This story is loosely inspired from the song 'Closer' by the Chainsmokers. Hope you like it.
~~~~~~ Today - Her ~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had spent almost the whole day in a conference giving several speeches and being involved in a lot of discussions. I had been talking almost non-stop since the day started at 8.30 in the morning. At 4.30 pm, when I came back after gulping my 6th coffee of the day, I wanted nothing more than to go back home, take off my bra and heels and settle on my couch in front of some mindless telly. However, no sooner did I park my ass on my chair, reminded my manager about the networking drinks this evening. Networking drinks were the bane of my existence. There were fewer things that I hated more than pretending to enjoy drinking and small talk with practical strangers. However, no matter what, I needed to attend them because my position at work demanded that I do. And a lot of business did happen due to networking after all.
I wanted to tell my manager what I really thought about it. Instead, as always, I wore my happy mask and replied, "Yes, of course, I remember. Nothing more important than networking in sales!" Gathering all my willpower, I went to the ladies to freshen my makeup. "Looks good, sells good." was the motto my organization sweared by. And though they weren't trying to 'sell' me, I was one of the better-looking people in the field and they knew it made a difference. Hell, I knew it made a difference!
I started covering up the areas where foundation had faded off, added some blush to give much needed colour to my cheeks, reapplied some mascara and finished with a red lipstick. I usually don't wear red lipsticks to a work-do but I somehow wanted to do it today. Then I adjusted my full breasts in my pretty blue top and smoothed out my skirt over my shapely hips. Good as new!
When you have done something for very long, even if you're tired or not really enjoying it, you go on autopilot as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Feigning interest while networking was one of such things for me. I was very good at remembering faces, names and filtering out unnecessary data from the usable information I was after. I was talking to one of the potential client executives who was talking about an interesting proposition, that is when I saw him.
He was standing across the room talking to someone else holding a glass of red wine. I looked at him a few more times to make sure I wasn't making a mistake. In a split second, I had lost my bearings and no more knew what the person in front of me was saying. He looked even better than what I remembered from five years ago. He looked just a little bit older with a hint of grey starting to appear in his sideburns. I second guessed myself, but there was no mistaking that mannerism. It indeed was him.
I excused myself from the present conversation as politely as I could and walked towards him. He looked so handsome in his dark blue suit. He ran his fingers through his hair making me go weak in the knees all over again. I could almost see that night years ago, unfolding right in front of my eyes.
~~~~~~~~ 5 years ago - Her ~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was going to the club with my girlfriends that night. The four of us were inseparable over the weekends; a lot of alcohol, food and secrets keeping us together. I was wearing my new little black dress prefect for a night out like this. Little did I know this would become a night I'd remember for a very long time.
The club was one of our usuals - we knew the staff, enjoyed the music and recognised the regulars. The only problem was that I wasn't a great dancer like my other three friends. They took it upon themselves to teach me to be better, but honestly, it didn't matter. I was there for the ambience, company, music, booze and after that, poor dancing didn't really bother me. After a few drinks and dances, I went back to our table for a refill and some food. That is when I saw him. He was standing next to our table with a drink in his hand, watching me. There was something in his glance that was new. I was used to attention, admiration, flirtation and even lewdness, but this looked like something else; a challenge perhaps. Of course, I was feeling brave after so many drinks. So, without a thought, I cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Care for a dance?"
I saw a sparkle in his eye, a hint of smile on his handsome face. He extended me his hand, "Can't say no to a lovely lady."
I took his hand - he held mine firm but soft. With his other hand on my lower back, he guided me to the dance floor. I felt obliged to align his expectations, so I spoke in his ear over the loud music. "I'm not a very good dancer. I don't even know why I asked you." I admitted sheepishly.
"Don't worry about that. Just follow my lead and we'll be fine." He assured me. There was something special in his confidence, like he knew exactly who I was and what I needed right now.