Going Viral

1430 Words
Aubrey was fast asleep in her bedroom, exhausted from the previous night's surprise party for Tiffany. But her peaceful slumber was disrupted by the sudden burst of energy from Danielle and Tiffany, who ran into the room, phones in hand, excitement radiating from their faces. "Wake up, Aubrey! Get up!" Tiffany exclaimed, shaking Aubrey's shoulder. "You've gone viral on social media! Everyone's talking about you!" Danielle joined in, shaking Aubrey thoroughly. "Bree, wake up! You're all over the internet!" Aubrey groggily opened her eyes, disoriented and confused. "What's going on? Why are you shouting?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. Tiffany held up her phone, displaying the screen. "You've gone viral, Aubrey! Everyone's raving about the surprise party you planned for me. You're a genius!" Aubrey's eyes widened as she sat up, her heart racing with excitement. She grabbed her phone and began scrolling through her social media feeds. Her eyes grew wider as she saw the notifications pouring in. "Oh my God!" she screamed, jumping out of bed. "2 million views already! It's everywhere! Every blog in the country is talking about it!" Tiffany grinned, reading from her phone. "Listen to this: 'The planner of this surprise party is a total rockstar! She pulled it off with flair and professionalism. Her brand is going to go far!' And guess what? I've got 50 people in my DMs already, asking for your contact info!" Danielle clapped her hands together. "Okay, okay, we need to capitalize on this! Aubrey, go create a business page on social media, and Tiffany, pin the post and tag Aubrey so everyone knows it's her!" Aubrey's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What should I name the page?" Danielle thought for a moment. "How about 'Aubrey's Surprises and Event Management'? It's perfect!" Aubrey quickly created the page, and Tiffany tagged her in the post. Within minutes, the notifications started pouring in. Aubrey screamed, holding up her phone. "Oh my God, I have a new message! It's from Ryder Jackson, the famous Hollywood actor!" The room erupted into cheers and screams as the girls danced around, celebrating Aubrey's newfound success. Ryder's message read: "Hey Aubrey, I'm a huge fan of your work! I'm looking to throw a surprise party for my aunt's retirement, and I think you're the perfect person for the job. Can we discuss details?" Aubrey's eyes shone with excitement as she looked at her friends. "This is just the beginning! We're going to make Aubrey's Surprises and Event Management a household name!" Mexico, a place that was once full of vibrant colours and warm hospitality, had become a constant reminder of the horrors Ethan had endured. Every street corner, every market stall, and every smiling face seemed to mock him, reminding him of the trauma he had suffered at the hands of Patricia Smith. Ethan couldn't bear the thought of staying in Mexico any longer. He needed to escape, to get as far away as possible from the memories that haunted him. So, he booked his flight to Chicago to spend time with the only family he knew, Austin. As they walked through the beautifully manicured gardens of the rehab centre, Ethan felt a sense of calm wash over him. "I feel like a piece of meat, Austin," Ethan said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Those women, Patricia and her friend, they used me like I was nothing more than an object. They handcuffed me to the bed and...and..." Ethan's voice trailed off, unable to continue. Austin's expression turned grim. "What? That's outrageous! Why didn't you fight back? You're a strong guy, Ethan. You could have easily overpowered them." Ethan shook his head, feeling a wave of shame wash over him. "Patricia threatened to blow my head off, Austin. She implied that she had a gun, and I believed her. I was already in a bad place, financially and emotionally. I had used my house as collateral to get more money to complete a contract, but inflation had driven up the cost of materials, and I was struggling to make ends meet." Austin's eyes widened in shock. "Man, I had no idea it was that bad. Austin shook his head, his eyes filled with concern. "Man, there has to be a way out of this mess. Look at you, Ethan - you're wasting away. Every time I see you, I'm reminded of how far you've fallen. You're a shadow of your former self." Ethan bristled at Austin's words, his pride wounded. "Hey, watch it, Austin. I'm not some kind of meat, okay? Despite what I've been through, I'm still human." Austin held up his hands, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just...Mrs Smith must enjoy having you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Ethan sighed and looked at Austin, and they both burst into uncontrollable laughter. After they had managed to stop their bodies from vibrating from the strings of laughter, Ethan said, in a serious tone, “I know, man. But I don't know how to get out of this. Patricia Smith has me right where she wants me." Austin's expression turned determined. "I'll reach out to my network and see if anyone can help us take down Patricia Smith. We'll get you out of this, Ethan. I promise." They continue walking down the garden as Ethan is determined to enjoy this time in Chicago before facing his demon in Mexico in the new week. The evening was in full swing, with the soft glow of twinkling lights illuminating the luxurious living room that Aubrey had managed to turn into a party venue in downtown Chicago. The sound of classical music filled the air, with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald crooning their timeless tunes. The atmosphere was sophisticated and elegant, with guests mingling and chatting as they sipped their cocktails and savored the delicious meals. A stunning cake sat beautifully on a well-decorated table at the center of the room. The guest of honor, a lovely older woman, sat graciously, beaming with joy as she received congratulations and well-wishes from the other guests. Aubrey, the mastermind behind the surprise party, flitted about the room, ensuring every detail was perfect. Today, she chose to wear a long-sleeved body hug gown that accentuated her figure while allowing her room to move. She chose a flat sandal, even though Tiffany had suggested a heel, and she was glad she listened to her instinct. Although this was her first job after she had gone viral, and her friends had insisted she looked her best, she also needed to be comfortable to deliver optimally and be her best self. She was a whirlwind of energy, her bright smile and infectious laughter drawing people to her and her calm charm. As she continued to direct staff and put things in their place, she was stopped time and again by guests who couldn't help but compliment her on the party. "Lady! You've outdone yourself," one guest exclaimed. "This is the most beautiful party I've ever attended." Aubrey blushed, her eyes shining with pride. "Thank you so much," she said, graciously accepting the compliment. "I'm just glad everyone is having a good time." As the evening wore on, Aubrey was approached by Emily, a lovely older woman who was clearly a friend of the guest of honour. "Aubrey, this party is absolutely stunning," Emily said, her eyes scanning the room. "How long did it take you to plan?" Aubrey smiled, her mind racing back to the frantic two days she had spent pulling the party together. "It took me less than 48 hours, ma'am," she said. "I've found that the shorter the timeframe, the less likely the guest of honor is to suspect something." Emily nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That's very clever," she said. "My best friend is turning 58 soon, and I think she would love a surprise party. But she's not interested in celebrating until she turns 60, so this would be the perfect opportunity to surprise her." Aubrey's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love to help you plan a surprise party for your friend," she said, reaching into her bag for her business card. "Let's meet and discuss the details. I promise to make it a night to remember." As Emily took the card and smiled, Aubrey felt so happy at how far she had come. A few weeks ago, she was laid off and unemployed, and today she is right here, the boss of her own business and a social media sensation!.
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