I walked into my bosses office, sweating profusely. Whenever Mrs. Cadell requested a private meeting with you, it was never about anything good. I knocked on her door, gathering my courage.
"Enter," came a calm, monotone voice from within. I pushed open the door, slowly stepping over the threshold and into the dungeon. The room was startlingly cold, causing goosebumps to spring up over my arms. It was also brightly lit from LEDs in the ceiling, casting the room with a blue glow. There were filing cabinets against one wall and a bookshelf against the other, each carefully organized. In the center stood a singular wooden chair, old and cracking, facing a large wooden desk. At this desk sat Mrs. Cadell, perfectly polished as always.
"Ah, Maria. Come in. No need to linger around the door. Sit, sit." She gestured to the chair and I sat myself down, my back stiff against the rigid wood. I folded my hands in my lap as some semblance of calm, but I could not keep my leg from bouncing. I looked up into her piercing eyes as she looked me up and down, seemingly amused.
I sat there in uncomfortable silence while she surveyed me, scanning me and pulling out every flaw and insecurity I had. She rested her chin on the back of her hand; her elbow propped up on the desk. One eyebrow was raised and she smirked slightly, as if amused. I shifted, trying not to show my discomfort. To distract myself, I decided to study her back.
Her skin was very pale but she hid it well with her makeup. I would estimate she was mid 50s, but her skin was still very taught and fresh looking, as though well maintained. Bright purple eyes held your attention, accentuated by black eyeliner and accented by purple lipstick. Her long black hair was pulled up into a perfect bun without a stray hair in sight. Around her neck she wore a tight collar: leather with an imbedded emerald in the front. It shimmered as she moved, polished to a shine rarely seen. A black dress formed to her curves, its long sleeves coming down to reveal her soft delicate hands, pale as the moon. A dark brown fur shawl was draped around her shoulders, pinned in the front by a shiny silver brooch.
After a painfully long pause, Mrs. Cadell finally spoke again. "You look worried dear. Relax. I'm not here to talk about your work, though it could use some improvement. I'm simply inviting you to a little cocktail party my husband and I are having at our home. We would just love it if you could join us for dinner." Her eyes flashed as she finished, freezing me to the spot. It took several seconds before I realized what she had said.
"You're inviting me... to dinner?" I asked slowly, feeling as though I was missing something.
"Yes. No need to sound so surprised. It's just a simple get together and your presence is requested. In fact I'd go so far as to say it was required." She sat back in her chair, folding her hands together on her desk. It would be foolish to decline such an offer, so I nodded mutely.
"Good. Here is the address. I expect to see you tomorrow, 7 pm sharp. You are dismissed." I took the little card she had handed me and walked back to my cubicle without another word, to dumbfounded to speak.
The rest of the night and the next day passed in increasing waves of confusion and anxiety. I spent hours deciding what to wear. Everything I owned paled in comparison to Mrs. Cadell's expensive and tailored wardrobe. I settled on pair of pants with a button down, complete with a simple blazer and flats. It felt like not enough but it was the best I had from my limited closet.
Eventually the time came and I pulled up at a large Victorian house, well kept but impossibly old. I parked in the driveway and climbed the few front steps before knocking at the door at exactly 7 pm.
I glanced down at myself, brushing off my top, just as the door opened. There was Mrs. Cadell, as perfect as always. She was wearing the same outfit she had been when we last spoke, but she had ditched the shawl this time. I could see her delicate shoulders and collarbone outlined through the tight cloth.
"Good. I appreciate someone who is on time. Come in." She waved me in and I stepped inside, briefly appreciating the design before being approached by a large man in a sharp suit. His salt and pepper hair was slicked back and he had a well maintained beard, perfectly wrapped around his square face.
He took my hand lightly and kissed in gently, maintaining eye contact with me the whole time. "And you must be Maria. I have heard much about you. I am Lucas, husband of Reine. Welcome to our home." He talking with a deep booming voice with a hint of a French accent in it. I blushed slightly, staring into his emerald green eyes.
Reine placed her hand gently on my shoulder, startling me out of my trance. "Come, let us eat." She gestured toward the kitchen, casting a sideways warning glance at her husband. He smirked and followed us into the large polished kitchen. It glimmered with white marble countertops, white cupboards, and white stools around a white island. The dark wood floor contrasted the brightness, making the room stunning.
"Isn't it just gorgeous?" Reine purred, gesturing with her arms around the room. "Lucas did it himself, such a craftsman he is." She made her way to the other side of the island, motioning for me to sit at one of the stools. I gingerly sat down while she poured 3 glasses of white wine. Lucas sat beside me as she handed us both a glass.
"Um, no thank you," I awkwardly declined. "I don't usually drink."
"Try it honey. You'll like it." She smiled and her emerald pendant seemed to flash briefly. I nodded and decided to at least try a sip, just to make her happy. She was my boss after all.
The taste was unexpected. I had tried wine before but this was unlike anything I had ever had. It was sweet and light, with a slight aroma of spring flowers. It was like drinking a warm summer day. It warmed my insides and filled my brain with pleasant thoughts. I smiled, taking another sip.
"See? I knew you would like it." Reine came over and sat beside me. I turned to look her at her and found her emerald shimmering hypnotically. I stared into it, drinking more from my glass. Waves of yellow and blue rippled around the surface, seeming to ebb and flow deep within the gem. Light shimmered across with every small movement. It was so shiny I could see myself in the reflection. I watched my own face become more relaxed and happy, before I began to blur out of focus. Still I stared into the gem as the shape of the emerald began to morph. The edges became blurry and it seemed to grow and expand, flowing like water across my vision. It surrounded me and I felt as though I was falling into this green sea, floating among the soothing waves. My body rose and fell with the water, taking me in and making me a part of the ocean.
