Love On Contract

“Someone tell me why you're all moving around like snails. My grandma works faster.” I trailed behind Dahlia as she bustled about the event hall, trying to soak in as much of her knowledge as I could. The woman could be a bit of a hard ass but she knew how to rally the workers. “Mario, get the arches set up. Ivana, where are my damn vases?” She spun around and glanced up at me from behind her thick glasses. “The flowers, where are they?” I barely stopped myself from slamming into her. “Yes, they're on the way.” “Good,” she said, spinning on her heel and scurrying away. “Ma'am,” I called, racing after her, “I called in a favour and got them to throw in an extra shipment of cherry blossoms. I thought it'd be on theme with th–” “You did what?” she spat, glaring at me. Oh no. I felt like I'd stepped on a landmine and any sudden movement would send my flying in every direction. “I–I thought it would be more on theme.” “So you thought you'd go behind my back?” She inched closer to me. “Undermine my authority?” The room, loud with activity just a few seconds before had slowed to a deafening silence. I could hear the sound of my heart pounding against my ribcage. “No, no I… I just wanted–” “To take my job right?” She was so close I could probably smell the coffee on her breath. “Go ahead then. Since you know what's best now. What next, madam Regina?” I bowed my head to avoid her withering gaze. “I'm sorry ma'am. It won't happen again.” “It better not. I hired you to assist me, not take over my duties.” She glanced around at all the prying eyes. “If I have to tell all of you to get back to work one more time…” The silent room erupted into pandemonium. I imagined they didn't want to end up being yelled at by the big boss herself. I got a few sympathetic nods as I trailed in the wake of Dahlia's menacing aura, waiting on her for my next task. I tried writing things down but my hands were shaking, making a mess all over the page. I couldn't believe my ambition almost made me lose my job. How could I have been so stupid? I couldn't afford to lose my job at all. Not with all my bills, not with mom and dad retired. I had to be more careful from then on. “That reminds me, we need more walkie-talkies. Go get some. Here.” She handed me the company credit card. “Be quick about it.” As I watched her walk away, I wanted to tell her I didn't know where to get walkie-talkies. We were in the highbrow area of town; an area I never had any reason to be in. I might as well have been an alien on earth for the first time. Think, Reggie. I pulled out my phone and scrolled over to Google. The beauty of technology never ceases to amaze me. One search was all it took and I was off to the races. I got in the Uber I'd ordered and stuck in my earphones not wanting to risk an unwanted conversation. All I wanted was a second of attention from her so I could show her my potential and I got humiliated for my troubles. My eyes stung but I blinked back the tears threatening to spill over. What are you, 12? Getting yelled at wasn't the end of the world. Besides, I guess I had to pay my dues somehow. I was getting paid to basically shadow one of the greatest Event Planners in my city, I don't think I had much to complain about. I just had to show her what I could offer somehow. The Uber breezed through the clean streets of the rich people neighbourhood. I couldn't explain it but even the streets looked pompous. Like it was swept and polished multiple times a day. Not many cars travelled the roads but when there was one, it was one that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie; something I knew I would never be able to afford. Oh well, I don't – My head slammed into the driver's headrest as the car came to a screeching halt. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I was still reeling from the impact but the driver's booming voice snapped me awake. Through the windshield, I was what could have either been a practical joke or divine intervention. “Get out of the road, you i***t,” the driver yelled, trying to drive around the drunk man staggering back and forth in front of us. “Wait, wait,” I called, jumping out of the car and rushing to the groom of the rehearsal dinner my boss was planning. He was too disoriented to speak. He probably didn't know he'd just been brushed by death. I pulled him towards the back of the car and opened the door. “Hey, hey, what are you doing–” “Look, he's my friend, alright?” I said firmly to the driver. “I need to get him home, please.” He regarded the drunk man for a while before glancing back at me. “If he pukes, you're paying for it.” I thanked him and gave him the address to my house. Unfortunately for me, it was quite a distance and the fare was insane. Fortunately for me, I'd found the groom and when I took him back to the event centre and saved the bride from the heartache of a jilted groom, Dahlia would have to give me a chance. I was so excited, it didn't register to me that I'd basically kidn*pped this guy off the road. I'd only seen him in pictures but dear lord. He kind of looked like if Brad Pitt was actually handsome, chiseled jawline and all. My heart fluttered just from being so close to him. I watched him slosh around, bumping into me every so often. His head came to rest on my shoulders and I thought I'd explode. I ran my hand through his hair, soft and luscious. “You friend, huh,” the driver said. I pulled my hand away and shot him a dirty look. “How about you watch the road?” We got to my apartment building and I struggled to pull him out. The driver wasn't any help, watching me heave and ho, bracing him against the trunk before retrieving my bag. “Good luck,” he said as he sped off, making the drunk moron fall on his ass. Great, I have to drag him to his feet again. After what seemed like forever, I got him through my door and onto my couch. I checked the time, I'd been gone for almost thirty minutes. Dahlia would be on my ass soon enough. Panting like I'd just run a marathon, I trudged to my kitchen, retrieving a cold bottle of water from the fridge. I downed it when I heard a retch from my living room. My eyes grew wide as I sprinted to my bathroom to get a bucket. I wasn't really keen on cleaning up some strangers vomit off my floor. He seemed to still be in dreamland when got back with the bucket, placing it on the floor next to him. I hadn't even thought about my situation. What was my plan? Would I just show up with him and hope for the best? I realized I was only thinking about myself but what would make a man get blind drunk on a day that was supposed to be happy for him? Maybe he didn't want to get married and I'd be ruining his plans? I jumped at the jarring sound of my ringtone. “Where are you?” Dahlia screamed. “It's just walkie-talkies for Christ sake.” “I'm sorry ma'am. I'm on my way ba–” The line went dead. I glanced at the intoxicated man sprawled on my couch and knew he was in no condition to attend this event. I got the spare walkie-talkies from the last event from my closet and ran out the door. I could only hope he didn't try to steal anything before I got back. I mean, the guy's father is a billionaire so what could I possibly have that he'd want? **** “Where is– “I'm here ma'am,” I said, trying to catch my breath with a heavy box in my arms. “Welcome back, only took you forever.” She rolled her eyes. “Pass them out to the crew, you can handle that, can't you?” It sucked paying my dues this way. I went round distributing the walkie-talkies when out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that made me freeze. The man I'd left in my apartment was walking around, grinning ear to ear and greeting the guests, fully coordinated as if he wasn't stumbling drunk just a few minutes ago. So many questions filled my head and I wondered what magic he'd performed. I made a beeline for him, seeking the answers that would plague my mind if they went unresolved until I bumped into him, dropping the box and its contents in the process. His eyes widened when they landed on me. “Might want to watch where you're going instead of my face. I know I'm good looking but come on.” He knelt and helped me pick up my stuff strewn all around. “You know, a pretty girl like yourself shouldn't be doing so much work,” The goofy smirk he had made my skin crawl. “You should let a man take care of you, spoil you…” he trailed off. I followed his eye to the blonde missile hurtling towards us. “Tristan, what are you doing?” The bride asked. She glanced at me, her eyes narrowed to slits. “Let the help do her job.” She said through gritted teeth before dragging him away. I wasn't sure what rattled me more; the fact that he didn't recognize me or that tried hitting on me at his own rehearsal dinner. After that, the night went by in a haze. The air was filled with all sorts of expensive scents, the guests oozed grace in their elegant attires. It was all intimidating so I opted to stay in the back with the setup crew until the rehearsal dinner was over. Once it's ended I was back behind Dahlia again, hustling to do everything she asked lest I get another round of scolding. “Dahlia!” Someone called. “Sweetheart, thank you for all of this.” The air of rigidity about her dissolved and she became the most endearing, loveable version of herself; the customer service persona. “Oh Debbie, it's my pleasure,” she said, pecking each side of the bride's cheek. “I'm glad you liked it.” She glanced at me and for a second, grimaced before turning her attention back to Dahlia. “Oh, I loved it. And the cherry blossoms… I don't know why I didn't think of that but it was such a nice touch.” Ignoring the icy glare she'd given me, my ears perked. Finally, I was going to get some recognition. It was a bright idea after all. “Oh, yes. I thought about it last minute. It seemed so on theme there was no way I couldn't add it.” My hopes crashed before me and my heart sank. Why would she take credit for it? Did she forget it was my idea? That must be it. The stress of planning the whole event must have gotten to her. I couldn't be mad at my boss for taking credit. I learned all I knew from her so technically, it was her idea. They said they're farewells and the bride left bumping me in the shoulder as she passed by. “Oh, and Dahlia,” she said, turning around. “This one” – she pointed at me – “was flirting with my husband instead of doing her job. I love your work but I don't appreciate such nonsense.” My heart pounded a drum beat as I watched her go. I turned wide-eyed to look at my boss and she was red faced, glowering at me. “Ma'am, I didn't –” “I swear if you make me lose this gig, I will make your life a living hell. Get out of my sight,” she seethed. It felt like the whole world was against me. I hated that woman so much. Her husband hit on me and somehow that was my fault? If the ice I was on with Dahlia got any thinner, I'd be plunged into the abyss of unemployment. I felt the blood drain from my face. Twice in the same day, I'd come close to losing my job. I would beg on my knees if I had to. **** I was aching to the bones as I slumped onto my couch. The bucket was gone; I assumed he'd dumped it into the toilet, probably splattering it everywhere. Great, more work. I dragged my weary self off the couch not wanting to leave any work for the next morning. I figured that I might as well take a shower and started stripping off my sweaty clothes. The sound of running water caught my ears. Last time I checked, I lived alone. The hair in the back of my neck stood on end. I skulked towards my closet and took out my aluminium bat. The water had stopped running. I slinked deeper into my apartment, daring to place an ear against the bathroom door. Was I hearing things? I couldn't have been that stressed, could I? Footsteps. I pulled the bat back as far as I could and swung with all my might at the man stepping out of my bathroom in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. He ducked out of the way and sprang towards my bed, causing the dry wall to cave in on impact. All my bravado evaporated and the bat clanged against the floor as he rushed towards me, grabbing my arms and pinning them behind my head. Hot tears poured down my face. How stupid was I? I should have run. I should have screamed for help. My body rocked with heart-wrenching sobs as he covered my mouth with a big hand. “Calm down,” he whispered. I couldn't. This was the end. “Relax ok?” He pulled back and adjusted the towel that had dipped, giving a partial view of his soft package. Maybe it was the adrenaline coursing through my veins but I felt a tingling between my legs. I wiped the tears from my eyes and finally recognised him. It was the groom.