friendship with Garrett Matheson might be at stake.
After Rade ended his call with Richard, he downed what was left of his drink and headed to the master bedroom. As instructed, his tux was hanging ready for him in the walk-in closet. All he could think about was the problems that could arise during the gala. He needed to be at his best. He needed to make sure everything went smoothly.
As Rade stepped into the shower, he was once again ridden with the thoughts of Dylan. At the very least, thinking of Dylan took his mind off of his father. Rade must have been standing under the hot spray of water for some time before he realized the time. The last thing he needed was to be late for his own gala. Drying off, Rade went to the walk in closet to get his tux. Turning to the full length mirror, Rade was able to get a good look at himself. The man he saw was very different from the man he knew four months ago. The man before him didn’t show the same confidence and control. He looked drained and beaten. He knew the change in his appearance had to do with lack of sleep, lack of appetite, and in part the over consumption of alcohol. Tonight he would have to show his guests that he wasn’t that man in the mirror, that he was still the confident man he had always been. Tonight he would need to make the best performance of his life.
*****
The gala was just beginning when Rade walked through the large wooden doors looking more handsome than ever in his black tux. A small orchestra of about twenty-five performers were getting set up in one corner of the ballroom. Several of the wait staff were getting the champagne fountain ready. The popping of corks could be heard and the cool liquid glistened as it was poured down each tier of crystal champagne coupes. The tableware was carefully scanned to make sure each piece was precisely placed. There was no one in the massive room that wasn’t doing last minute touches. Rade walked past the orchestra and straight to the open bar where the bartender was checking each glass to make sure not one water spot was visible. Leaning against the bar in front of the bartender, Rade requested a double shot of their best scotch. The bartender gave him an affirmative nod. Placing a crystal tumbler on the sleek bar, he began pouring the amber liquid. Rade quickly downed the double and request a refill. Taking his drink with him, he thought it best to find Gwen and see if there were any final preparations that needed his attention.
Rade was thankful that he didn’t have to go far to find her. Just as he got to the wooded doors, Gwen appeared. Rade thought how lovely she looked. She was wearing a dark blue gown a little on the conservative side, but elegant nonetheless. It suited her.
“Gwen. I was just on my way to find you. You look absolutely stunning,” Rade said as he gave her a gentle kiss on her blushing cheek.
“Why thank you, Mr. Matheson. You look dashingly handsome yourself,” Gwen said. She noticed how tired he looked, but didn’t want to elaborate on it.
Gwen filled Rade in on the evening festivities and let him know that Richard informed her of the added security. Rade and Gwen walked back to the bar, where Rade requested a glass of wine for Gwen and another scotch for himself.
Guests began shuffling in and were immediately greeted by servers carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres . The room began filling as more and more guests appeared. Rade knew the event would bring in hefty donations. At two thousand dollars a plate, the foundation was already a success with over three hundred guests.
As Rade watched the enormous room fill, he fixated his eyes on every woman with auburn colored hair as they entered the room. He was filled with disappointment as the face of each woman revealed someone other than Dylan. “ Could he have missed her entering the room?” he thought to himself. After all, there were so many people. Rade took his focus off of the large wooden doors
After Rade ended his call with Richard, he downed what was left of his drink and headed to the master bedroom. As instructed, his tux was hanging ready for him in the walk-in closet. All he could think about was the problems that could arise during the gala. He needed to be at his best. He needed to make sure everything went smoothly.
As Rade stepped into the shower, he was once again ridden with the thoughts of Dylan. At the very least, thinking of Dylan took his mind off of his father. Rade must have been standing under the hot spray of water for some time before he realized the time. The last thing he needed was to be late for his own gala. Drying off, Rade went to the walk in closet to get his tux. Turning to the full length mirror, Rade was able to get a good look at himself. The man he saw was very different from the man he knew four months ago. The man before him didn’t show the same confidence and control. He looked drained and beaten. He knew the change in his appearance had to do with lack of sleep, lack of appetite, and in part the over consumption of alcohol. Tonight he would have to show his guests that he wasn’t that man in the mirror, that he was still the confident man he had always been. Tonight he would need to make the best performance of his life.
*****
The gala was just beginning when Rade walked through the large wooden doors looking more handsome than ever in his black tux. A small orchestra of about twenty-five performers were getting set up in one corner of the ballroom. Several of the wait staff were getting the champagne fountain ready. The popping of corks could be heard and the cool liquid glistened as it was poured down each tier of crystal champagne coupes. The tableware was carefully scanned to make sure each piece was precisely placed. There was no one in the massive room that wasn’t doing last minute touches. Rade walked past the orchestra and straight to the open bar where the bartender was checking each glass to make sure not one water spot was visible. Leaning against the bar in front of the bartender, Rade requested a double shot of their best scotch. The bartender gave him an affirmative nod. Placing a crystal tumbler on the sleek bar, he began pouring the amber liquid. Rade quickly downed the double and request a refill. Taking his drink with him, he thought it best to find Gwen and see if there were any final preparations that needed his attention.
Rade was thankful that he didn’t have to go far to find her. Just as he got to the wooded doors, Gwen appeared. Rade thought how lovely she looked. She was wearing a dark blue gown a little on the conservative side, but elegant nonetheless. It suited her.
“Gwen. I was just on my way to find you. You look absolutely stunning,” Rade said as he gave her a gentle kiss on her blushing cheek.
“Why thank you, Mr. Matheson. You look dashingly handsome yourself,” Gwen said. She noticed how tired he looked, but didn’t want to elaborate on it.
Gwen filled Rade in on the evening festivities and let him know that Richard informed her of the added security. Rade and Gwen walked back to the bar, where Rade requested a glass of wine for Gwen and another scotch for himself.
Guests began shuffling in and were immediately greeted by servers carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres . The room began filling as more and more guests appeared. Rade knew the event would bring in hefty donations. At two thousand dollars a plate, the foundation was already a success with over three hundred guests.
As Rade watched the enormous room fill, he fixated his eyes on every woman with auburn colored hair as they entered the room. He was filled with disappointment as the face of each woman revealed someone other than Dylan. “ Could he have missed her entering the room?” he thought to himself. After all, there were so many people. Rade took his focus off of the large wooden doors
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