Few weeks later, at an event.
"You know, it was a big shock when we got the contract sealed. De La Chateau Winery got into the competition, our rivalry for decades. Everyone panicked," Lawrence said, making a pitch while standing.
Everyone sat on neutral-tone black chairs, a long wooden table parting the two teams. Everyone wore white—the men in suits, the women in gowns. A glass sat in front of each individual and a plate of ziti and crispy chicken. Every eye was on him.
"We just can't lose. We are the best," Miss Beatrice quoted.
Hailey stared at her with a beaming smile. Everyone was grinning.
"She has carried this legacy through peeling skin and dried throat, never giving in to any obstacle."
Hailey's gaze stuck on her. Beatrice stared back; Hailey smiled.
"We are here to celebrate a victory, one step to another success story."
They all raised their glasses.
Beatrice's eyes followed the wine sliding down Hailey's throat. Hailey's lips slightly open, her eyes weakened, captured by the sexy glimpse of red lips. Beatrice stole a gaze as Hailey pulled a strand of spaghetti slowly into her mouth.
Immediately Hailey raised her eyes, Beatrice snapped hers away, taking a long sip of wine. Beatrice blinked slowly, then stared away. Her eyes trapped again as Hailey licked her lips. Shaking it off, she took another long sip.
She stood up and left the room.
In the convenience room, Beatrice stood staring at the mirror.
Her memory replayed the incident at Teresa's home.
"What is wrong with me…" Beatrice whispered, sprinkling water on her face.
Her eyes met her reflection.
A few minutes later, Hailey walked in.
"Good day, Mrs. Beatrice," she said softly, smiling.
"Hi." Beatrice muttered, her eyes fixed on the mirror.
"Would you need help?" Hailey held her arm gently.
It sent a spike through Beatrice's body. She inhaled deeply. Hailey stared deep into her eyes. Beatrice's face faded, a fervor striking through her.
"Are you okay, Mrs. Beatrice?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she inhaled again, muffled, nudging Hailey's hand off gently.
"You're wailing… are you sure?" Hailey said, so close to her face, closing the gap between them. Her hands rested on Beatrice's waist.
Beatrice's heart raced. Her breathing shook. She pushed backward.
"I'm fine. I gotta… um… gotta go." She swallowed hard, picking her words.
Hailey's fingers glided slowly and gently on Beatrice's arm, her cheek rubbing softly against Beatrice's side. Beatrice pulled back and dropped her hands.
"I wanna say I'm proud of you—for your credibility and success," Hailey said, crossing her hands around Beatrice's shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Beatrice panicked.
Hailey stared into her eyes—into her soul—then at her lips. She licked her own lips as she stared at hers.
A shoe heel knocked loudly outside the door.
Their tension eased instantly.
Beatrice distanced herself from Hailey and walked out.
Hailey smiled at her reflection.
---
In Beatrice's office
Beatrice ate Cobb salad from a round glass bowl.
Hailey walked in with a paper bag.
"What are you doing here?" Beatrice asked, trying to stay calm.
"You said I can only leave my office during lunch break. I was left alone by my friends. I needed someone to eat with, so I thought it was best I brought food from home." She sat down. "And it was nice I got you something—peanut-butter smoothie!" She jumped excitedly, placing it in front of her. She took a bite of the chili dog she unwrapped. "I heard you like it."
"I guess you know how I lived my childhood, because literally she tells you everything." Beatrice stared at her, clicking her tongue.
"Thank you, Hailey. I love it," Hailey said, Hailey praised herself, grinning.
"I never asked for it. And if you're going to eat here, you better be careful," Beatrice said without looking at her. She pressed the white plastic spoon into the salad, twisted it, and shoved it into her mouth. A white sauce sat on her lip. She drank the smoothie.
Hailey leaned closer, gently rubbed it off with her finger, then licked the finger slowly, her eyes seductive.
Beatrice forced her gaze away from the intense moment and took a long sip of the smoothie.
"I will. I promise," Hailey said softly.
"I don't know… what is it about you? If I sit here the next minute, I don't know what I might do next. I'm literally getting soaked just watching you eat." She inhaled sharply, like her body heated up, like the room boiled despite the air conditioner.
She stood.
"Woo… fuck…" she said, shaking her head like something triggered her, walking out of the room.
Beatrice's eyes followed her from the moment she stood until she left.
She inhaled deeply, letting go.
Then took another long sip.
---
Evening, same day
Beatrice was driving. She saw Hailey standing at a walkway stop.
She halted and honked.
Hailey walked toward the car.
"I'm waiting for my cab," Hailey voiced out.
"Get in." She honked again.
Hailey got in.
"Thank you."
"It's late. Why is your shift ending now?" Beatrice asked.
"I was working," Hailey grinned.
Beatrice stared at her. Hailey's face showed guilt.
"Not that you should work yourself up. Get rest when you need to. That wasn't what I meant." She tried to erase Hailey's guilt, her hands on the steering wheel.
"At least it's helping… not to be distracted. Not always in your office," Hailey said with a smile.
Beatrice stared—like it was a question—acting like she knew nothing.
At Teresa's residence.
"Not that I hate you, I… I—" Beatrice began.
Hailey cut her off.
"I know. It's for my best. I'm not judging you." She chuckled.
"Get rest when you need to."
"It's helping. I'm getting straight with the work. Thank you. Aren't you coming in?" Hailey said, loosening her seatbelt.
"I want to get you home safe," Beatrice said, completely ignoring her last sentence.
"Thank you."
Hailey opened the door, turned back to Beatrice, and kissed her passionately.
Their breaths merged.
She sucked her lips, her tongue pressing between them, her arms wrapped in Beatrice's hair.
She left no space for Beatrice to breathe.
Beatrice managed to break off.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Right in front of your mother's house?" she said, furious, devastated, her voice calm but almost whispering.
"I'm so sorry… I will go now." Hailey panicked, stepping out of the car.
Beatrice drove off.
---
Few hours later
Hailey laid on her bed, fingers moving fast on her phone screen, waiting for the tons of chats she sent to get a reply.
Beatrice picked up her phone. Messages dropped every minute.
She glanced at Charles, dozing asleep beside her.
She stood, walked to the bathroom, reading the fifth message Hailey had sent.
"I'm so sorry. I just couldn't hold it down. I can't be myself when you're around me," the chat read.
Another message popped:
"I will be good. Please don't kick me out. I don't want my mum to think I'm lazy. I'm so sorry. I promise to be better."
Another message with a sad emoji:
"I'm fighting it. I'm doing all I can to erase you from my memory. My most challenging… You are stuck in my brain."
Beatrice read the chats.
A cut to Hailey, lying on her bed, eyes glued to her phone screen as she kept refreshing the chat, every message read, with no reply.