Ch. 15 One Good （?） Turn
The screen lights up in my hand and I read the message twice before the words begin to sink in.
Your bank account has been credited with $30,000.
Holy shit.
My pulse starts racing, though my lips lift in a smile. When I accepted Legend's job offer, I never expected to make $30,000 in commission.
The job started well enough, but there were hiccups.
"No, I don't think scarlet is a good color for this mood."
"Legend, it's not just the mood. All the other shades of violet are dull and dark. The contrast from scarlet really pops here!"
"It looks gaudy. I don't like it."
Legend crosses his arms like the diva he is.
"Legend, these are the calls you hired me to make. I promise you it won't look cheap. When a billboard is flashing these designs at 50 feet up on a sunny day, only the scarlet will catch the eye!
Trust me! It'll work."
Legend finally relented. That was just the first one.
Legend can be—difficult to work with. Going to war with someone I've come to consider a friend on a daily basis simply to prevent them from sinking the entire campaign is extremely jarring.
Still—we've found our rhythm now. Sure—his team still considers me an imposter—but we're all learning to work together and trust in each other.
One year back, I was struggling in the UK, barely making enough to live in the dorm.
And now...
Ping.
Another message.
$12,000 from JB Tech—consultation fees.
Tears well in my eyes. When Legend requested I consult for his friend Ella six months back, I simply accepted, choosing to think of it as a favor and job exposure.
I never thought I would gain a friend.
I also never thought she would pay me so much for a few hours' work.
I dial her cell.
Click.
"Celeste! I guess you got your fees... that's why you're calling in the middle of a work day, aren't you?"
"Yes, I did—that's just—I don't know what to say, Ella. Thank you. And I call."
"Mmm, you do—once every week. And never during work hours."
I blink. Is that true?
"Uhh—" It's like my brain is glitching.
Ella laughs on the other end. "You're welcome. Now promise you'll—"
Whatever she was going to say next drowns in Legend's curses as he walks into the boutique.
"What the hell?"
I can hear Ella laughing on the other end.
"Have you spoken to Ella yet?" Legend demands in his typical style.
I point to the phone stuck to my ear. "What did you do, Ella? You finally broke Legend."
"I don't have time to break! That woman! She...! Aargh! Where is the design team?!"
I watch in fascinated shock as Legend storms into the bowels of his store while I wait for Ella to explain.
"About that... I was just going to call you..."
Wow, Ella sounds...so shy.
"Keith proposed. I'm engaged!" Her voice is so full of thrilled disbelief.
"Ohmygod, oh my god. Oh. MY. GOD! Aarrgghh! Ella, congratulations! I'm so happy for you both!"
"Thank you so much, Celeste." I can hear the smile in her voice.
"Is this news what broke Legend?"
She laughs again. I can hear an echoing laugh behind me.
"Ella!" I jump up and rush to hug her. She hugs me right back.
She told me some of her past... How she was married to Keith... how they got divorced before finding their way back to each other.
They're finally getting married—again.
I grab her hand and pull her to the sofa.
"When did this happen?! Tell me everything!"
"It happened last night. Keith proposed to me on the rooftop of my old apartment, where we got back together. It was... magical."
I can't help but smile. Ella has literal stars in her eyes.
"There's something I wanted to ask you."
"Oh? Is that why you came all the way?"
She just grins. "So, Celeste Shaw... will you be my bridesmaid?"
My heart trills in my chest. I've never been anything to anyone in all these years.
Tears prick my eyes. "Yes of course! I would love that!"
"Yesssss!" She does a small dance in her seat, and I can't help laughing.
"So when's the wedding?"
"Yeah... that's what broke Legend. In fifteen days."
I gawk at her. No wonder Legend was so flustered.
He will no doubt want to make Ella an exquisite wedding gown.
Fifteen days is... no time at all!
"How will everything get arranged? What about the wedding prep?!"
"Mostly taken care of. I don't want a huge wedding. I want a wedding where all the people I love, who love me back come together to celebrate with us. Frany is already on it."
I nod. "If there's anything I can help with..."
"No. No, no. Celeste is mine till the day of the wedding!"
Legend enters just as dramatically as he left.
"Ella, your wedding gown isn't going to create itself! You need to go!"
"Legend, I told you something simple will work just fine!"
"Yes, and the sky is green. I'm going to make your wedding gown the way you deserve. Now scoot."
"Celeste, we are going to be working on her gown ourselves. Come on."
I stare at him wide-eyed.
He grabs my hand and pulls me up. Ella waves from her seat, grinning happily.
I trail after him, mouth flopping open and shut.
Who's going to break it to Legend that I don't know the first thing about sewing?
—--------------
I look up to find Kyle frantically waving his phone on the other side of the glass wall.
My heart sinks. Did something happen to one of them?
I speed dial Keith the moment I'm out of earshot.
He answers in one ring.
"Keith, is everything alright?!"
I can hear the grin in his voice. "She said yes, Marcus. She said yes!"
A beat passes as I process his words. Then the largest smile I've ever felt spreads across my face.
Kyle runs up, looking thrilled. We grin at each other.
"Congratulations, brother! You both finally came full circle!"
"Wouldn't have happened without you. I know I should do this in person, not over call, but I can't contain myself.
"Marcus, you were my family when I had nothing. Will you be my best man?"
"Do you mean that?" My voice is a whisper.
"Yes. Absolutely."
I have come to think of Keith, Ella, Kenneth, Kyle and Legend as family. But for Keith to feel that way too.
My heart feels so full.
"Then I'd be honored."
"Awesome. I'll see you later tonight?"
"Yes. Yes, sure."
"Then why don't you drop by our place. Ella would love to meet you too! And just so you know, the wedding is in fifteen days."
"Sure, sure. Wait what—?"
But Keith has already hung up.
Fifteen days?!
—---------------
The night air is beautiful. Even the universe is co-operating.
I know fifteen days is a very short period to prepare for a wedding. But after everything that has happened, I don't want to hold off on something I've waited so long for.
I have to say, everybody really came together and made it happen. Legend is still mad at me for giving him so little time.
I know Legend is all gung-ho about match-making Marcus and Celeste, but I'm starting to have some serious doubts.
I've tried asking Celeste about if she likes someone, but she always deflects and changes the topic.
I've seen the sadness in her eyes though.
I have a feeling it might be more complicated than we imagined.
I've said as much to Keith, and he has doubts too... although he's sure that Marcus had feelings for Celeste... that he still does.
I hope he's right.
Everyone is here except Celeste. It's understandable, she lives the farthest.
I turn around and look at everyone, gathered around the bonfire in our backyard.
Kyle is ribbing Frany, and Frany is clearly agitated. There's something there, for sure.
Legend, Kenneth and Marcus are huddled together with Keith. Legend is being his usual self, gesturing wildly and being dramatic while Kenneth interjects whenever he gets too—passionate.
Keith is trying to moderate their argument to prevent them from waking the neighborhood.
Marcus seems to have found his feet as Ingram Tech's Chairman—planning tech for the entertainment industry—the cause of at least half the chaos in this party.
It's good seeing Marcus laughing and smiling for a change. The shadows still persist in his eyes when he thinks no one is looking—but he looks almost happy right now—and that's all that matters.
Keith and I decided to forgo the traditional bachelor/bachelorette parties and the rehearsal dinner for a night with our family.
I glance at my wrist watch.
9:30 pm.
She should be here.
Just as I'm about to call her, the door to the backyard swings open and Celeste walks in.
Everybody looks up and waves to her—except Marcus.
His whole body tenses like he's closing in on himself. His eyes go cold, and lips tighten.
I see the moment Celeste spots Marcus.
She stills—eyes wide.
She loses all color from her face and just stands there by the gate.
All our gazes swing between Marcus and Celeste.
Keith catches my eye, the same realization in his eyes.
There's history here—the unpleasant kind.
Oh no. Oh no.
Guys, what do you think? How long before Marcus snaps? Or will he pretend to be strangers?
Let me know in the comments!??