On The Edge (Currently rewriting)

Chapter Two (New)

The ride to the hotel where the event was taking place was filled with easy, continuous chatter. Pete had always been welcoming and friendly towards me and would engage anybody who would allow him to in conversation. After 20 minutes of navigating slowly through the evening city traffic, we pulled up to The Ardington. This was one of the most popular and high-end hotels in the city and belonged to Kingston Limited. When asked for my suggestions on a venue, knowing that one owned by the company itself was preferable, I had suggested The Ardington due to its central location, excellent staff team and the expansive function room.

"Thank you so much for the ride, Pete," I smiled as he shut the car door behind me. "Have a lovely evening, I might see you inside at some point."

Pete nodded, "It's no problem, Alexia. Yes, I suppose we might, however I am also expected to drive you home. I'll meet you in the lobby around midnight."

I sighed internally, knowing that I would need to make my way from Georgie's to my own apartment once he had dropped me off. I would sometimes stay at Georgie's after these kinds of events, but seeing as there was a good chance, she would be bringing her date home with her, I would need to go home.

Thanking Pete once again, I made my way into the hotel lobby and to the event reception desk. I greeted a couple of girls from HR that I recognised as I was waiting in line to be signed in, and once it was my turn, I gave my name to the security guard on the desk. Once I was waved through, I began making my way into the function room, until I was pulled back by a feminine hand.

"Lexi!" I was greeted by a high-pitched squeal as I was spun around.

"Olivia, Hi," reaching out, I gave the blonde a hug. "You look fantastic."

She pulled away and smiled, "Thanks, so do you! I don't suppose my father has told you what this evening is about, has he?"

At 25 years old, Olivia Kingston was the third child and youngest daughter of Harry's, and what I would like to call a friend of mine. She was beautiful, with pin-straight dark blonde hair, the Kingston trademark forest green eyes, a dimple on her left cheek, and lightly tanned skin. While she had gained her father's once blonde hair and the family eyes, she had definitely inherited her mother's small stature, standing at just 5 foot 3 inches. Although her similarities with her mother most definitely ended there, as her bubbly personality easily came from her father.

We had met at a charity function organised by the company about 18 months previous and found that we had clicked instantly after Harry had introduced us. Not only was Olivia close to me in age, we both shared a love for baking, The Vampire Diaries and some trashy reality TV. Olivia worked as a freelance interior designer, and she would occasionally join me for lunch in my office.

"He's said absolutely nothing," I admitted. "I was going to ask you the same question, I thought maybe he would have mentioned something."

She rolled her eyes, "He wouldn't even give me a hint. I tried to bring the puppy dog eyes out, but even they did not work this time.

I laughed, "He's determined for it to be a surprise for everybody, even his family I suppose. Shall we go in?"

Linking arms with me, Olivia steered us into the function room, and as ever, the large hall was beautifully decorated and easily held the 200 guests that were coming tonight. Towards the front of the room, there was a large dance floor that sat just behind an elevated platform, where a podium stood. That is where Harold would be making his announcement. Nearly 20 round tables were scattered in a crescent shape to the left and rear of the dance floor. To the right sat the bar and two long tables filled with champagne glasses.