Chapter 1 — Introduction (Part 1)

Alexis's POV:

Riiing, riiing.

I looked at my phone screen; it was showing Stacey's name. I answered it. "Good morning, ma'am," I heard.

"Always cheerful in the mornings, hmm?" I said, slightly annoyed that I was receiving a call from my secretary at seven in the morning.

"Sorry! Did I wake you up again?" She lowered her voice and apologized.

"No, it's fine. I've been up since six this morning," I lied.

"You have an appointment with Miss Gina Arthur today at nine. And another meeting with Daisy Willer. Both to discuss their upcoming weddings." She was always efficient with my schedule.

"Okay. Did you remember to tell them to meet me in the office?" I asked, wanting to confirm.

"Yes, miss. They will be punctual as well," she said.

"Thank you, Stacey," I said before hanging up.

Ugh... I had thought adult life would be easier. But no. It was still the same, waking up early every day like I did in high school.

I brushed my teeth and took a bath. I combed my long jet-black hair and packed it in a bun.

I only did light makeup, but still, it looked good—scratch that. I looked good.

Passing the hallway, I saw that Sophie's door was still closed. She probably hadn't woken up yet.

I went downstairs, made a cup of hot coffee, and sat on my counter to drink it. I caught a glimpse of a picture of Mom on the table, and I went over to it.

It's been eight years since you left me and Sophie, Mom. I wish I could have you here with me to tell you how the last eight years have been for both of us.

Aunt Stella threw us out of the house, and we stayed on the streets for weeks until Sophie got a job as a waitress, and we could afford a little food with the money she made. Sophie had a friend, Pete, who let us stay with him until we could move out. Sophie now had two jobs, one where she worked morning shifts and another for night shifts. She barely had time for herself just so I'd be comfortable.

I felt bad that I wasn't doing anything to help, and I applied for a scholarship at Glendale College in LA. I studied hard for it, and I was granted the scholarship.

The four years went by quickly, and I graduated with my degree in Event Management. I returned home, and Sophie surprised me with a job offered to her, but it was in New York. We decided to move to New York and try our luck in the city.

We came to New York and found a small apartment to rent, and Sophie checked out the work that was offered to her. It was as the personal assistant to a famous model, Avery Qickelsin. The pay was enough to cover rent and food.

I would constantly follow her to work just out of curiosity. I met Avery's grandmother, Mrs. Anna Qickelsin. Her grandmother was hiring people at her wedding place.

She hired me as a janitor, and I would always watch how she'd choose the right bouquet, how she handled the cake, and how her opinion would matter to the bride.

Mrs. Qickelsin took a keen interest in me and trained me to be as good as she was in the wedding planning business. She'd constantly introduce me to her clients.

She gave me one of her many shops to manage. And slowly, I started getting better and better. Mrs. Anna trusted me so much that her other employees envied me. When she died, they fired and humiliated me. After that incident, I vowed that nobody would humiliate me like that again. I changed my name from Alexis to Mackenzie and built my own wedding place starting from scratch. And now I was the best wedding planner in all of New York.

Now I owned chains throughout New York and California.

Over these years, I missed your hugs on the bad days. I missed the way your face lit up when you knew I was the best at school. I missed your cooking, and I missed you, Mom.

I didn't notice when a tear dropped on my face.

"You're thinking about her again?" I heard Sophie's voice, and I turned to look at her.

"I was just thinking," I said, trying to wipe away the tears that stained my cheeks.

"We agreed that we wouldn't cry again. We are stronger than that."

"Yes, but I'm not as strong as you are."

"Yes, you are. Maybe even more than me," she said, getting a cup of coffee.

"Well, I'm going to the office now. Stacey just reminded me of the meetings I have today. Love you!" I kissed her cheek.

"Love you." She smiled at me.

I went outside and decided to use a smaller car today, so I got in my Toyota Corolla.

In a few minutes, I arrived at the three-story building. I smiled at my achievements. "Good morning, Miss Pointer," was how everyone greeted me when they saw me.

I got settled in my office, and Stacey called me. "Miss Arthur is here," she announced.

"Tell her to come in."

And in no time, a young lady came in. She was in the company of a much older woman, hand in hand. "Good morning, Miss, Gina," I said generally so that Gina would respond and I'd know who I was meeting with.

"Good morning," the blonde woman said. "This is my mother." She gestured to the woman next to her. I smiled at her, and she returned the smile.

"So, tell me. How much is your budget? For the entire wedding, wedding dress included." I looked at her, waiting for a response.

"$150,000."

I opened the laptop on my desk to type up what she was saying. "Hm... do you want a fancy wedding or a simple one?"

"Nothing fancy. Simple."

I put that in my system as well. "And most importantly, when is this wedding?" I looked at my screen then back at her.

"In two weeks," she said softly.

"Okay. Give me your number, and I'll contact you in a few days. Don't worry about your wedding anymore because I will personally handle it." I smiled.

"Thank you, Mackenzie." She rose from her chair and hugged me, then she and her mom exited my office.

Mackenzie... In the business world, there were rivalries, and there would always be someone that wanted to ruin your business.

It was also like that in the world of wedding planners. Everyone wanted to be the best. But that title was held by me. It took years to get used to being addressed as Mackenzie.

Now only Sophie and Anna know that my actual name is Alexis. Alexis Coleman. The ex-nerd of Greenfield High.