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

by Melissa Baldwin

  “Is Luke still escorting you tonight?” he asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t sound so excited,” he replies.

  “I know. It’s still awkward, but at least he’s trying.” While we talk, I start packing up everything I need to bring to the hotel. I look at my reflection in the mirror and shudder. Hopefully, Madison can help.

  Twenty minutes later, I find Madison in the kitchen making coffee. “Please tell me you can do something with this,” I say, pointing to my face. She’s coming to the hotel later for hair and makeup.

  She laughs. “You really don’t look that bad. You sound awful though.”

  I groan. “I’ll just tell everyone this is my sexy voice.”

  She smiles. “Did you even sleep? Any more dreams?”

  “No dreams, but I barely slept. I plan on sleeping for the next week.”

  She puts the lid on her coffee cup. “I have a few clients this morning, then I’ll head over to the hotel. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you look perfect tonight.” She quickly gathers her stuff, and she’s gone.

  I sit at the table for a few minutes while I wait for my bagel to toast. I look around the kitchen and start to feel sad again, thinking back to when we got our first apartment together. We were so excited to be on our own. We’ve had some great times here, and now we’re growing up. Ugh. Now is not the time to take another emotional trip down memory lane. I need to shower and check in with Luke. The last time we talked, he said he was coming tonight, but you never know.

  Carrie sent me a text saying she’ll be at the hotel this afternoon and wants to run through the menu and schedule for tonight. She really is a piece of work. I’ve sent her these items numerous times, and now, with a few hours to go until the guests arrive, she wants to review everything? I reply with a simple ‘okay.’

  I check my to-do list for today:

  Don’t forget to bring outfit, overnight bag

  Check in with catering team

  Quick meeting with volunteers

  Check on auction

  Meet with host and Cantons

  I add one last item. The last thing I need to be doing is hacking up a lung all over these very important people.

  Bring cold medicine and cough drops

  Just as I’m walking out the door, my phone rings.

  “Hi, Ace,” I croak.

  “Whoa. Are you okay?”

  “Not really. Can you believe I have laryngitis? Of all nights. I’m planning to tell everyone that I’m using my sexy voice tonight,” I say with a nervous laugh. As soon as that comes out of my mouth, I wish I didn’t say it.

  “Well, you could say that. I’m sure most people would believe it,” he teases.

  “Thanks. The printing finally finished at two a.m. I don’t know how to thank you for everything. I know I keep saying this, but I’ll be forever in your debt.”

  “Not at all. I’m glad I could help,” he says quickly. “I really just wanted to call to check in. So, I’ll see you and Luke tonight.”

  “Thanks. Maybe you can keep Luke company tonight? I doubt I’ll be a very good date. I’ll be lucky if I’m able to eat.” I look at the time. “I need to go. Carrie’s decided she wants to review everything. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.”

  “Very well. Good luck.”

  After we hang up, I smile to myself. No matter what happens, Ace has turned out to be a great friend. He really has swooped in and saved the day.

  When I arrive at the hotel, I find Craig and some volunteers running around doing last-minute details. The ballroom looks gorgeous. Every detail is perfect and just the way we planned it. At the entrance, there are posters featuring some of the children that Faith, Fashion, and Hope have helped. I get a little choked up as I read some of the descriptions. I stand in the entrance for a few minutes to take it all in. No matter how stressful or difficult the planning process has been, we’re here to help those in need. That’s what truly matters.

  “What do you think?” Craig says, running over to me. “Mrs. Canton came in earlier and started crying. She kept hugging me and thanking me. It was really cool,” he says excitedly.

  I smile. “I think it looks perfect. We’ve done a great job so far, but it’s not over yet. Let’s have a quick meeting with the volunteers?”

  While Craig rounds everyone up, I take another look at the room. The signature details that we’re known for are everywhere. At every table, there’s a framed description of a child who will benefit from the money that’s raised. We’ve even added Faith, Fashion, and Hope stationery for the guests to write notes to the families. I take a deep breath. We totally got this!

  We’re super busy with meetings for the rest of the afternoon. Craig and I go over the schedule with the volunteers. Then we meet with the catering team and make sure everyone is on the same page.

  I have a great meeting with the Cantons. They both thank me and remind me to be in touch to set the date for my launch party. Relief washes over me, and I know they’re pleased with my work no matter how the evening goes.

  Carrie has sent me several texts throughout the day warning—informing—me of her arrival. She finally arrives just as we’re finishing.

  “Hello, loves,” she says loudly. She walks around the ballroom like she owns the place. She fixes a few flowers then sits down with Craig and me.

  “Everything looks very nice. Well done.”

  “Thank you, Carrie,” I reply with my very raspy, sick voice.

  “What is wrong with you?” she asks with a horrified look on her face.

  “I’m fine. It’s just a bit of a cold.”

  “That sounds like more than a bit. Maybe you should keep your distance from our guests.”

  Our guests?

  “Anyway, can I see the seating chart? Do you know where Natalia and Max are seated?”

  Craig hands her the charts. “I believe they’re seated at Mr. Eckelund’s table. Your table was full, and there were empty seats at his.” Craig shows Carrie the location on the plans. “As you can see, that table is very close to yours.”

  “Excellent,” she says. “Sienna, I assume you were able to make that happen?” She gives me a wicked smile.

  I grit my teeth and smile back. “No, Nicole and Craig handled the seating plans,” I lie. “I can’t take any credit for that.”

  “Of course,” she says, clearly unconvinced, then looks at her phone. “I see that things are under control here. I will see you both later. Ciao.” She heads out of the ballroom leaving a trail of her perfume behind her.

  “So, when are we giving our resignations again?” Craig asks as soon as she’s out the door. We both start laughing.

  “Soon. I’m counting down the hours.” I glance at my phone. I have missed calls from Luke and Madison.

  “Madison’s here. She’s going to try to make me look decent for tonight,” I tell him. “I need all the help I can get. See you back here at five thirty.” We give each other a big hug. “It’s almost showtime.”

  I meet Madison in my room, and she begins the tedious process of trying to make me look human again. My phone rings, and when I finally get it, I see a missed call from Nicole. I feel bad she’s not here. She put a lot of hard work into this event. I can’t blame her for leaving though. I’ve definitely reached mine.

  “So, what time is Luke coming?” Madison asks as she curls my hair.

  “He should be here around six. I told him I’d be running around most of the night, but he still insisted on coming. I guess he’s really trying to fix things.”

  Madison doesn’t say anything. We haven’t discussed Luke since Palm Springs. Considering she never really cared for him, I know that night really pushed her over the edge.

  “I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right,” I say. “We have a lot to work out, but I just wanted to wait until after tonight.”

  “I understand,” she says finally. “Please know that I just want you to be happy. I’m not trying to lecture y
ou or control your life.” She sits down. “I want you to be as happy as I am—or as Abby is—because no one deserves happiness more than you.”

  “Don’t make me cry. It’ll ruin my makeup and make me stuffier than I already am,” I say, blinking back the tears.

  She nods and continues working her magic. She’s a miracle worker.

  I still have some time to spare, and I’m starving, so we open all the snacks in the room and discuss her wedding plans. We’re way ahead of schedule. She’s ordered her dress, and the venue is booked. After a package of Pringles, chocolate cookies, and half of a Snickers bar, I feel pretty gross. I realize I haven’t eaten all day, so all this junk food counts as my lunch. The lunch of champions.

  “Do you want to see the ballroom before you leave? It really looks amazing,” I say proudly.

  “Of course!”

  “Okay, let’s hurry because I’ll have to be dressed and back down there to meet Craig in thirty minutes.”

  I take her on a quick tour of the ballroom and hurry back to my room to get dressed. I breathe a sigh of relief that my dress still fits even after my mini-bar binge. My dress is a floor-length gold gown with cap sleeves. It looks like it cost a small fortune, but it didn’t. My shoes actually cost more than my dress, but that’s no surprise. They’re gold Jimmy Choo stilettos, and they were worth every dollar.

  I look in the mirror and stare at my reflection. Madison did a great job with my hair and makeup. I don’t even look sick, but as soon as I open my mouth, I sound like I’ve been a chain smoker for thirty years.

  My heart is racing a million miles a minute, and I take a few deep breaths. I check myself in the mirror one last time, slip Kleenex in my bag, and head downstairs. Here we go!

  I love people watching. It is without a doubt one of my favorite pastimes. It’s especially entertaining when you have a bunch of very important people in one place. I imagine this is how it is at the Oscars.

  Faith, Fashion, and Hope is no different, just on a much smaller scale of course.

  People are hugging, laughing, and giving compliments that they probably don’t mean. I run around and check on registration and the auction, but I really just want to sit down in a chair and listen to the guests around me.

  Craig tells me he overheard a conversation about Carrie and her new mystery man. “See? I told you,” he says animatedly. “She has a new man, and she doesn’t want anyone to know who he is.”

  “I wonder why wouldn’t she bring him here tonight? It sounds like the cat’s out of the bag if people are talking about it,” I say as I straighten up a few tablecloths.

  “Maybe he’ll show up later,” he replies.

  “Well, I hope for your sake he does,” I say, giving him a wink. “The days of the Carrie drama will soon be ending and then what will you have to live for?”

  “I hadn’t thought about that part.” He pauses. “That’s so sad.”

  I roll my eyes.

  He’s dead serious.

  Faith, Fashion, and Hope has officially started, and I haven’t seen Carrie yet. Several of her entourage have been asking for her, so I try calling her, but there’s no answer.

  “Have you seen her?” I ask Craig.

  “Not yet,” he says, rolling his eyes. “Is it wrong to hope that she caught your cold and is so sick that she can’t get out of bed?” He gives a giggle.

  “Not at all,” I reply. “I’ll try to go hunt her down. More guests are going to be asking for her.”

  Truly speaking, I really don’t care if she shows her face. I already know how this night will go after she arrives. She’s going to take all the credit for the success of the event even though she hasn’t been involved in any of the plans. Not that I care what her friends think. All I care about is that the Cantons and their friends know the truth.

  I wander around looking for her, stopping to say hello to some of our guests on my way out of the ballroom. We’re using a meeting room on the second floor as our command center. I doubt she’s in there, but it’s worth a shot. On my way to the elevator, I see Ace. He looks very dashing in his suit, and the second he sees me, he gives me his million-dollar smile.

  “Sienna, you look amazing.”

  “Thank you,” I manage to say with my smoker’s/sexy voice.

  He grimaces. “Oh, wow. That’s not good.”

  “I know. I can barely talk, but at least I don’t look as bad as I did this morning.”

  “No. You don’t look bad at all,” he replies, giving a weary smile. “Where are you heading? Shouldn’t you be rubbing elbows with the elite?” he replies sarcastically.

  “Yes, I should, but of course, I’m in search of Carrie. Not that I care if she shows up, but at least I can say I tried to find her. No doubt she’s still getting ready for her big night. I’m on my way to check our meeting room upstairs.”

  “I’ll walk with you. I mean, if that’s ok?”

  “Of course.”

  We start to head upstairs, but neither of us says anything until he finally speaks up.

  “So, is Luke here then?” he asks, obviously wanting to get to the elephant in the room.

  “Yes, somewhere. The last time I saw him, he was talking with some business associates. I feel kind of bad because I’m not going to be the best date tonight.”

  “I’m sure he understands,” he replies softly.

  We get off the elevator, and when we get to the meeting room, it’s empty.

  “Oh, well, she must still be in her room. At least I tried,” I say happily. Maybe my dream will come true, and she won’t even show up.

  On our way back downstairs, we hear noises coming from the hallway to the right. Just around the corner, there’s a small alcove with phones and a few chairs. Ace and I smile at each other and try to keep from laughing. Obviously, the people in there do not want to be found.

  We tiptoe around the corner to have a peek, and I feel like I’ve been hit by a cement truck. I found Carrie, and Craig was right all along. She does have a mystery man, except he’s no mystery to me.

  It’s Luke.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I must be in shock because I’m completely frozen in my Jimmy Choos—unable to speak or cry or anything. The four of us stand there in complete awkward silence.

  I close my eyes, hoping that I’m having another nightmare. There are the things that will forever be burned in your memory: a train wreck, a scene from a horror movie, or in my case, my boyfriend and my boss in a compromising position. Throw in the fact that my boss happens to be almost thirty years older than my boyfriend and you’ll understand why I can’t un-see this. And to top it off, I’m working the biggest event of my career tonight.

  Everything starts to make sense. I feel like a little light bulb has come on in my head. This explains Luke being gone so much and Carrie being so interested in my private life. The puzzle pieces are all coming together, and the last piece is Palm Springs. Luke was there with Carrie. I can’t believe I’m so stupid that I never put that together.

  Luke is the first one to break the silence. “Sienna, I can explain all of this. It’s not exactly what it looks like,” he says nervously.

  I stand there staring at him, disgusted. “You can’t be serious. It’s very obvious what’s happening here.” I turn to walk away and bump into Ace, shock and disbelief written all over his face.

  “Can I least explain?” Luke pleads.

  I take a deep breath. “Were you two together in Palm Springs? How long has this been going on? And don’t lie to me again.” I’m struggling to talk, and my voice getting worse by the minute.

  “Yes, we were,” Luke says. “But, it was business like I told you. Carrie is helping me get my new business concept off the ground.”

  “And this is how you’re repaying her?”

  Carrie finally speaks up. “It shouldn’t be much of a shock for you, Sienna. After all, you have Mr. Eckelund to turn to.”

  I’m about to lose the small bit of composure that I ha
ve left, but Ace steps in at just the right moment to respond to Carrie’s accusation.

  “With all due respect, Ms. Anderstone, I told you that Sienna and I are strictly friends, not that I owe you any kind of explanation. Our friendship has never gone beyond that.” He turns to Luke. “Honestly mate, I have to tell you that I’m shocked. You had a good thing with this one here.” He points to me.

  Luke sneers at Ace. “Shut up, mate. This doesn’t concern you. You’ve been trying to work your way in since you came to town. I know more than anyone how you operate.” They continue to argue with each other, and Carrie appears seemingly unfazed by what is happening around her.

  Suddenly, I remember that downstairs the event is going on without me. This is my event, and the Cantons are counting on me. I turn away and head toward the stairs, still in a complete daze.

  “Wait. Where are you going? We need to talk about this,” Luke calls.

  I turn back around to face the three of them. “I’m going to finish up the event that I planned,” I say robotically. As I make my way downstairs, I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. I get to the elevator and tears well up in my eyes as I step in. How could this happen? How am I going to get through this night? I feel like such a fool. The signs were there all along, and I didn’t see them. How could I not see them?

  I get off the elevator and run to the bathroom. I dab the corners of my eyes with toilet paper and take a few deep breaths. I can easily blame my red eyes on my cold. Perfect excuse. I give myself a little pep talk: this is business, I’m a professional, it’s time to be a big girl. I make my way back to the meet and greet and pretend that nothing is wrong.

  I manage to make it through the first hour without any incidents. I get a little nauseous when I see Carrie laughing and talking with some guests, acting like nothing happened. I stare at her, and when she catches me looking at her, she quickly turns away.

  “Sienna, are you okay?” I turn around to see Ace holding out a glass of water to me.

  “Thank you,” I say. My voice sounds worse than ever. “I’m just trying to get through this night.” I smile as a few guests walk by.