Have you ever been so pursued by someone so much it made you start to think differently about someone? Krista Hammock thought Jamal  

Everyone around the huge ballroom were drinking and being merry as the night ticked on. People were talking and laughing in different areas of the room dressed to the nine. Men were dressed in nice tuxes while the women were in party dresses. Tonight was New Year's Eve and everyone loved to celebrate together drinking and partying the night away. Jamal sat at the bar sipping on a glass of cognac as he escaped from the party upstairs. It was so lively up there he needed to get away for a little peace and quiet. Don't get him wrong he loves a good party and can be a party animal but he needed some air. Plus a clingy woman by the name of Tammy wouldn't leave him alone. Jamal could tell she was drunk after having three glasses of champagne and starting to touch him a little more than what he liked. Sure she was kind of a beautiful woman in his eyes but he liked his personal space. Sighing that tonight he had no date to an event hosted by his parents he looked around the bar area to see if a lucky lady would like to be his date for the evening. Noticing a woman walk out of the elevator toward the bar Jamal watched her come closer. Her features looked familiar to a woman he knew and have started to have feelings for but the woman couldn't be her. Watching her intently his eyes roamed the woman from head to toe. She had smooth dark brown skin with black slightly wavy hair pulled to one side. Her makeup was lightly done with a plum stain lipstick that brought out a daring side to her. The black shimmery dress she wore clung to her body as the length of the dress caressed the floor as she walked. Jamal felt entranced by her as he watched her sit down a couple of seats away from him.

"Good evening miss what can I get for you?" the bartender smiled at the woman.

"A glass of champagne please" the woman smiled at the bartender after requesting her drink.

While the bartender tuned around to pour a glass of champagne for the woman Jamal took a sip of his almost finished drink. Seeing that other people were in conversation around them in the bar and restaurant area, Jamal thought it would be a good idea to start some conversation with the woman near him. The bartender placed the glass of champagne in front of the woman as the small bubbles danced in the glass with a strawberry on the rim of the glass. The woman took a sip of her drink not noticing that Jamal was watching her making his own mouth turn dry.

"Hi." Jamal managed to say though his now dry throat.

The woman looked to the right of her wondering who spoke to her and noticed it was the man near her that spoke. "Hi." she responded back.

"It's weird that you are down here by the bar alone. May I ask why?" Jamal asked trying to be smooth with his words.

"I could ask you the same thing. Why are you alone?" the woman challenged him back.

"I asked you first." Jamal said with a small smile not letting her dodge his question.

"It was too loud where I was and they ran out of drinks so I decided to come down here to get one." the woman shrugged before taking another sip of her champagne.

"Hmm...Impatient I see." he laughed softly.

"So why are you alone?" she said ignoring his comment.

"Just needed to get away myself. Too loud where I was and who knows if I would have saw such a beauty by staying where I was." he smiled and threw in a wink just for fun only to see the woman roll her eyes not impressed with his actions.

"Sounds like an excuse to me. You probably were running away from someone." the woman said boldly while looking forward and enjoying her drink.

Jamal was shocked that she had said the very reason why he was down at the bar alone. How did she know that? Playing cool he calmed his nerves by shrugging his broad shoulders in his tailored suit and giving the woman a small smile.

"If I'm not mistaken it looks like you could be running away from someone as well." he challenged back with a bold smile as the woman turned her gaze back on him.

"No i'm not what I said was true but I can tell you were lying to me by your facial expression. But whatever helps you sleep at night." the woman sighed as she flipped the hair off her shoulder to fall on her back.

"You could help me sleep at night but I'm not sure if there will be much...sleep." Jamal gave a seductive smile knowing what he said would be true. It was New Year's Eve why not start the New Year with a bang.

The woman stared at Jamal thinking this man can't be serious as that thought shown on her face. Just before she was about to respond a different woman staggard over toward them at the bar and went near Jamal.

"Jamal-l-l-l why aren't you at the party? It's almost midnight." Tammy cooed as her words slurred while touching Jamal's arm.

"I see I was right." the other woman smiled as she finished her glass of champagne and turned away to face forward.

"Who is that Jamal? Anyway come on let's get back to the party, I still want a midnight kiss from you." Tammy looked toward the woman but then turned her attention back to Jamal.

Jamal fumed on the inside knowing Tammy just ruined this perfect moment with this mysterious woman whom he felt he was wearing down. Standing up and reaching into his pocket to pay for his drink and give a tip he ignored Tammy and looked at the other beautiful woman. "It was nice meeting you miss and I hope to see you in the New Year." Jamal smiled before walking back up to the party.

Krista laughed as she watched the man and the crazy drunk woman walk away. She had to admit that Jamal is a looker and very handsome. Sure it would have been easy to fall for his charm like any other girl but she was different. Krista knew how the game worked when it came to love and relationships and had no desire to jump back into anything serious. Just have fun and not get attached. Plus she liked it when a man chased after her because it made her feel desired. Deciding it was time to return back to the party she was invited to Krista got up and walked back to the ballroom.

With only minutes left of the year Krista stood along the wall of the ballroom observing the people being merry and having a good time. Men tried to get her to dance but she wasn't in the mood. Another year single and alone coming to a close. Krista hoped the new year will bring love her way, at least lasting love even though she wasn't into dating. Dating in this day and age was kind of a joke to people with no emotions attached to it. Krista learned that the hard way with the last guy she dated. He was fine and had things going for him but treated her like a toy. But the man also had a side girl as well when they were involved which is why Krista keeps her feelings in check when it comes to dating. The side girl is lucky Krista has changed her ways because the old Krista would have beat the girl and her ex down.The crowd of people in the room started to count down the seconds into the New Year while Krista said a silent prayer this this year will be the best one yet. 

A few weeks later Jamal walked into his office turning on the light and fired up his laptop. Sighing and collapsing into his plush leather office chair he was happy to be in a nice warm room although he preferred to be at home in his warm bed. Winter was not his favorite season but where he lived there was always snow and freezing tempretures in January and all the season were there. Jamal checked his e-mail to see what was on the agenda for the day. Hearing a soft knock on his door he said "come in" loudly enough before his door opened.

"Sorry to disturb you sir but your father is here to see you." the receptionist poked her head inside the room before opening it wider to let an older version of Jamal walk into the room.

Standing up and walking around his desk Jamal gave his father a big bear hug. He loved when his father visited him at the office since he scaled down the amount of work he did at the company.

"How was your New Years son?" Jamal's father asked him before taking a seat in front of Jamal's desk.

"Um it was fine just relaxed a bit then came back to work last week." Jamal shrugged his broad shoulders in his suit as he sat on the edge of his desk.

"Son don't overwork yourself the year just started." his father shook his head knowing how busy his son has to be in order to function.

"I won't no need to worry dad." Jamal laughed a little at his father being concerned but only because he was his only child.

"You know next month is that convention that you and your team is going to in Florida. I know you will be ready but know that the opposing company for events are sending their best so be ready." 

"I know dad and i'm not scared of whoever they send I will take him down anyway. I was almost a pro-football player and I help as an assistant coach now part-time and work here in sales and events at your company. I'm pretty sure it will take a lot to catch me off guard." Jamal said proudly to make his dad understand that he was up for the convention and will do his best.

"Okay son I have no doubt that you and your team will do well. Be safe and keep me updated on what is going on." his father stood up and gave him a warm smile.

"Will do dad you just keep taking it easy yourself." Jamal smiled back at his father.

"Oh son I hear that enough from your mother" his father sighed with a small laugh knowing his son and wife mean well.

"Well mother knows best." 

"Get your team ready and no funny business while you are away Jamal try to stay focused while you are there." his father gave him a look knowing his son can get carried away when it comes to women.

"I will stay focused dad no need to worry." Jamal gave his dad an innocent smile knowing his father could see straight through him.

His father shook his head and smiled before leaving his son's office to go to his own. Jamal went back to sit down in his chair as he planned out everything for this trip to Florida