Providence

Evelyn grab the casserole out of the oven and placed it on the island counter of the kitchen. Evelyn wore a tight red dress with her brown hair up in a bun a few small strains falling from the sides. She smiled as she placed down her oven mits and took a sip of her wine as she looked up and smiled at her guest. "Casserole just needs to sit for a while to firm up and then it will be time, Ris." Ris had beautiful natural red hair that circled so nicely around her finger as she play with it take a sip of her wine. Her blue eyes clearing as each sip she took made her more relaxed. She wore a black cocktail dress with medium heels. She was then newest member of the company and this was her first dinner party.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ris asked softly and sweetly trying not to overstep the bounds.

"Nah, everything should be set." Evelyn said to her and smiled. Evelyn was an senior at the company and was ready for a smooth sailing in the place to the end. Fiance can be so hard and a forever around the clock job. Evelyn knew that taking Risley on would be the best choice. She was young and hungry and want to move up in this world. "Come lets see if everyone arrived."

The ladies walked through a big wooden door that lead to a great long dining area that was filled with guests. The men where dressed as sharp as the woman. There had to be about 15 people all around the place chatting an sipping on wine. Risley knew she was in over her head. She hated the politics of things like this. Evelyn started to make her way around the room introducing her to everyone there and speaking so highly of her. Risley blushed every time.

Mark leaned up against the fireplace as he sipped his brandy. He swirl the brandy a few times as the other men talked between the two of them. He noticed the red head across the room. She had to be new, but the company was growing to fast to even know who did what anymore. "Tom, who is that?" Mark interjected the conversation between the two men.

Tom a brown hair and brown eyes bigger man looked over at Evelyn "The one next to Evelyn?"

"Oh yes, you know that one caught his eye... she most likely has the eyes of everyone in this room" John said to the to men. John had short cropped brown hair and his skin looked harden from age.

"That is Ris. She is a bright young one in fiance. She is more medical billing then accounting, but that is fine it is all the same at the end." Tom tried to explain to Mark.

John chuckled a little and took a sip of his beer "I heard she is a firecracker. She doesn't take anyone's shit and is one hard ass."

"You say it like woman can not be like that" Tom said and cocked his head to the side. "You just don't like to deal with challenges"

John and Tom continued to bash each others manhood as Mark began to turn them out. He was staring at her. Ris felt like there was eyes on her. She reached up and pushed her hair behind her ear and turn slowly and her eyes meet Mark's. She blushed and continued on her turn to follow Evelyn back into the kitchen.

Evelyn walked back into the dinning area with the casserole in her hands "Come on everyone lets eat!" She called out to everyone as Ris following behind with both of their flutes. Evelyn placed the dish down and then grabbed a chair and had a seat. Ris placed her flute next to her dish and then found a seat in the middle of the table. She took a seat and smiled at the others sitting around the table.

Mark grabbed a chair right next to her as John started to snicker at him. John took a sear near by he needed to hear how bad Mark was going to get turned down by Ris. Tom sat next to his wife Evelyn and smiles at her warmly. It was Evelyn's idea to have Ris come to a friendly dinner so that she could meet Mark in the first place. Tom was not going to the idea, but was not going to stop the match maker at her finest. Dinner started to be severed as the chatter started.

Ris enjoyed her dinner and listened to the conversation around her. She slowly babied her wine that she was now drinking. Mark continued to talk to John as he gently reached over too far to make sure that he brushed against Risley reaching for her wine.

"Oh, I am sorry" She said softly to him

"No no my fault" he said as he leaned in to talk to her. Risley blushed a bit. "I am sorry I don't think I meet you before"

" I am sorry. My name is Risley. I work with Evelyn and you are?"

"Mark... I know both Tom and Evelyn" He put out his hand and she shook it. He noticed her soft skin and her smile.

"Nice to meet you" She said with a smile

Evelyn push Tom and smiled as she watched Risley and Mark chit chat a bit. Evelyn had a feeling about Risley and how she would just be perfect for Mark. She sat back and took a big sip of her wine. She was excited as she watched the two continue. Mark leaned in as he continue to talk to Risley. She took smaller sips of wine to make sure she was not going to spill. Risley laughed at a lot of things that Mark was telling her. Evelyn was wondering if she was really enjoying her self or just being polite.

"Ris, come with me please. Can you help me with dessert?" Evelyn said as she placed and arm on both Risley's and Mark's chair.

"Sure" Risley said with a smile and nodded to Mark. Mark smile and looked up at Evelyn as she winked. Risley picked up her glass and took it with her. She smiled and made sure to brush her hand against Mark's shoulder as she got up and headed to the kitchen. Mark noticed it and smiled to him self and took a drink of his brandy.

John kicked him under the table."Smooth moves over there Romeo."

" I can not help it she taste for seasoned men, you child" Mark snared at him.

John shook his head "$50 bucks says that you don't get her number before the end of the night"

Mark chuckled " Such a stupid bet, but I will take you on it"

Evelyn began to cut the cake and places it on plates "I enjoy having dinner parties, but sort of wish I would of just allowed to staff to deal with all of this." She laughed and looked at Risley.

" Yes but then you would not have this experience of having cake all of your hands" She smiled

"True so true" Evelyn stopped and then could not help herself but had to ask " So, what is your opinion on Mark?"

Risley's cheeks became warm as soon as his name came out of her mouth "Evelyn, I knew you could not help yourself." She laughed " I have to say..." She nodded and smiled "He has potential"

"Oh my goodness... that all he get is a possible potential?"

"Yes, you know my opinion about this whole game... if it's meant to be it will meant to be" She paused "But he is very handsome and seams very nice"

"Good, that is a start" Evelyn continued on her way "Tom knows him for several years now. He has a very good head on his shoulders."

"That is very good to know" She paused and started to fill the tray up with the plates... "I will take these out a while."

Risley started to hand out the cake to each person as she went down the table. If Mark was this great guy that Evelyn was bragging about. She needed to know so she make sure to lean down a bit to far reaching across the table to give him his take to see if he would peak down her dress. Mark look up at her eyes and thanked her while John was more then drooling in his cake. She smiled and returned back into the kitchen to get the rest of the cake.

"You have to of noticed that" John almost couldn't contain himself

"Yes" Mark said and took a small sip of brandy "That is what separates then men and the children. Now clean up your drool" Mark rolled his eyes at John. Tom could not help but watch this now cat and mouse game that was happen and was enjoying that John was being treated like a child.

Evelyn came back in with the last tray as she handed it out to the finally small group of people still missing cake. Risley returned to her chair with small pieces of cake. She gently placed the cake down and then sat back her in chair. "I am surprised you returned" Mark said with a smile.

"No worries I left some breadcrumbs so that I can fine my way back to my chair." She giggled as she looked at Mark who smiled and then at John who made a face.

The night continued with tons of belly laughs and chatting around the table. Even Risley was beginning to enjoy herself. The party guests started to clear the table placing everything in the kitchen. Risley was wondering if Evelyn was going to really do the dishes or was she just going to leave them. Some of the guests where beginning to leave which left a small group of people. Mark took his brandy to the balcony of the the castle that overlooked the garden. Risley took the chance to possible get to know him more.

"Beautiful out here don't you think?" Mark asked her as she closed the door behind her.

"I am sorry did you want to sit out here alone and think?" She asked

"No no... I enjoy your company."

She smiled and blushed "...and yours as well. You asked me all these questions about me, but what do you do for a living?"

"Me?" He paused "I guess you could say I am in to politics" He said with a smile and wonder how to explain to her that he was a prince of country and just happen to be on vacation.

Risley smiled a little " I have to confess that I am not really into politics"

"I have heard that all my life" He smiled "Maybe I can teach you something about it someday."

The two chatted for a while and looked out at the stars. Evelyn looked out the window and seen the two chatting. She pulled Tom over and pointed out the window even he too had a smile on his face. Risley began to get cold and leaned into Mark a little. He took his arm and immediately placed it around her.

"We should get inside you are going to get sick " Mark said to Risley and looked down at her.

"I should see is Evelyn needs some help" She giggled "I am not sure she knows how to fill up a dishwasher"

The two turned around a little and Mark stopped them both in mid stride. "Before you leave me again. I have to ask... Can I see you again?"

"Sure" She said with a smile and her eye glistened over a little.

"What is your number?"

Risley laughed a little "Don't you believe in serendipity?"

"Well yes to a point, but sometimes you need to help it along" He said looking almost disappointed that he could not get her number.

"I am trying to trust in her... Serendipity will have us meet again. If that is what she wants us to do"

"You have a lot of faith in her" He said with a smile

"You will never have to force anything that is truly meant to be" Risley whispered to him softly and smiled as she kissed his cheek and slowly walked into the house.