Lexi Thompson stood in her small, cluttered office, staring out the rain-speckled window at the grey Seattle sky. It was a typical drizzly day in the Pacific Northwest, the kind of day that made you want to curl up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee.
As she gazed out the window, Lexi's mind began to wander. She had always loved the rain, loved the way it made the city feel cozy and intimate. But lately, she had been feeling restless, trapped in a life that wasn't quite hers.
The sound of her phone ringing broke the spell, and Lexi turned back to her desk. She answered the call, listening as her assistant, Rachel, chattered excitedly on the other end.
"Lexi, you won't believe the email I just got," Rachel said. "It's from the Blackwood Estate. They want to hire us to plan their wedding of the year."
Lexi's eyes widened as she listened. The Blackwood Estate was one of the most prestigious venues in the country, and the opportunity to plan a wedding there was a dream come true.
"When is the wedding?" Lexi asked, her mind already racing with ideas.
"It's in six weeks," Rachel replied. "And get this – the bride is a Hollywood actress. This is going to be huge, Lexi."
Lexi felt a surge of excitement mixed with a dash of nerves. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, but it was also a lot of pressure. Could she really pull off a wedding of this magnitude?
As she hung up the phone, Lexi couldn't shake the feeling that this wedding was going to change everything. She just didn't know how yet.
As Lexi sat back down at her desk, she couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. She had always been driven to succeed, but this was a whole new level. Planning a wedding for a Hollywood actress at the prestigious Blackwood Estate was a daunting task, to say the least.
Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed, Rachel walked into the office, a huge smile on her face.
"I knew you'd be excited," Rachel said, plopping down in the chair across from Lexi's desk. "This is going to be amazing for our business. We'll be able to attract so many new clients with this kind of exposure."
Lexi nodded, trying to share Rachel's enthusiasm. But as she looked around her small office, she couldn't help but feel a sense of inadequacy. Was she really ready for a project of this magnitude?
"Rachel, do you think we're biting off more than we can chew?" Lexi asked, voicing her concerns.
Rachel's smile faltered for a moment, but then she nodded reassuringly.
"We can do this, Lexi. We've worked with difficult clients before, and we've always come out on top. Besides, think of the exposure we'll get from this. It'll be worth it, I promise."
Lexi nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. Rachel was right – this was an opportunity they couldn't afford to pass up.
"Okay, let's do it," Lexi said, a sense of resolve in her voice.
Rachel grinned, pumping her fist in the air.
"Yes! I'll start making calls to the Blackwood Estate and get all the details. You start working on some ideas for the wedding."
As Rachel bounced out of the office, Lexi couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation. What had she just gotten herself into?
As Lexi sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head. Planning a wedding for a Hollywood actress at the Blackwood Estate was a daunting task, and she wasn't sure if she was up for the challenge.
Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed, Lexi's phone rang. It was Rachel, calling to confirm the details of the wedding.
"Lexi, I just got off the phone with the Blackwood Estate," Rachel said, sounding excited. "The wedding is going to be huge – over 500 guests, and the bride wants it to be a fairytale-themed wedding."
Lexi's eyes widened as she listened. A fairytale-themed wedding sounded like a logistical nightmare.
"Okay, got it," Lexi said, trying to sound calm. "What's the timeline looking like?"
"We have six weeks to plan the entire wedding," Rachel replied. "And the bride wants to meet with us in person to discuss the details."
Lexi felt a surge of anxiety. Six weeks was a tight timeline, and meeting with the bride in person added an extra layer of pressure.
"Okay, let's get to work," Lexi said, trying to sound confident. "I'll start working on some ideas for the wedding, and we can discuss them with the bride when we meet with her."
As Lexi hung up the phone, she couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What had she gotten herself into?
Over the next few hours, Lexi worked tirelessly to come up with ideas for the wedding. She researched fairytale-themed weddings, looked at pictures of the Blackwood Estate, and brainstormed ideas for decorations, food, and music.
As the sun began to set, Lexi leaned back in her chair, feeling exhausted but satisfied. She had a good starting point for the wedding, and she was ready to meet with the bride to discuss the details.
But as she stood up to stretch, Lexi caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked tired, stressed, and unsure of herself.
Was she really ready for this?
As Lexi gazed at her reflection, she couldn't help but think about how much her life had changed in the past few years. She had always been driven to succeed, but after a painful divorce and a grueling custody battle, Lexi had found herself at a crossroads.
She had poured her heart and soul into building her event planning business, and it had finally started to take off. But with success came new challenges, and Lexi wasn't sure if she was ready for the pressure and scrutiny that came with planning a high-profile wedding.
Just as Lexi was starting to feel overwhelmed, her phone rang again. This time, it was her daughter, Emma.
"Mommy, when are you coming home?" Emma asked, her voice sweet and innocent.
Lexi smiled, feeling a surge of love and guilt. She had been so caught up in work lately that she had barely had time for Emma.
"I'll be home soon, sweetie," Lexi promised. "I just have to finish up a few things here."
As Lexi hung up the phone, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was doing this for Emma, for their future, and for the life they deserved.
With newfound determination, Lexi sat back down at her desk and began to work on the wedding plans. She spent the next few hours researching, brainstorming, and making phone calls.
As the night wore on, Lexi finally felt like she was getting somewhere. She had a solid plan in place, and she was ready to meet with the bride to discuss the details.
But just as she was about to pack up and head home, Lexi's phone rang again. This time, it was an unknown number.
"Hello?" Lexi answered, feeling a sense of trepidation.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then a low, gravelly voice spoke up.
"Lexi Thompson, you're the event planner, right?" the voice asked.
Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine. Who was this, and how did they know her name?
"Yes, that's right," Lexi replied, trying to sound calm.
There was another pause, and then the voice spoke up again.
"I have some information about the Blackwood Estate," the voice said. "Information that might be useful to you."
Lexi's curiosity was piqued. What kind of information could this person possibly have?
"What kind of information?" Lexi asked, her heart racing with anticipation.
But the voice just laughed, a low, menacing sound.
"You'll find out soon enough," the voice said, and then the line went dead.
Lexi was left staring at her phone, feeling a sense of unease and foreboding. What had just happened?
Lexi's mind was racing as she tried to process the strange phone call. Who was that person, and what did they mean by "information about the Blackwood Estate"?
As she sat at her desk, trying to make sense of the cryptic message, Lexi's eyes wandered to the folder on her desk labeled "Blackwood Estate". She had been researching the estate's history, trying to get a sense of the layout and the various rooms and amenities.
As she flipped through the pages, Lexi's eyes landed on a passage about the estate's troubled past. There had been rumors of ghost sightings and unexplained occurrences, and Lexi couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to the stories.
Just as she was starting to get lost in the research, Lexi's phone rang again. This time, it was Rachel.
"Hey, Lexi, I just got off the phone with the bride," Rachel said, sounding excited. "She wants to meet with us tomorrow morning at the Blackwood Estate."
Lexi's heart skipped a beat. Tomorrow morning? That was fast.
"Okay, got it," Lexi said, trying to sound calm. "What time do we need to be there?"
"10 am sharp," Rachel replied. "And Lexi? The bride wants to make it clear that she's very particular about the details. We need to make sure everything is perfect."
Lexi nodded, even though Rachel couldn't see her.
"Don't worry, Rachel," Lexi said. "We'll make sure everything is perfect. I'll meet you at the estate tomorrow morning at 9:30 am."
As Lexi hung up the phone, she couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What would tomorrow bring?
As Lexi packed up her things and headed home, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The strange phone call, the bride's demanding nature, and the eerie history of the Blackwood Estate all swirled together in her mind, making her feel like she was walking into a nightmare.
When she arrived home, Emma was waiting up for her, watching TV on the couch. Lexi smiled, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for her daughter.
"Hey, kiddo," Lexi said, giving Emma a hug. "How was your day?"
Emma chattered excitedly about her day at school, and Lexi listened intently, trying to push aside her worries about the wedding.
As they got ready for bed, Lexi couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that tomorrow would bring a new set of challenges, and she wasn't sure if she was ready.
As she lay in bed, trying to fall asleep, Lexi's mind kept wandering back to the Blackwood Estate. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for her there, something that would change everything.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Lexi drifted off to sleep, haunted by visions of the estate's grand halls and the secrets they might hold.
The next morning, Lexi woke up feeling groggy and unsure. She got dressed and had a quick breakfast, trying to shake off the lingering sense of unease.
As she headed out the door, Emma gave her a big hug. "Good luck, Mommy," she said, looking up at Lexi with big, serious eyes.
Lexi smiled, feeling a surge of love and determination. She was going to make this wedding happen, no matter what.
As she drove to the Blackwood Estate, Lexi felt her nerves starting to fray. What would the day bring? Would she be able to pull off the perfect wedding?
As she turned onto the estate's winding driveway, Lexi caught her first glimpse of the mansion. It loomed above her, its stone façade glinting in the morning sunlight.
Lexi's heart skipped a beat as she pulled up to the entrance. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
It was showtime.
As Lexi stepped out of her car and onto the driveway, she felt a sense of awe wash over her. The Blackwood Estate was even more beautiful than she had imagined. The mansion's stone façade was imposing, yet elegant, and the perfectly manicured lawns and gardens seemed to stretch on forever.
Lexi took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She had a job to do, and she couldn't let her nerves get the better of her.
As she walked towards the entrance, Lexi noticed a figure waiting for her by the front door. It was a woman with long, curly brown hair and a warm smile.
"Lexi Thompson, I presume?" the woman said, extending her hand.
Lexi nodded, shaking the woman's hand. "That's right. And you are...?"
"I'm Sophia Blackwood, the bride," the woman replied. "Welcome to my home."
Lexi's eyes widened as she took in Sophia's elegant appearance. She was even more beautiful than Lexi had imagined, with piercing green eyes and a radiant smile.
As Sophia led Lexi into the mansion, Lexi couldn't help but feel a sense of intimidation. The interior of the mansion was just as impressive as the exterior, with soaring ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and intricately carved wood paneling.
Sophia led Lexi to a beautifully decorated sitting room, where Rachel was already waiting.
"Ah, Lexi, thanks for coming," Rachel said, standing up to greet her.
Lexi smiled, feeling a sense of relief. With Rachel by her side, she felt more confident and prepared to tackle the challenges of planning Sophia's wedding.
As they sat down to discuss the details of the wedding, Lexi couldn't help but notice the eerie atmosphere of the mansion. Despite the beauty of the surroundings, she felt a sense of unease, as if something was watching her from the shadows.
She pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. She had a wedding to plan, and she was determined to make it perfect.
But as they delved deeper into the planning process, Lexi began to realize that Sophia's wedding was not going to be easy to plan. The bride had very specific ideas about what she wanted, and Lexi was starting to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the project.
And then, just as they were getting started, Sophia dropped a bombshell.
"I want the wedding to be held in the estate's garden," Sophia said, her eyes shining with excitement. "But there's one problem. The garden is said to be haunted."
Lexi's eyes widened as she felt a chill run down her spine. Haunted? What did Sophia mean?
Lexi's eyes widened as she felt a chill run down her spine. Haunted? What did Sophia mean?
"What do you mean, haunted?" Lexi asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Sophia leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. "The garden is said to be haunted by the ghost of my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Blackwood," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't believe in ghosts, but there was something about Sophia's words that sent a chill through her.
"What makes you think the garden is haunted?" Lexi asked, trying to sound skeptical.
Sophia smiled. "I've seen her," Sophia said, her voice matter-of-fact. "I've seen Elizabeth's ghost wandering through the garden, dressed in a long, white gown. She's a beautiful sight, but also a little unsettling."
Lexi felt a surge of curiosity. She didn't believe in ghosts, but she was fascinated by Sophia's story.
"I see," Lexi said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Well, I'm sure we can find a way to make the garden work for the wedding, even if it is haunted."
Sophia smiled, seeming to relax now that the subject of the haunting had been broached. "I'm glad you're open-minded," Sophia said. "I was worried you might think I'm crazy."
Lexi laughed. "I don't think you're crazy," Lexi said. "I just think you're... enthusiastic."
Sophia grinned. "That's me," Sophia said. "Enthusiastic. Now, let's get down to business. I want to show you the garden and discuss the details of the wedding."
As they walked through the mansion and out into the garden, Lexi couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The garden was beautiful, but there was something eerie about it, something that made Lexi feel like she was being watched.
She pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. She had a wedding to plan, and she was determined to make it perfect, no matter what.
But as they walked deeper into the garden, Lexi couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The trees seemed to loom over her, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. And the flowers... the flowers seemed to be watching her, their petals seeming to move of their own accord.
Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine. What was going on? Was she just imagining things, or was something really off about this garden?
As they walked deeper into the garden, Lexi couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy, and the flowers seemed to be watching her with an unblinking gaze.
Sophia seemed to sense Lexi's unease and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Lexi," Sophia said. "The garden can be a little... intense. But it's just the atmosphere. It's very special here."
Lexi nodded, trying to appear calm. But as they continued their walk, she couldn't help but feel like she was being pulled into some kind of strange, mystical world.
They walked past a large fountain, and Lexi noticed that the water seemed to be flowing in a strange, almost... deliberate pattern. As if it was trying to convey a message.
"What's going on with the fountain?" Lexi asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Sophia smiled. "That's just one of the garden's little quirks," Sophia said. "The fountain is designed to create a specific pattern with the water. It's supposed to be... soothing."
Lexi raised an eyebrow. Soothing? The fountain's strange pattern was actually kind of... unsettling.
As they continued their walk, Lexi started to notice other strange things about the garden. The flowers seemed to be arranged in a deliberate pattern, and the trees seemed to be... watching her.
Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine. What was going on here? Was Sophia's garden really haunted?
Suddenly, Sophia stopped in her tracks and turned to face Lexi. "I want to show you something," Sophia said, her eyes glinting with excitement.
Lexi followed Sophia to a large, ancient-looking tree. Sophia reached out and touched the trunk of the tree, and as she did, the air around them seemed to... shift.
Lexi felt a strange, tingling sensation, like the air was vibrating with energy. And then, suddenly, she was flooded with visions of the past.
Lexi saw a young couple, laughing and embracing beneath the branches of the tree. She saw a lavish wedding, with guests in formal attire and a bride in a stunning white gown.
And then, she saw something else. Something dark and foreboding.
Lexi's vision faded, and she stumbled backward, gasping for breath. Sophia caught her by the elbow, steadying her.
"What did you see?" Sophia asked, her eyes gleaming with intensity.
Lexi shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "I... I don't know," Lexi stammered.
But as she looked into Sophia's eyes, Lexi knew that she had seen something real. Something that would change everything.
Sophia's eyes seemed to bore into Lexi's soul, as if searching for something. Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine as she tried to process what she had just seen.
"What did you see?" Sophia asked again, her voice low and urgent.
Lexi hesitated, unsure of how to describe the visions that had flooded her mind. "I saw a couple," Lexi said finally. "They were happy, laughing and embracing. And then I saw a wedding, with a beautiful bride and groom."
Sophia's eyes seemed to light up with excitement. "Yes, yes, that's it," Sophia said. "The wedding of my great-grandparents. It was a beautiful day, wasn't it?"
Lexi nodded, still trying to process what she had seen. "But there was something else," Lexi said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Something dark and foreboding."
Sophia's expression changed, her eyes clouding over with a mixture of sadness and fear. "Yes," Sophia said. "The shadow. It's been here for generations, watching and waiting."
Lexi felt a chill run down her spine. What was Sophia talking about? What shadow?
Suddenly, Rachel spoke up, her voice breaking the spell that had fallen over the group. "Um, Sophia, can we talk about the wedding plans?" Rachel asked, her voice hesitant.
Sophia nodded, seeming to shake off the strange mood that had settled over her. "Of course, of course," Sophia said. "Let's go back to the house and discuss the details."
As they walked back to the mansion, Lexi couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The visions she had seen, the strange energy in the garden, and Sophia's cryptic comments about the shadow all combined to create a sense of unease that Lexi couldn't ignore.
What was going on at the Blackwood Estate? And what did Sophia mean by "the shadow"?
As they entered the mansion, Lexi saw a figure standing in the foyer, watching her. It was a tall, imposing man with piercing blue eyes and a stern expression.
"Ah, Lexi, this is my fiancé, Alexander," Sophia said, smiling. "He's been eager to meet you."
Lexi smiled, trying to hide her unease. But as she shook Alexander's hand, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in grave danger.
As Lexi shook Alexander's hand, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. It was as if she had been shocked, but not in a painful way. More like a wake-up call.
Alexander's eyes seemed to bore into hers, as if he could see right through her. Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine as she tried to pull her hand away, but Alexander held on tight.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Lexi," Alexander said, his voice low and smooth. "I've heard a lot about you."
Lexi smiled, trying to play it cool. "Likewise," she said, trying to pull her hand away again.
This time, Alexander let go, but not before giving her hand a slight squeeze. Lexi felt a surge of unease, but she pushed it aside. She was here to do a job, not to get caught up in some kind of weird, flirtatious game with the groom.
As they walked into the living room, Lexi couldn't help but notice the way Alexander looked at Sophia. It was as if he adored her, but there was something else there too. Something almost... possessive.
Lexi pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. They spent the next few hours discussing the wedding plans, going over every detail from the flowers to the music.
As the meeting drew to a close, Lexi felt a sense of relief. She had gotten through the meeting without any major mishaps, and she was one step closer to pulling off the perfect wedding.
But as she stood up to leave, Lexi caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye. It was a photograph, hanging on the wall in a beautiful, ornate frame.
The photograph was of a woman, dressed in a long, flowing gown. She was standing in the garden, surrounded by flowers and trees. But it was her face that caught Lexi's attention. She looked... familiar.
Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized who the woman in the photograph was. It was Elizabeth Blackwood, Sophia's great-grandmother.
But there was something else about the photograph that caught Lexi's attention. Something that made her feel like she was staring into the face of a ghost.
As Lexi gazed at the photograph, she felt a strange sense of connection to the woman in the picture. It was as if she had seen her before, but she couldn't quite place where.
Sophia noticed Lexi's fascination with the photograph and smiled. "That's my great-grandmother, Elizabeth," Sophia said. "She was a beautiful woman, wasn't she?"
Lexi nodded, still feeling a sense of unease. There was something about the photograph that didn't feel right.
As they said their goodbyes and Lexi prepared to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced around the room, but everyone seemed to be busy with their own conversations.
It wasn't until she was walking out the door that Lexi saw her. A woman in a long, flowing gown, standing in the garden. Lexi's heart skipped a beat as she realized that it was Elizabeth Blackwood.
But as she turned to get a better look, the woman vanished. Lexi was left standing alone in the garden, feeling like she had just seen a ghost.
"Lexi, are you okay?" Rachel asked, coming up behind her.
Lexi turned to her, feeling a sense of relief. "Yeah, I'm fine," Lexi said. "I just thought I saw something."
Rachel looked at her curiously. "What did you see?"
Lexi hesitated, unsure of how to explain what she had just seen. "I thought I saw Elizabeth Blackwood," Lexi said finally.
Rachel's eyes widened in surprise. "That's weird," Rachel said. "I've heard stories about Elizabeth's ghost haunting the estate."
Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't believe in ghosts, but what she had just seen was hard to explain.