The final Countdown
Chapter 1: The Final Countdown
Lexi Thompson's heels clicked on the polished marble floor as she strode through the grand ballroom. The soft glow of crystal chandeliers cast a warm light on her face, illuminating the faint lines of concentration etched on her forehead. She had spent months planning this event, and every detail had to be perfect.
As she walked, Lexi's eyes scanned the room, taking in the elegant decorations and the bustling activity of the catering staff. The air was filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers and the sound of soft music playing in the background.
"Lexi, we need to review the seating arrangements," her assistant, Rachel, called out, hurrying toward her with a clipboard.
Lexi nodded, her eyes still scanning the room as she took the clipboard from Rachel. She reviewed the seating chart, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Make sure the mayor is seated at table three, next to the CEO of Smith Industries," Lexi instructed, her voice firm but polite.
Rachel nodded, jotting down the notes. "Got it. What about the VIP arrivals?"
Lexi's gaze drifted toward the entrance, where a sleek black limousine had just pulled up. A flutter in her chest caught her off guard. Who could that be?
"Rachel, can you handle the VIP arrivals?" Lexi asked, her voice steady despite the sudden spark of curiosity.
Rachel nodded, and Lexi handed her the clipboard. As she turned to make her way to the kitchen to check on the catering, the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, accompanied by the soft clinking of glasses.
The evening was about to begin.
Lexi took a deep breath, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. This was it – the night she had been working toward for months. The Golden Hearts Gala was one of the most prestigious events in the city, and Lexi's company, Thompson Events, had been chosen to coordinate it.
As she entered the kitchen, Lexi was greeted by the warm smile of the catering manager, Maria. "Lexi, everything is ready. The food is prepared, and the staff is waiting for your signal to start serving."
Lexi nodded, her eyes scanning the kitchen to ensure everything was in order. "Great job, Maria. Let's get started."
With a nod, Maria gave the signal, and the catering staff began to efficiently plate the food and prepare the drinks. Lexi watched, satisfied, as the staff worked together like a well-oiled machine.
Just then, Rachel appeared at her side, looking concerned. "Lexi, we have a problem. The mayor's assistant just called to say that the mayor is running late."
Lexi's eyes narrowed. "How late?"
"About 30 minutes," Rachel replied.
Lexi nodded, thinking quickly. "Okay, let's adjust the timing of the speeches. We can delay the mayor's speech until he arrives."
Rachel nodded, already on her phone to notify the speakers. Lexi watched, impressed, as Rachel handled the situation with ease.
As the evening wore on, Lexi's team worked seamlessly together to ensure the event ran smoothly. Lexi circulated, mingling with the guests and making sure everyone was having a good time.
But despite the success of the evening, Lexi couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She glanced around the room, her eyes scanning the crowd, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was bothering her.
And then, just as she was starting to relax, Lexi saw him – a tall, handsome man standing by the bar, his eyes locked on hers across the room.
