An Overnight Beginning

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Tonight?" I asked.

"That's right." He beamed. "I want you to meet and get acquainted with associates and clients of mine that will soon become yours."

"You want me to meet your business associates." My voice came out small, etched with doubt.

"That's right, Ava. Business." He threw his head back and laughed. " Did you think I was asking you out?"

"Well..."

He continued to laugh. " Forgive me, Ava. You're extremely beautiful but I don't have a habit of going out with co-workers and even if I did, you're not my type."

Taken aback, I laughed nervously.

"Im gay." he smiled.

Relief flooded in me, my heart rate was beginning to slow down and the blood pounding through my ears began to fade away.

"Oh."

"'Oh' is right." He continued, "Now should we talk about the event?" Mr. Silverstone began to direct his attention to his desktop.

"Yes," I shook my head, smiling like an idiot.

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After what seemed like hours but really was only one, we settled on meeting there and not going together. I was given a short list of associates and their names with small summaries of them accompanied by pictures of what they looked like. I was instructed to memorize them before tonight and was given the rest of the day off in order to prep for the event.

I stood up from my seat and shook Mr. Silverstone's outstretched hand before making my way to his office's door. Closing the door behind me, I made my way towards the elevator feeling a mixture of butterflies and heat.

"Yes, one moment. Please hold." I heard the receptionist off in the background. "Hey, so did you get the job? How'd it go?"

I pivoted to face her and smiled.

"Er... no. Not yet, but he did invite me to the event tonight to meet clients."

"No way!" her eyes widened.

"Yes, way." I smiled broadly

"He's never done anything like that!" She stood up from behind her desk and walked towards me, ignoring the phone calls behind her.

"He called it a test and run."

"I'm pretty sure that means you got the job. Why else would he want you to accompany him to the event? He's trying you out."

"You think?" I was obviously excited.

"Hell yes!" she squealed. " My name is Alice by the way, Alice Green."

How ironic, given by her green eyes.

"Ava Harper. But you knew that already."

"Yeah," she laughed softly. "So, what are you going to wear tonight?"

"Not sure. I really wasn't expecting this," I admonished. "Are you going?"

"Of course!" she said in an exhilarated tone. " Only the best of the best are there and well, I am the best." She winked, obviously joking.

"I guess I'll see you there then." I turned my attention back to the elevator.

"Wait, are you going to shop for tonight?" she called out.

"Yeah, I'm going to see what I can find right now," I shrugged.

She turned around and shouted "Henry! Hold my calls! I'm going to take my ten!"