Chapter 8: High Stakes

I ignored the text. Deleted it without replying and kept driving. Whatever game this was, I wasn’t playing. Not today.

By the time I reached Aurora Event Agency, the morning rush had already started. I parked in my usual spot and took a deep breath before stepping inside. The building always gave me a small boost. Glass doors, clean modern lobby, our logo shining on the wall. This was my world.

Aurora wasn’t just another event company. We handled parties, weddings, corporate launches, and private celebrations all over the country. People came to us because we delivered what no other event planner would deliver. No excuses, no shortcuts. My team was sharp. We had coordinators, designers, logistics experts, and creatives who could turn any idea into something unforgettable.

Billionaires booked us for their anniversaries. CEOs trusted us with product launches that made headlines. Governors and senators used us for official functions. Musicians and actors loved our discretion for their private parties. Even a few royal families from overseas had flown us in. That kind of reputation didn’t come easy. We earned it through late nights, attention to every detail, and results that spoke for themselves.

Because of that, Aurora sat at the top. Number one in the world. I had money, respect, and a schedule that kept me busy from sunrise to long after dark.

Two days had passed since that awkward breakfast at Mum’s. I’d thrown myself into work to push everything else out of my head. Mark. Alex. That hotel room. All of it.

I sat in my office on the fifth floor, surrounded by mood boards and timelines for a big charity gala for Hale's cooperation next month. They were one of my new clients. So I didn't want to disappoint them. My desk was covered with fabric samples and seating charts. I was deep in it when my phone rang. Mum’s name lit up the screen.

I answered with a smile. “Hey, Mum.”

“Evie, darling! I’m so glad I caught you. Listen, I have the most wonderful idea.” Her voice bubbled with excitement. “I want you to plan our engagement party. You know, something elegant but warm. Not too big, but special.”

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple. “Mum, I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. I've got this big events already. I don’t know if I can take on another one.”

“Please, Evie. It would mean the world to me. Mark agrees too. He said you have such a good eye for these things. Just think about it. Family pulling this together. I can already picture it.”

She kept talking, painting the picture, flowers, music, the dress she wanted, how happy it would make her. I could hear the hope in her voice. The same tone she used when she told me about Mark for the first time. Telling her no felt like kicking that happiness away. And if I told her why I really couldn’t do it… that would hurt her even more.

I sighed. “Alright, Mum. I’ll do it.”

She squealed. “Oh, thank you! You’re the best daughter anyone could ask for.”

We spent the next twenty minutes going over dates. She wanted it in four weeks. Not much time, but I could make it work. We talked about themes, guest list size, and a few ideas she had. By the end of the call, she sounded over the moon.

Hearing her like that made my chest tight. I couldn’t ruin this for her. Whatever happened with Mark that night would stay in the past. One mistake. I wouldn’t let it happen again. I’d focus on work, on building my life the way I always had. No more distractions.

The call ended and I felt a bit lighter. Then my phone buzzed again. Alex. I stared at his name until it stopped ringing. He’d been calling nonstop since that morning at Mum’s house. Messages too. Apologies, explanations, promises. I deleted them all. I wasn’t ready to deal with him. Maybe I never would be.

I went back to the charity gala plans, losing myself in the details. Time passed quickly. My assistant, Sarah, knocked on the door around eleven.

“Evie? There’s a call on line two. It’s from the Senate mansion. They asked for you personally.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Put them through.”

I picked up the phone. “This is Evelyn. Founder and CEO of Aurora event agency, the world’s premier luxury event management company.”

A polished voice came through. “Miss Evelyn, good morning. This is Richard from the Senate family office. We’ve admired Aurora’s work for years. We’d like to request a meeting with you. Our daughter is turning twenty next month, and we want her birthday celebration to be perfect. Nothing but the best.”

I hesitated. “I appreciate the interest, but my schedule is quite full at the moment. I can recommend some excellent planners who—”

“Before you decide, let me mention the budget. We’re prepared to offer twenty million dollars for a flawless event. And we’re open to more if needed.”

Twenty million. My mind went quiet for a second. That kind of money could expand the company in ways I’d only dreamed about. New offices, better equipment, bigger team. I thought about the two other major events already on my calendar. This would pile on top, pushing everyone to the limit.

But I heard myself say it anyway.

“I’ll take it. Let’s schedule that meeting.”

The voice on the other end sounded pleased. “Excellent. We’ll send the details shortly. We look forward to working with you.”

I hung up and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Three huge events running at the same time now. Mum’s engagement party, the charity gala, and a senator’s daughter’s birthday worth millions. My team was good, but this was going to be tight. Really tight.

I smiled anyway. This was the kind of pressure I lived for. But deep down, I knew it also meant I wouldn’t have much room to breathe. And with everything else going on in my life, that could become a real problem.