The Sweet Encounter (Completed)

Chapter Nineteen - The Fix

Two weeks had passed and life seemed simpler for Brie. Trey and Brie were able to work out their schedules, spending the weeknights at Trey's house and the weekends in her apartment. They managed to meet for lunch during the weekdays at her apartment, though eating was never their focus.

Brie was occupied finalizing her franchise with her lawyers, and Trey was getting ready to leave on a business trip for a couple days to Seattle. He begged Brie to take the few days off and go with him, but she didn't want to leave work and be a lone tourist while he worked.

That morning after dropping him off at the airport, she was bombarded with texts and voicemail messages. All stating the same thing –

"Congratulations!"

"So happy for you!"

"This is Christy! Why didn't you tell me? So classy too to be in the paper! Congrats, love!"

Paper? What was Christy talking about? As soon as Brie arrived in the shop, she went to the drugstore to grab a paper. She went through it, and it didn't take her long before she understood what everyone saw. In a full page in color was a large picture of Brie that was taken by Trey in his bedroom. It was the first time she went into his room. It was a candid photo, but still, it was massive. Below was the engagement announcement.

Brie Paige Staples and Trey Michael Bryson, both of Charlotte, NC, announce their engagement.

Ms. Staples is the daughter of the late Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Brenda Staples. She is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a major in culinary arts. Ms. Staples is also the owner of three well renowned bakery shops, The Sweet Encounter.

Mr. Bryson is the son of Mrs. Madeline Bryson and the late Mr. William Bryson. He is a graduate of Cornell University with a major in economics. Mr. Bryson is the CEO of Bryson Investments.

Brie slammed the paper onto her desk. What was he thinking? This was not a subtle announcement. She quickly dialed his number on her cell.

"Miss Staples, you already miss me?"

"Trey! What were you thinking to post such a monstrous page for our engagement?" She tried not to raise her voice because she didn't want her employees to hear. "My phone has been bombarded with texts and calls. Why didn't you tell me? I would have been more selective with the picture and surely would NOT have graced myself on the entire page of the paper!"

He tried not to laugh, but she could hear his chuckles through the phone.

"Are you mocking me? Now is not the time!"

"I'm sorry, Brie. I know you've been busy with your business and haven't put much thought into the engagement announcement, so I gave the photo to Stace and had her take care of it for us."

"Don't turn this on me and my schedule. I would have been more than happy to put forth the effort into it."

She couldn't believe he was using her schedule as an excuse.

"Oh my God. Now I know why you did it like this. It's because I didn't want to go to Seattle with you."

"Don't be ridiculous, Brie."

She was onto him. He was a possessive freak. "You're marking your territory because you're not here. You want to make sure people know exactly who I am. The fiancée of Trey Bryson."

"Okay, Brie, now you're insulting me and overreacting."

"Then tell me your purpose of blowing up my picture? And where is your picture?"