I didn’t care to be up under him. I was trying to roll alone as much as I could. I’d never been to an industry event and it showed. I went to the bar and ordered a cosmo. After the bartender handed me my drink I pulled out cash and gestured as to ask “How much?” The dark haired, olive toned gentleman yelled over the music, “Open bar, sweetheart.”, as he pointed to the large vase tip jar there on the bar. I was mortified and hoped no one had caught that. It was clear that I was a newbie to industry events. There were people crowding the bar including the wait-staff. I just sat back sipped on my drink and people-watched.
The room resembled a large loft. The ceilings were extremely high. There were thick columnar posts reaching from floor to ceiling. Hanging from many of them where long pieces of blue suede fabric. The floor was white glass with lights beneath giving a festive appearance. The bar was white with metal stools. The room looked as if it were pseudo-decorated while still under construction. Very modish. The music was hot though I noticed no one exactly danced. This was the “cool” crowd so I guessed that wasn’t appropriate for the occasion. I almost choked on my drink when I noticed one of my favorite rappers interfacing with another man but behaving very femininely. I made a mental note to tell Michelle that he was off our “can get it” list. No one really spoke outside of guys giving an occasional wink or intrigued gape. I wasn’t at all interested. Besides, I was technically there as someone’s date.
After sitting and people watching for a few minutes, I noticed Sebastian making his way towards me. I rolled my eyes and braced myself.
“Hey, I’ve been looking all over for you! I wanted to introduce you to some people. You should be up mingling with me. There are potential clients here for the practice,” he preached.
I wasn’t in the mood to be lectured to or for brown-nosing. “Sebastian, I’m fine. I’m enjoying myself and the last thing on my mind is walking around soliciting business. If you think that’s appropriate then you go and promote your practice,” I said as nice as I could or as nice as the sentiment could possibly sound.
He got the hint but didn’t like it at all and followed up with, “If you didn’t want to come I had a half a dozen other women I could have asked instead—” I looked at him with empty eyes. I knew that wasn’t true at all considering he was always asking me to go to places with him. I eventually got it; I made him look good. I was a medical professional running a full office, articulate and witty. Not only did I have brains but I was beautiful as well. Who wouldn’t be impressed? Once I got the memo, I no longer let him get to me. It confused me at first because I found out early in the game that he believes he’s superior to me.
Cutting him off, I fired back, “Yeah,” in faux agreement before taking a swig of my Cosmo. Then I continued, “…but then you wouldn’t be here with the one you really want.” I abruptly stood and walked away.
After casing the room, I found a seat near the stage and sat there for a good while. I had to laugh to myself. It wasn’t that bad being there alone. I didn’t come alone but I certainly wasn’t with the person I had come with. I needed another drink so I made my way back to the bar. Two drinks had always been my limit so I was preparing to bring it home. When the bartender motioned to me, I asked for a lemon drop martini. I took a another look around the place and realized how packed it had become. I thought about Sebastian, hoping he was having a good time wherever he was and happy it wasn’t with me.
“My…my…my! What a pleasant surprise,” a silky, masculine, baritone and very familiar voice chanted. I turned to find Azmir wearing the sexiest grin I’d ever seen. I nearly choked on my drink.