Skyline Events Company.
"Kourt? Aren't you coming to eat lunch with the rest of us?" Kourtney's work Bestie, Liam called out.
"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up later," she replied without breaking eye contact with her laptop screen.
She tried to focus on work rather than the miserable state of her life.
These last three days after her breakup and eventual flash marriage have been an emotional rollercoaster for her.
Kourtney bit her lips in frustration, struggling to maintain her composure and concentration.
Off course, she's been doing everything she can to avoid Brandon and Kathlyn. But those two have shamelessly been parading themselves around her at every given opportunity, making her blood boil.
Last night, they'd hosted a dinner party to mark their engagement at the Smiths mansion, and Brandon had the nerve to invite her.
He sent her a text saying – he wanted her to be there and hoped they could all move forward as in-laws and friends because he still cared about her. The nerve!
Kourtney had stared at her phone in disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest.
She couldn't believe the audacity of his request.
Friends?
She'd wasted three years of her life – loving such a shameless and despicable douchebag.
They had been planning a future together, only for him to toss her aside, impregnate her sister and expect them to remain friends.
She'd been so embarrassed texting all her friends, classmates, work colleagues, and invitees that her upcoming grand wedding was off.
Meanwhile, he was busy parading the city with Kathlyn as lovebirds.
Even his sister, Alana Smith, who happened to be her college friend, had called to ask about what was happening. It must have been shocking to them that Brandon introduced another woman to be his new fiancee a few weeks before their big Wedding.
Her younger sister for that matter!
Despite having good relationships with most of the Smith family members, the constant calls and texts from them since last night felt like an intrusion into her personal space, and she ignored all of them except for Alana's.
She wondered why the Smiths hadn't directed their questions and concerns to Brandon himself. It seemed illogical that they were bothering her instead of seeking answers from the source.
And then again, another reason for her distractions and heightened emotions was the way all her colleagues had been chattering about the news of Billionaire Sebastian Wood's shocking marriage.
Kourtney was surprised to discover that the man had already announced it to the world.
The news was all over the internet, and everyone was talking about how Melbourne's most eligible bachelor was now married out of the blue. Different blogs, tabloids, papers, and also, news stations had announced the news without revealing his mystery wife - HER.
Kourtney thought her female colleagues would probably skin her alive if they found out she was the Wife of their prince charming.
She sucked in her breath now and then whenever someone mentioned his name.
There was also the fact that she still hadn't told her family about their marriage. Her parents and everyone else at home have been too busy preparing for Kathlyn and Brandon's wedding, making her sick to the stomach. She couldn't believe these people were really her family.
Everything was just so frustrating!
"Dude, you're staring into space again! What do you mean to catch up later? The lunch break would be over in less than 30 minutes, so you need to eat now to get your strength before working too hard. The project ain't running now, is it?"
"I know, Liam. But I'm not even hungry. Just let me finish this first draft. I swear I'll round up in a jiffy!" Kourtney replied, finally looking up at Liam with pleading eyes.
She knew just how insistent he could be when it came to making sure she took care of herself. It was one of the many reasons he was her best buddy and workmate. But right now, she needed to wrap up this draft before taking a break.
The project to plan and organize the upcoming Silverstone Gala was handed to her yesterday because the board members and higher-ups had confidence in her. The last thing she wanted was to let them down.
Liam leaned against her desk, his expression earnest, and he gave her a charming smile. "Come on, Kourt. I know you're dedicated, but you need fuel to keep up that amazing brainpower of yours. You know what they say, 'All work and no food makes a cranky event planner."
At this point, Kourtney knew she was screwed. He probably wouldn't stop nagging her until she gave in.
Liam Campbell, the 26-year-old handsome man with striking blonde hair and sparkling emerald-green eyes that matched Kourtney's, had a magnetic charm that seemed to draw people in.
He was often the center of attention because of his good looks, brilliance, and hilarious sense of humor. Almost all the ladies at Skyline Events wished Liam was their heartthrob. Yet, amidst all the attention, he seemed to have eyes for only one woman.
"You've been glued to that screen all day, Kourt. I'm starting to think you're in love with that laptop," Liam added in his usual teasing fashion.
His gaze softened as he looked at her. And one could almost see how the stars lit up in his eyes.
"Very funny!" Kourtney rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile.
Liam had a knack for lighting up even the most stressful situations. He was one of her pillars in the chaotic world of event planning, her constant companion and confidant.
Just then, he placed a hand on Kourtney's cheeks, pinching it in a loving gesture that made her surprise.
"What are you doing?" Kourtney asked, moving her face away from his hands as fast as she could.
"Well, I won't stop doing that until you agree to go out to eat," Liam remarked jokingly.
To him, it seemed like a joke, but his behavior just now made Kourtney feel very awkward. The stuff like this that he does were why people at the company often thought they were DATING.
"I–" Kourtney wanted to say something but paused after hearing the sound of her cell phone ringing.
'Who could it be this time?'