CHAPTER 140: PETALS IN THE WIND

Aveline had completed her yoga and showered. She had skipped making dinner after standing at the kitchen door. She was getting ready and preparing to leave when her doorbell rang. She peeked through the peephole to find Martha.

She opened the door and was surprised to see the breakfast trolley. "Good morning, Martha."

"A very good morning to you, Ms. Laurent," Martha greeted and continued before Aveline could question her. "Here is your breakfast, Ms. Laurent. If you can’t come upstairs every day, I could deliver breakfast to you daily." She pushed the trolley inside and began preparing the table herself.

Aveline bit her lip and spoke after Martha finished, "You don’t have to take the trouble, Martha. Cooking is a basic skill for adults. Not everything, of course, but I want to learn the basics. If you make me delicious breakfasts, I’ll keep skipping the kitchen." There was liveliness in her voice.

Martha chuckled upon hearing Aveline. "Ms. Laurent, if you really want to learn a few basics, I will teach you." She slipped her hand to touch Aveline’s soft, long fingers. "You just focus on getting pretty manicures."

Aveline chuckled, nodding her head. "Ahhh... You just won my heart with a few words."

Looking at the double quality of food, she said, "There’s a lot of food. Join me."

Martha glanced at the door for a moment and nodded, unwilling to refuse her. "Sure."

Once Martha took her seat, Aveline asked casually, "Where is Alaric?"

Martha replied casually, "Mr. Lancaster went early to the Lancaster mansion."

Aveline stilled for a moment. After hearing he had a complex relationship with his mother, she could only hope he would remain calm with Isabella, regardless of whatever problems they had.

However, that thought didn’t leave her mind. She didn’t want to be the reason for another complication in their life.

...

At Bloom and Grace,

She continued thinking about Alaric until she sat down at her desk in her office. As soon as she opened her mailbox, she almost choked at the recent email.

Subject: Urgent Request: Curate High-Society Ladies’ Event for Tonight

Ms. Laurent,

I hope this finds you well.

I’m reaching out for your immediate assistance in planning an exclusive, high-society ladies’ gathering scheduled for this evening. The event is both social and strategic in nature, meant to foster meaningful connections among a select circle of influential women.

This will be an intimate, elegant affair that reflects sophistication and quiet luxury, and I would deeply appreciate it if you could arrange this on short notice.

Key Details:

Date & Time: Tonight, 5:30 PM onwards.

Guest Profile: High-net-worth women from established families and elite circles.

Tone: Refined, discreet, and conversation-driven.

Essentials:

- Hotel Emerald (Multiple venues are preferred.)

- Curated dinner & drink menu

- Ambient live music

- Elegant décor with floral accents and candlelit ambiance

- Subtle but memorable parting tokens

We have especially chosen you because you are one from the same circle and understand them and their preferences. The rest we could discuss on a video call.

Time is of the essence, and I’m counting on your discretion and creative finesse to make this evening truly special.

Looking forward to your swift response.

Warm regards,

Mora.

Aveline breathed out slowly. These were the guests she needed at her events because they were her targeted customers.

But her whole team was busy on the Cullen pitch, so she was more or less alone. Rejecting the opportunity due to a lack of team members would be a bad idea, so she thought about how she could manage the situation.

Then she quickly responded to the email.

Subject: Re: Urgent Request: Curate High-Society Ladies’ Event for Tonight

Dear Mora,

Thank you for reaching out. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

Kindly allow me just 30 minutes to prepare a tailored pitch. I’ll ensure it reflects the elegance and exclusivity the occasion calls for.

PFA link for the meeting.

Warm regards,

Aveline Laurent

Bloom and grace

Aveline tied her hair back and began preparing the pitch, using the ready templates they had prepared for emergencies.

Thus, her worry about Alaric faded as she made back-to-back calls to find available vendors.

When the clock hit 9:35 AM, Aveline was on a video call with a lady named Mora. "Ms. Laurent, I’m Mora. My boss is in a meeting right now, but she will be listening to this meeting. First of all, thank you for your positive response. Let’s not waste any time, please start the pitch."

Aveline started her presentation as she spoke about each slide. "Alright, here’s the plan. The event opens on the terrace during golden hour, soft lighting, minimal yet aesthetic decor, champagne flutes in hand, and quick bites on the table, with the city skyline as backdrop. Effortlessly elegant.

After sunset, we guide the guests indoors for a banquet. It’ll be intimate, warm, conversational.

Drinks? We’re not doing basic. There’ll be a curated wine and champagne list, Dom Pérignon, Château Margaux, nothing less. And signature cocktails, all with names that nod to old-world glamour, for those who want a twist in their drinks.

We’ll add an experience corner. Perfume testing with niche French blends. If the budget permits, a jewelry showcase featuring rare pieces. Just enough to spark conversation between the ladies. Perfect for gifting and impressing.

The dinner will be fully seated and coursed, with a menu curated by a private Michelin-star chef, of course.

And finally, the part of the event that will be remembered for, gift boxes. I’ve sourced vintage pendants, personally selected. Each one is elegant, expensive, and exclusive. I would need an approximate number of guests to have them hand-packed.

We’ll make sure everything feels like it wasn’t trying too hard, just naturally opulent."

Her charm, confidence, and calmness were the cherry on top of the presentation. Mora spent half the time simply staring at Aveline.

An anonymous member who had joined the meeting halfway through asked, "Could you make it possible by tonight, Ms. Laurent?"

Aveline looked at the blank screen of the speaker. There was no doubt in the tone, rather a need for assurance. "I know the venue, and I have vendors. I’m waiting for confirmation."

"I love it. My assistant will continue from here." Just like that, the anonymous woman exited the meeting.

Mora continued, "Ms. Laurent, we do have a flexible budget, but let’s hear your final figure."

Aveline leaned back in her chair. "I won’t be able to send you the breakdown immediately due to time constraints. But for an event of this scale, considering discretion and the time issue, we’re looking at a starting range upwards of $50,000. That covers the essentials: terrace setup, private chef, premium wine selection, and curated gifting.

Of course, the final figure will depend on how tailored each element of the event becomes. We don’t compromise on quality, especially not for a guest list like this.

The final figure with the breakdown would be available after the event."

Mora opened her mouth to comment, but she glanced to the side where there was a soft murmur before she turned back to Aveline and spoke, "It’s a deal."

"Alright, I will connect my finance department with you for contract signing and immediate advance payment," Aveline responded.

"Thank you, it’s a pleasure working with you, Ms. Launret," Mora said, and they ended the meeting.

Aveline immediately dialed the finance manager and informed him of the specifics. Then she began making calls and visiting various places until the afternoon.

Having skipped her lunch, she began monitoring the arrangement on the terrace while the chefs had begun working on the quick bites for the evening.

Aveline stood still for a moment, letting her eyes sweep across the terrace.

Rose petals were scattered like poetry, candles flickering to life, and the skyline casting a perfect silhouette behind delicate florals. It was coming together.

It was hers.

Her first event.

’Alaric would have liked this,’ she thought, imagining him standing there in a tailored black suit, drink in hand, making quiet observations that only she would catch.

Suddenly, the wind grew.

A gust swept in, scattering petals into the air like confetti. A candle stand clattered down, followed by the dull crash of a glass centerpiece tipping over and smashing to the floor.

Aveline flinched, her eyes wide. She had completely forgotten the season when planning.