“But anyway, we’re not here tonight to listen to my bad jokes,” he continued, his face turning serious as his dark, narrow eyes searched through the crowd. “We’re here to celebrate a momentous milestone for our company, and to honor and celebrate the man whose vision will help lead us into the future.”
Christina jumped in surprise as the people around her erupted in applause. Several faces turned expectantly to Derrick as he glanced around with a smug grin on his face. He took a sip of what appeared to Christina to be a large vodka on the rocks as his eyes flickered quickly over to Max. She then looked over at Max, who met her gaze with a wide, cautious grin as his large hands slowly clapped with a distinctly audible concussion.
“Ladies and gentleman, all of you know Derrick Birch, a man whose genius in alternative energy development is perhaps only matched – as I’ve certainly learned today – by his skills of negotiation.”
The crowd again erupted in laughter.
“Derrick represents the kind of rogue visionary that can radically change the course of even large, multi-conglomerate companies like our own,” the little bald man continued, his baritone voice measured and authoritative. “And as CEO, I’ve learned all-too-well what can happen when companies fail to recognize the need for change, or fail to cultivate the people who provide the ideas and innovations upon which we all come to depend.”
Christina listened as loud murmurs of agreement were echoed by the crowd. The importance of the evening once again struck her as the CEO of one of the world’s largest companies suddenly looked over at Derrick with a practiced smile and continued his speech.
“And so tonight, in recognition of this endless pursuit to find the idea-makers and innovators who hold our future, I am honored to announce one very large victory.”
He paused and dramatically raised his glass in the air.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, shareholders and executive colleagues… it gives me great pleasure to announce that Derrick Birch has officially agreed to head our alternative energy division for the next five years!”
Christina flinched again as the crowd suddenly erupted with shouts and applause. Hands quickly brushed past her to pat Derrick on the back, and she resignedly assumed the role of a loving and loyal girlfriend by smiling and nodding to the men and women around her. Derrick tightened his grip around her waist, and she turned to find him staring at her intensely.
“Are you okay, D?” she whispered, her mouth brushing against his ear.
“Not in the least,” he replied, smiling back at her with unfocused eyes. A pang of fear flashed through Christina as she held Derrick’s unnerving stare, and she wondered again just what the hell those pills were that he’d taken from her purse earlier.
“Do you want to go downstairs?”
“Are you kidding me?” he exclaimed, slurring his words slightly. “I’m a fucking rock star right now. I can’t leave in the middle of the moment these magnanimous-sounding pricks are pretending to like me.”
“Jesus Christ, you are the most stubborn goddamn asshole on the planet,” Christina hissed under her breath. “Do you know that?”
“Yes I do.”
“Now, we’ve spent a long, grueling day ironing out the details of this little agreement,” the CEO continued, rolling his eyes sarcastically. “And, yes, we still have some more documents to sign in the morning, but I wanted each and every one of you to be present tonight to share in the celebration of finally acquiring Petronus Energy’s newest secret weapon,” he paused for effect, then swept his arm towards Derrick. “Mr. Derrick Birch!”
Derrick released his hold on Christina and took an unsteady step forward. “Thank you! Thanks everyone,” he shouted, raising his glass to the CEO before draining his glass empty. Applause once again swept through the crowd as the band immediately erupted into the opening chords of “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones. The crowd toasted and cheered, then immediately refocused their attention on the music and the dance floor. Christina crossed her arms and glowered at her boyfriend as he stumbled back to her.
“Need another drink?” he asked as he stood swaying in front of her, his hands fumbling as he tried to tear the bowtie from his neck.
“Derrick, what the fuck are you doing?”
“I’m securing my future,” he replied, grinning at her with the hint of a sneer. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I’m wondering if the man I’m here with is going to make a complete ass of himself in front of his new boss this evening.” She grabbed the empty glass from his hand. “Is stumbling around drunk and high on god-knows-what your idea of ‘securing your future’?”