The sound of Mitchum's finger tapping on the microphone that turned into a whistling noise caught the attention of everyone in the dimly lit grand ballroom, where teal and green colored skilful lighting solution created an eerie night time forest theme. Images of deers, wolves, the night's sky and trees were projected onto the broad screens that surrounded the room, though it remained unclear what the actual connection of this forest theme was to the HPG - but that was what happened if planning was solely left in the hands of event planners, Logan himself having been too occupied this year to involve himself in such trivial matters.
Mitchum was clearly enjoying the attention he was in this evening, having missed it the past couple of years. At least he didn't seem to show the slightest bit of hesitance when he'd stepped up on that stage, dressed in a Prada tuxedo and began to make his speech.
"Dear friends, colleagues, family…," Mitchum began, glancing around the room. There were more and more unfamiliar faces each year that had been hired after he'd pulled back. "I know you're probably not really used to seeing me up there. Some of you probably already I'd kicked the bucket, but as you can see - as I live and breathe - here I am," he said with a soft chuckle, clearly enjoying his limelight.
"For me tonight is a celebratory evening. It's been another year when I've had the pleasure to watch and enjoy this company flourish in very capable hands," he said with a nod towards Logan, adding, "from a safe distance, that is," he added in jest, tucking his hands in his pockets. "But today I'm here to cause a bit of commotion," Mitchum said in a sneaky smile. "No, we're not selling the place," he continued, getting a burst of laughter in response from the crowd.
"Wouldn't have thought of him as such a comedian," Rory commented quietly to Logan, with a sigh, taking his hand under the table.
"But seriously…," Mitchum continued, waiting for the room to quiet. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce to everybody - my youngest son, Owen Ward," he said, gesturing towards the man of the hour. The reaction was a chorus of whispers, as expected.
"Owen will become involved in the Huntzberger Publishing Group alongside Logan and a carefully selected team of advisors," he continued, demanding the audience to silence themselves. "You'll know him as the pro tempore CEO until Bobby's return. I hope you'll give him a warm welcome," he added, beginning to clap his hands. The crowd joined in hesitant clapping, picking up as it went, the simultaneous whispers becoming loud again. It was as if people kept checking Logan's and Rory's impression to know what stance to take - but they certainly didn't object to any of this hence the whispers settled soon enough, though were probably going to fill the evening's conversation nonetheless.
After a few brief words from one of the event planners - something along the lines of wishing everyone a good evening and suggesting enjoying the food and music.
In this crowd Mitchum didn't particularly care what people thought, and none of them were really going to say much anyways. His person still spoke for itself - and thankfully, these were different times and the fact that he might have a son didn't seem like a huge scandal, especially now in this room. Sure, the press and competitors would talk, but let them.
What Mitchum didn't let on, but felt, was deep relief and gratification, hoping that this had undone some of the hurt his inaction had done in the past. He returned to the table, fitting ten, including all of their family and the three key management members, G feeling slightly out of place. He could already see the three attempting to get to know Owen. He just hoped, desperately, that Owen knew how to differentiate ass-kissing from the real thing, but at the same time feeling like if he didn't - it was probably his own fault not Owen's.
The evening continued with a small performance, music accompanied by an aerial silk performance, allowing the news to settle. There were other speakers that night, including a video greeting from Bobby, some awards given out and congratulations given to those who had already achieved something notable. And sure, the minute people were allowed to mingle more freely, more talk on the topic began - but that was to be expected.
Rory had allowed, or rather not forbidden, not wanting to make a fuss, G to have wine with her food and she was quite pleasantly surprised by how well G held it together considering her age. G was relieved to be one of the more popular single people at the event, which meant a lot of the guys wanted to take her for a spin around the dance floor. While G could tell Rory was keeping an eye on her, she didn't let herself be very bothered by it, instead taking it as a compliment, while not really mentioning her age. She didn't flirt, not much at least - that wasn't why she was there.
Rory knew some people professionally, hence for her this was really quite an easy event to handle, same went for Honor, who had known some of these people all her life. Her joyous laughter travelled across the hall, as she mingled, causing heads to turn and definitely liven the place.
At some point Rory made her way to the bathroom to freshen up, having lost track of almost everyone from their table by then. As the emergered, she almost stumbled into Honor, who had been just out in the hallways making a call.
"Oh my god, I've been meaning to tell you - your dress looks amazing on you. You do not look like you've got 4-month-olds at home," Honor exclaimed, pulling Rory aside by her arm before she reached the bathroom. They'd had lunch earlier that day, but other than briefly discussing the kids, they hadn't really talked, the main focus having been on Owen.
"Hey, I could say the same… well not about babies but you know," Rory replied.
Honor had definitely gained some weight over the past few years she'd spent in Germany, simply for not working as actively as she had had back in the states. Now she was mostly working from home and the inactivity had its toll, even if she did work out. Still, Honor had a good eye for dresses that complimented her figure, wearing a bronze off-shoulder that emphasized her voluptuous breasts that she'd definitely had enhanced after having her children. Frankly, if anything - there was something about her appearance that reminded Rory of Shira these days, and she knew it was not something she could really help.
"Oh, don't start," Honor sighed. "I'll be doing lipo in a few months again. It's a vicious circle, you know. The body just isn't what it used to be anymore," she whispered in passing as if it was no big deal.
"But why do you do it?" Rory asked, feeling silly once she'd asked it, pulling her to the side out of other people's earshot who were heading for the ladies room.
"Well because that's how I feel even remotely like myself. It's not easy on the body, sure - but what's you going to do," Honor explained with a shrug. That was what she had grown up with, so who could blame her. "Why?" she asked a little confusedly.
"I don't know… I've briefly considered maybe having a tummy tuck," Rory said, squinting her nose uncomfortably. She still didn't like the idea - but Honor was the closest person she had who'd done anything like that. "There's just a lot of extra skin," she added.
"All I say that if you do it, do it for you - not for what others think or because you think he wants you to," Honor said, glancing over to their left at Logan across the room who was currently talking to Mitchum and some boardmember.
Rory knew that these days it really wasn't about Logan not wanting her as such, especially when having been apart for some time, this morning's wake-up call still fresh in her mind. But she did wonder, whether at some point she might become dull, or be unable to compete with the younger and prettier. She didn't like to go there in her mind, but that was where she occasionally went.
"Yeah, I might not…," Rory shrugged.
"Well, if you do - there are better doctors in Germany and Switzerland than here," she said, smiling friendlily. "But really - you're a gorgeous mother of three," hugging her sideways.
"Thanks," Rory sighed, appreciatively.
"Now, I think I see an old friend of mine, I'm going to say while I'm here," Honor added excitedly. She was truly born into these things, and it showed. And clearly she was missing the States a bit too, having very few friends back in Frankfurt. Honor had done what she'd briefly considered - moving across the world for her husband. It came with a price, and she could see it - but then again this was what Honor had seen all her life, growing up, and despite being of very different wood compared to Shira personality wise, she'd still done it.
With the overwhelmingness of the past few weeks, Rory frank felt utterly tired at that point. The kids were a lot, so was G. Maybe she was fighting windmills when it came to trying to make her own career prosper? Maybe kids and the company, her part in this being the supporting role, that including the necessary nip-tuck - was what she was supposed to be doing? Maybe wanting to work was just about doing what her mother would approve of? Was she just trying to prove to people she wasn't Shira or was that something she truly wanted?
Rory was just nursing a glass of champagne by one of the standing tables, having just a moment ago talked to an old colleague of hers from Truncheon Philadelphia, enjoying the big band's show and the people dancing. Everything had gone way better than she'd hoped, people had seemed to be accepting of the news and simply in high spirits most likely due to the open bar and the approaching holidays. She could tell Charlotte was a little disappointed for not being included in the business discussions much, neither was she being twirled around the dance floor, showing off her dress, or being introduced as the CEO's wife and the disappointment showed in her face. But Rory didn't feel like they were close enough to actually go and try to cheer her up. She still had mixed feelings about her. She would surely help her if she asked for it, or if she saw her struggling, but this just needed to be a wake up call for her - to show her what this life was really about. It wasn't all about fancy clothes and parties - it was hard work and loneliness too, compromises.
It was then, when she was deep in thought, a hand snuck around her and she almost yelped.
"All danced out?" Logan teased, not releasing his grip on her.
"Actually, I haven't danced at all," Rory announced, as if that was his fault somehow.
"Now, I got to make that right," he smirked, and he led hre to the dancefloor.
As if on request a slow song followed, a slow acoustic version of 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' (e.g by Morgan Harper-Jones), allowing Rory not to really dance, but rather just swing from side to side with her husband.
"And somehow we always end up like this at these things," Rory smiled back at him. His grip on her felt just the same as it had been the first time they'd danced to Moon River, the difference being, he wasn't now keeping an appropriate distance from her.
"Of course we do," Logan said. "You're the most beautiful woman in this building, wouldn't have it any other way," he added.
"Just this building?" Rory scolded him playfully.
"The planet, universe - take your pick," he added, smilingly.
"Flattery will only get you so far..," Rory laughed.
"How far is so far?" Logan asked with a devilish smirk.
They'd carried the longing sexual tension all day, unable to really do anything about it in the midst of Logan playing with the kids and interacting with Logan's family who were mostly staying at the house or had been just visiting for part of the day. Despite the house being enormous - it seemed that there were people everywhere and other than a brief kiss here and there, they hadn't really had much time to themselves. Even when they were getting ready for the gala, there had been G panicking in the hallways asking if Rory had any shoes she could wear with the dress as the original option had apparently gone out of fashion. So there had been simply the longing glances, small touches which could happen around other people or just in passing.
"I think we're a bit too prominent by now for subparties, don't you think?" Rory commented practically.
"Just look around - we're not really missed…," Logan suggested, turning around on the dance floor so Rory could observe the crowd over his shoulder.
Owen was caught up with some New York executives along with one of the advisors who was going to be his right hand, hence he seemed covered. Honor and Mitchum were talking to some board members in the back. Charlotte had found some other bored wife, and the discussion seemed to be about their respective gowns. And G, while nowhere in sight, Rory simply figured she was in the bathroom or something and didn't think much of it. People were enjoying themselves, clearly the majority being already quite tipsy, on or off the dance floor, the official part of the evening.
There had always been some deeper excitement that reminded them both about the times when they'd one this back when they'd been in college, when it came to sneaking off together. Rory had to admit, that feeling young, like back in college, was what she certainly craved at that moment.
As the song ended, the starting upbeat song providing a convenient excuse, the two slipped away, Rory feeling rather giddy at the prospect.
Staff only signs were disregarded and the two slipped along the darkened hallway that led towards the rooms the company hadn't rented for the night.
Without actually stepping into any of the rooms they had at hand, for now Logan simply kissed her, pushing her back against the wall. His hand held her neck, while the other gripped her waist even more possessively as it had before on the dance floor. Tongues danced, lips devoured the others and as a result Rory let out a gentle moan, leaving her panting as the kiss broke.
His lips soon trailed down her neck, leaving Rory a little flustered.
"God, we're too old for this," Rory laughed, quietly.
"No we're not," Logan assured, and being quite convincing at that, and took her hand, beginning to check the doors whether any one of them was actually open. "Why do they keep locking janitor's closets, they never used to," he muttered, in a way discrediting of his own earlier point because he could remember times like that.
"In here," Rory suggested, finding a room - which essentially was a conference room of sorts, at least it was set up as one, and flicked the lights on, trying a few times to find some lighting alternative that wasn't too bright.
It was Rory who kissed him then, her hands going inside his suit, which he'd already begun to discard. Logan's hands moved around her hips, grabbing her ass through the dress, while making sure she felt his hardening member between them. Rory wanted him desperately, but she knew that in this dress it wouldn't be that easy, hence she made the choice kicking off her shoes and sinking down on her knees. With the look she gave him, he certainly wasn't going to argue now.
She stroked over his arousal and unzipped him and was just about to pull him out of his pants, when she heard Logan's phone buzz his jacket pocket. She would've gladly ignored the buzzing, but she wasn't drunk enough to forget all else.
"Just leave it," Logan urged, his hands urging her to continue by stroking her neck and hairline, desperate for her touch, any of her touches.
She would've - the way he looked at her, as if she was his savior or something, the way his hand was positioned on her neck - not dominantly at all, but almost pleadingly made it incredible difficult for her to stop. But as it was then her phone that rang as well, she just felt like she had to. It could've been about the kids.
She groaned, and rose, holding onto Logan for support, glancing at him apologetically. Thankfully he understood, but sighed in disappointment internally nonetheless. This just didn't seem to be their day. Rory opened her wrist clutch and picked up her phone.
"Yeah?" she answered Honor's call.
"It's G, she's not feeling too great," Honor said. "We're at the handicap bathroom just by the main ladies room," she added.
Rory shook her head, scolding internally both at G and herself for allowing her to drink, thinking that she must've just been feeling sick because of it, leaving Logan to gather himself with a simple apologetic glance, as she stepped into her shoes again headed out the door.