The Contract

Chapter 51-The Big Deal

Evelyn placed the tea gently on the table, her gaze lingering on me. “Do you need anything else, Pearl?” she asked softly.

I shook my head, flipping another page of the glossy magazine in my lap. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”

“What’s the weather forecast for today?” I asked absentmindedly, my eyes scanning the fashion spread.

“It’s going to be a bright and sunny day,” she replied. Her tone carried a hint of optimism, though it didn’t quite reach me.

I glanced out the window, my gaze drawn to the lush garden beyond. Letting out a soft sigh, I closed the magazine and set it aside, then rose to my feet. The half-empty mug of tea was left behind, forgotten.

Jeffrey, ever-attentive, moved to open the door for me, trailing behind. I paused, turning to him. “Stay here,” I instructed quietly. He hesitated but nodded, letting me step outside alone.

The sunlight was warm, embracing me as I stepped into the expansive garden. For a moment, I just stood there, taking in the serene beauty that stretched around me. The infinity pool shimmered, its surface reflecting the sky like a mirror. Rows of perfectly trimmed hedges framed the space, dotted with vibrant flowers that painted the garden in splashes of color.

I strolled along the stone path, my fingers brushing against the soft petals of a rose bush. Plucking a bloom, I brought it to my nose, inhaling its sweet, fruity scent. It was a small comfort, fleeting but grounding.

I turned slowly, letting my eyes roam over the surroundings. This side of the house was unfamiliar to me, untouched in the months I’d been here. It felt almost surreal, like a secret waiting to be discovered.

The stillness pressed in, a stark contrast to the chaos that had once filled my life. Who would have thought I’d end up here?

Alone.

In this vast, empty house.

The thought lingered as I gazed out at the horizon, the rose still in hand. The world around me was beautiful, almost too perfect. But beauty, I realized, didn’t always fill the void.

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I wore a black blazer jacket with a black belt making it fitted. I walked into Maestro, the place the meeting was gonna be held.

I caught  the attention of the maître d’. "I'm meeting Mr. Jenkins from Caeser," I said and he led the way to where Mr Jenkins and his assistant was sitted.

"Mrs. Ferrari, an absolute delight to meet in person," Mr. Jenkins rose to greet me, extending his hand.

I took it and we sat down. "Caeser would like to offer you an opportunity to plan the next Stellar Awards, if you're interested, of course." He went straight to the point and I liked it.

Mr Jenkins continued, "You see, Pearl, The Stellar Awards is the premiere event of the year. We want to make it even grander, more sensational than ever before. We’ve heard remarkable things about your corporation for creating breathtaking events. Your portfolio truly speaks for itself."

My posture straightened. “I am honored, Mr Jenkins, to be considered for such a prestigious event. If you’re looking for a grandeur beyond belief, then yes, I am certainly interested.”

He smiled, his gaze set on me. "I'm thrilled to hear that, Pearl. We want this event to be a night that will be talked about for years to come. We want the stars and the media to be clamoring to attend. But, most importantly, we want the guests to be mesmerized, awestruck, and lost in wonder."