CHAPTER 131: PLANNING THE PRIME MINISTER'S PARTY II
"What about the venue?" Vanessa asked, breaking the brief silence. "We need to pick a venue that fits our theme."
"Or a blank canvas where we can create our own theme," the HR director added.
"I'm considering Banking Hall in East Central London," Diana responded. "Or perhaps somewhere even larger. I haven't made a final decision yet."
"Next, the food menu," Diana announced, turning to Vanessa. "Did you speak with him again yesterday about his preferences?"
"Yes, I did," Vanessa confirmed, nodding. She produced a small stack of papers and handed them to Diana.
"Hmm, okay. We can work with this. Please distribute copies to everyone, Vanessa."
"Ma'am," one of the directors asked, "what will be the theme of the dance?"
"Salsa," Diana replied.
"Back to the food menu," she continued. "Please review the information in front of you and let's select a suitable menu. Our host isn't vegan, so let's keep that in mind."
She turned her attention to Becky, her director of confectionery. "Becky, what are your thoughts on the catering for this event?"
Becky cleared her throat and looked up. "Well, for starters, we could offer appetizers like oysters, sushi rolls, or Thai shrimp. For the intermediate courses, we could have options like Lasagne Bolognese, Squid Ink Risotto, Japanese Soba, and Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables. Then, for the main course, dishes like lobster or tender beef would be perfect."
She paused, taking a breath. "For the cheese course, the variety should range from mild cheeses like Gouda to more pungent ones like blue cheese. And to balance the textures, we'll include hard cheeses like cheddar, semi-soft cheeses like mozzarella, and soft cheeses like brie."
"Finally, for dessert," Becky concluded, "we could offer Tiramisu, strawberry soup, crepes, and chocolate mousse. These are some of the most common black-tie party desserts, and they look particularly elegant when served in champagne or martini glasses."
"Wow," Diana breathed, a look of impressed satisfaction on her face. "Nice one, Becky." A round of applause filled the room. Becky smiled and gave a mock salute.
"Just plan it exactly as you've outlined it, Becks," Diana instructed. Becky nodded and began jotting down additional notes.
"For the ladies' dress code," her Director of Logistics stated, "it will be a floor-length gown in a formal fabric such as silk charmeuse, chiffon, or Mikado, embellished with Alençon lace, embroidery, or crystals. The silhouette can be anything from a sheath to a ballgown." He paused. "This should be included in the female invitations."
"And for the men," the director of transport added, "a simple tux will suffice."
"Yes," Diana agreed, nodding.
Having finalized the major plans for the Prime Minister's event, they moved on to the red-carpet party for Toby Champion. "Is everything set?" she asked. A chorus of affirmatives echoed through the room.
The meeting continued as they outlined their remaining projects for the month. By the time it concluded, it was well past midnight. Diana yawned, gathering her belongings. "Everyone," she announced, "we'll end the meeting here for today. Please let's all endeavor to work diligently in our assigned areas. We'll finalize decorations next week and ensure invitations are sent out to our guest list."
She stood and walked towards her office, exhaustion weighing heavily on her.
Unsuspecting, she opened the door, slipped inside, and closed it quietly behind her. As she took a step forward and looked up, she got the fright of her life.
She jumped, dropping the papers she held. She nearly stumbled, but a hand shot out and grasped hers, steadying her.
Diana fell against James's chest, catching her breath before pulling away and looking at him.
"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, her voice still shaky. "You scared the life out of me!"
"I'm sorry," James apologized quickly. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Diana gave him a stern look before sighing and nodding. "It's fine," she muttered, though her pulse was still racing.