Total pages in book: 7
Estimated words: 6591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 33(@200wpm)___ 26(@250wpm)___ 22(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 6591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 33(@200wpm)___ 26(@250wpm)___ 22(@300wpm)
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER
ONE
Lily
I stare at my reflection in the mirror of the guest suite. I got an order to prepare for tonight. My blonde hair is perfectly coiffed, and my gold dress is to die for. The moment I saw the dress on Migan Jorgensen‘s website, I knew I had to have it. I also knew that it would be perfect for this event. I even treated myself to a matching bra and panty set in candy apple red from Ezra’s. The Manhattan boutique is pricey, especially for someone who’s never shown anyone their underwear before, but I felt like I deserved it. I’ve been working so hard lately because everything has to be perfect for this party. It’s the first one I’ve planned by myself. I work for my mother at VIP Parties, INC. If it weren’t for her taking on a last-minute engagement party for the governor, I would be second string as usual. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but staying in the shadows isn’t something I can do for very long. I started working with Mom during my freshman year of high school to make a little bit of money and stay out of trouble. Growing up in Brooklyn, I had plenty of opportunities to fuck up, but my mom put the fear of God into me very early. At first, I resented having to give up all my nights, weekends, and summers to do this, but then I started to like it. Then I loved it. No one throws a party like Evelyn Canton. I learned from the best, but now it’s time to put all that knowledge to the test.
While Mom is upstate throwing the engagement party of the season, I’m in downtown Manhattan throwing a charity gala for St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital’s new children's ward. This is actually something I really believe in. children. Sure, there are plenty of children’s hospitals, but the unfortunate truth is there are more sick kids than there are places to treat them.
However, there is nothing worse than last-minute panic to get the blood pumping. I know panic is coming, given the look on the face of Janine Boswick as she practically runs at me. Whatever she has to say, I’m not gonna like it.
“I’m sorry Ms. Canton, but they are stuck on The BQE. They won’t make it in time.”
“The centerpiece flowers?” I ask to clarify. I know it’s the flowers because they’re the only things that were to be delivered today as opposed to yesterday in order to keep their freshness. they were supposed to be here four hours ago at the ass crack of dawn, but there was a major overnight accident between Brooklyn and Queens. I should’ve used a Manhattan florist. They could’ve been walked here in a pinch.
“Yes, ma’am,” the older woman says in a clipped tone. I wonder if it pisses her off that I’m her boss, but I don’t have a lot of time to dwell on the fact. I need to come up with a backup plan. The first thought that comes into my mind is, what would Mom do? And then it hits me.
“I’ll be right back, Janine.”
I leave the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria and head down the street to the nearest bodega, highly overdressed. At the cash register, I purchase every single flower they have. The scent of the mix-matched tulips, roses, daisies, carnations, and baby’s breaths are enough to choke a donkey. It’s not very elegant, but the rest of the centerpiece is already on the table. The flowers were the only thing missing; in addition to the flowers, I bought a pack of gum and headed back to the hotel $134 lighter. The shop owner thanked me profusely for buying them out. She said she hated tossing them at the end of the day, which gave me an idea for future events.
As soon as I enter the ballroom, I find the waiters setting the tables for the sit-down dinner. Staying out of their way, I start on tables that they have not begun to set yet. Taking a few flowers, I arrange them in a simple, elegant way. Having wasted a lot of time on this, I’m glad I got dressed earlier. The hospital administrator comes over and introduces herself to me, despite the fact that we have met no less than eighteen times during the planning of this gala.
“Hello Dr. Cunningham, it’s lovely to see you again. I hope this evening is a success as far as your fundraising efforts go.”
“Yes, of course lovely to see you as well Miss...?”
“Canton. Lily Canton”
“Right. Miss Canton. I’m sure the evening will be great. The ballroom looks amazing. Do tell your mother, I said hello.”
Before I could even respond, I watch the woman walk away, her formal gown swishing behind her. A little while later, guests begin to arrive, and there’s really not much for me to do once the party is going. I am on standby for emergencies, but I do not anticipate this crowd providing me with any emergencies to deal with. With a glass of champagne in hand, I make my rounds around the room, ensuring that everything is in top order. I’m not sure how long I’ve been wandering when the string quartet begins to play. This particular quartet is known to play modern music, mixed in with the classics, which is why I thought it would be perfect for this gala. Over the last few years, I watched my mother effortlessly run these things however, I am feeling the stress. I don’t wanna fuck this up. Hors d’oeuvres of being passed around as well as drinks. Everything is going so well; maybe I can take a little breather.