Chapter 4 Amanda "The Escort"

A month after the Ambassador's proposal, Seleuss, the Academy's headmaster, requested that I accompany him to a friend's wedding the upcoming weekend.

"Sir, won't Iria be displeased?" I queried, perplexed, my face twisting up in confusion.

Iria, also a Vulcan, was Seleuss's wife of eighteen years. She had birthed three boys ranging in age from five to sixteen years. Recently, Iria discovered that she was pregnant again at age thirty-nine, three months ago. The couple had taken me under their wing, so to speak, when I began working for Seleuss, and we were friendly out of work.

Once a month, Iria and I would share a meal or a tea time to 'gossip'. I use the term lightly because Vulcans do not chitchat. Iria especially has aided me in adjusting to Vulcan fashion and other cultural expectations here.

"No, Miss Grayson, not for me. You will attend a Human marriage ceremony with a friend," he calmly countered.

"Have I met this man that I am escorting?" I questioned while raising a quizzical brow.

Delaying, Seleuss blinked his gray eyes twice before revealing, " Yes. I introduced you to Ambassador Sarek five months ago."

"Whack!" I felt like my boss had backhanded me, and my mouth dropped open. Stunned, I remained quiet for a moment.

"Ambassador Sarek!?!" I indignantly exclaimed. My body temperature rose as my anger escalated briskly. The Ambassador's thoughtless comments still wounded my heart and pride, and I felt enraged.

"Sarek is a close friend from my early college days who would like to study human culture. You would do an excellent job teaching him as you are incredibly patient," my headmaster coolly replied. I remained quiet for thirty seconds.

Exhaling loudly, I said I would not do it and scowled like a pouting child.

"Please explain, Miss Grayson," Seleuss questioned, raising an eyebrow.

I felt exceedingly antagonized when I thought about how the Ambassador chastised me. Not only did he make me feel like I was a grotesque-looking woman, but he acted like it was an act of charity to offer marriage to me.

"Sir, I never refuse one of your requests, but this one I must," I stubbornly replied.

My boss repeated his request for an explanation a second time.

"I prefer not to discuss it, sir, but I will say that Ambassador Sarek unnecessarily offended me," I answered, raising my head to meet his gaze.

"Miss Grayson, Surak teaches that we should not dwell in the past and that we should forgive the transgressions of others," he gently reminded me.

" I am not Vulcan, Sir," I politely recalled.

"Nonetheless, you have embraced our way of life and regularly meditate on Surak's teachings. I will ask you to spend some time meditating tonight. Be prepared to give me your final answer tomorrow morning. Good evening, Miss Grayson," he responded. That was the end of the conversation; the man knew how to lay on a perfect guilt trip.

Several days later

Through Iria, I discovered that the ceremony was between a budding diplomat in the Ambassador's office, Bryan Lee, and a nurse, Veronica Smith. Both were in their early forties and found each other precisely two years ago. Their ceremony location was a remote cave with the backdrop of the desert. Even though the couple embraced Vulcan culture, they wanted a human wedding on their adopted planet.

From Iria, I found out that the couple's wedding colors were burnt orange and crimson. Shopping on Vulcan was limited because they preferred to wear only a few shades. However, Iria graciously helped me select a burnt orange long-sleeved dress and a brown silk wrap with sequined decorations. I made sure to purchase a red desert rose for the Ambassador's front tunic pocket and one for me to pin to my wrist.

The night before, Kelly put my hair in a french braid after I had washed it. We undid my roommate's handiwork the following day, so my hair would exhibit soft waves around my face after I had dressed. There was a knock on our apartment door when she began applying eye shadow in the Vulcan style.

"Stay here," Kelly commanded as I applied a light base coat on my face.

"Good Afternoon Ambassador," I heard her say politely, " Amanda is almost ready. Please sit down. May I offer you any refreshment?"

Ambassador Sarek's deep voice answered in the negative, and Kelly excused herself to return to me.

"OH MY GOD!!!! He looks so handsome, whew," she declared quietly, fanning herself because he was "hot" looking.

Rolling my eyes upward, I persisted in applying rouge to my cheeks. My heart beat irrationally skipped a beat.

"I am serious, Mandy," she squealed, "F-I-N-E!"

"Kelly, shh! He will hear you," I admonished, putting my index finger to my lips and giving her a severe stare.

We purposely spent extra time perfecting my look. After applying red lipstick to my lips, I felt a tiny bit of satisfaction from making the great Ambassador wait.

Purposely strolling into the room after Kelly ten minutes later, I cheerfully greeted my date. He rose from the sofa, revealing his outfit of a fitted brown tunic with black slacks, and I felt my breath catch as I viewed him. His dark eyes flickered over my body, from the top of my head to my toes, and a slight greenish color covered his cheeks. Indeed, Ambassador Sarek appeared debonair.

"There is one more thing I need to retrieve before we can go," I remarked after I recovered from the shock of his gorgeousness.

"Miss Grayson, time is of the essence," he protested, glancing at his watch.

"One moment, please," I called in a sweet voice as I strolled into the kitchen to retrieve the flowers. Meanwhile, Ambassador Sarek impatiently paced our living room in circles, and I stifled a giggle with my right hand. Vulcans hated to wait.

"There is much you must learn about human culture. For instance, a date must be patient while waiting," I called in a sing-song voice from the kitchen. I rejoined him in the living room with the flowers in hand, and he mumbled,

"Humans are illogical."

"Aren't you lucky you work with them," I teased, smiling brightly.

"It was not my first career choice," Ambassador Sarek remarked, with widened brown eyes.

Playfully, I mocked him, "Why? You seem so well fitted?"

The Ambassador peered at me, studying my face like I was a mystery.

"Just a joke," I muttered under my breath as I slid on my flower bracelet on my wrist.

"Are the flowers significant?"

Days prior to the wedding, Iria informed me that the couple's wedding colors were crimson and burnt orange, so we will wear one of those colors to honor them. Iria bought some too," I smartly detailed.

For a short moment, I placed my hand on his breast pocket to apply pressure for his flower to stay in place.

The Ambassador's chocolate-colored eyes twinkled when they met my own, and I felt a chill go through my body. He was analyzing me like I was a Petri dish underneath a microscope. Clearing his throat, Ambassador Sarek then inquired,

"Why is yours on your wrist, Miss Grayson?"

Shrugging, I didn't know the answer. The Ambassador held his hand out to indicate that we should go.

"Mandy! Wait, do you have your gift for the newlyweds," Kelly yelled, running after us as we walked to the door.

"A gift?" Ambassador Sarek questioned with a quizzical brow.

"Yes, it is customary on Earth to give gifts to the couple," I elucidated, thinking how little he knew about the people of my planet.

"Don't worry," Kelly reassured, handing me a beautifully wrapped crimson box with an even more oversized white bow, "We went shopping with Iria and found fabulous gifts for the newlyweds for you and Seleuss to give."

"Thank you for thinking ahead," he gratefully replied.

The shuttlecraft ride was quick.

"Since I am accompanying you on a social occasion, you should call me by my first name, Amanda, Ambassador," I suggested before exiting the vehicle.

Without replying, he left the vehicle and opened my door. Then the Ambassador held his hand to help me, "After you, Amanda."

"Thank you, Ambassador" I gratefully accepted his hand, which was gentler than I had expected. I appreciated the courteous gesture.

"Just Sarek is acceptable," he revealed, letting go of my hand as I exited the vehicle.

"Thank you, Ambassador," I repeated. I wanted him to know that I forgave him, but I was still a little hurt by his words from a month ago.

With two suns, it was scorching and arid outside. My own pale, sensitive skin burnt rapidly, so I also wore a brown hat with a veil covering my face. Ambassador Sarek remained silent as we moved together to the cave, standing six inches apart as the red sands blew in our faces as we hiked forward.

"Seleuss informed me that you would like to learn the art of 'small talk' " I filled the silence with a question.

"Yes, living on Vulcan, I do not get a chance to practice as I should, and I must attend a Federation conference soon," my date stated.

"Indeed, your friend requested that I assist you with that skill, and I agreed," I acknowledged with a slight grin.

"That was extremely kind of you, Amanda," he replied upon arrival at the cave. Instantly, it gave me a peaceful vibe, and its cool temperature provided relief from the sun's harsh rays. We found a small canopy placed over a slab of rock employed for ceremonial purposes in ancient times. There were two crimson and orange drapes, one of each, over it where a human man, probably a minister, stood. The Ambassador displayed beads of sweat and fidgeted with his hands, although they were behind his back, as we approached the crowd of people. I realized he was apprehensive of small talk.

"Stop fidgeting, please," I whispered, standing close to him. As his cologne wafted towards me, I observed it smelled of a solid musky scent that I liked and enjoyed.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Sarek scrutinized me, confused to see me standing near him, almost like he forgot I was his date. Energy flowing from him zapped both of us and I felt like I was in a daze. The Ambassador's brown eyes searched mine for an answer to the shock for a long beat, but he didn't find it.

"Sarek, Amanda," Seleuss called, and we broke the spell.

Eight columns of a stone were laid horizontally for guest seating, and we walked towards them without a word. After exchanging pleasantries with multiple people, we took our place in the second row next to Seleuss and Iria. The Ambassador sat on my left and Iria on the right, and we conversed briefly until five more people arrived. Bryan, the groom, showed up in a black tuxedo with a crimson tie.

"He looks nervous," I quietly verbalized, "but I am sure he is hot in a tuxedo."

"Is it customary for a groom to wear one?" Ambassador Sarek questioned in a low voice.

"Yes," I answered. First, Bryan welcomed all twenty-five guests and announced that the ceremony would start in a few minutes. I elucidated that the bride's maid and the groomsman would come down the aisle first take their place. Lastly, the bride would walk down the aisle to meet the groom at the canopy. Next, the minister would begin the ceremony, and the two would change vows and rings.

Iria introduced us to Ted, another friend of Bryan and Veronica, who was giving the reception party afterward at his house. He lived with his sister Shawna, and both were doctors.

The bride appeared radiant in a long, sleeveless crimson dress tied at the waist as she strode into the area with desert flowers in her hands for a bouquet. When Veronica approached the altar, Bryan beamed rays of bright happiness at her as the music stopped. I hoped the man of my dreams would look at me that way.

Regardless of whether I know the people, I cry at all weddings. Shocked, Ambassador Sarek, Seleuss, and Iria stared at me.

"Why are you weeping?" my date questioned with a raised eyebrow.

" It is so touching to watch people pledge to live their lives together for all of eternity," I whispered to him, wiping the tears away with my hand.

"Touching?"

"Moving, heartwarming, poignant," I snapped back a little too loudly, annoyed by his question.

The minister stopped his sentence and gave me a warning look before proceeding. I lowered my face in embarrassment, and the Ambassador did not observe my humiliation. When the newlyweds kissed, Ambassador Sarek whispered with a vexed expression, "I do not understand Humans."

"It is a tradition that the groom removes the veil and kisses the bride," I explained after the groom did so, and I eagerly clapped.

We congratulated the happy couple and made our way to the reception at Ted's house.

"Did you enjoy observing the ceremony?"

"Yes, it was quite informative," the Ambassador agreed as we arrived.

The atmosphere was relaxed at Ted's and Shawna's house, similar to a house party on Earth. It contained lively music, food, a wedding cake, and champagne! The newlyweds were adorable and friendly, and it was evident that they loved each other very much.

"So, you are the illustrious Miss Grayson," Bryan teased after a glass of champagne, "the audacious woman who turned down Ambassador Sarek's business proposal."

Reddening, I inquired how he knew that information.

"Ambassador Sarek didn't comprehend why humans marry," the groom quipped, " I didn't mean to embarrass you, Amanda. Honestly, I can't believe he approached you as he did."

With a coerced smile on my face, I shrugged, stating,

"It was quite mortifying at the time. My boss, Seleuss, requested that I accompany the Ambassador."

"Amanda, he is not a cruel man, and I truly believe he did not mean to criticize you," Bryan earnestly informed.

"It felt extremely hurtful at the time," I truthfully replied.

Eventually, it was time for the newlyweds to cut the cake after the best man and the maid of honor spoke. Bryan and Veronica held the knife together as they did so. Ted, the party's host, cut the first two slices for his friends. Ultimately, newlyweds held their cake plate carefully before scooping a small piece of the icing with their fingers and placing it on the other's nose.

All the Humans boisterously laughed and clapped as the Vulcans watched the scene unfold.

"What purpose does that tradition serve?"Ambassador Sarek inquired, not understanding.

"Romans, thousands of years ago, it was good luck for the groom to break wheat over the bride's head," I described, "I guess it just metamorphosed into this over the years. Excuse me. I will help pass out the wedding cake."

After conversing with others for several minutes, I noticed that the Ambassador sat alone after finishing his cake.

" Why don't you tell me about this event that you have forthcoming?" I inquired, sitting down next to him. His manly scent drifted towards me and made me feel lightheaded.

"I will be at the Federation conference on your planet for six weeks," Ambassador Sarek answered.

"How soon?"

"Three weeks and two days," he reported almost robotically.

"Do you ever loosen up, Ambassador?"

When he requested clarification, I asked if he had had fun.

"Fun, Amanda? That is a relative term," Ambassador Sarek questioned, arching an eyebrow.

"Outside of your job, what do you like to do? Any hobbies?"

"I was an astrophysicist before first becoming the sub ambassador to Earth, then the Ambassador," he informed.

"Oh, that was your previous career."

"I believe I said that," he sassily remarked.

Sighing heavily, I felt weary as I conceded, " You need to work on the art of conversation, Ambassador."

"Indeed, I believe that is why you are here, Amanda," he replied, frowning.

"I am not your guide to all things Earth," I retorted, annoyed.

"For the time being, I believe you are," the Ambassador drily commented.

"Possibly, I did not have a choice in escorting you here. Your friend, my boss, commanded it," I rudely snorted.

There was a brief hush.

"I apologize for my friend's insistence on your attendance for my benefit, Amanda," he sincerely stated, "please excuse me. I must speak with Bryan."

As the Ambassador abruptly rose from the comfortable sofa, an aching in my stomach told me that my words injured him. As he apologized, I saw a glint of sadness in his eyes. Moreover, I felt guilty for behaving rudely.