Any excuse to see your lovely face. Though, admittedly, I cannot resist your family’s cooking. [He was pretty sure his face would break from all the smiling.] Though it does sound like your need your rest. I missed you as well, little one. When can I see you?
Usually I’d say the same, but you should really see my fridge. I think my mother believes I haven’t eaten since leaving for the tour. [Nicki couldn’t help the smile on her face, hearing that she’d been missed.] Well, tomorrow I’ve got a yoga class in the morning and I need to do a little grocery shopping for something that isn’t going to make me balloon up. But I’m free in the afternoon. I’m trying to get back to a normal schedule as soon as possible. I’m going to kick jet lag in the butt.
[Sean gave Nicki his brightest smile.] Little worry-wart. Everything is fine, just a couple of hard cases, and yes, I’ve eaten. Tell me about your trip. Did you miss me?
Good. I’d could bring some food by. Mother made sure to stop here with about half the restaurant’s stock in takeout boxes when I let her know I was back in town. [Nicki returned his smile.] Being on tour was super fun and super exhausting and I missed you tons!
[Sean was tired, but eager to see Nicole’s face. She’d been gone for too long, which said a lot about his feelings for the young submissive. He smiled to himself as he waited for her to pick up, leaning back in his chair. He’d been assigned a couple of hard trials, and was a little worse for wear.] Hello to you, Miss Cohen-Chang. And how is our weary traveler?
[Nicki walked around her bedroom, unpacking a large suitcase as the skype call rang from where her computer sat on her bed. She’d been traveling with the ballet company on tour for some weeks and just returned. She managed a shower before booting up her computer to chat with Sean. When the ringing stopped, she turned to see Sean’s face on the screen and moved so that he could see her.] Hello, Mr. Bryant.
WHO: Sean Bryant & Nicole Cohen-Chang
WHEN: May 5th, 2016, Evening
WHERE: Lincoln Center, the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse
WHAT: Sean and Nicki meet again at the NYC Ballet’s Spring Gala.
@atty-sean-bryant
Nicole thought she'd have been exhausted by the time the Spring Gala was in full swing. After a day of rehearsal, class, and and evening that included her first performance as the fairy Candide and Princess Florianne in The Sleeping Beauty, she was sure she'd be wiped out. But the energy in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center was keeping her afloat. It was a beautiful space with wide views of the Upper West Side, lit up brightly with large chandeliers. But Nicki barely had a moment to admire the scenery. Once their director gave his remarks about the Spring season, she was swept up by one of her fellow dancers in a waltz. Spinning around the dance floor, she caught sight of certain details, the calla lilies in vases on the tables, the musicians playing the waltz, the people watching the dancers, some joining in, some remaining on the fringes. And a face. A face she knew though not well. She caught a glimpse of it before being spun, and when she managed to refocus on it, she realized it was the face of Mr. Bryant, the man she'd utterly embarrassed herself in front of a few days prior. He'd been very kind to her afterwards, kinder than she'd deserved. She wondered what he was doing here now. She wouldn't have guessed that he was a patron of the ballet. Perhaps he'd been invited by someone?
When she realized she'd been staring at the man, she turned her attention back to her partner and the dance, the two of them floating across the floor gracefully. It was just another minute or so before the song ended and Nicki was bowing her head to her partner and excusing herself. Pushing her way through the crowd as politely as she could, she found her way to the bar, ordering herself a glass of merlot. Once she had her drink, Nicki made her way to the balcony to look over the city and enjoy her drink.
Sean should have realized that there was a possibility of spying the young dancer at the Spring Gala. It was, honestly, part of his job that he attended these functions. Part of being in the government was making sure that the people that had the money knew who you were. Not that he didn't enjoy the ballet as well, but it wasn't something he probably would have attended had his job not demanded it. As it was, he was glad he did. The girl was even more beautiful than he'd remembered, and once her gaze fell on him and held for a bit, he knew he'd make an opportunity to talk to her again. It came when the dance was over, and he watched her retrieve wine before going to the balcony. Excusing himself from the conversation he was barely paying attention to, he followed Nicole to the balcony. "I admit it. This time I am stalking you."
Nicole jumped slightly when she heard the voice beside her, but she covered it a second later with a smile. "Mr. Bryant. I'm surprised to see you here," she said. "Though I'm sure you came more for the beautiful dancing or to enjoy a gala in this beautiful venue than to stalk me." She took a sip of her wine and looked over the edge of the balcony. "It must seem a little silly if you've been to events like this before, but this is all very surreal to me. Being here in this place. Do you frequent the ballet, Mr. Bryant?"
Sean "Truthfully, I'm here because my job demands it," Sean admitted, watching the young submissive look over the city. "I don't think it is silly at all actually. I'm always a little stunned to be at these events. I certainly didn't grow up attending them. For what it is worth, you very much look like you are exactly where you are meant to be." He looked out over the city he'd always called home. "I wouldn't say frequent. I do attend occasionally. I'd much rather go because I want to than my position requiring it. Is this your first season?"
Nicole smiled. "You're honest. That's good." She was glad to hear she wasn't the only one who felt a bit starstruck to be at such a place. Her smile widened significantly when he told her she looked as though she belonged there. It was all she ever wanted to belong there. "Thank you. You'd be surprised if you saw the hole in the wall where I grew up in Chinatown. You fit in quite nicely yourself, Mr. Bryant." His question called Nicki to nod her head. "Yes, with the New York City Ballet and as a soloist, yes. But I also did a few seasons with the National Ballet of China as part of their corps." She sipped at her wine, glad for the unseasonably cool night as her body felt warm after a combination of dancing and drinking. "So how is it that your work brought you here tonight? Not that I'm complaining. It was a nice surprise to recognize a face outside those of my fellow dancers."
Sean was quite impressed with the young dancer. "Such accomplishments for someone your age. You must have worked very hard," he noted. The dedication it took to achieve what she had was truly remarkable. "I am a County Prosecutor. And since I am hoping to run for District Attorney some day, knowing the right people is key. I dislike politics really, but sometimes you do have to play the game." He took a sip of his drink. "I must say, it was a nice surprise to see your lovely face as well. I was going to give you my card that day, but you were gone before I knew it. Hopefully you won't escape so easily this time."
Nicole nodded, not about to downplay the work she'd put into her career. "I have. Almost every day of my life." She'd sacrificed much in the name of her career. But then, Mr. Bryant was a hard worker himself. "District Attorney. That's quite impressive, Mr. Bryant. I'm sorry you have to bear the brunt of politics, though I'm not sorry it brought you here. I'm glad I don't have to play any such game." She finished the last sip of wine in her glass and held it idly in her right hand. Smirking, she played dumb. "Your card? What would you hope I do with it, Sir? I have no need of legal assistance."
Sean was glad to see that Nicki did not try to demure about her hard work. It would have been disingenuous. Sean knew very well that talent only took you so far. "District attorney, eventually. For now, I'm just another county prosecutor in the District Attorney's office. I wish it wasn't about politics, but it is what it is," he shrugged. Her little smirk made him laugh lightly. "Well if you keep accosting people on the street you might!" he teased. "Though I may be in the position of prosecuting you then."
Nicole laughed when he teased her about how they'd met. "I'll do my very best not to accost anyone on the street except for you, Sir. I can only hope you won't press charges," she replied. Turning to look back at the gala, she took in the splendor of it all once more. "Tell me, Mr. Bryant," she said, smiling, her eyes finding his, "do you dance?"
Sean "See now I just feel special," he winked, watching the submissive turn to look back at the throng of people dancing. The beautiful smile she flashed was nearly enough to make him want to hand her the world on platter. He extended his hand at the question, setting his glass down on the tray of a passing server. "Only when a beautiful woman asks me to," he said, guiding her back to the dance floor and pulling her into his arms.
Nicole took the extended hand, also placing her glass down on the passing tray, and smiled as he led her back into the fray. "To think I didn't even have to ask you to. I'm very flattered," she said as he pulled her in his arms. "We should do our best to impress those who might help you become District Attorney. Smart, handsome, and a good dancer...? They'll trip over themselves to support you."
Sean smiled down at the small woman in his arms, enjoying the feel of her against him. "Flattery will get you everywhere," he teased once more, finding it impossible to stop smiling around her. "You forgot to add that I obviously have impeccably good taste due to the beautiful woman in my arms."
Nicole couldn't help but smile up at him. "Who's flattering whom now?" she asked as they moved together on the dance floor. "I'd say we both have excellent taste in dance partners. Though lookers-on might not be sure of your taste if they knew how I accosted you on the street. And they might not be sure of my taste if they knew of how you stalked me to Mr. Choy's restaurant," she teased.
Sean laughed happily down at Nicole as they moved gracefully over the floor. "We are both quite dubious aren't we?" he teased back. "You know what that means?" He spun her around the dance floor for a moment before answering his own question. "We obviously must spend more time together."
Nicole kept the smile on her face. "I suppose we are," she agreed. But when he asked what it meant, she wasn't sure what the correct answer was, and allowed him to spin her, her eyes finding his again the moment she was facing him once more. His answer to his own question made her chuckle. "Well if we absolutely must," Nicki agreed with a smirk, "perhaps we can grab some coffee sometime soon."
Sean grinned at the answer as they moved. "Coffee is good," he nodded. "Or, maybe you'd even consent to have dinner with me?" The music came to its eventual end, and Sean guided Nicole from the dance floor, back to where they could talk.
Nicole nodded, smiling. "Dinner would be nice," she said as the music ended and Sean led her off the dance floor. "Would you mind lending me your phone for one moment?" She wasn't sure why she was about to give this man her number after brushing off all other advances from Doms, after months, years maybe, of telling herself she didn't want this kind of attention or entanglement. All she knew was that right now, she wanted to put her number in his phone before she lost the courage to do so.
Sean had no problem handing over his phone with a brilliant smile. He couldn't wait to spend more time with the young dancer. If she thought he would be waiting to call on her, she was going to be sorely mistaken. She'd be lucky if she made it home this evening before she had a call requesting a date. "I can honestly say I've never enjoyed one of these soirees as much as I have tonight."
Nicole smiled wider as he handed over his phone and turned her attention to the device as she put in her phone number. Then she handed it back with a word of thanks as though she'd actually used the phone and did not simply put her number in. "To think I was not looking forward to tonight. I'm glad you stalked me here, Mr. Bryant."
Sean smiled and accepted his phone back, tucking it in his pocket knowing that he would text her very soon. Possibly as soon as they left. He wasn't always a patient man. "As am I," he smiled. He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "Until we meet again, beautiful."
