You're at yet another fundraiser, this one slightly more impressive than the one last week, surrounded by curious glances and plastic smiles. You wonder if they would be so interested in you if you didn't have the money or the influence they so desperately desire, but then again you wouldn't be here without both of those things. Money is a powerful incentive, and all it took was one very generous donation to have this particular institution in his pocket.
The director or dean or whoever he was - you stopped listening once his voice began to irritate you - is leading you around the room, introducing you to this person and that. They expect you to be impressed when all you want to do is laugh at how utterly idiotic they are, with their slick coifs and meticulously chosen clothing. They aren't very skilled in the art of pretending, you think, but still you smile and charm the very best of them.
That's when you spot her by chance, a couple moving out of your line of vision so your view is unobstructed. Unlike most of the women here, she isn't ridiculously made up, and her ensemble doesn't reek of desperation. A simple red dress compliments her dark hair, half of it swept up to reveal a slender neck. She's beautiful, you think, in a way you've never seen before. Something about her captures your attention, and in that moment you know you can't leave without knowing her name.
You ask your ever-so-helpful guide who she is, and he replies that she's the wife of one of the brightest lawyers he knows - Peter, his name is - who just so happens to be looking for employment. Then he tells you her name is Helena.
Somehow you and your guide manage to find Peter in the midst of bodies, an eager good-looking young man with a certain boyish aura about him, and he reminds you of an energetic puppy. You ask him if he's looking for employment and he says yes, and you ask whether he has any experience in business law. As he responds you turn your attention on his wife, Helena. She possesses a maturity beyond her age, despite her youthful appearance, and there's something very elegant and poised about her that reminds you of royalty.
Finally you introduce yourself, shaking Peter's hand and then Helena's. As your hand closes around hers she raises her eyes to meet yours, and in that moment you know.