"Hey! Be careful. Why are you on a chair? Use the ladder—we don't have money for hospital bills!" I shouted at Ashley, who wobbled dangerously while hanging the floral garland. She froze like a guilty cat, startled at the sudden rebuke.
"Sorry," she murmured.
I rolled my eyes and turned just in time to catch Mark positioning a floral centerpiece—completely off.
I turned on my heel. "Mark, that centerpiece is crooked. Center of the table, not the edge. Come on."
"Got it," he said quickly, adjusting the centerpiece.
"We're setting up for a premium client. Not building a tree house." I said, just then, my phone rang. Camberley.
"Hello?"
"How's it going, Sarah?" she asked, her voice breezy as always.
Camberley had been my boss for three years now. A powerhouse planner, notorious for her bluntness and divine wedding walkways. I handled everything behind the scenes as her assistant, but today, the spotlight was on me.
"All under control. I'm handling everything. I've got eyes on every corner," I said nervously. "The team's setting up."
She giggled. "Well, you better. They're our biggest clients. Don't mess it up."
I tried not to flinch. "Noted."
"Good."
"How was the wedding?" I asked. She'd gone to oversee a private event in the Hamptons.
"Splendid! It was divine. The walkway looked like the bride was floating on jewels." Camberley giggled excitedly; she was particularly good at what she did. Camberley had a way of turning rooms into fantasies. I had learned a lot from her.
"Well, that's your magic; you designed it. It was expected, " I said.
A loud crash echoed across the hall. I turned sharply. Halsey stood frozen, surrounded by glass shards. I closed my eyes but stayed on the line.
I didn't even flinch.
" What was that?"
" Nothing I can't take care of." She sighed at her end of the line.
"Enough kissing up. Get back to work."
She hung up before I could say goodbye. I sighed, lowering the phone.
"She's so mean," I muttered. I looked around for Halsey, but she wasn't in the hall.
"Where's Halsey?" I asked.
"She went to get a broom," Ashley said as she taped wallpaper in place.
Clapping my hands, I called out, "Everyone, eyes here!"
They gathered quickly. Twenty staff members surrounded me like school kids awaiting a pep talk.
"Can someone remind me who Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are?" I asked.
Henry raised a tentative hand. "Big clients?"
"Wrong. Not big. They're our biggest. Which means no mistakes. This dinner happens once a year, and it needs to be perfect. We're the top event agency for a reason, and I need all of you focused, because I noticed you guys are super distracted. That means no broken vases, no climbing chairs, and for heaven's sake—use the ladders!"
A chorus of "yes, ma'am" followed. I exhaled slowly.
"Sorry," Halsey, who had just joined us muttered
"Get back to work guys," I waved them away. I was nervous; I didn't want anything to go wrong.
I didn't want to let Camberley—or myself—down. It was a big deal for Camberley to let me handle this job, considering the status of the clients. They had this particular dinner party every year, which was a children's hospital auction event that was hosted by the Murphys.
I collapsed into a chair beside Ginger, who grinned at me like I'd just won an award.
"Okay, Boss Babe. You've got them trembling." Ginger grinned
"Don't tease me." I groaned.
"You're boss-for-a-day and already terrifying everyone."
I smiled weakly.
"Boss for a day, tyrant for life." Ginger winked.
Ginger had been my friend since high school. Unlike me—who studied business administration and fell into event planning—she'd pursued it formally.
She crossed her arms, leaning in. "Stressed?"
I looked up at her, quietly as she loomed over me.
"Family dinner last night. A disaster. Kara got everyone worked up, Hannah stormed out, and I didn't sleep."
"Your sister's a walking tornado. Why are you even surprised?" She raised her brows.
I rolled my eyes. Ginger never liked Kara for some reason.
"She's still a kid."
"Nineteen is a kid?" she raised a brow.
"Don't start."
Andrew walked up. "Miss Sarah, what color roses for the Murphy bouquet?"
"White. Mrs. Murphy loves white."
He nodded and trotted off.
I looked around the grand hall. Tall ceilings, chandeliers, and deep wine-colored curtains framed the room. We were making progress, but the finish line was still far. Tension buzzed through the air like static.
"The others must be exhausted," I said more to myself
"Duh," Ginger smiled.
"Let's take a break. I ordered snacks—they'll be here soon." I said loudly.
There were visible sighs of relief. Ginger squeezed my arm.
Just then, a young delivery guy walked in with a bouquet and a sleek black box.
"Package for Miss Sarah?"
I smiled, already knowing. "Yes? That's me." walking toward him.
He handed over the flowers and the box. Hydrangeas. My favorite.
Ginger swooped in, snatching them from me like a magpie.
"Ooooh! What did Loverboy send this time? Chocolates?"
"Please don't start," I said, though the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. I was used to this—the teasing, the gifts. It was familiar.
"Sign here," the guy said. I scribbled my name while the others giggled behind me.
"Open it!" Ginger bounced beside me. I lifted the lid to reveal a diamond bracelet. My breath hitched. Gasps circled.
On the gift card: I miss you like crazy
"He's so into you," Sandra whispered.
"Girl, that's a proposal in disguise," Ginger grinned.
Ginger held up the bracelet dramatically. "Does he have a brother? Just asking for a friend."
I laughed quietly, even though I wasn't surprised. Christopher was...generous.
I stared at the bracelet. It sparkled in the light, catching every eye—except mine.
Because suddenly, it didn't feel romantic. It felt... rehearsed. Like something he knew to do, like a reflex.
He always gave me expensive things. Bracelets. Watches. Shoes. But sometimes, it felt like he was trying to buy silence, not affection. I had felt neglected for a while; he had become too busy for me these days.
It was beautiful— and yet, standing in a noisy room full of congratulations and warmth, I felt strangely cold.
"Try it on!" Ginger urged.
"Later," I said softly
"Awwn," she groaned. "You always save the best part!"
I smiled. I did that a lot lately. Smiled through things, I wasn't sure how to feel.
The bracelet was perfect.
So why did it make me feel so... unseen?
Cheers erupted as the snack delivery arrived. As the room bustled, my eyes followed the young deliveryman who had brought the food as he left the hall.
"Oh my! Chicken burger," Ginger sniffled. "I'll vote for you a hundred percent as the new boss."
I chuckled, "There's no voting, okay, Camberley owns this agency."
"Whatever," she pouted.
"You know," Ginger said, dropping her voice, "people like working with you. Even if you're bossy."
"I'm efficient."
"Controlling."
"Efficient," I repeated.
"People need direction," I shrugged.
"Well, we got the job done. You're a born leader, admit it." She stretched and yawned.
"Anyway," I shifted. "Leah and Barbara are coming over later."
"What? Barbara's back from Hawaii already?" Ginger grinned
"With her dreamy Italian?" We both chorused, giggling.
"Something must've gone wrong," I smirked.
"Bet she dumped him," Ginger said
A staff member entered with a clipboard. "Miss Sarah, quick thing—our contact for the donation dinner changed. A Mr. K. Whitmore signed the new sponsor form."
"Wait... what?" I blinked. "K. Whitmore? That's not a Murphy."
"No. It's an anonymous sponsor for the children's hospital auction event. But he's funding the venue."
I frowned. "Do we have a number? A company?"
"Nope. Just initials and a wire transfer. He requested absolute privacy."
My brow furrowed. "Weird."
Ginger perked up. "What if it's one of those mysterious billionaires? The kind who wear expensive watches and brood in corners."
"Too many romance novels," I said, but I couldn't help the way my curiosity sparked.
Whitmore. The name sounded... cold. Like someone who never showed up unless he had a reason.
"Well," I said, filing it away, "if he's paying the bill, I'll send him a thank-you card."
After hours of non-stop decorating, we were finally done.
"And we are done!" I cheered. Everyone applauded. The hall looked stunning—crisp white linens, ambient lighting, and elegant floral details. Perfection.
"Camberley's gonna love it," Ginger said, though her smile was droopy with exhaustion.
"You coming with me?" she waved her new car keys.
"Miss Sarah, the bus is ready," Henry called.
"No thanks—I'm hitching a ride in Ginger's shiny new car."
We left the venue and fought traffic all the way home, draining the last of my energy.
"You drive like a snail, your driving sucks," I said as I slammed Ginger's car door, heading straight to my house, she scrunched her lips.
"Says the backseat driver," she shot back. Overtaking me, she opened the door and slammed it shut as she got in. I rolled my eyes.
Inside, Leah and Ginger were already hugging. Barbara ran out of the bathroom.
"It's just one week, not a decade," I said as she threw her arms around me.
"I missed you, Furball! You're late!" Barbara called out. "We've been gossiping without you."
She always called me Fur Ball. No one knew why—not even her.
"When did you guys get here?"
"Thirty minutes ago. Your bratty sister let us in," Leah said.
I groaned. "Where is she?"
"Probably in her cave. In her room, being mysterious," Barbara said with a shrug.
Curious, I walked to her door and found it ajar. She was on the phone, whispering.
"But I'm going to miss you so much… please don't go."
I paused in the doorway.
I wondered who she was talking to, who she was going to miss. Was Kara seeing someone? I stood quietly listening to her conversation.
" Kris, you promised that next time you'll....." She turned around, startled she screamed. I reached for the switch as I turned it on.
I stepped inside.
"Jeez! Ever heard of knocking?"
"Sorry. You were on the phone; I just wanted to say hi."
"Don't sneak up like that! You almost gave me a heart attack," She held her chest.
"Who's Kris?"
"Kris…ten. Kristen. My friend."
I arched a brow. "A girl?"
She nodded, not meeting my eyes.
"Right."
She was lying.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?"
I didn't press her further. Not yet.
"School trip's coming up," she said quickly. "It's important. For grades."
"We'll talk when Mom and Dad return."
Back in the living room, the gossip continued.
"Hey, guys—"
"I think Kara has a boyfriend."
The laughter stopped.
Leah rolled her eyes. "She's nineteen, Sarah. Not nine. So what if she does?"
"She should've told me," I shrugged.
Barbara scoffed. "Maybe she didn't tell you because you act like her second mom."
"She's my innocent baby sister," I said defensively. "I don't want her getting hurt."
There was a bit of silence before Ginger burst out laughing. "Innocent? Kara? That brat?"
Barbara leaned forward, eyes amused. "Sarah… Kara's like an Annabelle doll. Cute face, but the stuff behind that smile? Not normal, sis."
"You're talking rubbish," I said, folding my arms. "Jealous, much?"
Ginger rolled her eyes. "Jealous? Of what? Your sister' bond?"
"Guys, let's not do this, let Kara be," Leah chimed in.
"Tell us what happened in Hawaii," Leah changed the subject.
Barbara winced. "Don't ask. Turns out, dreamboat was divorced with two kids."
We all gasped.
"No way!"
Barbara spilled her heartbreak.
"He has two kids! I can't deal with one, let alone two!"
We all burst out laughing—until we noticed Kara, giggling too.
"Get inside!" Barbara snapped.
"This is my house. I stay where I want." Kara scoffed.
Leah rolled her eyes.
"Ignore her," I said.
The tension grew. I tried to play peacekeeper again.
Then, the bomb dropped.
"When is Christopher proposing?" Barbara asked, smiling.
"What?" Kara barked, still hovering.
"Don't you have your own love life to worry about?" Kara snapped.
Kara smirked. "None of you even have boyfriends. At least my sister has a boyfriend," Kara said, taunting.
"Kara!" I warned, but it was too late. The girls were up in arms.
Ginger stood. "Say that again."
"Kara, get out," I begged
"No. They should get out."
"Kara, why are you like this?" Leah called after her.
"Get out before I throw hands," Barbara hissed.
"Everyone shut up!" I yelled. "I swear, one more word and I'll lock all of you in here until Christmas."
Silence.
"Fine," She said, finally exiting towards her room.
Barbara cleared her throat. "Let's go clubbing." She suggested.
"No way. I'm exhausted." I groaned
"You owe me. Friday night!" she barked
I sighed. "Fine, let me freshen up."
Ginger clapped. "Now we're talking."
I grabbed my phone from the coffee table, still thinking about Christopher's gift—and Barbara's comment about proposals. But for the first time, I wondered: why did the nicest gifts always leave me feeling the loneliest? I finally noticed a new email notification:
Subject: Inquiry – Private Event Assistance
From: K.W.
The message was short and formal:
I would like to speak with someone from your agency regarding a private event. Preferably someone who understands discretion and efficiency. Kindly respond at your earliest convenience.
P.S. I've already seen what your agency can do.
– K.W.
"K.W? As in K. Whitmore, are they the same person?"
There was no company name. No location. Just initials.
Who even signs off like that? It felt cold. Formal. Calculated.
Discreet and efficient? What was this—an event or a spy mission?
Weird.
"Coming!" Ginger yelled.
I blinked and pocketed the phone.
Whoever K.W. was, they'd have to wait.
Tonight, I needed to dance—or scream—or maybe both.