The Contract

Chapter 1 - The Budget

"Wait, hold up... Yes, I know that but..." I paced around with my phone over my ear. "...yes but....okay" I turned to the other side to Kourtney and she tilted her head, wanting to know how the call was going.

But from my stuttering and the look on my face, I think she could tell.

"...Mr Simmons, just listen...I know I know but ... Mr Simmons?" I halted in my pacing, my body frozen with the phone over my ear. "Hello? Hello?"

"It's over, isn't it?" Kourtney asked and I groaned and almost threw my phone at the other side...

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" she stopped me and pulled down my hand.

Placing it down on the table, I began throwing a fit. "You know, you are reacting more to this news than the people involved"

"Do I look like I give a fuck about the wedding? I do not care! This is the second wedding which has been cancelled, Kourtney! The second! Now, we have end all preparations, do you know how much it cost?"

"I'm sure Mr Simmons will pay for damages"

"It won't be enough!"

"Why did the wedding get cancelled anyways?" She asked and I let out a breath of frustration, lightly raking my hair. "Dianne is pregnant with his brother's baby"

"Ooh, that's way more drama than the last" she commented and I groaned and fell on my seat.

"Okay relax"

"Relax? If this news gets out there, it's gonna ruin us. I'll be known as the event planner who never plans events because they always end up getting cancelled!"

"Remember you planned the Mayor's daughter's wedding and it went fabulously well" she reminded.

"They're divorced, Kourtney." I snapped, "Keep up!"

"So, is that your fault too? Are you gonna blame yourself?"

"It's my luck, it's been bad lately. I knew I should have sent those texts to 20 other people" I muttered and she shot me a deadpanned look.

"Dinner is here!" Bethany announced as she walked in with takeout bags, she then paused and read the room. "Did someone die?"

"Yes, my dreams and aspiration" I answered. "In that case, we need food" she declared dropping the bags on the table and began unpacking hers.

"The Simmons wedding has been cancelled"

She froze as she was about digging into the meal. "I knew it wasn't gonna work out" she said before proceeding to eat. "Apparently Dianne is-"

"-pregnant" she completed for Kourtney and we both turned to her. "How do you know that?"

"I did the dress fitting, remember?"

"Well, do you know it's Simmon's brother's baby?" She asked. "Okay, now that one is a surprise, that bitch really be getting around"

I groaned and walked to the other table to fill my mug with coffee. "It's past 6pm, Pearl. You really don't need that"

"Yeah, I need money but do you see that anywhere in this room?" I retorted, gulping from the mug.

"Is she having a panic attack?" Bethany inquired.

"More like a mental episode"

"If we keep loosing customers like this...  this might come as a shock to the both of you but... we are gonna go broke!"

"You are, I can always run back to Florida to my father" Bethany corrected and I pulled my hair in frustration.

"Okay Pearl, calm down. We can work this out" Kourtney tried to reassure.

"Yes, send me a list of all the expenses made this month, we are gonna be cutting budgets" I stated, sitting back down and placing the mug on the table.

"What?!" They both yelled.

"Oh, that's too bad. I want that list at 8 am sharp" I declared. "What are you gonna cut out?" Bethany questioned.

"The money spent on food and why is there a god damn coffee maker in every office!" I exclaimed.

"You gave that order!"

"Well now, I'm going bankrupt, so is this whole enterprise" I stated before swerving in my seat and turning towards the window.

They murmured as they exited the office. "Your dinner is still here" Bethany called before the door shut close, I turned back around to my table.

Things were starting to look bleak, canceling appointments has never looked good on a any business, especially my type of work. I sighed and leaned on the table.

Gosh, I need an aspirin.

____________________________________

I nudged the door open and walked in, throwing my bag and jacket at the other side, I slumped on the sofa, face down.

My phone began ringing, I groaned and crawled to where I threw my bag and pulled it out. I answered without checking the contact ID. "Are you back?" Kourtney asked

"Yeah, just now, why?"

"I always call to remind you of the things you must do before going to bed." She then sighed, "take off your clothes, have a nice relaxing bath, I've ordered Postmates for you and it'll be arriving in 30 minutes, make sure to eat it and check your Voicemail" she listed out.

"Okay Mom"

"Not my fault you're the dysfunctional friend" she replied. "I gotta go"

"Hey, don't let all these shits get into your head, okay? Have a long sleep, you could show up late tomorrow "

"I'm your boss, of course I could "

"I'm just looking out for you, jackass" she retorted and a smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks Kourt but I really gotta go now"

"Bye" the call ended and I dropped the phone and rose up from the floor.

I was grateful for the reminder, left to me, I would have past out on that sofa and do all those things she said tomorrow morning.

Tapping the voicemail box,  it beeped 'you have 17 voicemails '

How surprising.

I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a can of apple drink. The first voicemail began playing. 'Pearl, it's your Mother' I paused and looked up.

'Why aren't you answering your phone or replying your texts? Your sister just got back from New York and she's engaged' I spat out the drink immediately.

Please don't tell me it's to Derrick

'... she and Derrick makes the perfect couple. I've been trying to tell you for a month now, an invitation was sent to your mail but you haven't sent a reply.'

I wiped my lips and drank more. 'The wedding will be on the 27th and it's here in LA, you gotta make sure to attend. Pearl...' She then sighed.

'... how long do you plan on being away? We are worried about you, you could -' I turned it off immediately.

I didn't wanna hear the rest, I knew what was coming next. She was gonna guilt trip me into coming back home. And that wasn't an option at all, home wasn't a place to come back to.

And my sister getting married to Derrick? It didn't surprise me but it wasn't the best news to hear.

Compared to the one I've been getting from work, it's still the worst one yet.

The 27th, that's a week away.

This should be good.

But first, I gotta focus on budget cutting or no more business for me.