Hearthrob Hotel.

It all began and ended for Annalise at Hearthrob Hotel. It was the latest on-trend hospitality and function centre in the big smoke. The contest to be a Personal Assistant and Receptionist for the latest finance manager had been very keen. The interview panel had reviewed the candidates face to face in a minor, well=appointed meeting room there in the Hearthrob Hotel. It was right across the road from the luxuriously appointed head office of BEX. This was a dynamic funding and banking firm, a worldwide centre for hard working, driven executives and their staff.

Annalise was thrilled to advance her job experiences there, and celebrated her new position with her best gal pal, Clare. The new boss was named Seth, and Annalise was blown away by his handsome smile and welcoming handshake. Strictly professional, of course. Seth was one of those fortunates born with a silver spoon, top education, and beautifully modified tones, He was also tall, dark and very debonair, as he had an array of designer threads, worn with flair.

It wasn't his fault, it was the way he had been raised and groomed all along the way. Seth was also a man of ambition and objectives. Despite his new PA, Annalise, presenting more than eye candy at him, he did not wish to breach guidelines in the workplace. So, he kept his routines on a pleasant footing, always a bit distant in the office.

Nonetheless, Annalise nurtured her crush on her boss, while making herself indispensible to him, or so she hoped. She was sure that if she dressed and talked the right way, Seth would someday declare his fervent desire for her.

"It's your harmless fantasy," Clare told her, as they were commuting home to their ordinary suburb on an overcrowded train one evening. "Offer this fantasy up to the Lord, and He will fill your life with better dreams." Clare was always the sensible and realistic chick in their friendship. But deep down, Annalise kept on dreaming about a white wedding for her and Seth at the largest function room at Hearthrob Hotel.

Clare by now was also working at BEX as a secretary. Part of Annalise's role was also to be an events orgnanizer, which required a great deal of innovative ideas, and attention to details. She regarded this aspect as fun, lots of hassles, but delighted in the positive feedback.

The office Christmas party was soon approaching, so that was Annalise's task. She booked on large function room at the Hearthrob Hotel, and made her own plans for finally declaring her interest to Seth. The big night was upon them, all was awash with themed drinks, a message from Santa, thoughtfully chosen catering, and beautiful top range individual gifts. Seth spent most of the evening networking the highest echelon management team from around the land.

In despair at Seth's lack of any intentions to socialize with her, Annalise grabbed some artificial mistletoe, and giggled her way to his side. There, she planted her best kissy lip sync on the boss, who did seem to kiss her in response. Annalise was sure he felt sparks fly too, but then he stood tall. He murmured in her ear, "This is not appropriate. Maybe it might have been happened in another place and time, in another lifetime. Go home and sleep it off."

Then he walked away, making a laughing comment to his bosses. Annalise's plotting to seduce her boss had left her flustered, bit shame-faced. Clare kindly came over to her, and rescued her again. "Come on, let's go home," she suggested, "He's only a man. I'm your friend, here to stay. We are never going to be toffs like them." So Clare and Annalise had one last drink, and went home to their own little world.

However, despite Clare's wise advice, Annalise kept on wearing her sexiest clothing in her workplace, and ignoring all male admiring glances. She only had eyes and dreams of Seth. Her days continued, as the year rolled around, and she once again organized a large function for Diwali celebrations. Good feedback, and lots of the staff took selfies to thank her. Rumours were starting to circulate, that Seth was being promoted to Hong Kong as the branch manager. Annalise lay awake into the midnight hours, cherishing her fantasy, that he was taking her too. Finally, they would be in another place on the planet. She would lie in bed, imagining their tender embrace.

Then one day, Seth asked her to organize an inclusive themed staff party at the Hearthrob Hotel for his pre-wedding party. He wanted flowers, candles, a lovely feast, and wedding favours,. Annalise gulped, stammering, "Who's the lucky lady?" Seth showed her his phone photos of his bended knee proposal to Fliss. The smiles of delight and the engagement ring were stunning. Fliss was one of those society dames, sleek, tall, very shapely, beautiful, gorgeous.

Annalise had to walk back to her own office, all her reveries shattered. Worse than this, she could not refuse to organize this romantic event. Even more disastrous, she received as invitation to the wedding as well, and the reception. This only made matters even more drastic for this longstanding mirror of regret. She hid in the unigender loo quite often, having a few inner meltdowns, but this show had to go on.

Seth and Fliss werre planning to marry quite soon, so she could be with her new husband in Hong Kong. Annalise thought seriously about poisoning Fliss at the pre-wedding event, but that was not very Christian. Clare refrained from saying, "I told you so." She aimed to support Annalise, and switch her focus to some treats they could find, such as planning a getaway cruise on a fun loving ship for people their own age.

Annalise did meet this beautiful Fliss at the big function, at the lavish reception room at the hotel across the way from BEX headquarters. Reality had begun to sink in, she had to smile and be polite, and gaze at Seth and Fliss, receiving all those wedding congratulations and good wishes. She had to pretend to laugh at slightly risque wedding jokes, all the while seething inside. Clare wanted her gal pal of their youth to cast her eyes to others, and pray for guidance. She once again, led Annalise away, telling her, "There are plenty of men in the sea."

Annalise realized now that her dreams had been so futile. it was no use saying, "It should have been me." Even more, this wedding reception was even grander, she sat and stared. Her dream had ended with the happy couple, back at the Hearthrob Hotel.