Chapter 8 #2
“I’m not going to keep arguing. I’ll get my clutch and we can go,” I said as I went to fetch it.
“Devon, you really look beautiful; well, you’re always beautiful and sensual.”
“Thank you,” I said, as I passed by him and tapped his shoulder with my clutch. “I made an effort for you.”
“Well, let me tell you that you shouldn’t have tried so hard because tonight you’re going to have all the men swarming around you,” he said, shaking his head.
“And you won’t even notice because you’ll surely be chasing after every single woman at that party.”
“Hey, that hurt!” he said again, as we rode down in the elevator.
“I remind you that the last time we went dancing, you left the club with a woman and abandoned me.”
“That was a dance club, now I won’t do it because it’s a business event.”
“So you wouldn’t stay at the party for me, you’re doing it because it’s not convenient for your work. You’re a disaster as a friend!” I said, shaking my head and smiling.
“Don’t twist everything I say, beautiful,” he said, feeling defeated.
We arrived at the venue where the event was being held, and I was amazed by the beautiful decoration of the hall.
It had been decorated with elegance and sobriety, personalizing the space with the company’s colors and logo.
The round tables were adorned with ivory tablecloths and arrangements of natural flowers and candelabras with candles.
The hall was decorated in a minimalist and functional style, and the warm lighting made the atmosphere look sophisticated and relaxed.
The different areas had been divided with fabrics, separating the table area from the dance floor and from what I assumed was a place to get some air or simply chat.
As soon as we arrived, and before sitting down, we were informed of our assigned table and served a welcome cocktail as an appetizer, which we drank standing up.
At that moment, some of Orson’s acquaintances approached us, he introduced them to me, and we stayed chatting with them.
When we reached our table, our tablemates were already there.
Orson made the introductions again because they were also acquaintances.
At the table we were ten people, and among the remaining eight there were two couples, three single men, and one woman.
They all seemed very nice to me, and even though they talked about anecdotes involving themselves that I couldn’t comment on, I enjoyed listening to them.
The event began with the formal speech from the company owner, and then dinner was served.
At eleven o’clock, we were invited to invade the dance floor and have fun with the good music that was playing.
The first song that played was “Don’t Be Shy” by Tiesto & Karol G, and my friend stood up and dragged me to the dance floor.
Hand in hand, we danced happily while laughing at some of Orson’s antics.
The song ended and “Take My Breath” by The Weeknd began to play.
We continued dancing until Orson spotted the cocktail bar and took my arm so we could head over there.
“Time for a tasty cocktail, beautiful.”
“Order me a Cosmopolitan while I go to the bathroom,” I indicated, as I separated from him and began walking toward the restroom area.
“Okay, but don’t take too long fixing your makeup and doing those things women do because you already look like a goddess,” he said, as he approached the bar.
“You really know how to flatter a woman and boost her self-esteem,” I said, smiling.
Orson turned and looked at me with a mischievous expression.
“Beautiful, I know how to raise many things for women, but I’m not going to show you because you’re like my little sister, but believe me when I tell you that I’m an expert at raising things for them.”
“It’s impossible to talk to you,” I said, while laughing and starting to walk away.
I hadn’t taken two steps when the smile vanished from my face.
A few meters away from me was William Cavaller looking at me seriously.
He was with a group of men who seemed to be having a relaxed conversation, but he didn’t seem to be paying attention, instead keeping his gaze fixed on me.
I didn’t know whether to greet him or walk past, but I chose to look away and continue on my way because after all, I wasn’t familiar enough with him to approach and say hello.
We had only spoken a couple of times, if his grunts could be considered as such.
Coward, I told myself.
I might have been one, but I walked as straight as possible, looking ahead and resisting the temptation to turn my face toward him, although I could feel his intense gaze fixed on me, which made me nervous again.
When I entered the bathroom, I realized I was a bundle of nerves.
What was happening to me with that man! He was an exasperating and arrogant man, but just looking at him, all I could see was his attractive and sensual appearance.
As if I were a schoolgirl looking at who she thought was the love of her life.
For God’s sake, focus!, I told myself.
Before leaving, I looked at myself in the mirror.
I looked elegant and pretty, and that gave me courage.
With great confidence, I opened the door to head toward the bar where Orson was waiting for me, but I had only taken a few steps when a hand gripped my arm and stopped me.
I didn’t need to turn to verify that the person holding my arm was him.
He had done it the night before, and I had already felt that same electricity, but I wasn’t prepared to see him in a tuxedo.
If I had thought he was handsome before, dressed like this he was from another planet.
He was perfection made man. The intensity of his gaze made me shiver.
For long seconds we just looked into each other’s eyes without saying a word. He was the one who broke the silence.
“Dr. Dulcet,” he greeted.
We were back to formality.
“Mr. Cavaller.”
“It seems we’re destined to run into each other lately, but I never imagined finding you at an event like this.”
“I don’t know why you say that.”
“It’s just that you’re a doctor and this is a gathering of businesspeople,” he explained, as if I weren’t capable of noticing that small detail.
“I came with a friend.”
“A friend?” he asked, frowning.
Why did I have to answer that question? I wasn’t going to.
“How is Aurora doing?”
He looked at me, and for a second I thought he was going to keep insisting on the topic of my companion, but he simply limited himself to answering my question.
“She’s fine. Today she asked about you all day, and I had to read her the princess story several times. Plus, we couldn’t get her to take off the princess dress you suggested I buy her, so I had to go out and buy a couple more so we could put it in the washing machine.”
At that comment, I couldn’t help but smile, and his gaze fixed on my mouth, which made my heart race again. Why did I have such a strong reaction to this man? I had no idea. I don’t think I had ever reacted this way even with Lino.
“I should go because my friend is waiting for me,” I said, trying to escape.
“Your friend...” he stated, without finishing whatever he was going to say.
“Give Aurora a kiss from me,” I thought to say, to save this awkward moment.
“Why don’t you visit her again and give it to her personally? She keeps mentioning you. You made quite an impression on my daughter, and believe me, few people have done that,” he stated, looking at me seriously.
“I have a complicated schedule, but maybe I’ll call and talk to her.”
At that moment, I heard Orson’s voice.
“Devon, I have your Cosmopolitan,” he said, stretching out his arm with the drink without noticing Cavaller, though Cavaller was looking at him very seriously.
“Thank you, Orson,” I said, taking the glass, and when I looked up, I saw that they were both looking at each other seriously. “This is William Cavaller, the father of a patient,” I lied, because I didn’t know how to introduce him, and added, “This is Orson Araoz.”
Orson extended his hand to greet him, and Cavaller did the same. After the handshake, they continued looking at each other. Orson did so with curiosity, Cavaller with seriousness.
“Mr. Cavaller, I’m glad to see you well. Enjoy your evening,” I said, taking Orson by the arm to leave.
“Good evening, Dr. Dulcet, Mr. Araoz.”
“Good evening,” said Orson, and began walking with me on his arm.
When we had moved far enough away, he looked at me with a mischievous smile.
“Who the hell was that?”
“I already told you, the father of a patient,” I replied, downplaying it.
“And do all the parents of your patients look at you that way? Because let me tell you, that man was devouring you with his eyes, and I’m sure he wanted to rip my head off,” he said, still laughing.
“Don’t make things up.”
“I’m a man, sweetie. I know when a man desires a woman and doesn’t want competition. That man is burning for you, and he sees me as an obstacle in his path to your bed.”
“Orson, I assure you that man has only seen me as an annoyance. If I told you everything he’s said to me, you wouldn’t say that. He even implied I wasn’t capable of treating his daughter. He’s a brute,” I said, but unable to avoid the irrational joy I felt hearing what Orson was telling me.
“He said what?” he asked, frowning.
“You heard me. He asked about my age as if I wasn’t old enough to be a doctor.”
“But didn’t you say his daughter is your patient?”
“She’s not. I only treated her in the emergency room. His daughter is three years old and she’s an angel, but he’s a conceited man who thinks he’s above everyone else,” I said, with more intensity than I intended.
“Mmmm.”
“What?” I asked, looking at him seriously.
“I’ve never seen you so upset with someone. You’re always the mediator who tries to see the good in people, even when it’s obvious they have nothing good about them. But with this man, you’ve shown no mercy. It’s strange.”