Page 183 of Bridesmaid for Hire
Why do I find that “interesting” to sound so calculated?
“Well, I wanted you to be one of the first to know that we’ll be moving on without Brody and his proposal.” Oh God, why is he telling me this? “Not sure where you two stand, but it seems he used the company and my family for his own gain, and we don’t take that lightly here at Hopper Industries.”
What does that mean? Has Brody been fired?
And once again…why is he telling me this? Is he alluding to the fact that I did the same thing?
I swallow hard, hoping and praying that he doesn’t see right through me and my initial intentions, because yes, they started off selfish, but they ended with me wanting nothing more than to support his daughter.
“I, uh, I haven’t spoken to him,” I say, trying to remain casual. “I’ve been entirely too focused on Haisley and making sure she has everything she needs for the day.”
“Probably smart to distance yourself from him. He doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in his career.”
Even though I’m furious with Brody, I still feel defensive. He might have ruined my career, but he’s a good man, a smart one, and his proposal had a lot of merit.
But I’m not in a position to stand up to Reginald. It’s neither the time nor the place.
“You know, I’d be interested in talking to you about possibly working together in the future.” He turns us around and I nearly lose my feet trying to keep up with him.
“You…you would?” I ask as I feel all my hopes come screaming to the forefront of my mind.This is what you wanted, Maggie. A chance to work with Hopper Industries and the opportunity might very well be there.But at what cost? Because even though the possibility might exist, a voice in the back of my mind whispers that Reginald is not going to offer me the world. He’ll be using my concept, not that he knows it’s mine, so there’s not a lot more I can offer him. Nope, there’s something he wants.
“I would, you see…”—he lowers his voice—“losing my daughter to her own business wasn’t easy for me to swallow. I don’t like the fact that she went off on her own and created a separate venture. If you haven’t noticed, I’m very much a family man and want to keep my family close, protected from people who want to take advantage.” His grip on my back grows tighter.
Oh fuck, he knows.
He knows all about me.
“I, uh, I can understand that,” I say.
“Haisley has mentioned some of the exceptional ideas you have when it comes to helping her business grow, especially when it comes to weddings, and I’d like you to help me convince her that those ideas would best be situated under Hopper Industries.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“You see, Maggie, we’re starting a new branch of Hopper Industries that’s focusing on cornering the wedding market in the San Franciscoarea. As a small business owner like yourself, I can see how you’d fear being toppled by the big guy.” I gulp. “Well, we’re the big guy, and we’re gunning for your industry. You can either be with us or against us—and I’m going to tell you right now, you won’t last three months if you’re against us.”
I feel my body start to slow, my mind whirl…all the hope and fantasy of cooperating with a big name like Hopper slowly trickle away. Because what he’s suggesting, this is…this is blackmail.
“From your silence, I’m guessing you’re either shocked or willing to be compliant.” This man hasn’t talked business all week, and he chooses now, on the dance floor at his daughter’s wedding to do something? “Here’s the deal, Maggie. You either help me bring Haisley back to Hopper Industries with your new ideas on branding her properties, or I make sure you never throw another event in San Francisco ever again.”
“You…you can’t do that,” I say, my heart racing.
“Maggie.”He chuckles sardonically. “I’m Reginald Hopper, I can do whatever the hell I want. And don’t for one second think that I don’t know what you and Brody were up to the minute you showed up at the welcome reception. The only reason I went with along with your plan was because Haisley needed someone. Thankfully, you’re actually a decent, helpful human being, unlike that boyfriend of yours. But I have no problem exposing you if that’s the way you want to take this.”
What a fucking snake. Why did I ever want to impress this man?
He pulls away and meets my gaze, a crooked smile spreading across his lips. I’m in the arms of the devil right now.
And I have a choice—I either accept the deal or walk away from the one business that I’ve spent years growing.
“So, do we understand each other?” he asks. “You bring Haisley back, or you can kiss your business goodbye. Your choice.” When he pulls away and tucks his hand pompously into the pocket of his suit jacket, he says, “I look forward to working with you, Maggie.” And then he takes off,walking right over to a group where he shakes some hands, acting as if he’s not in the business of ruining lives.
And as I stand here, all by myself in the middle of the dance floor, the weight of my business, of my future, of my morals resting heavily on my shoulders, all I can think is that it’s all been for nothing.
“You either help me bring Haisley back to Hopper Industries with your new ideas on branding her properties, or I make sure you never throw another event in San Francisco ever again.”
I’m going to fail. Magical Moments by Maggie is going to fail.
And what’s worse? I unwittingly gave the power to ensure my failure to the most deplorable monster I’ve ever met.
