5
1066 Words
Nadia and Xavier knew exactly what the press wanted to hear, and that’s exactly what they told them. Everyone went on and on about how 2 of the most successful youths in the country were getting married, how it was going to be the wedding of the year. And so, what was initially planned to be small and private, became national news.
Back at WhitCo, things were finally stable. Shareholders who threatened to withdraw from the company were now the ones saying they never stopped believing. Everyone kept asking Nadia when the invites would be out, hence implying that they were all expecting to be in attendance of the wedding.
Jacqueline was the event planner and she was more excited about the wedding than Nadia
“Who said there’s no such thing as fate? Who knows maybe the universe was tired of the locked up vibe you had going on” Jacqueline said to Nadia
Nadia rolled her eyes. “The universe needs to mind its business.”
Jacqueline laughed as she grabbed her bag from the couch. “Come on. We have a wedding to plan.”
“We have a wedding to survive.”
“That too.”
They left the house and headed to one of the bridal boutiques Jacqueline had picked out. Nadia had barely stepped through the doors before she was surrounded by racks of white dresses, sparkling accessories, veils, and enough decorations to make her feel like she had accidentally walked into a palace.
She stopped in her tracks.
“Absolutely not.”
Jacqueline looked at her. “What?”
“All of this.”
“You haven't even seen the dresses.”
“I've seen enough.”
Jacqueline sighed dramatically. “Nadia, you're getting married.”
“Contractually.”
“Still getting married.”
“For thirty months.”
“Thirty months is a long time.”
“Not when you're counting down.”
Jacqueline shook her head and walked deeper into the store.
Nadia followed reluctantly.
“I want something simple,” she said. “Very simple. No huge train. No crystals everywhere. No ten-layer skirt. Nothing that makes me look like I'm auditioning to be Cinderella.”
Jacqueline turned around slowly.
“You're joking.”
“No.”
“You're marrying Xavier Sterling.”
“I am aware.”
“Half the country is going to be watching.”
“That's exactly why I want something simple.”
Jacqueline stared at her for a moment before grabbing the nearest dress catalogue.
“Absolutely not. You're not going to have the wedding of the year and show up looking like you're attending a Sunday brunch.”
Nadia laughed. “I would actually prefer that.”
“You're impossible.”
“And you're dramatic.”
“I am an event planner. Drama is literally part of my job.”
Nadia shook her head as Jacqueline began flipping through the catalogue.
“What about the guest list?” Jacqueline asked.
“No.”
“I haven't even said anything.”
“I know what you're going to say.”
“We need a guest list.”
“A small one.”
Jacqueline stopped flipping through the catalogue.
“Nadia.”
“What?”
“Have you seen the messages you've been getting?”
“I've been ignoring them.”
“Exactly. Everyone wants to come.”
“I don't know why.”
“Because you're marrying Xavier Sterling. You're the CEO of Whitmore Co. Two of the most talked-about young executives in the country are getting married. People aren't going to sit at home and watch it on television if they can get an invitation.”
“Good. They can watch it on television.”
Jacqueline laughed.
“You're serious?”
“Very.”
“Nadia, your father knows half the business world. Your mother has friends everywhere. Xavier probably has a guest list longer than my arm. And then there are the investors, politicians, celebrities, journalists—”
“No politicians.”
“See? You're already making my job harder.”
“I don't want two thousand people staring at me while I sign a marriage contract.”
“Technically, you'll be walking down an aisle.”
“Same difference.”
Jacqueline gave her a look.
“We're going to have to compromise.”
Nadia sighed.
“How many?”
“Five hundred.”
Nadia's eyes widened.
“Five hundred?”
“Fine. Four hundred.”
“That is not a compromise.”
“Three hundred?”
“Jacqueline.”
“Two hundred?”
Nadia stared at her.
“I'm not inviting two hundred people.”
Jacqueline crossed her arms.
“Then you tell everyone who has already asked for an invitation that they aren't coming.”
Nadia opened her mouth, then closed it.
That was the problem.
Everyone expected to be there.
And judging by the number of messages she had received since the engagement announcement, half the people she knew had already mentally reserved a seat.
“Fine,” Nadia muttered.
Jacqueline grinned.
“I knew you'd see sense.”
“I said fine to figuring it out. I didn't agree to a stadium.”
“Progress.”
Before Nadia could respond, her phone began ringing.
She pulled it from her bag.
Xavier.
She stared at his name for a second before answering.
“What?”
“Good afternoon to you too, Miss Whitmore.”
“What do you want?”
“I have good news.”
Nadia glanced at Jacqueline, who was already watching her with a knowing smile.
“What kind of good news?”
“Ryenzo Lawrence wants to meet you.”
Nadia straightened.
“Ryenzo Lawrence?”
“CEO of Enzo Pharmaceuticals.”
“I know who he is.”
“I assumed you did.”
“So, why does he want to meet me?”
“He wants to meet his future partner's future wife.”
Nadia paused.
“Future partner?”
“The contract is official.”
Her expression changed.
“You got it?”
“I did.”
She smiled despite herself.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“So, what's the problem?”
“There isn't one. Ryenzo just wants to have dinner with us.”
“Us?”
“Yes. He specifically asked to meet you.”
Nadia glanced at Jacqueline.
“When?”
“Tonight.”
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