Adam looked at me as if I was out of my mind. "This is a golden opportunity, Astrid. What is there to think about?" He asked.

I sighed. "This is too huge, Adam! I know I can do all the wedding stuff, but I don't know if I can do all the managing! It's just too much!"

Adam reached out for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I believe in you, Ash. I've seen Geena's wedding. It was lovely. You have what it takes. I just wish you'd have more courage to step up, take some risks. Explore the world, Ash. It's big enough."

"I'll let you know tomorrow morning."

I couldn't sleep that night. Yesterday, I would take any job! Doesn't matter if it's making tea for the office secretary. Now, I am being offered the chance of a lifetime! And I don't know what I am going to do about it! It's as exhilarating as it is terrifying!

I remembered Ryder. He did encourage this dream. He told me that I had the experience, I had the contacts, the skills, the knowledge. I didn't have the capital then. But now an opportunity just presented itself. Could I let it pass? Am I strong enough? Am I ripe enough for that kind of responsibility?

When I fell asleep that night, I did picture a wedding. One in the middle of a resort. Lighted balloons were floating on the shore, giving the entire shoreline a bright light. Guests were gathered in the middle of the venue. There were so much merriment and the place looked magical. There were flowers everywhere.

I saw myself in the corner. I was wearing a peach dress. I was looking at the place contentedly. I heard the bride and the groom say their thank yous to the guests.

"And to Astrid... thank you. For making the beginning of our 'ever after' so magical and wonderful." They said to me.

I woke up from that dream with a big smile on my face. I know, that in spite of the pain that I still somehow feel when I think about Bryan and Geena, I am not the type of girl who will not believe in ever afters. I will always believe in it. And I will always come up with magical ideas to make dream weddings come true.

I stood up from my bed with renewed energy. I took a quick shower, had my breakfast and then gave Adam a call in his office.

"He's in a meeting. Can I ask him to call you back?" His secretary asked.

"Alright."

I paced the living room back and forth. I went to the deck, holding the cordless phone in my hand. I anxiously looked at my mobile to see if Adam opted to call me there instead.

After fifteen minutes and I have not heard from Adam yet, I dialed his mobile number from my cellphone.

It took him four rings before he finally answered.

"Have you decided yet?" He asked.

"You didn't call me back!" I said in a demanding tone.

"Oh, I am sorry, Ma'am, but some of us have to make a living so we can keep the apartment that you are living in."

I groaned. "Okay, fine." I took a deep breath. "So, what are the terms of this... offer? Do I get to meet this guy? Do I give him my CV? Will he interview me first?"

"Well, I have already given him your CV."

"How did you get a copy of my CV?"

"You used my laptop and printer, didn't you?"

"Oh, right." I grunted. "So, what did he say?"

"Well, as his executor, I have the power to hire and fire people for him. So basically, he's leaving the decision up to me. But I need to submit reports to him on a monthly basis. We need to hire a good accountant for this. He is just interested in your expenses and your revenue. The only two figures he will look at."

"Bbut Adam... you know that we might spend a lot at first to put up the business, do the registrations, rent out an office, buy some furniture, hire one or two assistants just to get the operation going. The business will not start making money until after six months or maybe even a year."

"He understands that. That is also up to me to justify." Adam said. "Don't mess this up, Astrid! Or we're both going to be fired! I'm handling so many of this guy's investments, I can't afford to lose my biggest client."

I giggled nervously. "I know, I know! Too much pressure already, Adam!"

"I believe in you, Ash." He said quietly. Then he sighed. "Anyway, the funds will be transferred to my account next week. You can start planning. I'll take a look at it and see what you're missing. I'll take care of setting up the business name and getting the business licenses. For the first twelve months of your job, you'll be getting a fixed fee although you will own thirty percent of the company. After twelve months, you'll have the right to forty percent of the company's profit." Then he gave me the amount of my monthly allowance. "Good enough for you?"

I couldn't breathe. It was... fifty percent more than what I used to earn with Fiona. Next year, I'll have the same amount plus forty percent of the total profits? So it all depends on how big I can make it in one year.

"Are you still there, Astrid?"

"Yeah, yeah." I breathed. "That's perfect, Adam!"

"Good. And you'll have full hiring and firing powers. I'm the only one who has the right to fire you though."

I laughed. "I won't let you down, Adam."

He chuckled, "I'll draw up the papers so you can sign them when I get home."

Because I still couldn't believe it was all happening, I stood up from my seat and I let out a loud shriek.

It has been a busy week for me. I spent most of my time at home, drawing up the proposal I will submit to Adam. I haven't done the whole organizational chart before, but I was glad to learn new things.

At the beginning, I intended to have one assistant first. I could train her. We would put up our own website first to give information about our company and our services. It's going to be difficult not having a gallery of our jobs but I know we'll get there soon.

I need to reestablish my ties with suppliers, photographers, videographers, couture, caterers, hotel managers and resort owners. I didn't have bad blood with any of them so I think that would be easy.

The toughest job would be finding the right place. Fiona's office was in a small building downtown. I didn't like the location at first because the streets around that area were crowded. It's tough to find parking and the office was not conducive for planning weddings.

I'd like to have a place somewhere in a quiet neighborhood that is easier to locate, with plenty of parking space, and would have a peaceful atmosphere.

By the end of the week, I was done with my initial proposal to Adam. He asked me to have dinner with him and we discussed the details in the restaurant. I was nervous as he was going through my notes.

Then he looked at me for a moment.

"What?" I asked nervously.

"You don't need to buy a van?" He asked.

"Later. Not now. Not when I don't have my first client yet. Too huge an investment." I replied. "I could always rent transportation while I am getting established."

"You have a portfolio before in your previous job, couldn't you use that?"

I shook my head. "Don't you remember that when you sign an employment contract, it states that as long as you are an employee of that company, all your works belong to them?"

Adam chuckled. "Silly me! And I'm the lawyer!"

"Besides, let's leave Fiona Reeds alone. I have talent. I can do this. I don't have to use her." I said.

Adam nodded. "What about the location??"

"Will you come with me tomorrow? There's a property ten blocks from your place that I want to look at." I said.

"You're going to put up your business in our neighborhood?" He asked.

I nodded. "I want a serene, peaceful place, Adam. I don't want busy streets, and crowded buildings. Besides, couples who hire a wedding planner would go anywhere if they believe she's good. I want my office to be comfortable to couples who would soon start their lives together."

Adam. "Okay. But I have veto powers on this."

I nodded. He looked at my notes again.

"Just two employees?" He asked.

I nodded. "For now. Remember, we need to build my client portfolio first. I'll be willing to even do that first job for free! Well, the services will be free. They just need to pay for the expenses. I just need the shots that I can put up in my website. And then word of mouth. When things go well, I will hire another employee or two. I might even hire Nicole. And then we'll see if we can afford to invest on our own vehicle and driver." I sighed dreamily. "All that for later."

Adam nodded. "What are you going to call it?" He asked.

I smiled at him. I know exactly what I will name this company. And this time, Adam will not have veto powers. That morning I woke up with a firm decision to go with this, I knew exactly what the name will be.

"Ever After Concept Weddings." I smiled at him.

He raised brow. "Isn't that a little bit too cheesy?"

I laughed. "Apparently, you're someone who does not date or does not wish to settle down at all. You couldn't understand the phrase 'ever after' even if you tried, Adam. Leave it to me. If I was the bride and I heard that phrase, it would give me a sense of security that... this wedding will happen and my groom will not knock up my maid of honor first!"