The Wedding Planner

Chapter 3: "A Desperate Proposal."

Once Ava had collected herself, she rushed to the couple's room, her heart pounding with anxiety. As she reached their door, she found it slightly ajar, a faint sliver of light spilling into the hallway. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and entered.

In the dimly lit dressing room, a figure in a sharp suit stood with his back turned to her. She couldn't see his face, but it was apparent he hadn't heard her enter. Ava took a deep breath and blurted out the shocking news Victoria had revealed about the wedding's cancellation.

"Miss Victoria just stormed off and she seemed pretty angry. I think you should do something! She was so angry that she said she wasn't staying for the wedding any longer!"

The figure turned around to look at her, and even though she knew who the groom was, it was her first time seeing him so close to her. It was no other person than him, Ethan Parker, the handsome young successful billionaire everybody wanted to be like in the country.

His expression was oddly indifferent, and there was a hint of annoyance in his features. Confused and still reeling from the events, Ava could tell that it seemed he was aware of what just happened.

She asked hesitantly, "wait, you're aware of it, aren't you? She stormed off from here, yeah? Is it true?"

No reply.

Once again, she inquired, her voice tentative. "What your wife-to-be told me about the wedding being canceled, is it true?"

Ethan regarded her with an air of nonchalance. "Who are you?"

Ava, aware that introductions ought to come first and realizing her breach of etiquette, she apologized for barging into the room. "I'm so sorry for the lack of manners, sir. I'm Ava Bennett," she extended one of her hands quickly. "I'm the wedding planner. I overheard the conversation and..."

Ethan ignored her stretched hand and cut her off, his tone still tinged with indifference. "It's true."

Ava's heart raced, and a sense of urgency overcame her as she considered all the time and effort she had invested in the wedding preparations.

"But what about all the expenses I've incurred in decorating the event hall? And I need to be compensated for my work," she implored.

Ethan's gaze bore into her, his silence weighing heavily in the room. After a pause, he finally spoke, his words carrying a heavy weight on Ava. "I didn't give you the job, did I? Victoria did. So, go after her for your money."

Ava's heart sank. She had spent significant time and effort decorating the event hall for the wedding, and her livelihood depended on successfully coordinating this event. Gathering her courage, she let out her concerns. "I've invested a lot in the wedding, and I deserve to be compensated for my work, whether the wedding proceeds or not!"

"Else what?" He questioned with a stern look on his face and a raised eyebrow.

She knew there was nothing she could do if she didn't get paid, so she kept her mouth shut.

"Good," Ethan muttered and turned around once again, his back to her.

After some seconds of silence, she asked again, this time, in a pleading manner. "But what about my payment for the decorations and planning?" she insisted, her voice laced with determination. "I really need this, please."

Ethan was silent for some seconds, then turned to face her, his gaze locked on her. The weight of the situation seemed to press down on both of them, but he wasn't ready to let her know he was also at a loss with Victoria's absconding.

He had a reputation to maintain, and the thought of explaining the abrupt wedding cancellation to the guests terrified him. He couldn't risk a scandal in the news. Then, an idea came to his mind.

After staring at each other for a couple of seconds, he finally, he spoke, "I might have a solution for both of us."

Ava's eyes lit up in hope, but before she could ask him what he was, he beat her to it and continued what he was saying.

"Let's make a deal, Ms. Bennett," he proposed. "Fine. We'll settle your expenses, but you have a part to play in making this wedding a success."

Ava's face was filled with confusion. "A success? You want me to go persuade your wife to come back—"

"I need someone to stand in as Victoria during the wedding," he blurted out, his face indifferent, cutting in, in the middle of her sentence. "You'll wear a veil and take her place. After the wedding, you'll get paid as agreed upon."

Ava's eyes widened as she processed his proposal. A contract marriage? It was a bizarre idea, but it offered a potential way out of this chaotic mess. "A contract marriage?" she repeated, seeking clarification.

Ethan nodded, a hint of desperation in his eyes, but it disappeared as soon as it came. "Yes, a temporary arrangement. I need to maintain appearances, and you shall to be compensated. It's the only way to avoid a scandal. What do you say?"

Ava couldn't help but ask, "Why are you doing this? Why the need for secrecy?"

Anger grew on Ethan's face once more. He hated being questioned, especially not by a low-class person like the woman standing before him. All he wanted was for her to say if she was going to do it or not.

"You have no business in my affairs, young woman!" He raised his voice at her, making Ava jolt backwards in fear. "If you want to do this, say it now or I get someone else who is ready!"

Ava stood there staring at him, while also glared at her. Her mind went to what Victoria had used to describe him; toxic. Maybe she was actually right, she thought to herself, maybe he is indeed toxic.

"After the count of five and you haven't decided, I'll take it as a no. And right after, you get the f**k out of this room! And if you want your pay, get it from the woman that hired you!"

"Five."

Silence.

"Four."

Silence, still. Ava's heart raced as a lot of thoughts went through her head. She needed the money she had invested in this job, and she saw it as a big win for her when she got the job. But now, it seemed everything was beginning to turn asunder with the current situation of things.

"Three."

Her heart skipped a beat once again as she kept on staring at Ethan, who looked unfazed.

"Two."

"Wait!" Ava suddenly shouted, while he gave her a side eye, his face as serious as ever.

"For the very last time, young lady, are you ready to do it or not?"