Elly laughed. It felt wonderful to laugh on such a dark and stressful day. “And the women’s flowers?”
Snarky Teenager’s mouth set into a frown. “That went…well, somewhat smoothly. The bridesmaids were in a different room than Lucia, so I just brought their bouquets in and set them on the table. They loved them – and were falling over themselves. The flowers were so lush – they had no prayer of disliking them.”
“And Lucia?” Elly bit the inside of her cheek.
“She was…”
“It’s okay you can say it. I know what she looks like.”
Snarky Teenager ran her hands through her hair. “She does look pretty incredible. Her dress is couture – I’m sure it’s custom-made. She was pretty rude to me, as expected. I wanted to slap her but restrained myself.”
“Good job.”
“I put the bouquet down and she looked over really bitchy like and said, “I guess that will do. Did Elly enjoy making it?”
Elly felt a shot of fury snake up through her veins.
Snarky Teenager looked up at her and smiled. “Ardelle kept muttering odd French words around her. I’m not sure what they meant, but I’m pretty sure that she wasn’t complimenting her. Seriously, Ardelle is nuts, but it was pretty amusing. I like her.”
Elly managed a small smile. Snarky Teenager continued “Sunny on the other hand, burst into tears upon seeing it. She literally kept staring at it, picking it up and saying, ‘My dear, come look at this. This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.’”
Elly nodded slowly. “I’m glad. I knew Lucia wouldn’t appreciate it, but we are doing this for Sunny.”
“And for $45,000.”
“And for $45,000.”
Elly slowed, just before entering the ballroom. “Speaking of money…”
Snarky Teenager whirled around with her hand on her hip. “You better not tell me that you aren’t paying me for this. I’m serious! I’ll go work at Hot Topic or something. Do you know that one time they told me that they would just PAY me to stand in the store wearing their clothing?”
Elly put her hand on Snarky Teenager’s shoulder. “No. I will pay you what I promised for this day.”
Snarky Teenager raised an eyebrow. “And I’ll buy you an iPod.”
“Good.”
“What I was going to say, before you interrupted me, is that I’m giving you the raise you keep demanding.”
Snarky Teenager’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”
Elly nodded. “Really. I know that you and I have always had an...interesting relationship. We aren’t close like you and Kim are.” Snarky Teenager nodded and crossed her arms awkwardly. “But you have shown maturity, growth and such fierce loyalty to me over the past few months. You have gone above and beyond what I ever could ask of a worker, and I appreciate you. I hope you stay with us for a long time, and it’s an honor to have you as a part of my team.”
Snarky Teenager’s thick lashes blinked rapidly, filling with tears.
“Of course,” added Elly, “If you dressed more appropriately for work…”
“Okay, you’re done.”
“I’m done.” Elly linked her arm through Snarky Teenager’s and they walked together into the gigantic ballroom.
Elly’s first thought was that she had never seen anything as beautiful as the chrysanthemum chandelier that hung over their heads. Its long legs draped down over a raised platform that held a small sweetheart table where the bride and groom would sit. Huge white poofs of flowers billowed out from the ceiling, mixing elegantly with tiny crystals that were worked in amongst the dewy petals. She turned to survey the rest of the room. It was an amusing mix of extravagant loveliness and a huge flowery mess.
“Yikes” said Elly, walking up to Ardelle, who was busy fixing a centerpiece with a pair of tweezers, “It’s like a flower shop puked in here.”
“What are you talking about? Wait and zee, all will be perfect when we are done. No go away, I am creating here.”
Elly sighed and reached for her supply bag. The ballroom itself was awe-inspiring. Immense floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded the room, broken only by tall, thin mirrors lined with pale granite. It was the size of a baseball field, only covered with inch-thick Persian carpet, swirled with deep shades of wheat. Its scope was as grand as the wedding itself. Totally appropriate, thought Elly, good job Sunny. She made quick work of unpacking her tools and had started to work herself into a trance when she heard a familiar clicking sound.
Lizette was walking up and down in the aisles between the tables, adjusting and moving things around while Ashlee, her hapless assistant, trailed after her with a large clipboard in her hand.
“Remember to ask Erin about the linen steamer, and mention to them that if there is one single wrinkle on any of these table cloths that it will be their job.”
She approached the bandstand, where a group of very attractive young men and one woman were warming up their instruments. She clapped her hands loudly and the music died abruptly.