The Rebound Curse

“You’re wh-how-what?” I spluttered rather stupidly.

Bella looked at her feet guiltily. Never in my career has this ever happened.

“I’m really sorry. But break’s over and I have to go back to school. Eric is getting transferred to work there until exams are over. I’ll be back before the wedding, I promise!” Of course she’d have to be here before the wedding. It was her wedding.

I let out a defeated sigh. Please the customer, I guess. “I understand. So how are you going to plan this wedding of yours?”

Bella’s face lit up brightly, her eyes shining. “Noah’s going to help! He knows anything and everything that has to do with me. You have no problem. And if you do have any questions, you could always phone me.”

“I guess that would work fine,” I grumbled. Yes, I do realize that I was acting unprofessionally. “Wait, what?” I asked once I realized what she clearly has said.

Bella quirked an eyebrow, “Noah’s going to help.” She must’ve noticed my displeasure and nervousness because she gave me a pretty smile. “Don’t worry. He won’t be mean to you.”

“Worry? I’m not worried.” I defended. She just stifled a giggle.

“When are you leaving?” I questioned as I internally processed what was just discussed.

“Tonight, actually. The flight’s leaving at night.”

I finally gave her an assuring smile. “Alright then. Have fun and good luck on exams.”

Bella squealed. “Thank you, thank you!” She hugged me tightly until I couldn’t breathe.

Later that night, I still couldn’t believe that someone like Bella would miss out on her own wedding planning. She’s also leaving everything to her brother, of all the people. No matter, I’m a wedding planner; I make any girl's wedding dreams come true.



“I thought you swore off men or something?” Lilly mused as she watched me fumble with a pair of earrings.

That’s what I thought too. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been falling in and out of love so many times that I just want to find The One already. I can’t possibly find him by not putting myself out there. My heart was going to have to be strong and take more risks of shattering until we find him. He’s out there somewhere. Who knows? He could be the man I was going on the date with.

I shrugged and continued getting ready. By saying no to one man already, my mind was in panic asking me questions if he could’ve been The One or something. Then it shot the same question every time I see a man within the radius of my eyesight.

“What’s his name?” She asked as she stretched her long legs out in front of her on my bed, looking mighty comfortable.

“Derek,” I replied and couldn’t help but let out a dreamy sigh. There was a knock outside and I heard Foe yell out ‘I got it!’

In an instant, I saw Lilly jump off my bed and poked her head outside of my room. “Well, I gotta give you credit. Your dates are always the best looking men and this one is no exception.”

I smiled proudly at her statement and at myself in the mirror. I turned around and showed Lilly.

“How do I look?” She speculated my shirt before pulling it down, showing more of my chest.

“Perfect.” I rolled my eyes, gathered my purse, before walking out.

Derek stood cutely, looking around curiously at his surroundings. He looked so out of place with his tall build. He was wearing a blue polo shirt, jeans, and sandals. He looked adorable with his light brown hair all mussed up. It vaguely reminded me of how Noah had the same messy look. I quickly shook my head from the thought.

When he saw me, his eyes widened and a grin broke. If only Noah smiled a little more.

“You look great,” he commented, still smiling.

I blushed. “Thank you.”

Lilly finally made her entrance and she strutted out of my room, chins lifting up ignorantly. “Hello, Derek,” she stretched out ‘Dereeeeek’, “Get my friend back on time and if you hurt her in anyway, you’ll feel the wrath of a bitchy gay friend and me, the angry mom. Got it?”

Derek, I’m assuming, was not afraid. He just smiled easily. “I’ll have her home before midnight.” I rolled my eyes at Lilly when she nodded her head stiffly.

“Well, go on, kids. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” She added as she ushered us out.

Derek walked me to his car and opened the door for me like a true gentleman. “Sorry about Lilly. She can get a little crazy sometimes.” I said when we were seated.

He chuckled, “It’s okay. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“So, where are we off to?”

Derek smirked attractively. “You’ll see.”



The next morning, I woke up with a nasty purple hickey on my neck to remind me of last night. To say that the date was bad was under saying it.

It was horrible. Horrifying. Terrifying.

Derek seemed to be a very touchy feely man. A perverted freak that showed his true colors during dinner by looking down my shirt and making sure I saw him too. And he made a lame attempt by dropping his stupid napkin so that he'd have to look under the table to get it. I was wearing a pretty short dress, too. What kind of person does that? Oh yeah. A pervert.

Now, I usually don’t kiss on first dates but when he did, he didn’t stop. We were in his car and he basically attacked me. I had to push him away none too nicely and dashed out. And now I have this freakishly big bruise to remind me.

Hopefully, he won’t call. Was I losing my touch? I usually pick good men. Well, men with great personality.

Foe had already left for school and Lilly was gone after I got home last night – after I told her what happened of course. That’s what best friends are about. No doubt that she’ll make a reservation for all of us to just sit and talk about Derek. Pervert.

Unfortunately, I also had to go meet Noah at lunch to go look at some wedding details. Fun.

After I got ready, I took my sweet time getting a cab. I wasn’t in a hurry. I still had half an hour to kill.

I got into the restaurant right on time. “I have a reservation with a Mr. Jackson,” I told the hostess.

“Right this way, ma’am,” she answered, leading me to an excluded area. There, sat in all his glory, was Noah. I couldn’t help but gasp quietly when I saw him. He made me so…breathless. The way he sat as if he practically owned the place. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he did.

He was wearing a white button down shirt with the first two buttons off, a pair of dark washed jeans, and his Ray Ban aviators sat on top of his curly dark hair.

“Hello,” I greeted him politely as a waiter magically appeared to pull my chair. He nodded at me and took a sip of his drink.

We began talking about all the details and describing about the plan so far. Well, I did all the talking. He just sat and listened, at least I hope he was.

When I was done, I took a huge gulp of orange juice in front of me.

“Any more questions?” I asked.

He opened his mouth then closed them. Then he opened them again, “How was your date last night?”

I choked on my juice and spluttered incoherent words. I was sure I spitted some out but he didn’t seem at all affected by this. He waited patiently for me to speak.

“Um, this has nothing to do with the wedding, Mr. Jackson,” I said, keeping it formal.

He shrugged indifferently. “You asked me if I had any questions.”

“Questions about the wedding,” I pressed.

“How was it? I’m assuming by that huge thing on your neck, it went pretty well,” he stated matter-of-factly, ignoring about what I had said. How did he even know that I went out?

My hands automatically went to cover up the thing. “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Noah,” I glared at him.

“It’s Mr. Jackson, actually,” he corrected me.

I huffed and gathered my notes, “This meeting is over, Mr. Jackson.” I got up and walked out of the restaurant quickly, almost running, in fact.

A couple of seconds later, at the corner of my eyes, I saw Noah walking next to me, his aviators on and his hands in his pockets.

“Actually, I do think it’s my business, Ms. Parker. If something was to happen to you and your boyfriend, like break ups or arguments, how do I know that your feelings won’t affect the planning of the wedding? I’ve told you before; I want the best for Bella.” He crossed and walked in front of me.

I folded my arms ignorantly. “I would never do that to a client. I have never mixed my personal life with my work. I’m a professional. You have nothing to worry about.” I tried to say calmly, but failing as my pitch went a little higher and louder than usual.

I couldn’t read his expressions, seeing as his eyes were covered up. His mouth wasn’t much help either; they were in a tight thin expressionless line.

“I’m serious, Elliot,” he said dangerously, making me shiver at his tone and raising goosebumps when he said my name.

“Ms. Parker,” I threw back at him, “and besides, again, I will never ever do anything stupid like that. You know I won't. Isabella will get the wedding that she deserves.” I spat, angry that he would think I would do anything like that.

“Why should you care anyway?” I muttered as I turned around, ready to walk away but not before I caught his last quiet words in the mist of the busy sidewalk.

“I care more than you think.”