Then And Now

Chapter 35- "A Night to Remember" Part- 2

Narrator-

The third floor elevator bell dinged, to announce to the ushers the arrival of yet another guest coming to the gala. However, when she polished silver doors parted, it was the Court couple making their entrance, with Nathan dressed in a black suit, white dress shirt, red tie and handkerchief to match Savannah's red gown.

Seeing that it was the couple of the hour, the usher posted at the entrance perked up instantaneously. 

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Court." The usher greeted at the door, before pulling on the silver handle of the now transformed third floor conference room, and making the entrance accessible.

Having removed the long oval table and rolling chairs, the space was made larger and open to accommodate a small makeshift stage and podium, a pop up bar, and a hidden area behind a gorgeous drapery, where Sam and his team worked effortlessly to keep the guests fed on light hand foods. The lighting system had also been upgraded and embellished with a handful of chandelier-illusion light fixtures, and the indoor decorator, though working on a tight budget, had a setting which could rival the king's ballroom itself. 

The ushers, all servers from Sam's Bistro, were dressed in all black. Grant and the remaining security detail all wore black suits. There were security guards posted in the parking lot, the lobby, and scattered throughout the third floor. Grant a handful of officers security guards were stationed inside the hall where the gala was taking place.

"Good evening." Nathan replied, while his wife linked her wrist on his elbow and he confidently escorted her inside.

The hall was already occupied with more bodies than the newlyweds expected. Some were familiar faces, such as Martin Smith and his wife Marjorie, Castro and his personal assistant, and even Lieberman and his wife were present. Other faces, Nathan knew by name and yet did not have a partnership with. There were photographers from the local press, and all department heads of Nathan's company, along with majority of his employees were also present.

From the door, Nathan and Savannah were already being greeted right and left. The locally hired live band enhanced the atmosphere with soft yet comfortable harmonies, and light chatter filled the room, as servers walked around with platters of champagne flutes and amuse-bouche. The atmosphere was slightly dim in lighting, yet comfortable on the eyes. The fresh flowers which worked as centerpieces for the round tables in the room helped facilitate a faint yet fragrant aroma in the atmosphere.

Nathan and Savannah were friendly to all who approached. Receiving the various words of Congratulations as humbly as they could, the couple made their way through the hall, and yet, by the time they reached the center, Nathan could barely feel the carpeted ground beneath his weight.

His ears grew dense, as if the matter of his brain had swelled in his skull. There was a high-pitched ringing in his auditory canal, and a cold sweat dripped behind his ears and into his collar. Nathan paled slightly, his throat running dry. This was a better turnout than expected, and for the first time in a long time, Nathan felt nervous.

Like the first time he ever played at Edinburg High. That... was a night to remember in of itself.

The nostalgic notion was enough to spark a trip down memory lane.

*Flashback*

"Eagles! Eagles! Eagles!"

The crowd raved in the gymnasium, as the cheerleaders pepped the students and parents of Edinburg high, who all came to witness Edinburg's first basketball game of the season.

The noise so boisterous and loud, it reached beyond the walls of the locker room and into the ears of a pale and nervous Nathan. Dressed in his jersey and high socks, Nathan was the first in the team to be dressed and fully prepared.