Chapter 30: 29 - He’s with me


    “So,” I pulled out a chair to sit on at the table with the rest of the prommittee, “what have you guys


    Ian dragged a chair from a nearby table and joined our small circle. A few eyebrows were raised but no


    one outright objected. An invisible ‘he’s with me’ stamp was on him. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about


    being so easily associated with him but I was soon distracted by the realization that ire wasn’t in


    attendance. It both annoyed and cated me. On one hand, it meant I was more valuable to the


    that really just code for she’d get to enjoy her free time while I wouldn’t.


    “We were thinking of switching to Eloise’s uncle’s cateringpany.” The secretary, ine, shrugged


    half-heartedly. “They’re the only ones who’ll take us on such short notice.”


    I arched an eyebrow in disbelief, my gaze drifting from one face to the next.


    “Really?” My tone was heavilyced with disapproval. “That’s the best you coulde up with?”


    Unexpectedly, it came out sounding so much like my mom. I shuddered involuntarily. I had been on the


    receiving end of her disapproval enough to know that it sucked a whole lot.


    “I’d like to see you do better.” Ralph sneered.


    I rolled my eyes, the resemnce moment instantly taking backseat. Ralph really needed to get over


    himself.


    “There was a reason we didn’t go for that in the first ce, remember?” I said, letting his jab pass


    withoutment which I knew would piss him off even more.


    They clearly did remember seeing as they all suddenly had something to pointedly stare at to avoid


    meeting my gaze. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Seriously?


    Beside me, Ian leaned forward, watching the interaction with the avid interest of a child unwrapping a


    present.


    “Fine.” I sighed, pulling out my phone. “Give me the number of the caterers.”


    Ralph grudgingly supplied the number of the catering service trying to bail on our deal.


    I hit the call button and waited patiently.


    “Hello.”


    “Hello,” I replied amicably, putting the call on speaker. “Is this Sweetwater catering?”


    “Yes.” The voice on the other end replied.


    “Perfect. I’m calling on behalf of ire Anne high school.”


    “Ohh.” The disappointed wariness in her tone was too heavy to be misinterpreted.


    It brought to mind the image of Louise harassing her over an angry phone call.


    “I’m sorry we had to cancel on such short notice.” Her tone was more passive aggressive than


    apologetic.


    My gaze shot to Louise who looked like she was barely managing to keep herself from cussing thedy


    out. I smiled inwardly.


    “I’m sure you are,” I cooed. “We understand that you need to put the needs of your business first and


    we’d be more than happy to take our deposit back.”


    At this, everybody at the table shot me agitated looks of surprise. Ralph and ine even went as far as


    dirty looks and a hiss. All of which I ignored.


    “However,” I continued. “We think it’d be in your best interest to reconsider.”


    The person on the other end began to reply but I cut her off.


    “Just like you, we have to consider the reputation of our school first. Which means we don’t have time


    to hope you change your mind. We’ll be contacting a recement first thing tomorrow so we will need


    that deposit promptly. However, I feel it’s only fair to warn you. This event is very important to the


    students here. I mean the student council can only do so much but since majority of the students


    already know we booked yourpany, when they find out that you cancelled on us...,” I paused,


    sucking in air through my teeth. “I can’t guarantee you that we can stop them froming after you. I


    saw you linked your personal ount to your business ount on Instagram.”


    I let the implication sink in. Silence rang from the other end of the call. Satisfied with the reaction, I


    carried on.


    “We all know what kids these days are capable of.” I heaved a sigh, shaking my head with false


    sympathy. “Well, you’ll just have to tough it out. My advice though; deactivate your personal ount.”


    I could practically smell her agitation.


    “Just for a while,” I added soothingly. “Till the heat of it passes. It’s an elitist private school, you know?


    The students here are, of course, spoilt brats used to getting their way. Spoilt brats who know how to


    hold a grudge when they don’t.”


    My gaze met Louise’s who had her mouth hanging open. I smirked.


    “But, the heat of it should’ve lessened by the end of summer. With seniors jetting off to college,


    everyone will be a little distracted. The most you’ll get is a few hatements by then.”


    I paused for effect. Silence rang back from the other end of the phone call.


    “Just for a couple of weeks. In the long run it’s not so horrible, don’t you think?”


    My gaze, unbidden, swung to Ian’s indecipherable one.


    “Though,” I cleared my throat and looked away, “in a town like ours where word of mouth is very


    important, business will definitely dwindle for a little while since they won’t be rmending you to


    their parents or letting them hire you for any events. The kid of the Sheriff goes to our school. The


    Policemen’s ball ising up, isn’t it? Senator Cruise’s kids as well. His kids were the ones who


    actually rmended you but I guess this is the end of the road for Sweetwater Catering and his


    family’s endless stream of events. The twins are grade A grudge holders, you know?” I said, leisurely


    picking my nails.


    Unable to stop myself, my gaze flitted over to Masked Idiot. I nced away almost as soon as it did but


    not so fast I couldn''t take in his expression. He was still wearing the same indecipherable expression


    that made me feel like hiding my face.


    “There’s also Morel Corp. I hear you used to cater theirunch parties. And Greenich Global. Those are


    pretty big clients who throw frequent parties.”


    I exhaled noisily through my nose, mentally berating myself for looking away. I steeled my spine and


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    forced myself to meet his gaze.


    “Oh well.” I shrugged. “I’m sure you considered all that. We expect the deposit before night fall but if


    you do want to reconsider, have your final decision ready before dusk. I know you won’t,” my tone


    turned conciliatory like I waspletely on her side and felt the offer was a nuance, “but I’m obligated


    to say it anyway. Have a nice day, okay? The earlier you send that deposit the better, if it’s not too


    much trouble.”


    With that parting remark, I hung up.


    “Done,” I announced.


    Ian blinked.


    “Wow.” Louise exhaled.


    “You’re a force of nature.” ine beamed. “Remind me to never cross you.”


    I turned my attention to the one person who wasn’t looking at me in wonder and amazement.


    “You were saying, Ralph?”


    “Wow.” His tone was biting. “Just wow. ckmail. No surprise there.”


    I rolled my eyes.


    “I’d have left it you, Mr Self Righteous but you couldn’te up with even one idea so I suggest you


    keep your judgment to yourself.” I blew at my nails, flicking dirt of them. “By the way, it was more


    bullying than ckmailing.”


    “Did you have to lie about all those events at the end?” He hissed.


    A tiny part of me squirmed. The rest of me hardened in response to the usation.


    “Ralph, you hate me.” I cocked my head to the side, regarding himzily, a bored expression stered


    on my face. Under the table however, my hands clenched to fists. “I get it. Lucky for you, high school’s


    almost over and I have better options than Stanford. So, just wait it out. You only have to put up with


    me for a little while longer.”


    Around us, the other members tried to keep their expressions nk. He sent me a vicious snarl that I


    waved off with a flick of my wrist.


    “Also,” I continued nonchntly, mentally warning myself to not give my anger away by being too


    aggressive. “I didn’t lie. I like what they served at the tasting and I was going to rmend them for


    the Policemen’s ball. Not anymore.”


    He opened his mouth to object but I held up a finger, silencing him as I bulldozed on.


    “Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stand in their way if my dad hears about them from


    another source. Lucky for them, I don’t give a shit about prom or the award night. I’m not feeling


    vengeful even though they deserve it for jumping ship simply because someone else threw more


    money their way.”


    “What are you saying?” He sneered. “They called it off because....”


    “Because,” I cut him off. “Westler High offered to pay more. You know, the school that’s always


    tried to steal our caterers.”


    Understanding dawned on the faces of the students. Ralph’s face scrunched up like he tasted


    something sour.


    “How did you find out?” Keaton asked, not bothering to his awe.


    “I saw it on Westler’s Instagram. They took it down a few minutester but it was rookie move posting


    about it at all.”


    I shook my head and rose to my feet.


    ‘“Bye.”


    With that, Ian and I walked out of the café. For the record, Ian was the one who bid them goodbye, not


    me.


    “That was low key bad ass,” he whispered close to my ear.


    My lips involuntarily curved upwards in a smile. I had to bite my lower lip to hide it.


    “Of course, it was,” I deadpanned. “It was me.”


    I felt, rather than saw, him exasperatedly roll his eyes.