A Life More Complete(114)
“Blah, blah, blah. I know. Love you,” I say, leaning my head back against the seat and even I can hear the exhaustion in my voice.
“Love you, too.”
A few minutes pass and the car comes to a stop in front of a large wrought iron gate. The gate swings open as a man approaches the vehicle. Edward speaks to him in a low tone and the man flags us on. We pull up in front of a house that resembles a high-end oceanfront hotel. Beautiful sweeping balconies, flagstone driveway and fountains grace the entryway as the car rolls to a stop.
“Edward? Are you sure this is the place?” I ask, panicking.
“Yes, ma’am. This is the address you gave me. You’re on the guest list. Do you know the owner?”
“No. I’m supposed to meet my husband here.”
“Well, it’s Phillip Dubois. He is the owner of the well-known investment firm Dubois Industries.”
“You know the owner?” I ask, appalled. “How?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do. I’ve been doing this job for a while now and I know pretty much everyone Mr. Sonfeld does business with. That being the elder Sonfeld.” His tone is clipped but not in a cruel way. For some reason I like Edward. He makes me feel safe.
“Um, so do I just get out here?” I ask not knowing what to do. I figure that Edward might have a clue since he’s more accustom to this lifestyle.
“Yes, ma’am. There will be someone to greet you at the front door.”
“Okay,” I respond, but I stay firmly seated in the back of the car where I’m comfortable. “Ma’am?” I hear Edward ask quietly.
“Edward, please stop calling me ma’am. You’re making me uncomfortable,” I snap.
“My apologies,” he says, glancing over his shoulder. “But I don’t think it’s me making you uncomfortable. Would you like me to escort you to the door? I’d be happy to do so.”
“No,” I reply, slightly indignantly. I’m not a child although right now I certainly feel like one. I’m completely mortified to enter this spectacular house with absolutely no frame of reference as to where I might be able to locate Tyler. I send him a quick text from the comfort of the fancy, protective SUV. I wait a few seconds for a response, but I get nothing. I can tell that Edward is waiting for me to make a move and I’m sure he’d like to enjoy what’s left of his night off, so I exit.
“Good night, Edward. Thank you.” I pause and lean back into the car, stupidly I ask, “So do I tip you?”
For the first time this evening I see a faint smile cross Edwards lips, “No Miss Mullins, but thank you for the offer. Enjoy your evening.”
I close the car door and slap myself in the forehead. Sometimes I even shock myself. I repeat it in my head as I walk slowly to the front door. Don’t say anything stupid. Don’t say anything stupid. The independently wealthy make me nervous and apparently so do their help. Strange since my professional life is surrounded with them. It’s the personal situations that draw the uneasiness.
A man wearing a really unfortunate baby blue tuxedo with tails opens the door before I can ring the bell. I can’t tell if it’s a costume or part of a uniform. He asks for my name and directs me down a long marble hallway. I secretly find the tuxedo intriguing, so I quietly snap a picture and text it to Bob knowing he will find it as entertaining as I do.
I’m left standing in front of floor to ceiling windows that over look a spectacular pool with views of the ocean mixed in. There’s a large crowd of people gathered on the deck and surrounding the pool. I search the guests, looking for Tyler before I make my way through the crowd. When I don’t find him I move into the crowd and get lost for a moment. I turn around and spot him several feet way in a large group. I smile and then my smile drops instantaneously. As a sick feeling moves through me and my exhaustion becomes extreme, to the point that I’m not sure I can stand on my own. The overtly loud music begins to over stimulate me and my head throbs, my pulse races, perspiration builds and I think I may seriously barf.
I watch Tyler’s arm slip around a skinny blonde girl’s waist. He pulls her tightly to the side of his body and she leans into him. Her hand slides up his back and slips it into his hair. Resting her head on his shoulder he runs his hand down to the small of her back eventually coming to rest on her ass. When she turns her body to face him I almost vomit on the spot. She presses her lips to his mouth while both of his hands grope her ass without caring about who is watching. I’m bordering on a near breakdown as I stumble back down the marble hallway.