Billionaire entrepreneur Caleb Everett hires event planner Remi Sawyer to organize his charity gala, he's immediately drawn to her kindness and beauty. But Caleb has a secret: he's hiding a life-threatening illness, and his only focus is on securing his business legacy before it's too late. As Remi gets closer to Caleb, she begins to unravel his secrets, forcing him to confront his mortality and the true meaning of love and legacy.
Chapter 1 1
Remi Sawyer stood outside the sleek, modern building, her heart racing with excitement and nerves. She had been waiting for this opportunity for months, and finally, she had landed an interview with Everett Enterprises, one of the most prestigious event planning companies in the city.
Remi took a deep breath, smoothing her dress and checking her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. She was early, but she couldn't help it. This was her chance to prove herself, to show that she had what it took to make it in the competitive world of event planning.
The doors slid open, and Remi stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the bright lights and bustling atmosphere. She was greeted by a friendly receptionist, who offered her a warm smile and directed her to the conference room.
Remi made her way down the hall, her heels clicking on the polished floor. She could feel the weight of her portfolio in her hands, the carefully curated selection of her best work. She had spent hours perfecting it, making sure that every detail was just right.
The conference room door opened, and Remi was ushered inside. A tall, imposing figure stood at the head of the table, his piercing blue eyes fixed on her.
"Remi Sawyer," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "Welcome."
Remi's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of Caleb Everett, the billionaire CEO of Everett Enterprises. She had seen pictures, of course, but nothing had prepared her for the reality of his presence.
"Thank you, Mr. Everett," Remi replied, her voice steady.
Caleb Everett gestured to the chair across from him, and Remi sat, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"So, Remi," he began, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me about yourself."
Remi launched into her well-rehearsed speech, detailing her experience and qualifications. Caleb listened intently, his expression unreadable.
When she finished, he nodded thoughtfully.
"I must say, Remi, you're quite impressive," he said. "I think you'd be perfect for our charity gala next month."
Remi's heart soared. This was it, her chance to prove herself.
"Thank you, Mr. Everett," she replied, trying to contain her excitement.
Caleb smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Call me Caleb, Remi," he said. "We're going to be working closely together."
Remi's cheeks flushed, but she smiled back, feeling a spark of connection.
"Of course, Caleb," she replied.
Caleb leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I must say, Remi, I'm impressed. Your portfolio is impressive, and your experience is exactly what we need for this event."
Remi's heart swelled with pride. She had worked so hard to get to this point, and it was finally paying off.
"Thank you, Caleb," she replied, trying to sound calm. "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with you and your team."
Caleb nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I think we could do great things together, Remi. But I have to warn you, this event is going to be a challenge. We're expecting over a thousand guests, and the theme is...complicated."
Remi's curiosity was piqued. "What's the theme?" she asked, leaning forward.
Caleb smiled, a small, enigmatic smile. "Ah, that's the best part. The theme is 'A Night in Paris.' We're transforming the entire venue into the City of Light, complete with the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and even a mock-up of the Louvre."
Remi's eyes widened. "That sounds incredible," she breathed.
Caleb nodded. "It will be. But it's also going to be a lot of work. I need someone who can handle the pressure, someone who can think on their feet and come up with creative solutions to unexpected problems."
Remi felt a surge of determination. She was that person. She knew she was.
"I'm up for the challenge," she said, meeting Caleb's gaze squarely.
Caleb held her gaze for a long moment, then nodded. "I thought you might be," he said. "Welcome to the team, Remi. Let's get started."
The rest of the meeting was a blur of details and timelines, but Remi didn't miss a beat. She was too busy soaking up every word, every detail, every nuance of Caleb's instructions.
When the meeting finally adjourned, Remi left the building feeling like she was walking on air. She had done it. She had landed the job of a lifetime, and she was ready to give it everything she had.
Bursting with excitement, Remi practically floated out of the building, her mind racing with ideas and plans. She couldn't wait to get started on the charity gala, to bring Caleb's vision to life.
The cool evening air hit her like a slap in the face, snapping her back to reality. Remi took a deep breath, feeling the stress and tension melt away. She had done it. She had really done it.
Remi made her way back to her small apartment, her feet moving quickly. She couldn't wait to tell her best friend, Rachel, the news.
Rachel answered on the first ring, her voice bubbly and enthusiastic. "Hey, girl! How did it go?"
Remi let out a squeal, unable to contain her excitement. "I got the job, Rach! I'm going to be planning the charity gala for Everett Enterprises!"
Rachel's scream of delight echoed through the phone, making Remi laugh. "That's amazing, Remi! I knew you could do it!"
Remi grinned, feeling like she was on top of the world. "Thanks, Rach. I couldn't have done it without your support."
The two friends chatted for hours, making plans and discussing details. Remi's excitement only grew, her mind racing with ideas and possibilities.
Finally, exhausted but happy, Remi drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with visions of the perfect charity gala.
The next morning, Remi woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. She had a meeting with Caleb and his team to discuss the details of the event, and she was determined to make a good impression.
Remi arrived at the office building early, her portfolio and notes in hand. She was greeted by Caleb's assistant, a friendly woman named Sophia, who showed her to the conference room.
Caleb was already there, his eyes fixed on his phone. He looked up, a hint of a smile on his face, and Remi's heart skipped a beat.
"Good morning, Remi," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I see you're ready to get started."
Remi nodded, trying to play it cool. "I was born ready, Caleb."
Caleb chuckled, a low, husky sound that sent shivers down Remi's spine.
Caleb's team began to filter in, each member greeting Remi with a smile and a handshake. There was Sophia, the assistant, who had shown Remi to the conference room; Marcus, the head of marketing; and Emma, the event coordinator.
Remi took a deep breath, trying to remember everyone's names and titles. She had a feeling that this team was going to be a key part of her life for the next few weeks.
"Alright, let's get started," Caleb said, his voice commanding attention. "Remi, can you walk us through your vision for the charity gala?"
Remi nodded, pulling out her notes and portfolio. She launched into a detailed presentation, covering everything from the theme to the catering to the entertainment.
The team listened intently, asking questions and making notes. Remi could tell that they were impressed, and she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.
When she finished, Caleb nodded thoughtfully. "I like it," he said. "I think we can make this work."
Marcus, the head of marketing, spoke up. "I agree. But we need to talk about the budget. We can't afford to go overboard on this event."
Remi nodded, anticipating this concern. "I've already thought about that," she said. "I've come up with a few ways to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of the event."
Emma, the event coordinator, looked impressed. "I like the way you think, Remi," she said. "Let's hear your ideas."
Remi smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the team. She launched into a detailed explanation of her cost-cutting measures, and the team listened intently.
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