The Billionaire's Deal

“Where is the final proposal?” Winnie Carter froze. Her eyes moved across the desk, then to the open laptop, then back to the empty space where the folder had been sitting only minutes ago. “It was right here.” Maya was already searching through the stack of documents. “It’s not here.” Winnie checked her bag. Nothing. Her stomach tightened. The bride’s mother was waiting in the conference room, and Winnie was supposed to present the final proposal in less than five minutes. This wasn't an ordinary wedding. It was the wedding of the only daughter of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the community. And this was the biggest opportunity Ever After Events had ever received. “Maya, check the car again.” “I already did.” “Then check everything.” Maya hurried away. Winnie stood there, staring at the empty desk. The missing folder contained her final budget, vendor selections, designs, and the detailed plan she had spent weeks preparing. Without it, she would have to present everything from memory. Her phone buzzed. A message from the bride’s mother appeared. I'm waiting. Winnie swallowed. She grabbed her laptop and straightened her jacket. She picked up the door handle. “If the proposal is missing, I'll present it without it.” She opened the conference-room door. The bride’s mother looked up immediately. Her eyes went straight to Winnie's empty hands. “Where is your proposal?” Winnie forced herself to remain calm. “I had the final copy with me when I walked in.” The bride’s mother glanced at the empty space beside Winnie. “And now you don't?” “No, ma'am.” Silence settled over the room. Winnie could feel Maya standing behind her, but she kept her attention on the woman across the table. “I can still take you through the entire proposal.” The woman studied her. “You have five minutes.” Winnie nodded and connected her laptop to the screen. The first design appeared. She began explaining the wedding concept and the details she had carefully planned around the bride's preferences. The bride’s mother interrupted her several times. “What happens if your florist cancels?” “I have a backup.” “And the catering?” “Two caterers are on standby.” “What about the decorations?” “I've chosen the best decorators available.” The woman leaned back. “You've thought about everything.” “I had to.” “I like what you've presented.” Relief rushed through Winnie. “But there is one thing I don't understand.” Winnie waited. “Your price.” Her stomach tightened again. “You're charging considerably less than the other event planners I've spoken to.” The woman looked directly at her. “Why?” “I wanted to give you value without adding costs that don't need to be there.” The bride's mother leaned back. “Value?” “Yes, ma'am.” “You understand that this is my daughter's wedding, not a small family gathering.” “I understand.” “My family doesn't compromise when it comes to important events.” “Neither do I.” The woman's eyes narrowed slightly. “Then why is your quotation lower?” Winnie took a breath. “Because I negotiated carefully with the vendors. I looked at what was actually necessary for the wedding instead of adding things simply because I knew you could afford them.” Maya remained quiet beside her. The bride's mother picked up the proposal again. “And you believe you can deliver everything you've promised for this amount?” “Yes.” There was no hesitation in Winnie's answer. The woman studied her for a long moment. “You're confident.” “I have to be.” A faint smile appeared on the woman's face. “Very well.” Winnie waited. “I've decided to give Ever After Events the wedding.” For a second, Winnie couldn't process the words. “Really?” “Yes.” Relief washed over her. “Thank you, ma'am. I promise you won't regret it.” The woman extended her hand. “I hope not.” Winnie shook it, smiling. But as she gathered her things, the woman added one final warning. “If anything goes wrong, Winnie, I won't hesitate to cancel the contract. The moment Winnie stepped outside the building, the excitement finally caught up with her. “We got it,” she whispered. Maya smiled. “You actually got it.” Winnie looked down at the contract folder in her hands. For years, she had imagined what it would feel like to land an event this important. Now it was real. But when she opened the contract again, her smile slowly faded. The bride’s mother had agreed to pay the main balance after the wedding. That meant Winnie would have to cover several expenses before then. She flipped through the pages. Everything had to be secured before the wedding day. Maya looked over her shoulder. “There are a lot of upfront costs.” “I know.” “Are you sure the company can handle it?” Winnie hesitated. She knew the answer. Barely. But she couldn't afford to show uncertainty now. “We'll manage.” She opened the vendor list. One name immediately caught her attention. The decorators. They were among the most sought-after in the city. Their work was exactly the standard Winnie wanted for the wedding. Maya noticed where she was looking. “They're expensive.” “They're the best.” “We could find someone cheaper.” Winnie shook her head. “No.” She closed the folder. “I promised the bride's mother that her daughter would get something extraordinary.” Maya studied her. “And you're willing to spend that much?” Winnie looked at the contract. “I have to.” Her phone was already in her hand. She opened the decorator's contact. Before she could press call, a thought stopped her. Then pressed Call. The decorator answered on the fourth ring. “Hello?” “Good afternoon. This is Winnie Carter from Ever After Events. I’m calling about the wedding we discussed.” “Yes, I remember.” Winnie smiled. “I've just secured the contract. I want to confirm the booking and arrange the payment.” There was a brief pause. “Of course. I'll send the payment details.” Winnie relaxed. “Thank you.” She quickly opened her notebook. “How much do you need upfront?” “The full amount.” Winnie's smile disappeared. “The full amount?” “Yes. We can't hold the date without full payment.” She glanced at Maya. The amount was far higher than she had available. “Would it be possible to pay half now and the balance later?” “I'm afraid not.” Winnie closed her eyes briefly. The bride's mother wasn't paying the main balance until after the wedding. That meant Winnie had to find the money herself. “I understand,” she said quietly. After ending the call, Maya looked at her. “How much?” Winnie turned the notebook toward her. Maya's eyes widened. “That much?” Winnie nodded. “I don't have it.” “Then don't do it. “I'll find it.” “Winnie” She picked up her phone again. Her hands trembled slightly as she searched for someone she could ask for a loan. She hated borrowing money. But losing the decorators wasn't an option. After several calls, she finally found someone willing to lend her enough to cover the payment. It came with interest. It was more debt than she had planned to take on. But Winnie didn't allow herself to think about that. She opened the payment details the decorator had sent. Maya watched silently as Winnie entered the amount. “Are you sure about this?” Maya asked. Winnie hesitated. “I have to be.” She confirmed the transfer. PAYMENT SUCCESSFUL. She released a breath. The decorators were secured. The wedding was finally moving forward. Winnie smiled, unaware that the decision she had just made would cost her far more than money. Across from her, Maya's phone buzzed. She glanced down. A message from her younger sister. Did she pay them? Maya looked at Winnie. Winnie was still smiling at the payment confirmation. Maya typed a reply. Yes. Another message came almost immediately. Good. Now we can begin. Maya locked her phone. Then she turned back to Winnie with the same supportive smile she always wore. “Everything is going to be fine.” Winnie smiled back.