ELLA'S POV My fingertips traced the breakfast table’s edges. I flashed a glance at Madame Browne before turning my gaze to the food served. On the plate were some some french toast beside some well drizzled avocados.The aroma of the food did nothing to arouse my hunger rather it drove an unknown reverberation of dread in my veins. The air in the room was hot, hot from the tension exuded by Madame Browne's scrutinizing gaze.I fiddled in my sit, my teeth clenched. Something wasn't right, I could tell. The way she quickly turned her gaze away from me, the way she acted all goody two shoes. All of this was not the usual attitude of Madame Browne— not even on a good day.Running the event was going to be a pain in the neck especially with this new act Madame Browne was pulling. It was almost ‘weird’ how Ivy's caretaker disappeared just the morning Madame Browne had decided to be a kind aunt to Ivy.I knew all to well that this was one of her plans to make him deviate from the event. But
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Bye Ivy, I trust that your loving ‘aunt’ over here will take care of you just… no, more than I will. I have to get back to work.” My fists clenched tightly at her words. How dare her? I watched her rise from the chair and swivel before walking out of the room. I could tell from her stride that she was up to something— something beyond the confines of my plan.I planned on boycotting her interest in running in the event, to make her feel caught in between the treacherous waters of running the event and being a more active mother (which she already was). I wanted to get under her skin as usual, to make her feel guilty of not being there enough for her daughter.Earlier today, I had visited Ivy's room before she woke up and dismissed her assigned caretaker to butter up things for my plan. But shockingly, it didn't work. This was the first time someone had trampled on my mind trick, well, if only Ella knew of the huge lot going on behind her back she wouldn't thin
ELLA'S POV I was halfway typing on my laptop when I received a call. My fingers paused, the warm clicking sound of my fingers against the keyboard fading into thin air. I frowned, my gaze flickering over to the vibrating figure of my phone.I stretched my fingers and grasped it. I was shocked to see the call was from one of the vendors I had chosen for the florist job. I hesitated for a second before I swiped ‘accept’ to pick up the call.“Hello,” I said, my voice laced with soft, yet effortless concern. I waited for a second before the caller, the florist, replied, “Hello Ms. Ella.”I could sense the remorse in her tone, the way her voice quivered and the loophole of silence that bridged her words. “Are you okay?” I asked, my brows furrowed.I waited for anoth second before the caller’s voice chimed again, “I am very well okay miss,”“I actually called to tell you that we will no longer be able to take control over the event anymore for some reasons.” Her voice beamed over the line.
ELLA'S POV Nothing in this world could have prepared me for the sight that was about to grace my eyes. There, on the screen of my phone was three message. I tapped my finger on the notification, my mind going into a state of panic.Displayed on my phone's screen were messages from the three different vendors I'd hired to cater for the event. First was from Sarah, the event host whose message read, “Hello Ms. Ella, I'm calling to tell you we won't be able to host your event due to some personal reasons best known to us. We apologize for any inconveniences caused, the base payment will be refunded as soon as possible.”My heart skipped a beat. First was with the floristnd now this? I wiped my fingers over my eyes to make sure I was reading the image just right. No.This can't be happening.Not at this time. The president's birthday was just two days away. They can't just bail out on me like that. Not at this daring moment.My chest tightened as I grasped the hem of my gown anxiously.
ELLA'S POV Things were about to take a drastic turn. Madame Browne's plan was about to take a turn— it wasn't going to be going her way anymore. This time, it was going to go my way.Her plan was to throw me off my feet at last minute when the event went haywire. And as much as I don't want to admit, it was working.The president's birthday was just two days away.The expectation the president had was surely going to be high and do did everyone, the guests, the media and Xavier. My mind flashed back to the media, Madame Browne had surely brought the media into the picture to catch my errors at the events.I had a lot of work to do. First was to get help— but from where? No vendor available could take on the event at such short notice and neither could the florists. Everything was a mess! All because of Madame Browne. The president had warned me of how competitive and manipulative she could be but It didn't take it seriously. Now, the outcome had shown itself leaving me stranded.I
ELLA'S POV “Hello Rhea,” My voice rang out as a barely audible whisper but I could tell she heard me clearly. I waited a second, my mind reeling with fear and anxiety from the thin silence that braced our conversation.I tried to set my mind away from the regret steaming in but I couldn't. Calling Rhea would be one of the last things I could ever do. She and I were never on a cool page and that originated fully from the huge block of trials and tribulations she made me go through during my years as a nurse at the hospital.She always stood in the way of anything that had to do with me. I was about to end the call to recheck if I was calling the right person when I heard a light giggle— one that reminded me of no other person but Rhea. “Hey what's up slut.” Her voice was as raspy as nails on a board, filled with rage and a menacing tinge of dread. I frowned, reclining into the chair as I braced myself for the series of insults and mockery I was going to receive.“Hello Rhea,” I repe
ELLA'S P O V “I'm here Ella,” Penny said, rushing up to where I stood. The guards at the parking lot all stared at us with curious glances— glances roaming especially on Penny. She was still on her off-work uniform, her hair draping curls that framed the edges of her voice.Her hug was warm, her arms wrapping around me like a cocoon. Her scent was warm against my nostrils as I pulled from the hug. I had missed having Penny by my side, having her support. Our friendship was dearly to me.“Madame Browne, s… she—” I was about explaining but the shivers trudging through my veins wouldn't let me. Penny interrupted me, “Don’t worry. I'm here, we'll get it all sorted out.”Justqs I was about to talk, my eyes caught the sharp glint of sunlight. I winced from the pain, my head tilting upwards as I gazed at the familiar glistening figure of a lady.Speak of the devil and there she appears. Madame Browne was at the huge balcony of her room, her figure clad in a free silk gown that clung to her
ELLA'S POVWith a paper version of the lists of Madame Browne's sworn enemies, I chuckled darkly. It had been a long twenty minutes and I had already sent the invites to them via email. Penny, on the other side, had helped me placed a call over to the popular Glenda Bacci. We waited for several minutes before the call was answered by the familiar voice of a lady.She sounded just like she did the last time at the hospital. “This is Nurse Ella from New York city hospital.” I recited, fear bubbling in my veins. I really did hoped she remembered me and was able to help.“Yes. Wow! It's been a while. How are you doing.” She exclaimed. Her words sealed all of my doubts as I heaved out a sigh. “You still haven't used your favor, I thought I said you should do that.”“Yes— about that…” I dragged my words, anxiety steaming my blood. “I am calling to ask for a very dearly offer. One that might be hard to fulfill.” “Hard? Sure nothing is too hard and I understand clearly I told you to reach t