“What time is it?”

“Eight thirty.”

I stand still as Phoebe adjusts the gown on me, attaching the pins at my waist; it is exactly thirty minutes before I have to be at the Monrovia City Hall ballroom, where the event is happening.

My hair was styled earlier in the day. It is braided in some style that Phoebe said would go great with the dress; she also added some rhinestones for ‘flair.’ I want to look as simple as I’m allowed to.

“I think that’s it. How does it feel?” Her words are a bit warbled, most likely because of the pins between her lips.

I run my hand at my sides and smile. The black, long sleeve form fitting dress is my idea of staying in the shadows while remaining as elegant as possible. It has a deep v neckline and a long slit up to my right mid-thigh. The look is completed with a plain silver belt that acts as a small distraction from the fact that I’m wearing midnight. Phoebe’s words. “Really, really good.”

“It looks good too.” There is a pause. “You look beautiful, Vivian.”

“Thanks. Where is Patricia?” 

“She left an hour ago. Her mom called. Daniel carried her home.”

I nod and sit on the sofa so I can wear my black, strappy sandals that were placed there earlier. I prefer being fashionable and comfortable.

“Are you going to eat something?”

“I don’t think I can.” I sigh and run a finger over my slicked edges. “How long is this thing again?”

“Two hours. Cold feet?”

“I’m tired. Didn’t get to sleep much.”

Phoebe sits beside me. “If you didn’t have to do this, I’d want you to stay home. But you’re expected there. I promise, I’ll describe all the outfits for you.”

I smile at that. “You do have a way with words.”

“Yep. I promise, it’ll be fine. We have to go now.” She places her hand in mine and we stand up together. While we leave the house, I let my thoughts wander.

I wouldn’t have to make a speech or anything but events like these always make me nervous. Maybe it is the amount of people, the sophisticated folks who consider the events a wonderful place to show off their valuables. If I wasn’t blind, the bling would’ve definitely accomplished it. 

We get into the car and leave the yard. I reach for my phone then I remember that Phoebe has it. When she accompanies me to any event, she takes my phone so I wouldn’t be able to work.

Honestly, I don’t know when to stop. But it’s the only thing that I have going on in my life so when it isn’t filling the void, I feel the emptiness.

“Are you okay?”

I smile and nod. “Yeah, just thinking. How are you? We haven’t talked in a while. How’s everything?”

She shifts beside me. “Everything’s fine.”

“Are you sure? How’s your mom? And the Eric situation? There is silence. I sigh and decide to change the subject. She doesn’t want to talk. “Okay. What about what you’re wearing? Describe it to me.”

She laughs a little. “A red satin dress and heels. Nothing special.”

“It sounds pretty special to me. Is it tight?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my.” She starts laughing and I smile. “Now who will be turning heads?”

“The answer to that question will always be you, boss.”

I let her have the last word because we’re slowing down. The nerves start up as soon as the car stops so we can get out. “Here we go.”

Phoebe gets out first and I follow as carefully as I can. The clicking of a few cameras was enough warning for me to be careful. If I fall, it will be in every paper by tomorrow morning.

“Miss Padmore, are you a benefactor of this event?”

Did you donate to the Blind Children Society?”

“Is VFashion a major donor?”

Phoebe leads me up the stairs and into a much quieter place. We are in the building; the murmurs of the elite reach my ears as we go in further. 

The press questions ring in my ear as we walk. I know that I’ll have to deal with them after the event so it made no sense to start stumbling over my words now. Public speaking has never been my thing. I came from being a silent girl behind a sewing machine to this silent woman who sometimes sits behind a sewing machine. 

I speak when I have to, but all these press conferences can miss me with their provocative questions for now.

“We’re about to enter. The pleasantries will start in some seconds. Are you ready?”

I plant a smile on my face. “Let’s get this over with.”

We walk a couple more paces then Phoebe gasps a little. I squeeze her arm and try to stay alert of my surroundings.

In a few seconds, the greetings start. As pleasantly as I can, I respond to each without making small talk.

It feels like we're in a sea of people. Phoebe navigates the crowd and I hold on to her as much as I can.

"Okay. We're at the tables. Here's your chair." Phoebe places my hand on the back of the chair and I pull it out so I can sit. "Wow. There are so many rich people in this country."

"Does that surprise you?"

"Very much! There are too many things that need attending to with all this money circulating."

I nod. "There are things that they can and should do, yes. But you only understand when you're actually one of them. It's not as simple as it looks." I shift in my seat. "Let's discuss the rich politics later. May I have my phone now?"

"Nope. Let's find you people you can talk to. We have two other seats at our table that will be occupied soon."

"Oh God." I mutter and close my eyes. "I need a drink."

As soon as Phoebe places a glass in my hands, a voice comes through the speakers.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for gracing this event with your presence. The funds from this event, as you well know, is directed towards the Starving Children Foundation. Several projects concerning these kids are currently underway..."

I lean over to Phoebe. "Do you see Michael around us?"

There is a small pause. Then, "No."

"Good."

"...a box in the middle of your table if you want to remain anonymous in the process. There are ushers going around if you have any questions. Dinner will served soon."

Soft music starts to play soon after and the murmuring of the crowd resumes.

"Please write the check before I forget. Put it in the box."

"Alright. Mrs. Bright is headed towards our table." She squeezes my hand and stands up to leave. Her seat is filled soon.

"Viviannn. You look stunning. Just wonderful." She kisses both my cheeks.

"Thank you, Sarah. I'm sure you look amazing." I smile.

"I hope so, darling. The price for this dress was a bit too high." She starts laughing and I nod with another smile.

"How's Alexander? Is he here?"

"Oh yes. He's at our table, talking about business as usual. I thought I'd seek you out for a little chitchat."

I like the way she says chitchat. Both T's are pronounced. I sit up straighter. "Okay? What's up? What can I do for you?"

"We're approaching the new year, you know? Granted, it's like two months away but one has to be prepared. I want VFashion to handle the Ankara section of my  closet. Buttt, I didn't come to discuss business. That is for Tuesday, I scheduled a meeting with your PA."

Sarah holds both of my hands and giggles. It takes me by surprise and I struggle to keep my face straight.

"Ohh. Okayy. What is it then?"

"Well? I'm having a little get-together for a few friends, y'know, just to hang out. On Friday. I'd love it if you could come."

I want to point out the important word, friend, but it probably won't be received well. "That sounds nice but I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it. How about I give you a call next week?"

"Okayy, I know you're busy. But please, pleasee try. We'd love it if you could come." She kisses my cheeks again. "I have to go now. Bye Viv!"

Her heels click away as I mutter, "Vivian." Getting invitations to parties are a rare thing for me. Either people aren't sure of how I'd affect the mood or I get invited out of pity. Or the worst one. I become the center of attention. It never ends well which is why I'm not even thinking about going.

Sarah Bright is one of those girls who married rich at a young age. She should be twenty eight years old by now. Her husband, Alexander,is one of my classmates from high school; we connect from time to time. That's how I met her. She's bubbly, too bubbly. I never know how to act around her.

"I caught the end of that. What happened?" Phoebe sits near me.

"Oh nothing really. I just got invited to a party." She squeaks and it gets muffled. "I'm not going."

"But whyyyyy. You need more friends, honestly. Sarah's cool!"

I turn my head in her direction. "Excuse me. I don't need friends. Don't drag the fine name of necessity in the mud."

"Okay fineee, sheesh. I'm just saying. You should try to loosen up a little."

"Phoebe."

"I won't mention it again, boss."

I sigh and focus on the conversations happening around me. I can't admit that she's right. She has no idea what it's like. Maybe I blamed my not having friends on the fact that I was blind when I was in high school. Maybe. I just don't know how to relate to them.

I think people who can see have it better; they make friends better. If it's not, then there's no hope for me.

"Phoebe?"

The voice comes from my left, where Phoebe is sitting. She stands up from the chair.

"Travis. Hi... what are you doing here?"

"I was here earlier with the guys, working on the building. We were invited."

"Oh. Okay..."

Phoebe sounds nervous. I'm definitely curious about this person.

"Is Eric here?" Her voice is lower than usual.

"No, he left. Said he has somewhere to be."

"I see." I make a small sound in my throat and stand up from the table. "Oh. Uh, Travis, this is my boss. Vivian Padmore. CEO of VFashion."

I smile and stretch out my hand. It's received by a warm, firm hand.

"It's a pleasure, Miss Padmore."

"Vivian, please." He lets go of my hand.

"Vivian it is."

"I need a drink. I'll be back, boss." Phoebe walks away, leaving us alone.

"Would you like to sit?" I sit down in my seat.

"I think the chairs are reserved. Please correct me if I'm wrong."

"I think so too but I don't think my table guests are interested in sitting at the moment."

He laughs. I love the sound of his laughter. It reminds me of someone, but the memory is faint.

He sits in Phoebe's chair. "Thank you, Vivian."

I nod. "You're welcome. So...you're a friend of Eric's?"

"Yeah. You know Eric?"

"I know a lot about Phoebe so I'm gonna say yes." I smile a little. "I don't mean to be forward but, do I know you from somewhere? Am I familiar to you in any way?"

"I'm not sure. You're...well, you're you and I'm a contractor so I don't think we go to the same places."

"Yet here we are."

He laughs again and it pulls a wide smile out of me. The first real one in this night.

"Alright, maybe I'm wrong. But your voice sounds familiar."

"I'm sure if—" A phone starts to buzz. "I'm sorry. I have to take this."

"Go ahead." He leaves just as Phoebe comes back.

"Here. Another glass of champagne for you. Unless you don't want to drink in which case—"

"Calm down. I need you to be sober tonight, at least until I get home. How many glasses have you had?" I pull the glass towards me slowly.

"Not glasses, per say. The mini bar had shots. I only had two, I promise. I need a light head right now."

"Is this about Eric?"

"Isn't it always?" She sighs.

I have very little ideas on the Eric fiasco so I'm not sure what to say. "Why don't we get some air? Is there a place we can do that?"

"Um, I think there's a balcony. Upstairs."

We leave together and walk towards the stairway, taking them one at a time. The voices reduce steadily until it becomes a drone in the distance.

I feel the wind on my face before Phoebe announces our arrival. We seem to be the only ones up here.

"Are you ready to talk now?"

"There's nothing to talk about. I'm fine." Her phone rings but it goes off just as quickly.

"He'll just keep calling if you don't answer." She doesn't respond. Instead, when it rings again, she walks away with the promise to be back.

The silence doesn't last long; there's a faint voice in the distance. It gets clearer as the person comes closer. It sounds like Travis.

"I'll be on site by Monday. We'll deal with it then." The footsteps head in my direction. "Vivian?"

"Yeah. Hi..." It's definitely Travis. I'm such a sucker for sexy voices.

"Came for the fresh air or the view?"

I laugh a little. "Both. Fresh air mostly though. Could you describe the latter?"

"I'd love to. Uhh, it's quite a combination. The city lights and the stars. The sky is dark, a midnight kinda blue. The stars stand out, twinkling more than usual. It's like they're telling the lights below that they are the superior ones."

"Sounds lovely."

Travis sighs in agreement. We stand together in silence, enjoying the cold wind. I can feel him looking at me at certain times.

"Have I become the view?" I say with a smile.

He chuckles. "I was.. trying to figure out where I know you from."

"So you do know me."

"I was thinking about what you said earlier. You do look familiar but I'm not sure. Where did you go to school?"

"Only high school. College was a no no. St. Francis?"

"Yes! I went there too." He stops talking and I feel him staring at me. "Oh my God. Viv. Vivian Padmore. You were as quiet as a mouse! It's me, CJ."

I gasp and cover my mouth. My cheeks heat up. "Whoa. But..but. Your name is Travis."

He starts to laugh. "Yes. Travis Jones. I earned the name Classic Jones in 5th grade for being the goofiest person. CJ. It stuck even though I failed and had to repeat."

"Oh wow. I don't remember you being like that though. You weren't shy but you weren't goofy either."

"I failed a class, Viv. I stopped trying to be funny after that."

I laugh, nodding. "Yeah, that makes sense. Wow. It's been so long. How have you been?"

I try my hardest to compose myself as he talks about his life after graduation. CJ was my crush all through high school. Something about his voice and laughter caught my attention but, of course, I was too chicken to do anything about it. He was one of the few people who tried to be friends, try to get me talking.

"... Consultants, where I work. It makes work easier and the jobs come in more."

I smile, completely clueless. "That's great."

"Do you want me to go over it again? I'll summarize, I promise." I don't say anything. "I get lost in my thoughts too, it's okay."

Oh look, the crush is back. I just nod and lower my head.

"Degree in Engineering. Single. Job at a consulting agency."

"Tailoring for four years. Work. Work. Work. Fashion house."

We laugh together and the tension I must have imagined earlier disappears.

"I assume you're taken then. That wasn't mentioned."

"I didn't think it was necessary. I'm not with anyone though."

"Why?" He is closer to me than he was a minute ago.

"Well..." I laugh nervously. "It's a bit hard to be with someone like me, don't you think?"

"Boss." Phoebe speaks from beside. "It's almost nine. You asked me to remind you."

I didn't. But I can tell that she needs to leave and I guess it has to be soon.

"Yes, thank you. I have to go, Travis."

"Yeah. It was really good to see you again, Viv."

"You too, CJ."

He comes close enough and kisses the side of my head. When he walks away, I almost can't believe it. If he leaves, I don't know when I'll be in contact with him again.

"Travis?" The name leaves my lips and I close my eyes tight.

"Yeah?"

"May I have your number? I'd like it if we could meet for lunch. Or something."

"Here." It's Phoebe's voice. She's way too excited. I should have thought this through.

"I look forward to your call, Vivian." He walks away and I let him, my eyes still shut tight. It was a badddddd idea. But I did it. I did it.