[Event to Remember 01.0] An Event to Remember...or Forget

by Melissa Baldwin

  Once again, this crowd does not disappoint. We’ve had two people threaten our jobs because they were left off the guest list. I verified with Carrie before I escorted them in, and she insisted that she asked Nicole to add them to the list. Then Gwendolyn asked Nicole to drive to her home to make sure her dog is sleeping well. Poor Nicole needs a Valium or two.

  Lucinda drinks about five martinis and asks how long I’ve been working for Carrie then welcomes me with her proper British greeting. The best part so far is when Lucinda’s birthday cake is brought out, and it says ‘Happy 35th Birthday.’ Clearly, she’s in her late fifties, but I’m pretty sure all proof of that has been destroyed.

  Otherwise, the night is running smoothly, and I finally have a chance to check my phone when I see Ace walking over to me. Crap.

  “Hey, stranger. We have to stop meeting like this,” he says, smiling.

  “Yes, we do. Are you following me?” I tease.

  “I wish I was. Remember, I’m new in town, and this establishment is my family hang out. What’s all of this?” He points to the velvet ropes and décor.

  “This…is a nightmare,” I say, pointing over my shoulder. “Actually, it’s a birthday party for one of Carrie’s friends. She has a very entertaining guest list as I’m sure you can see.”

  Craig calls me over my headset.

  “Excuse me for a second, please,” I tell Ace.

  “What’s up, Craig, everything all right?” I say into my microphone.

  “I think the question is what are you doing over there? I’m watching you.” I look around and see him wave at me from the corner.

  “Don’t make me fire you before we even open our doors,” I whisper. I return to Ace who is clearly amused by our event.

  “Does that woman really think people believe she’s turning thirty-five? She has to be on something,” he says, laughing.

  “She probably is. Anyway, I need to get back to work. Thanks for stopping by.” I walk away to circulate the room to ensure that there aren’t any major complaints that I’ll hear about tomorrow. I notice Carrie watching me very intently, so I decide to check in with her.

  “Hello, Carrie. I think all the guests are enjoying themselves. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, fine. Who was that dashing man you were just talking to? Don’t you have a boyfriend?” she asks curiously.

  “Yes, I do. That man is actually a friend of Luke’s. One of his family members is the head chef here, and we were discussing the service tonight,” I reply unconvincingly.

  “Hmmm, it seemed a bit friendlier than that. Come on, love, you can tell me the truth,” she leans in and whispers.

  “I’m sorry, Carrie, but that’s the truth. Nothing more to tell,” I lie and shrug my shoulders. Why does she care so much anyway? I know she loves a good scandal, but Ace, Luke, and I are hardly well known enough to create one.

  “Whatever you say, love. Though I can’t say I blame you,” she says, looking past me to where Ace is sitting with a small group of people.

  “I’ll be getting back to work now. Let me know if you need anything.” I turn and walk away feeling a bit uneasy. That was awkward. I know I’m just feeling guilty about my attraction to Ace, but I’m starting to panic that other people will start to see through me, especially Luke.

  “Hellooooo, Sienna.”

  I wake from my daydream to Craig calling me over the headset.

  “Wake up. It’s time for damage control.”

  I look over to see Gwendolyn and Elizabeth arguing with a woman in a hideous lime-green pantsuit. Elizabeth is yelling at her and telling her that she needs to leave or security will escort her out.

  “What’s going on?” I ask Craig. “Who is she? Was she invited?”

  “Apparently, she was originally invited by Carrie but then uninvited by those two. They’re yelling about some dinner party that Gwenie hosted, and the green pantsuit showed up with a former boy toy of Elizabeth’s. I love this stuff!” he says excitedly. “I just need some popcorn and candy, and I’m set.”

  “Stop it! Help me sort this out,” I yell as I hit his arm.

  “Excuse me, ladies. Can I be of any assistance? Perhaps we can take this somewhere else?” I say kindly.

  “I’m a guest here also, and these terrible cows are telling me I have to leave. Where’s Carrie?” she demands.

  “Carrie seems to have stepped away briefly. If you would come with me, I’m sure we can sort this out.” I grab her hand and lead her toward the exit.

  “Craig, will you take care of Gwendolyn and Elizabeth?” It’s actually more of an order than a question.

  He covers his face with both hands while the sisters continue to yell and complain.

  “I’m so sorry about all of this. Please just stay right here while I go find Carrie.” I take the mystery woman over to one of the best tables and order her a drink.

  “Craig,” I call into my headset. “I’m going to find Carrie. Keep these women away from each other.”

  I hurry up one of the massive staircases searching the crowd for Carrie. She wouldn’t have left already; I was just talking to her. I remember Craig mentioning that she had arranged for a car to take her somewhere. I walk down the long hallway toward that amazing stadium-size bathroom when I hear her voice. She’s on the phone.

  “Don’t worry, love. I will be coming soon. I miss you, too. Yes, it’s all arranged, very discreet of course. Don’t worry. This is the best way to handle it. Business is business.”

  No way! Craig was right. She has a secret relationship. Her phone call was very cryptic though. Just wait until I tell him, it will make his night—maybe his whole year. I pretend to be on my headset when she comes around the corner.

  “Sienna, what are you doing here? Why did you leave the party? Everything better be under control,” she threatens.

  “The party is running very smoothly, except for one small, tiny issue. Gwendolyn and Elizabeth are demanding I ask one of the guests to leave. I didn’t want to make any decisions without verifying it with you first.”

  “Who is it? One of my guests?” she asks angrily.

  “It’s the woman in the green pantsuit, sitting at the bar on the left,” I say, pointing in her direction.

  “Oh, nooo! Natalia? She’s a cousin of a new up-and-coming movie producer. Even though we can’t stand her, she stays. I will speak to them,” she assures me.

  I watch her rush over to the sisters who’ve trapped Craig in the corner, reprimanding him, no doubt. The expression on his face says ‘save me or I will kill myself.’ I smile and wave at him. As much as I would love to leave him there to suffer, Carrie walks over and summons the girls away for a discussion.

  Other than that little problem, the rest of the party is drama free.

  I pull out my phone and see a missed call and text from Luke.

  All is well here. Miss u

  I quickly send him a text back and start circulating the room. I think we have another successful event on our hands. Carrie’s still in the corner speaking very animatedly to the sisters. Before long, they all walk over to Natalia who’s very busy flirting with the bartender. A few minutes later, they’re hugging each other and laughing as if nothing happened.

  Soon after, I watch Carrie slip out. She must be going to meet her mystery man. I have to tell Craig what I overheard. While I’m looking for him, I come across Nicole slumped over at a table in the corner. I’m not sure where she disappeared to for most of the night. Maybe she really did go to check on Gwendolyn’s dog.

  Guests begin to leave, but not before they stop by the swag table and pick up one of Carrie’s expensive thank you gifts/party favors. Lucinda looks completely wasted and is slow dancing to an up-tempo song—by herself. She’s swaying her arms back and forth, and her eyes are closed. She looks like she could be in one of those 1960s Woodstock movies. She probably was.

  Before long, we’re clearing up the remainder of the gifts and décor that we brought. Craig and I sit
down with Nicole who has hardly moved in the last hour.

  “I’m so glad that is over,” Craig says while loosening his tie. “I’m especially glad that will be the last event of Carrie’s we ever plan.”

  “What do you mean by that?” She looks up from the table.

  “Umm, I meant to say the last event we plan for her for a while. I’m just really tired. I don’t even know what I’m saying,” he replies nervously.

  Nicole gives him a funny look but doesn’t question it further.

  “Can you believe I had to go check on Gwenie’s stupid dog? Seriously, she has about ten staff members at her home, and she made me take a picture of the dog with my phone and send it to her. I have never hated my life more than I do right now.” She puts her head back down on the table.

  I start to feel really sorry for her. “Can I ask you something, Nicole? Why do you stay here? I know you aren’t happy with this job.”

  She raises her head, and I can tell she’s actually contemplating my question. I can almost see the wheels turning in her brain.

  “Well, it isn’t all bad. The perks are great, and so is the money. I’ve looked around, but so far, nothing has piqued my interest. When I find something better though, I’m gone. Carrie will be lost without me. Speaking of which, she’s off on another trip with her new secret boyfriend tonight. Whoever it is, she doesn’t want anyone to know about him.”

  “Oh, yeah,” I interrupt. “I overheard her on the phone when I was searching for her tonight. She was telling someone that she was keeping things discreet, and she even said, ‘business is business.’ It obviously has to do with the business, or maybe it’s someone connected to the sisters somehow. Maybe an ex-boyfriend or even ex-husband?”

  “Yes!” says Craig loudly. “I bet you’re right. That would totally make sense. That’s why she’s trying so hard to keep it on the down low.”

  They continue to discuss the possibilities while I look at my phone. It’s getting late, and I’m exhausted. I glance around the room but don’t see Ace anywhere.

  I finish up quickly, say goodnight to Craig and Nicole, and start to leave. When I reach the top of the staircase, I take one more look around the room just in case. Ace is nowhere to be found, and surprisingly, I feel relieved.

  Chapter Nine

  The next night, I have another dream, only this time it wasn’t a serving dream.

  In this dream, Abby has just had her baby, and we’re all celebrating in the hospital room with her. Everyone who is important to me is there, including Abby, Matt, Madison, Cole, Becky, Travis, and my parents. We’re having a wonderful time—but I’m alone. Everyone else is sharing the moment with the special person in their life, and I don’t have anyone to share it with. Everyone is congratulating me, but I’m not sure why because Abby just had the baby. Also, I have two different shoes on, and everyone is asking me why I didn’t match my shoes. I start to panic because I can’t leave to fix my shoes. When I wake up, I realize I’m lying on top of the covers with my shoes still on. I don’t even remember coming home or lying down.

  I’ve never been someone who analyzes the meaning of my dreams, but maybe I should get one of those books.

  My clock says three thirty a.m., and I’m wide-awake again, but I refuse to touch any of Madison’s evil cookies tonight. I might as well try to get some work done, so I start making some notes. Only two weeks until Faith, Fashion, and Hope.

  After the event, I’ll need to close it out, send thank you notes to guests, sponsors, etc.

  I need to set up a time to move furniture into my new office and meet with Craig to start planning our launch party.

  I haven’t brought this up to the Cantons in a while. They did offer to host it at their home and invite all of their friends for the exposure, but I’ve been waiting to make sure the night runs smoothly before I remind them. I also told Craig he could take the reins on that event, and I know it will be fabulous. He has great style and attention to detail without being over the top.

  Aside from my job-related planning, I really need to start looking for a new place to live. That could take some time also, and I want to look closer to my new office. Our apartment now is in a great location, but it’s too big for one person. Finding a new roommate is too much work, and I don’t want to end up with some psycho.

  I go online and start looking around in that area. They have some really cute places that are pretty reasonably priced.

  When I open my email to send a message to the rental community, I see a new email from Ace. The butterflies are back in my stomach as I open the message.

  Sienna,

  I hope all went well with your event tonight. I meant to say goodbye but saw that you were in a bit of a mess. Very entertaining if I do say so myself, but you handled it well.

  Anyway, I did want to let you know that your boss approached me later in the night asking about you. She wanted to make sure that there was not something going on with us. I’m not sure why she was asking, but she seems very interested in what you’re doing? Perhaps she suspects you’re leaving? She insisted that you should be focused and concentrate on your job without particular distractions.

  Do not worry though. I told her nothing.

  Just thought I would let you know.

  Best,

  Ace

  What? Am I still dreaming? Why is Carrie so concerned about my relationship with Ace? I mean, not that we have a relationship, but why is she discussing this with him? Maybe she has heard the rumors. Maybe she thinks Ace has something to do with those rumors.

  I read and re-read his message a few times. Was he watching the whole time I dealt with the drama? Aside from Carrie grilling him about me, he took the time to tell me. Again, why do I care?

  A few days later when Madison and I are eating breakfast, I tell her all about the birthday party and show her Ace’s message.

  “I know there’s something going on between you two. You may not realize it, but it’s even obvious to Carrie. She’s the most self-involved person I’ve ever met, and she could see it. Come on, was this really so urgent that he had to send you an email in the middle of the night?”

  “Hello! Did you not read his message? Carrie is trying to get information out of him,” I reply. “She even pulled me aside after she saw me talking to him. She knows I have a serious boyfriend. Why is she telling him that I have to stay focused on my work? Paranoia has definitely set in with her.”

  “What are you waiting for? Why don’t you just tell her?”

  “I’ve explained this to you a dozen times. We’re two weeks out from the charity event. I can’t take a chance of that falling apart. Believe me, I’m more than ready to tell her.” I look at the time. “It’s after eight. I have so much to do today.” I really hate being late, so I hurry around to gather all of my things for the day. “See ya, friend,” I call as I run out the door.

  On my way to work, I leave another message for Luke. I’m not sure what time he’s getting back—maybe he’s back already. I hardly talked to him this weekend other than a few texts. I feel like we’re having a long-distance relationship right now. I guess that’s the price we pay for being two busy and successful people. My thoughts are interrupted by a text from Craig.

  Are you on your way? HURRY.

  He’s so dramatic. I learned a long time ago not to panic when he sends me these texts. One time, I was in a very important meeting discussing a high-profile event, and Craig sent me ten 911 texts. So, I excused myself to call him back. It turned out to be regarding some changes a bride had requested for an upcoming wedding. Nothing that needed attention at that moment or that would require ten urgent messages.

  I’m jolted from my memory by red lights and sirens behind me. Crap! Was I speeding? I wasn’t even paying attention. I change lanes, hoping he just wants to pass me. Nope, he’s after me. I pull off to the side and wait. I would like to say that this is the first time that I have been pulled over, but that would be a lie. There was even a time in coll
ege when I got pulled over twice in one day. Luckily, I only got one ticket. To this day, I don’t even know what happens if you get two tickets in one day.

  The officer comes to my window. Apparently, I was driving fifteen miles over the speed limit. I try the usual flirting and apologies, but both of those methods fail, and he gives me a two-hundred-dollar ticket. I may go to court just to see if I can get out of it.

  One time, Madison and I were pulled over coming home from a club. The officer was very rude and disrespectful, so we decided to fight it. We went to court dressed very professionally and even brought a briefcase. I don’t remember why we brought a briefcase, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway, we got out of the paying the ticket. In the meantime, while I’m trying to flirt my way out of this, Craig is sending me multiple texts. I may have to consider changing my phone number.

  My morning is going downhill fast, and it doesn’t get much better after I get to the office.

  “Where have you been? We have issues everywhere!” Craig demands as I walk through the door.

  “Sorry. I was going another two-hundred dollars into debt. I can’t exactly text you back while a sheriff is giving me a speeding ticket.” I throw my stuff on the couch.

  “Oh.” He stops. “That sucks!”

  “You think so?” I reply sarcastically. “What’s so urgent?”

  “Mrs. Canton wants to change a few items on the menu. The caterers are freaking out, and I don’t know what to do. I called Carrie and—”

  “Why did you call Carrie? She has nothing to do with this event!”

  “Yeah, well, she basically told me that she’s trusting us not to ‘mess’ it up. Although she used a different, more derogatory word,” he trails off.

  “Who cares what she says, but she is right.” I grab my phone to make some calls. An hour later, I emerge from my office. I managed to make a few small changes at Mrs. Canton’s request, and the caterers were willing to compromise. I told her that we are really too close to the event from here on out to make any more changes. I don’t think she liked that, but she agreed.