Page 128 of Forbidden

“She’s quite a woman,” I say, proudly. Storm blushes, and as always, she is divine.

“Nice to meet you,” she says, shaking Ben’s hand.

“Well, enjoy yourself, and we’ll see you onboard, soon.”

We walk aboard, and we are late to the entertainment bank’s grand party. I am keen to move fast, and I have no intention of wasting time.

After receiving drinks, Storm and I hold hands, and we circulate. I avoid idle conversations with middle and lower-level film studio execs and producers.

I nod to a few I know, but time is important. I have to be surgical this evening, and I do not want to waste Storm’s night.

Finally, we find Dante, and he is on an outer deck near the back. We talk alone in the corner, and it is good to see him. As Storm is with us, we avoid heavy conversations about the venture we are considering. We can do that later, and we do not want to insult Storm, or disrespect her time.

The environment, and music calms me, and for the first time in a week, I manage to breathe. I know I will soon need to find the fund manager, and discuss the finance offer, but I have time to think.

Storm, Dante and I share a private moment, and we laugh about friends and a vacation we had in the Bahamas.

As Sophia, one of our French movie VPs walks over, the energy flattens.

I notice Storm tense slightly, but she says nothing. Sophia kisses Dante, French style, and on both cheeks. She then goes to kiss my cheeks, I watch Storm and wink.

She is watching closely, and Sophia tries to lean in close.

It is too close, and I don’t like it.

Neither does Storm.

Sophia makes no effort to kiss Storm, and that, I make note of. The true French custom, is both cheeks, and on all adults. Men and women.

As our leggy sales exec tries to charm Dante, he nods politely. I know she is not his type, and he has told me he’s only interested in down to earth women.

Sophia is dressed in a long white satin gown, and she is dressed over the top.

She wears layers and layers of perfectly white pearls, and she appears to be wanting to steal the show.

In saying that, she is good at charming movie distributors. She is exceptionally good at selling the movies I have invested in.

“You all look so classy tonight,” she says in her sexy French accent.

We all thank her, and we make polite small talk. I don’t like that she is sticking around. Before she walked up, we were all relaxed, and laughing in private.

Sophia compliments Storm on her style, but something is off.

The way she said it, was obvious she was trying to outclass Storm.

If I could tell, it meant Storm could tell. Her radar for bullshit, is far better than mine for some reason.

I don’t like what Sophia just did, and I make a mental note to pull her up on it tomorrow, via email.

Storm ignores the jibe, and she plays along, holding her mouth. She is all class, and again, I adore her for being so mature.

As we discuss what solid movies we’ve seen at the market, we talk about what is trending with global movie audiences.

Dante’s eyes meet mine, as Sophia tries to prove her value. It appears obvious to us both, she is trying to impress, and it makes no sense. I have already employed her.

Sophia is making our small gathering awkward, and I want her out of the picture and fast.

When you have worked like a son of a bitch all of your life, and you have accumulated excess wealth, you attract way too many gold diggers.