by Amber Heart
The elderly?! Who the fuck is this guy calling old? I’m only in my fifties. He has a fucking mouth on him and I am about to slap him down a peg. Before I could reply, Mark stepped in “Can we at least talk business before you carry on with this dick measuring contest?” I’ve always respected Mark, he’s a no bullshit kind of guy. “Certainly.” I looked over at Aaron “Behave yourself, Aaron.”
I could see Aaron tense up and he wanted to blurt something out. He looked over at Mark and held his tongue. He obviously values Mark’s words. I should use that to my advantage to get an invite to the wedding. Mark turned around and made his way over to the couch. Aaron and I both followed, they both sat on the opposite couches and I sat on the lone chair. Mark starts the conversation “So what would you like to discuss, Kenneth? There must be a reason you’ve got in touch after all these years. What are you after?” I looked over to Mark “I’d like to collaborate, we’ve just picked up a new client and this brand is big. They’ve hit millions almost over night. Needless to say they’re going to be getting interviews left, right, and center. Social media is exploding and all that jazz. We can handle the PR, but they have no advertising agency backing them.”
Aaron’s ears stood up like an excited dog “Why did you come to us? What do you have to do with advertising, shouldn’t this new client be finding an agency themselves?” I switched my glance over to Aaron “Well, I figured I could let them run off and sort themselves out, or I could partner up with an advertising agency and earn a hefty referral bonus for bringing them such a prosperous client.” Aaron’s face took a more serious tone “How hefty are you thinking?” I glanced over at Mark and glanced back to Aaron “Fifty percent.” Aaron shot to his feet full of energy “Fifty percent! Are you insane? You want fifty percent just for bringing the client to us while we do all the leg work? Forget it! Absolutely ridiculous.”
A huge grin came across my face and I kept silent. Aaron sat back down and Mark took over “How well-off is this client, Kenneth? Cut to the chase. You know we’re never going to accept an offer like that unless you have the numbers to prove it.” I reached down and opened up my briefcase. I grabbed the clients files and tossed them over onto the coffee table. Mark snatched them up and gave them a quick read. He remained silent for a few moments and looked up to Aaron “It’s legit, a campaign with this client alone would triple our profits for this quarter. Who knows how much work they could throw our way if they continue to flourish like this.” Mark passed the files over to Aaron. He opened them up and gazed into them for much longer than Mark. I could see his tiny little brain crunching the numbers and finding the catch.
Aaron dropped the files on the table and locked eyes with me “We’ll do it if your cut drops down to twenty percent.” I stood my ground “Fifty percent or I walk.” I looked over to Mark and he didn’t seem worried, was this a trick? What are they trying to pull? Aaron piped up again “Then walk. We’re the best advertising firm in the city. Even if you go to one of our competitors and take fifty percent, you’ll still earn less than if you take twenty percent with us. What are you going to choose, your ego or your greed?” This kid has his head screwed on, I’ll give him that. I don’t give a shit about the money, but he doesn’t have to know that. “I’ll tell you what. Call it twenty-five percent and send me an invite to this fancy wedding you have planned. I love a good party. I’m sure a guy like you won’t hold back, free bar I assume?”
I could see by Aaron’s expression that I’d caught him off guard. He hadn’t prepared for this. “How do you know about the wedding? I haven’t mentioned it at all.” I reached over and grabbed the clients file from the coffee table “I overheard some gossip on my way in, you know what girls are like.” God damn I’m smooth. Toying with lesser minds is always fun. I could see that Aaron was contemplating the deal, he looked over to Mark and Mark just shrugged his shoulders. The ball is in your court Aaron, what are you going to do? I guess this falls back down to ego or greed, funny how things turn out.
Aaron stood up again “We have a deal, Kenneth.” I mirrored him and stood up as well, we shook hands to finalize the deal. “Perfect. Have the contract sent to my office so we can get it all in writing, I need to dash.” I turned around and shot for the door, Aaron and Mark followed me to escort me out. As I left they both said there good byes to me.
I closed the door behind me and made my way over the the stairs. As I passed by Amelia I couldn’t resist myself “Good bye, darling. It was a pleasure meeting you.” She completely blanked me but I could see her tense up. What a wonderful day!
Aaron
After walking that asshole out, Mark and I sat back down on the couches. Mark let out a large sigh of relief “That was ballsy, I didn’t think he would go for that deal. You played that perfectly, our profits are going to sky rocket with this client… Did he give off a ‘weird’ vibe to you? Maybe it’s just his business strategy but I couldn’t settle around him.” I nodded in agreement with what Mark was saying “He was feisty, I’ll give him that. The guy was at my throat instantly, it usually takes some one ten minutes to build up to that.” We both laughed and we could relax again now.
“I don’t know why he wanted to attend the wedding so bad, now I have to tell Cass we need to squeeze an extra person in. Ah well, it was worth it. Even if he kept fifty percent we’d still be better off. An extra twenty-five percent and all I have to do is put up with him at my wedding? Easy choice really.” Mark smiled “Taking one for the team! People are going to be over the moon when they see their bonuses at the end of this quarter.” Mark has always split the pot with the whole agency, he doesn’t keep it to himself and now that we’re partners, nothing has changed. We all get a nice bonus, spirits are kept high and everyone tries their best because they know it’s fair. Happy people, happy life, happy business.
I stood up and checked my watch “Perfect opportunity to go for a coffee and break the news to Cass that a complete stranger is now attending our wedding. Wish me luck!” Mark chuckled and I heard him shout as I left the office “Good luck, she’ll understand!”
Chapter 16
Later that evening
Aaron
I grabbed both our plates and tucked a wine bottle under my arm. Tonight we were having sirloin steak fried in garlic butter, with a hefty side of roasted asparagus, and a handful of chunky home-made fries. We’ll wash it down with a delicious bottle of red wine and then we have the whole evening to plan out the wedding. I need to remember to tell her about Kenneth as well. When I went for a coffee earlier today she was hosting a meeting so I couldn’t steal her away.
"Aaron, you have out done yourself tonight babe. This food is amazing." I smiled at Cassandra and raised my glass "We've got the whole evening to sort the wedding out. We'll down this bottle of wine, blast some music and then get to work. When we're finished, you can be dessert." I caught Cass off guard "Aaron!" I grinned at her and after a moment of silence she looked at me seductively "What makes you think you can handle this?" I love it when she fights back "What do you think the bottle of wine is for?" We both laughed and carried on finishing our meals.
After polishing off our food, I grabbed the bottle of wine and we made our way over to the couch. We put a best of Queen album on to set the mood. "Oh babe, I forgot to tell you. We have to waste an invite on that business partner Mark and I had a meeting with earlier today. I don't know why he was so keen on coming, but he gave up a huge percentage of his share just for an invite. Every one will be thrilled with the bonus they're getting this year, put it that way."
Cass looked over at me "We'll make do, what's he like?"
I sunk into the couch and scratched the back of my head "I'm not going to lie, babe. He's a bit of a dick. Mark will keep him in check, don't worry."
Cass cuddled up to me and put her head on my chest "As long as I'm married to you by the end of the day I don't care what happens." I put my arm around her and pulled her in tight. She looked up at me "What's his name? I'm going to have
to send out a proper invite."
"We'll post it to his office along with the final contract. He's called Kenneth James."
Cass went quiet. I looked down at her and she was pale, like she'd seen a ghost. "Cass, what's wrong?"
Cassandra
Kenneth James. Kenneth fucking James. That arrogant, self-absorbed, sexist, disgusting, vile human being. My heart beat shot up and my blood started to boil. Who the hell does he think he is? Worming his way into my wedding and barging back into my amazing life. He is a nasty virus the ruins everything he goes near.
He sacrificed money just to get an invite? That doesn't seem like him at all. Greedy little shit would trade his own Mother for a free meal. Why does he want to be at our wedding? He treated me like shit the whole time I worked for him at his company and he had the audacity to expect me to sleep with a client, like some cheap slut. Fuck him and fuck his company.
I bravely lifted my head and connected eyes with Aaron "Remember when we first met, in the Bahamas at Avery's wedding?
Aaron giggled "How could I forget? I'm a stripper at heart, you know!"
I smiled sheepishly back at him "Well, a few days before that I was fired from my job."
Aaron looked at me with a worried face. I paused for a moment, I don't know why I was embarrassed, it's not like I could prevent it "Kevin James was my old boss. The reason he fired me was because I refused to have sex with one of his clients. That disgusting monster booked a hotel room before even speaking to me. He just assumed I would be okay whoring myself out in order to expand his client base. Over night I lost my apartment, my car, and my job. But I still kept my dignity. A few days later I had to fly out to the Bahamas and pretend everything was okay. When I came home I got my life sorted and found that crap apartment you helped me move out of. I attended multiple interviews and never heard from them. Then I bumped into you again. I guess he just brings back bad memories.
Tears had formed in my eyes at this point and I could see Aaron turning bright red "Please say something, Aaron."
He stayed silent for a moment, it felt like an eternity "Babe, I had no idea. I am so sorry for what he did and I hate myself for how I treated you during that first month. To know that you were going through this and I was treating you like that breaks my heart. First thing tomorrow I am canceling the contract and paying him a visit. I will not let an old miserable fucker like that make my princess feel like this. I will ruin him. I'll make some phone calls and get the other agencies to black list him. If that sleazy cunt thinks he's coming to our wedding now, he's got another thing coming. And to think that arrogant asshole knew all this while staring me in the eyes the whole time. How fucking stupid can he get? Did he not think I would mention it to you?"
Aaron unclenched his fist and began to calm down, I looked at him in awe. To think this wonderful man would do all that just for me made my heart explode with love. "It's okay, Aaron. Forget about that first month, you had no idea. I love you and I know you love me, all is forgiven. I don't want to ruin everyone's bonus, let the prick come. I want to show him how happy I am with you and I want to rub it in his face. You make me the happiest woman in the world, Aaron."
Aaron immediately pounced on me and grabbed me in a bear hug. He squeezed me tight and kissed me on the forehead "Whatever you say baby, I will support it. If you ever change your mind I will not hesitate to ruin him. Just say the word. I love you, Cass."
I snuggled up close to Aaron and closed my eyes. After a few minutes of cuddling I broke the silence "That was a bit intense, wasn't it! Shall we get on with the wedding planning?" He released me from his grasp and we both sat up. "Sure Cass, so we're settled on Jamaica, right?" I nodded my head "I want to be right next to the beach so we have a perfect view of the sea." Aaron agreed "We need to stay in a beach hotel as well. I want to wake up and be two minutes from a morning swim." I clapped my hands excitedly "This is going to be so perfect! What shall we do for food?"
Aaron paused for a moment "I wouldn't mind trying what the hotel has to offer. We can find one with a good catering service, that way they can organize it all and we can enjoy it." I licked my lips "As long as we get to try some jerk chicken I don't care. I'm sure there's a catering service that serves our style of food and traditional Jamaican food."
Aaron tapped away at the calculator on his phone "How many people are we inviting? If we go for a hundred guests we can afford an open bar, sound good?" I leant over onto Aaron's chest "I only need about forty invites, if you can fill up sixty more slots go for it."
Aaron rested his head on mine "I can pull fifty, tops, ninety it is then." I stood up and made my way over to the stereo "So, what type of music shall we have?" Aaron stood up and walked over to me, he reached over to the stereo and put something on "Just wait."
A few moments later Three Little Birds by Bob Marley started playing, Aaron burst out laughing and I slapped him softly on the arm "That's for the dancing after wards!"Aaron grabbed a hold of my hand and started to dance "We’ll play whatever you want to walk down the aisle too. If you want a band, we'll hire a band. If you want a harp, we'll hire a professional. If you want the traditional music, we’ll get that."
I started to get into the rhythm and danced with him "I'll have to think about it, get back to me." Aaron twirled me around and smiled "We're making good progress here, what's left?" I replied back "Aww, baby. We're not even quarter of the way through! We've got to talk about: decorations, flowers, dresses, suits, the wedding party, the after party, transport, and most importantly, my dress!"
Aaron's face lost all of its color "I'll get another glass of wine then!." I shouted out to him as he went into the kitchen "You might as well bring another bottle! It's going to be a long night..." Aaron came back into the room with a fresh bottle, I took it off him and placed it on the table “Babe, can we have a serious moment about the bachelor and the bachelorrete parties?”
Aaron stared at me and replied almost instantly “Don’t worry, babe. The stripper will be for the lads, not for me. Why would I want a stripper dancing all over me when I already have the perfect girl right here?” I pounced on him “You know me too well, baby. Looking is allowed but no touching for either of us!” Aaron gave me a quick kiss “I’ve already told Mark and Quinn, there’s nothing to worry about. Now lets get planning!”
Chapter 17
Cassandra
I awoke suddenly by a pile of scruffy clothes landing on top of me. "Wakey wakey, rise and shine! Get up, Cass. We're going paint balling! We need some stress relief from all this wedding planning. Lets go and have some fun." My eyes were still dazed from just waking up "Five more minutes..." I tried to drift off back to sleep but the cover was torn away from me and I felt the disappointing cold air cover me from head to toe. I kicked my legs and had a mini tantrum "Baby! It's so cold." Aaron giggled "Go and have a shower while I pack us a lunch and spare clothes, it's a forty-five minute drive so you can snooze in the car."
I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. My eyes still hadn't adjusted to the sudden awakening. I tied my hair back and stepped into the shower. I wish Aaron was in here with me, we get up to so much trouble. Ah well, we'll definitely have some fun later. Although if he shoots me with a paint ball gun I wont go easy on him tonight. He'll be sore tomorrow morning!
I finished my shower and stood out into the freezing cold air. I went into the bedroom and put on the scruffiest clothes I could find. As I made my way downstairs, I caught a glimpse of Aaron in the kitchen finishing up our lunches. "Morning babe, what made you come up with this idea?" Aaron turned around and smiled "I wanted to cover you in a different kind of fluid today." My eyes widened "Aaron! It’s too early for you to be sassing me like this." Aaron burst out laughing "I knew that would wind you up! But yeah, we could use the stress relief. When we get there, if you shoot me you won't hear the end of it."
A devilish smile came across my face "Oh no babe, I would do no such thing! We're a team after all." He pulled his fac
e and threw a breakfast bar at me "Yeah yeah, eat your breakfast and lets get a move on."
We threw all of our things in the back of the car and scrambled in. Aaron got in the drivers side "Have a nap if you want babe." Without hesitation I closed my eyes and before I knew it we were there. "Boo!" I shook awake and pulled a grumpy face at him. That adorable smile is impossible to stay mad at though.
We made our way into the main area and got kitted out in: coveralls, a face mask, armored gloves, and a paint ball gun. The referee took us to the first course and gave us a brief introduction "Hello everyone! First things first, you here a long drawn out whistle you stop immediately. Three sharp whistles indicates the game has started and three sharp whistles indicates the game has stopped. Firing when the game isn't in play will result in a one game ban. When you are tagged by paint ball it has to pop and leave paint. If it bounces off you, you're safe. Play fair guys and have fun. Is everyone ready?"
The crowd erupted "YEAH!"
"Okay, we'll split you off into teams and then we'll mix them up again half way through." He counted us out, Aaron and I ended up on the same team. I think we're both secretly hoping that changes later today. "Team one down that end, team two down that end. The first course we're on is a team death match, all you have to do is eliminate the other team." We all made our way down to the respective ends of the course "Thumbs up if you're ready!" Everyone raise their hands into the air, shortly after that there was three sharp whistles.
Aaron grabbed me by the hand and we ran forward to the first line of barricades. This is so exciting! "Babe, shoot them!" I looked at Aaron "Who? I can't see anyone!" Paint balls immediately started hitting the barricade we were hiding behind. "Cass, I'm gonna run over there to that barrier, you see it? When I'm running I want you to peek out and shoot at them. Ready? Three, two, one. Go!" Aaron bolted out and made a run for it. I peaked my gun out and started firing at whatever was moving. This is so exhilarating!
