"Finally! We're done." Phoebe breaths with exhaustion, collapsing onto the couch. After the longest eight hours of my life, we finished putting every single item in its place at Escala. "God Teddy, I think I'm going to have to borrow one of your beds for the night," she murmurs with fatigue while I make my way to the kitchen, "I'm so tired, I just might have to sleep against your front door if you kick me out."
"Don't be ridiculous Pheebs," I say walking back into the great room with a bottle of Phoebe's favorite white wine, two wine glasses and also somehow manage to carry a bottle opener with only two hands. "You can stay here whenever you want. Lord knows this place is better than the sorority house you live in." I teas.
"Ha! Sorority house, that's funny. But seriously, I have one roommate it's barely a sorority house." She laughs. "I'm a teacher Teddy, not a big shot COO."
I know how hard it is to live a fancy life like mine in Seattle. And teacher these days are pay so low, it's unbelievable that people so talented like Phoebe- who could have been a successful accountant in GEH- decide to be to teach and share there knowledge with our future generation. I'm so proud at my sister, it's unbelievable.
"I know Pheebs," I say handing her a glass of wine. "Just teasing you."
"Umm I love Chablis. Aunt Kate got me the most beautiful dress for tomorrow night." She says rolling the wine in her glass.
"What's going on tomorrow night? Have you got a date?" I ask, though I hope she won't give me too many details. I have no intention to talk about my little sister's love life.
Phoebe looks at me with confusion, like I just said bananas are blue. "It's the annual 'Coping Together' gala. Don't tell me you forgot?" she says and finishes her glass of wine. Leaning over the table she refills her glass and then mine.
"Shit, I completely forgot." I say starring out the window. "Grandma and Grandpa would have killed me if I didn't show up. What time should I pick you up?" I ask. Usually, Phoebe and I go together to this annual gala.
"Actually," she says with mischief in her eyes. "I have a date. So there will be no need for your arm tomorrow night."
That got my attention. Phoebe looks excited, like she can't wait to see my reaction. Well, I won't give her that satisfaction. I'll be cool. "Oh really," I say casually and take a sip of my wine. "With who? Do I know him?"
"Actually you do know him. Do you remember Dean Ryan?"She asks.
"WHAT? DEAN RYAN?" I shout. Well, so long for being cool about it. "How did you run into him?" I ask, with a little too much aggression. Dean Ryan. Our families are friends, occasionally we do business together.
My reaction does the trick, and Phoebe is smirking at me. "Ha! I thought you might remember him. I ran into him at the gym a few weeks ago. And we've been going out for a while."
"So what? Is he your boyfriend now?" I ask.
"Well, yes. I spouse he is." she says, smitten.
"Isn't he a bit too old for you?"
"What, are you talking about? He's only 25."
At this point, I know I'm talking bullshit but I just can't seem to stop myself. "Isn't he 26? I remember him born the same year as me."
"Well technically, he's not 26 yet, he was born in December. Don't you remember he was a grade between us in school?" she is still smiling, so I know that even though I'm being ridiculous, she is having fun. "God you're such an over protective big brother some times."
There is a stretched silence after that. I try not to think of Dean and my baby sister, but them going together means I'm going alone tomorrow. I don't have any problem going alone to occasions like the gala; I usually go solo if Phoebe is occupied. You're probably asking yourselves why I won't take Kelly with me. Well, because Kelly and I don't have that kind of relationship. We fuck. That's it.
Now don't start screaming at me, I'm not a jerk. This relationship works for both Kelly and me. No one has expectations, and no one gets hurt. I don't know if Kelly has this kind of relationship with other guys and I don't care. Because just like I don't want to hear about her other 'boyfriends' I don't tell her anything about my other 'girlfriends'.
And before you start calling me names, like man-whore and slut, I would like to say that I care a lot about my girlfriend. All three of them. And it's not like I'm lying to them or cheating. They know about each other, not personally, or face to face (that would be awkward), but we all just want to have uncommitted fun.
Now after I told you that, you may understand why I'm so protective over my sister. I know that there are other guys like me walking around Seattle. But if they get anywhere near my sister and try any kind of shit with her, I will kick their asses.
The last thing I say before going to bed is "Well, he used to play Barbie's with his little sister. And not action figures like I did when I played with you." I teas. Because that's what older brothers do…
The gala is as always in my grandparents back garden. No expense is ever spared when it comes to the 'Coping Together' annual gala. The tent that stands at the back garden can contain all the guests plus a band and a dance floor. Between the tent entrance and the car parking space, is a red carpet, greeted with a few photographers.
These kinds of events sound glamorous, and the purpose is important. But usually, you could find yourself board to tiers. All the speeches take so long. But the food is always gourmet.
After snatching a glass of champagne of a walking waiter, I make my way to my parents who are standing with my grandparents.
"Hello mother." I greet her with a kiss on each cheek.
"Oh Teddy dear," my mother hold my face with each hand. "You look so handsome as usual."
"Thank you, you look beautiful as always. Please save me a dance." I say. My mother is wearing a striking sky- blue colored fishtail gown by Roland Mouret, and her hair is draped over her shoulder with soft curls.
"Well you would have to get past me first." My father says with a smile shaking my hand. He is wearing his black tux. I'm telling you, me parents make a striking couple. They looked like they were in there middle 30's when actually my mother just celebrated her 48th birthday and my dad is 54.
As I talk with my family, and finish my glass of champagne, I notice my father is drinking some bourbon drink. "Were can I get a proper drink?" I ask, pointing with my empty glass at my father's drink.
"At the bar. You'll see Ms. Jones sitting there as well." He gestures behind me.
Oh right, I forgot the crazy bitch- who is also the sexiest woman alive- is a big benefactor in 'Coping Together'. Well, this evening went from boring and dull to interesting. I will be lying if I'd say I haven't thought of Ms. Jones since yesterday. The truth is, I found myself seeing those aquamarine eyes looking up at me while sucking me off. I thought about my hands tangled in her beautiful red hair wile fucking her for hours. Her voice whispering my name, or screaming it with that sexy accent of hers. "Thanks." I say, and make my way to the bar.
It doesn't take me two seconds to find her, sitting casually on a bar stool. She is wearing a Burberry black lace long sleeve gown, with sheer panels at the sides, sleeves, and center plunging v-neckline. Her long red hair is swept at the side with gentle finger waves- in a vintage glamorous kind of way. Her lips are red and juicy like the last time I've seen her, and her eyes have dark smoky eye shadow. She looks sexy as hell, in that gothic mysteries glamorous way.
Making my way to her, I notice she's trying to avoid a man sitting next to her. And I recognize him. Emmet Williams, he's a big shot lawyer in a big shot office- and the sleaziest man alive. Noticing her discomfort, I settle myself on the bar stool on the other side of Ms. Jones.
Leaning my right elbow on the bar, I lean into her and whisper in her ear. "Well hello there Ms. Jones."
She jumps a bit with surprise, and faces me. Her face lights up when she sees me and either she's really desperate to get rid of Emmet or she's just genuinely pleased to see me. "Mr. Grey. What a pleasure to see you again." She says, and twists her body to me, completely avoiding Emmet.
"Ted!" Emmet says obviously irritated that I took all of Ms. Jones's attention. "I heard you came back from L.A."
"Yes I did, two days ago." I say, not breaking eye contact with Ms. Jones. "I think my dad would like to speak with you." I lie, but want him away from Ms. Jones; I want her all to myself.
"Really?" he asks, fixing his tie. "I'll go say hi." He walks off. He is such a suck up, it's unbelievable.
"You do scrap up nicely," I say, getting another appreciative look of her dress, keeping my eyes a bit too long on her tits. Her cleavage is quite deep, and I can see she's not wearing a bra. I force my eyes up to her face again, remembering her comment last time we met.
"You don't look to bad yourself." She says, and starts to check me out. Oh, this is hot.
"What can I make you?" the bartender says, breaking this little bubble we found ourselves in.
Letting out a little cough, I say "I'll have whatever she's having." Nodding my head at Ms. Jones's direction.
"Are you sure, I might have one of those girly drinks." She smiles.
"I don't take you as one who would drink a cosmopolitan." Because frankly, she looks too kick ass to be drinking one of those pinky drinks. Turning her attention back to the bartender she orders us both dry martinis. That's my girl.
"So," she says, bringing my eyes back to her face from her boob's- which I didn't even notice I've settled on again- "where is your date?" she asks.
She's definitely attracted to me, she's trying to see what she is competing against. Well luckily for you baby, I'm here alone.
"No, I'm here alone." I say with a smile. Now I need to find out on whose toes I'm standing on- if she came here with Emmet, it wasn't so hard to get reed of. "Where's your date?"
"I don't have a date as well."
"Really? I thought girls don't go to events like these without a date." I say as the drinks are placed in front of us.
"Well, when women get to my age, those little ego trips aren't that important." She says, taking a sip.
Women her age? How old is she? No way she's over 28. There is no way a woman's tit's who isn't wearing a bra would stay high like that over the age of 30. Then, I say- before I think: "How old are you?"
Oh no, you never ask a girl that question. She doesn't seem too offended, but she doesn't answer the question. Not taking our eyes of one another, she suddenly parts her lips licks the corner of her mouth. And once again, she manages to make my dick twitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you may all take a sit, for dinner will be served."
With that announced Ms. Jones gets up and takes her drink with her. "Are you hungry Mr. Grey?"
Oh yea baby, but not for food. "Sure, I could eat."
"Good, I'll see you around." And then she leaves. Walking to her table without looking back.
Throughout dinner, I cannot take my eyes off Ms. Jones. And like a pro, she doesn't even glance in my direction. I sit in table number one, with my family, while she sits in table number two, with other big benefactors.
Now is the part of the evening I hate the most, the speeches.
Fist up, is my grandfather, then the Mayer, later 'Seattle Time's' Editor and other… surprisingly, my father doesn't give a speech. And just before I give up, and go to the bar, another introduction is made: "Ladies and Gentlemen, next to take the stage is Ms. Nina Jones."
Huh, so Ms. Jones is giving a speech. That definitely brought my attention back to the stage.
As everyone applause, Ms. Jones walks with sexy sway of the hips to the stage. And I remember the last time I've looked at every little detail of her walk. When she was walking in front of my car.
Then she stands in front of the podium, gets everyone attention and starts.
"The usual age range of adoption in the united states is between unborn fetuses to kids the age of seven. That leaves orphan kids and teenagers in foster care or in orphanage. 'Coping Together' provides those kids whose parents have alcoholic and drug background, the opportunity to stay in school and start their adult life with equal education as all. I was lucky enough to have 'Coping Together' help me, when all the rest gave up. Including my own father."
What? That's news. Big news. Ms. Jones is a former 'Coping Together' child.
"Today, thanks for 'Coping Together', over 79% of teenagers with parents under some toxic, who like me- weren't lucky enough to be adopted, start their adult life with enough education and go to college with our help. And graduate as police officers, teachers' managers and also doctors. So behalf of all us kids, I'd like to say thank. Thank you for coping together, with us."
She nods, and walks of the stage, but not before getting the biggest standing ovation.
The Gala isn't over yet. There's still more to come. Let me know what you think! Please give reviews!