Charity Night (english)

2

Now, three hours later, I stand in front of the mirror in my apartment and scrutinize myself once again... The silver silk dress perfectly hugs my curves, and the matching high heels complete my look. I tuck my lipstick and a few tissues into my small, glittering handbag and grab my black fake-fur bolero before stepping out into the mild evening air.

The car that's supposed to pick me up is already waiting, and Tom steps out to help me into the car. I greet his wife, Linda, warmly and compliment her on her truly exquisite dress. Linda is a few years younger than Tom and also works at our company. She heads the finance department, and the two of them just complement each other perfectly.

We engage in some small talk on the short drive to our destination, and Tom has a brief phone call, from which I can gather that it must be with the top boss himself.

Mr. Hyde is a man who leaves nothing to chance, and in recent weeks, I've had the pleasure of dealing with him several times. He can be extremely charming when he wants to, but as soon as things don't go according to his plans, he can be equally unpleasant. Linda tells me that his son seems to have a similar demeanor and that it's often not easy to please him.

Great, this could be fun. But nevertheless, I'm more than excited to catch a glimpse of the young CEO. According to Google, he's one of the most sought-after bachelors in all of New York and is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous. It's been a while since I've seen pictures of him, but as far as I can remember, he's really a sight to behold.

"Charlotte, darling, are you still with us?" Linda's question brings me back to the car. I guess I've been lost in thought. "Yes, Linda, I'm sorry! Did you ask me something?" I reply apologetically. "Yes, I asked where you got this really lovely dress from?" Her smile is genuinely warm. "Oh, I bought it at a boutique near Hyde Park. A friend of mine owns it and knows exactly what suits me and what style I prefer," I tell her honestly. "It's really beautiful... Maybe you can show me where this store is sometime?"

It's refreshing not just to talk to men, which unfortunately is usually the case in my profession. And I haven't maintained deeper friendships for quite some time because I simply don't have the time for it.

"Of course, I insist, but let's keep it our little secret, so that the whole company doesn't end up wearing the same clothes soon," I wink at her, and she grins conspiratorially back at me. "Agreed, you have my word!"

By now, we've arrived and are waiting in the line of cars to reach the red carpet, which will lead us into the hotel's interior. Tom gallantly helps his wife and me out of the car, and we link arms with him on either side to arrive safely.

Inside, there's already a buzz of activity, and most of the people buzzing around here I've never seen in my life. Tom keeps getting into small conversations, and I really regret coming here without a companion. Everyone around me is talking to someone, and I'm just standing there feeling uncomfortable. So, I walk around the room a bit and stroll through the open French doors out onto the expansive terrace, where some smokers have settled.

The mild air and the slightly orange evening sky have something romantic about them, and I lean against the railing to watch the people and the hustle and bustle around me. It's crazy... We all work in the same company or with the same companies, and yet we don't know each other.

"Do you also try to escape from the conversations and sneak away?" a deep, rough voice from the right asks me, and I just smile faintly and nod. "It seems like you also don't want to talk to me?" It sounds more like a statement, yet the young man makes it look like a question. I turn slightly towards him and am about to respond when he's grabbed by an older man and pulled into a conversation. He gives me an apologetic look and then disappears indoors with the said man.

The evening mostly consists of me being introduced to various people whose names I may have heard before, but I probably won't remember their faces by tomorrow. Tom and Linda have been missing for a while now, and I begin to wonder if anyone would notice if I just quietly slipped away.

I'm standing at the bar, reaching for one of the tapas arranged on a tray when the young man addresses me again. "Are you completely alone here?" he asks in an American accent. "I haven't seen you accompanied by anyone today." And again, he says it so assertively that the question sounds more like a statement. "I'm accompanied by my boss and his wife, but may I ask... Are you observing me, or how do you know I don't have company?"

The question sounds cheekier than intended, but now I can't exactly take it back.

He grins at me mischievously and raises his eyebrows. Wow, he has beautiful blue eyes. They positively shine, and mischief sparkles in them as he hears my question. "A woman like you stands out among all these old gentlemen and their mostly purchased women. You simply don't carry yourself as haughtily as the rest of this sad bunch here."

I like his lightness, and I can't help but grin. "Oh, come on... It can't be that bad." I try to restrain him a bit but can't help but laugh. "Is this your first rodeo, or why are you so motivated?" I can't help it anymore and almost spray him with my champagne while laughing. He starts laughing too, and so we stand in the midst of these stiff suit wearers, laughing our heads off.

He orders us both another drink and then takes my arm, leading me out onto the terrace. "I've always liked London... It has that certain flair. When I look out over the city like this, it feels like coming home. Crazy, right?! I've never lived here!" He sounds a bit melancholic, which is completely different from his behavior inside.

At first, I'm a bit confused, but thankfully, I quickly regain my composure and reply softly, "Yes, I understand that well. I've been living here for two years now, and it's always wonderful and comforting to look down on such a vibrant metropolis from above. Where do you usually live?" "I live and work in Manhattan, but who knows, maybe I'll have the chance to live here for a while. I think I could really feel at home here." He gives me a meaningful look, and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

After several glasses of various alcoholic beverages, the atmosphere between us is quite charged, and the now not-so-random physical contacts become less innocent. Instead of on my arm, I can feel his hand on my lower back, where his thumb draws small circles and slowly works its way down to my butt.

His brown hair is perfectly styled, and his white teeth gleam at me when he smiles. His blue eyes look at me so penetratingly that I feel naked. However, I'm not uncomfortable at all... On the contrary! I feel the heat between my legs, and I sincerely hope that the handsome man in front of me doesn't notice.

Unfortunately, his hand doesn't make it any easier for me to return to innocent thoughts, and I feel like my face must be completely red by now.

Again, I can feel his hand wandering, and he pulls me closer to him. "Shouldn't we find a quieter place somewhere else?" he whispers to me, and at first, I'm not even sure if I understood him correctly, he whispered it so softly.

At first, I look at him in surprise, but when I see his gaze, I'm sure that I don't want anything more than to let this man touch me. A slight, affirmative nod makes a smile appear on his handsome face, and he takes my hand and leads me behind him towards the exit. Toward the elevator, to get to another floor. "I have a room here in the hotel." It's the last thing he says before he kisses me with desire and presses me against the elevator wall.