The Contract

Chapter 155-The Big Blowout

I took a drag of the cigarette and let out the puff of smoke before flicking off the ashes into the air. I sighed and stared out into the street, leaning against the fence.

It was Wednesday morning, the wedding was tomorrow, and, as usual, everyone hated me. Being an event planner, this wasn’t my first rodeo with being loathed by the family. Actually, it was almost a tradition. I was even hated at my wedding. So, no biggie.

Good thing I’d managed to stay out of the family drama long enough to get most of the wedding prep done. But Bethany? She was still mad at me. I hadn’t had the chance to talk to her; she’d been on a bride’s rush hour ever since last night’s outburst.

I sighed again and took another puff.

“Excuse me?” someone called out, and I let out a breath of exasperation. A quiet neighborhood like this? Of course, I’d be labeled the crazy lady smoking by the fence.

I turned, expecting an annoyed neighbor, but instead, a lanky man stood there. His black suit jacket clung awkwardly to his chest, sweat soaking the fabric. His shaggy hair stuck to his forehead, and beads of perspiration ran down his face. Had he been running a marathon?

“Yeah?” I answered, flicking the ashes off the cigarette.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting,” he said, wiping his forehead. “Is this the Fidels’ house?”

I nodded.

“Oh, thank God.” He exhaled like a man who’d just escaped death. “I’m Steven,” he added, straightening his hand for a handshake.

Steven. The name sounded familiar.

“Pearl,” I replied, shaking his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Pearl,” he said. “Any chance you know a Diamond?” I had to ask.

“Yeah. That’s my wife.”

Right. That’s where I’d heard his name before. “You must be one of the relations of the bride,” he said. "Yeah and this must be your first time here" I observed.

“Yes. I stay in Chicago, it's a long flight.,” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. Before he could elaborate, a voice screamed from the house.

"Steven!!!" causing us both to turn back to the house, Diamond was by the porch, hands crossed over her chest. "Baby!" He waved back.

"Get your ass in here!" She ordered, walking back into the house. And there is the kettle calling pot black, some people can be ruthless sometimes.

This was her husband first time here and she was calling someone else out.

I shook my head and took another drag from the cigarette, "Nice to meet you, Pearl" he said. "Same" I replied and he headed towards the house.

I leaned back on the fence and stared out. I was restless, for the first time I felt bad. I felt like I did something wrong, the outburst last night kept bugging me, I did hurt Bethany and it wasn't my intention.

And I didn't know what do about it, I didn't know how to fix it. I hissed and got out my phone, I needed to talk to someone, I needed to bug someone, I needed to rant.

Dialing the number, I placed the phone over my ear and took another suck of the smoke. He answered at the second ring. "Are you busy right now?" I asked immediately and there was silence before he answered. "Yes, very busy—"

"Great!" I declared. "Things have turned to shit back here"

I heard him let out a breath of exasperation before asking. "What did you do, Pearl?"