ONE

Konstantin

The dinner party held between Lopaz Investors and their important business partners was where I first met her. She was beautiful, white pearly teeth that brightened with her dark skin, her confident brown eyes that held innocence yet sexualized it, brown braids that she tied into a large bun with two strands falling from her face. Her nose was pointed perfectly with beautiful red lips from the lipstick she had on and the scent that escaped her body was lavender.

She was curvy, her shape exposed from the red dinner gown she had on and heels to support her height. She wasn’t incredibly tall, five foot ten impressive for a woman and the heels pushed her to a solid six. She smiled with a glass of wine in her hand as she sipped it slowly while her eyes focused on the CEO of the host.

I watched how her smile changed from delight to fake satisfaction before her eyes slowly turned to where I stood and stopped. I said nothing and watched as her smile fell and she rolled her eyes.

The reaction surprised me; she was the first woman who had ever gazed at me and left a remark of displease and it caught my interest.

After the speech of the CEO, Mr. Ronald Smith approached the lady who had caught my interest. They chatted for some time before I watched them approach me and Ronald shook my hand.

“Ebony, this is one of our very important business partners and I’m sure you’ve seen him in the news; Mr. Konstantin Azzaro.” Ronald introduced as Ebony smiled.

“Mr. Azzaro, this is my ambassador and spokesperson; Ebony.” Ronald introduced as Ebony stretched her hand with a stoic face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ebony said with a very mature and professional voice that had a slight accent.

“A pleasure likewise. I didn’t quite grasp your last name... Ebony.” I said as she smiled.

“My last name is quite impossible for a foreign with a lot of western influence to pronounce my name correctly… Konstantin.” She replied in the same manner, moving me to smile without doubt.

We stared at each other’s eyes, a strange sexual tension feeling the air as Ebony slowly screened me before she withdrew her hand when Ronald coughed.

“I apologize Mr. Azzaro; I’d love to stay and chat but I and my spokesperson need to greet the other guests.” Ronald said as I nodded before Ebony waved slowly.

“I hope to see you for the rest of the night Konstantin.” Ebony said on a first name basis and left as Ronald wrapped his hand on her hip and they left.

I mingled around with a few individuals, a few interested in wanting to partner with me to enjoy the benefits of my families company.

I am the CEO of the LK&A; a company my father and I had founded ten years ago and brought to the top with the highest revenue after Apple company which dealt on Electronics but we were a conglomerate.

There was nothing fascinating about the party but after going through a bad divorce, my parents had insisted that I left the comforts of my office and socialized with individuals of the same class to heal.

I left the voices and laughter in the party and headed for the balcony where I saw Ebony drinking. She stared at the sky, fully focused before I approached her.

“Is this space taken?” I asked as she turned back and stared at me. I watched how a gentle smile approval formed on her lips and she nodded.

“I was getting a bit bored.” She replied and I stood beside her as we both embraced the gentle breeze.

“You seem quite taken with the sky.” I said as she shrugged.

“It reminds me of home.” She replied.

“I find it interesting especially you as a person Ebony. I hear the women in the party talk of you and Mr. Ronald Smith special relationship.”

“Do you think we have that?” She asked with a coy smile.

“No. There is certainly something but it is far from romantic or sexual and my father says that old man loves his wife too much to cheat.” I replied as she placed her hand on her cheek.

“You are right; we’re only business partners but his son is interested in me. Why do you ask?”

“I told you, I find you interesting. Also you are the first woman I’ve met who talks to me as an equal, a normal ordinary man.” I replied as she giggled and shook her head.

“Few women can stand above or with men as handsome as you. It takes training and opinion.”

“Are you a feminist?” I asked as she shook her head.

“The idea of feminism has been crafted to a mindset that men should bow down to women and we should be seen as more than equals but rather unique specie to be unsoiled.” She explained as her shoulders relaxed.

“You believe men should be above women?” I asked.

“All men are the same; my father always said. Mother said that the three things to destroy a man are wealth, wine and women. A woman can be all that if she trains herself in the art of seduction and bring him to his knees without rights and I think that is why the system is a defense mechanism to control that power women don’t know how to control when gained.” She explained, revealing a new insight to me. “Never mess with God’s creation, summary of Genesis.”

I laughed and she laughed before I waved my hand to a waiter who collected her empty glass and gave us new drinks.

“Here’s to new friendship.” I said as I raised my glass.

“To new friendship.” She replied and our glass clanked before we sipped our drinks slowly.

“What about women? Do you think they are all the same?” I asked as she moaned in thought.

“It depends mostly on stereotypical instincts.”

“What about you as a person?” I asked as she smiled.

“I am one of a kind. You won’t ever forget me, I promise.” She said as we stared into each other’s eyes.

“I like your slight accent; it sounds familiar but it links you to nowhere.” I said as she averted her eyes and I knew if she were a lot lighter, I would see a blush.

“The next time we meet, I’ll tell you where I’m from.” Ebony said as her eyes fell to my lips before meeting my eyes.

We dropped the glass on the support as my finger gently brushed the red lipstick on her lips before meeting her lips and the taste of her lips, the flavor of her tongue ignited something in me.

I felt a hand to my chest push me with strong will before I pulled my lips with a soft peck and stared at the lady whose eyes were lit with lust and passion.

“I’m sorry but I shouldn’t have kissed you. I really enjoy your presence Konstantin but I have learnt never to mix business with relationships especially if it will be unforgettable. Excuse me Mr. Azzaro and I hope my mistake will not affect our partnership.” Ebony said before she gave a graceful curtsey and left.

The first to ever turn me down after a kiss. It baffled me but it imprinted a strong memory of Ebony in my head.

The night I first met Miss Ebony was the last time I ever saw her until a year to come.