The Guy I Married

♠ 4- Panic

My office was a mix of black and white on the wall. The arm chair and desk were black. It had two long black sofa's with a centre table infront of the desk and a touch of bright nude on the curtain and the tiles. Hanging on the walls were framed pictures of event halls i decorated.

My eyes caught the red rose on my desk as soon as i entered. I closed the door behind me and i walked towards my desk to pick the flower that was a single rose. I stared at it for a minute, checking to see who sent it but there was no note, no name, again.

My phone beeped, distracting me. I looked at it and it was a text from Seth. He sent me a picture of him and his best friend, Zoey. It was a selfie where him and Zoey made silly faces, from the background i could tell dey were at school. Both of them were in senior year and soon, they would be going to the university. I wasn't really sure what seth wanted to study but he was really good in technology and bots. His friends once said he hacked the school system to change from Mr.Watson's horrible class. This always made me smile.

I shook my head and turned towards my mini cupboard on my left, i opened it and put the rose inside, where i had kept the others i had been receiving for over a month. There was a new red rose, everyday. I asked my co-workers around who had sent it but no one knew and i had no time to play hide and seek with my admirer, i think. A bigger part of me was more concerned about the book launch i was planning for Mrs. Manchester's new book. The book launch party was in a few hours and i had to get everything in order before then. I risked my work time the last weekend i spent at my parent's house so now i've got to make up for it.

I picked up my clipboard which had my schedule and left my office, heading for the elevators. The elevator stopped me on the floor the event would take place. The hotel had rooms and halls for events, at a price of course. Some guests paid for it directly while others charged the bill to their room. I organised birthdays, meetings, conventions, seminars, parties, weddings and anniversaries that took place in the hotel. I handled the planning of the events from the invitations to the catering and entertainment.

The door to the hall was flowered and the hall front had flower stands, posters and banners with Mrs. Manchester's photo and the title of her new book so the hall would be identified easily. I also informed the press about it to improve the book's publication. Personally, i felt my job was the reason for the increase in the hotel's marketing. Not to brag but every event i planned was a hit. The media, the instagram, the comments and compliments about the events were pleasant. But as always, the credit was given to the management in other words, Mr Lannister.

"Curtis, I've been looking for you. We may have a problem." Susan, the event co-ordinator approached me while panting. She wore a black off shoulder gown with blue heels. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a neat bun.

I looked around the hall, it was busy with each team performing their various tasks. the hall was sparkling clean thanks to the housekeepers, the kitchen staffs were setting the table for small chops and food for the guests, the lightning in the hall was fair, the media team were getting their equipments ready to take pictures and film the occasion. soon, the press would be arrive.

Each round table which had four chairs for the guests were neatly arranged with a mini basket in the centre that had sweets. The high table for the VIP was at the front of the hall which was elevated a bit higher than the audience.

Suddenly it hit me, the problem Susan talked about, the books hadn't been delivered yet as the tables were void of them.

"Where are the books?" I asked as i turned towards her. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath before she spoke.

"The books haven't arrived and i've been trying to call you, your number wasn't reachable. We have just four more hours before left before the event and- I mean how can we have a book launch without the book." Susan spoke super fast. She had this habit of talking fast when she was nervous or under pressure.

"You're asking me?. I left you in-charge for just two days and this happens." I said, nearly raising my voice. 'I could have stayed, this is a disaster. Think Curtis, think.' I thought to myself.

~2 hours 30 minutes gone~

I began to panic, the hall was ready yet no books. I called the delivery service, why they haven't delivered it but they said the order wasn't placed on time and there was no van available to carry the books. I wish i had a car right now. I took a long sip from my bottle water, i literally gulped down four bottles of water and i was on the fifth.

I turned to leave but stopped abruptly to see Martha behind me, smiling. "Stress issues, Curtis?. It seems, someone is going to be on the wrong side of Mr.Lannister's book. But there's no need to worry, i got you covered." She said.

I nearly took two steps away from her when she dialed her phone. "Hello, Sir. I just spoke to the event planner and she approved the hall ready for the occasion." I bit my inner jaws as i turned towards her.

"Okay, i will see you here in 10 minutes." She hung her phone and had the most innocent yet devious smile on her face. Then it hit me, Martha was the one who delayed the delivery, any article i ordered into the hotel would have to be approved by Mr.Lannister and it won't get to him without his assistant, Martha. The bitch!

•~

There i was smiling blissfully in the elevator with a box full of books. The elevator halted for someone to enter, the last person i wanted to see, Mr.Lannister. He paused for a minute as he stared at me from head to toe, narrowing his eyes as he observed my feature before he entered.

He noticed the big box i was carrying plus the fact i looked super weird carrying a load double my weight. He pressed on the floor i was heading to, he was on his way to inspect the hall for the book launch. I froze in my spot, not wanting to make eye contact. Scared if i looked into his eyes, I'd melt.

It was just both of us in the elevator, it wasn't awkward as this wasn't the first time we were alone in a room and the scent of his cologne did amazing things to me. But as usual, we'd both remain silent.

"Good morning, Sir." I said, breaking the silence with a straight face. At the end of the day, he was my boss and i had no choice.

He turned towards me for a while, his expression was grim and then looked down at his watch. There was no reply from him, not like he didn't hear me, more like he wasn't interested but deep down, between the both us, it was a big fat lie. Either way, i wasn't expecting him to talk to me, he must be really ashamed since i found out his little behind the scene act.