Fall Girl

Margot

I woke up early, trying not to disturb Kev, who was still asleep, and quietly snuck out of bed. Searching through the stack of boxes for my running shorts and sneakers, my phone began buzzing and I answered without looking at the screen.

Mrs. Ryan said. "I'm at the penthouse having coffee, so whenever Kev departs for work, you can tell me."

"That sounds good because I'm going for a morning run," I said, "and I think he'll be up in a couple of hours."

Mrs. Ryan then added, "Your running shorts and sneakers are in the blue tiny box." and ended the call.

Surprised, I thought to myself, "Geez, she knows everything."

Suddenly, Kev cleared his throat and questioned, "Why didn't you wake me?"

Startled, I jumped. "You scared the shit out of me!"

Kev asked. "But why? It's just the two of us here in this house; there's no reason to get scared."

"Yeah, it's just you and me, and I thought you were sleeping, so that scared me," I explained.

Kev then suggested, "What do you say we go for a run together?"

I nodded. "Alright."

As we were running a few blocks away from our house, I noticed Renna and Ian sitting on a bench across the street. To avoid Kev seeing them, I tried to switch our running directions and bumped into him.

Kev tapped on my shoulder. "Careful, Mar."

Trying to divert his attention. "Sorry, I thought we were turning back from here."

Kev shook his head and pointed at the pole so fucking nearby the bench where Ian and Renna sitting. "We'll turn back from there."

I smiled and nodded but inside I was afraid of Kev's rage so while running I bumped into him again because I had no other option, he stared at me. "Are you alright?"

I kept a hand on my head. "I'm not feeling fine; let's head back."

On the way back, Kev suddenly stopped and pointed out, "What the hell is Renna doing with Ian?"

Before I could respond, he had already crossed the road and approached them. I followed him, and by the time we reached them, Ian was kissing Renna on the forehead.

Kev yelled at Renna. "So, this is the reason you were playing MIA, right?"

Renna stood up, shielding Ian. "He didn't do anything; it's all me. I was the one who came up with the idea."

Kev raised his brow. "And you're the one who's going to put an end to it."

Ian spoke up. "Excuse me?"

Renna cut him off, "I am talking."

Kev addressed Renna sharply. "I thought you left New York for good. You must have had something in mind that made you serious about life, but you know what? Some people and some things never change."

Ian warned Kev. "Hey, don't talk to her like that; she hasn't done anything to deserve that tone."

I intervened, "Kev, they're adults; they can make their own decisions. We shouldn't interfere. Let's go."

But Kev being an ass. "You can say this for Ian but for Renna I am not sure. As life is game for her and her motto is to play this game until death embrace us," he looked at Renna "Right?"

Renna snarled. "It didn't want to come here in the first place because I had no idea how to handle my life at that time," She pointed at Kev "It was you who dragged me here and I had no idea what universe was holding next for me. One morning, I ran into Ian, and for the first time in my life, I felt a connection. I had no idea he was that Ian until Margot introduced us, and after that, things started happening. For the first time, I'm not playing games; I'm seriously in love with Ian, and I can't imagine my life without him. I feel so focused on myself and in my career. So, Kev Moller, whether you like it or not, I'm with Ian, and I'm not leaving him to make you happy."

Ian looked at Renna. "Did you just propose to me while talking to Kev?"

Renna covered her mouth with her hand in shock. Her head flicked between Kev and Ian.

After an awkward silence, Renna looked at Kev. "You jerk"

Everyone started laughing, and then I grabbed Kev's arm "I think we should go now," I looked at them "And I am happy for you both."

............................

As soon as I walked into the office, Blaine approached me urgently.

"Thank God you're here. You wanted to see the venue to check on all the preparations. Tell me, which day in this week works for you to visit?"

I squared my shoulders. "I can't tell right now you know my upside-down schedule, but I'll try to visit soon"

Blaine shook his head. "That's now it works, we need to tell them prior our visit so that their staff would be present at the venue to give us demo."

I didn't know what day to pick so I casually asked. "What about day after tomorrow?"

when Blaine gave me thumbs up, he walked past me, but I asked him about the catering, so he turned around. "What do you mean?"

I clenched my jaws in frustration. "Has anyone decided the menu yet?"

Blaine shrugged. "We thought Aurora and you were going to handle it."

I sighed, feeling annoyed. "No, I never took this responsibility."

Calling out to Justine and Alyssa, I pointed at them. "You two, go to Aurora's and finalize the menu. I know you both have very different views about the world and the universe, but today, surprise me and be on the same page."

When they hesitated, I clapped my hands. "Come on, say yes... chop chop!"

Turning to Carter, as I recalled another job. "What about the magazine subscription?"

Carter nodded. "Yes, everything is sorted now."

I paused, wanting more clarity. "What do you mean by 'sorted now'?"

Carter cleared his throat. "There was a tech issue, but it's been resolved. No need to worry about it."

Satisfied, I instructed him, "Alright, please ask Aspin to go to the venue and verify all the tech arrangements. I don't want to take any chances."

Carter saluted me and quickly left to fulfill the task.

Returning to my office, I settled into work. After a few hours, Gretchen knocked on my door, holding a bouquet.

"For what?" I asked, surprised.

Gretchen responded, "It's not from me; it's from Kev."

I smiled, pointed at my table. "Okay, please put it here."

Gretchen looked serious. "This seems serious."

Confused, I opened the card accompanying the flowers and glanced at Gretchen. "What do you mean by serious?"

Gretchen gestured towards the door. "You told us about Phil before going on first date with him."

I asked. "You are not making any sense"

Gretchen pointed to the door. "You are not telling them about Kev even after you hooked up with him."

I was taken aback. "How did you know this?"

Gretchen simply said, "Oh, I know everything."

I explained, "This time, I wanted to be sure first."

Blaine stopped by. "We're going for lunch."

I politely declined, "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to join you."

Blaine insisted, "No need to skip lunch; I'll help you finish up."

I smiled, feeling grateful. "Actually, I'm going to lunch with Kev."

Blaine nodded and smiled. "I'm happy for you both." His statement surprised me because everyone was already familiar with me and Kev.