The Billionaire’s Over 40 Love

Chapter 9

The Uber dropped her off right in front of the museum in which the gala was taking place. She thanked the driver and stepped out onto the carpeted sidewalk. There were a few people walking in groups up the steps towards the front of the museum. Faydra experienced a slight moment of panic until she saw a familiar face halfway up the steps. He didn’t notice her at first but as she took a few steps, with her dress hiked up enough to not trip, he came running towards her.

“God, you look amazing.” He wrapped her in a tight hug and kissed her cheek, before helping her up the steps.

“Thank you, you look great as well. I knew you’d look sexy in a tux.” She wasn’t wrong. He looked taller and stronger and sexier than she’d ever seen him look before. But more importantly, he looked free. He hopped a little when he got excited, and it was really cute.

“Wow, Fay. That necklace. It looks amazing on you, it truly does.”

“Thank you,” she replied, letting her hand slide lightly up her neck to touch the diamonds. “I’m sorry for being unappreciative, I didn’t mean to. I just got scared.”

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said, bringing her in closer. “I understand now, and I want to keep making it right. Wanna go inside? They have an open bar.”

“Yes, absolutely.”

He guided her up the steps carefully and through the large set of open doors into the lobby area, which then curved into the main ballroom. Before they entered the ballroom he pulled her aside.

“Listen, I don’t really have anything to do with this thing I just need to talk to a few people. You don’t have to stay with me, obviously, I mean you shouldn’t. But what I’m trying to say is that I just need to do a couple things and then we should meet somewhere and talk. Actually talk. Because I want to leave here knowing whether not you’ll be my girlfriend.”

Faydra was a little surprised at the comment, but she kept a straight face. “Okay. After dinner?”

“Perfect. Much better to do these things on a full stomach.” He winked at her and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the bar.

They each got a drink and began walking around the area, chatting with various people Cal knew. He’d introduce her as Faydra Whitten, manager of Elite Boutique Atlanta and she smiled each time. She loved that he didn’t introduce her as his friend or his girlfriend, but instead she was a business person here surrounded by a bunch of other business people who were looking to network. Surprisingly, people didn’t stare at the sight of a white man and black woman walking arm-in-arm around the room. Instead, the moment she stepped away from him she got compliments on how good they looked together.

A couple of times he would get busy talking business with someone and she would lightly tap him on the back and walk away. She took quite a few laps on our own, keeping a full drink in her hand and a smile on her face the entire time.

Even from across the room Cal’s eyes would find her and he’d smile apologetically for talking so much. Eventually, people began to shift and servers carrying plates came out of the kitchen and began to set them down on the tables around the room.

Faydra casually began scanning the tables for name cards. After a few moments Cal came up behind her, sliding one hand around her waist.

“We’re this way,” he said, letting her loop one arm around his. They were sitting close to the stage at a table with two couples she didn’t recognize. They introduced themselves as the developers of a social media platform designed to connect runners from around Georgia “RunGA”.

A plaque on the table read “Best New Media Group, 2018”.

“Are you up for an award?” Faydra whispered in Cal’s ear as they waited for the food to be served.

“Oh yeah, I mean they do this award every year; whichever company is the best upcoming media group. There are at least a few other companies going for it at other tables around here probably. Some really cool ones too, like these guys who cater to people that are into fitness, but yeah.”

“You could get it, you’ve worked really hard!”

He chuckled and rubbed her back lightly. “That’s nice of you to say, but I don’t know how likely it is. Our company has been around for 10 years at this point though we haven’t started having high profile clients until last year and we’ve never been invited to this dinner before so it’s possible. But regardless, it’s nice to come and meet future clients and business partners.”

Faydra smiled in agreement.  After a few minutes, the meal was served: steak, potatoes, a small salad and at the end a slice of cake served with coffee. During the meal, there were a few announcements and awards given for the largest donation and most community-oriented project. While everyone was sipping on their coffee and wine at the end of the meal the award for best up-and-coming media group was announced.

Faydra could sense Cal tensing slightly in his seat, as well as everyone else at the table. The crowd grew silent as the man in the suit on stage began to speak. Faydra lightly squeezed Cal’s arm in support.

“And now we’d like to hand out the award for Best New Media Group. The nominees were those who have recently come into our circle and really shown that they can play with the biggest in media. If you remember, Facebook won this award in its early years. We celebrate all things media: those that act as a media platform and those that help companies find the outlet that is right for them. It’s crucial to our survival in the age of technology. So, here it is. Your winner for Best New Media Group of 2018 is… Queens Media Group from right here in Atlanta, CEO Calvin Dennison!” The audience clapped and Faydra couldn’t help but let out a few excited yelps.

“Congrats!” she leaned in and kissed Calvin on the cheek as a man in a suit came over and ushered him out of his chair and onto the stage. He looked back and offered Faydra an excited but nervous glance.

He made it up onto the stage and the small glass award was handed to him. “Wow,” he started as the clapping died down. “I don’t know what to say. I want to thank everyone who got us this far. You know, I was a young kid out of college—so probably twenty years ago—when I got the idea for this company and it took a long time for me to actually believe it was a possibility.” He glanced at Faydra for a moment and paused, a a strange look on his face that she couldn’t read, but then he continued.