“No. no. no.”, Ashley says firmly. Looking at the corner of the room she says, “this is where the cake will be displayed”. Pointing as speaks with a brisk walk closer to the corner area. She continues, “over here is where the bridal party will be”. A satisfied grin is on her face as she pictures the day. The planner is writing all of this done as they are talking and discussing about the day in the luxurious ballroom.

“Great!” Says Nancy the party planner. She just finished writing all of the details out. She looks nervous as she begins her last question. “Ashley? Where is your fiancé? I thought he was joining us to finish up the seating arrangement?” Ashley is in her own little world staring up at the chandelier as it catches the light from the giant windows looking out over the vineyards. “Ashley?” Nancy says anxiously again. “He was supposed to, but he got held up in another meeting. Something about new info dropping and big tech moving in.” She add said briskly. She thought to herself, “he’s always busy.”

Nancy begins to pack up her things and says, “well darling I have another client across town and should really be going. Email me the final touches of the things we discussed. Only two more months my dear.” Ashley’s smile cracks a little and she thinks “yeah only two more months to hang on to this runaway train.” She quickly gains composure and adds, “that’s fine Nancy. Thank you again for coming out. I will get everything to you by the end of the week. I’m going to stay a bit longer.”

Nancy nods her head and walks out already on the phone talking with her assistant about the next meeting. As she leaves Ashley is simply admiring the ballroom and all of its extravagance. The sound of the wood flooring as she walks around. To the color of the tapestries on the walls. To the good details on all of the paintings. This is the oldest vineyard. Owned by an estate that was controlled by a rich and well off Italian family who rents out the place from time to time to the elite. Ashley was no elite but her father is. He ran many media outlets such as magazines, websites, tabloids, and basically any gossip rag you can touch. Which made him well known and in the know.

Ashley play a song her phone out loud for the acoustics of the room echos on the walls around. She begins to sway and dance a bit picturing herself in a wedding gown. She daydreams of her wedding day always, but the groom doesn’t always make an appearance. Ashley isn’t marrying for money or sustainability, but for her father and only for her father. Her father is dying and she simply can’t stand the thought of him dying before she is married of to the “love of her life”, so simply Ashley picked the guy and went with it. Her fiancé isn’t all that bad. He’s driven and loyal. He comes from a good family and is right. Yes! Right! That’s the word to describe, but Ashley knows she doesn’t love him. Not like she should anyways. Thoughts of her dad and the memories they share cross her mind and she just keeps thinking to herself, “marriage will be what’s right and put one last smile on daddy’s face”. The thought sends a pain in her stomach the finality of it all. Ashley shakes her head and wipes a tear from her eye and continues to dance to the dang in that lovely ballroom. Thinking of better times and happier moments.