Deal With My Best Friend

Minor Setbacks

Ellie’s POV

After a long, cold shower and my third cup of iced coffee in hand, I sat at my vanity, called my best friend Shannon, and yelled at her, taking out my frustration, for opening her big mouth about my divorce.

But, by noon… I was dressed and ready to go back to work.

“I'm sorry. That was unprofessional of me, Ellie. Still– you can't blame me for trying to play cupid between you and a man who’s actually worth your time,” she had said.

“Brooks is the best guy for you. He’s hot, sexy, and rich.”

“Shannon!” I scolded her.

“I mean it. You know I'm right. We've all said this to you before you even married Calvin. I know it's too soon; you just got divorced … but damn it, Ellie, Calvin has been cheating on you for over six months with Kylie. She’s pregnant with his child; they're moving on. Why can't you? You deserve so much better!” Her words stung, replaying in my head as I got ready to leave.

A notification popped up on my car’s screen as I prepared to reverse, making my eyes roll when I saw Kylie’s name on my screen.

“What now? What the hell does she want now?” I complained as I put it in park and pulled my phone from my pocket, pressing my thumb to the side to unlock the screen.

“I won. Calvin is finally free from you. Get your s**t out of my house and stay away from us. And don't think of getting a single penny from him again,” she writes, making me angry.

Did she really think I needed his damn money? We’ll see who needs who when he gets to his office tomorrow and realizes he just lost thirty percent of his investment support and had fifty percent of his models' contracts terminated. Thirty percent of Calvin’s shares reassigned to none other than the man he has always looked down on.

“Don’t worry, sweetie. I don’t need his charity. You, on the other hand, make sure you have a prenup ready before marrying him. Wouldn't want to be left out on the streets tomorrow night.” I said, smiling as I put the phone back in my pocket and drove away.

I drove through the busy los Angeles traffic and got to work just in time.

Dana came out running, a startled look on her face.

“Boss… we have bad news,” she said as she staggered for breath.

“Easy, easy… what’s going on?” I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder to help her steady herself.

“Ok… three major things. You are not going to like hearing this. One—the caterer just called; he can't do our catering. A massive collision happened next to his building; the guy crashed into the power lines, and the whole block is without power. Two— the sound guy has a flat tire and is stuck in traffic; we don't know when he’ll get a tow truck to fix his vehicle. And three—” she pauses, making me raise a brow.

That was Dana for you. A big tech nerd who can solve anything- and I mean everything- but real-life situations like these scared her to her wits.

I held my hand out, making her pause. “When is Javier expected to finish setting up before sound check?”

“Uh… we told press at five, before they open the doors and guests start arriving,” she said, making my wheels start to turn.

“Alright. What about the caterer? Did he get anything done?”

“Yes, he managed to finish all the horderves, but the main courses and after-party appetizers are a bust,” she said, making me place a finger against my lip as I rest my hand over my forearm.

“Ok… One—call the caterer and tell him that if he can deliver what he made, I will pay him full price as agreed, but he better give me a good discount for the next event. Also, let him know we will be adding 30 percent in complimentary tips. He’s done a good job catering for us since we started this business, and we need to make sure he knows we are here to support him. “ I said, pointing at her.

“Two— call back Victor, ask him for his exact location, and get our crew out there to help. We have moving trucks to transport all our backstage equipment, so get our boys to help load him and his equipment into one of our trucks. Have my insurance send a tow truck, and get his vehicle to the nearest tire shop to have his tires repaired.” I say, watching Dana already get on the phone and get things done.

“Anything else?” I say, making her bite her bottom lip worriedly.

“Yes… Mr. Calvin called; he demanded to talk to you. He doesn't know who you are yet, but he sounded very upset. He demands answers for Kylie’s rejection of an interview. He demands to see you personally,” she says, making me furrow my brows.

“Absolutely not.”

“He refused to listen; I'm not sure how he got invitations for tonight, but we got notification of his rsvp. Boss, I have a feeling he’s going to try to make a scene on the show after this,” she says, pressing the rim of her glasses forward.

“Let him try and make a scene. We’ll see who makes a fool of themselves in tonight’s event. Calvin has been trying not only to get Kylie signed with E.V.'s media, but also pleading for Brooks’ company to invest in his company. After tonight, he won't only get a rude awakening, but he’ll finally realize he crossed the wrong person.”

“So… what do we do?”

“Let him attend. Give him and his little mistress front-row seats; I can't wait to see the look on their face when they see the CEO face reveal.” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, feeling smug.

I've never been the type to show off. I love helping the ones in need, but I've had enough of Calvin and his arrogance. I never thought the man I once thought to be sweet, humble, and caring- the devoted husband— would be vicious and frugal.

“Very well, boss. I’ll arrange for his seats in the vip section,” she says as she makes changes to the arrangements.