Antitrust (Completed)

Part 5: The Gala

You people are too kind. Thanks so much for the reads. Enjoy Part 5! (More cute scenes up ahead ;) )

                Where was he? I had been standing in the lobby for about ten minutes now, and it was exactly eight fifteen. And then, I heard an obnoxious vroom of a car, and an antique 1963 Aston Martin screeched its brakes in front of the lobby.

                A very dapper Jay Verma came out of the car, wearing a navy Tom Ford tuxedo and Gucci burgundy shoes that were so glossy they blinded me. His hair was gelled to one side, and his cream bowtie complemented his tux perfectly. Jay wore a huge Omega watch too. He was practically James Bond.

                “Sorry I’m late” he said, not looking apologetic at all, as he looked me up and down. “You look stunning.”

                “I would accept that compliment, but you’re fifteen minutes late.”

                “Uh, obviously. I had to fight with some random douchebag at the car rental place, turns out he wanted the Aston Martin too.” I rolled my eyes. “Seriously? I got the James Bond car for you because I know how much you like him and all I get is an eye roll?”

                “Yes, because you were LATE.”

                “Wow that’s insulting” he said, as he reluctantly opened the door for me, looking pissed off. I walked up to him and gave him a slow kiss on the cheek to which his expression slowly evolved into a smile.

                We sped off into the night. Toronto at this time was at its busiest, and lights illuminated every street corner. Clubs and bars were bustling and people crowded Yonge Street.

                As soon as we arrived at the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton, I received a text from Nina: Try NOT to let your hormones get the better of you tonight, ok? ;), to which I simply replied, STFU.

                The gala was extremely classy, which meant I was totally going to fit in. CEO’s of big firms, government officials, senior directors, name partners, they were ALL here. Glasses of champagne were passed around by uniformed butlers on silver trays, and the same was being done with the hors d’oeuvres, which included caviar. A live band was playing classy jazz music. This was my type of party.

                And then, I saw someone.

                “SHIT” I said out loud to Jay, who almost dropped his champagne flute.

                “What happened??”

                “You didn’t tell me KARAN SHAH was going to be here!!”

                “Who the hell is Karan Shah?” Ugh, did he really have to ask.

                “I dated him in college and it was a really messy breakup, let’s leave it at that.” I’ll admit part of it was my fault. I honestly suck at relationships, in fact, I even forgot his birthday once. But it wasn’t my fault that he was virtually obsessed with me. I had to do something, so I dumped him, but he took it really badly.

                “Wait, are you talking about that guy in the burgundy suit? That was the guy I had to fight with to get the Aston Martin!” Jay exclaimed.

                “So, how are we getting back at him?” I inquired.

                A mischievous smile tore across Jay’s face. “I’m so getting fired for this” he said, and then he did the most unbelievable thing, he spun me around and kissed me for a whole minute. I was breathless right after, and we lingered, looking into each other’s eyes like we were waiting for that moment for our whole lives.

                “I think it worked” I said, breaking the silence. I could see Karan was looking at us from the corner of my eye, bewildered.

                “Yeah I think so” he whispered, handing me a petit toast with caviar on it.

                “JAY my boy” I heard a burly man behind us say.

                “Mr. Rutherford, how nice to see you” Jay said, shaking his hand.

                “And you are?” the man said, gesturing at me.

                “Al-“

                “Alana Patel” Jay said, cutting me off.

                “How nice to meet you, Ms. Patel” Rutherford said, kissing the top of my hand, and giving Jay a look which I interpreted as good job, she’s hot. “Enjoy your night, you two.”

                “What the hell was that?” I asked Jay. 

                “If you told him what your real name was, I’d be screwed.”

                “Why?”

                “That was my boss. If he realized I was making out with a person we’re doing business with, he’d probably fire me.” Awkward.

                “Oh, yeah that’d be bad.”

                “Indeed. We should dance.” Was he insane?

                “Are you crazy?”

                “Why not?”

                “I just don’t want to” I said, to which he looked utterly disappointed.

                “You need to loosen up Alisha, seriously” he said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the door.

                “Jay Verma, where the hell are you taking me?!” I said, now actually concerned for my safety.

                “A club.”

                “WHAT?!” By now we were already seated in the car and I couldn’t escape. But somehow, I trusted Jay. We sped towards Bay Street and stopped in front of Tryst nightclub. Jay tossed his keys to the suited bouncer in front, and helped me out of the car. There was a line of at least fifty people trying to get into the club, blocked by two more hefty bouncers in suits and a velvet rope. I could hear loud screaming and booming music inside.

                “Come on, it’ll be fun!” he said.

                “It better be.”

                We went inside and Jay immediately ordered shots from the bar.

                “Tequila? Seriously? How basic do you think I am?”

                “Don’t knock it till you try it. One, two, three!” And with that we downed the first shot. My throat burned from the liquor and I was already feeling lightheaded. Jay’s eyes were already red.

                “Next one, on three!” And with that we took another shot. My throat burned all over again from the tequila, and now everything looked hazy. The floors were slowly slanting and the music was making me deaf.

                “ONE MORE WE CAN DO IT” Jay was intoxicated by now.

                I took the third shot.

                The last thing I remember is loud Nicki Minaj music, and two strong arms picking me up and carrying me.

                And then everything went black

What do you guys think is gonna happen next?!? Stay tuned for Part 6!!!!