Chapter Nine
Becca
I paced through out my apartment, stopping every few minutes to stare at myself in the mirror. Everything needed to be perfect, especially tonight. I was incredibly anxious for the dinner tonight with Chance and Howard. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I needed to be prepared for anything.
The white wine provided a welcome haze to the end of a busy day and provided just enough of a fog to calm my nerves. I smiled at myself in the mirror as I smoothed out my little black dress and black heels. My platinum necklace caught the light perfectly and was an excellent accessory to my fairly conservative outfit for the evening.
Normally Melissa would have been around to double check everything and make sure I looked perfect, up to her standards, but she still wasn’t talking to me beyond the grunt, smirk or asking me for something. Our relationship was tense for no real reason. My relationship with Chance was my business. I had hoped she would have been happy for me.
I picked up my phone and tapped through a few of the messages from the day. We had a few more responses to our invitations that went out for the opening. Today the team had knocked out so much more than I could have ever imagined. I was incredibly grateful for their help and dedication to the project, regardless of how they ended up becoming my team. I really wanted to know the details, but I was didn’t want to distract anyone with any sort of drama that may have come with it.
As of this evening we had confirmed at least ten high profile celebrities and business moguls would be coming to the club opening. Two of the top DJ’s in the country happen to have open dates that weekend, and the extra money Chance had given us to throw at them didn’t hurt either. Things were coming together nicely and I was excited to share the news with both Chance and Howard. I had hoped they would both be pleased.
Howard seemed to run hot and cold, at least in the couple of times I had seen him. He didn’t say much, but one minute he was polite and the next he was over the top. I couldn’t imagine working with him every day under these circumstances.
I sipped my wine as I peered out of the window toward the street while I waited for my ride. Police cars zipped down the street and stopped just down the block from the apartment. It wasn’t a common scene, but it wasn’t uncommon either. I wondered what all the commotion was about as I tired to peer through the branches of the trees that lined the street and obscured my view. As I step side to side, trying to create a view for myself, I noticed Chance’s black town car pull up out front. I took the final swig of my wine, grabbed my black clutch and headed downstairs to meet my boss and date for the evening. The temporary break in my nervous returned.
I carefully made my way down to the car as I peered down the street, watching the commotion. A woman stood on the sidewalk talking to a policeman, pointing at the back of a police car and the motioning in my direction.
“You look gorgeous!” Chances voice echoed throughout the street as he stood just outside of the car, the door opened. “It’s going to be impossible to keep my attention on anything work related with you by my side.”
“You’d better try. I have to impress you and your father this evening.
I slide into the car with Chance, knowing I had everything on the line tonight.
* * * *
Chance and I arrived at the restaurant first. I was thankful that I would have time to have one more glass of wine to calm my nerves and practice my speech before Howard arrived. Chance chuckled as he watched me nervously play with my hands, twist my hair and tap my foot. I quickly took a few sips of wine as we stood in the bar, waiting for Howard.
“You’ll be fine Becca. I promise.” Chance put his arm around me and kissed me softly on the forehead as he continued to reassure me of how perfect things would go.
I cautiously pulled away from Chance, nervous that Howard would walk in at any moment. I loved the way it felt to be wrapped in Chance’s arm, but the stigma of being something more to Chance in front of Howard bothered me. Especially after hearing his repeated requests for Chance to hire someone else.
Chance spotted Howard from across the room and I prayed that Howard didn’t see the kiss and me escaping from Chance’s hold. He smiled widely as we greeted each other and were then shown to a table in the back of the restaurant.
“You look lovely this evening Becca. You too, Chance.” Howard chuckled. He barely seemed like the stern man I had seen earlier in the day. I hope you don’t mind, but when I made the reservations this morning I went ahead and had the chef set the menu for us. I hope you’re hungry.” He laughed as we settled ourselves at the table and an awkward quietness overtook us before jumped right into business. “So, how’s the planning going?”
“Well Mr. Vaughn–”
“Howard, please.” He quipped quickly.
“I’m sorry, Howard,” I continued, “I believe you will both be pleased.” I unloaded the details I had been running through my mind since the early afternoon and I watched as he nodded with a small smile on his face, Chance doing the same.” My nervousness subsided as dinner arrived I continued providing them the details of everything we had planned and confirmed. I felt confident and sure of everything I had accomplished for them.
“Chance?” Howard looked at him and then over at me, “She has done a great job so far. Nice choice.” Howard smiled at Chance and patted him on the back as he looked at me and winked. “So Becca, if you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?”
“I’m a Jersey girl, born and raised.”
“What’s your family like? Do you see them often?” he asked as he finished of his glass of wine.
“No not really,” I took a sip of wine. I had started to feel like I was being interrogated. “I can’t say that they love me being in the city even though I’m pretty close. My dad is a bit over protective and my mother…well, she would just prefer I live at home forever, but I’m my own person.” I played with the bottom of my wine glass, debating if I should finish it off and get a refill or nurse if a bit longer.
“Dad?” Chance interjected, “What is this? Fifty questions?”
“I’m just trying to get to Becca a bit more.” Howard nodded at me in a playful way and then continued. “So what brought you to the city?”
“I got an internship at Johnson Boone when I was in my junior year, and they ended up hiring me after graduation. I was fortunate.”
“I see,” He said leaning forward on the table. “I wish Chance had had your drive when he was in college. He relied on me and working at the Casino. Never really had to do much to prove himself.”
Chance mumbled something under his breath as he stared at Howard.
“Prove myself? I busted my ass in college and at the casino. I worked harder than most of the employees that were paid.” Chance practically pouted and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Easy son, that was my point. I know how hard you worked. You never had to do anything to prove to me just how hard you worked.” Howard smiled at Chance and I watched as Chance blushed.
As the waiter cleared the remaining plates on the table Howard whispered something to him and the waiter nodded. A few minutes later he returned with three small glasses filled with a dark red liquid.
“Becca, it has been a pleasure getting to know you this evening and thank you for everything you’ve done. I am definitely looking forward to what you put together for us.” Howard raised the glass of liquid as Chance and I grabbed the glass and joined him, carefully touching our glasses together.
I took a slow sip of the potent liquid and felt the burn down my throat and deep into my stomach. I could feel my face getting hot as I swallowed again and then chased it with a sip of water.
“Do you like it?” Howard chuckled.
“Um, it’s good. I think.” I choked out.
“Good. It’s a cognac. Now you can tell your friends what three hundred and fifty dollars tastes like.” Howard chuckled again as Chance rolled his eyes.
I felt my mouth drop open at the thought of the cost of what I had just tasted. The price certainly didn’t make it go down any smoother, but I felt I needed to finish it all. I wasn’t willing to waste that amount of money. “This is all too much Howard, I really appreciate it.”
“No need, it’s my apology for my rudeness before.” He shook his head, than his face grew grim, “There are a lot of things in my life that I feel I need to apologize for. A lot of bad decisions, bad decisions that have lead me to where I am now.”
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. I looked over at Chance, his face was clear of emotion as he listened to his father.
“Chance, did you tell her?” Howard had a serious look on his face.
“I…I did.” Chance’s head hung slightly and I knew exactly what he was referring to.
“You only live once Becca. Live your life without regrets. It’s not until you realize your time is limited that you feel the need to do what’s needed. I put many things off for a long time, because I felt like I had so much time.” Howard paused and then looked at me directly in the eyes. For the first time I noticed how he and Chance had the exact same eyes and tonight, they both held the same sadness in them. “Becca, I don’t want to be rude, but if you wouldn’t mind, I like to wrap up the evening. The limo can take you back home. I’d like to spend a few minutes with Chance if that’s ok.”
“It is. Thank you again for everything.” Both Howard and Chance stood as I slid out from the table and grabbed my clutch. Chance reached over and gently touched my arm with his strong hand. He leaned in and kissed me softly on the cheek as he whispered in my ear. “I talk with you later.”
He seemed so vulnerable, like he had the other night. His kiss made me want him even more and I reached out and instinctively grabbed his hand as I turned to make my way home.