When Perfect Meets Crazy

Chapter 30: 29 - He’s with me

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

come up with?”

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 Claire wasn’t in

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

committee than she was but at the same time... How was I key member and she wasn’t? And wasn’t

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 catering company.” The secretary, Elaine, 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 heavily laced with disapproval. “That’s the best you could come 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 resemblance moment instantly taking backseat. Ralph really needed to get over

himself.

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

without comment 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 Claire 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 the lady

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 Elaine 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 replacement 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 your company, 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 from coming after you. I

saw you linked your personal account to your business account 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 account.”

I could practically smell her agitation. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“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 hate comments 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 recommending 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 is coming up, isn’t it? Senator Cruise’s kids as well. His kids were the ones who

actually recommended 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 glanced 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 their launch 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

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 was completely 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.” Elaine 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. Blackmail. No surprise there.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I’d have left it you, Mr Self Righteous but you couldn’t come 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 blackmailing.”

“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 accusation.

“Ralph, you hate me.” I cocked my head to the side, regarding him lazily, a bored expression plastered

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 blank. He sent me a vicious snarl that I

waved off with a flick of my wrist.

“Also,” I continued nonchalantly, 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 recommend 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

competing with us. The ones who stole our first theme, set theirs on the same day and most recently,

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 minutes later 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.