Chapter 42: New Clients, Old Cravings
"I am fully aware. Congrats again, but like I said, they are simple. You would be with Senator Mike Edwards, Dr. Ali Baghai, a very well respected physician, and General Ty Merchant, just to name a few. They are no nonsense kind of guys, so the emotional attachment you found with the others will not be the case here. Since I am trying to adjust to this resting more, less stress role, I want you to help Marci with the Mardi Gras Ball."
"I’ve never helped put together a venue like this before. I’m not sure I am the right person for the job, Ms. Lilly." Lilly threw an annual Mardi Gras Ball. Everyone wore spectacular costumes. They say it was just for single people, but really it was a no holds bar type of venue. She would invite just the single clients and new clients as more of a soiree.
"Well, it will keep you busy for a while. Who knows, you could be really good at it. Marci just needs more help and I would appreciate it if you would do it."
"Is this punishment for my breakdown in front of the clients?"
"Why would you say that?"
"Because I have been thinking, maybe I am not cut out for this. Who is to say I won’t have another breakdown, and they might not take it as well as Evan and Paul did?" I want you to know I was fully bracing myself for her to say yes.
"Because I have spoken to Dr. Sims and you, young lady, will start going to counseling next week. No ands, ifs or buts, you will go and I expect you to talk. I know you have been seeing Dr. Patterson but maybe she is not a good fit for you. I used Dr. Sims and she has helped me through some rough times. With the internship, helping Marci, new clients and therapy, you will be busy. I am doing this to help you Cadence, not punish you."
Damn, did this woman know everything? What happened to patient confidentiality? I guess when you are filthy rich, you can get whatever you want.
"I appreciate everything you did for me while I was in the hospital and trying to recover. I consider you family, just as I do Marci and Ben. You can come to me about anything and talk to me. Do not be afraid."
"I’m sorry I waited so long to tell you about what happened," I said, grabbing for my purse. "I didn’t want to put any added stress on you while you were recovering. I’m sure being in England for the past few months has made a difference."
"It has, Cadence. The beautiful countryside and majestic lakes gave me time to think. I try to do so much that it can be overwhelming. I am still trying to decide how I want to handle things when I return. Although you are helping Marci, I will still have the final say so in decisions made when it comes to you and the others. I already knew what was going on. I am aware of most things that go on in my organization."
I could hear the wisdom as she spoke.
"You, young lady, must always be on your toes. Find other ways to channel what you have locked up inside. I have been to see Dr. Sims on several occasions and it helps to talk about it. You need to let it go and be the woman I know you can be. I know you and Marci will work great together and I am expecting great things. You have six weeks and I think most of the work has been done. Is that correct, Marci?"
"Yes, Lilly, you are correct."
"Great, Marci will update me weekly until the event. I will transfer the names to your account after this phone call."
Wow. More new clients. Was that what I really wanted? I’m not going to lie, I wish I would have been able to remain with my three musketeers, but it was not meant to be.
It had been months since I had seen Robert, Evan or Paul. I heard from Evan a few times through the call center, but I hadn’t returned any of his messages. Karenna was important and I just couldn’t afford to mess things up for him.
Paul had been in Dubai since I last saw him. He left a few days after I was suppose to go with him to Texas. I think he was disappointed, but I couldn’t just leave knowing Lilly was sick.
I missed them both so much. I missed Paul’s banter and honesty and Evan’s caring heart. Reader, they were the perfect men for me, and of course I couldn’t have either of them.
I was still upset with Robert. He had made me feel cheap and trashy when he asked me to leave. Maybe I wasn’t the prissy woman in the picture, but I still had feelings.
Anyway, I decided my last semester I would enroll in the Master’s program at Tulane. I gave up graduation to take on the two year program in Public Health. I had applied for an internship and just received the confirmation a week ago that I was accepted. By working this internship, I would have one foot in the door and learn various roles in administration, and if I did a great job, who knows, I could be working with a major hospital one day. The only bad thing was that it was not a paid internship, so I just couldn’t afford to give up my job.
Within the first few hours after Lilly transferred the names, I had two reservations starting next month. I didn’t realize Lilly could work that fast from England, but she did. I would be meeting General Ty Merchant from D.C. and Senator Mike Edwards, a senator from Massachusetts. Ms. Lilly said it would be simple, and I truly hoped it would be.
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