Chapter 3 — Opportunities

Alexis's POV:

I sat alone in a restaurant and had breakfast there. My coffee had yet to be served to me, and I was starting to get irritated.

I checked my phone's clock, and I saw it had been over twenty minutes, and still, nobody had served me.

I walked up to the counter to yell at them to get me my order, but I couldn't as I noticed there was only one waitress, and the restaurant was busy.

I tried to walk back to my seat, but I walked into someone, causing my purse to fall and reveal its contents. Hers fell as well, and when I saw the purse, I assumed she was female.

Even in high school, I always had to walk into Christina.

"Ouch," She muttered under her breath. Her hair got tangled in my earrings, and I tried to untangle it. I get it freed, and I saw her face.

But she stared at the mess on the floor and picked up her things. I tried to pick up mine as well. But she saw my card and stared at it. "I'm sorry," I said, standing up, and she smiled slightly. "Are you a wedding planner?" she asked curiously.

I nodded my head, and she looked delighted as she intertwined her hand with mine and walked with me to an empty table. "This has to be fate. I have been looking for one for a while." Her black eyes filled with joy.

"I'm Al—" I paused and continued, "I'm Mackenzie Poiner."

Her face seemed familiar, but I just couldn't pin it down.

"I'm Penelope. Penelope Stewart." She brought forward her hand, and I took it.

"So, this wedding. It's when exactly?" I brought out a notepad to jot down these details. "Next month." She grinned, obviously excited about her wedding.

"Did you already throw an engagement party?"

"No. That's why I'd like to hire you. I want you to plan the engagement, the bachelorette party, and the wedding itself. Don't worry about the money. I have lots of it," she casually told me, and I jotted it all down.

"When do you want to have the engagement party?

"On Friday."

"That's like three days away!"

"Yes, I know it is a short time, but you can try, right?"

I took a long sigh and thought about it. This could be the biggest wedding I've ever planned. I nodded, and she smiled.

"I want you to meet my fiancé, and you can ask him what he would like for the wedding," she said while typing on her phone.

"That would be no problem. When?"

"Tomorrow."

**

Kyle's POV:

I was in a board meeting, and my phone kept buzzing. I tried to see who it was that kept texting and calling, but my dad glared at me, stopping me from reaching for my phone, and I turned my attention to what was being discussed.

After the meeting, I went straight to my office. I called Lisa to get me a strong black coffee. Thank god, she had the decency to knock this time.

I put the cup of coffee in my mouth, and I frowned. The coffee was tasteless and cold!

What kind of people actually worked in this company? I called her again, and she came in, adjusting her skirt.

"Who made this?" I snapped, and she looked at her shoes. "I told Sam to prepare it, sir."

"Well, you can tell Sam that he's fired and throw this coffee machine away. It's old and useless." I opened a file on my desk, and I still saw her standing.

"And you're still he. Why?" I rolled my eyes.

"I thought you—"

I cut her off immediately. "You thought? Lisa, what did I tell you yesterday?"

"That I should stop thinking."

"Exactly. Lisa, one more slip up, and I will fire you. Leave my office immediately."

She left without uttering a single word. My phone buzzed again, and I checked it. All the missed calls and texts were from Penelope.

I read the messages, and she said she had good news. My door opened, and I looked up and saw Penelope.

Another person that didn't know the importance of knocking.

"Hi," she said with a grin on her face. "Someone seems happier," I said, smiling.

"I have finally found THE wedding planner."

"That's great! Finally."

"I want you to meet her because she will be spending a lot of time with us now."

"That's fine. When?"

"Tomorrow. I will text you when we want to come."

"That's also fine."

Her phone rang, and she answered. They talked awhile, and I went back to looking at the file and signing it. She hung up and stood up.

"Daddy wants me to go home. He says he wants to discuss something with me."

"Okay. Bye." I kissed her cheek, and she left.

I continued checking my files. I had a lot of work pending. Again, the office phone rang.

I said nothing and waited for the person on the other line to speak up. "Good afternoon, sir. Your father wants you to go to his office immediately," the receptionist said, and I hung up.

I walked out of my office, and I saw everyone get tense at my presence. I always had this effect, even in high school. I smirked and continued walking.

I knocked, and I heard an approval to come in. I opened the door, and I saw my father seated on a wine-colored leather seat, his eyes rested on me.

"You wanted to see me?" I sat on the black chair across from him. He stared at me deeply like he was trying to read my thoughts.

"Your engagement party is in three days. Are you ready?" He continued staring, and I got self-conscious and sat up straight. I nodded. "Good," he simply said.

Was this what he called me for? To ask if I was prepared for my engagement party? "Is that all?" I blurted out.

He nodded, and I left. My office desk was filled with files I had yet to check and sign.

My engagement party was in three days; I shouldn't be working. You are getting engaged to a person you don't even love. That is not a good choice, my inner self tells me.

I left the office and went home. I took a shower to loosen up my tense muscles and wore a simple T-shirt. Afterward, I went to the dining table to have dinner.

Dinner was quiet as usual, but my mother broke the silence. "Your wedding is coming up next month. Your engagement party is in three days; why is there no trace of excitement on your face?" she asked, cutting her fish. "I am happy, Mom. I'm just not the type to show it," I lied and took a sip of wine.

"I can't wait to become a grandfather," my dad said with joy, and I choked on my wine and coughed loudly. Both my parents stared at me.

"Me too. Imagine being called grandma. Do us a favor and hurry up." She winked and continued eating her dinner.

"I don't mind becoming a grandfather before marriage." He also winked.

What was wrong with these two?

I just smiled and continued eating my dinner.