Music drifted through the air in low, rhythmic beats that came from speakers tucked neatly into the corners of the banquet hall. It flowed with utmost tranquility.
The banquet hall, however, was a mesmerizing scene. Soft neon lights were affixed high on the walls, and large chandeliers flushed the hall with a warm, lovely glow.
To the left, a long bar counter stretched across the wall, its surface shimmering under the ambient lighting. Rows of bottles; wines, whiskeys, champagnes, and colorful liqueurs, stood neatly arranged on glass shelves behind the bartender.
Tall, round tables decorated with a simple centerpiece of a single candle in a frosted holder were spaced around the hall, some already occupied by people.
The far end of the room opened into a glass balcony overlooking the city.
People moved about with drinks in their hands; some held sparkling champagne, some chilled cocktails, and some non-alcoholic blends, while servers in black uniforms weaved through the crowd with trays of snacks, some still carrying wines. The atmosphere was lively, the perfect balance between corporate formality and celebration.
Ding ding ding came the sound of metal hitting glass, the well-known universal signal that a speech was about to be issued.
"Alright, alright, everybody calm your fine asses down for one damn second!" said the one and only CEO of ECHC, Aurelia Quin, in her funny, casual, unapologetically female Black voice.
The crowd let out little laughs as the music lowered.
People around the hall, even those at the balconies gathered around the raised podium where she stood.
"Yes, you! Put that drink down before you baptize somebody with champagne. Thank you!" she added, suddenly pointing at a blonde lady in a black gown who seemed drunk already.
More laughter rippled through the hall.
As we all know, today we are celebrating the anniversary of our company… an annual celebration of our product line.
Claps followed her speech, and when they died down, she went on:
"Now listen… I ain't here to give no silly, rehearsed, big-grammar professional speech. That ain't me, and y'all know damn well that'd be way above my Black ass."
A faint laugh lingered through the crowd.
"Right, first I just need to take a moment to look around this room. Because, whew, look at all these hardworking, brilliant, ride-or-die people. This company? This empire? We didn't build it on fairy dust and prayers. We built it on sweat, grind, and some of y'all working your asses off so hard HR had to send a memo asking if anybody still had an ass left!"
The room erupted with laughter, accompanied by clapping and loud whistling.
"Today is for y'all," Aurelia continued, waving irritably as if shooing invisible smoke. "Today's for cooling those tired asses down. And don't think I don't know exactly who been doing part of the heavy lifting."
"Trisha! Where's Trisha? Girl, get your ass over here!"
A cheer burst out as a woman raised her hand shyly, face flushing, as the crowd roared louder.
"Yes! That one right there!" Aurelia pointed sharply, making sure everyone saw her.
"You are one hardworking son of a bitch, and yes, I said it! Don't you try to hide your face. This woman carried this damn company like it was a newborn baby strapped to her back! Even when I was sick… Especially when I was sick!"
The crowd hollered loudly.
"That's right! Go, Trisha!" someone shouted excitedly.
"And don't even get me started on my man over there, Marcus!" she called out, pointing at the bald-shot man in the crowd wearing a brown suit and looking overratedly smart.
"Yeah, Marcus, don't duck! I see that shiny bald head anywhere!"
The entire room broke into uncontrollable laughter as Marcus threw his hands up, a bit ashamed, with a forced smile on his face.
"This man has fixed more disasters than a government agency.
Website crash? He fixed it.
Shipment delay? He fixed it.
Someone crying in the bathroom at 2 a.m.? Guess who went in there and talked them down? And fixed them?
Marcus!" The whole crowd yelled in unison. Cheers exploded, glasses clinking, someone yelling, "We love you, Marcus!" and laughter rose even more. Surely everyone was already rocking the night hard.
Then Aurelia's voice softened. She pressed a hand to her chest.
"Well, let's sure not forget Dr. Dean Thomas, our COO," Aurelia said, her voice dipping with sorrow. "Wherever he is now, I just hope his soul rests in peace."
A little murmur of sorrow swept through the crowd for a fleeting moment.
However, Aurelia resumed her speech in a lighter voice.
"There are many more of you that maybe time didn't permit me to call out, but I want you to know that I see y'all, baby."
Aurelia complimented with a wave. Claps followed suit.
"You are our CEO for life!" a lady called from the crowd.
"Thank you," Aurelia replied. "And I sure do love you for that… as long as you're not one of the people sneaking into the bathroom with somebody and coming out two hours later."
Laughter burst through the hall, and even Aurelia couldn't help it, she too laughed.
"Well, I don't know what y'all do in there for two hours," she added, fueling the laughter.
When the laughter dwindled, she then started to conclude her speech.
"Well, look at us now. We are the top hair-care company in this whole damn industry. These other companies? Oh Please." She rolled her eyes. "These motherfuckers out there squinting at our shadows like, 'Damn… are they running or flying?'
Baby, we are soaring!"
Claps, whistles, and a loud "Yesssss ma'am!" echoed across the room.
When the roar finally died, she continued.
"And let me tell you something, this is only the beginning. We ain't slowing down. We ain't stepping aside. And we damn sure ain't apologizing for shining bright enough to give our competitors sunburn."
Laughter rumbled through the hall.
"So raise your glasses!
To the team that keeps winning," glasses shot upward… high into the air, glittering.
"To the family that keeps grinding, And to the haters that keep watching: …Keep watching, baby! 'Cause we're only getting louder, prettier, and richer!... Cheers, y'all!"
The entire hall erupted in applause. Music blasted back to life as people cheered, laughed, and toasted loudly.
But just in that moment, two pairs of black-tinted, reflecting shoes stepped into the hall. There was a sudden hush, and only the music blared.
The atmosphere suddenly seemed transformed into something tense and electric., and every eye turned to the entrance… many already glued and aghast.
Whispers and murmurs ran through the room. Even Aurelia was shocked. But she gathered herself together, flipping her hair.
"My, my, my," she sneered. "If it ain't the prodigal son, always as early as ever." She added sarcastically.
A faint trickle of laughter bubbled through the distracted crowd, though half of them were still too stunned watching the figure at the entrance.
Miss Aurelia shook her head. "Well, he's here, and he sure is looking hot." She cleared her throat, her lips curling wickedly.
"Lord, I swear I regret being his mother. I would have… well… y'all know damn well what I mean."
A loud laughter tore through the crowd.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Tom Quin. My son, and the man about to be the new COO!"
Cheers ran high, higher than the rest, and claps continued nonstop.
How ironic it was that Tony seemed unnervingly calm and maintained a cool
Demeanour as the hails and cheers rained on. But in truth, he was hardly keeping the grenade implanted in his head by their cheers and attention from going boom.
It was the first time in his life he had gotten such attention and cheers. First time being acknowledged so openly and passionately. And now he knew why God preferred being thanked, cheered, and praised.
It felt addictive and intoxicating. It filled every hollow space in his chest with golden light.
He raised his hands and waved them in the air humbly, the silver watch on his catching the lights.
"Get your late ass up here, son!" Miss
Aurelia ushered, as the crowd made way for him.
Tony walked through the parted crowd, still receiving cheers, and still receiving stares; especially from the women. (Pity for men that came with their girlfriends).
A few clutched their men's sleeves a little tighter. A few men glared enviously; with that normal envy of a lion watching a younger, stronger lion enter the territory to rule.
Alright, alright—calm down, calm down," Aurelia said, raising her hand. The noise dipped… barely. The party was beginning to feel less like a corporate banquet and more like a club night wearing an expensive suit.
Her voice rang out again, sharp and playful as she pointed at Tony.
"Well, I'd like y'all to take a real good look at hi—" she paused, squinting. "—Goddamn. He's so, so hot…"
The hall exploded with laughter.
Tony's ears burned. Heat crept up his neck as he smiled stiffly, already exhausted by the praise. He wanted business. Structure. Anything but this spotlight.
Aurelia continued talking; something about legacy, growth, and "not letting broke minds run rich companies". But Tony wasn't really listening anymore.
'Hey, Manniak… you there?' he whispered inwardly.
Outwardly, he smiled and nodded at the crowd. A few women giggled when his eyes brushed past them, mistaking his vacant gaze for flirtation.
[Yes, Mr. Quin.] Manniak replied, her voice crisp and precise. [I'm always here.]
Tony let out a subtle, icy smile.
"I bet your fine ass you are,' he shot back mentally. 'Tell me, do you reckon any vixen will show up at a party like this?'
[Positive, sir.]