Chapter 5: Afterglow

Marianne took my hand and said, "Let's get you cleaned up now. After you've rested a bit, we can mingle with the other members and you can get acquainted with some of your new friends." Guiding me back to the dressing room she said with a smile, "You know, you did even better than Ellen did on her first night! Don't tell her I said so, but she required much more urging and encouragement."

Reaching the dressing room, I stood under a steaming hot shower, relaxing my sore aching muscles and clearing my befuddled mind. After ten minutes I emerged refreshed and rejuvenated to find my clothing, freshly pressed, hanging from a hook on the opposite wall. On a nearby table was a small black satin pillow, upon which rested a gold engraved ring with a beautiful deep red garnet stone; a feminine version of the ring I had noticed Richard wearing earlier in the day. Slipping it on my finger, I found it fit perfectly! Damn, I thought, these people think of everything.

As I finished dressing, Marianne returned to escort me to a large lounge area where we found the other members gathered, sipping drinks and conversing quietly. Ordering us both drinks from the bar, she led me from group to group, introducing me to dozens of elegantly dressed men and women whose names I immediately forgot but whom I was sure I would know much more intimately in the very near future.

After being introduced to all the people present, Marianne said, "I'll leave you to mingle now. When you're ready to return to London, just ask Jody or the bartender to notify me and I'll arrange your transportation." Behind me I heard Richard say, "Don't worry about that, Marianne. Her transportation is taken care of." With that, he linked arms with me and guided me to a quiet table in a dark corner of the room.

"Look Alex," he said," I know this probably seems to have been a setup, but believe me, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I received that call from Ellen today. I had no idea you two knew each other. To prove it, when you arrive back at your hotel you'll find a letter from me accepting your offer to remain with the firm under your stipulated conditions. Please check the messenger's time-stamp showing the pickup time and you will find it was sent prior to the time I could possibly have received Ellen's call."

Accepting his explanation, I leaned toward him and kissed him softly. We chatted quietly for a while until I suddenly started to giggle. The thought had crossed my mind that Richard's full nickname was now 'Fat Head Dick'! I was just tired enough to make that seem hilariously funny.

Richard looked at me and asked, "What's so amusing?"

"Nothing important" I replied with a smile, "Just a random thought." Perhaps I would share the joke with him sometime... after we got to know each other much better.