Chapter 13: Million Dollar Deal

The question hung in the air like a dark cloud. I stared at the picture on my phone for what felt like forever. My thumb hovered over the reply button. I wanted to type something angry, to ask who they were and what they wanted from me. But I stopped myself. Replying would only make me really look like a victim. It would show them that they had gotten to me.

No. I said to myself, It would only make sense if I acted like I hadn’t seen anything.

I switched off the phone completely and placed it on the bedside table. The room felt too quiet. I climbed into bed, pulled the covers up to my chin, and stared at the ceiling. My mind was still racing with images from the party, Alex on his knee, Mum’s happy face, Mark’s hand on me in that hallway. The flash of the camera. Sleep didn’t come easy. I tossed and turned for a long time before I finally drifted off.

The next day would be a long one, I thought as I closed my eyes.

Morning came too quickly. I woke up with a slight headache but forced myself to get ready. I chose a sharp black pantsuit, applied light makeup, and pinned my hair neatly. At the office, the usual energy was there. Phones were ringing, my team was moving around with files and samples. I had just settled at my desk when the company line rang again.

Sarah picked it up and looked at me. “It’s the senator’s office. They’re ready for the meeting today.”

I nodded. “Tell them we’ll be there in an hour.”

I took Lisa, one of my most reliable female employees, with me. We drove out of the city toward the senator’s mansion. I pushed the thoughts away. Today was about business.

When we arrived at the mansion, the place was even more impressive than I had imagined. Tall iron gates opened automatically. The driveway was lined with perfectly trimmed trees. Security men in army uniforms stood at various points. Inside the main building, the living room was massive with marble floors, expensive chandeliers, and large windows that let in plenty of light. Young ladies in neat uniforms moved quietly around the house.

“Maids, I guess,” Lisa whispered to me as we looked around.

A polite maid soon approached us. “Miss Evelyn and team, we’ve been expecting you. Please follow me.”

She led us through a long corridor with beautiful artwork on the walls into another elegant living room. The senator, his wife, and their children and the celebrant were waiting. They stood up to greet us warmly.

“Welcome to our home,” the senator said, shaking my hand firmly.

His wife smiled kindly. “Can we offer you something to drink? Juice, coffee, or tea?”

We accepted some fresh orange juice and small snacks. After exchanging pleasant greetings and talking briefly about the weather and the recent charity gala I planned, we moved into business.

The senator leaned forward. “For our daughter’s twentieth birthday, we want something truly special. Elegant but youthful. We’re thinking of a luxury garden party mixed with modern touches. Live band, excellent catering, and a stage for performances.”

Lisa took careful notes. “We can work with a soft gold and cream color scheme. Custom lighting to create different moods throughout the evening. We’ll have a main dance area, a lounge section for older guests, and interactive zones for the younger crowd.”

Lisa wrote everything down quickly. The wife added more ideas. “We want it to be the best event of the year. Imported flowers, a special fireworks display at the end, and a video tribute from her friends. Nothing should be ordinary. We want this to be the best for our daughter.”

I explained our process in detail. “We’ll handle vendor coordination, security, invitations, and full event management. Our team will do multiple site visits to make sure everything matches your vision. We also have backup plans for weather or any last-minute changes.”

We discussed the guest list size, menu options, entertainment ideas, and timeline. The senator wanted tight security because of his position. I assured him we had experience with high-profile clients. After going back and forth professionally for nearly an hour, we agreed on the final package.

The amount was twenty million dollars. The date was set for five weeks from now. I brought out the contract papers. We reviewed the terms together, then I signed on behalf of Aurora Event Agency. They signed too. We shook hands once more.

“Thank you,” the senator said. “We’re confident in your team.”

On the way back to the office, I couldn’t stop smiling. Twenty million dollars. This single contract could change everything for my company. We could open new branches, hire more staff, and take on international projects. Aurora could truly go global. The thought made me feel light and hopeful for the first time in weeks.

What Evie didn’t know was that her mother had been planning a serious conversation for when she came over that evening. After the engagement party, her mum had spoken at length with Mark. She now believed it was best for Evie to come back home. She wanted to persuade her daughter gently but firmly.

Things were about to become much more difficult for Evie. Living under the same roof as Mark would bring new temptations, new risks, and new complications she wasn’t ready to face.