5 - WE MEET
1498 Words
Jorja’s head snapped around and she watched Richard walk out onto that stage like he owned it. Maybe he did.
The applause Aaron received upon his entrance was nothing to Richard’s reception. It sounded like they were at a rock concert with the reaction he got.
He didn’t look anything like the Richard she remembered, all gangly limbs and lots of bruises. He’d finally put on some weight… bulked up in all the right places and it had done wonders for his looks. He’d grown out his hair and wore it in a man bun. There were no jeans and sci-fi tees either. Instead, he wore a fashionably tailored grey suit. He looked mature and refined… and nothing like the Richard she remembered. She almost mourned the loss of that know-it-all geeky Richard. She’d always liked his raw unfiltered mouth and weird behavior. It made him different from everyone else around her. Now he looked like any other important CEO—hot but average.
Richard stood in front of the microphone and waved at the roaring crowd.
When they quieted down a bit, he said, “It’s the man bun, isn’t it?” Then he removed the hair tie and finger combed his luscious hair. Jorja was a bit envious of his sheen and volume. “My PR team finally agreed to allow me to grow it out,” he said on a laugh.
The crowd went even wilder. Clearly, he knew his effect on this mountain of female and male geeks. But Jorja could see her employees in the room watching him too—when they should be doing their damn jobs.
Richard waved his hands again. “Okay. Okay. I’m not going to stand here and give a long boring speech. This is a party and we’re here to have fun and unwind. But I did want to echo Aaron’s sentiments and thank each and every one of you for coming tonight. Each year this party gets wilder and better, and that’s because of you guys. As usual, every cent we raise goes to the RICH Foundation, and all that money is to help disadvantaged kids gain access to much needed resources like computers and books for learning. So with that—”
A blond-haired woman sidled up to Richard, cutting him off. When she tiptoed and began to whisper in his ear, Jorja decided she didn’t like the little tramp.
Richard leaned back, eyebrows raised. Jorja remembered that expression quite well.
“Is that really necessary?” he asked.
The female nodded and he sighed, turning back to the microphone.
“Theresa here has asked that you be reminded there is an after party at the Pegasus roof garden for those of you who may be interested. She also wants you to know, she will be in attendance for those who may need any added incentive to go.”
The crowd burst out laughing and Richard shook his head, a good-natured smile on his face. “Anyway, have a great night and thank you.”
The crowd burst into applause, and Richard walked off the stage.
Lee turned back to her, one glass of champagne empty, the other half filled. “That’s our fearless leader.”
“Fearless? Leader?” Those were two words Jorja would have never associated with Richard. She couldn’t fathom he was someone’s boss? Jorja had a hard enough time thinking of Richard as a hunky CEO, much less the fearless leader of a very successful billion dollar company. Of course, the company was basically tech nerds, so perhaps they were much easier to command than regular people.
“Yup, has been for nearly seven years now.”
That didn’t make sense. He would have barely been twenty two seven years ago. And when Jorja had left he didn’t have much to his name. There was no way he would have been able to create and run such a successful company in such a short time with no capital to speak of.
“Are you sure? Richie didn’t have that type of capital back then.”
Lee almost choked on his champagne. “Sweetheart, if you know what’s good for you, you will not call Richard Black – Richie. You can call him Richard, RB or Mr Black. But never call him Richie.”
“But I always called him Richie.”
Marcy gazed at her. “You know Richard Black?”
“We grew up in the same village. My brothers and their friends use to terrorize him.” To Lee, she said, “But I’d like to not mention that if possible.”
“Yeah,” he said, “I can see why.”
“Wait.” Marcy faced her. “You know Richard Black?”
“Why do you say it like that? I know lots of people.”
“Yeah, but they’re not the Richard Black.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I’m just saying, Jorja—he’s way out of your league.”
Her pride threatened, Jorja snapped back, “As a matter of fact, that little nerdy tech had the hots for me back in the day. He used to literally drool every time I was around. I don’t see why that would change now. I’ve aged like fine wine.”
Marcy snorted. “Yeah, that’s a good one. I can see that—in a parallel universe, maybe.”
Before the two best friends could get into it, the male they spoke of worked his way through the dancing crowd and over to Lee.
“My speech wasn’t a total disaster now was it?” he asked.
Lee gave him a fist bump. “Nah dude. You killed it. I don’t think anyone could tell you were nervous.”
“Thanks man. That’s good to know.”
Richard looked at Marcy and smiled in surprise. “Marcy Lawson!”
“Hello, Richard.”
“Oh, my God! When did you get out?”
“Over a year ago.”
She went up on her toes and gave him a brief hug that had Jorja’s eyes narrowing. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You are okay, right?”
“I’m fine. Great, actually.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. I just saw your brother at an investment meeting a few weeks ago, but he didn’t mention you were home. Actually, come to think of it, he didn’t mention you at all.”
Marcy’s answer was to laugh.
Laughing himself, Richard shook his head. “Ahh. They are still like that, I take it. The family still considers you the black sheep.” He glanced at Jorja and began to walk away. Then he stopped and looked back, his eyes narrowing.
“Jorja? Jorja Banks?”
“In the flesh.”
“Wow. It’s been ages.” He stepped in front of her and gave her a quick, rather unsatisfying hug. “I don’t think I’ve seen you since you left to join the army. You’ve grown.”
“You too.”
“So what are you here at my event?”
Jorja gritted her teeth but answered politely, “I’m partners with Marcy. We own the security company handling your party.”
“Oh. That’s nice. I didn’t know that.” But he didn’t seem to mean it or care. His eyes had already started scanning the room.
Aaron returned with a drink for him and Richard.
“You did great. Do you think you can hold on to that momentum for a bit longer?”
“Why? What do you need me to do now?”
“Neil Marks is here.”
“The billionaire?”
“The one and only. I want us to tag team him. Maybe we can get him to sponsor the next project.”
“Aren’t we having dinner with him next week to pitch our proposal?”
“Yes, but we have him here now in a social setting. It doesn’t get better than this.”
“You can do that yourself, can’t you?”
“Because while I’m the face of the company, you are the company.”
“I hate this part of business…” he muttered before swigging back half a glass of scotch.
“It all comes with the territory.”
Richard handed his glass to a passing waitress before turning to Marcy. “Marcy, I’ll talk to you later. There’s some work I might need you for.”
“Sounds great.”
Brown eyes focused on her and Richard again leaned in and gave Jorja a small hug. “It was great seeing you again, Jorja. We should catch up sometime.”
But before Jorja could process Richard had dismissed her, he was off charming the billionaire.
Lee gave them both a brief smile before moving off toward the rest of the crowd.
Marcy nodded her head. “Oh, yeah, girlfriend, he is gaga over you.”
- Writer
