"I told them seven o'clock, they'll be here any moment."
Sarah said casually as she straightened her silver necklace in the mirror, gently turning left and right to make sure it looked presentable from all angles. Once satisfied she rolled her hands down her lowcut, black, bodycon dress getting out any and all creases she could. With how tight it was to her slender figure; she'd likely be doing that many times that evening.
"You look... incredible." Nick smiled as he walked in behind her, seeing her brush her long blonde hair as it draped across her bare shoulders.
"Well, it is your boss and his wife after all. If I look good, it makes you look good." She smirked, peering at him over her shoulder in the mirror. He was dressed in a casual white dress shirt and black slacks, typical man. Luckily for him he was conventionally attractive, short brown hair and close shaven stubble with enough of a jawline.
"I'm so glad you agreed to it, he's been really hounding me lately."
"I know sweetie. What better way to keep that job than by letting him taste my roast."
"You could make a real difference in world peace negotiations with that roast." Nick smirked as he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and placing a gentle kiss on her neck. But as she let out a pleasant hum, closing her eyes and leaning back against him, the doorbell took them out of the moment. "That'll be him." Nick sighed, letting go. "Meet you downstairs."
At the door, Nick put on his winning smile. Checking his teeth in the mirror before opening it up to welcome the guests. "Victor! So glad you could make it!" he said excitedly, shaking his hand and offering him inside. "And you must be Joan." He added, leaning in to kiss her cheek politely as he took both their coats.
"Hell of a place you got here." Victor chuckled "How much do I pay you again?" he joked. Victor was an older man, and he certainly looked as though he'd enjoyed the many luxuries life had offered. Balding atop his head with an idea of a beard growing on his chin, along with a belly that was just about held back by his own white shirt.
"Just enough." Nick smiled as he motioned the two of them through to the living room. Joan had been fairly silent other than a slight mumble as she entered. She wasn't the type of woman you'd expect with a man like Victor, you'd think of him as the womanizing, trophy wife type. But she was about his age and showing it.
In the living room, Victor and Joan took a seat on the sofa as Nick offered the two a glass of wine each. "Good stuff." Victor smiled, holding the glass out as he inspected it, swirling the red liquid in his mouth. Joan, on the other hand, had turned her nose up after the first sip, placing it back down on the coffee table to Nick's disappointment.
Before Nick could try to offer her something else, Sarah entered with a soft smile on her face. Both Victor's and Nick's eyes lit up as she strode before them. "And you must be Sarah, Nick has mentioned you ever so much." Victor said suavely, standing up and taking her hand, leaning down to plant a kiss as his wife watched on, less than amused.
"Only good things I hope." Sarah giggled, jokingly offering a little curtsey.
"Of course, of course." He smiled, eyes almost unable to leave her as they moved from her face to the necklace and bust. "Lovely house and fancy jewellery, maybe I do need to speak to HR." he chuckled, reaching up to hold the jewel of her necklace, inspecting it with a smirk as Sarah stood sweetly before him.
Nick watched on from behind her, wondering just what was going through their minds. "I think the beef should be almost done, no?" he spoke up as Sarah moved away with a nod.
"Yes, if you'd all like to go to the dining room." She smiled, quickly heading to the kitchen, her cheeks a little flushed as she returned her focus to the food.
Her husband offered a slightly awkward chuckle as he motioned them all to the next room. Victor was rather pleased with himself as Joan rolled her eyes. "You know, we never used to be dinner party people. But since we've hit our thirties, it becomes part of you." Nick chuckled as he pulled out the seats for the two of them.
As Joan sat down, Sarah returned with a freshly roasted cut of beef along with roasted potatoes and asparagus. "This looks marvellous!" Victor exclaimed as it was placed before him. "I'll carve." He added just as Nick was about to grab the knife. As he stood up, Sarah took her seat opposite him, leaving Nick to sit before Joan.
He was pretty adept at slicing the meat evenly, taking the role from the man of the house. Deftly he plated up the beef to each plate as they helped themselves to vegetables. "So, Joan, what is it you do?" Nick asked, trying to bring her into the conversation.
"Other than spend all my money?" Victor jumped in as she opened her lips.
Her eyes looked wearily to her husband, before continuing "I offer Astro therapy to those in need."
"Bunch of bollocks if you ask me." Victor added as he took a seat, licking his lips as he looked over the food.
"What... what is Astro therapy?" Nick asked, trying to not seem rude to his boss.
"Well, it combines astrology and psychotherapy to help people really understand who they are and how they can be better." She explained, seemingly happy to be able to discuss herself for once.
Victor, meanwhile, had his eyes fixed forward at Sarah as he shovelled the beef into his mouth. Sarah had noticed and offered small smiles his way between eating and drinking.
"Why don't you tell him how much it earns you?" Victor smirked, eyes not moving from the younger wife.
