His stomach was in knots. No matter how many formal events he attended, it was always the same reaction. He stared in the mirror at his newly tied bow-tie, brushing back his slightly overgrown brown hair, and attempting to slow his breathing. He'd been to plenty of black tie affairs, graduating top honors from a prestigious school, being in one of the most selective fraternities, this should have been old hat. It wasn't. At his core he was still the country boy who would come back in from a hard day's work and kick the mud off his boots before settling in with a good book. Regardless of how far he climbed up the corporate ladder, he was still that same flannel wearing boy from Tennessee.
His wife came in and smiled at him, brushing a loose hair from his shoulder. This was her idea after all, something the wives had talked about doing and finally put together the opportunity. He hated their little clique, always chattering away like squirrels about this month's indiscretion, how each of their husbands were doing within the firm, or where next they'd vacation. If it were up to him, he'd toss it all and move out to a cabin away from it all, spend his days hunting, fishing, reading, and just enjoying an early retirement. Alas, there was college for the kids to prepare for, a new car every couple years and always trying to show-up the neighbors.
He took one last look in the mirror, frowning at the salt and pepper setting in on the sides of his head. "The ravages of age" he told himself. His wife said it was sexy, regardless of what he thought. He took one last look at himself, wondering if he looked more like James Bond - sophisticated and debonair - or someone foolishly attempting to look the part. Sometimes he thought he took advantage of his 5 foot 8 figure. Other times... he just let out a sigh and prepared to leave.
This wasn't to be any ordinary black tie affair. This was a masquerade ball. Apparently, the boss's wife had visited Toronto a few years back to watch Phantom of the Opera, and had recently come across the program, deciding to relive some of the thrill. They had both ordered wonderful masks for the occasion: his a plain white rough porcelain, hers a black feathered number. They had also rented an Aston Martin for the affair, an indulgence of his to attempt to make him feel a bit more toward the Bond end of the spectrum.
They arrived a little after 9 PM to the boss's lavish abode. Already a plethora of cars lined the long drive to the house. Luckily for him there was a valet laid on for the night. As they stepped out of the car, it almost felt like a movie premier: bodies lined the approach to the house, and a red carpet had been added to the walkway. He smiled at his wife, who flowed gracefully by his side up to the main doors, soon to join what he assumed would be the squawking geese that awaited her, settling into their typical routine of avoiding each other for the evening.
As his wife left his side at the doors, he turned to a side mirror in the foyer to adjust his tie. He finally admitted to himself that he could very well be mistaken for the dark, carefree, jet setting agent this evening, a wry grin on his face. He decided to work up a little courage, thus setting off for the bar.
"Double Bombay Sapphire and Tonic," he said commandingly as he stepped up to the bar. Surprisingly there were few around the bar at the moment, though a flash caught his eye. Sitting poised on a stool near the end of the bar was a slight, but stunning figure. It was an Asian beauty, no more than perhaps five feet tall had she been flat footed, currently wearing very tall stilettos. Her raven black hair pinned in a bun, stunning olive legs crossed at the knee, and exotic eyes showing through a simple black cat-like mask that hinted at a playful sexuality. He was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained his senses. Before he turned back to the drink that was placed before him, he swore he saw a sexy grin returned in payment for the attention received. He shook off his moment of indulgence and claimed his drink.
"Well, look who managed to grace us with his presence!" The jovial statement came from his boss, one of the few men in this business he grew to admire. Unlike many of his associates and the firm's partners, this man got into the business out of love, and always worked diligently to be on the side of what's right, not just for the bottom line.
"I can't always stick to the shadows now, can I?" The reply was returned with a chuckle and a slap on the back. His boss knew of his uncharacteristic dread of these events, but also knew the man as an indispensable member of the firm, so the acknowledgment was well received.
He looked back toward the end of the bar. The raven-haired beauty was gone. He walked over to where she was sitting and closing his eyes breathed in. The scent of jasmine overwhelmed his sense, almost making his mouth water from the longing just beginning to stir.
