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30
Cece
I’ve never fired anyone before. So, when I fired Maddox last week, I had a whole new set of problems to deal with. Not that they hit me right away. First, I fought back more tears after what he told me. Then I suppressed the hysterical screams of anger I wanted to unleash as he walked past me. After those things, I was hit with a feeling of bitterness and apathy swirling about.
I stepped out from the backstage room when he left, and approaching the DJ stage, a shot of fright hit me. I didn’t have talent for the night. Everyone in the club was here to have a good time, and I just fired their superstar DJ.
We told the crowd there was a slight delay, and after frantically looking through our contacts, Leslie and I were able to get ahold of a DJ she knows. He came in an hour later, and thankfully all of the club-goers didn’t seem too put off by the situation. Afterward, I had another problem I needed to deal with. I had to tell my father.
He was never Maddox’s biggest fan, but after the dinner, it seemed like he was giving him a chance. Which only made it more painful to tell him. I pulled him aside after one of his meetings, and he didn’t seem surprised. I don’t know what I was expecting. I told him we weren’t dating anymore, and I wasn’t sure if Maddox was going to hold that against us, or possibly try to sue Luxe for breach of contract.
“Oh, I’m sure he won’t do anything that drastic.” He gave me a hug as we sat in his office for a few minutes while he reassured me everything would be okay. I wish I could be as confident as him. Ever since everything happened, as the days go by, I know I’m feeling more like I did before Maddox came around. And I know I shouldn’t bother thinking about him anymore, especially after our last conversation. But I do.
Getting back to work with Leslie and Tina has helped me keep the days moving. Leslie handled a lot of the business aspects of Maddox’s contract, so she already had some leads on a few other DJs. We’ve already signed one for the remaining month. Plus, things are on track for us to be opening the next Luxe location, which has finally been confirmed for Miami. The permits just came through, and Daddy is finalizing the details with the construction company. Everything professionally is going to plan. Which makes the other part of my life feel that much emptier.
“Honey, I know this weekend is the first weekend with the new talent, but I was hoping you’d attend your mother’s Icon Award show party.”
I frown as we sit in the restaurant where we’re eating lunch. Not because he’s asking me to miss a busy night for my mother’s party—something she’s held every year for the past five years—but because of his use of the term “talent.” I know that’s what Maddox was, but it feels so flippant.
My father must sense my change of mood. “Cecelia, it’s for the best.”
“You keep saying that, but it’s still so …” I search for the right words, twirling the glass of water on the table. “I mean, how could he do that, Daddy? How could he just flip a switch and treat me like that? Treat us like it was never—”
“Cecelia, it pains me to see you like this, and it brings me no pleasure to say what I’m about to say.”
I can’t help the scoff that comes out. “You didn’t even like him.”
“True, but I gave him a chance. I want you to be happy. And I want what’s best for you. You want to know how he could do this? Because he’s nothing more but an egocentric celebrity, that’s how.”
My eyes meet his, and I want to counter him. I want to tell him he’s wrong and that Maddox might have had that reputation before, but what he showed me wasn’t that. Then I remember his last words.
“Come to the party, Cecelia. It’ll be good for you. Let Leslie and Tina handle it for one night, and enjoy time with family.”
A small, unimpressed giggle comes out. “Right. Every year she invites all the families of your VPs.”
He smiles. “We’ll make a night of it. You can invite Winston.”
My shoulders slump in disappointment. “How many times do I have to tell you there is nothing between Winston and me?”
He smirks. “I know, I know. I’ll just have to find someone who’s perfect for you, then.”
“Please don’t do anything like that. I’ll come to the party, but I’d just like a nice, stress-free night.”
I watch him closely while he takes a drink of his bourbon. I don’t know how serious he is, but after Winston, I imagine he has at least some inkling of someone in mind. Part of me wonders why he has this notion that he has to set me up at all. But the other part of me is appreciative that he wants me to be happy and taken care of.
When Sunday night rolls around, I’m still not up for big crowds, but I have to admit it’s a little better than being at the club. The last two nights were the first when it should’ve been Maddox, but instead, our new DJ was playing. So even though our foyer is filled with dozens of my parents’ friends, who are just a step above business associates, it still feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I can try to relax for the night instead of feeling so tense at the club. No one is really paying attention to the pre-show of the awards show. Instead, they chat about their latest closings, upcoming deals, or future forecasts.
After about an hour, my father comes up to me while I’m talking to … Trudy? Trina? I can’t remember, but she works in my mother’s real estate firm. I’m introduced to Jonathan Cromwell the third. What is it with millionaires naming their children like we live in medieval times?
“Jonathan works for his father’s legal firm.” My father’s almost glowing as he talks. “He just graduated from Harvard.”
I take a deep breath to calm myself, then give Jonathan as much of a polite smile as I can. “Would you excuse us for just a moment, Jonathan?” I don’t wait for him to answer, and grab my father around his charcoal gray suit, dragging him into our kitchen. “Daddy, what is wrong with you?”
“What?” he asks like he doesn’t have a clue what I’m talking about. He probably doesn’t.
“I just got out of a relationship.”
“Honey, that wasn’t a relationship.”
