He spotted her in the crowd. Red heels, black skirt and dressed to the nines. He knew her game instantly.

She had put thought in standing out, playing up her sexuality to collect business cards from as many orbiters as possible. Tomorrow she’ll start calling them, flirting enough to ask for a favor here, a connection there.

But first she’ll go to the hotel upstairs to fuck Chad.

Two orbiters were already chatting her up, sipping their drinks nervously. Chad walked directly into the conversation, interrupting rudely.

Hello, he said calmly but with authority. He noticed her nametag.

Maya... You’re distractingly beautiful in this sea of grey.

"Thank you so much." As she eyed him, a smile formed.

Chad’s eye contact was intense. Direct. I’m Chad. When you’re free, come find me.

She never talked to him directly again, but she subtly followed him around for the rest of the night. At points they gamed the crowd in tandem - she laughed along with his jokes, he pulled her into conversations and verbally championed her to other men. They moved in sync like two lions in a crowd of gazelles. After two hours of hunting passed, he pulled her aside, making no excuses.

Maya, he spoke low and with surety. I’d like to take you out.

“I…” she started, then paused. “I... have a boyfriend. We’ve been together two years.”

He turned away slightly and took his pen from the inside pocket. Pulling the sticky name tag off his jacket, he wrote his number on it next to his name.

I don’t want to be your boyfriend. Here’s my cell.

He smiled genuinely this time, warmly, as he reached over and stuck the name tag playfully on her dress.

It was a real pleasure, he said before turning to the elevator door and pressing the call button.

Drying his hair from the shower, he heard his phone chirp the recognizable sound of a new text message.

“This is Maya.” He waited patiently, without responding. Three minutes later, she sent another text:

“Are you staying in the hotel?”

Check mate.

Room 412. I’ve just showered. Come up.