Chapter 5 MEETING A SECOND TIME

Jessica ran up the stairs trying to get hold of this young man that had just flashed before her eyes. She continued to wave through the crowd and push people aside as the search became more intense. She began to feel like he was intentionally running away from her, trying to hide himself in the house. Then she spotted him right ahead as he went into a room by the left. Then she began to doubt if he was the person she saw back at her office. She slowed down her pace and began to rehearse what she was going to say to him, now that she has a hold of him.

She adjusted her gown and tucked her bra sleeve properly, into her gown. She quickly reapplied her lipstick as she came closer towards the room where she saw him going.

She stood at the entrance not knowing if approaching the guy was the right thing to do but she was ready to give it a try regardless.

"Jessica you will be fine, just breathe", she muttered under her breath.

She wore a nervous look as she touched the door knob to open the door.

"Oh sorry I wasn't aware someone was in here," she said, looking down innocently as the door flung open. "No, it's fine. I just needed to receive a call. You can come in." The man said calmly and politely.

"How can I describe his voice? I'd call it a smooth baritone, clear, calm, certainly Intelligent and reasonable. Dry when humour demands it, but warm and gracious. Sexy? Oh no not sexy, sexy is not appropriate, given that I barely know this guy. Besides, sexy is in his eyes more than his voice," Jessica dialogued internally.

"Oh alright", Jessica responded shyly. "I think I remember this face but I can't recall where from." The man said, pointing his index finger towards Jessica. "Oh really, I'm not sure," Jessica responded with a coquettish smile. Suddenly, Jessica's phone began to ring, so she reached out for it in her purse to see who it was.

"Oh Polina!!!" she exclaimed like she had forgotten she came with someone. "Give me a minute," she said to the young man, as she stepped aside to pick up the call.

"Hey girl where are you?" Jessica asked like she was concerned. "I am outside having a drink with a friend. Just wanted to be sure you are okay and having a nice time," Polina responded with excitement. "Yes I, am. Let me know when it's time to leave okay?" Jessica said. "Okay I, will, enjoy!" Polina exclaimed as she hung up the call.

She put her phone back into her shiny clutch purse that matched the short red gown she was wearing. "Sorry about that. Had to pick up that call. My friend Polina was just checking up on me," Jessica said humbly, as she apologized and moved closer towards the young man.

"Oh it,'s okay, so that means you came here alone?" He asked curiously. "No, I didn't. She came with me, but she's downstairs having a drink with a friend." Jessica explained. "Oh, okay," he responded.

"So do you think we too can have a drink, while we get to know each other?" The man asked calmly. "Oh okay. That's smooth. No problem, but can I at least know your name?" Jessica asked, with a smile on her face.

"Oh, my, manners. Pardon me, please. I am Richard Simpson, from Detroit. And what about you?" He asked confidently. "Jessica Walters from Texas," she replied humbly. "Wait a minute, isn't it the same Walters of Douglas Holdings?" He asked curiously.

Yes, Walters of Douglas holdings," she responded chuckling like she was being tickled.

"Yes!!! Now I remember where I know your face from. You were the beautiful lady who allowed me into the elevator when I almost got kicked out by this other lady," He said excitedly.

Yes, that's my assistant, Janet". She replied gently with her hands folded across her chest.

"Wow, it's an honour to meet you, Miss Walters," Richard said, as he stepped forward to open the door, waving his hand across his thigh indicating that she should step out first just like a perfect gentleman.

"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you." Jessica said, overwhelmed by how manly and calmly Richard behaved. She stepped out with a smile on her face, as she walked stylishly towards the hallway, as they navigated their way through the crowd.

She tried to keep her head low as they walked through the dance floor towards a lobby Richard had initially spotted when he arrived at the party.

"Should we sit over there at that corner? I think it's less noisy over there," Richard said, pointing at a table and chair located at the far left corner of the lobby.

"That's fine by me," Jessica responded.

Jessica seemed to feel butterflies in her stomach. She found it difficult to believe that she was already beginning to develop feelings for this new guy.

She remembered the primary reason she came to the party. It was to see Mrs Jenkins, so she tried to look around, but she saw no one that resembled Mrs Jenkins.

"Didn't she come for the party? I thought Polina said she would be here." Jessica thought to herself.

She and Richards walked to the spot they had chosen to sit at, like newly wedded couples. They seemed like a perfect fit. He pulled back the chair for Jessica to get comfortable and find the right spot she wanted the chair to be placed, and then he adjusted the chair and pushed it forward for her to sit. "Thank you, sir," she said as she smiled to sit. "Please call me Richard or better still, Richie," he said with his hand on his chest, smiling at her. He then beckoned to the waiter as he walked over to the other side of the table to grab his seat.