Nicholas
Eight months ago
“Stephanie,” I mumble into the intercom, “could you come in here please?” I wanted to handle this detail myself. If I’m going to be working with this person every day, I need to vet her, not delegate it to someone else.
“Yes, Mr. Barnett. What can I do for you?” she asks, standing just inside the threshold of my office. Stephanie has been my office assistant for the last three years. She’s courteous, detail-oriented, and maintains a professional demeanor every single day. Her experience makes her the ideal assistant for me. She doesn’t take any crap from me and runs a tight ship. The fact she’s old enough to be my mother may add a tad bit of apprehension in defying her.
My current project is wrapping up, and I have press obligations to attend, which I’m dreading. My next project is in preproduction and needs my attention. I simply can’t attend to everything, despite my desire to handle things myself.
“Please call Marlene and ask her to contact me regarding the local designers for the Maine project. I won’t be able to make it to choose between the finalists,” I state, unhappy that I need to delegate this task. This is the first big production that I’m completely in control of, and I’m already failing.
“Of course, sir, right away.” She closes my door behind her.
Since I last checked, six more emails appeared in my inbox. The good news is that’s probably one-third of the overall total from the last few minutes. Stephanie screens my emails and only lets necessary ones through. I don’t know what I would do without her assistance. I scan the new arrivals and cull it down to three just as my phone rings.
“Good morning, Ellis. What’s up?” Marlene says, sounding chipper considering it’s quite early where she is in New York.
“Sorry for calling so early, but I’m not making it to New York for the final interviews tomorrow. I want to hire Miss Cavallaro for the Maine project. Her designs meet each of the requirements, are fashionable, and her budget isn’t outrageous. Please thank Miss Chen for her time and let her down easy.”
“I understand. Would you prefer I push the meeting so you can handle it yourself? I know you wanted to personally meet the costumer for this project,” Marlene replies.
“Thank you, but no. I need to get this decision handled. Plus, I’m sure Miss Cavallaro will need some time to prepare her plans and schedule to accommodate this project.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Marlene answers with a yawn.
“Thank you. Again, I apologize for calling so early.”
Ending the call, I lean back in my chair and exhale deeply. So far, selecting an unknown designer is the only major risk I’ve taken for this project. I have a seasoned director and supporting cast. I glance at the clock and rush out to dress for tonight’s press event. Thankfully, this is the last presser on my schedule for another ten months.
The lights are bright as I walk the red carpet toward my costar, Sophie Greene for tonight’s press event for the project we just completed. The public believes that Sophie and I are a couple. That’s so far from the truth. To maintain her cover, I pull her into my arms and kiss her cheek. Her gown perfectly coordinates with the tie and handkerchief my stylist selected for this event. I have no doubt her stylist and mine spoke before this event and every other event we’ve had together for this film. Sophie is in a committed relationship with a woman. However, her agent feels her career is too young and fragile to be honest about her sexual orientation. Unfortunately for me, that means I have been romantically linked with her since we started filming even though nothing ever has nor ever will happen between us.
“When will you and Sophie take your relationship to the next level?” a male reporter asks from my left.
“Sophie and I will decide the future of our relationship on our terms.” Hopefully, that will appease the press for a bit longer.
“Sophie, who are you wearing tonight?” a female reporter, also on our left, asks.
“It’s a designer named Naomi Smythe.” After a few more questions, we step inside the green room.
“Thank you. I’m sure you can’t wait to get rid of me,” she says close to my ear. Of course, there are flashbulbs going off the second she moves close enough to kiss me.
“It’s part of the business. How is Jolie?” I ask softly so only she can hear me.
“She’s fine. Upset that she can’t be here instead of you. No offense.”
“None taken.” I lead her to our seats for the advance screening of our movie. Thankfully, the rules prohibit cameras in the theater during the film premiere, so I don’t have to worry about my actions or body language quite so much. Neither does Sophie.
After viewing the film, we greet a few contest winners, then go our separate ways. I note the time and briefly consider hopping on a plane to New York to meet with the designers but decide against it. Marlene has her marching orders. She can deliver the message appropriately, or so I hope.
Kelly
Present day
Rolling to my side, I slap my alarm clock to shut it up. I must’ve been tired. Typically, I wake before my alarm even goes off. Throwing back the covers, I place my feet on my plush area rug. I bought it specifically for this reason. First thing in the morning, I want softness beneath my feet. I stretch and pad to the en suite bathroom to begin my day. Most of my home is comfy and quaint, but the master bath is something else. I poured an insane amount of money into this room.
The shower is huge with Carrera tile from floor to ceiling. A rainfall showerhead with wall jets provides more than enough scalding water. I also added a soaking tub that overlooks the backyard. After allowing the piping hot water to absorb into my tight shoulders, I step out of the shower and dress for the day.
Today is a big day; Kelsey is coming in for her first design session. I created a few draft designs for her based on the dresses she has already purchased from me. Creating a wedding gown is slightly different than one for a wedding guest or other social event.
“Morning, Billie,” I say, stepping into the design studio.
“Morning, Kel. Your latte is on your table,” she replies before resuming her sketch.
“Thanks.” I set my tote down alongside my table and take a long, slow sip of the caffeinated goodness. I pull out the designs for Kelsey and await her arrival. I’m nervous for this meeting. I have created custom wedding gowns for approximately . . .. Who am I kidding? I know the exact number—one hundred and thirty-six women. This is different. Kelsey is my friend, and she’s trusting me with this monumental moment in her life. When the chime above the door sounds, I inhale deeply before greeting Kelsey in the front of the shop.
“Hey there!” I say, hugging her close.
“Hey,” she replies.
Billie joins us, and they hug as well.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask her with a slight bit of giddiness in my voice.
“To get married, yes. To plan it and make all these decisions, not so much.” She sighs deeply.
“What’s going on, Kels?” I guide her to the plush white sofa in our wedding consultation area.
“There are so many things that could go wrong for us with this wedding. What if Melanie shows up again? Will and I don’t want a large wedding party. In fact, we don’t want wedding parties at all. That will make everyone angry because they feel they’re entitled, especially Gen. What about Mrs. Ramirez? Who will give me away?”
“Breathe, Kelsey.” I take her hand in mine as Billie scoots closer, placing her hand on Kelsey’s shoulder.
“Let’s tackle some of those issues one at a time,” I say, contemplating where to start.
“Okay.”
“Do you want to have a wedding party?”
“No,” she replies with conviction.
“Perfect. Does William want a wedding party?”
“No.”
“Great. What’s your concern with your future mother-in-law?”
“I don’t have anything for her to do. Should I have invited her today?”
“Let’s step back. What did Mari do at her wedding for her mother?” I ask, pushing Kelsey to think about how her future sister-in-law handled her own mother at her wedding.
“She didn’t have anything to do.”
“Good, there’s your answer. Why doesn’t William want to have the mother-son dance?”
“Because of me.” She hangs her head. This one hits me in the heart. Kelsey doesn’t know who her father is, and it’s likely neither does her mother, Melanie.
“Are you upset because you want him to have it, or because he’s willing to sacrifice it for you?”
“Damn, Kelly. You’re particularly good at this,” Kelsey says with a small smile. “I don’t want him to give it up for me. It’s just one more reason for his mother to dislike me. There’s no way Mrs. Ramirez will think he wants to skip it on his own.”
“Okay. What you really need to answer is who will give you away? Do you have someone in mind?”
“How do you always know, Kel? You’re exceptionally good at solving other people’s issues.”
“Thanks. Quit stalling.” I gently urge her to continue.
“There are really only four options: I walk alone, I ask Robert, Peter, or Grant. I see issues with Robert and Peter. Gen will be pissed if I ask Robert. She doesn’t approve of my impending marriage, so that pretty much eliminates him as an option. Honestly, I don’t even know if she’ll show up to our wedding after her behavior at Maggie’s wedding. I could ask Grant, but I’ve known him the shortest amount of time out of everyone. That leaves Peter and walking alone.”
“And?” I ask to push her along. This is difficult for her; I noticed it when Robert gave Maggie away at her wedding last year—well, her second wedding, but that’s a whole different story.
“I’m leaning toward asking Peter.” Kelsey looks over at Billie. I don’t see any reason for Billie’s feelings to factor in here. True, she and Peter are a couple, but he and Kelsey are family.
“If I may,” Billie interjects, “I know we haven’t known each other very long, but if you’re honest with yourself, who would you choose?”
“Thank you, Billie. You’re family now; you can say what you need to say. I’m going to keep thinking about it. Thanks, ladies, for talking it through with me. Now, let’s work on my dress.”
I gather my sketches and pull up the design tool on the computer for Kelsey to look at and tweak the designs I prepared. A half hour later, the phone rings.
“So Elegant, Billie speaking.” She motions for me to come to the phone.
“So Elegant, Kelly speaking.”
“Good afternoon, I’m calling on behalf of Marlene Greenfield’s office. Are you free to meet with her this evening?”
“Yes, I can meet with her. Where and when?” I jot down the details on a scrap of paper next to the phone before hanging up and pondering the call for a moment.
“What was that about?” Billie inquires.
“Marlene Greenfield wants to meet with me tonight.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“I’m honestly not sure. The project was supposed to start a few months ago. I stopped obsessing over it when I didn’t get the job.”
“Did her assistant indicate what she wanted?” Kelsey asks.
“No, she didn’t.” I move back to my seat to finish preliminary sketches with Kelsey before hurrying home to change for my meeting with Marlene.
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