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Henderson led her back down the hall to his own small but quaint office. It was adjacent to the kitchen, so that he could keep an eye on the kitchen staff as well as answer the service door when it chimed. He sat down at his desk and gestured toward the red leather nail-head chair on the opposite side. Roberta sat.
"Roberta. You come highly recommended."
She smiled.
"I suppose it is no secret that Mr. Leon refuses to work with anybody but the best."
"I also have high standards" Roberta replied.
"Well let me outline your duties since my, I mean our, employer is otherwise occupied."
Henderson went on to explain what Roberta already knew. Mr. Leon hired her to orchestrate an elaborate and private wedding ceremony. Roberta assumed Mr. Leon would be marrying the blonde in the white bikini from the photograph. She listened patiently. She did not want to offend Henderson and could tell that he was thoroughly enjoying laying out the details of Roberta's job to her. She sensed that he might not have much to do. The house was grand and employed dozens of staff to keep it running smoothly. Henderson had probably selected and trained each and every one. Paying them so generously, that they would never be tempted to leave. She knew that she had been offered three times her normal rate to plan the party and although she was asked at the last minute and had to shuffle around some prior commitments, she could not refuse because she felt so highly valued. She even had to put a few A-listers on the back burner; it wasn't just about the money. Roberta was intrigued to find out what kind of man would pay such a high price to ensure that his wedding was both elegant and secret.
"When do I get to meet the future Mrs. Leon?" she asked.
"You don't" Henderson answered, not quite looking her in the eye.
"It's imperative that I meet face to face with my client. I have to be able to see their expressions." She said. It's funny how much people Roberta could learn by gauging their reactions. Words tell one story but facial expressions always tell another.
"Mr. Leon is your client." Henderson answered gruffly.
"But the bride-"
"The wedding is to be a surprise."
"A surprise?" Roberta had planned weddings for movie stars, politicians, business moguls, and even royalty, but none of those weddings had been a surprise. "So the bride doesn't want to know the date of her own wedding?"
"The bride" Henderson said in a monotone voice. "is not even aware yet that she is getting married. It is to be a surprise in every sense."
Roberta was stunned, and for the first time in her life, speechless. She blinked three times and took a deep breath to pull herself together. Henderson looked at her straight in the eyes now, as if he was daring her to ask another question.
"Fine" she said, not willing to let the surprise get the better of her." I assume that there is a list of instructions that you are going to give me." Henderson stood up, unlocked a cabinet, reached in, and removed a leather binder, which he handed to Roberta.
"Mr. Leon has specified every detail."
"I will begin as soon as I return to my office."
"I am afraid that I cannot let you return to your office." Henderson said "It is expected that every detail is perfect, but what is most important, is that the wedding remains secret."
"Meaning?"
"We have prepared a room for you here. You will of course have access to a laptop, high speed internet, and a business credit card with no limit."
"But I have to stay here until the wedding is over?" Roberta guessed.
"Precisely"
"It's not a problem" Roberta maintained a professional exterior. "Of course I will need to call my assistant. Mariana will need to cancel my other engagements and run to my apartment to gather my things. I also need to call my boyfriend and let him know that I will be MIA for a few weeks."
"You have ten minutes. Let Mariana know that I will dispatch our chauffeur to pick up your belongings. Of course she will be generously compensated for the extra time of cancelling your appointments and the hassle of packing your things." Henderson said "I will leave you to make your calls in privacy, then show you to your room."
