Page 7 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
“Mom, I have to go. I need to eat before I head out for work,” I continue. “I’m photographing a launch party for a new app.”
She lets out a small chuckle. “Sounds like an excellent distraction for you,” she says. “Go have fun and take some amazing photos.”
“I will, Mom. Thanks for calling.”
I hang up and finish cooking breakfast. As soon as it’s done, I sit down and eat.
Once I finish eating, I collect my bag and coffee and head down to my silver sedan in the parking lot.
I climb into my car, adjust my rearview mirror, and head out.
I drive for about an hour and a half before arriving at the ranch where the event is taking place.
I’m in awe as I drive through the entrance—rustic wooden arches frame the pathway, their intricate details highlighted in the late morning light. People are already streaming onto the grounds, the casual elegance of their attire befitting the laid-back sophistication of the daytime event. The atmosphere is lively, the soft chatter and occasional laughter melding with the tranquil ambiance of the outdoors.
I walk toward the entrance, my camera equipment in tow. This will definitely be a much-needed distraction. I’m already planning out the shots I want to take here.
Up ahead, a group of security guards stand watch at the gate, scanning the attendees before allowing them inside. I approach them confidently with my media pass in my hand. The head guard, an imposing-looking man with a bushy beard, stops me.
“Name and ID, please,” he says.
“Catherine Turner,” I reply, handing him my pass. “I’m the photographer.”
He eyes me suspiciously. “The photographer is already here.”
I huff. “There must be some kind of mix-up.”
“Catherine?” Tom, one of my co-workers, says from behind the gate. “We work at the same company,” he alerts the guard. “Let her in.”
The guard eyes me one last time, then steps aside so I can enter. I follow Tom behind, mouthing a thank you as we head toward the party.
As we approach the stage, I can hear the band setting up their instruments and getting ready to play. There are tables with champagne bottles and sparkling glasses laid out in neat rows. Laughter echoes throughout the area as people mingle and chat.
“Are you covering the event, too?” I ask, pulling my camera out of my bag. “I thought this company only hired one photographer.”
“Dominic told me to come,” he tells me. “He said you weren’t working today.”
I stop in my tracks, suddenly confused. “He did?”
Tom nods and points to the stage. “They’re about to start the event. We’d better get ready.”
My mind races as I try to make sense of what Tom has just said. Why would my boss tell him I wasn’t coming to work after I told him I would be returning today? As we make our way toward the stage, I can’t help but feel suspicious.
“Hey, Tom,” I say when we reach the party. “I’m going to call Dominic before I get to work.”
He nods, already prepping his camera.
I step away, grab my phone, and dial my boss, Dominic.
“Hi, Dominic,” I say, urgency in my tone. “I just wanted to know why Tom is also covering the event. I thought they hired only one photographer for the job.”
There is a long pause before he answers me. “Hi, Catherine. Actually, Jason called. He’s really concerned about you. He said you snapped and ran off at your wedding.”
My eyebrows furrow, wondering why Jason would do something like that. “So, you hired a second photographer?”
Dominic sighs heavily as he seems hesitant to give me a straight answer.
“Why are you even listening to my ex-fiancé instead of me?” I ask.
