Preparations

Girl it was so weird! I couldn't understand it. It was like she was looking for something. And why did it take so long for her-, for both of them, to snap out of It?' asked Cairo.
'Shame choma!' said Alex, her mouth twitching.
'I'm glad you find it amusing. I know people ogle, but that was on another level.'
Cairo went straight to Alex's room at The Grand, only to find her in her PJs at four in the afternoon. She could afford the room she shared with Cleo, her girlfriend, because she had no responsibilities at home.
'Was Cleo over?'
'You know dis!' she smiled shyly. Alex and Cleo had been dating since the beginning of the year. They had very little drama considering that Cleo was a French Model. Alex's parents still had no idea that she was gay after all this time. They were staunch Christians and didn't have anything nice to say about queer people.
It was always entertaining to go out with Cleo and Alex. They were both extremely feminine and very attractive in their own right. Alex had a rich tawny complexion with hazel eyes and soft curls. She was short and curvy, while Cleo was leggy and pale with bright green eyes and ash-blond hair cropped into a chic bob.
The guys never took them seriously and always made stupid remarks about them, so they kept to themselves and indoors where it was safe.
'Where is the supermodel anyway? When did she get back from Milan?'
'She got back Saturday night,' a mischievous look passed over her face, 'And she really, really missed me,' she giggled. 'She's gone to get us something to eat.'
Cairo laughed out loud at the guilty look on Alex's face.
'Did you know that The Grand is hosting Vargar's party next weekend?' asked Alex, her face sober.
'No! He's the Bollywood Megastar?' Cairo groaned, asking herself what sins she had committed in her past life to deserve this punishment. She felt trepidation bubble up within her at the thought of serving the couple. Her encounter with them at the mall had set her nerves on edge. There was something guileful about Mrs Vargar. She hadn't just looked at Cairo but assessed her. There was also some nebulous quality to them, something in their interaction that was not quite distinct.
It's none of your business anyway!
'Yip!' Alex smiled wryly. 'So while we're on the topic of the big star's birthday, we're still having the rehearsal brunch with the organisers on Friday.'
'Ya, I heard. Did Graham get back to you about the uniforms for the big night?'
'Nope. He wants you to meet him outside the hotel tomorrow to discuss that.' Alex added, with a teasing look in her eye.
'But why!' she groaned, 'Why must he torment me so? On Friday, he asked me to kiss him,' she relayed, imagining what that would be like.
'You lie? Why didn't he just kiss you?' said Alex, leaning toward Cairo, who shrugged. 'And?' she said, making it a question.
'What?' said Cairo, bemused.
'Cairo!' yelled Alex, exasperated.
'What?' she asked the exact same way.
'Girl, what am I going to do with you?' said Alex, defeated. 'It's obvious he wants to meet you there to get the kiss he was denied!'
Cairo shrugged, 'He's just playing with me. He is way too hot, with way too many women as it is. And he's white Alex, why is he gonna take me seriously?' she asked.
'Hmmm, we'll see,' she teased.
The door opened, and Cleo, in all her beauty, walked in.
'Hey, baby, the food is ready. Oh, Hi Cairo. Ca Va?' said Cleo.
'Ca Va Bien Cleo and you?'
'I'm good. I'm with my baby,' she said, placing the package on the table, before snuggling up to Alex.
Cairo spent the rest of the night with the girls, settling in for a movie marathon.
'Guys, do you mind if I call home?' asked Cairo.
'Not at all, take your time,' said Cleo.
Her mother, Noa answered on the second ring.
'Hello Cai, how are you my baby?'
'I'm ok, just busy.'
'You're going into the festive season too so its only going to get worse.'
'Hmm, don't remind me. I'm probably not going to be able to call much so, please don't worry. No news is good news ok.' she said, knowing her mothers tendency to worry to the point of sickness if Cairo didn't call for a week.
'Ok, don't worry. Thank you for looking after me. We would have lost the house if it were not for you.'
'No problem. You just stay safe and take care of yourself.' she said. 'Is Randal there?'
'No, your cousin is in the street. He can't sit still.'
'He's got ants in his pants that one,' Cairo teased. 'As long as he's doing well at school, I guess its fine.'
'He is shame. Always finding ways to make money.'
'All legal please!' she exclaimed.
'Yes hau! You know I don't take nonsense.' chided her mother.
After losing count of the number of movies they saw, Cairo turned in.
'Alex, I'm gonna sleep in your Pjs,' she hollered from the extra room in the suite. The silence was permission enough for her.

After a lengthy shower, she settled down and let her mind wander. She attempted to make sense of the scene at the mall. Why had that woman assessed her at length? She started obsessing about the scene but stopped herself. She knew that further analysis would only make serving the Rich and Famous couple all the more awkward. The idea conjured up enough apprehension as it was. She couldn't dislodge the feeling that they presaged trouble.

Graham texted her at 2:30 pm to let her know he would be at the hotel in the next 15 minutes. Ten minutes later Cairo was walking down the street, hands in her pockets. She adjusted the collar of her gold jacket and started pacing. Graham made her tense enough, but Alex's theory only made it worse. Alex had this omniscient, uncanny ability to accurately predict the way things would work out. She had yet to get a theory wrong. Cairo thought she may have a gift.

Graham pulled up across the street, in silent admiration. He wondered how she managed to look that good without even trying. He opened the door and crossed the street. She looked preoccupied, not noticing him till he was right beside her.
'What could be creasing that brow?' he asked gently. Cairo looked up and found that breathtaking smile on his gorgeous face.
YOU. You're gonna give me wrinkles.
Cairo thought that he should model. His brown shirt and jeans looked amazing with the tweed blazer. His beauty was effortless.
'Oh!' she answered surprised. 'I was miles away there. How are you doing?'
He groaned.
'Ah! That hectic hey,' she understood.
'How does the rest of your afternoon look?' he asked.
'Blank,'
'That's exactly what I wanted to hear.' he smiled. 'Come, I know just the place to have a quiet afternoon, away from all of this concrete.' he said leading her to his jeep.
'Why?' she asked, not sure why they needed a quiet, concrete-free place to discuss uniforms. 'And where are you taking me?' she couldn't disguise the irritation in her voice.
'I thought all women liked surprises!' his smile was alluring.
'I don't.' she grumbled, following him to his expensive jeep.
Graham took Cairo to an isolated spot on the outskirts of town. The drive took about 20 minutes and Cairo had fallen off to sleep on the way there.

He looked at her leisurely, admiring her in sleep. She was so unusual.
He undid his seatbelt and moved a stray lock of hair from her eye and kissed her cheek. She stirred, 'My word, all this way just to choose uniforms.' She said, her voice husky with sleep. She looked soft and sweet, a side of her he never got to see.
'Comfy?' he said planting a kiss on her forehead.
'And den?' she asked turning to glare at him. 'Where did that come from?'
'It came from...' he trailed off, undiscouraged by her Back-the-hell-up signal and reached across to her seat. Her face was in his hands, her expression impossible to read, only inches from his.
She didn't resist. He finally got to taste her, and he was thrilled that she was kissing him back, passionately. She pulled away suddenly, leaving him disorientated.
He missed the floating sensation.
'What? Did I do something wrong?' he asked, frustrated.
'We're supposed to be discussing uniforms, Mr Smith,' she answered coolly, looking him straight in the eye. 'I have every intention of doing JUST that.' She said, with finality.
Graham didn't know whether he wanted to laugh or cry, to be insulted by her rejection or impressed by it. He had never been rejected before, women never turned him down. All of his former conquests had never offered him a challenge, but Cairo was proving quite the contrary. He smiled to himself as he mused. She was going to be an enthralling pursuit.
'What are you smiling at?' she asked without inflexion.
'Ah! Nothing, just thinking,' his smile stretched into a grin.
'This is a very beautiful spot,' she added, looking at old ruin.
'I used to come here a lot when I was younger. I hated family gatherings and used to sneak away to this spot to avoid them. I had my first kiss here.' He told her.
'Ironic,' she said dryly.
'Why?'
'It's ironic how you chose to kiss me here for the first time.'
'Yes, for obvious reasons,' he said. Losing your touch there Smith, he thought, chagrined. Had he lost the filter of his thoughts to his mouth as well?
'I just got up, be nice,' she grumbled.
'Ah don't worry beautiful, that's going to remain my little secret.' he said, his mouth twitching with the effort of not smiling. She really had no idea of how interested he was, or how serious.
Wait! When was that decided?
She waited for him to elaborate and shrugged after she watched the smile spread over his face, his eyes were tight though.
'So have you given any thought to Friday's brunch?' he asked.
'I think we should wear the white and grey uniforms we wore for the Euro Music party, with the silver accessories.' She said.
'Ok. Then I think we should keep the original idea for the party on Sunday. The make-up for you and Alex will be the smoky eye and the other girls will do the glow thing.' He said and she found no reason to object.
She watched the snowflakes falling from the grey sky, and tried not to think about what was going to happen at the party. She didn't like the apprehensive feeling that accompanied her thoughts. Something was going to go off kilter, she could feel it in her gut. She hoped, selfishly, that whatever it was, whenever it happened, she was far from it.

'Thanks for the lift, and for showing me your beautiful secret place.' she said as he pulled up in front of her building.
'You're welcome.' He said. 'See you Friday at 10?'
'Sure, bye.' she said getting out of the car before she had to ward off another attack. As soon as she was in her room picked up her phone.
'Hey choma,' said Alex, 'how was the "meeting?"' she asked.
Cairo filled her in on what had taken place.
'What!?!?!?! Graham kissed you and you pulled away?' exclaimed Alex in outraged disbelief. 'You know what Cairo, you truly are a special child! It's only obvious the guy likes you. So what's preventing you from letting something amazing happen?' she asked, vexation thick in her voice.
'It just doesn't feel right,' said Cairo, sitting on the edge of her bed, channel hoping.
'Why?' demanded Alex.
'Cause he eats naive little girls like me up for breakfast. Why would I wanna be another Graham Smith statistic? Huh-uh! I think I'll pass thanks,' said Cairo, in a final tone. But, there was something else, something indistinct nagging at her. It wasn't right. Why it wasn't, she couldn't tell.
'Ok then. What are we wearing to the brunch?' asked Alex, defeated.
'You and I are wearing those silk dresses, and the girls are all wearing the skirt and shirt combo. The boys are wearing grey ties. Sunday night, you and I are wearing skirts.' Cairo said.
'Okay then. See you at the staff meeting tomorrow.'
'Alrighty,' said Cairo, lying back on the bed, suddenly wooden with worry. There was another reason why she didn't want to go out with Graham. He was too popular, and dating someone that envy-inspiring was not going to make things easier for her. Girls played dirty when you had what they wanted, and she'd learnt long ago not to mess with a woman on a 'man' mission.
It was bitterly cold that morning; every rooftop was blanketed in snow.

Everyone was punctual, which made for a pleasant change. The brunch was scheduled for eleven on Friday morning; thankfully, it was restricted to the inside of the building. It was too cold outside.
Meghna Khan relayed her instructions to the head waiters. She was accompanied by her husband, Sanjeev and his father, Sheker. All three of them were Bollywood royalty.
They were more than happy to impart the beautiful woman's instructions to the letter. She had huge jewel-like eyes with thin slanting eyebrows. Her skin was the colour of soft peaches and cream, and her smile was breathtaking. Her style was simple and elegant, and her gracious manner was refreshing for everyone used to the inhuman treatment they received from the superstars who passed through.
They executed a routine attuned to Meghna's instructions, and the organisers seemed pleased with the result.
'That was perfect,' she said, leaning into her husband's shoulder. He was pleasantly oblivious to all the scowling young men in the room, or so it seemed. By right, they should have been a dark shade of jade. Cairo almost felt sorry for them. She smiled, wondering how they were going to cope on the night of the party. It was already too difficult to focus, in the presence of the most beautiful woman on earth, as voted for by one of the world's leading Magazines. They'd fare much worse when all the other beauties adorned the room.
'Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!' she said graciously, heading toward the door. About seven boys were fighting to hand Meghna her coat. Cairo found her refreshing. She wasn't obsessed with her looks or her stardom. She treated everyone the same. It was nice being in her space.
'Goodbye,' said the three Khans as they passed through the door. Cairo bowed one last time along with Michael, Alex and Andrew.
'Ladies and gentlemen, see you all on Sunday at three.' Andrew announced.
Cairo looked around the room. Graham had his work cut out for him on Saturday night.


'Goodnight, Brian.' said Graham as he walked out of the lobby.
'Good morning, actually sir,' said Brian.
'Already,' his watch told him it was three in the morning, and he was thoroughly exhausted. But he was pleased with the finished product. 'See you later,'
'Sleep well, sir,'


Cairo left her uniform and her vanity in Alex's room before heading down to the dining area. She felt jittery. The dread that she had first felt a week ago had grown as the week had progressed. The feeling that something bad was going to happen not only worsened her dread but had grown into something incorrigible. The transformation of the dining room bowled her over. It was breathtaking. Mrs Khan made a good call on the colours. The room looked opulent and regal in an explicit way, but tasteful at the same time.
She went to confirm everyone who was on duty for that night and reminded them of the meeting they had to attend at one. After a quick rerun of the routine, Cairo dismissed everyone and decided to take a walk to clear her head.
The edge hadn't worn off one bit. It seemed only to intensify as the minutes crept on to showtime.

He lit a cigarette and watched Meghna and Sheker drive away after coming to dinner. They had come over to drop off an invitation to an event on Sunday at the London Grand, which Sashni grabbed with both hands. She didn't even wait for them to leave before she got on the phone to make appointments for the hair, nails and makeup.
She was always on her phone these days.
He didn't really feel like another big event, especially on his birthday. He wanted to steal the children from boarding school and spend the day with them, but alas. That was not sophisticated enough for his wife.
She seemed addicted to the grits and glam lately. He sighed, tramping the cigarette butt underfoot and turned back in.
'Would you like your coffee brought up, sir?' asked his butler, Armel.
'Not tonight, Armel. I think I'll have a nightcap instead.'
'Of course, sir,' Armel replied. He noticed the look of concern colouring Armel's face before he turned dutifully and left Amar to his thoughts.
The look on his face said, 'he's drinking a little too much, lately.'