A bad start
Noah let out a sigh after Maria's objections and Steve's refusal of helping him. After rubbing his forehead out of frustration he said, "Fine. Don't be completely clueless, but at least try to appear innocent. If you want to talk about the organisation you are trying to build, that is fine, that way they know you understand a little about business but with it being non-profit, you won't be going after them. Heck, you can even try and use this opportunity to get them to invest or become donors for your organisation. Everyone knows that the larger the company, the more they are inclined to attach their name to a charity. Whichever type of charity that might be. As the more, the better for them."
Maria thought it over for a bit and then agreed with that plan as she said, "Not too bad Noah, not bad at all. That I can do. I am a natural charmer after all. And anything to help my organisation grow. Especially if it means I can use money from rich people, who don't know what to do with their money anyways, to achieve that goal." With that her task had been settled and an agreement had been reached.
Steve didn't need any instructions as he was the face of the company and quite the natural charmer himself. He was sharp and when he needed to be and quite cunning in his ways. So, all Noah told him, was that he was in charge of the chit chat, small talk and potential smoozing where needed to secure some new clients. Noah himself would be tasked with targeting some specific people. People that owned some pretty big companies and were inches away from joining. That final pull, that was something that Noah was confident in, making him feel like he was the man for the job.
He then wanted to turn towards Laila and tell her about the task that he had in mind for her, but she had yet to arrive. He looked around the room, wondering where Laila was, but didn't see her anywhere. She was late. A thought that didn't dawn on him until then. With the first guests now trickling in, he grew a bit anxious. He didn't have something very special for her. Noah had only intended to ask Laila to help Maria with her task in order to not have her strain herself too much and it could help her get the word out on her business as well, but if she wasn't here, that wasn't an option. So, her being late didn't necessarily jeopardize his plans for the evening but even if he didn't have a task for her at all, he still didn't like her not being here yet.
He needed her by his side. Since he was his best with her by his side, with her not there, he could by default never be his best. But aside from that, he didn't want to attend any event or party without her to begin with, regardless of the occasion. He was about to grab his phone to call her, when Maria asked about Laila's whereabouts, wondering the same thing as Noah.
Noah shook his head and said, "I don't know. I was just wondering that myself as well." As his eyes remained focussed on the entrance. "I told her that it was important for her to be on time and she assured me that she would be here at the same time as us. Why don't you two start greeting people without me, I will step out for a bit to give her a call." Noah had just reached the hall behind the room where the party was being held. It was the hall that lead to the bathrooms and such, giving him some quiet and some privacy. He was about to press the dial button, when Laila beat him to the punch by calling herself.
He quickly answered the call and said, "Hi honey. Where are you? Is everything okay? Are you almost here? The first guests have already arrived and I really need you here." Laila started apologizing. "I know honey. I am so sorry. I swear I left on time, but of all days, one of the roads to the venue has been closed today for maintenance. So, Damian is doing his best to get us there as fast as possible using an alternative road. But I am afraid it will take at least another 10 minutes before I get there."
Noah let out a soft sigh as his plan had gone off to a bad start. But he supposed that it is best to have the hick-ups out of the way at the beginning. After all, what is 10 minutes on a whole evening? At least Laila was unharmed and on her way. "Alright. Let me know when you get here. I'll come pick you up from the entrance. Tell Damian, don't rush. Take your time. It hardly matters if 10 minutes becomes 15 if that means you will be safer in getting here."
Laila nodded instinctively, even though Noah couldn't see that, but followed it up with a verbal confirmation as well, before wishing him luck and telling him goodbye. She then communicated Noah's message to Damian and he immediately let out a breath of relief as he lowered the speed of the car. He had been rushing on Laila's request, but it had been making him feel uncomfortable for the entire duration of it. He didn't like rushing to begin with, but especially not with such precious cargo. If anything happened to Laila and the baby, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself, nor did he imagine that Noah would be able to do that either. So, it is best to be safe, rather than sorry.