Eclipsed by Destiny

Chapter 3: First (Disastrous) Meeting

Being well-organised was something Kate Harper had always taken pride in. Nothing had ever been left to chance in her life, not even her personal matters, her family, or her business. Everything ran smoothly because of this degree of control, or so she wanted to believe. She hardly looked at the sender before pressing the screen to read the email when her phone buzzed with a notice at exactly 9:15 AM on a Thursday morning.

Subject: Today at 2:00 PM, we have an important client meeting!

As Kate read the little note, a shiver went down her spine:

"Hello Kate, I hope everything is good. Just a friendly reminder that today's meeting at Luna's Bistro is scheduled at 2:00 PM. My assistant and I will be there to talk about the forthcoming event. Bring the proposal along with any last-minute information you would like to go over. Anticipating your visit!

Best regards,

Ted Montgomery”

Kate felt her heart race faster. The last person she wanted to see today, or any day for that matter, was Ted Montgomery. He was a notoriously challenging client who was prone to last-minute adjustments, demanding, and unpredictable. Despite their previous tense exchanges, he always found a way to reintroduce her into his frantic schemes.

Luna's Bistro. It had been years since she had visited. She had actually been on a terrible blind date the last time she had entered the restaurant. An disagreement over the menu, awkward silences, and the humiliating moment when she spilt wine all over her lap had made the date a total catastrophe. She would want to forget the experience, but it appeared that fate was intended to bring it all back.

However, there was no escape. Ted had to meet her. Luna's Bistro would have to do because she was forced to confront him.

As the minutes passed, the clock appeared to be ticking more quickly, and before Kate realised it, it was time to head out to the meeting. Pulling her proposal folder from her desk, she put on a clean blouse and her favourite black blazer. Already, the nerves were beginning to get to them. Ted consistently managed to knock her off her game, even though she had done innumerable profitable deals and met with numerous high-profile clientele. The way he made her feel like she was always walking a tightrope was something special.

The stress in Kate's shoulders increased with every minute as she drove in the direction of Luna's Bistro. In an attempt to concentrate on the task at hand, she tightened her hold on the steering wheel, but her thoughts kept returning to the previous time she had visited. She remembered the awkward stillness, the difficult chat, and the time she had knocked over her red wine glass by accident.

Kate, don't consider it. Your purpose is to conduct commerce. Pay attention to your work.

After parking her car, she proceeded towards the entrance, smoothing down her blouse. The aroma of freshly baked bread and herbs filled the air as she walked into Luna's Bistro, but she couldn't help but think of her previous visit. She dismissed them, telling herself that today was about landing a deal with one of her most significant clients, not about her previous errors.

There weren't many customers inside the bistro, and it was quiet. At the rear, she saw Ted sitting at a corner table with a man she thought was his helper. Ted smiled broadly as he rose up to greet her, looking up and waving.

"Kate! It's good to see you," he remarked, raising his voice over the level required. He spoke in that manner, as if he felt that everyone in his vicinity was somehow lucky to be in his company. Kate smiled artificially and held out her hand.

She tried to maintain a level voice as she said, "Good to see you too, Ted." "I hope all is well with you."

As Kate sat down across from Ted, Ted's assistant, a young woman with black hair drawn back into a sleek ponytail, smiled politely at her.

The assistant said, "Hello, Kate." "My name is Emily. Good to meet you.

Kate put her folder on the table and nodded, her smile unwavering. It's good to meet you too, Emily. Should we begin?"

Ted smiled. Yes, without a doubt. Let's get started.

Naturally, though, things didn't work out the way Kate had hoped.

The first fifteen minutes were quite typical; Ted reviewed a number of notes and made adjustments to the event proposal that Kate had been working on for weeks. She expected some back and forth, but she wasn't prepared for Ted to start picking apart every little detail and ruining the plan she had spent so much time creating. He doubted every supplier, every schedule, every idea she had put forth. Ted was obviously never satisfied with anything.

"Kate, this venue concept is really ridiculous. I believed we were in agreement that we required something more luxurious, more... Ted remarked, "luxurious," with a hint of irritation in his voice.

Kate's hand gripped her pen more tightly. "Ted, after researching a few locations, I've decided that this one best suits your requirements. It fits your desired motif and is within your budget.

"Money?Ted sneered. Who gives a damn about the budget? Here, we want to leave a lasting impression, not put together a cheesy event.

Kate sensed the escalation of the frustration. Nothing she did appeared to be sufficient, and she had experienced this with him before. She made an effort to remain composed and serene. She was the expert here, after all.

Kate continued steadily, "Listen, Ted. I know you're worried, but I've already taken care of everything. Even with a limited budget, we can still produce something amazing. All we need to do is make strategic decisions.

"Strategic?Ted rolled his eyes and repeated. "Strategic? All you're doing is attempting to justify yourself. Kate, we need more choices. More, more, more!"

Kate's pulse was pounding as she tightened her teeth. She detested meetings like this one because of Ted's incessant demands, his incapacity to decide, and his total disdain for the facts.

Kate swallowed her irritation and answered, "All right." "Let's discuss some alternative options."

But as the discussion went on, it became more and more obvious that Ted was only seeking something to criticise, not answers. Before Kate could complete her explanation, every notion she put out was struck down. She was aware that she was running out of patience, but she persisted. This project had too much riding on it.

Ted, obviously unhappy with the route the conversation had taken, finally threw his serviette onto his plate and sank back in his chair after what seemed like an age.

His voice became unexpectedly icy as he continued, "Kate, I don't think this is going to work." "You're simply not complying with my request. I need someone who can take chances and think creatively.

Kate’s breath caught in her throat. “Ted, I’m giving you exactly what you asked for. If you want to make changes, we can certainly discuss that, but we need to be realistic about what’s possible.”

"Realistic? You know what? I think I'll just take my business elsewhere. I'm done with this," Ted said, squinting his eyes.

As she battled to maintain her composure, the words struck her like a blow to the gut. She had done everything correctly and had put a lot of effort into this proposal, but it wasn't enough—not for him. She felt the room spin.

Kate had to grit her teeth to say, "Well, if that's what you want, then I respect your decision."

She rose up, her hands shaking as she gathered her stuff. Emily glanced at her sympathetically, but there was little she could do. Ted's decision was already made.

Kate remarked icily, "I'll have my assistant send you the finalised documents." "Goodbye, Ted."

Kate felt like a failure as she left Luna's Bistro. It didn't matter in the end, despite her best efforts to make this meeting work and to appease Ted's unreasonable demands. It didn't.

She tried to relax herself, breathing sharply as she went out into the cool afternoon air. In just a few hours, everything that she had worked so hard to put together had come crashing down.

The disappointment weighed down on her as she leaned against the side of her automobile. The sense of failure, the sense of inadequacy, was not unfamiliar.

However, her phone buzzed in her pocket as she stood there fighting back tears. She took it out and looked at the screen.

Jake had left a message.

Jake: "Hey, I wanted to check in. What is the status of the meeting?"

Kate gazed at the message for a while, feeling both tired and frustrated. She had just left an emotionally taxing meeting, and now she had to deal with Jake's nonchalant SMS. His message, however, weakened her resolve in some way.

She typed a rapid response.

Kate: “It didn’t go well. But thanks for checking in. I believe I need some time off.

Her phone buzzed almost instantly again.

Jake: "I'm available if you want to talk or just let out some steam. Tell me if you require anything.

Kate felt a tiny glimmer of comfort for the first time in hours. Perhaps she didn't have to do it all by herself. Perhaps she didn't need to be flawless all the time.

With a smile on her face, she inhaled deeply before starting the car and driving home. Perhaps she wasn't as isolated as she believed.