She is so dead.
It was a PR disaster, but since it was modern times dominated by social media, disasters could turn out to be a good thing. The next day, the video captured on the cellphone of a guest garnered 50,000 views and 3,000 thumbs-up, 400 thumbs-down.
“Well, at least we got the publicity we needed.” Maxine boasted the next day.
“We don’t need that kind of publicity, Maxine. Not like that.” Was Lucy a fool to leave the agency to Maxine? But who else was enthusiastic about continuing her aunt's dream?
“Okay, you can plan the next one,” Maxine chimed in. “It’s Mr. and future Mrs. Smithson. And they want a simple garden wedding. Nothing fancy. Just beautiful. Paradisiacal.”
“Okay, good. When are they getting married?” Lucy took her notepad and grabbed her pen as they sat in her office.
“This one’s a rush job. Two weeks time.”
“Fine. I’ll be in charge. No one else.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Thank God this will be the last wedding I will have to plan, Lucy thought.
She was all too grateful for this day to come. The sun shone bright in the blue sky. It was much warmer than previous fall days. She was glad for that. Mr. and Mrs. Smithson would be so happy. She had met them last week for the first time since Maxine originally managed them and they seemed so sweet and appreciative.
Right. The checklist.
Lucy glanced down at her notepad and clipboard in her hand. She’d already spent the morning and last two days obsessively checking the wedding day forecast. It was forecast to be a cloudless fall day. An unseasonably warm day, at that!
Lucky for the Smithsons.
I wish it were me getting married.
A longing so sharp and painful settled inside Lucy’s heart but she tried to squash the thought. It was a good thing this would be her last planned wedding.
She confirmed securing necessary permits, as well as a backup for the wedding ceremony and reception in case it rained unexpectedly. Catering was organized. Easy access to bathroom facilities was checked and so was access to parking. The sound system was checked by the DJ and they had a hard surface for the dance so that lady guests would not get their heels stuck in the grass. Not like that last “twerking” wedding disaster weeks ago.
Lucy drew in a deep breath. She glanced around her surroundings. It was breathtaking. A gorgeous Edenic garden nestled near a wooded area outside of Toronto belonging to a rich owner who was generous enough to allow them to use the facilities. Maxine located the venue when the Smithsons requested a specific setting. The trees looked angelic decorated with warm fairy lights that created an inviting ambiance. So romantic. So soothing to the senses. Flowers of every kind decorated the area and lined the aisle leading up to the makeshift altar. Lace curtains were also present. It was spectacular. Lucy spun around and froze.
She caught the silhouette of a tall, well-built man in a suit near one of the trees.
Antonio Romero?
No. It couldn’t be. What was he doing there? If this was his property, she would be leaving like right now.
She started to walk away.
Perhaps it was her imagination. She’d been working so hard these past few days, training Maxine to take over while planning this wedding, amongst other things.
“Lucy,” Antonio’s deep, rich silky voice called out to her from afar and she stopped. Her breath was labored, her heart pounded hard, fast, erratically in her chest. She thought it would explode.
She spun around on her heels. The look of disdain evident on her face.
“I guess I deserve that,” he said moving closer to her. He seemed so much better looking than she had remembered but there was a five o’clock bad-boy shadow that gave him edge she’d never seen him sporting before.
“I should have called you before today.” A grin touched the corner of his lips as he stood before her. His voice, low and deep.
“Should have called me?” Lucy could barely contain herself. “You left me that stupid email breaking up with me a month ago… I don’t even think we should talk right now. I…I have a wedding to arrange.”
“I’m sorry about the email, but I fired Mariam.”
“What? What? What are you talking about, Antonio?” Lucy’s head was spinning. None of it made sense. “What on earth does Mariam have to do with any of this?”
“It was she who sent you that breakup email from my account. As my personal assistant she had access to send messages on my behalf. Unfortunately, I didn’t know until your friend Maxine contacted me recently. Apparently you shared that information with her about the message.”
Lucy froze.
She was speechless.
So it was Mariam who was the culprit.