Propositions (18 page)

The hotel’s moorings on Darling Harbour were crowded with sleek luxury cruisers. Radars swirled on the tops of cabins and the sun reflected brightly off their silver rails. Jessica took one last glance over the harbor before she made her way into the hotel. She tried to control the butterflies swarming in her stomach as she entered through the glass doors into the foyer. It was only a few short hours before the start of the festivities. This was one of the biggest events she’d ever done. It was now time to show it to the world.

Pulling her small suitcase and suit bag, she stopped in the lobby, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, taking it all in. The space was magnificent, all decked out with bright decorations, ready for the grand opening. A massive three-story-high glass atrium overlooked the harbor, allowing the sun to shine right across the beautiful sandstone floor. The polished wooden staircase leading up to the mezzanine floor and a central fountain were the final elegant touches. Well-dressed patrons already crowded the bar and lounge areas, and the reception desk bustled with people.

Stepping into gear, Jessica headed for Nate’s apartment in the Residential Tower. She swiped the access card he’d given her through the slot and pushed the heavy door open. She hung her clothes in the closet and placed her toiletry bag in the bathroom. As she glanced over Nate’s toothbrush, colognes and shaving items, she sighed. She was only privy to this—to him—for two more weeks. It would be sad to see him go. She shook off the heavy feeling because there was no time now to wallow. She walked into the bedroom and sat down on his bed to glance over her agenda one last time. She knew it by heart, back to front and upside down. But her nerves had jumped up a few notches and were getting the better of her.

Friday: press junket and the grand opening: a five course meal for eight hundred guests to be served in the ballroom; crowd entertainers and troops from Cirque du Soleil topped off the festivities. Saturday: the opening of the retail corridor with fashion showcases and parades; a Black Hawk helicopter spectacle over the harbor; cocktail reception, followed by a lavish dinner and several international artists performing live; fireworks and laser lightshow, and the opening up of the nightclub. Finally, Sunday: a gourmet barbecue, abseiling display down the side of the building and poolside entertainment.

Jessica closed her eyes and said a silent prayer that all would go smoothly.

Eager to get the show underway, she took the lift down and crossed over into the hotel. She found Lin running final sound checks with the team in the grand ballroom. Rigging and lighting technicians were clattering about and making final adjustments for the night’s entertainment. Stage crew were setting up and the hotel staff were dressing the tables. The room was a mass of bodies scuttling in every direction, all with set jobs to do. Jessica strode over to Lin, pulled out the chair next to her and jumped straight into work. She glanced down at her watch.

One hour to kick off.

Poor Lin looked like she was about to throw up, but Jessica reassured her everything was ready to go.

“So are you okay, Lin? I have to go now and coordinate the media and press junket that’s about to start over in the meeting rooms.”

“Sure. I think. I’ll catch up with you later this evening. Just keep your two-way headset on so I can contact you if I have any questions.” Lin had beads of sweat on her brow, but Jessica had every faith in her to pull the entertainment together. As she stood to leave, she gave Lin a reassuring touch on the shoulder.

“We’re going to knock ’em dead tonight,” Jessica said, and made her way out the door.

* * *

From a registration desk in a foyer between two meeting rooms, Jessica ushered the journalists to their interviews with Nate and Martin, the general manager. Both men faced interviewer after interviewer in fifteen-minute slots. As Jessica jostled between the two rooms, she noted that after the first four interviews, all the questions sounded the same and the responses were all too familiar. Constantly keeping an eye on the clock, she had to ensure they kept to the tight schedule.

At four o’clock she ticked off the last of the press interviews and packed away the spare media packs into a box behind the table. Her eyes lit up when Nate walked out from the boardroom, buttoning his jacket as he made his way over to her.

“Well, it looks like you’ve survived the media onslaught.”

Jessica was grateful to cross this item off the agenda. But as she thought about all the things she had to do, adrenaline still rushed through her veins. Nerves, excitement, stress all pummeled her at once.

“Time to schmooze,” said Nate as he tugged at his shirt sleeves and smiled at her. “You look nervous. Don’t be. Everything will be great. I have every faith in you.”

His words didn’t do much to lower her stress levels but his smile was encouraging.

She was startled by her headset buzzing loudly in her ear. “Hey Lin—what’s up?”

“First drama. Fran’s sick. She’s come down with bad gastro and vomiting. What should I do? Who should take over her place? Ryan or Gabby?” Her voice was full of panic.

Jessica rubbed her eyebrows and took a quick moment to think. “Ryan went through everything in dress rehearsal, so use him. Gabby needs to stay on video.”

“Okay. Great. Thanks.” Lin sounded relieved.

Jessica looked at Nate with dismay in her eyes. “First drama. Nothing serious though. One of our main sound technician has come down sick, so our back-up, Ryan, has been put into place. I better go make sure that’s he’s okay with everything.”

“Will I get to spend any time with you this evening?” He tugged playfully at the collar of her shirt.

“Maybe after the main show. But on a night like tonight, you of all people must know business must come first.”

She saw disappointment in Nate’s eyes, but his nod assured her that he fully understood. She had worked so hard to pull this event together; she would do whatever it took to avoid any mishaps.

“
I better get going. It’s nearly showtime.” She kissed him on the cheek and headed to the ballroom. She gathered her team together and gave one last pep talk. “Okay everyone. This is what we have been rehearsing for weeks. Let’s have a great show and heaps of fun.” Everyone cheered and clapped before they all disappeared into their positions about the room and readied themselves to turn the night into a magical affair.

Jessica took her seat next to Lin and the lighting technician at the control panel desk at the rear of the darkened room. Bright blue and green LED lights shimmered across their faces as they placed their headsets on and tested their volume controls. Jessica watched guests dressed in immaculate gowns and suits, enter and fill the tables quickly—all were oblivious to what was going on behind the scenes. Her headphones muffled their conversations and the music that resonated across the room as people settled at their allocated seats. She licked her lips and swallowed, her throat was feeling dry. She was envious of those guests having their glasses filled with champagne or wine by the waiters that circled the tables. She’d love a drink, even if it were only to settle her nerves.

All the commotion and seconds ticking away to the start of the entertainment had Jessica’s heart racing like a speeding train. She’d done events hundreds of times before, but had never been this nervous. Was it because there was so much at stake—her business reputation, exposure to the world, and being in the spotlight to attract new clientele? Or maybe she was just flustered because it came down to the fact that she’d never been in love with the client before. That was a pretty compelling reason. She looked up and saw people overhead creeping silently along in the rigging getting into final position. She glanced at the clock on the panel before her. Two minutes to go.

“Final sound check.” Jessica talked to her team quietly through her headset.

“Check.” Lin replied.

“Final lighting check.”

“Check.”

“Let’s go on … three … two … one.”

The grand ballroom disappeared into darkness. The crowd slowly but surely settled into silence. With a flick of a switch on the control panel by the lighting technician, several bright spotlights shone up onto the ceiling.

“Cue music,” Jessica said into her mouthpiece.

Lin pressed several buttons on the backlit panel.

The haunting, almost eerie violin music resonated across the room, entrancing all the guests as their gaze turned skywards. Silken ribbons in vibrant colors of red, blue and green fell from the ceiling as the Cirque du Soleil aerial performers emerged from the colorful tassels. In the bright circles of light, three slender dancers in gossamer costumes slid with athletic grace down the sashes; sequins and sparkles shining off their delicate wings. Silence washed over the crowd.

“All systems are go.” Jessica confirmed softly to her team. Slowly she let out a deep breath as the dancers began their routine. She looked at her watch.
How many times had she done that today?
Two more minutes of aerials, then the music would hit disco mode, the stage would be flooded with more performers, and the party would be well under way.

Three days to get through and it would all be over.

* * *

A wave of relief washed over Jessica as the star-studded night of entertainment went off without a hitch. All the guests continued to party on until the wee hours. It was three o’clock in the morning when security ushered the last guests out of the ballroom. Jessica’s night couldn’t end until she knew that the room was cleared and ready for the stage crew to commence relay. They had to start setting up for the bands playing on Saturday night.

After a long hot shower, Jessica collapsed into bed at four o’clock. Her feet ached. So did her shoulders. And her mind was racing with her To Do list for the next day’s events. She reached out and felt the smooth sheet of the empty bed next to her. Nate was still out partying somewhere. But his smell lingered on the pillows and the bedding. She turned off the light. Thoughts of being wrapped around his naked body filled her mind. But the weight of exhaustion took over and she drifted off into a deep sleep.

The buzz of her phone alarm going off on the bedside table woke Jessica at six-thirty. She struggled to open her eyes and found Nate sprawled out next to her. She hadn’t even heard him come in. He reeked of champagne and was still dressed in his suit pants and shirt.

Someone had a good night!

Jessica snuck out of bed, dressed, and headed down to the retail shops area to prepare for the day’s events. With cup of tea in hand, she walked outside to the pool area. Clear plastic runways had been set up, zigzagging across the lap pools for the models to catwalk down. She weaved her way around the chairs placed along the poolside and found Lin at the sound booth.

“Did you manage to get some sleep, Lin?”

“A few hours. Thank God for Red Bull.” She took a long swig from her can of energy drink.

“Still no sign of Fran?” Jessica straightened her sunglasses on her face.

“No. Ryan’s here though.”

“Excellent. You’re both doing a fantastic job, so let’s get this day underway, shall we?”

The afternoon was full of dilemmas. Two models didn’t turn up. A tripod broke, resulting in expensive camera equipment falling in the pool. The helicopters were delayed, which put them behind schedule. Jessica was glad to see the end of the daylight hours as she headed for the ballroom.

It looked like a totally different venue compared with the previous evening. The nets, trampolines and harness riggings were now replaced with video screens, massive speakers and band equipment. Sound checks were underway as Jessica and Lin greeted the pop star artists and their entourages arriving to perform for the party.

“You better go and get ready for the big meet and greet tonight.” Lin waved Jessica off. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got it all under control.” The nervous look in Lin’s eyes made Jessica hesitate, but she had to let go and hand the reins over. Even if it was only for just a little while.

“I won’t have the two-way on, so buzz my phone if you need me and you know where I’m sitting. You’ll be fine. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Lin called after her.

Jessica hurried through the crowd that was gathering in the foyer for cocktails. Through the sea of colorful dresses and black dinner suits, she caught a glimpse of Nate dressed in his tuxedo. He looked enraptured with all that was going on around him. His eyes found hers. Everyone else seemed to disappear from her view as she felt that all too familiar pull toward him. She smiled and enjoyed the fine view for a few seconds before darting for the elevators.

After a quick, rejuvenating shower and a blow-dry of her hair, Jessica dressed in fresh lingerie and rushed out of the gown bathroom to put on the dress that she’d left hanging on the cupboard door. She hadn’t noticed the red paper shopping bag hung over a coat hanger when she dashed past before.

On the bag was a post-it note written in Nate’s handwriting.

Thought this might go with your dress. XO Nate.

Jessica smiled as she reached into the bag; her hand enclosed around a velvety box and pulled it out. Her heart pounded in her chest as her fingers ran over the embossed Cartier logo.

With hands shaking like a leaf, Jessica opened the case. She gasped. Inside, brilliant against the black satin, lay a necklace.
White gold and diamonds!
The entire length was encrusted with stones. Her fingers trembled as she slowly and carefully took the necklace out and clasped it around her neck. She glanced at herself in the mirror and ran her fingers over the jewels sitting at the base of her throat.

Holy shit! They’re magnificent.

With no more time to ogle her present, Jessica slipped on her dress, did a quick reapplication of makeup, strapped on her sparkling stilettos and headed down to join the party.

Nate’s eyes lit up as Jessica approached him through the crowd. She felt as if others were looking at her as well, but ignored their gazes. Was it the diamonds? Was it her dress? The combination of both? She felt glamorous and radiant, like a Hollywood star ready to walk the red carpet at a movie premiere. The elderly gentleman Nate was talking to looked startled when Nate put up his hand to stop him talking and made his way over to her. His hand slid around her waist and he kissed her on the cheek.