The shopping trip tipped into my work hours as well and I had to cancel the meeting with my team.
I can't say Luke was pleased with me but I assured him my work would be done, I asked Becky to tell my team to email me their progress reports on their works
And I worked through the night without coffee I thought I would die.
It was around 2:30 I was in the kitchen for water when Luke walked in and saw me there.
"Couldn't sleep?"
He asked as he opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water, my laptop was opened on the counter for me to check one last thing before going to bed.
I shook my head and massaged my temples from the headache I was having.
"Work"
And he nodded then drank his water, sitting on the opposite chair.
"How is it going, do you need my help?"
I thought about it, but then I thought how he had trusted me to do this.
My hesitation must have been worrisome for him and took it as my need for his help.
"Shay I don't want your health to be affected.."
I cut him off by putting my hand up and one still on my temple.
"No Luke, that's not it. I'm just thinking how you trust me with this and I almost messed it up"
I took a swing at my water and stood up.
"This working thing helps. And I made you a promise, and I will fulfill it."
I said going back to my room with my laptop in one hand and my water in another.
When I got to my room I checked on Lucy's progress on her part of the planning and sent her the changes I need to be made.
I took ibuprofen and went to sleep, my first meeting was with the room artist.
"This is amazing"
I said looking at the room he had just made, it was the best thing I've seen.
Unreal.
"How long does it take for one hall?"
"Well if it's the location that I was showed, a day for one hall, if I do from already done creations and not create from scratch"
I nodded and walked around the room.
This was gonna be the show stopper I promise.
"Good then, I think you have the address of the Centre. Go there and get started I will send someone to your office with your contact"
He nodded and I left him and went to the office.
I got to the office and jumped straight for my laptop and checked who had not responded to the invitations.
I had left the RSVP for Becky, I just checked it sometimes to check.
As I scrolled through, my heart skipped when I saw Ronan on the response that it's yes from them.
I just hoped he was still too busy to attend, he had been gone for so long.
"Becky can you call my team in my office please"
I said into the receiver as I went through the theme and color scheme of the hall.
Not too long they all come in and gathered by my desk.
"Ok, just the last-minute changes. Was the catering taken care of?"
Lucy who had gotten herself removed from the fashion aspect of the project nodded.
"Well"
I leaned back and crossed my arms.
"The will be a five-course meal altogether, and the menu was sent to you for your approval, which they need before the end of today.
And they will be bringing their waitresses and waiters but the rest will be for us to provide."
I noded and Dadi, who goes straight into it.
"We all set with the tables, I requested the ones you approved on. The only thing that needs your approval now is chairs, utensils, plates, and glasses."
I went through the list and saw some good pieces in place.
I liked a lot of them.
"Cindy"
"Well, the Centerpieces will be the small clear vas you liked and each table will be getting a different color flower according to their company colors as per your request.
The table cloths will be a deep shade of blue, while the drapes around the room will be dark blue-black and a deep shade of pink with a slash of white."
I nodded as I made the models on my laptop as she spoke.
When it came together I liked the colors, the drapes.
"Ok, Dadi these are the chairs you will confirm for us, they go well with the room and make the color the same with the table cloth but I want instead of a cloth on top of it for it to be glass-like plastic chairs"
He widened his eyes at me.
"Problem?"
"Yes, ma'am the glass-like color chairs are very expensive."
I nodded and picked up the phone and called Luke.
"The chairs I want to use are over..."
I looked up at Dadi for the price and he writes it down on the paper for me and hands it to me.
"R20 000 for only six chairs"
"Is there any other place we can get them from?"
Luke asked after I'm sure he made the calculations.
"No, and I think that is why they are so expensive"
He hums
"Order them, I will still see if there is anything I can do to get a better price."
"We can offer them exclusivity"
I suggested there was no answer for a while and he hums again.
"That could work. Call them make the offer and close the deal."
With that, we hung up.
"Ok, I will confirm the chairs, leave that and Cindy, Lucy I need both of you to go to the venue and make sure the artist is getting everything he needs, and please pass thereby Luke and get his contract."
They nodded and left.
"These are the utensils I want, get all the sets."
"Wow, those are nice. They change color with distance, from afar they took bronze, and when you close they are gold like"
Becky said gushing before she ducked her head down when she saw us looking at her. Although I don't smile, I looked at her with amusement.
"I want the white crockery, with just the design on the side. Nothing too overpower the Centre peace. Like this one, yes this will go well."
I pointed to the one I liked.
He nodded and wrote it down.
I then pointed to the wine glasses I saw, thinking they'll be a great fit and I also pointed to the champagne glasses I liked.
Then the cocktail glasses, I choose 5 different types of them.
Making sure we have a different variety of drinks.
"Ok so the only thing for me now is to make sure everything goes according to plan and time. Secure those."
I point to Dadi's notes
"And I will do the chair, now for the entertainment, what have you gotten for us.?"
I turned my attention to Dalisu, as he pulls out his notes.
"Well for the main floor I have the Orchestra from the Johannesburg theatre that you liked.
For the two rooms, I booked the DJs from taboo and news cafe."
I nodded, as I added also on my notes.
"Ok Peter you know your job, make sure everyone is on time and everything is accordingly.
Dalisu you and I are going to the venue"
I took my laptop and planner and we left the office.
I got to Luke's office first to ask him for his car keys.
"You need your car, Shay."
He said.
"You can not blame me. You made me fall in love with your car now you complaining."
I playfully scoffed at him as he gave me the car keys and I left, on the way, I made a call to the chair company.
The owner was happy with the offer and we sealed the deal right there and then, giving us a huge discount as a starter price.
"Ok Mr. Shivaay, our lawyers will be in touch."
Hanging up as I drove in the Centers' parking lot.
The Centre was huge, it had eight halls all in all.
All of the soundproof and spacious, enough to fill close to two hundred people.
But there was this one that was bigger than the rest, which was the one I made into the dining area.
Normally when Luke plans the ball he uses two or three halls at most, but I wanted to use them all.
And I did.
The drapes were getting pulled out of their boxes when I got there.
The blue was so rich, and the pink, was complimenting the blues and I was happy even before they've hung them.
Dalisu came up to me wiping his hands on a cloth.
"Where is the artist?"
He pointed the general direction as he led the way to the ice room.
"Miss Shay, I was not expecting you here so soon."
I waved him off when he looked nervous.
"We have two more weeks till the event, and I need you to do the other rooms as well. Have your lawyers read your contract!"
He nodded as a lady came and gave him a portfolio
"Yes, my second team will be here tomorrow and you can just look at these and tell us which you would like us to do."
Taking it from him I page through and I had to admit to myself the man was a Genius.
I'm so excited about this, this is the biggest thing I've ever done.
It will be opening doors not only for my team but for Luke's company.
"Ok ok two weeks people. Two weeks, now make me proud"
I shouted as I walked out after showing the Genius what I want.
There was still so much to do.
I have to check on the designers and give them the news of new rooms being added.
Oh, they were gonna like this.