I wouldn't say it was easy being the CFOs assistant but it had it perks. I was on my way to a charity gala in a pristine Rolls Royce in Italy with a glass of cold champagne in my right hand.
Despite this, I couldn't get rid of the dull ache in the pit of my stomach at the prospect of seeing her. It was hard to think of her even now without growing annoyed.
No. I wouldn't. Not tonight. I shook my head and sipped my drink to get the image out of my head. The car rolled to a stop in front of the red carpet and I internally rolled my eyes. We were here for charity but somehow it felt we were completely missing the point.
I kept a distance behind my boss as he smiled and waved for the cameras with a dazzling smile. The venue was grand and almost entirely made of stone. Everything seemed to be of five star quality. Waiters gliding across the room holding hors d'œuvres and champagne trays. Glimmering jewellery on the neck of everybody who was anybody.
I'd be expected to socialise so I walked towards a group.
"Ah, Vanessa! So glad to see you here... Looking radiant as always." says Clooney.
People fawn over this man and you know? I never quite saw the appeal.
"Thanks George. It's great to see you too. How are the twins?"
"They're great. But i'm much more interested in you." He responds to my question placing a hand on the small of my back and squeezing.
Oh, God.
I fake a smile turning to the rest of the group to make conversation hoping he gets the hint. He doesn't move his hand.
"You look particularly stunning tonight in this backless dress," he says, lowering his mouth towards my ear. I can feel his hot breath uncomfortably close to me.
Ew.
"Excuse me, I'm just going to the restroom." I say looking for any excuse to leave. I dash away quickly before he can say anything else following directions to the bathroom.
Once inside I start to fix small strands of my hair that have escaped then touch up my lips with more rose tint in the mirror.
I look up to meet her eyes and jump slightly. "What are you doing here?" My voice could cut through knives but I didn't care.
"What? Here, in this world? Because I could get into that but we'd be here a while." She smiles into the mirror and I can't stop my heart from flipping.
I turn around sharply to face her. "No. Idiot. Here. Tonight. You knew I'd be here."
"Sorry darling, but I'm not gonna miss out on the finer things in life for you." She steps closer.
"Don't-" I start, holding up my hand to stop her from moving any closer. She had some nerve showing up here after what happened.
"I didn't do anything." she smiles.
"Frankie." I warn.
"Vanessa." I loved hearing my name roll off her tongue like it was meant to be said by her and only her.
I don't know how she'd gotten so close but I jumped when I felt the cold ceramic of the sink behind me. I turn my head back toward her to find her face only an inch away.
My heart was beating out of my chest. The thumping was all I could hear- it consumed me. I looked down at her lips, watching as she licked them before meeting her chocolate brown eyes again. Her lips brushed against mine gently sending a spark through my body. One that jolted me back to life. I don't know how she could always do that. It was too much. I sucked in sharp breath and pulled away, getting a few metres of space between us.
