9.
HONEYMOON:
A passionate period following a newfound love or relationship.
A period of harmony.
It was Bryan and Geena’s first month anniversary. I know not because I was keeping tabs, or because I received an invitation for another celebration. I doubt they’ll be inviting me to any special occasions in their lives anymore. I could care less. I know it’s their first month anniversary because that’s how long I have been smiling for real.
I had successfully stopped myself from thinking about Bryan and the what ifs and what could have beens. I knew things happen for a reason and someday, I would be thankful that they happened that way.
I was beginning to smile more… and for real. Especially when I looked at the ring on my finger and remembered that I made one wonderful guy a promise that I would allow myself to be healed. That I would believe in ‘ever after’s again.
Whenever my mother called she asked about Ryder. I had to indulge her with made-up stories. And then when she made an attempt to see the two of us together, I said that Ryder was quite busy with a new bar that he’s putting up and he may not be available any time soon. It always seemed to work… so far.
I didn’t see Ryder again, but I wanted to. I was hanging out at Oil Rig with my friends, always on the lookout for him.
“He really got under your skin, didn’t he?” John asked me once.
“No. I just wanted to see him and ask him how he is,” I lied. In truth, I think Ryder really did get under my skin that night I got under the sheets with him. Well, of course, who forgets their first? Maybe the types like Geena do, but I’m nothing like her. I had a momentary lapse of values; I gave in to one night of wonderful passion with my knight in shining Armani. How is that easy to forget?
“Why don’t you call him then?” he asked.
I did try to call Ryder. Once a day, I would stare at his number on my phone, make up a conversation in my head. I thought I would start by asking if he’s on duty at Oil Rig tonight and then conveniently plan a night out there with my friends so I could run into him. But I always chickened out. And so far, once a week, I have been with my friends at Oil Rig, and he was never there. It made me wonder if he still worked there. But I was too afraid to ask his fellow bartenders.
“I can’t believe he refused to accept the ten grand,” Dannie said. “He could use it.” I wondered the same thing too. “Unless, you slept with him and he felt guilty about taking the money.”
Somehow, that comment irritated me so much that I wanted to slap Dannie across the face. But I prevented myself from doing so because I knew that it bothered me because… it was the truth. Sometimes, I think that maybe he didn’t take the money because he already took so much from me.
He may not be rich, but Ryder was a stand-up guy. He was a gentleman and that made me admire him all the more. So much more that it made me feel guilty about sleeping with him. If it weren’t for that, he would have taken the money, and there was no reason for him not to. He needed it as much as I did. Especially after renting an expensive suit, an expensive car, and a luxury hotel room.
I stared at the ring on my finger again. Well, at least the ring didn’t cost him much. Still, I knew it cost him a couple of bucks, while he got nothing from me. Well, just my virginity.
I had been trying to look for a new job, but somehow, the job market was not hiring people with my skills. I was already beginning to feel restless. Pretty soon, all the money I had set aside would be gone.
“You can always come back and ask Fiona to give you your job back,” Nicole said to me.
“I made her a millionaire, Nic. And she treated me like crap, not even giving me some consideration since she knew what I have been going through anyway!” I said.
“Pride!” Dannie rolled his eyes. “Are you happy to live off Adam’s charity for the rest of your life?”
I sighed. “I’ll find something soon.”
When I got home that night though, I realized I was not as confident as I thought I was. Moreover, I realized that I was slowly getting scared. Weddings had been my life and if I didn’t believe in dreams coming true or in ever afters, I don’t have anything.
I was sitting at Adam’s deck, drinking light beer when he joined me.
“How’s my favorite cousin doing?”
I groaned. “I’m still a bum as you can see. Nothing seems to be available in the market. I mean, weddings are lucrative, but these companies are not hiring at the moment. One wanted me so much, but felt I was overqualified. I told them I’m fine with starting at the bottom; they said they couldn’t do that to me. Sure! They would rather have me living in the streets!”
He took a deep breath. Then he said to me, “I have a client...”
“Sure you do! Congratulations,” I said dryly.
He snorted. “Listen before you comment please.”
I giggled. “Alright, fine. Attorney Adam Ackers, you have a client, and so?”
“He wanted to invest in something,” Adam said. And for the first time, I thought he was having some difficulty in composing his sentences.
“If you want my advice, Adam… I can’t give you any. I’m struggling with my own life as it is.”
“What happened to listen first before you comment?” he asked in an irritated tone.
“Alright, fine!” I giggled.
Adam took a deep breath and then he said. “He… has some extra cash, and he didn’t want to put it in a bank or on time deposit. He wanted to invest in a business venture, which he thinks is lucrative, but he doesn’t have any idea about it. He asked me if I knew someone who knows how to manage the business.”
I stared blankly at Adam, waiting for him to finish his story. He stared back at me.
“Now, what?” I asked.
He sighed. “It’s wedding planning.”
“Oh!” I said, realizing now why he is telling me all this.
“Interested?”
“To work for him? Yes!” I said excitedly.
“Not just work for him, Astrid,” Adam said. “He wants no part in managing it. He’s just the capitalist. He needs a partner who will start the business, manage it, and work on it. An industrial partner. He will be the main owner, but he needs someone to do the dirty work. And he needs someone who has a lot of experience in this industry; who knows this business from top to bottom. Who already has contacts out there, and possibly who has a good track record in this type of business.”
I couldn’t feel my legs, literally. My hands were shaking and I could actually hear my heart pounding against my chest.
“Adam, Adam! Are you kidding me?”
Adam took a gulp of his beer. “I wish I was,” he murmured.
“Oh, my God! But that is huge!”
Adam nodded. “You’re not scared, are you? I mean, I thought you were pretty good.”
“I think I am! But I haven’t managed a firm before!”
“But you did do weddings before.”
“It’s my life, Adam. I made Fiona rich!”
“Well then now, make somebody else rich! Including yourself.”
My hands went to my face and I could feel how hot my face was.
“I don’t know if I can do it! I don’t know if I can make it that big!”
Adam reached for my hand and squeezed it.
“You have nothing to lose, Astrid.”
“Except your investor’s money,” I said nervously.
“In that case, you should be glad I’m your lawyer,” he grinned.
I sighed. It was a lot to think about. “Can I sleep on it first?”
Adam looked at me as if I was out of my mind. “This is a golden opportunity, Astrid. What is there to think about?” he asked.
I sighed. “This is too huge, Adam! I know I can do all the wedding stuff, but I don’t know if I can do all the managing! It’s just a lot.”
Adam reached out for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I believe in you, Ash. I’ve seen Geena’s wedding. It was lovely. You have what it takes. I just wish you’d had more courage to step up, take some risks. Explore the world, Ash. It’s big enough.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow morning.”
I couldn’t sleep that night. Yesterday, I would have taken any job! Didn’t matter if it was making tea for the office secretary. Now, I was being offered the chance of a lifetime! And I didn’t know what I was going to do about it! It was as exhilarating as it was terrifying!
I remembered Ryder. He did encourage this dream. He told me that I had the experience; I had the contacts, the skills, and the knowledge. I didn’t have the capital then. But now an opportunity just presented itself. Could I let it pass? Was I strong enough? Was I mature enough for that kind of responsibility?
When I fell asleep that night, I pictured a wedding, one in the middle of a resort. Lighted balloons were floating on the shore, giving the entire shoreline a bright light. Guests were gathered in the middle of the venue. There was so much merriment; the place looked magical. There were flowers everywhere.
I saw myself in the corner. I was wearing a peach dress. I was looking at the place contentedly. I heard the bride and the groom say their thank yous to the guests.
“And to Astrid… thank you. For making the beginning of our ‘ever after’ so magical and wonderful,” they said to me.
I woke up from that dream with a big smile on my face. I knew that in spite of the pain I still somehow felt when I thought about Bryan and Geena, I was not the type of girl who refused to believe in ever afters. I will always believe in that. And I will always come up with magical ideas to make dream weddings come true.
I stood up from my bed with renewed energy. I took a quick shower, had my breakfast and then gave Adam a call at his office.
“He’s in a meeting. Can I ask him to call you back?” his secretary asked.
“Alright.”
I paced the living room back and forth. I went to the deck, holding the cordless phone in my hand. I anxiously looked at my cell to see if Adam opted to call me there instead.
After fifteen minutes and I had not heard from Adam yet, I dialed his cell number from my cellphone.
It took four rings before he finally answered.
“Have you decided yet?” he asked.
“You didn’t call me back!” I said in a demanding tone.
“Oh, I am sorry, Ma’am, but some of us have to make a living so we can keep the apartment that you are living in.”
I groaned. “Okay, fine.” I took a deep breath. “So, what are the terms of this… offer? Do I get to meet this guy? Do I give him my CV? Will he interview me first?”
“Well, I have already given him your CV.”
“How did you get a copy of my CV?”
“You used my laptop and printer, didn’t you?”
“Oh, right,” I grunted. “So, what did he say?”
“Well, as his executor, I have the power to hire and fire people for him. So basically, he’s leaving the decision up to me. But I need to submit reports to him on a monthly basis. We need to hire a good accountant for this. He is just interested in your expenses and your revenue. The only two figures he will look at.”
“B—but Adam… you know that we might spend a lot at first to put up the business, do the registrations, rent out an office, buy some furniture, hire one or two assistants just to get the operation going. The business will not start making money until after six months or maybe even a year.”
“He understands that. That is also up to me to justify,” Adam said. “Don’t mess this up, Astrid! Or we’re both going to be fired! I’m handling so many of this guy’s investments, I can’t afford to lose my biggest client.”
I giggled nervously. “I know, I know! Too much pressure already, Adam!”
“I believe in you, Ash,” he said quietly. Then he sighed. “Anyway, the funds will be transferred to my account next week. You can start planning. I’ll take a look at it and see what you’re missing. I’ll take care of setting up the business name and getting the business licenses. For the first twelve months of your job, you’ll be getting a fixed fee although you will own thirty percent of the company. After twelve months, you’ll have the right to forty percent of the company’s profit.” Then he gave me the amount of my monthly allowance. “Good enough for you?”
I couldn’t breathe. It was… fifty percent more than what I used to earn with Fiona. Next year, I’d have the same amount plus forty percent of the total profits? So it all depended on how big I could make it in one year.
“Are you still there, Astrid?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I breathed. “That’s perfect, Adam!”
“Good. And you’ll have full hiring and firing powers. I’m the only one who has the right to fire you though.”
I laughed. “I won’t let you down, Adam.”
He chuckled, “I’ll draw up the papers so you can sign them when I get home.”
Because I still couldn’t believe it was all happening, I stood up from my seat and I let out a loud shriek.
***
It had been a busy week for me. I spent most of my time at home, drawing up the proposal to submit to Adam. I hadn’t done a whole organizational chart before, but I was glad to learn new things.
At the beginning, I intended to have one assistant. I could train her. We would put up our own website to give information about our company and our services. It was going to be difficult not having a gallery of previous jobs, but I knew we’d get there soon.
I needed to reestablish my ties with suppliers, photographers, videographers, couture, caterers, hotel managers, and resort owners. I didn’t have bad blood with any of them so I figured that would be easy.
The toughest job would be finding the right place. Fiona’s office was in a small building downtown. I had never liked the location because the streets around that area were crowded. It’s tough to find parking and the office was not conducive for planning weddings.
I wanted a place somewhere in a quiet neighborhood that was easier to locate, with plenty of parking space, with a peaceful atmosphere.
By the end of the week, I was done with my initial proposal to Adam. He asked me to have dinner with him and we discussed the details in the restaurant. I was nervous as he was going through my notes.
Then he looked at me for a moment.
“What?” I asked nervously.
“You don’t need to buy a van?” he asked.
“Later. Not now. Not when I don’t have my first client yet. Too huge of an investment,” I replied. “I can always rent transportation while I am getting established.”
“You have a portfolio before in your previous jobs, couldn’t you use that?”
I shook my head. “Don’t you remember that when you sign an employment contract, it states that as long as you are an employee of that company, all your works belong to them?”
Adam chuckled. “Silly me! And I’m the lawyer!”
“Besides, let’s leave Fiona Reeds alone. I have talent. I can do this. I don’t have to use her,” I said.
Adam nodded. “What about the location?”
“Will you come with me tomorrow? There’s a property ten blocks from your place that I want to look at,” I said.
“You’re going to put up your business in our neighborhood?” he asked.
I nodded. “I want a serene, peaceful place, Adam. I don’t want busy streets and crowded buildings. Besides, couples that hire a wedding planner will go anywhere if they believe she’s good. I want my office to be comfortable for couples that are starting their lives together.”
Adam. “Okay. But I have veto powers on this.”
I nodded. He looked at my notes again.
“Just two employees?” he asked.
I nodded. “For now. Remember, we need to build my client portfolio first. I’ll be willing to do that first job for free even. Well, the services will be free. They just need to pay for the expenses. I just need the shots that I can put up on my website and then the word of mouth. When things go well, I will hire another employee or two. I might even hire Nicole. And then we’ll see if we can afford to invest in our own vehicle and driver.” I sighed dreamily. “All that for later.”
Adam nodded. “What are you going to call it?” he asked.
I smiled at him. I knew exactly what I would name this company. And this time, Adam would not have veto powers. That morning I woke up with a firm decision to go with this name.
“Ever After Concept Weddings,” I smiled at him.
He raised brow. “Isn’t that a little bit too cheesy?”
I laughed. “Apparently, you’re someone who does not date or does not wish to settle down at all. You couldn't understand the phrase ‘ever after’ even if you tried, Adam. Leave it to me. If I was the bride and I heard that phrase, it would give me a sense of security that… this wedding will happen and my groom will not knock up my maid of honor first!”
Adam laughed. “Are you over them, Ash?”
“I’m smiling,” I said. “There’s still a bit of pain. But with all the excitement that is going on with my life, it is quite difficult to feel any angst or even remember that I am holding any grudge for anybody.”
Adam smiled at me. “Then I’m happy for you, Astrid.”
I smiled at him. “I’m happy for me too, Adam.”
“Wh-what happened to your… bartender?”
If I was genuinely smiling when I remembered Bryan and Geena, somehow, there was a pinch in my heart when I remembered … Ryder. With him, I remember a night of unforgettable passion.
He was a wonderful guy. He was probably the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. I wished I could just see him again, even just once.
I shrugged. “He… disappeared. I didn’t see him again.”
I looked down at my food and started fiddling with my ravioli.
I felt Adam tilt my chin so I could face him. He studied my expression. His eyes narrowed. “I… told you not to fall for him, Ash,” he said soberly.
I rolled my eyes. “I did not fall for him, Adam!”
“Then why are you so glum?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know… he… we developed some sort of friendship that night. He’s… a great guy! I can’t help but wonder where he is now, that’s all.”
Adam sighed. “Easy to fall in love with devils like that.”
“Trust me, Adam. I did not fall for him that night. I just… wish I could thank him. Because if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wouldn’t look at myself so positively now. He was the first step to my… ‘getting better’ therapy.” Then I looked at Adam. “Well, you are too. Because if you didn’t loan me the ten grand, I would not be able to afford such an expensive date.”
He chuckled. “No worries. None wasted anyway, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah. He didn’t take a dime from you, but still... if you didn’t open me up to the idea, I wouldn’t have come across him in the first place.”
Adam smiled. “I’m not saying that he wasn't good for you. I’m just saying that you shouldn't fall prey to the charms of a… stranger.”
I smiled at him. “That’s how you start, Adam. Fall for the charms of a stranger. Flirt. Bond. Date. And then… take it from there.”
Adam nodded. “Yes. But like I said, don’t fall in love with a stranger.”
I smiled. “Bryan was my best friend even before he was my boyfriend and yet he cheated on me. I think I’ve known Geena all my life and yet she lied to me. They stole the things that I thought mattered most to me then.”
“Then you didn’t know them very well,” Adam said.
I sighed. “Yeah, and they didn’t know me very well either. More than that, I don’t think they respected me.”
“You know, Ash, you’ll hate me for saying this, but I honestly think that you are better off without Bryan,” Adam said. “I mean… if you didn’t find out about the affair, you’d probably be married by now. That wouldn’t have guaranteed that he and Geena would have stopped seeing each other behind your back. You would have found out about it eventually. And that would break your heart even more. At least now, you’re halfway over them.”
I smiled at him. “And I wouldn’t be able to do this without you, Adam.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’m not a saint. I had to choose between you and my half-sister.”
“Why did you choose me?”
“Because I love you both, and I had to choose between who was right and who had crossed the line.”
“Fair enough. If I steal Bryan away from Geena now, you’d probably kick me out of the house.”
“After I give you a good beating.” He nodded.
I laughed. Then I shivered. “I couldn’t imagine myself being with Bryan now. It feels… weird now. I think I’m happier if I don’t think about him… them at all.”
“Then you’re over him.”
“I’m still mad at them. I don't think that means I’ve fully recovered.”
“Then use that anger to keep yourself from backsliding. To keep moving on… keep moving forward,” Adam said.
I looked at the ring on my finger. I knew I was closer to keeping my promises to Ryder. I had healed… halfway. I was learning to love myself again. I was starting to feel good about myself and this business venture was slowly making me believe in ‘ever after’ again.”
“Did he give you that ring?” Adam asked.
I smiled. “Ryder? Yes.”
“Very nice for a bartender… who didn’t take a dime of my money,” he said coolly.
I laughed. “Why don’t you like him? He’s a wonderful guy, Adam. And he’s smart. He’s funny. He’s romantic.”
“See? And you said you didn’t fall prey to his charms! You don’t know him, Ash. Are you not afraid of someone who could spin a tale like that so perfectly? Could look at your parents straight in the eye and tell them he owned a couple of restaurants in New York when… as far as you know… he makes his living getting people drunk!”
“He lied for me, Adam,” I said. “He carried it out so well for my sake.”
Adam sighed. “Just… be careful okay?”
The cynical Adam; well, the last time he warned me about something, it turned out that my world was about to be ripped to pieces. But I knew he’d seen how broken I was the last time. He just didn’t want me to go back to that hellhole again.
“You worry too much, Adam. I’ll be okay. Bryan and Geena taught me well.”
It was probably the first time in months that I really enjoyed going to dinner again. I was laughing so much and I was excited more than ever about the new things that were happening in my life.
Adam seemed to agree with my proposal so far. The next day, we drew up a contract. He’d been given special powers by his client to deal on his behalf so I signed the contract with him. It’d be just like working for Adam. Thank God, we managed to fix our differences; otherwise, I may not have been able to stand his sarcasm.
After signing the contract, he went with me to see the place I was talking about. It was a villa, a little smaller than his home. It also has a deck overlooking the beach.
“We could convert the whole floor into an office. I don’t think the landlord would mind,” I said. Adam still looked a little bit hesitant about the place. “This is going to be cheaper than a commercial space, Adam. We’re just starting. I think this is better for us.”
We went up the mezzanine floor. It had two rooms.
“And I can pay part of the rent because I can stay here,” I said.
“Really? You’re moving out of my place?” he asked.
I nodded. “It’s about time, don’t you think?”
“Then let’s sign the lease!” he teased.
I laughed. “Come on! You really hated living with me?”
He shook his head. “No. I just felt weird living with a girl. You know… panties and bras in the bathroom!” He shivered and I laughed.
“So, are you okay with this?” I asked him.
He sighed and then he nodded. “I think you’re on the right track saving as much as you can first.”
Although some renovations would be needed, I was excited about the place. Adam signed the lease and issued the checks for the rent.
While they were doing the construction, I kept myself busy with posting for job openings and buying furniture. It was tough to find the best bargains that would also fit the whole idea in my head.
Days and weeks zoomed by. I did not have time to think about anything else but my new job and my new life.
After three weeks, the website was done and I was quite happy with the results. The office space was also done.
I had one huge space where I would be putting three tables and laptops. I placed little panels to segregate one area to make it a working space. Then I had one whole area enclosed in glass for the meeting room. The front of the house had a little garden. The front had a window display, which I would decorate later. In the reception area, I placed comfortable white couches where guests could wait.
I was satisfied with the way things had gone. It was an office, and yet, it still gave off a touch of home. I wanted my guests to be comfortable as soon as they walk in.
I hired a girl named Leilani. She didn’t have any experience with weddings, but she worked for a PR company before. She had done parties, product launches and other big events. She needed a change and thought the wedding industry was growing with rocket speed.
I hired another lady, Rose, a new graduate who wanted experience in telemarketing and administration. She would be my receptionist and my telemarketer. Website inquiries were also her responsibility.
“I am so mad at you!” Nicole said to me while we were having dinner at Oil Rig one night.
I hadn’t been hanging out with them much since I was so busy with the business.
“Why?”
“Why do you have to hire another girl? I’m here!”
I raised a brow. “I can’t afford you yet Nic. The risks are high at the moment. I don’t want you to lose your living if my business doesn’t make it long term.”
“I might as well lose it once you enter the picture!” she said crossly.
“Don’t worry, Nic. As soon as I get this going and business picks up, I’ll hire you.” I smiled at her.
“Why not hire me now?”
I laughed. “Hey, stay put. We’ll get there. I can’t afford your salary yet.”
She raised a brow at me. “You have to have more faith in yourself, Ash. Why can’t you do this? This is your life, your soul. In fact, you were my company’s soul! All we do now is recycle your ideas! It’s getting old. I miss working with you! New ideas, new concepts. I don’t mind taking a pay cut!”
I laughed. “No way, Nic! Give me a few months and I’ll offer you the job. Right now, I just need my first five projects so I will have a portfolio.”
“Hmmm… can’t you use the old ones you used to work on with Fiona?”
“Do I want a law suit as early as now?” I asked matter-of-factly.
“Well, you’re probably right. I’ll bet Fiona will be so threatened by you that those pictures would not get past her,” Nicole agreed.
“Guys, if you know anyone who’s getting married, let me know. I don’t care if I don’t make money. I just need to build up my portfolio first,” I said.
“Sure, sure. Are you willing to do gay weddings?” Dannie asked sarcastically.
I raised a brow at him. “Of course.”
John wrinkled his nose. “Don’t expect anything from me, Ash. I love you and all that, but I’m staying clear of friends who are settling down. Honestly, it gives me the creeps.”
Now all of us raised a brow at John.
“What? I love being a bachelor!” he said. “Weddings are…” He shivered. “Excuse me, why is it a lucrative business again?”
“Because there are still guys in the world who aren't like you and thank God for that!” Nicole said crossly.
“Well, if you find that guy for yourself, let me know.” John raised his brow at her.
Dannie and I exchanged knowing looks. Nicole and John didn’t usually get along with each other well. However, sometimes, we both felt that it’s not because they did not like each other at all, but maybe because it’s more of the opposite. I’d like to do that wedding!
We all left the bar around midnight. John was going to take me home. Nicole was catching a ride with Dannie.
“I’ll refer some clients to you, Ash,” Nicole promised.
“Your boss won’t like that!” I scolded her.
“Then let her fire me! All the more reason for you to hire me then!” She winked and then she got into Dannie’s car.
As we waited for John’s car to arrive with the valet, I noticed a familiar car parked in front of the bar. My breath caught in my throat and my heart pounded inside my chest.
It looked like the car that Ryder rented. Same make… an SLR McLaren. Same color. Again, it made me wonder how he got that car for that day. It must have been very expensive to rent it. Unless he knew some rich friends who owned a car like that and they let him take it for a spin for free.
I sighed. I remembered the day that I was with him in that car. It was my first step to recovery. And I was okay. Because of Ryder… I was okay.
“Do you miss the car?” John asked in a teasing tone.
I shook my head. There was a pinch in my heart. “No. Just the guy who drove it.”