Rendezvous

eighty-two | blue ivy

Part I - Blue Ivy

| MY OFFICE

"Let's talk gala," Mrs. Crawford says as I was fiddling with my pen, waiting for the meeting to be over.

"We have HR on marketing development to keep in touch with our customer base," Megan says and Mrs. Crawford nods.

The members of the board continue to show initiative as I found myself slightly zoning out. It's my last week at the firm, before I offically resign. Mrs. Crawford has been supportive throughout the whole transition, because she knew eventually I'd want to aim higher.

"JK RSVP'd earlier this morning," I heard Paul say and my attention came back to the meeting as my eyes fell on Mrs. Crawford, giving me a reassuring smile.

"Fantastic. Meeting adjourned," Mrs. Crawford says before the members start packing up their stuff. "Humes, stay."

After everyone left the meeting room, I stayed in my seat, waiting for Mrs. Crawford to speak.

"Alina, this is your chance," she says causing my eyes to shoot up at her. "I made sure she was seated at your table. A little bird told me she's been contemplating leaving KLM..."

"Are you suggesting I-" I start with a small smile.

"It's a business gala after all," Mrs. Crawford says. "JK would give you credibility and has a strong HR background, you need the exposure, don't you?"

"I-I do. It's worth a shot," I say growing excited by the second before doubt started to rise up. "She might refuse-"

"Then give her an offer she can't refuse," Mrs. Crawford says, challenging me.

Mrs. Crawford would always push me to my limits. I'm relieved to know that we could form a formal relationship outside of the workplace after I resign.

JK was a well-known Barrister in Los Angelos and has global experience. Since I've started forming a solid team for my firm, I knew I needed the most qualified representatives out there. I'd be lying if I said that giving JK an offer she can't refuse was beyond challenging, but I'm more than willing to take my chances.

| THE GALA

"Hey you," Lana says with a small smile as she walked into the venue, looking dazzling as always.

"Hey, you made it," I say with a smile as she adjusts my collar with a smile. "Do I look okay?"

"You look beautiful," she says as her eyes tinkled. "What are you worried about? That she won't like your skirt?"

"No," I say with a little chuckle while I roll my eyes. "I just- I don't know, I'm just a little nervous because I haven't heard from her in weeks. Maybe she's not interested and it'd be awkwa-"

"Alina. Relax," Lana says with a soft laugh. "Maybe she was waiting to meet you before she decides. Let the night play out, alright? Besides, the gala looks fantastic."

"Mrs. Crawford went all out didn't she?" I say as I look around the gala with the champagne fountain and the live music. "I think this is a gala slash farewell party."

"Aw," Lana says with a warmth in her voice. "I thinking she's finally realising that she's about to lose a diamond and not just any jewel."

I give her a sweet smile as the words escaped her lips. I was a nervous wreck a few minutes ago and all the worries faded away immediately.

"You know..." I start before I got interrupted by a colleague calling for me. "Help yourself, I'll come find you."

"I won't keep you for long, Miss Humes," Lana says sweetly as she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.