It was always me against the world. My parents taught me to build walls around myself and never to show weakness or emotion. They worked long hours as the titans of their industries so I could see what a strong work ethic could do and I idolized them, I strived to show that I was just like them but it seemed like I always fell short.
After college, I landed my dream job at the most prestigious wedding planning company in the country. Celebrities, politicians, you know, rich, rich people consisted of our clientele and where there's rich people, there's tons of money. In the short span of five years, I busted my ass from intern to Senior Project Manager in the Exotic Weddings department under my boss, Lucas Ryde.
"Kimiko, thanks so much for coming with me to the Dover wedding with me at the last minute. There's nobody else I would trust more than you," Lucas said, his deep voice penetrating my thoughts and reeling me back into reality.
"We're going to be leaving tonight so please go home and pack and I'll pick you up around midnight," Lucas instructed, flipping through the papers one last time. He glanced up from his glass desk and his moss green eyes skimmed mine. I stared back with reassurance before he broke the gaze and I continued to survey our surroundings.
Glass lined two walls: the back acting as a window to the outside world, and the front, inviting clients and coworkers in. The other two walls were painted Tiffany & Co blue and lined with frames of all sizes, pictures of happy clients in them. In the back corner of the room, he set up a more informal sitting area with a dark leather couch, two chairs to match and a low black coffee table. A slender silver floor lamp was tucked behind the couch and a matching black bookshelf filled with design books was on the other side. Next to the glass door, an expensive coffee maker and a platter of small sophisticated snacks topped a sleek, glossy black console table.
I gritted my teeth, making note of each little thing in his office. I would definitely be able to get an office this nice, definitely nicer. All I had to do was work harder, longer.
My eye caught Lucas leaning back in his chair as he let out a long, exhausted sigh. His abs flexed underneath his tight, striped dress shirt and his biceps beautifully filled his fitted navy suit jacket. A white flashy smile broke his two lush pink lips and his smooth, tan skin glistened in the diffused lighting. "So Kimiko, are you excited to go to Camellia Island?"
"Yes, I am. This is the first time I've ever been out of the US," I replied, shifting in my seat so my black pencil skirt sat straight and my flowy pink blouse billowed at the bottom. I usually wore a plain button up shirt and tight pencil skirt to match but today, I ran out of button ups so I borrowed something from my roommate and best friend, Kristen.
"Well, thanks again so much for stepping up at the last second. I know that you and your team were working on another project," Lucas said, lacing his fingers together, his voice deadpan and his eyes boring into mine, calculating what I'd say next. A little smile twitched in the corner of my mouth. Of course he wasn't actually happy to ask me for help.
"My pleasure, Lucas. I'm sure my team can handle the rest of my project. I've written very detailed instructions for them," I replied, releasing my pearly whites and a teasing glint in my eye. "I hate to leave it to them, but the instructions are word for word. Plus, I can't say no to my boss' orders."
At first, I hated Lucas. He always seemed to be one step ahead of me, getting the promotion from right beneath my nose but what frustrated me the most? He charmed all the other women in the company with his flashy smiles, handsome eyes, oozing charisma, and easy-going personality to get them to do his dirty work. But when he learned his tricks didn't work on me, he dropped his act.
I softened a little when I met the real him. He was a sarcastic hard ass that didn't give a shit what people thought. He had his eye on the prize, pulling strings and sacrificing who he needed to get it done. He often stayed late, meticulously perfecting the last big picture details on his own.
After observing him in his element and seeing his results, he earned a little bit of my respect and as hard as it for me to say, I liked working under him.
"So, your boyfriend never took you on any vacations out of the US?" Lucas asked casually, changing the subject. He unlaced one of his hands and raked it through his short, wavy chocolate brown hair.
"I'm actually single right now. But to answer your question, no, my old boyfriends never took me anywhere. I always had work to do," I smiled. Why did he care about my private life?
"What a shame. Aren't you getting close to getting close to marrying age yourself?" he mocked. "Getting that ring anytime soon?"
"Haha, funny. We're the same age, you know. 26? No way am I going to turn in the towel before I beat you," I quipped. "What about you? You ever whisk away your girlfriend to some million dollar island just for the fun of it? I'm sure with your list of old clients, they'd be happy to lend you an island for a day or two."
"Same as you. I've been working," Lucas frowned, glancing at his clock and standing up. "I've got an appointment so I'll see you later. Also, maybe you'll want to practice for the cocktail party before the wedding," he finished, sliding out from behind his desk. The musk of his evergreen cologne tickled its way into my nostrils as he dashed to the door and dimmed the lights before closing the door.
My eyebrows scrunched up and the corners of my mouth dug themselves into my face. What did he mean by practice for the cocktail party?
-
"Oh my God, I can't believe you're going to Camellia Island! To the FREAKING BLOSSOM PALACE!" Kristen squealed, throwing her body onto my perfectly made blush pink sheets. "You're going to meet and marry a millionaire or maybe two," she continued, rolling from excitement.
Everybody knew that Camellia Island was a playground for the rich and famous. The island itself was a small, tropical dot in the southern Pacific Ocean and because of its sunny and beautiful weather, many celebrities and rich people chose Camellia Island as a wedding destination which created a booming tourist and wedding industry there.
While there were a handful of other normal, regular hotels, the gated Blossom Palace was a modern architectural marvel and home to a three star Michelin restaurant. It was impossible for a normal person to book a room there with its coveted guest list and it was always full. There were whispers that it hosted nudist events but it was never confirmed because of their strict no photography policy.
"Jeez, Kris. At least someone is happy. It's going to be for work. Plus, I'm going to be with Lucas for like 99% of the time," I replied, tossing a few pencil skirts into my suitcase. I wish he hadn't sprung the news on me today because I didn't have time to do the laundry. I rummaged around for other appropriate tops to wear but all I had left were oversized t-shirts.
"So what if it's gonna be with Lucas? He's soooo yummy. If you don't want him, I'll gladly take him off of your hands," Kristen replied, scooting to my suitcase and throwing out the clothes I'd pick.
I scrunched up my eyebrows. I've thought of Lucas as a man for a drunken second. He was handsome, charming, hardworking but girls loved him. His past girlfriends were always troublesome and people loved to gossip about it at the office. I even heard that they had to escort crazy exes out of the office on several occasions. I sighed. All that mess would be a nightmare
"Nuh-uh, these clothes won't do at all. You need some sexy clothes, Kimi! I'll grab some things from my closet," Kristen squealed, snapping me out of my trance. Before I could object, she shot up from the bed and gracefully bounced into her room across the hall. I shook my head, grabbing a little bag for my toiletries.
"Okay, okay, here, here, here!" Kristen announced triumphantly when she bursted back into my room. She had a pile of clothes with her which she released all over my bed. Most of the clothes she picked were long, flowing jumpers with chest areas way too big for me. I ended up picking a couple of light coloured, strappy midi dresses that didn't fit Kristen anymore. I gently packed them into my suitcase, zipping it closed.
After packing, we wrapped up in a blanket and spent the evening watching reruns of Friends and eating alfredo chicken pizza, our favourite. As midnight came, she fell asleep on the couch, curled up like a baby. As the sounds of Rachel and Ross droned in the background, a pang of emptiness pulsed through my body before a wave of luckiness dosed the fire when I remembered at least I had Kristen in my life.
We were completely opposite of people in all aspects.
She was outgoing and spontaneous, always had a boyfriend, and lived life without a care in the world while I stayed home wrapped up in blankets constantly working.
Kristen had sunshine blonde hair that flowed down her back, crystal blue eyes, flawless white skin, plump pink lips, and a curvy body in all the right places. She'd never gotten anything done either. She just drew the best card when she was born.
I, on the other hand, wasn't a bombshell like her, but I wasn't unattractive either. My thick black hair hung around my mid back and my almond shaped brown eyes perched on high naturally glowing cheekbones, my best feature. A few moles speckled my face and my lips were a deep natural red. I wasn't the curviest like Kristen, but I worked on my figure; everywhere was tight with lean muscle and I had perky bumps for breasts.
Everybody always questioned how we became best friends and sometimes, I did too.
Vrrrr. Vrrrr. Vrrrr, my phone buzzed with a text coming through. I grabbed it from the coffee table and unlocked it.
Text from Lucas Ryde (Boss but not for long): I'm here. Let's go.
"Hey... Kimiko... Make sure you take a break once in a while... Have fun...Let loose," Kristen murmured, startling me. She stretched her arms over her head and lazily thumped onto her other side before returning to deep slumber. I tucked the blanket around Kristen before grabbing my suitcase and purse, running down to meet Lucas.
