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.

***

The afternoon passes quickly as we talk to new people, old friends, and some rather annoying, but nevertheless, important individuals; it's all about business at the end of the day. I politely avoid any conversations alone with Joseph Merrett. I quickly realise, the coy smiles he keeps throwing my way, definitely means, Lydia was right. God, I hate that!
As the afternoon goes on, I begin to look more forward to my evening ahead. I love sushi and catching a show in the West End is always such a treat.
I see Lydia having a cosy chat with Jake Carter by one of the beautiful pillars. They are close without looking overly familiar. She shyly smiles and he never takes his enamoured eyes off her. The room is beginning to dwindle in numbers; and I can see Joseph is thinking about his next move and I'm beginning to get really hungry. Although I feel like I am intruding, I approach the two of them.
"Hey Lydia, quite a few people have left and I'm starving, do you think we could head off to that sushi bar soon?" I feel embarrassed to have to ask, but when I'm hungry, I am bloody hungry.
"Of course, darling. Listen, I will finish here and I'll meet you in five in the main reception, if you like?" she asks me.
With an apologetic smile, I look at Jake. "Apologies, but when this girl's got to eat . . . she's got to eat."
He sweetly shakes his head. "No, it's fine, Jessica. No need to apologise, I'm feeling rather peckish myself, now." He's looking at Lydia and I'm thinking. Yeah . . . and we know just exactly who for, don't we?
"Okay then, Lydia, I shall see you in a mo. And Jake, nice to see you again." With a spring in my step, I head out into the main reception.
I take my mobile out of my bag to see if I have any messages. I do and it's from Shawn.

Hey, babe
Missing you and your cuddles
From your still very horny husband
xxxxx

I am missing Shawn, so quickly tap in a reply.

Hey yoooooooou
Missing you lots. Just heading out for some sushi and then onto a show in the West End. A big MWAH and give the girls a cuddle from me. You can have one too :)
Love you
Jessica xxx

I am placing my phone back into my bag when I hear a loud female voice. I see a woman in her early thirties who, although very attractive, has a face that seems to wear a permanent scowl. She's talking loudly on her phone. Her long blonde hair, which is perfectly straight, rests neatly down her back over her tailored, deep purple dress. She sees me staring and gives me a fake forced smile, as if to tell me to mind my own damn business. I glance over at the convention door, hoping Lydia will walk through it sometime soon. I think my prayers are being answered; but then my heart quickly drops because the person walking towards me is not Lydia, but Joseph Merrett.
I awkwardly smile in his direction; all the while distracted by the brash voice of the blonde sourpuss still standing by the reception desk.
Joseph greets me with a sweet smile. "Hey, Jessica."
"Hi, Joseph."
"I was hoping to catch you," he says nervously.
"Oh?" Please don't ask me what I think you are about to ask me!
"I'm not very good at this kind of thing, so I'm just going to go on ahead and say it. Would you like to go out sometime?" Damn it! He bloody well has! Now I just want to shrivel up and die!
Brandishing my wedding ring, I reply, "I'm sorry Joseph, but you know I am married, don't you?" He must have seen my wedding ring, surely? Or maybe he just chose to ignore it and try his luck anyway?
"Shit, no I um . . . didn't. I'm so sorry," Joseph grumbles, looking like he wants the ground to eat him up whole. Maybe he genuinely did not see my ring? I try to laugh off his sweet advances. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see Beef, Jonny Riley's bodyguard. It's hard not to notice such a huge figure of a man. He glances my way, looking right through me. Charming! I am now feeling uncomfortable, because of Beef and Joseph. I just want to run towards the Grand Hall to find a friendly face in Lydia. When I think things can't get any worse, I see him!
Jonny Riley is thoughtful as he walks towards the blonde and Beef. As soon as he sees me, his smile is quite simply radiant. Without hesitation, he comes straight over to where I am standing with Joseph Merrett. Shit! Shittety shit!
"Hello again," he says enthusiastically. All of a sudden, I feel as though it's just he and I in the room.
"Hi." My downcast eyes are almost too scared to look at him; for fear that I will make it really obvious that I'm actually really pleased to see his glorious face. Unbeknownst to him, I am trying hard to suppress the ridiculous inner part of me that wants to do a silly celebratory dance and shout out "Yeah. . . . Look at me everybody, Jonny Riley wants to talk to ME!" I soon come back down to reality, with a very big bloody bump, because I quickly realise that we are indeed not alone. Joseph Merrett is still very much standing, awkwardly so, beside me. Shit!
All three of us stand there in uncomfortable gridlock. I am sandwiched between two men who are silently checking each other out. Jonny feigns a charming smile, while Joseph is obviously intimidated by the presence of Mr. Fame himself. He soon graciously backs down, weakly smiling. "I'll leave you to it then, Jessica."
"Okay Joseph, enjoy your evening," I politely answer. We both watch him walk away. Then, Jonny Riley turns his glorious and very full attention back to me.
He looks at me with a raised eyebrow and a crooked grin. "You looked like you needed rescuing."
My cheeks redden. "Was I that obvious?"
He softly laughs, "I'm afraid so." His dreamy eyes mercilessly gaze deep into mine. "And now you look lonely," he says quietly. Those hazel eyes are almost too sinful to look at. I try to speak but need to clear my throat first.
"No . . . I . . . I'm just waiting for my friend, we are just about to leave," I stammer. How embarrassing!
"Oh, I see." His self-assured demeanour quickly leaves him. He almost looks lost. Can he actually be gutted that I am leaving? Don't be so bloody ridiculous, Jessica Neel! I quickly scold myself.
"We are off for a bite to eat and then catching a show," I add.
"So you will be returning to The Broadway, then?" His eyes brighten.
"Yes, we leave tomorrow, though."
He removes any distance between us, standing closer. "Listen, I have to go out to do a few interviews now but maybe we could have a drink later?" His beguiling eyes bore into me, although I desperately want to succumb, I cannot allow myself to. I keep telling myself that I'm attracted merely to his fame, but deep down I know it's more than that. Right and wrong are currently warring between themselves in my head. Why does he have to be so bloody hot, and so nice with it? Damn him to sexy hell!
I feel like I am stuck in the middle of a very surreal, yet, fantastic dream. Someone is going to be slapping me, really hard, around the face any minute, or someone is going to jump out and tell me it's all one big, bloody joke.
However, it's reality herself that is the one to give me a big 'snap out of it' slap! SHIT SHIT SHIT. . . . did Jonny Riley really just ask me out for a drink? I look around nervously; the blonde is still scowling at me. I hold her stare and she quickly looks away, but not before throwing me one last long and very dirty look.
"Mr. Riley, although I'm incredibly flattered, I am a married woman, and happily so. I really don't think my husband would be too happy if I met with you for a drink?" Although I am trying to sound convincing, I cannot lie, I feel churned up inside. No man has ever measured up to my Shawn, but this is Jonny Riley; this is no ordinary man. This is the gorgeously talented and incredibly famous, Jonny bloody Riley. Fuck!
I think I'm allowing myself to get too caught up in the awe of being in a celebrity's presence. Get a grip woman!
I keep telling myself that the only reason he is making my heart flip is because he's famous. A celeb showing a bit of interest in me means nothing. Absolutely nothing! My common sense is now yelling at me. What is the matter with you, you stupid bloody cow? Jonny Riley is seriously NOT interested in you, stop flattering yourself, love.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I did forget about that, apologies." He now looks almost as embarrassed as Joseph Merrett, and is soon backing away from me. I weakly smile and turn to walk away, as he calls, "Jessica?"
"Yes?"
"Your husband . . . he's a very lucky man." He warmly smiles at me, walking back towards the scowling blonde bit and Beef.
I can't believe what has just happened. I stand there, trying to process the conversation. Does he do this sort of thing all the time? Is he toying with me? Then, I hear a voice, which brings me much needed comfort.
"Jessica darling, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, I know you are famished." Lydia hurriedly approaches me. Although I am cross with her for keeping me waiting, I am filled with utter relief to see her familiar face.
"That's okay, Lydia. You're here now. Let's go and eat."
Lydia slips her arm through mine. When we turn round to face the entrance, her expression is one of absolute shock. That infamous brow of hers nearly touches the hotel ceiling. "Is that him? Is that Jonny Riley over there?" She leans in to whisper. Her eyes are wide and then narrow as she tries to focus on him closely.
I pull on Lydia, I can see him too; his eyes follow us as we walk out of the hotel doors. I feel satisfied knowing that I, Jessica Neel, turned down THE Jonny Riley. With a self-satisfied smirk, I reply to Lydia, "Yes it is, Lydia. That's Jonny Riley."