Curious Business (18+)

The Lamp Post

The Lamp Post was one of those bars where if you didn't know someone who knew where it was, then you probably wouldn't know It existed. It was an oddball bar, an array of characters, shelves filled with board games. The place was the most unpretentious bar in the city. The bartenders were easy going and there was no pressure from anyone to act a certain way. People came here to drink and hangout without feeling like you had to be going to a club.

Walking into the bar, I was greeted by Lorin, shouting my name half way across the bar.

"Clara! Clara! We're over here!"

Lorin, a few of the wait staff from the hotel, and a group of men were at the table in the corner. They were all in button ups and slacks, obviously from the conference. I recognized a few of them and most of them gave me a small nod and a smile. Elias was nowhere to be seen. My stomach dropped, and I was filled with disappointment, but I set myself up for that. I knew better than to think a CEO and founder of a tech company would show up to a secretive hipster bar.

"She needs a drink, trust me, she really does!", exclaimed Lorin

I shot her a look. "No, I can get my own, please don't listen to her.", I said as I stood up to go to the bar. I was pretty particular about who did what for me. I don't want favors from anybody.

"Well, let me come with you at least. I need another anyways.", one of the men spoke up.

Lorin gave me some subtle encouragement with two thumbs up from across the table and bright eyes.

The man motioned his arm for me to lead the way. He was lean, not short, but not tall. The mint green button up and grey pants fit him perfect. I should have let him lead the way. He was obviously athletic. The color of his shirt complimented his eyes and hair. Blonde hair, green eyes, green shirt. He was basically the ocean in human form. Relaxing, warm, very, VERY easy to look at, salty?

"I won't try to make you, let me buy your drink, so if you want to buy your own drink, that's fine", he smirked.

I looked him up and down again. "That is quite the approach. For that, I will LET you buy me a drink.", I replied smugly. I liked witty.

"You look like a whiskey girl. Am I right?"

"Right you are, but you can get me the cheap stuff, it all does the same thing."

"No, no, no." He flags down the bartender, "Hi, yeah, I'll have a gin and tonic, top shelf. This beauty here will have a double Johnnie Walker Blue."

He really was getting the good stuff. At the hotel, its twenty-eight dollars a shot.

"I'm fine with anything...you don't need to get that."

"I know I don't, but I needed a quick way to impress you, did it work...uh?"

"It's Clara and it might have worked, too soon to tell." 

"Felix" he said as he offered me his hand. I shook it, so proper and professional. 

His green eyes sparkled when he smiled. Quick witted and handsome. A similar warmth that took over my body at work earlier came back. Only this wasn't as strong. I could feel Mr. Holt's hands enveloping mine. His skin was soft, yet caloused. I snapped out of my daze. I'm not sure if it was because I haven't been laid in months or if this man was really giving it all he's got, but Felix was making that warmth between my legs present, yet again.

We returned to the table and Lorin was at the edge of her seat, giggling and smiling away. The men were all over her and she genuinely was enjoying herself. Felix looked at me, urging me to sip the expensive whiskey. I raised my glass and tilted the glass and let the warm liquid hit my tongue. It was smokey and fruity all at the same time. Simply delicious, I took another sip and snapped out of my daydream from Lorin's high pitched voice.

"That's strong. I can smell it from here!" Lorin screeched

"It is strong, but it's not meant to drink qui...", I was cut off by Lorin snatching the drink and tossing it back, all of it, every last drop.

Felix looked at me and laughed, I looked back and scowled. That was good stuff! I wanted more of that. I don't know what I was wanting out of the night, but I figured a good whiskey would help me figure it out.

"So, Clara, Lorin tells us you're only 21 and running that whole building." Asked one of the men, who's name was Joseph if I remembered correctly, he had helped plan the event.

"Well, I don't run the entire building, just the conference center." I replied

"It's still impressive" Felix chimed in.

Joseph and the other men nodded in agreement. I knew I was young to be running a place like the hotel, but I deserved the success I created for myself.

"I worked really hard to get where I am. It didn't come without sacrifice. I'm 21 and don't socialize as much as I should. I'm sure I will age faster than other women. I will say, I couldn't do it without Lorin. She does all the work I don't want to." I replied, attempting to get the attention off me.

"Lorin seems to be a woman full of personality." Joseph said

"Yes, I am! I bring a little bit of everything to the table, don't I?" She winked at Joseph. The other men had picked up on Lorin's interests and seemed to find their way to another part of the bar.

"Enough about our work, what do you guys do? I know you are all involved in marketing somehow."

Joseph immediately answered, "I work for Holt Enterprises, we just came to town 6 months ago. That' why we hosted the conference, to get our name out there and maybe even help others out with strategy. We do a lot of marketing to get some skin in the game, but our main interest is getting clean energy out there. You would be surprised how much those two industries crossover!"

"I on the other hand work at Struxture Brand Management. I won't bore you with the details, but we make sure a brand's image, literally and figuratively are appealing to the public. Have a scandalous CEO? We clean it up. Shitty packaging on a new product? We'll fix it." Felix answered and continued, "Now, Joseph you said you work at Holt? Elias Holt being the CEO?"

"Yeah, he's quite the guy." Joseph replied

"He seemed a little off, if you ask me." Lorin responded, obviously feeling the effects of the whiskey.

"He didn't seem off...just preoccupied." I defended. I don't even know the man and I had to stand up for him. I didn't want Joseph to stop talking about him. This was all new information that I wanted to soak in.

"The man seems to have a lot going on for him right now. Risky start up, transitioning to a new sector. He seems confident in himself. Maybe even a little cocky." Felix pointed out.

"Maybe, but we really are doing some amazing things, you just wait, we'll prove it. Mr. Holt has a brain on him that works in the most ass backwards way, but it works, and works well. Not to kiss his ass or anything, but we're going to change how we consume."

"How is he as a boss? Mr. Holt?" I asked, curious as ever.

Felix looked at me, eyebrows partially scowling. I broke eye contact with him and looked down at my hands, gripping each other. He smirked, almost as much as Elias Holt did at the conference.

"Yes, tell us more about Mr. Holt, Joseph." Felix egged on Joseph

"I don't know, he keeps to himself outside of meetings. When we do run into him though, he is always very enthusiastic. He has his days though, I mean if you were 29 and running something like Holt Enterprises, wouldn't you have your days. I've only seen him freak out on people once or twice. Probably a little antisocial, but he has a lot of lady friends that visit. No one will ever tell you that, but they visit frequently. There are rumors that they come in for compensation, but I don't know if I believe that."

"Seems kind of grimey, but to each their own. Innocent until proven guilty, right?", Felix said.

I wasn't hurt, but it did sting a little. I couldn't figure it out, but the feeling made me sad, but not possessive. I was jealous, but not for the reason that jealousy is usually associated with. I wanted to be one of the mystery girls. I wanted rumors.