Chapter 6
The Wedding: Part I
Mr Sosa was gone for four more days, and when he came back he didn't show any delight whatsoever of seeing his employees again. I didn't expect any special greetings from the man in person, but once he called my name across the empty hall at six in the morning, my insides froze. I said to myself he probably only needs me for some business-related things since there was no assistant available at the moment to speak to of this matter he wanted to talk about. His unreadable gaze was following my rapid walk towards him and my shoes annoyingly clattered and echoed throughout the entire hall.
Each move I made, the closer I was to him, the more it got uncomfortable and awkward. He was up to something, but not knowing what that was made me shiver. Him being so quiet was not as surprising as the things he said after I got close enough to him.
"Good morning, Julia," he greeted me and grabbed my shoulder. "How are you today?"
"I'm good, thank you," I replied shortly, avoiding any unnecessary small talk.
We continued the walk to the office in dangerous silence, smile never leaving his mouth. Once we both entered through the door, his hand pointed to the chair, commanding me to sit down. I obeyed without saying a word.
"I know all of this might seem a bit strange to you. You might wonder what you've done wrong. I can assure you, you've done nothing against my rules," he chuckled sweetly. A good start, I guess.
"Quite on contrary, to be honest. You've shown some great work here. I am proud you've found yourself useful and enjoy spending time here. Now, I have big, big news to tell you."
When he said that 'big' word, my stomach twisted. His eyes widened and that meant no good. I was skilled enough at reading his occasional signs that he was going to enjoy what he had in store for me.
"I'm sure you've heard of Lady Potmore before, am I wrong? The famous painter and owner of the luxurious gallery at the end of the street two blocks from here. Anyway, we've done some great deal of work for her so far and she gave us some high recommendations. Mostly that's what has got us that far. She's getting married this time," he thoroughly explained and joined his fingers.
"Again?" I blabbed out of the blue, but immediately covered my mouth after saying that. I was positive Mr Sosa had no idea I wasn't truly keeping up with the artist and from where I got that information then. But it was still a daring thing to do. "Pardon me."
"No, no, please don't apologize. When she wrote me the letter I was just as surprised as you are right now. But I don't see nothing wrong in being that lucky for finding love for the third time, I trust you think the same. Some of us may have never tasted that and know how to appreciate that." Now his eyes turned soft and boyish, and I felt sorry for him.
"I absolutely agree with you."
"To cut to the chase, finally," he suddenly changed the topic and the sound of his sharp, bossy voice dragged me back to reality. "She asked me to be her service at the wedding. She also asked of me to bring my best caterers and waiters with me. Meaning people, who have shown excellent work thus far. See my point?"
My mind seemed to have wondered away, to some fictional place where there are no caterers and no annoying, demanding celebrities and their stupid, silly little weddings to serve at. It was unfair and cruel of him to have asked (or more like command) this of me. I knew from the start I would have no choice, not even the authority to oppose the great man. If I look at this from certain aspect, I was flattered he chose me, but at the same time I wasn't sure if all this wasn't some sort of sick joke. You never know what's going on inside that guy's head.
"I... I don't know what to say, sir. I don't think I could rise to the opportunity, if I may be upfront with you. I mean, I'm sure you have plenty of other employees, fairly more qualified than me, and I think I'd be unfair to choose me over them."
My answer sure wasn't what he had in mind, but it was daring and judging his expression, he was pleased with its diplomacy and determination. Maybe I wasn't the best employee judging my status and performance, but I was brave and was prepared to defend my argument. As far as I remember, I still possessed that right.
"I can see what you mean. I also understand why it's bothering you, but you can trust me. I have a very good reason behind choosing you for the main caterer," he assured me, but I still thought he didn't quite understood my point.
"If making sure I'll bump into Mr Huttington is your just cause for doing so, then I can tell you straight away that I'm quitting this job tomorrow."
His loud laugh had me at the edge of my nerves. I understood he was the boss, therefore he had the right to tease me any time he pleased, but this was just too much.
"You may think this is funny, but seeing Mr Huttington's disappointed and rather offended face once again is no joke to me," I retorted.
"I don't care if you're nothing but a whiny little wuss who can't do her job properly, but you are doing this if you ever wish to have another job in your life again. Speaking of new jobs, have you forgotten about my condition I told you to execute when you got accepted? Never take me for granted, Mrs Grady. For God will always prove you otherwise."
That guy and his silly gods and penances. I wasn't motivated enough to even read on Wikipedia what his god was all about, but judging his way of penance/punishment, he seemed like a sadistic, grumpy guy who never had any luck with people so he decided to become god one day so people will have to obey him and follow his rules. I wasn't being disrespectful to his religion, I just think it's pathetic and maybe even disrespectful of him to involve my semi-personal life with his extremely personal life which had nothing to do with me or my job here. But at the time I had no choice. If I refused this job back then, I don't know where I'd even sleep. Most likely at Sarah's, but I would even dare to ask her that myself.
Just after my anger has cooled down a bit and Mr Sosa left me alone in his office for he had to greet his "loyal" employees, I started to think about all the things I'd say to Mr Huttington if I would bump into him, which I really hope not to. Seeing his sad face again wasn't the only thing bugging me. It was that sentence the lady wrote. That one sentence that distracted me most of all. "… he is my eldest daughter's "current" partner and she insisted on bringing him with her." What did she mean by "current"? And how come he even made time to have a girlfriend? In one of his latest interviews I read he currently isn't looking for any attachments or relationships, for he is extremely busy with his new film in the making. So what was all this about? Did he know Mr Sosa was one of the Lady Patmore's top chefs and knew about my employment here? No. No way. That was not only too risky to think of the man, but also too cruel. He'd never do that.
The next day, when I got my ten-minutes break, I immediately called Sarah to tell her the news. As always, she seemed to have had her phone stuck to her palm since she answered right after the first beep. But once she greeted me, it wasn't me who begun to speak outrageously.
"Thank god! I thought I'm never going to her another word from you! I thought about calling you myself, but I remember you saying to me very straightforwardly that your current job is a serious thing going on right now and you don't intent on losing it. Smart girl. Anyway," she finally took a breath and then continued with full steam ahead. "Have you heard about that famous wedding that it's about to happen next month? Well, let me just say that lady is indeed in a hurry."
"That was exactly what I was planning on telling you about. If, of course, you'd let me," I finally got the chance to say something myself.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, my dear! Go ahead, go ahead, I'm all ears."
Then I begun to explain her every single little detail from yesterday morning, which was accompanied by Sarah's occasional sighs or sounds of approval and total agreement. Eventually I had to come to the part when dear Mr Huttington steps into the story. I couldn't get around that in any way. She would've found out anyway.
"And one more thing..." My voice didn't seem to be quite supportive as well of what I was about to say.
Sarah didn't say a word, for she probably sensed I was in mental preparations for the next few moments. When the courage finally came, I didn't intent to hold back.
"Mr Huttington's invited to the wedding. And I'm completely, utterly petrified." The words seemed to be leaving my mouth as if they were something completely ordinary and casual. Though my heart was saying otherwise.
She, once again, this time she did not choose a very convenient moment, didn't let out a word.
"Please, say something. You're the only one who can give me hope and strength right now," I heard myself saying. I sounded way too desperate. Thank god Sarah didn't really bother accusing me of being a sissy from my voice alone, but she did, however, lecture me about my very weak choice of words, which was practically the same thing.
"You can't go down there saying things like that. You just can't. That's step number one. Dismiss all the negative thoughts out of your head. Puf!" I heard her snap her fingers and say those dumb words.
"If it were that easy..."
"It is, my dear, it is! Oh come on, name the worst thing that could happen," she replied rather optimistically. How could I be surprised?
"Well, for a start, he could humiliate me in front of the whole high society that's going to be gathered there, let alone Mrs Patmore herself. They'd all laugh at my childish failure and the shame I brought upon the company. Now nobody will buy another magazine ever again and it's all my fault."
"Yeah, about that... The sales of our weekly issue has grown quite a bit since your departure." My heart started beating faster and Sarah noticed that. "Before you say something you might regret in the past, let me just inform you that Mr Chapple has resigned."
Now I was speechless. George has resigned? My George? How was that even possible? He lived for that thing and the rush and the adrenaline. From when I last saw him, I couldn't even imagine his hypocritical face and his gigantic ego take such defeat like having to resign. Or was it his own idea?
"Who made him do it? Who had the most of it?"
"He's replaced by Janice Morgan, I think. She's- no." Her breath seemed to be caught in her chest, before she was finally able to speak again. "You don't think... Did you mean she... You know, forced George to leave now that you're gone? That couldn't possibly be."
"I think it's quite possible, you know. I learned to trust no one, and never trusted that ginger bitch as well and now I think I might actually have a reasonable doubt."
"Don't be silly," she kept on with her part of the story. "She's a quiet, innocent little reporter who has no social life whatsoever, but to live it for the celebrities."
"Seems like a perfect cover, doesn't it?" I immediately jumped in.
"Oh just snap out of it. I think that little conspiracy you've been going on inside that head of yours is clouding your judgement quite intensely. Before we have any kind of proof of her disloyalty, we cannot blame her," Sarah defended her standpoint.
The minute she mentioned Janice's name as her superior from now on, I knew something smelled here. This couldn't be even among the most desperate choices the company could have had left, because there were like at least twenty people more capable, mature and hard-working than her. I might have came to contradict myself from what I've said previously about her, but like I also said before – I never really trusted anyone.
"Just tell me one more thing; who put Janice on this position? She could've never put herself up there herself, otherwise the whole world would be nothing but chaos," I asked one more time, this time my voice was no longer playfully curious or childish. This time it was serious and low, as if I were discussing a murder of someone.
"She... Well, we kind of... voted?"
"How do you mean voted?" I understood nothing.
"As normal people vote; we had a box of names, and then each and every one of us had to write down a name on a piece of paper and put it in there. It wasn't a simple choice, believe me." Sarah sounded something close to relieved. Was she burdened by something? Was she hiding me something?
"How come everybody voted Janice? Isn't that a bit suspicious?"
"Well, later, when we were discussing it, we all agreed that she seemed the least capable of bringing this company to the ground again. Lots of grudges have been made, but in spite that, we came to conclusion that our newspaper is safe once again. No offence."
"None taken. I see," I sighed after realizing Sarah's probably telling the truth. I understand her, though. All of them, who still worked there, were so confused by the latest twist of events that clear judgement wasn't among the top things expected of them. I'm sure Janice was quite thrilled to be sitting on that throne, though.
Days were flying by, clients rolling in and more work came with them. Everybody obviously felt the tension and excitement in the air due to the famous wedding drawing nearer and nearer every day. Every employee was more careful and quibble over petty matters, just in case if the glorious samurai (as I found myself calling Mr Sosa every now and then) would caught them in action. I sort of felt sorry for them, because I would gladly surrender the one-time opportunity to them, but that meant losing my job, so that choice was out of the question.
I hated the idea itself of having to attend that stupid wedding. I mean, the whole country knows she's going to divorce once again, pick up the leftovers and start over. With a new guy. A rich guy, I almost forgot. That's not how the old witch first started her admiring career, though. She used to be a respected artist! She still owned some galleries down the street, but otherwise she was provided with so much wealth that even years after her death, her descendants shall live off of it.
Anyway, that thing bonding her and Mr Huttington just didn't make any sense to me. Either was he lying to the media or he has truly found the love of his life. Somehow just the thought of him settling down, having kids and all that, made my stomach twitch. My gut was telling me there's something wrong about it, yet my mind told me to just let it go and leave it as it is. I'm sure he didn't need any more drama that has already entered his life. Thanks to me.
I also feel the need to mention that the media has grown quite fond of me. Still I couldn't decide whether that was a good or a bad thing. Most likely a bad thing, since all they seemed to be writing about is how I tarnished the little company's innocent, pure reputation and ruined their dreams of becoming a successful newspaper company. Well, first off, I think I could teach them a thing or two about writing long ass columns on "objectively" criticizing a journalist. Second of, I think the best person to know what sort of dreams that company had was either me or Mr Chapple, my former boss. Wow, that hurt.
"So," Mr Sosa suddenly appeared behind me, obviously inaudibly walking in the room where I was doing my ordinary work. "Are we all set for Friday?"
He slowly leaned on the counter and I tried to ignore his staring black eyes, pointed directly at mine. It was slightly uncomfortable, but I had to keep my mouth shut or I'll hear it all over again.
"Yes, of course, boss," I replied indifferently.
Of course, the great samurai sensed the tension in my voice, but he also had to confirm his theory of me being really nervous.
"Something on your mind, Mrs Grady?" he implied with fake tender voice, but his sharp accent changed the whole idea of acting kind and emotional. As if he had any emotions.
"Nothing at all, boss. Why you ask?" I tried very hard for my face not letting show anything what was going on inside my head. Which was a total disaster and a mess of feelings and emotions colliding, mostly with pictures and images of that guy stabbed.
The samurai moved a bit to get a closer look on my highly concentrated face and I even felt the smile on his thin lips. His annoying chuckle followed along with his even more annoying voice.
"I understand you're in a difficult position," he started and I flinched at how accurate the words sounded. But he couldn't even possibly understand. "You have to realize it's a part of your life, dealing with things you do not wish to face. Life worth living starts outside that little comfort zone of yours."
He patiently waited for my response or even a tiny reaction, but when he realized he waited in vain, he continued with the most rational voice he was capable of at the moment.
"Mr Huttington shouldn't be an obstacle between who you are and who you want to be. He could be some sort of inspiration, but I highly doubt that. Nonetheless, the main thing is, you have to come to that point yourself. It's easier than you think. You're stronger than you believe, braver than you appear."
The latter words forced me to remove my sight from the pile of dirty dishes and my hands in them for the first time. What was with everyone these days, trying to get me somewhere everybody knew I had no chance in getting and forcing me into thinking things I didn't believe in. I knew they were only trying to help me get pass this truly unpleasant period, but seeming courage is still worse than fear.
Mr Sosa's lips stretched into triumphal smirk once I turned to face him. It wasn't that sort of smile when he got what he wanted like some five year old kid; he was truly proud of himself for getting my attention, as if he was happy for me or something. Was he only playing tricks with me or was he really trying to help me? That guy always left me in doubt.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said after an endless pause. He didn't seem to agree which was a bad sign.
"You, out of all people, know best what I'm talking about," he replied tenderly. "Look, I came here to put some courage in that silly little head of yours, because it sure isn't going to come itself from nowhere. The least I can do is help you getting there."
He then turned around, but I felt the need to stop him. "Getting where?"
"To being the best journalist the world has seen, of course," he answered, a grin splashing his face.
The clock in the black van which belonged to Mr Sosa's company just went 6:28 AM. The chauffeur named Dan, my friend Tanya and a few others were on our way to the infamous wedding of the century. Precisely, we were only a few meters away from the staff entrance. Mr Sosa preferred driving on his own. I believe he said he has to get emotionally and mentally prepared for the event. I couldn't agree with him more. Though I did feel sorry for the guy; he knew the bride personally, which meant putting up with the typical annoying behaviour. But according to the fact he accepted the incredibly nice invitation from the lady herself, he must owe her big time.
The driveway led us directly to the big white tent right behind Mrs Patmore's mansion she inherited and the same mansion she fought would fall into the right hands of her greedy children. The house (or shall I rather call it palace) was impeccable. Unlike the lady's indecisiveness on which man to marry that would not die within three years of marriage, six tops, she had taste in outdoor décor and it filled me with excitement just to think about what the inside of this castle must look like.
Mrs Patmore wasn't totally and utterly intolerable, but she indeed had her specialities about which she felt such generosity, she necessarily needed to share with us, pathetic mortals. Though I haven't met "Her Majesty" personally, I heard quite a lot about her in the papers, therefore also her family. Her children aren't the best influence on her, but she kept her inner strength from breaking under the weight of the pressure her kids caused her. Speaking of her children, Mr Huttington's face flashed in my mind. I felt a knot in my stomach, twitching against my will. I wouldn't really say I was worried for him from what I heard about the next generation of Potmore, it's just... Okay, I did worry. I always worry. But it wasn't I'm-in-love-with-you-so-I-worry kind of worry. It was simply a kind act towards another human being. But caring in my opinion always meant a sign of weakness.
Our team excited the van and helped carrying the folding tables and everything else that belonged on that table and whatever else came along with that. I was being handed an armful of silver trays and the tableware. I didn't feel the need to complain, since Tanya was busy with three gas bottles necessary to prepare fresh food that the lady distinctly ordered. She wouldn't want to disappoint her dear guests, so I completely agree with her. I rushed to the lawn where some things have already been prepared for us to do our work, so I just placed everything I held in that moment on the white tables and ran back to the driveway to help out Tanya.
"Here, let me help you," I offered help.
"Oh thank you," she breathed as I took one of the bottles in both of my hands. They were indeed very heavy.
"Just because I'm partly Russian doesn't mean I have superpowers," she jested and we both laughed, but completely went silent once we saw Dan, who also liked to call himself the leader of our expedition when Mr Sosa was not nearby, shooting us a deadly look. The minute he passed us by very slowly and carefully, we once again burst into childish laughter.
Once we delivered all the bottles under the folding tables, we rested our hands on our hips and looked around for the first time. The lady's home was located somewhere in golden mean between the city and the countryside, somewhere most of the media was too lazy to travel to. It was a magical place, surrounded by the mighty Dorking hills. She chose the location well and Tanya and I both appreciated the fresh air after a long time spent in the city.
We appreciated nature way too less than it really should be appreciated. My work occupation has gotten me on the edge of my nerves and patience, I didn't even make the time to look around and realize what's surrounding me. The beauty that was slowly disappearing right in front of our noses. It was partly depressing, yet I knew deep down there was no way I could ever even think about vacation back then.
"Hey, you two, back to work! Go on!" we heard Dan shouting and we could recognize pride hidden in his voice. He just couldn't resist the temptation.
It was about noon now and everything was pretty much already prepared for the ceremony. I've personally never been to one of these things, let alone a fancy wedding of some lady. But still I knew exactly why Mr Sosa chose me. It was practically written all over his face when he said the words. He wanted me to confront Mr Huttington. He needed me to. In some way I'm thankful for that choice he made, forcing me to clean my spirit of sins and all, but on the other hand I'd give anything to avoid those sharp blue eyes staring into yours with such intensity you could barely move afterwards.
"When do the guests arrive again?" I asked Tanya who was sitting next to me on one of the chairs behind the folding table for the staff, amazing food in our sight, yet we weren't allowed to touch anything.
"Two," she replied curtly.
She had her eyes fixed on something and even though I was observing her bored and serious face, she didn't seem to flinch once. I followed her gaze and found Mr Sosa talking to one of the organisers of the event. Their hands flew everywhere around their bald, egg-shaped heads and their eyes seemed really worried. It was like she was trying to catch a word or two, but I knew that wasn't possible since they were like fifty meters away from us, yet nothing could interrupt her, even my several coughs to give her a clue or two she needs to return to the living now and then.
After three more coughs she got the message and snapped: "What?"
I was frightened by the dangerous spark in her colourful eyes. "I'm sorry," I quickly apologized, but she just shook her head in reply.
"Don't be, please. I am the one that should be sorry. I was just watching that asshole over there," she said afterwards and nodded to the two gorillas arguing across the lawn.
"Yeah, I noticed. What's up?"
"Nothing really. It's just he dragged me to so many events like this one before. He knows how much I hate public and the media and all the rich people wearing their fancy clothes, yet he still finds an excuse to torture me. I simply hate that," she answered sadly.
"Why would he ever want to do that? Torture you?" I said, looking up to her, but her eyes didn't move.
"I have unpleasant history with this man." She took deep breath before continuing and I sensed it's going to be a long story. We had two more hours before the first guests start to show up so we had pretty much nothing else wise enough to do than gossip about our boss. "To be honest, I was just like you. In my twenties; young and foolish and naïve. No offence."
"None taken," I silently replied and let her go on. I was really wondering what she got to say.
"Anyway, it was barely my eighth month working here and he already sent me to some business event we were ordered to go. He was taking his rookies back then, but I have no idea what change his mind this time. But he did have one thing in common with today's Chen. They were both obsessed with their religion. Nonetheless, it was all pretty much the same than here, the process. Yet there was one thing we, rookies, were exposed to that no one ever warned us about. It was our clients."
After the last sentence she sighed quite desperately and loudly, making an impression like she was about to say something that's been burdening her for quite some time.
"As you probably imagined, I got involved with one of those business men who we served to. I wasn't shy and introverted back then. I was twenty-one and willing to do just anything to get into the big world. Among real people you know?" I nodded. "But turns out, he only used me to prove Mr Sosa, who just happened to be his worst enemy ever (lucky me), that he's got nothing but weak and fragile lonely whores serving them. He took it as an insult to their company and no one ever rang Mr Sosa for our services for a very, very long time. You can imagine what he'd done to me."
"Actually, I don't," I answered her confused. What was she hiding?
"Oh come on. Why do you think he accepted you in the first place? You see, he is no fool. He keeps track on this going on in the world. He might be insane, but he's not stupid."
Honestly, I still didn't see where this was going. The minute she saw bewilderment in my eyes, she continued rather bored. I suppose she expected a bit quicker perception on my part.
"He got you in because he wanted you to repent. You don't really follow the yellow press, do you?"
That was rather offensive, but I couldn't deny it. I did after all used to work in a company that wasn't the same as other press companies. We were cut from the world, shining outside this shithole everyone else seemed to be so obsessed with. And we weren't ashamed of that. I then shook my head in Tanya's question that seemed a bit rhetorical.
"Mr Huttington was already getting quite hot with that lady Patmore's daughter right during the week of your little incident. Besides that, it was firmly known that the lady herself has found herself a new boytoy as well and the news were flashed with the pictures of her engagement ring. Connecting these two, Mr Sosa was counting on the wedding before it was even announced, right in the time when he received your job application. It is no coincidence he sent you on this mission as well. See my point?"
It was already clear to me that Mr Sosa did not have a healthy or even stable mind. It already was clear to me that he had a sick obsession with his traditional religion. It was already clear to me this was his punishment for my sins I've made in the past, it was all already clear to me as a day. But one thing wasn't. Was he really that twisted to have all of this already planned months in advance? It was sick and unbeliveable at first, but everything Tanya said matched. Even chronologically. It all made sense, even though I wished it didn't.
"Why would someone do this? Who would be this vengeful?" I asked after a while.
"He did the same thing to me. The whole penance thing, it's his wont. And don't expect him to let go until you do what he wants you to do."
"I'll see Mr Huttington anyway, what else can I do? I mean I have nothing to say to him, he made that one very clear," I said rapidly. But after a few seconds of staring into her eyes I saw something I wish I didn't. "No way. Na-a. I'm not doing this, no freaking way. Do you realize how awful I feel just thinking about that guy? I don't want to make a total jerk out of myself again!"
"Tell that to that jackass," she said, turning her head to the lawn again.
I went completely silent. She proved her point and she let me know there's no escape. Not now at least. It wasn't fair. I was supposed to be drawn away from the drama here, starting over and not hearing that guy's name ever again. I fully remember Mr Sosa's words about penance at the start of my job here, but I never took them seriously, thinking it's just some superstitious stuff. I learned my lesson, I should have taken him seriously. My mind was so filled with that actor's face and his words and sass that I didn't have time to think forward, only blinding myself with the idea of leaving my past behind. Now I see there's no way of getting out of it without any real consequences.
But suddenly, all the regret and pain was immediately replaced with anger, wrath and revenge. That guy deserved his penance as well. He could do things like that in the name of faith all he wanted, but one day he'd have to take responsibility for his actions that ruined so many lives as well. There are no sinners and saints. We all have a past and we all have a future. There are just people who convince themselves they've done nothing but good in the past and then you just let Karma do her work instead. It saves you a lot of work and time.
I found myself trying to get away from that complicated white layered thing that was a chair and trying my best to stand up. Once I got on my feet, I felt a hand on my forearm.
"Don't do things you'll regret later," I heard Tanya whisper behind me.
I smiled mischievously and wrenched myself free from her grip, that wasn't exactly too tight either. She wanted me to let me go, but at the same time she wanted to just let things slide as they are meant to. But those things were already behind her. And it was not like I was trying to avoid my punishment in which I truly believe and trust Karma will do her job successfully, but it just didn't seem fair to me that I had to find out things this way.
"Trust me, I'll only give him the punishment my god wants," I said confidently and dashed off across the lawn towards Mr Sosa before she could disagree with me. Of course she did, she'll just never have the opportunity to explain why since she'll be too grateful for turning some wrongs into rights.
I was now moving dangerously close to the big man, but he and the organiser never really quit talking. I presume they just didn't see me or they had some serious things to discuss right now. As I drew nearer, my latter theory was confirmed. And I was not pleased at all.
"How many times do I have to tell you; we can't have guests arriving now when we have so much food to prepare!" My heart stopped beating. "I was strictly informed that the guests will be coming at two o'clock, which is one hour and forty-five minutes from now, so we could organize the preparations properly and in time."
"How many times do I have to tell you that the lady has changed her goddamned mind? It's not my place to discuss your business when you're not even doing it!" I heard saying the other guy.
"May I have a word with the lady?" Mr Sosa silently asked, his voice impatient.
"No, you may not. She is resting in her chambers, getting the last details ready," the man replied.
"And you're saying that's your job? Worrying when "the lady" is taking a freaking dump?"
The guy in black, who I recognized as the head of security and not one of the organisers which I'm sure rested their poor feet at the very moment of speaking, stepped closer and grabbed Mr Sosa's white uniform. His eyes were centred in his and as I watched him closely, I saw he didn't even once blink.
"You, my dear friend, are playing a dangerous game here. You know you're not winning this one, so I kindly suggest you gather your lazy-ass workers and start doing what you are meant to," he threatened.
"I kindly suggest you do the same," my boss snapped and fixed his collar. "The lady might need a hand with wiping her ass."
Before the security guard could let out another word, Mr Sosa turned to me, his eyes absent and blank. He roughly grabbed my shoulder and said, loudly enough for the guard to hear it: "Come on, Julia. We've got some work to do." We were then directed to the tent where Tanya was sitting and was comfortably watching the whole scene from the distance.
Right before we entered the white tent, Mr Sosa turned to me with serious face: "I need you to inform all your colleagues that we're not serving any food today. May they enjoy their free lunch. Oh, they can leave the cake, though. We wouldn't want the lady to waste such memorable moment, would we?"
He then winked, proudly straightened his back and flew pass me somewhere behind me. All I was capable of doing in that moment was hearing those words repeat one after another in my head and trying to fathom some sort of sense in them. I failed.
To even more so distract me during my intense contemplation, Tanya immediately showed up in front of me, giggling.
"You might find all of this funny as hell, but to be honest... He left me with enormous responsibility upon my shoulders," I said tiredly. I was not ready for this, let alone have the energy to face it.
"Oh my dear Julia, unbosom yourself to me. Let it go, just let it come out."
I couldn't really tell apart if she was joking on my expense at that moment or was she really trying to help me. I decided to answer on the first theory.
"You can make a fool out of me all you want. I'd really wish to see Mr Sosa telling those words to you instead."
"Okay, enough with the crack. I know this is nowhere close to what you've ever experienced and definitely not what you had in mind for today. To have your boss leave you high and dry. To having our boss leaving all of us high and dry. I feel ashamed and in utter agony just as you do. Try to believe me."
"If you would, then you'd help me out with this," I said with my eyes suddenly meeting with hers. I found sincerity and hope which was not present only few minutes ago. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just... I don't know what to do."
The words I said sounded so simple and humble, yet a greater, much more significant meaning was hiding behind them. I tried really hard to take them as easy as they sounded, but I simply couldn't. I couldn't handle two gigantic pressures at the same time, not here, not now.
"Of course I can help you, sweetie. Just tell me what to do," she answered after a while, but quickly enough to still have my attention that was starting to drift away. Somewhere safe and quiet with no angry security guards and mislead bosses. Somewhere away from here.
"Tell the team to start cooking and boiling everything they see as fast as they can. You too. I'll join you as soon as I can, but first I need to inform the lady about the short delay." My eyes were suddenly wide open, my mouth not trembling any more. I was the leader now. I had to save this situation before the lady would say the final word of the company's future. I had to save him, even though the only thing I'd like to do to him the most was cut his throat.
Tanya nodded and vanished into the tent without speaking a word. Her eyes were showing me she supported me all the way, only she was in a slight hurry at the moment. That gave me the required inner strength and courage to start walking towards the other way of the lawn to the back entrance of the mansion.
I've never in my entire life thought I'd be in this position I was right now. This was not what I was born to do. I was no leader, I was my own guardian angel and mine alone and not of others. Feelings of fear and courage ran wild through my veins, causing my heartbeat to rise dangerously high. I felt my hands sweat and another drop dribbled across my forehead. What will I find at the gates? Three armed men pointing at me for violating the lady's privacy? Will they have me arrested? Oh for god's sake, why on earth would they have you arrested, you fool, the voice crept. But it was right. As much as it was rational, it was also true. I had nothing to be afraid of and it was completely normal to stop by and say a few words to the future bride. Nothing too suspicious.
My fear was completely washed away once I saw the garden entrance empty and clear. I sneaked behind the ancient stony wall and wait for a few seconds to make sure no one saw me. I was wondering how many servants hid right on this spot in the history of this family before me. I was sure the number wasn't that small.
Once I heard no footsteps drawing nearer or gunshots, I decided to step into the building. The winter garden itself was a majestic compilation of exotic plants, beautiful and unique larch garden set covered in beige cushions and pillows, prehistoric white arches above the glass that revealed the bright sky and a door that led into another unknown room. I felt pleasant rush overcoming me and a slight shudder across my shoulder blades once I moved the white door. I saw nothing but a plain kitchen and a tea set.
I continued my adventure when I crept across the small room to the old stairs. They were leading to another white door, open as the previous one. When I made sure I wasn't being followed or watched, I ran to the stairs and took two steps at a time. As I presumed, they were creaking but not in a creepy, spooky way, but in an annoying way and I wished it stopped. Eventually it did, once I got to the top of it. Now the only thing separating me from the main hall, as I gathered from the Downton Abbey scenes, was a few steps through that door. Things were getting pretty much serious now and I wouldn't want to do anything I wasn't completely sure in. That sort of decisions turned out very badly so far.
As I planned, I made a small step closer to the doorknob and flipped it softly. Before coming out entirely, I peeked out my head to observe the place. There was no sight of anyone coming down or up the stairs, from the dining room or through that door, although chaos around the house was what you'd usually expect if things at the wedding didn't go as planned. I didn't bother with wondering why the hall was empty, but I rather jumped across it and all the way to the ancient mahogany stairway. Again I took advantage of my quick legs and found myself on the next floor in a matter of seconds.
This time I did hear voices; whispers coming from a room about eight meters away from here, a shout from another at the end of the hallway. Judging the authority in the female voice, I presumed I found the lady. I moved slowly and carefully all the way across the hallway until I was only two rooms away from the one where Mrs Patmore was located. But the minute I straightened my posture and prepared myself, I heard a door slamming. I looked behind me and saw a maid holding bunch of sheets and pillows. We made a quick eye contact, but the other girl was the one to break it. She didn't say a word and neither did I. She must've recognized me as one of the caterers and not a nosy journalist, so she let me be and I was endlessly grateful for that kind gesture.
Now that no one else was around to threaten my position, I knocked on the door. I heard some feet moving up and down the room, but none seemed to be coming near the door. But then I heard the lady shout: "Who is it?"
"It's Mrs Grady, madam. I'm one of the caterers here," I started. "Mr Sosa sent me to tell you some important news."
After that I didn't hear any response, only whispers and noises I could not understand. Then suddenly some feet started to draw near me behind the closed doors. I felt a lump in my throat and a very unpleasant feeling in my stomach, similar to excitement although I wasn't near to excited. Maybe frightened to death would do.
I watched the old metallic doorknob turn and it all seemed like a slow motion. Thousands of thoughts rambled through my mind and I couldn't decide on one to focus, because at the same time I was wondering who'd open the door and how to address them and how to formally introduce the urgent matter to the lady.
But once the door did open, I saw the person I at the same time least expected to see, yet I knew our little "meeting" was inevitable. The person in front of me looked just as shocked as I felt and that gave me some sort of comfort, even though my mouth went totally dry and I was suddenly aware of the uncomfortable silence. It was eventually broken by the lady herself, when she ordered me to come in.
I couldn't help but stare in Mr Huttington's eyes while I was moving towards Mrs Patmore and I felt he wanted to do the same. I felt both unpleasant and glad I went through that so the occurance at the actual event in front of the whole media won't be as awkward.
"Mrs Grady," he greeted me finally and bowed his head a bit.
"Mr Huttington," I said and repeated after him.
The lady seemed rather bored while observing her well-done make-up in front of a mirror and I waited patiently until she decided to devote me her attention.
"What is it, child?"
I then explained her the whole thing; the quarrel between the guard and Mr Sosa, the news I heard and also what Mr Sosa ordered me.
"But I simply couldn't let that happen, right? I mean, you hired us to serve you and I thought it was extremely unprofessional of my boss to just quit on everything. It felt unfair and cruel. And I apologize on his behalf, madam."
All the people in the room (which included the make-up artist, two maids, Mrs Patmore's daughter Grace, her partner and the lady herself) were shocked at my response and apology. I could see in their eyes they weren't used to such manners and courtesy so I actually felt quite proud of myself.
"All right then. You," Mrs Patmore finally spoke and pointed on one of the maids. "gather all the staff and order them to start the ceremony a bit early. The priest and the choir and everything. And you, pick some of the guards to distract the first guests, I hope there won't be many coming any time soon now. Mrs Grady, I am very thankful for that information. You may go now and inform Mr Sosa that we'll talk later."
Her brown eyes were suddenly warm and she even made a quick smile which caused the skin around her eyes to adorably wrinkle a bit. She then turned on her chair against the mirror again and ordered the last few in the room: "Amelia, darling, I think I need a little bit of correction here at the corners of my lips. Grace, you can call your dear aunt to see if they're anywhere near here. I hope she doesn't even appear." She stopped before continuing and I felt my heart skip a beat. I knew there was only Mr Huttington left. "Thomas, dear, you can escort the young lady to her premises. Go on."
As soon as she left out those words I turned around and tried to get out of that room as soon as possible. Right before I could get through the door, I felt a hand slipping from my back down to my waist. I felt goosebumps all over me. "Right here," I heard a deep whisper and I flinched against my will. He felt it and squeezed the waist even tighter. I've had enough of that.
"I can find my way out, thank you," I said turning around to face him and putting down his hands. Thank god his girlfriend wasn't around any more to see this for it could bring up some very much fallacious suspicions.
I never really bothered to look back at his probably devastated face, but I didn't have the time. All that honestly ran through my mind was how to save this wedding from becoming a total disaster. I knew they needed my help in the kitchen so I sped up. When I was at the bottom of the stairs I gave up and decided to look back, but Mr Huttington was already gone. Now this was going just great so far.
A/N: Hello again! I managed to update the next chapter in this month which is a great success for me lol! Anyway, I have two things to explain.
1. I know that thus far the plot itself might not be the most interesting or Tom-related as it could have been. But I promise you, everything happens for a reason. Meaning, things that are about to happen at the wedding will have a great influence on as Julia's as Mr Huttington's (Hiddleston) future. The destiny has united them once again so this is far beyond just coincidence, right? ;)
2. As you probably noticed, I replaced Mr Huttington's full name Tim Huttington into Tom/Thomas Huttington. Why? To be honest, I could easily write the story with the actor's true name, Tom Hiddleston. It's just that I found some stuff on the Internet saying that's not really safe, even though I am aware of many fanfics here who include his real name. I'm not yet sure about what's to happen with his role here or at least where it is taking him, but I don't want to take any chances, if you see my point. I know it's kinda hard to imagine, but I did my best :)
Anyway, I hope you like it so far; the adventure, secrets to unfold and the mischievous plot that will come out into the open all in its time. I'd love to hear your opinion so make sure to FOLLOW, FAVORITE, REVIEW, anything you like. I'd really appreciate that :)
Now, till the next time...