Chapter 50

Nan’s POV

This wedding gig had not been my idea.

After being accused of theft by my cheating ex-friend…my passion for wedding planning had been greatly diminished. But letting go of my long-awaited dream career after one mishap is not a possibility either.

So much has passed since my last venture into the wedding industry. I had been accosted by my ex-boyfriend…fought with Lionel…lied to Lionel about my secret. I have been too distracted to think about my career in wedding planning.

So getting an unexpected phone call was shocking enough. But the person on the other end was someone I had never expected to hear from in a million years…

“Ms. Lupa, you have someone who would like to speak to you.” The butler informs me.

“Thank you for telling me.” I respond. Feeling intrigued.

‘Everyone I know has my phone number. Who could possibly be asking for me on the landline?’ I think.

I pick the receiver up. Press it to my ear. “Hello?”

“Ms. Lupa, I am so glad to speak to you.” A warm, sophisticated woman says.

“Thank you. Uh-Who am I speaking to?” I ask politely.

“I forgot to introduce myself at the party, didn’t I? Oh, how silly of me.” The woman laughs.

“The party?” I am now weary. Very aware that no one had been my ally at any party I have attended.

“My birthday party, dear.”

I freeze. “You’re…”

“Lionel’s mother.” She replies.

I clench the phone tightly. It creaks at the pressure. The terror and humiliation of that day flash across my unwilling mind.

‘What does she want with me?’ Nothing good had come out of Lionel’s circle taking interest in me. My guard is instantly raised.

“No, I was not introduced to you.” My voice is clipped. Earlier friendliness gone.

“It’s quite a shame about all of that unseemly behavior taking place. I’m afraid any possible introductions were lost in the chaos.” She voices primly.

“I suppose it is.” I say. ‘According to Joseph, you’re the one who insisted on all of this…’ I ponder.

“The good thing that came from that mess was that I finally had some quality time with my granddaughters.” She says.

“The girls told me that they had a fun time. Patti really enjoyed her time with you.” I offer back.

“I’m so happy they had a great time. Family is everything to me.” She proclaims.

‘One you are trying your best to make sure I’m not part of.’ The thought pops in my head at her words. But I let her continue without confronting her for now.

“One thing the girls could not stop talking about was you. You were in every other sentence.” She states.

I am flattered at that. “They did?” Uncaring at my softer voice.

“Yes, they did. In fact, I almost feel like I know you myself after hearing such glowing recommendations.”

I do not know how to answer that. Sure there is a trap that I do not see somewhere in her words. So I don’t speak at all.

I hear her breathe deeply. “I would like to extend my apologies for the disgraceful way you have been treated.” She says contritely.

I blink a few times. “Excuse me? I’m not sure I heard you right.”

“My son and I went about this the wrong way. We have been incredibly unkind to the woman that has raised my granddaughter to be such an exceptional child. I apologize.”

“I don’t-I don’t know what to say.” I mummer.

“You see, Lionel is always surrounded by she-vipers. All wanting his money and power. But so few have his good intentions at heart.” She explains.

“I have noticed that.” I agree.

“Lionel may be the alpha of Wolfsbane industries, but he’s also my son. My baby boy. So when I heard of a strange woman suddenly living with him out of nowhere…”

“You thought I was using him.” I finish.

“I thought I was protecting him. I see now that all I have done is wrongfully harm a kind young woman. Please, let me make amends.”

‘Maybe it was just a genuine misunderstanding,’ I think hopefully. She had some good points. How could I not forgive a mother protecting her son?

“It’s fine. I understand.” I assure her.

“No, no. I insist. Patti tells me you have experience with party and wedding planning?” She asks.

“Yes, I do.”

“We have a relative getting married soon. I would like you to help plan the wedding. Please accept it as recompense for our horrid actions.”

‘If I can’t stay, it would be good to have more experience.’ I contemplate. ‘It would also be nice to have another ally in this situation…’

“I will accept. Thank you for your help.”

If I had known of the events to come, I would have turned her down in a heartbeat….

But I did not. I naively assumed everything would be okay. I was wrong.

Everything had been running smoothly at first. I talked to most of the coordinators at that point. The last one to speak with was the coordinator for the budget.

I knock on the office door. “Mr. Darren?”

A rail-thin man raises out of his chair. “Ms. Lupa, I presume?”

“Yes, I am here to get a copy of the budget. Mrs. Wolfsbane sent me.”

“I’m sorry to say that Mr. Darren is out at the moment. But I can give you the contract myself.”

I raise my eyebrow. “Are you sure, Mr…”

“Jonsen.” He shakes my hand. “I am Mr. Darren’s head assistant.”

“Mr. Jonsen. I just want to make sure you won’t get in trouble.” I check with him.

“I won’t. Mrs. Wolfsbane informed me of your visit. She told me to have everything ready for you.”

He pulls out a folder. I grab it and scan the documents. Then smile when everything seems in order.

“Thank you. I’ll place the orders immediately.”

As I walk away, I hear him call out to me. “Mrs. Wolfsbane has high hopes for you. I hope you meet them all.”

The orders take no time at all. The suppliers place them straight away. The wedding looms closer.

There are only days left until the wedding when everything turns to hell.

I have just finished a meeting with the caterer and double checked the order on the flower arrangements. My only concerns at that point are my lunch plans. ‘Should I have Lionel and the girls meet me, or should I stop by the mansion?’

For the first time in a long time my luck seems to be changing. This job has run pretty smoothly. Lionel and I are getting closer as the days go by,

‘Maybe things are looking up,’ I hope optimistically.

The Moon goddess must have a sense of humor. Must sense my good mood. Because I hear a panicked call of my name.

“MS. LUPA!”

I swivel my head in the direction I hear it originate. A bulky, bald man is walking briskly in my direction. “Yes?”

“We need to talk in my office. Now.” He says sharply.

I have an ugly sense of déjà vu.

“Sure. But may I ask your name…?”

“Mr. Darren. Manager of the budget.”

My hand falls to my phone. I seriously consider texting Lionel to come by. Something tells me I will be having another terrible experience with wedding planning.

‘Or maybe you’re just not cut out for this industry,’ Something inside me whispers insidiously. Is this going to be a common reoccurrence?

I follow Mr. Darren to his office. He closes the door. Gestures seriously for me to sit.

I sit. Lean back into the chair. Observe the stress in his expression.

I take the plunge. Already feeling tired. “What did you want to discuss with me?”

“Ms. Lupa, did you say already had experience as a wedding planner?” He randomly starts.

“Yes. I worked on the Kenzi wedding with the R.E.D company.”

“Did you work on any particular section?”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “I rotated duties with my teammates. So, I worked on everything at once point or another.”

He hums. “How much time did you spend on budgeting?”

“Mr. Darren, is something the matter?” I cut to the chase. Exasperated by this strange line of questioning.

He folds his hands on his desk.

“It seems you have made a big mistake…”