Chapter 8

The awards would start in about an hour, slowly very slowly Melissa started to relax. Scanning the room she saw Jackson.

Jackson White and his family were self-made like Melissa and her family, Melissa liked Jackson they did business regularly and he often accompanied her to business events as her plus one.

Jackson White was the epitome of an underwear model, he had tanned skin, short spiky blonde hair and big brown eyes, Melissa had once been set up on a blind date with him by her loving father, a merge with Hartford Industries would be good for White and Co, there was one small snag to them getting together, Jackson is gay, and had a long term boyfriend called Julian who adored Melissa as much as she adored them.

Jackson was a fair distance away from Melissa but she could see that he was deep in conversation with a guy. Looking around the auditorium she saw a man he was talking to Anita, Melissa almost spat her bourbon out, 'Holy Crap is that Blake?' Turning his back towards her, thinking she must have made a mistake when suddenly she felt eyes on her.

Jackson broke her concentration when he ran across the room picking Melissa up in a bear hug, "Hey, if it isn't my best friend."

"I thought Julian was your best friend," Melissa replied with a grin once Jackson had put her down.

"That's what he likes to think," Jackson said with a wink.

Melissa suddenly felt a strange sense of unease, as if she was being watched, "What's wrong?" Jackson asked peering into her eyes.

Shrugging sightly "I think Kevin Green is watching me, will you look and see please?" Melissa asked

Looking around there was no sign of Kevin, giving a thumbs up Melissa sighed with relief.

The MC cane around each table and asked for business cards, Melissa offered up hers, she'd asked Sam to print some off earlier.

The rest of the night was pretty quiet, when it came to the awards Melissa zoned out listening to and telling Jackson dirty jokes.

The MC's booming voice came down the microphone "This last award is for New CEO's we had so many entries, but I honestly think that this person really deserves her award."

Pausing for dramatic tension he then said "The winner of New CEO is......."

"Melissa Hartford of Hartford Industries"

Melissa almost dropped her drink in shock. "Go on, get up there and get your award." The thundering of the applause was deafening, Melissa took a step towards the stage as if in a dream, she got to the stairs at the side of the stage 1 step, 2 stairs 3 stairs. The MC stood there with his hand ready to shake, and the trophy in the other, stepping up to the podium the spotlight was bright in her eyes, and she could only see the people at the front.

"Hi everyone, I hadn't prepared a speech for tonight because, to be honest, I never expected it to win. Now my brain is screaming 'Let's just wing it' and 'Don't tell them that you'll sound dumb" This proceeded to get a laugh. Melissa always did well being put on the spot. Continuing on she said "This award means a lot to me. It's not just an award but recognition of my hard work and achievements over the past 12 months. Although I didn't just get this position a few of you will know I started in the mailroom and worked my way up. My father showed how much he trusted me by making me CEO. I just want to thank everyone who thought I deserved this award. So thank you." With a million-dollar smile, the room erupted into applause. There were whistles and cheers as Melissa left the stage and stood next to Jackson.

“Well-wishers in 3....2.....1” Jackson whispered from the side of his mouth, Melissa was suddenly surrounded by good wishes, shaking her hand, air kisses the works.

Some people she didn’t even know. A guy in a white suit came up to her. “I remember your papa when he first started in business over here, you and your stepmother and brother we’re in the U.K. and you guys were coming for a visit, the night before you arrived he said “Honestly, Clive, that girl will be the CEO of Hartford U.K. then she’ll be CEO of Hartford New York, then when we establish our headquarters over in Indiana, she will work from over there. He’s so proud of you you know that right?”

Blushing slightly at the slightly overweight guys praise, she gently returned the hug he gave her. Melissa respected Clive, he had been hugely successful and supportive even offering his condo to her rent-free when she was in New York, all he wanted in return was that it was left as clean as she found it. And that wasn’t difficult for a neat freak like Melissa, she even stayed with Clive and his family until her own family found a house out here, Clive’s wife was an amazing cook, and in the first month in Indiana, she had gained 50 pounds.

Once all the well-wishers had gone and suddenly she was alone with Jackson she drained her drink, Melissa said to Jackson "That's me done for the night. I’m really busy and I need to get out of these shoes they're killing my feet."

Smiling Jackson asked, "Do you need a ride?" Shaking her head she simply said "Vinnie." and made a beeline for the exit