried to pacify him. He didn’t seem to be convinced by my answer. However, he seemed to have accepted it and let it go for now.

A voice sounded on the speakers asking for people to take their seats. He linked his arm with mine to lead us back to our seats. I glanced in the direction of the couple, just wanting to see them one last time. They too were staring at me but seemed tense. The woman was rubbing the man’s arm as he spoke speedily to her.

A part of me wanted to go over there and see why they were upset. I felt my heart clench at their demeanor. Yet my feet moved me away from them. A different part of me yelled how ludicrous my thoughts were and that I should not get into the affairs of a married couple. I let the rational side make the final decision for me. I forced my eyes away from the man and woman as I took my seat. Although my logical side won, it didn’t stop the feeling of sadness from washing over me.

What was going on with me tonight?