CHAPTER 11
1388 Words
I came back from my morning run, my mind was somewhat elsewhere. I shed off my workout clothes hopefully a hot shower will take my anxiety away. I didn’t have to wear a business suit. I have little comfort wearing my loose white knitted sweater, jeans, and boots, because I still have this feeling that I just couldn’t figure out. Jitters? I doubt if it was jitters, I’m not getting married today. Did I eat something bad last night? Oh, it’s giving me goose bumps all over my arms like there’s something going to happen today. Maybe I’m just extremely excited. Arriving at the venue I went straight to get something to drink.
It was the first time that I hiring a food truck before an event starts. I could see all the staff and workers enjoying their free breakfast and coffee. I wanted to eat but I might get sick again. I gulped down my 2nd dark roast coffee. My organizer, Elaine was busy on the phone.
The venue is a replica of the Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte. Setting up the grand salon extending theme is a masquerade ball with a motif of midnight blue and antique gold. It looks like the ballroom where Beast twirled Belle into a waltz.
“Good morning, Boss. You’re here early.”
“Good morning, Jessica. Has the Genesis group finished their setup?”
“They’re finishing up. They’ve been working all night.”
“Good. I need people to do some safety check again in the area while the Genesis group are still here.”
“I’ve already sent them there, Boss.” hanging up the call. “Oh and the black dress and shoes are too much but I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I need a refill on my coffee.”
“I could do it for you, Boss.”
“No need. I think Elaine needs help more than me.”
“Okay, Boss. I’m on it.” Jessica bouncing off towards Elaine across the ballroom.
Natasha shaking her empty cup. Sighs heavily. Turning quick on her feet, she didn’t notice somebody was standing behind her. She slammed her face on hard rock chest. Shock grabbed hold of her senses. Dazed with her cheek pressed up against the man’s chest, she recognized a familiar cologne. Eyes wide open, “No... it can’t be... no, no, no.”
“Hello Nat.” She slowly lifted her gaze up and she felt a chill rundown her back.
“What are you doing here, James?” pushing away from his chest.
“Good morning to you too. Coffee? Dark roasted, no sugar and no creamer. The usual, right?” holding up a cup while sipping on his coffee latte.
“Thank you.” Holding the cup. Not sipping on it. “You haven’t answered my question?”
“Well, if you must know. I thought I drop by and see if my people are doing their job for the show.”
“W-wait... Your people?”
“Oh silly me. Let me introduce myself. James Voht, Marketing director for Genesis.” Dramatically bowing, “At your service.”
“No...” I’ll be working with him? Uggh... No. No. No! Of all the luck why him? There are hundreds, thousand, million, and trillions of people whom I could work with, why him? Is this karma? Well, at least just for the Genesis project only. It’s not as if we’ll be working in the same company. I just have to play it cool and avoid him as much as possible.
“No?”
“No. I meant ‘No, I seem to have forgotten my phone with my secretary...” forcing a laugh.
“Isn’t that your phone you’re holding?” pointing at her phone.
Looking at her hand, “Yes it is.” Hugging her phone against her breast, “My other phone f-for personal use....”
“I get it you don’t want to talk to me. You didn’t have to be concerned on how I feel.” Tapping the tip of her nose “It seems like, you still have feelings towards me...” wiggling his eyebrows. “Okay. I’m going to leave you do your thing. I need to get back to work. Unless you need me for... something?” biting his lower lips smirking with his eyes linger on her lips.
“No. Thank you.” She felt uncomfortable with him looking at her so freely. Scoffing at him.
“Guess I’ll be on my way. The coffee isn’t poisoned you know.” Flicking her on the forehead, he ran off. He glanced back where she was, it gave her chills.
“So annoying!” grumbling to herself, she kept walking calmly until she got into her car and closes the door. She let out her frustration; grunting, screaming with plenty of punching and kicking. Her anger towards him came back.
Sitting silently in her car, her tantrums quickly faded away. She stares at the coffee cup then looking at herself on the rear view mirror, “He is just here to work, not because of you, Natasha.” Fixing her shambled hair and smoothing out her wrinkles around her eyes and forehead. “You know better. You are a successful, strong, and beautiful woman.” reapplying her lip balm “You are a professional! He is but the past. He is nothing!” Straightening her clothes before stepping out of her car. “Deep breathes. Besides, you have Sebastian.” Clicking her heels with confidence, she sashayed forward back inside the venue to look for Jessica. “Nothing to be afraid of.” As if on cue, her phone rang.
“Good morning, Beautiful. How are you this morning?”
“Good morning, Sebastian! Hmmm...”
"Something happened?”
“Oh nothing that I can handle. You slept good last night?”
“Now that you’ve mentioned that, for some reason I’ve been sleeping like a baby ever since we’ve met. And I usually sleep 4-5 hrs a day. Now, I sleep at least 7hrs a day.”
Wait is he saying I’m boring? “7 hrs of sleep? That’s good, right?” I’m over-thinking I guess. What does he mean? He gets exhausted by me??? What am I saying? This is all James’ fault I’m all over. I’m feeling stressed. “What do you mean by sleeping more than usual?”
“You helped me feel relax. I don’t know how you do it. But, every time I’m with you I feel like all of my problems are gone. That’s what I like about you.”
“Stop it, Sebastian. You are making me blush. And I’m at the chateau working.”
“Ahh yes of course. I’ll be at your apartment at 6pm. I’m your escort for tonight. Oui?”
“Oui, it will be an honour to be escorted by the elusive Mr. Fox.”
“Now, I’m the one blushing. Alright, beautiful. See you tonight.”
“See you.”
Just hearing his voice lifts my spirit up. Then an atmosphere of despondency a gloom fell over me, embracing me yet again. Me having ‘feelings’ per se regarding James shouldn’t make me feel uncomfortable. The feelings that we had before with my ex-husband is long gone. But why am I nervous around him? Am I ashamed that I was his ex-wife? Divorced? Am I afraid of him; of what he will do, or what he is capable of doing? I need to go home to relax and relieve myself from these distractions... correction distraction. I was fine before that buffoon showed up. I think James is planning something devious. I could feel my anxiety rising.
- Writer
