Perfect Proposal

31

Nowadays the calls had become my alarm and I couldn't just snooze it that disturbs my deep slumber.

"Hi Helen, I have called you to tell that Reyes industries won't sign. They said there would be collateral damage to their reputation if they have seen associated with a homophobic dance studio." Ann's words had agony laced in them, her heart was writhing as she now was facing the consequences of her damned decision.

"Ann, it's alright. It isn't the only company in this place. We can.." I trailed as I was interrupted by her head shake.

"No Helen. They own like a chain of companies and are also capital investor of few, they won't allow it."

She was broken. It was her dream to conduct such an annual event in memory of her father and also to convince those who says dance can't be passion, guess what they're right! Bloody damn right!

"I'll sort out some way Ann, can I take today leave? I have to meet someone regarding this issue."

"Of course Helen."

I cut the call, and took a bath after I messaged Stephanie to meet at Meraki. It had been a safe haven for me at times to meet both Ezlyn and Stephanie.

As I pushed open the glass door to Meraki, I saw Steph waiting for me impatiently and Ezlyn was just wrapping up her shift.

"Steph about yesterday's meeting with Ann.." I was stammering to find words in front of her. She was a bitch sometimes back but that's a story for another day.

"Leave it Helen, just leave it," she seemed nervous and restless, maybe the memories had started to haunt her mind again, maybe the demons of her  won't ever love to leave her alone for they always seemed to be so fond of her which made her one herself!

"Alright Steph. I have an issue. Did Ez tell you?"

"I didn't tell her, you say it by yourself." Crossing arms upfront of her chest, Ezlyn retorted.

"Ann is devasted as.."

"What happened..What happened to Annie?" Stephanie asked furrowing her eyebrows, which clearly etched something behind my mind.

Stifling my smile, I acted agony, "you know, she was crying in her office, haven't slept for a day, she lost her contract with Reyes fucking industries, and as friends we can't do anything..." I trailed off, expecting to nag her mind with some guilty feeling which she obviously git entraped.

"Oh poor Ann. I can talk with some people, I have some good connections..." Stephanie told in a hasty manner as she was excited to do something about Annie, something she desired to do back then.

"Leave it, Steph. She is always fated to cry, to wallow, to be confined to agony deep down her soul, it's so heart wrenching!" Ezlyn was adding her share of oil to the flame.

Yes I needed that oh-so much at the moment. I wanted to trigger Stephanie, only that could do that work now!

"Fuck it. She won't have any pathetic life. I am there..I mean we are there for her, even if she doesn't like me, I will still have her back always, I mean...

"We instead I, you mean that, Steph?"

"Yes, we have her back." There was a ting of smile at the corner of her lips.

"In my opinion, we shouldn't go and beg that stupid company to sign the contract, in fact we can conduct the show in your club, vivaan club!" I told my idea as it was in my mind from the time Ann told me things wasn't going well.

"Yeah, the contract is for the place and arrangements, Stephanie can provide both, and for the coffee and snacks session I can handle it pretty well." Ezlyn declared, her words reeked off the confidence she radiated from her mind.

"Brilliant! And Luca and Jace would help us..." I was suddenly interrupted by raging Ezlyn.

"No Jace. I can't stand that fucking narcissistic arrogant son of...Ugh.. don't call him ever." She fumed as the anger seeth through her words.

"Okay." I agreed, painfully. I need to make things right for Jace soon.

"Ssh, what's with Jace? Doesn't she know about his love?" Stephanie murmured as Ezlyn went to fetch our cups of coffee, or rather stomped her way.

"Huge story! She doesn't know yet. I need to do things to make it good for poor Jace." I heaved in a sigh as I replied.

"Yeah, one decent fella he is. He comes to my club at times. He is a good one." Stephanie's check list had marked him already! Yay!

"Yeah, difficult to being good at heart and no enough courage to convey it." I told her, yes, it was not only meant for Jace.

Stephanie glanced away from me as if she understood the inner meaning, as sime burden is drooping over her eyes, causing to squirm under it's prick.

As if hit by something, my gaze forced me to turn back to some familiar pair eyes, a cold one, glaring at me from behind, sipping the coffee.

Damn!