Chapter 39: Ground-breaking Achievements

By the next morning, the weather had temporarily calmed, and in the bright overcast, I could see the Leoné Investments building in the distance. Meters away from the entrance, I saw a black car easing against the curb in front of the establishment, but it didn't hinder my stride. In fact, I didn't look back before or after I entered the building.

In no rush, I approached the elevator and pressed the button to ascend. As I checked the time on my phone, I could hear a familiar set of footsteps echoing from behind, and from my peripheral, a man stood beside me. The doors parted, and I saw his hand insist I enter first.

"Floor?" he asked.

"Thirty-three, please," I answered, before I finished checking my email.

This time as the doors opened, the other passenger stepped out first. He had to proceed in front since he had the keys to the office I intended on entering. Twenty minutes before 7AM, Ezra and I walked inside of his office.

He locked the door and dropped his bags before pushing my back against the door. My fingers curled to run up and down the arms of his coat while our mouths were locked in a heated exchange. Our computer fun was supposed to relieve the frustrations from yesterday afternoon, but before we went to bed, we realized that it made things even worse. The screaming desire to feel one another was planned in advance and led to Ezra be on his knees in front of me.

He licked his lower lip, as his hands snaked up the snug pencil skirt.

"Hmm," he grinned at the missing article of clothing underneath an opaque pair of nylons.

My expression matched his, when I remarked, "Time management."

We weren't going to have time to see each other during or after business hours, since he would be off to spend a majority of his day with Reagan Digital, whereas I had planned to visit my cousin on the other side of town after work.

So, I wasn't under a dark cloud when I parted ways with Ezra. It was hard to be when I felt as high as a kite after Ezra indulged in what he called a 'second breakfast'.

It was 7:05AM and Chris was trying to decipher why there was a constant smile on my face. The moment I entered his office, he assumed that I was mesmerized by another encounter with 'Mysterious D'–as he called the unknown sex provider. Little did he know how right he was; however once I mentioned the upcoming festivities of the award ceremony, he assumed the stars in my eyes were over the prospective glamor.

"If you're excited now, you're going to love it when you get there," Chris smiled.

"You've been to The Banquet before?" I gasped.

"I used to busboy there before my upper crust professional days," he laughed.

Renee swished into the room, donned in a extra puffy orange jacket and pointed at Chris, "Are you two talking about the award thing?"

"She looks very upset, why is this so?" I asked Chris with urgency.

Chris laughed, but Renee hissed that it wasn't funny.

"Renee, what is wrong? I thought you wanted to go," I said.

Chris cackled, before she confessed, "My excitement was all a farce! How in the hell am I going to dress for a black party event?!"

Unfortunately for Renee, by Friday night, she had to come to terms with the absence of color in her dress before 7PM. In between Chris and me, she clung tightly onto our arms and sulked down the sidewalk.

"Will it make you happy to know that you look like Cookie Monster's cousin?" I tried with caution. I took another glance at Renee's enormous faux fur jacket that she could have skinned right from the puppet before giving it a blowout.

"I can't even wear my eyeshadows," she grumbled, still in great distress.

"Actually you can, I was just messing with you," Chris snickered.

"What?!" she snapped. "Luckily, I snuck some in my purse."

"No!" Chris and I panicked.

"You look fantastic with a natural beat... plus we don't have time since we're about to arrive!" I screamed with excitement at the end.

The venue was there, and there was a short carpet outside of the main entrance, barred by matching red velvet ropes. Strutting past the line of valets eager for generous tips, Chris led us to the podium in front of a confused young woman. We quietly wondered why she was cautious to ask us for identification, but then Renee knew when we both looked at her jacket.

Her outerwear aside, we were granted entrance inside of the building that made me bite at my knuckles and whisper, "I'm going to faint, it's so pretty."

Luckily, my company could humor my open mouth and starry eyes.

Oh my God, this is gorgeous!

"Renee, you have to get out of the way," Chris complained, trying to tug her with a linked arm.

She vehemently whispered back, "I'm not going over there."

Even in low lighting, we could see the sweat starting to brim across her brow.

I stood in front of her and with my palms pressed together I coached, "We've talked about this, Renee. The coat check is inevitable. We refuse to let you come this far just to crumble."

Chris snorted at the pun, but Renee shook her head. "I can't do this."

"Yes you can, because you know what? You're not even wearing black right now, you technically could be wearing the 'k' of CMYK right? The mixture of all the colors combined? Right, right?" I egged with my elbow.

Renee's eyes lit up with joy, but Chris grimaced at me and grumbled, "It sickens me how quick witted you are."

Sorry!

He couldn't stay mad at me for long because Renee's jacket flew from her shoulders and she tossed it into coat check. Now, I didn't have to worry about her confidence for the night and could focus my energy on being excited for the man I was waiting to see. Chris hurried off to stop Renee from venturing too far, and I took my chance to check my phone in my clutch and found a message from Ezra.

"Have you arrived yet?"

It was sent fifteen minutes prior to our arrival, and I knew that my non-response had him in a panic.

After a quick confirmation text, I excitedly slipped my jacket off of my shoulders and gave it away over the counter. The young woman at the counter with a high bun gave me a thumbs up. I blushed, but said my thanks.

I couldn't wait for Ezra to see the amazing structured dress my little cousin put together for me. My cousin's affinities for the silhouette were astounding. The fitted bodice hugged my curves before the hemline halted above my knees. The seaming was impressive, as the slit of the fitted skirt added a little edge to contrast the square neckline. I felt so sophisticated, until I realized that I didn't have to wait for Ezra to see me. The text told him that we were at coat check, and it was no surprise when I twisted around and found him not far in the distance.

I could always sight Ezra in something impressive, but there was nothing like seeing him for the first time in a tuxedo that instantly brought me to tears.

Ezra was swift on his feet. "Ada–"

"Ezra, you look like the night belongs to you," I admitted, my voice cracked with hoarseness.

The fact that I couldn't be in his arms in front of everyone tore me apart, and I praised myself for having the mind to bring a Kleenex packet.

I knew my ass was going to be crying.

He removed a purple pocket square and began to touch my face."You want to hold me as much as I want to hold you."

Control yourself Ezra! Renee and Chris could come back at any second.

I scolded him with my eyes, but kept a smile nonetheless, and swiftly took the silk square from him, "We at the point where we're reading minds now?"

The smirk on the face let me know he knew he was being bad, "Of course, which means you know that as soon as I receive this award that I want to sweep you off your feet and spend the rest of the night with you."

"You're too smart, Ezra Leoné. But before the end of the night we should decide which place to go back to no?" I lightly shook my clutch, and the sound of our apartment keys rattled.

With a soft smile he expanded his chest and slipped his hands in his pockets. Being under the sweet scrutiny of Ezra made me turn away and observe our surroundings. We could exchange as many words as we wanted, but the closest I could be to him was in the form of silk in my hands.

"Ada," he muttered, and I saw that his smile was gone. "This dress is incredible. You're too beautiful for me to resist touching."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm struggling with this too, Ezra."

He looked over my face, up to my hair, luckily in my most perfect twist out.

"There is a private bathroom on the–"

"Mr. Leoné!" Renee chirped behind him.

I snickered at Ezra's surprise, but what killed me and Chris was his shock over her all black ensemble.

Now that the quartet had formed, there was no chance that Ezra and I would catch a moment alone. Though, I wasn't upset, knowing that we could play the game of temptation from across the room or even beside each other.

Let the games begin.

Ezra mentioned that our table was waiting for us, so we trailed away from coat check and through the arched doorway that slapped me in the face with extravagance.

The spacious banquet hall was gleaming with marble, and held a sensational and historic elegance with handcrafted woodwork pillars. The champagne theme was breathtaking, and I was glad that I didn't arrive with Ezra. I would have embarrassed him by gagging at the way the chandeliers reflected on the marble floors.

Chris looked dead behind the eyes and unimpressed, while Renee and I silently shrilled at the chandeliers and tables that sprinkled around the expanse of the hall. Most were standing and mingling with one another, drinking and laughing. As lovely as the place was, there was an obvious air of cynicism that floated around.

"They have all the snacks," I whimpered, as we the passed a small table of tiny finger foods.

Renee was good and already had a tiny plate of bacon wrapped scallops. Chewing on one she waved the food in front of me and I inhaled two. But as quickly as I ate them, I had to make sure there were no remains in my teeth when Ezra abruptly stopped in front of a table with a gorgeous couple.

"Ezra!" the couple cheered.

"Oh my God, that man is still beautiful," Chris whispered in agony, before Renee consoled him.

I had to admit the brunette man with green eyes could have passed for Ezra's older brother, as he stood up and exchanged a brief hug with him. I held the awkward, permanent smile for the friendly couple. Realizing that I had never seen Ezra interacting with friends before, I felt the night evolving into the greatness I knew it would be.

The woman's rich, maple skin matched beautifully with her peach sari she revealed when she stood to embrace Ezra.

"I remember these two faces," the man snickered at Chris and Renee, but then he looked to me.

"This... is Ada Young," Ezra presented with an endearing smile and placed a soft touch on my shoulder.

Easy now, sugar cookie.

A hand was extended to me and he kindly introduced, "Joseph Vanderbilt."

Oh my God... I know that name.

I was dumbstruck, but I took his hand before his wife came near and extended the same gesture to me. "Chandni."

She was so beautiful that I barely returned my name at an audible level.

Her accent!

"Your dress is incredible, who made this?" Chandni asked, urging me to turn around once.

"My... my cousin?" I nervously answered, ignoring Ezra who was clearly laughing at me.

Joseph turned back to Ezra and remarked, "Usually, these events are plus one but you have a team."

"Well, I wouldn't be able to receive the award without them."

Ezra's smiling eyes forced me to lower my warm face.

Joseph and Chandni looked confused before she began, "Is it just them? I was expecting–. "

Ezra shook his head. "No."

Nah, Chauvin and Lebleu ain't comin'.

"Ah, Ezra you liar!" Joseph cheered looking behind us with a gigantic smile. "There she is."

Who?

We all turned to find a familiar French beauty that strutted her way toward the group in a gorgeous strapless gown that screamed opulence in a designer name. A smoky palette surrounded a set of hazel eyes, and long shiny hair was in the perfect messy bun. Anyone outside of Leoné Investments should have found the confused eyes on the President of the company questionable. But what struck me most was the fright and fury on Ezra's face.

It was as though I wasn't there, when Genevieve Baddone didn't hesitate to knock her shoulder against mine in passing. Swiftly, Renee clung onto me, but continued to gawk at the woman, who we had no choice but to look at, like she gorgeous ghost she was.

"I would prefer to apologize for being fashionably late, but the truth is that my flight from France was mildly delayed," she smiled to the couple, while accepting their hugs.

The discomfort on Chris and Renee's faces matched my own. However, Ezra looked scarlett with fury.

"Let me see it," Chandni demanded with excitement.

The President lifted her left hand, and flashed the enormous diamond on her ring finger. Chandni gasped at the jewel in amazement and proclaimed, "Oh Ezra, your mother's ring is absolutely stunning."

Genevieve's beautifully painted eyes lovingly turned to Ezra, before she linked a slender arm with his.

I can't... I can't breathe.

"So, when is the wedding date aga–" Joseph began, before his wife swiftly hushed him.

"Shattered" was the right word to describe what happened to the weak muscle I wish I never had. All I wanted to do was look away from Ezra, but his distraught face was on me.

Ring. There is a ring on her ring finger, Ezra.

Chandni wasn't so oblivious to what was happening, but I made sure that no more attention came to me and Ezra by randomly laughing, "I'm so sorry if you all heard that. I swear it was my stomach. Woo, those bacon wrapped scallops are not sitting well with me, I am going to be right back!"

"Do you want me to come with you?" Renee whispered with urgency.

With haste I nodded, and she took my arm in hers to shuttle me to the ladies room.

This isn't real.

I hobbled into the bathroom and locked myself in the last stall. In accident, I vomited all over the rim before hitting the real target.

"Are you okay?" Renee gasped in panic.

"Not really, I think I'm going to be in here for a while," I droned. "Everything hurts."

"Oh my God, I'm not touching those scallops anymore!" she gasped, as I puked more.

If only she knew why I was truly sick to my stomach. Tears from the agony of throwing up and from my heart dribbled down my face. Mascara flaked into my eyes and I could barely see where I lurched anymore.

Renee's voice was "No, Mr. Leoné, she sounds really ill."

Tugging for toilet paper, I hurried to blow my nose and clean up the disgusting mess I spewed everywhere.

Everything was moving too fast, when I trampled out of the stall and washed my hands, before opening the door to see Renee murmuring to Chris and a stressed out man.

"Ada!" Ezra exclaimed, but I couldn't acknowledge his presence so soon.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to be so dramatic." I smirked at Chris and Renee.

Ezra took a step near, "I will call the car and take you home."

Swatting at the air, I played away his concern, "Don't, Mr. Leoné. There is absolutely no need for you to go out of your way to take care of me. Please, don't let me ruin your big night with your fiancée. "

It was clear where my verbal artillery meant to aim, and though it struck him lame for words, what was left in my heart turned to dust.

This can't be real.

"I should go home," I wearily whispered to Renee, and her large eyes were an indication of agreement.

"Yeah, let me take her home," she said to the concerned men.

There was nothing left to leap up from my stomach, but the dry heaving was creating a terrible pain as I knew I just might see Genevieve again.

Before Renee could pull me too far away, I turned back to the award recipient with reddened eyes and said, "Congratulations on your award... and engagement. I had no idea, but I always thought you two looked perfect together."

My thumb up to him only lasted for a second before Renee insisted that we hurry up.

I could feel my phone vibrating non-stop in my clutch.With assistance, I had my jacket put on. It was strange to see Ezra rushing into coat check again– his phone tight in his grip. My feelings were completely different from the first time.

Just moments ago I was feeling on top of the world. Not far behind was the woman that made more sense than she ever did. Joseph, Chandni, and Chris soon followed after him to interrogate his panic, and I took my chance to rush into the outdoors.

Not yet, Ada. Not in front of them.

The chilled winds worked in my favor to assist in numbing my pain. Everything I didn't want to feel was sore.

"I'm going to get you out of here soon, okay?" Renee reassured me, while she waved an arm out into the street. "Where are you going?!"

I couldn't risk being caught by him. My being wanted to be as far away as possible, and my feet couldn't stop.

More vibrations fired off in my purse, but I couldn't acknowledge a single one, knowing it wouldn't matter.

Renee's heels echoed behind before she snagged my arm in her hand. I immediately faced her and confessed, "Renee, I actually want you to stay here. I just need to catch myself a cab."

She glared at me with disgust, "What? No way am I–"

"Please! I just need you to trust me. I promise, I will be just fine." I shook with distress.

Renee scowled harder. "Are you going to go home?"

With defeat and honesty, I shook my head, and she laughed, "Yeah right, I'm going to make sure you take your ass home and get into bed. Plus, as much as I was convinced by your 'k' argument, I can't take this outfit or that place anymore."

We were more than a block away when Renee hailed a cab with ease. She ushered me in and quietly admitted."You were so excited. I feel so bad that some small bullshit ruined your night."

At that moment, I let loose a river of tears into my hands. The cab driver asked if we were okay, and Renee nodded. Though, it was hard to believe when it took a full minute to retrieve an address out of me.