A Famous Affair

A Famous Affair chapter 4

As I step into The Grand Hall, its opulence is mesmerising. I feel like I have walked onto the set of Titanic. Everything everywhere is gold with decadently deep crushed, red velvet furnishings, which enhance the grandeur golden hues within this wonderful room. The ceiling is beautifully ornate with intricately carved plaster. Large cream pillars stand boldly and proudly within their lavish setting.
I'm still in my beloved 50's red dress. With a scoop neckline, it effortlessly skims my bust and waistline along with my siren red, sassy heels. I am feeling confident as I walk in amongst the hundreds of well-dressed people gathered in the hall.
I walk up to the bar; just as I am about to order a drink, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder.
"I thought I was going to be buying your first drink?" I'm greeted by Joseph Merrett's dazzling smile.
"Oh. . . . hello, Joseph . . . are you sure?" I ask feeling slightly embarrassed.
"It would be a pleasure to buy you a drink, Jessica." He tells me with a charming smirk.
"Well, in that case, you'd better get one for Lydia, too, as she will be down in a mo."
Joseph Merrett looks relaxed as he orders the drinks. I scan the room, seeing a few contacts that I recognize, but there are a lot of people I don't know. I begin to feel a little awkward, like a small fish in a very big pond.
I can see Matthew Merrett chatting to a group of people, as I turn my head, I see Jake Carter. He's chatting within a small group; he looks preoccupied. Although smiling with polite intention, he clearly isn't interested in the conversation the group is currently engaged in. I really can't blame him. These things do tend to drag on. Of course, if a certain Mr. Riley just so happened to be in this room right now, well that would certainly get a lot of people's very full attention, mine included. Whoa! Where the hell did that idea come from? Jessica Neel behave yourself! Get any smutty notions about Jonny Riley out of your head, right now!
Snapping my thoughts out of it, I see Jake's body language completely change. He's looking in the direction of the main door. He has quickly gone from looking bored, to attentive and enthusiastic. My eyes follow in the same direction as his. There in the doorway, I see Lydia. Looking fabulous, as always. She stands coolly, eyeing the room with eager anticipation.
"There you go, one martini and a large white wine." Joseph smiles.
"Thank you so much, and great timing too, as Lydia has just come down."
I look over towards Jake Carter. Lydia has joined him and the group; she's laughing and relishing in Jake's attentiveness towards her. I smile to myself.
"What's so funny?" Joseph Merrett is looking at me with amused curiosity.
"Oh, just people watching," I ruefully reply.
"So Jessica, have you been to many of these conventions?"
"A few, they seem to become bigger and better each year, though. I take it you've never been to one before then?" I ask, taking a sip from my martini.
"A few, but not as big as this one. It's a bit overwhelming, isn't it?"
I look out to the vast space filled with many people while I continue our conversation. "They can be, but the way I see it, we are all here for the same thing really, to make contacts and network. It's a great way to meet those who are in the same line of business." I glance sideways and notice Joseph is smiling at me, he holds his stare until I feel the need to look away. Is it my imagination or is that a lingering kind of look?
He shifts his feet slightly, standing tall, before addressing me again. "So, have you and Lydia worked together long?"
"We have worked together for nearly five years, but I've known Lydia for much longer."
"Well, you both have certainly made a success of Mason's Toys. That's why Matthew and I wanted to meet you both."
"Thanks, Joseph. Your company is great, too. Let's toast to new beginnings in business." I raise my glass to Joseph's red wine and we gently clink glasses. Yup . . . that is most definitely a lingering look!
"Darling, please tell me one of those drinks is mine." Lydia kisses my cheek and smiles at Joseph Merrett. Impeccably timed! She always, unknowingly, makes an entrance. It is definitely part of her enigmatic charm, one that I welcome today.
Handing her the chilled glass, I smile. "Of course, Lydia. This white wine, kindly bought by Joseph, has been patiently waiting for you."
"I'm sorry, Jess. I got chatting. I didn't mean to leave you on your own, but I can see that you have been kept in very good company. Thanks for the drink, Joseph." Lydia has a wicked smirk all over her face; her brow is naughtily high and arched. I know full well what she's implying. I'm used to this devilish side of her, but feel embarrassed, as I know Joseph isn't. The looks he keeps throwing my way certainly don't need any encouragement at the moment. Right. Okay, Lydia Mason. Two can play at that bloody game.
"That's okay, Lydia. Joseph here, kindly kept me company. You obviously had a far more urgent business matter to attend to over there." I gesture with my eyes towards where Jake Carter is standing. Lydia looks over her shoulder and smirks. Touché!
"So, Jess, are we going to go out later? Take London by storm?" Lydia casually changes the subject. Nicely done, I thought.
I smile. "That would be great. Where shall we go?"
"There's a wonderful sushi place nearby, and then maybe, we could check out a show in the West End, if you fancy?"
"That sounds like a damn good idea," I agree.
"So, what are your plans for the evening, Joseph?" Lydia politely brings Joseph Merrett back into our conversation.
"I'm not sure yet, Lydia, maybe some dinner? I don't know whether Matthew has anything in mind yet, but if he has, I'm sure he will let me know . . . talk of the devil," Joseph smiles, looking at his approaching brother.
Matthew is striding towards us, confident and purposeful. "Hello, ladies, has my brother bought you that drink as promised?"
"He certainly has," I tell him, holding my glass up. Matthew nods with pleasing approval.
"Having fun, Joe?" Matthew grins at his brother. You can tell he's relishing in being here. He's almost arrogant when he speaks, but without offending intentionally.
Joseph grips his brotherly hand onto Matthew's shoulder. "I was just wondering, brother of mine, what are we going to be doing after we have wrapped up here?"
"Well, Joe, I have booked us in for a spot of indoor golf. We can have dinner and drinks there, too," Matthew replies with a pleased smile.
"Really? That's great. You said we should try that when we are next in London. I didn't think we would have time." Seeing Joseph so excited, almost childlike, is quite endearing.
"So, how exactly does indoor golf work then? Don't they whack the ball with a club or something?" I ask the brothers. I am not interested in golf by any means, but indoor golf does sound boringly intriguing, I suppose. I'm genuinely curious as to how it actually works.
Matthew is more than happy to explain. "Indoor golf is played in various venues. They have state of the art golf simulators. A big plus, of course, is that there is no need to wear God-awful shoes and clothes, and without the need of an obligatory whopping bank balance that most golf clubs prefer you to have," he explains.
"Sounds fun, Matthew." Lydia teasingly rolls her eyes. Both brothers start laughing at Lydia's lighthearted sarcasm.
"Now, I don't mean to be rude guys but Jessica and myself need to do a little bit of networking. I thank you for the kind drink. Hope to catch you later." Lydia slips her arm through mine.
"Thanks, Joseph, for the martini. I hope both of you enjoy your indoor golf," I say.
"Oh, we will, Jessica . . . we will. Have a wonderful evening, ladies." Joseph waves.
"Lydia, if we don't see each other, I will be in touch next week, okay?" Matthew says in a raised voice.
"Super, Matthew, speak soon . . . have fun!" Lydia gently tugs on my arm as we head in the opposite direction. Then she whispers to me, "It would seem Jonny Riley isn't the only one interested in you."
Wide-eyed, I try to keep my surprised voice down, "Who? Joseph?"
"Don't look so surprised, Jessica." Lydia grins.
Worry spreads across my face. "Maybe I was a tad over-friendly with him?"
"In that dress darling, you only needed to be breathing to get his attention!"
I'm laughing, but quietly worried that I've given Joseph a very wrong and unprofessional impression of me.