Chapter 3
New clothes always make everything more exciting, I felt as if I were going to the first day of school. The next days came as usual; uneventful and always working. The most exciting thing to happen in my life were the new episodes of my TV shows. Sad, I know, but they were my escape from my demanding job.
Michelle called me every once in a while to tell me about how her relationship with Marc was continuing with a Tolkienesque quantity of texts. But mostly about how she had found the love of her life (for the twenty-fifth time this year). I never mentioned Him, never asked about Him, if He didn’t exist I couldn’t talk about Him, right?
Three weeks after our weird shopping trip I received the invitation to an award’s party from my agency. I usually avoided those parties, but this one was special for my boss and he had asked me to go. This time it was a fancy gala, where he would receive an award for an amazing campaign he designed for a sport’s brand. I was so proud that I could never have said no. He also knew the overachiever in me would never skip work, that was completely against my nature, and this gala was part of my job.
Even when the party was a pain in my ass, it was a fine reason to wear my new Carolina Herrera dress. Yes, it was a little too much for a business party but I couldn’t care less. I never go out and that dress had been hiding in my closet for a while, it deserved exposure, it deserved to be seen.
Since I saw it on Carolina Herrera’s show last Fashion Week, the long red dress had been on my mind, so when I found it in the store I couldn’t help myself. I spent more than anyone should on it and it was worth every penny.
Long sleeved, deep V neck with a big bow in the middle, it was simply perfect. And I owned a pair of Loubis that would match it as if they were meant to be together. I am not romantic about people, but I can recognize romance when I see it, and this was a match made in heaven.
I got dressed and as I had suspected the dress and the shoes were amazing together. I put on some pearl earrings, carried an ivory clutch and wore my hair suspended in a bun. I am not pretty; I’m more of a too tall, big boobs, long black hair, even darker eyes and big lips, kind of girl. But this dress looked good on me, I almost didn’t feel fat in it… almost.
When I was ready to go, my cell rang, making me late.
‘K, you’re going to that gala thing tonight, right?’
‘Yes Chelle, what do you need?’ Facing the mirror I applied some lipstick to my lips.
‘Nothing K, I was just reminded about it. Are you wearing a short or a long dress?’
She’s got to be kidding me! ‘Michelle, you really called me to ask that? Long darling, long dress. Why on earth would you be interested in that?’
‘Oh Katy! Why not a short one?’ I couldn’t find a good reason to be friends with such a weird girl, oh yeah, she was the only girl friend I had.
‘Sweetheart I don’t know where this came from but I’m just leaving. Call you tomorrow.’
‘Oh god, you have to tell me everything that happens tonight, right?’
‘Will, bye C.’
‘Bye K, good luck!’
That had to be one of the weirdest phone calls ever, but coming from Michelle, that was normal. What a weird friend I chose.
I arrived at the party courtesy of the driver my boss had insisted on sending to pick me up, probably thinking I was going to regret accepting the invitation. Everything was beautiful, much fancier than I had imagined. Thank God I wore that dress! The hall was done with black and white décor and had round tables and a big stage in the front. On the sides were pictures of the awarded campaigns. With a lot of pride I found that the best picture was John’s. My boss did a great job as usual.
I had been working for him since my last semester in college; he had been my mentor and someone I trust. It didn’t matter how successful he was, he always had time for me, to teach and guide me through this career.
Everyone was mingling; no one had a table assigned yet so standing in the middle of the saloon seemed the wise option. Soon, John, in his traditional tux, spotted me and smiled widely.
‘My favorite girl is here!’ He kissed my cheek quickly, knowing about my aversion to physical contact.
‘Black tie advice would have been nice boss.’
‘What are you talking about? You look stunning as always!’
John was one of the few men that could say something nice about me without me dismissing it. I knew he loved me and was trying to be nice, no secret agenda, just a plain gentleman.
‘Back to you, Mr. Award.’
With his hand he directed me to a group of old men. ‘Come, I need to introduce you to a bunch of people. There’s this guy you have to meet, I need your help with him.’
After what seemed like an eternity of smiling and shaking random guys’ hands, I left to go to the bar to get some water. I’ve always hated introductions, they are always awkward; a nod, a handshake, a kiss? You never know how much physical contact meeting new people would mean. I just needed some free time. I knew John was trying to make me feel comfortable, but he would have more fun dazzling the guests by himself.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly interrupted when a hand took my elbow and a low voice sounded too close to my ear.
‘As always avoiding people, Miss Bianchi?’
Please God, please, I promise I will stop cursing for a week, but let this be just something made up by my imagination. I knew perfectly well who was holding me, the energy I felt on my arm warned me, and that smell confirmed it. I didn’t even need the voice to recognize Him, Blue Eyes.
Dramatically yanking my arm off his grip, I scolded him. ‘What the fuck are you doing here?’
‘Don’t swear when you look so absolutely perfect, Katherine.’
‘What are you doing here?’ He was smirking and that made me even more uncomfortable.
Why on the world was I following his orders? And what did my looks have to do with my mouth? Apparently for men dolls never swear! Before any of us could talk, John was by his side, with a hand over his shoulder in a friendly way.
My dear boss was touching the enemy. ‘Katie, this is the man I was talking about, Mr. Berkeley. This is the best asset in my agency: Miss Katherine Bianchi.’
‘Nice to meet you Ms. Bianchi. I have to agree John, I would kill to have an asset like her.’ He shook my hand and acted as if he was meeting me for the first time.
He’s not fucking saying that in front of my boss. I took his hand completely in shock. Why was he here, why did he know my boss, why was he saying these things without any shame. They started talking as if they were old time friends, but I only could hear white noise. He wouldn’t have flown here just to see me, right? Darling, look at him, he looks flawless, he hasn’t looked for you in the last three weeks, he’s just not that into you. This is a coincidence, just a bad joke from destiny, smile, ignore, and try to run as fast as you can before this gets embarrassing.
John’s voice interrupted my inner dialogue. ‘Katie, you have to help me here, I am asking Berkeley to appear in our new campaign, but apparently he would prefer to be dead.’
Kate wake up, they’re expecting an answer. ‘Is Mr. Berkeley a model?’
‘Oh God no, Forbes billionaires don’t model Katie.’
Both laughed at me. A billionaire? Everyone knew about him? Of course I thought he was a rich bastard, but something discrete; not a well known, popular, almost model, richest man alive.
‘But he is just perfect for it, I don’t need him to pose, it is just the idea of him that appeals to me.’ My boss was playing with his tie nervously. I felt relieved I was not the only one intimidated by those blue eyes.
Berkeley just laughed politely. ‘John, I wouldn’t do it to double my fortune, not even if my life depended on it.’
A tiny girl with glasses and black working clothes approached us.
‘Excuse me, Mr. Witter, Mr. Berkeley, I am here to direct you to your places. Dinner will be served soon, and your speech, Mr.
Berkeley, is scheduled before dinner. ‘
‘Is Ms. Bianchi sitting with us?’
The little woman just blushed at Berkeley’s attention to her and answered quickly. ‘Ms. Bianchi is located at another table.’
Thank God! There was no way this girl would remember my name or where was I located, but I thanked her for dismissing me. That would be my way out, if I was at another table I could leave the party before having to talk to him again.
‘Excuse me,…?’ He remained silent, looking charming, waiting for her to answer.
‘Kara, my name is Kara.’ She was playing with her pen, obviously nervous.
‘Excuse me, Kara, Ms. Bianchi is my date, and looking as gorgeous as she does, there’s no way I’ll stay anywhere but next to her.’
He said that with a charming smile while getting closer to me and his hand found the small of my back. Every nerve on my body was aware. Kara’s knickers hit the ground, her cheeks flushing as a 15 year old girl. No one could blame her.
‘Oh, sorry Ms. Bianchi, I wasn’t aware that Mr. Berkeley had a girlfriend, I’ll make the arrangements.’ Kara ran away to look for a place for me.
‘Oh God, Berkeley that was brilliant! If you were Katie’s boyfriend, she would force you to help me with my campaign. I am liking that idea.’
‘I would be lucky to be Ms. Bianchi’s boyfriend, Witter.’
His hand was still on my back, and his eyes were fixated on mine while he was talking. There was no way to avoid blushing as hard as Kara did. This man made me really nervous. Why was everyone acting as if I were not present? They were killing me.
‘You shouldn’t have done that Mr. Berkeley, being at another table didn’t bother me at all.’
‘Nonsense, now you’ll be with us Katie, and you can help me get into Berkeley’s mind.’
His hand moved slowly on my back. ‘Oh she’s there John, you don’t have to worry about that.’
Both men laughed while directing me to Kara, who was eagerly waving at us from the front table. Of course it had to be the front table, billionaires don’t sit in the back. The stage was just a few steps away, and destiny wouldn’t be having a blast if it was not the most difficult part of the room to leave without being noticed.
After pointing out that I was his girlfriend, Kara assigned me a place that was so close to Blue Eyes, that I could only be closer sitting on his lap. Oh God, erase that image of my face, I’m blushing like an idiot. Dylan sat next to me, but before he and John started talking again, they were interrupted by the presenter.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for being here tonight celebrating the best in advertising. I would like to introduce you to the special guest of this evening; not only a successful business man, but also an eager philanthropist. Let’s welcome Mr. Dylan Berkeley.’
Blue Eyes was already on his way to the stage, all the eyes in the room were focused on that charming smile. You could hear the gasps of every woman there, wanting him. He was perfect, I couldn’t focus on his speech, not one word registered. I only could stare at him. For the first time since I met him the roles were inverted; I was the spectator, he was my target. John and the rest of the room laughed at his jokes, and apparently he was being cool and funny, but all the time he seemed distant. He was there, being watched by a rather large group of successful people, but he was in charge. He just showed what he wanted them to see, nothing more. That sounded so familiar…so me. When the salon applauded, I just followed their lead; my time to observe him was over.
John stood up and shook hands with Blue Eyes. ‘Great speech Berkeley, interesting.’
Dylan looked directly at me and said. ‘I had a message for my audience.’
Oh darling! I didn’t listen to a word you said! I was staring at those blue awesome eyes! Again I got ignored by both men. They talked to each other the entire dinner. I decided I wasn’t interested in their conversation so I just smiled when it was expected. But at some point my boss decided he needed my intervention.
‘Katie, you’re enjoying that chocolate cake!’
‘John, you know I love chocolate, and this one is delicious. It deserves my full attention.’ I didn’t stop eating. It was delicious and they were boring.
‘Leave the cake, I need your attention for a minute.’
‘Yes boss, what can I do for you?’ Finally I left my fork over the plate, knowing this would be tricky.
‘Tell Berkeley how good our new campaign is.’
Thank God, a question I could answer with my eyes closed. I could answer any job related thing with my mouth closed, I was that good.
‘Sure, Mr. Berkeley, our new campaign is directed to an A segment, men, who are focused on their professional lives. Our consumer is a rich, self centered man that can afford an A class car, who enjoys fine things and needs to reflect his professional success on his personal possessions, especially in his wheels.’
His eyes were on my eyes the whole time, making me more nervous than they should.
‘And what do I have to do with this man?’
‘I don’t know you sir, but apparently my boss thinks you are the living prototype of our target audience.’
He raised his eyebrow. ‘You should be capable of identifying if I am that man by now Ms. Bianchi.’
This bastard wanted me to tell him what I thought about him, if only John were at another table, I could have. I never swear in front of my boss, he and my parents were the only ones who deserve my full respect.
‘Sorry Mr. Berkeley, I am here in a professional task, and I can’t give you a personal opinion based on what I have seen for a couple of minutes. And as you know, John is one of the top experts in the field, and a brilliant man, so I trust his opinion with my life.’
‘Witter, I need a girl like this, not only working at these hours, in that dress and during a party, but also praising her boss while doing it.’ That fucking smirk on his face.
‘Told you Berkeley, my best girl.’
Directing his attention to me again, he continued. ‘And what do you want me to do?’
My boss took the lead. ‘Berkeley I would need you to help me with the profile, so I can develop the actions that will be represented. What would you do for a vacation, which kind of restaurant you like, your type of woman. Little hints that would be shown on the ads.’
Blue Eyes stayed silent for a second. ‘Ok, I kind of get it. But now the important question is: what do I get out of this?’
‘What do you want?’ My boss felt he was winning this, so he was offering anything he could give to this man.
From the look in Berkeley’s eyes I could kind of guess what he wanted. Oh God no! This is not getting into a scene of Indecent Proposal! I would love to wear Demi’s black dress, but a million dollars wasn’t enough for this! And John would never pimp me, right? Of course, Dylan’s eyes were on me, focusing on my mouth just for dramatic effect.
‘Let’s make this interesting. Let’s leave this to fortune. I don’t want to do this, but there’s something I want, so luck will decide. We’ll flip a coin. Heads, I do it, no complaining, cooperating with you and being available whenever you’ll need me.’ For the first time in the evening he looked to John, instead of me. ‘Tails, I don’t do this thing, you stop asking and I get a dinner with Ms. Bianchi.’
Ok, he went a little smoother than what I had expected but there was no way that would happen.
‘Sorry Mr. Berkeley, I don’t know what I have to do with all of this.’ My voice was cold and professional.
‘Ms. Bianchi, when you bet, you either lose something or win something. Doing that is losing for me. If I don’t lose, it means I win, and your boss gave me the opportunity to choose my prize, and I chose you.’
Don’t princess, please, don’t, don’t…too late. ‘I am not a fucking prize!’
‘Katie, Katie, dear, Mr. Berkeley is just kidding. And babe, looking like that, you are the biggest prize in the room. Of course Berkeley wants to have dinner with the prettiest girl in tow
n. I would never ask kiddo, but we really need him baby girl, would you do it?’
My eyes were making that adorable thing of appearing murderous. My perfect record of not swearing in front of John was dead, and I only wanted to leave that fucking table. My boss almost never asked for anything, so saying no was a mean thing. He was asking, even if that meant to be humiliated in front of this jerk. There was no escaping here. I hate this, I hate this, I hate this.
‘I am not appreciating this, but John you know I can’t say no to you. If Mr. Berkeley wins I’ll have breakfast with him.’
‘Dinner….’
‘Don’t push it Mr. Berkeley, I am doing this for my boss. I have no responsibility with you nor respect for your way of doing business.’
I could see John trembling, he was aware of my anger, he knew this was a bad idea, but the participation of a Forbes billionaire would mean a lot for our clients.
‘Oh Ms. Bianchi, you haven’t seen business yet, this is just for fun. And we’ll have dinner.’ His voice was deathly serious, he was not leaving me any room for negotiation.
‘Really pretentious of you, if you win I’ll agree to have breakfast with you.’
My boss interrupted the ping pong match he was witnessing. ‘Lunch?’
Reluctantly I finished with the discussion for the sake of my sweet boss. ‘Ok John, I’ll accept lunch.’
Blue Eyes asked for a coin, of course, rich men don’t carry change, that’s for stupid mortals. I had an internal fight, heads meant no more Blue Eyes, tails meant Him. I couldn’t decide what I wanted. The sound of the coin reaching the floor took me off guard.
Berkeley picked it up and smiled at me. ‘So I hope you like Italian Ms. Bianchi.’
Son of a bitch! That was the moment when I remembered what I really wanted…to erase that smile off him with my fist.
‘I am sorry Witter, sometimes you lose.’
I could see John was worried but it had nothing to do with the campaign. He knew that this wasn’t right. That offering me, even when I said yes, wasn’t right. ‘Berkeley you won’t be an asshole, right? The bet was between you and me; Katie had nothing to do with this.’
BLUE ICE (ICE SERIES) Page 3