"It's official! Prescott Reality and Apex have merged and now our little-company-that-could is at a $2.5 billion valuation!" The floor erupts in applause. Holding on to the sides of the podium, Ally waits for everyone to settle down. " There are talks of going public in the near future." Everyone cheers. Some high five each other. Others whistle. Still others laugh. Ally smiles as she waits for the crowd to quiet. "That means bonuses on top of what has already turned out to be a lucrative year." My co-workers go wild with jubilant applause. "But tonight," Ally smiles flirtatiously. "We let our hair down. We set business aside and we have a great time!"

The energy in the assembly room is too much to contain. It's contagious. For a brief second, I forget we're in a corporate work environment. Everyone is on ten. Dancing in her seat, Tanya leans over. Touching her shoulder with mine, we both laugh and dance in sync.

Laughing, Ally pumps her fist in the air, then takes her seat on the side of the stage. Phoenix steps to the podium. Captivated with admiration, the crowd quickly quiets in anticipation. You can hear a pin drop, it's almost as if the crowd is collectively holding its breath.

"I have two words." Phoenix pauses looking at the crowd as they look to him for guidance. "Thank you!" He yells like a college frat boy. The crowd officially breaks into celebration. "Time to party! I will see you all tonight! Dress to impress!"

https://youtu.be/ipii7KbbJLY

 It's a mic drop moment as Phoenix walks off with "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas blaring as he makes his exit. The assembly begins disbursing. The excitement is palpable.

                                                                                                ***

Later that Evening

How did we get here? Him here with her?

My heart aches for the old days.

Glancing at the unbelievably long weave she wears like an old lady clutching a raccoon fur, I wonder what she looks like without it. I'd love to snatch it off her head just to see which parts of her are real. She looks like a floating bobble head, glancing back at me as she flips her long black wavy weave. That strain in her neck, as if she's trying to be snobby but doesn't know how to pull it off, reads uncomfortable.

Talk about trying too hard.

Shaking my head, I lift my champagne flute as the speaker tells the room to raise a glass.

"To many more billions in the near future, Prescott Realty!" Adam Wehr, CFO of Prescott Realty looks around the room with a huge smile on his face.

Glasses clank.

Tsk tsk. Envy never looked good on you.

"How about that!?" He jokes, holding out his arms, champagne in one hand and nods his head with a deep sense of self-satisfaction before taking a sip.

If you weren't so concerned with what everybody else thinks about you, it'd be you on his arm instead of this . . . uhm . . . woman.

The room breaks into laughter first, then roaring congratulations roll through the crowd.

Well, she's NOT on his arm. She's JUST standing next to him.

Right. Keep telling yourself that.

Humph!

I sip on my sparkling apple cider and smile on the outside.

All I wanted was a comfortable workplace. I don't want people thinking I got a free ride 'cause I slept the boss. Even if it is partly true.

Hell, you know it's true. He's the boss and you fucked him. Good! And the ride part is true too. Cause every time you two would get together, you got a free ride! Hahaha. Got him so good, now you're having his baby. Own it. It's about time.

There's nothing wrong with compartmentalizing things. Messy is not sexy.

Neither is hiding and denying yourself or your man. Better make it right.

Don't know how. Somehow, this is a wall I built.

Surrounded by excited executives chatting, Phoenix looks my way and locks eyes with me.

My heart blushes.

He doesn't care if anyone sees us. He stares longingly. I feel myself begin to unfold, the heaviness lifting. There he is. My Phoenix. I fight the urge to walk over to him and kiss him right there. A flutter in my belly, reminds me of where I am.

Work function. Keep it cool.

Eager for his attention and reassurance, I smile back with eyes probably as wide as a schoolgirl.

See? I haven't lost him.

She comes back with that tiny waist and hourglass figure in that tight little crimson red bodycon dress and hands him one of two vodka tonics with a lime.

That's our drink!

You're not drinking anything, any time soon, remember? Luggage on board?

I look down at my so-called little black dress, which is really just a black mockneck sweater dress. Who am I kidding? It's not that little and it's only black to mask my growing six-month belly. At least I'm showing a little leg. Below the knee, that is. Not thigh high like that little bitch in heat. Fuck! I don't want him to spend another second with her!

She worms her way into their circle, opposite of Phoenix and intentionally steps into his line of sight, blocking me from seeing his face while ensuring he looks at hers. And she gets what she wants on both ends, because now, all I see is her backside. Standing there in that backless little dress, her toned tush, long legs, and that dry weave hanging off her head like some dead animal.

She's doing this on purpose. I know it!

He turns to the other executives and continues their conversation.

I take a deep breath, just like they teach in lamaze class and join the conversation with my co-workers.

"Right, Rory! Like the Spice Girls could survive music today." I laugh and roll my eyes. A waiter walking by with hors d oeuvres catches my eye. He makes a stop and gives me a small plate. I fill it with veggie and cheese kabobs, stuffed mushrooms and deviled eggs. "Hmm. So good!"

"What? They ruled the 90's. They would kill pop music today. Easy. All that girl power! And their lyrics? Sooo infectious. Hands down, they're my pick!" Rory throws up his hands.

"I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want!" I break out my best British accent.

"Ohh tell me what you want, what you really really want." Rory rests his finger on his chin.

"I wanna," Ally sings.

"I wanna," Rory echoes.

"I wanna," Chelsea pipes up.

"I wanna," Tonya sings at a high pitch.

They all point to me.

"I wanna really really really wanna go to the loo." I point towards the lady's room behind me.

We break out laughing like wild hyenas.

They're good people.

I sit my appetizer plate at an empty table. "Be right back."

"It's Sinead O Connor for me. If she came out right now—" says Chelsea.

"No, CC and the Music Factory, all day!" Ally exclaims.

"Love them! OK, I change my mind..." Tonya says.

I make it to the lady's room with a second to spare. Everyone lets me skip to the front of the line.

Ahh, the perks of being preggers.

I smile to myself, enjoying the spoils. Then I remember Phoenix and his intern, what's her stupid face. I didn't see him on my way to the restroom. Where is he?

I wash my hands and leave the restroom to find out.

Women in their evening gowns add flair and color to the large ballroom, sequins here and there sparkle in the soft light. Men dressed in their best suits give the room an official air. Top 40 hits play in the background. And people, all employees, spouses or partners, keep each other entertained with engaging conversation; some serious and business-minded and others light-hearted fluff and small talk. A quick sweep of the ballroom and I can see he's not here. Neither is she.

Something in me sinks. Down to the pit of my stomach. But I keep looking for him. Searching the crowd for his face.

He wouldn't. I shake my head. No, he wouldn't leave with her. He wouldn't. I can't breathe deep enough. He wouldn't do that to me. My hands get clammy.

People all around are laughing, all carefree as if nothing is going on. As if the man I call my own, isn't thinking of testing someone else's waters. As if this god of a man isn't toying with the idea of what it feels like to give in to that tight piece of ass. To spread those long, gorgeous legs and enter her. And why not? She's beautiful. Fake hair or not.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

And somehow, even though we never once let on, she seems to instinctively know about us. She knows he's mine, yet she pursues him. Brazen and to me face, she dares me to speak up and claim him. I pull at my mock neck collar and try to get some air. This dress is claustrophobic. I need to break free.

Where is he?

I don't like this. I don't like this at all. 

************************************************

This night was supposed to be the best night ever... What are your predictions for how it ends?