The Contract

Chapter 92-The Birthday Planner

I glanced at the Caller ID and paused, Aunt Regina was calling. That's unusual, what could possibly be up?

I answered as Jeffrey pulled the door open for me, I got in. "Good morning, Auntie" I greeted and the door was shut close. "Pearl, I need you at the house right now"

"What? What's going on?" I asked as we drove out, "Must there be something going on before I need you here?" She asked back and I let out a sigh.

"Alright, I'm on my way" the call ended and I leaned back. It was Monday morning and I was back to work, today I wore a black little halter top with an open back and a blue baggy jeans.

Why would she need me at the Villa? I've been doing everything possible to not go there, I spent last week giving work excuses but now I had none.

As far as everything was concerned, the only contract I had now was Bethany's wedding which I wasn't even sure I had in the bag yet.

But I knew I couldn't run away forever, I was gonna meet my mother one day and that day was today. We arrived and I headed in, the black little bag over my shoulder, my hair in a ponytail .

I stepped in to find people working in the house, what was going on? What have I missed? I thought I was in the loop.

There she was heading down the stairs while giving orders to people carrying flowers around. "Aunt Reggie" I called out and she looked up.

"There you are, follow me" she ordered and I did, we got into the dinning room, the workers were also setting up the place. "What's going on?" I asked as she took her seat and so did I.

"Your mother 50th birthday" she answered and I paused, oh...

"Let me guess, you forgot" she said. I have never actually had a thought about it. "Sure, you guys are doing a great job preparing. When is it?" I asked and she shot me a look.

"This Sunday. Bella told me about your altercation with... your mother"

You have got to be kidding me!

"I know how you've been avoiding meeting with her"

"Whaaaat" I drawed, "Pearl, you can't keep fighting with her"

"Fighting with her?" I asked in disbelief. "You and your mother's relationship... have always been strained"

"She doesn't like me"

"She is your mother! You're been absurd right now. You shouldn't have made mention of... her past. Pearl, you understand how tough it has been for your mother"

"Yeah and her healing methods are... transferring aggression on me, I do understand that" I replied. "She's always looking out for you and Bella's best interest"

"She blamed Bella for her miscarriage! What kind of mother does that?"

"Don't bring that up!" She stated and I sighed and crossed my hands over my chest. "Did you bring me here to scold me?"

"No, you have to go apologize to her, you have to take back all you said to her, you have to-" I scoffed and sat up and she paused. "This is not a suggestion, Pearl. You are going to do it right now, you're going upstairs to talk to her"

"I appreciate your effort Aunt Reggie but I got a thing at 10-"

"You're going nowhere until you make up with your mother" she stated. "Is it even necessary? We are all doing fine without-"

"You remember I have a daughter like you and she has a kid?" She asked and I knew where it was headed, she was switching to scary mode. I let out a sigh and rose up, "what floor?"

"Third " she answered, "and you'll be planning the party this Friday"

"What?!!"

"You've got few days left, it's gonna be a 3 days event starting Friday. You know how huge these events are" she reminded and I let out a sigh of frustration.

"Off you go"

I turned on my heels and headed up the stairs. I didn't know which was harder, talking to her or planning this event. I let out a frustrated sigh as I ascended the stairs, I knew where she'll be in the 3rd floor.

My Mother had some kind of greenhouse up here and she adores... her flowers. I sighed once I stopped at the door, this is a nightmare.

I stepped in to see her, tending to the flowers while one of the helpers watered them. "Good morning, Mother" I made my presence known, she plucked the rose in front of her and sniffed it in.

She was in her natural habitat.

"Why are you here?" She asked, putting it in the basket. My question exactly, I'd do anything to not be here right now.

"I'm planning you're 50th party, so... I came around" I answered and she finally glanced at me before returning back to work.

I lingered at that spot, wondering if I should just take my chances with the door and lie to Aunt Regina that we made up. I turned to leave... "Will Travis be coming too?"

"Pardon?"

She glanced at me again, "it's a 3 days event, everyone will be staying at the castle till Sunday" she informed and it dawned on me.

Of course, her birthdays always felt like... A retreat. "Of course, he is gonna be there" I covered up immediately,

"Since you will be planning the event, I'll arrange the guest list, we will send invitations" she implored and I nodded, she turned back, plucking some more flowers and I stood there awkwardly.

"Anything else?" She asked

"No, I'm out!" I made a run for the door.

_______________________________________

"You look exhausted when it's only 10 in the morning" Kourtney observed as I slumped on my seat, "I was at the house, I'm gonna be planning my mother's 50th birthday"

"Ooh, another contract?"

"This is definitely a freebie. What's going on here?" I asked her and she took the seat opposite. "Nothing much, we should take a vacation or something, since there isn't really anything to do" she answered and I shot her a look.

"Have you forgotten about how we started with me having an outburst about us going bankrupt?" I reminded and she chuckled.

"That's a long time ago, we are doing good now. Have you seen the papers? We are gracing the front page" she placed it on the table and I read the headlines.

PARADISE BRINGING THE GALAXY DOWN AT THE STELLAR AWARDS.

I was proud.

"So, need help with your mother's party?" She asked. "Actually yeah, I might spend the whole day there tomorrow, it's a 3 days event"

"Seriously, I can't wait!" She squealed and I shot her a look, "you're so certain you are going to get an invite? She isn't even gonna invite her sister, Martha"

"Yeah but plus ones are accepted, right?" She asked. "Unfortunately, she definitely wants to see Travis there"

"Great, I'll be Davis's plus one" she answered. "Wow, has it gotten that serious that you are certain he's gonna invite you"

"Yeah, you were right. We were taking things slow, so we talked last night..."

"Ooh" I cooed, leaning on the table. "He confesses to be interested and we'll see how things go" she replied and I nodded. "Way to go, Kourt. That's a big step up, I'm proud of you both"

She smiled, "so, we'll head to the house tomorrow?" She asked. "Sure"