Vegas Lights

Chapter 24

Iris's P.O.V

After I told Brendon how I felt, it's like a weight was lifted off of my chest. I didn't realize just how much my feelings were weighing me down. Brendon and I were on our way to get some lunch at Brezza together, because it felt like I had been on a remote island for three months and was starving. We made our way in and was just standing around waiting to be seated.

"So, how's work been treating you so far?" I asked Brendon. He was looking at his phone when he looked up at me, thinking of how to reply.
"It's been great. I'm caught up on paperwork, Richard is working on getting a live poker tournament set up in the near future, and you've gotten a meeting with Julian miraculously." He said smiling.
"You know he actually said that he's had Vegas Lights in his eyesight for a while now." I told him.
"Really? He asked, putting his phone away in his pocket.
"Yeah, I guess he's been wanting to work with you as well."
"That makes it even better." He said.

I seen Huxley come around the corner and come up to us.
"You two ready to be seated?" Huxley asked.
"Yes, I'm starving." I chuckled.
Brendon and I walked behind Huxley and made our way to a table, sitting down. Brendon didn't bother with a menu, I'm assuming he's getting the same thing he always does. I looked through the menu, ultimately deciding on the Brezza 'Caesar' salad. I made conversation with Brendon until Huxley came back.
"So, what'll it be for you ma'am?" He asked me.
"I'll take the Brezza Caesar but instead of the anchovy vinaigrette, can I just get the regular Cesar dressing please?" I asked him. "Oh and I'll take a water."
"No problem. I will get both of your meals out to you as quickly as possible." With that, he walked away to get our food.
"You don't like anchovies?" Brendon laughed.
"God, no. That's disgusting." I made a fake puking face towards him causing him to giggle.
"I can't blame you. I'd probably throw up if I ate them too." He said.
"Have you ever tried them?" I asked.
"No, and I probably never will."
"Don't blame you there." I told him.
Huxley came out with our food and set our plates in front of us along with our drinks. I started digging into my food when I glanced over at Brendon's plate, seeing the steak with his glass of whiskey.
"Do you not get tired of eating the steak?" I asked him, taking a bite of my food.
"I don't usually." He said. "Sometimes I'll deviate and get one of their pizzas but, the steak is where it's at. You're missing out." He said, taking a bite of the steak.
I chuckled and replied to him.
"Maybe I am."
"Here." He cut a piece of his steak and attached it to his fork, reaching his arm across the table towards me.
"Try it." He simply said.

I covered my mouth, quickly chewing and swallowing the bite of salad that I already had in there. When I finally swallowed it, I opened my mouth and wrapped my lips around Brendon's fork taking the steak. As soon as it hit my tongue, it melted like it was butter. The seasoning was spectacular and the cook was perfect.
"Okay, I can see what all the hype is about." I said while laughing.
"See? I told you."

We laughed together and made small talk for the rest of our meal. When we finished, a busboy came and gathered our dirty dishes and left. Brendon went to grab some money from his pocket until I stopped him.
"I got it." I told him while reaching for mine.
"I'm not letting you pay." He said.
"Seriously, I've got it. You paid the last time, now it's my turn." I got some money out of my jacket pocket and laid it on the table.
"I wish you'd let me pay for it." He told me.
"It's really okay. I have some extra cash from my last paycheck at Oscar's." I said. "My treat."
"Thank you." He simply said, smiling at me.

Brendon took me by my hand and led us out of the restaurant and towards the elevator. When we was almost there, I saw Katie walking by with a tray full of drinks. She saw Brendon holding my hand and gave me a scowl, her eyebrows furrowed. She was so focused on us, she ended up bumping into someone causing her to drop everything. Everyone in the casino was now looking in her vicinity, including Brendon, the embarrassment on her face evident. She looked back at me one last time before we got on the elevator, giving me a cold look.

I guess that's what happens when you're more focused on something that's not more important than your job. I can't say I haven't done it before but, not over something like this. Brendon and I walked into the elevator, taking his hand away from mine to push the button.
"Mr. Trujilla wants us to come to Florida." I blurted out. "He said he would pay for the flight and hotel rooms."
"Oh wow." He said. "When does he want us to come?"
"Friday.." I said hesitantly. Brendon looked over at me, confusion written on his face.
"Friday? As in this Friday? We have that event." He said.
"I know, I know. I thought if I didn't accept that day he wouldn't agree to it anymore. He said as long as we're there by Saturday morning it shouldn't be a problem." I told him.
"Okay, but I still wouldn't be able to go. I have to stay for the entirety of it." He said.
I just looked at him, not knowing what to say. Just then, the elevator doors opened and Brendon walked out and I followed behind him.
"So, what do you want to do?" I asked him. "I could call him back and try to reschedule it."
"No. Don't do that. I'll probably send you, Richard, and Simon to go, and I'll hold things down here until you guys get back."
"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure-"
"Yes, I'm positive. I don't want to chance the possibility of him not wanting to work with us at all."
I just nodded my head at him while we walked into his office.

Brendon sat down behind his desk and looked towards me.
"I'll call Richard and Simon and fill them in on what's happening." He picked up his phone dialing a number and looked at me again. "Schedule your flight for eleven pm so you can have some time to enjoy the party with me for a little while." He smiled.
"Okay." I simply said. I gave him a small wave and walked out making my way back to my office.

Shutting the door behind me, I walked over to my desk and sat down opening my email. I went to compose a new message, putting in Julian's and typing my message out.
'Mr. Trujilla, we have decided that three people will be coming to visit you in Miami, Florida. Richard Stoll from marketing and sales, Simon Quincy from accounting and financial planning, and myself representing for Mr. Urie. He unfortunately cannot make it due to the upcoming event I had told you about. We have also decided that we'd like for the flight time to be at 11 pm Friday night. Thank you so much for your time and we look forward to seeing you very soon.'

I looked over the email about a hundred times before I finally sent it, hoping it would suffice. Guess I'll go ahead and get the rest of this paperwork done and out of the way while I wait on him to get back to me. As soon as I picked up my pen, the phone on my desk started ringing. I recognized the number as Brendon's.
"Hey." I said with a smile on my face.
"Hey, I talked to Richard and Simon and they're both on board." He said.
"That's great!"
"I already told them, so I'm going to tell you the same. Do whatever you need to, to make this solid." He said. "I don't want him backing out and you guys making a wasted trip there for nothing."
"I'll do my best, Bren." I told him.
We was both silent until he spoke up.
"I probably won't see you the rest of the day. I have to go talk to Gus and finish up the last few aspects of the party and a couple of other things." He said. "Would it be okay if I picked you up again tomorrow?"
I felt my lips tug up at the corners, my eyes looking down at my shirt, fiddling with the hem.
"I'd like that a lot." I said.
"Well, then, I'll see you tomorrow Iris."
"See you tomorrow, Bren." I said.
We both said a quick 'bye' and hung up.

***

The rest of the work day consisted of me finishing up the mountain of papers I had and filing them. I put the last stack of them in the filing cabinet and closed it up. Pressing the power button on my computer, I shut it down making the screen go black. I grabbed my bag from under my desk and walked out, shutting and locking the door behind me.

I made my way to the back area on the first floor, walking out of the double doors. I was met with the kind face of Louis, walking around the car to greet me.
"Hello Ms. Iris, how was your day today?" Louis asked me.
"I'm doing really great, actually. How was yours?" I asked in return.
"Very good. Very productive." He said.
"That's good to hear."
He opened the door for me and I got in, putting my bag beside me. He shut the door and went back around to the drivers side getting in himself. After he started the car we took off towards my apartment.