Encoding Love (BWWM)

///EIGHT

Saturday evening came sooner than anticipated. Zora spent the remainder of the week trying to get her footing at Klein Tech.  Whenever she felt that she was accumulating, it seemed like Mr. Klein would shake the ground beneath her. He would knock her down, and she would pick herself up from the floor. 

Tonight proved to be no different. 

Naturally, Zora knew the charity event would be out of her depth. The people in attendance would have more money than a small country. For them, this event was another Saturday evening. For Zora,  the upscale affair was an improvement from having pizza alone at her apartment. Illustrious people surrounded her in a place she never imagined stepping foot in. 

Luckily, Wilson was beside her, serving as her escort. He was present the moment Zora's town car arrived. She wasn't sure if he was there to help her or keep an eye on her. In any case, she was happy to have someone familiar with her. Her plus one was beginning to look like a no-show if her unanswered texts were anything to go by.

Along with his presence, she was grateful for the astute assistant doing all he could to make sure she looked the part of a high-class businesswoman. 

The dress she wore wasn't her favorite. The rose gold shimmery material was too flashy for Zora. The v-neck bodice and criss-cross straps were too sultry. Zora lost her comfort in the thigh-high slit in the floor-length skirt. And the heels-- nude Christian Louboutin's that were too tall and only a thin piece of suede around her ankle secured them.

Appearance-wise, Zora fitted in. But she knew she was guppy in a sea of sharks. 

But, out of all of Wilson's choices, this was Zora's best option. It was much better than the red strapless form-fitting number he tried to push on her. She didn't care if it was Valentino. Zora wouldn't be caught dead in a dress like that.  

She had parted her dark hair to the side, creating a bang. Zora sleeked the hair into a bun at the base of her neck. Despite Wilson's persuasion, Zora opted out of any fine jewelry. She was half a million dollars richer and didn't spend a dime. Instead, Zora wore a pair of gold drop earrings her father gifted her for a birthday. The only thing she didn't have to fight Wilson over was the wear of her black-framed glasses. 

Zora rechecked her cellphone. No new texts or calls. She wondered what was holding Elijah up or if he was standing her up. She wouldn't be surprised if it were the latter, but she knew he wasn't the sort of man to leave someone hanging. Though knowing this didn't ease her anxiety in the least bit. 

"Smile, Ms. Rhodes," Wilson advised. A dashing smile was present on his face. " Please don't look like a deer caught in headlights."

The corners of her lips curved up. Timid as she felt, Zora hoped it wasn't readable on her face.

The Tech4Girls charity event was in full swing. A woman named Vanessa Adams found the organization, and Nathan Klein heavily supported it. With his funds, the event was extravagant. The event was held at the renowned Plaza hotel. The ballroom was teeming with New York's prominent figures. Ready to open their pocketbooks to aid young girls who desired careers in technology.

Zora couldn't be happier to attend a cause she wholly supported. They slowly made their way across the room, mainly because Zora walked like a newborn deer in stilettos. Wilson also introduced her to a few dozen influential people.

Many of the people she knew from the media. People who didn't have careers but were insanely wealthy. Most likely investors. Others she met were industry leaders. Those were the people she tried her hardest not to stare too hard at. People she aspired to be like were shaking her hand asking about her work. It was a surreal experience for Zora.