<span style="font-style: italic">Just take a deep breath,</span>she cautioned herself, stopped just outside the door that barred her latest contract from her sight. A deep breath was brought in, held, and finally released as her hand gripped the doorknob and turned it.<br/><br/>In stark contrast to the woman who had to had to remind herself to breathe, this woman exuded confidence. Her smile was radiant, her posture straight and tall as her presence filled the room. Not a hair out of place, she'd taken the time to readjust her appearance so there was no hint of the panic she'd endured not an hour ago. Trying to hard to keep up what her mind continued to try and convince her of, she made herself get the same heels she'd worn that night to replace the blood-stained ones, wearing them to work like nothing had changed. Nothing had happened.<br/><br/>One hand held her portfolio as the other reached toward the man who awaited her in the conference room. “Mr. McDermett, it's a pleasure to meet you,” Helena greeted him, her hand taking hold of his in a shake. “Please do make yourself comfortable.”<br/><br/>Once his hand released hers, she set her portfolio down on the table, taking a seat adjacent to his own. One leg crossed itself over the other as she got comfortable, her smile never wavering, a hand subconsciously pulling down at the skirt of her dress to make sure it stayed appropriate. “Now then, first things first, how did you hear about me or this company? Did you hear about us through social media or did you attend a function of ours?”<br/>--<br/><br/><br/>Radiant and breathtaking she swept into the room. All of the confidence and presence that drew him to her in the first place. She was everything that he wanted in a mate and more.<br/><br/>“Actually attended an event that you did for an acquaintance and they passed along your contact details. So, here we are.”<br/>--<br/><br/>"Oh did you?" she replied to that easily, glancing down at the summary of what he was asking for before her eyes traveled back to him.<br/><br/>"So what sort of an event are you planning? I have the general synopsis but I find hearing it directly from someone works out better. Smaller, important details come out and nothing is overlooked."<br/>--<br/><br/>“Straight to business,huh?” He teased. “It is supposed to be a welcome home kind of thing for a friend that was lost now we've found them. So, it has to be very special.”<br/>--<br/><br/>His tease earned him a small laugh as she shrugged. "Business is more my thing, but I always adjust accordingly. If you'd refer something a little more relaxed, we can talk general terms before getting into the nitty gritty of your event?" Helena offered. "If you do decide to go forward, just me your right hand. I'll help in any way I can to make sure this event is as special as your friend deserves."<br/>--<br/><br/>“As long as it's you helping me then I am sure they will enjoy themselves,” a smile on his lips as he pitched his tone a bit lower. “You are awfully young can I ask how long you have been doing this?”<br/>--<br/><br/>Her brow furrowed just a fraction as his tone was caught and wondered at. Maybe she was reading into it, but it sounded so... Mentally getting herself back on track, she plunged ahead in the conversation. "You can rest assured your event will be in good hands," the woman started as she slid her portfolio over to him to peruse through. "I've been doing this for a few years now. I know how to make sure an event can go off without a hitch, and how to make sure everything you ask for is handled quickly and efficiently."<br/><br/>Only a slight pause delayed the next part, but it had her sitting a little straighter. "I do hope my age isn't going to deter you from working with me."<br/>--<br/><br/>“Not at all, in fact you being so young and successful is what makes me trust you even more,” he smiled. Portfolio on hand he flipped through it and took a look at the images there. “What colors would you choose if it was for you?”<br/>--<br/><br/>It wasn't the usual response she garnered when her age came into question, but it was welcomed. For once, she wouldn't have to fight to prove she was just as useful as those her senior.<br/><br/>"For me?" she repeated. "Something fiery, reds and oranges, perhaps. Vibrant themes are in right now, so it would be in trend while creating a warm atmosphere."<br/><br/>"What sort of personality does your friend have? Are they the sort to like intimate gatherings or something larger? And what colors would you say are their favorites?"<br/>--<br/><br/>“They are confident and bold. Assertive, ambitious and know what they want and goes for it without hesitation,” the complements tossed out there without any hesitation. “Often feels as if her talents are going underappreciated and which is why I am snagging them for my company,” eyes now only look up from images in hand. “Also enjoys fiery reds and vibrant oranges,” a chuckle at the coincidence. “As for the type of gathering, I believe she is used to a smaller setting so I am aiming for something between intimate and grand.”<br/>--<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">We have that in common...</span>came a thought as he described the woman this event would be for. She knew all too well what it was like to work your ass off for little reward.<br/><br/>But as he continued in with what he was trying to achieve, her own musings went out the window in favor of work. "Something between intimate and grand...I can work with that. Do you have the amount of guests that'll be coming to this?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Well there are 15 or so in my company and they are likely to bring dates..." he paused to go over the numbers. "To be safe we can say...40?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Okay, and for this event, will you be needing any additional security? Is this an event that will be publicized or strictly known within the circle of those attending?"<br/>--<br/><br/>" I run a security firm so we can handle the security," he chuckled. "It is will be for those with the firm so it should be relatively tamed."<br/>--<br/><br/>"Even if you run a security firm," Helena started, "don't you think your team would want the night off? Not have to worry about anything but the party at hand? Besides, given you run security, isn't there a risk for those attending your soirée due to the line of work you all are in?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"You think ahead a lot, don't you?" He asked with a smile. "Always thinking of the big picture and the next 6 steps toward success?"<br/>--<br/><br/>She offered a small shrug and a smile. "I suppose so. My goal is to make sure this goes off without issue for you and your guests."<br/>--<br/><br/>"This is exactly why I wanted you and no one else," Anton said after a moment. "I will bring in some extra staff from a partnered firm. Save you from having to deal with my overly thorough vetting process when it comes to security."<br/>--<br/><br/>"Due to your vetting process, how thorough will that be for a caterer or venue owner?" Helena asked suddenly, glancing up at him as she got up to move around the table, taking a laptop from out to show him some video walk throughs of partnered establishments. "Are there some companies you'd prefer I avoid?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"I think when it comes to that I would prefer to go to each place, interview the staff and taste the food myself," eyes on the screen. "Are there any places with stairs? For a grand entrance?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Hmm..." was all she said initially, looking through the files until a name popped up in the screen that she clicked to open its slideshow. "This one has stairs for an entrance. Marble flooring, domed ceilings, column-adored archways, intimate gathering style rooms should you want your guests to move between areas, or a ballroom to be decorated to feel a bit smaller in size to support the intimate feel while also accommodating the people you have sans issue."<br/><br/>As he looked at that, she got up and found another folder, this one with the venues specs, pricing and in-house options for decoration, staffing and all services they offer.<br/><br/>"What will the dress code be for your guests?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Hmmm..." Anton mused while he clicked through the images. "What would you call the suit that I am wearing right now?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Id say suit and tie affair, semi-formal as you're not wearing a tux."<br/>--<br/><br/>"Alright, then semi-formal," Anton looked over a couple of more photos. "How often can we meet for arranging details?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"We can meet as often as necessary up until the time of the event," she answered with a smile. "I do have other clients I'm planning for as well, but I make it a point to be available for anything you need throughout this process."<br/>--<br/><br/>"Anything I need?" He smiled. "Even if it's a late night coffee? Or wardrobe checks at 2am?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Anything you need within reason..." she amended and a slight shake of her head and a playful grin. "I'm sure you won't need me to do wardrobe checks at 2am, and you should invest in a keurig for those late night coffee urges."<br/>--<br/><br/>"But company helps and I can't possibly look over every inch of my suit choices so I need a discerning eye."<br/>--<br/><br/>"I could always set you up with a stylist to help you figure out your outfit for the event?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"I thought you were a full service agency? The best of the best. Am I wrong with that notion?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"Well, no, you're not wrong. We are the best of the best," Helena replied quickly. "But I'm not a stylist so I wouldn't be best suited for the task of appraising your outfits, I'm afraid. I wouldn't want you to look poorly because I okayed something."<br/>--<br/><br/>"You should have more faith in your abilities. I do and so I would think that you would be perfectly capable of telling me what to wear to look good."<br/><br/>Back to the laptop he looked over the images. "How do you feel about dinner?"<br/>--<br/><br/>Before she could even reply to his assertion of her capabilities, he switched topics. "Dinner for the time of this event?" the woman clarified.<br/>--<br/><br/>"No a business dinner to discuss this further?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"We could try a restaurant that has the food you're leaning toward for your event so that we can discuss while simultaneously working on another aspect."<br/>--<br/><br/>"Several places," he remarked and stood while buttoned his jacket. "Tonight at 7? I'll pick you up?"<br/>--<br/><br/>"You wouldn't have to pick me up," she replied with a shake of her head as she stood up with him. "That's too out of the way to come back here rather than heading onward to the restaurant."<br/>--<br/><br/>"It would be rude of me otherwise," hand extended to take hers. "However if you would prefer we can just meet there. Until tonight?"<br/>--<br/><br/>His offered hand was taken with a smile and a nod. "Which restaurant are we meeting at?"<br/>--<br/><br/>A restaurant name was given and he held her hand a bit longer than necessary. "Thank you for making me feel like my life is in good hands." Then he was gone and heading out back the way he had come.<br/>--<br/><br/>The hand-holding didn't go unnoticed as he held it for longer than was socially appropriate, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she merely offered him a smile in parting, watching him as he left. While her smile remained, her mind couldn't help some odd feeling of familiarity with him. They'd never met before but, for some reason, she felt like they had.<br/><br/>"He's hot," was the first thing she heard when she left the conference room to make her way back to her office. "Can you slide me his number? I didn't get to look at it before giving you his profile."<br/><br/>Leave it to Liv to be all play and no business.<br/><br/>"I'm sure you can get it from him when he comes to the office next. When we're trying out some restaurants, I'll bring you up and see what read I get on him for you."<br/><br/>"You're the best!" the woman declared before making her way back to her own desk.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk