The afternoon was ablaze with the sun’s golden glow. Rachel Adams and her mother, Reneé Adams both emerged gracefully from their limo. As they stepped out, camera flashes emerged from the paparazzi as they made their way down the street.
Rachel’s platinum blonde hair was in an uptight bun as usual. She stood poised, shoulders high and chin raised to portray a flawless jawline. Her deep red lipstick was a center of attraction as she answered a few questions from the paparazzi.
Racheal, who are you wearing today? Are the rumors about your new found romance true? What’s your secret to wealth? How do you handle the constant media attention?
As usual, she answered only the ones that she knew would keep her fans in awe and fascinated. She loved being famous and loved every attention.
She turned to her mother and listened in on the conversation she was having with a particular reporter. She went on and on about her new fashion line.
After a long while of attending to their fans, the Adams walked up the stairs leading to the upscale boutique owned by Reneé, their heels clicking authoritatively against the stone pavement,echoing a rhythm of unshakable confidence.
The boutique was exactly the same to Racheal when she walked in.
The chandelier in the center hung down like a crown jewel, it’s crystals reflecting light onto the marble floor beneath.
To Racheal, each corner of the boutique was a sanctuary with its own unique style. The plush velvet seating was a perfect place to sit and admire the collection that Reneé released every month.
Racheal looked at her mother who was now examining the jewelry section. She was in awe of her. She aspired to be exactly like her mother and she knew she would, her perfect husband was just in line now.
She walked over to her mother, ‘ The pearls are lovely mom’
‘Yes darling, I was thinking you would wear it tonight ‘, her voice came in with a rich elegance.
‘Tonight?’
‘Yes Racheal, tonight. You’ve been in L.A for almost a week now, it’s time you stop chasing unnecessary things and focus on why you really came.’
Racheal was quiet for some minutes, as though she was debating on whether to say what she had in mind, ‘ I followed Ryder last night mom, he’s seeing someone’
Her mom walked over to her, handing her the box of pearls, ‘I have arranged a dinner with you and Ryder tonight. His parents think it’s a good decision too as you guys have been far apart. You can’t blame him for being with someone else whilst you were away. So my dear-“, her mom ran her fingers down her cheek,” quit whining and help me look for a dress for you.”
Racheal swallowed and walked quietly behind her mom. She clutched her purse and felt her phone, her mind travelled back to what she had done earlier on, she remembered the exact words she had used in the text ,‘I FOLLOWED YOU LAST NIGHT, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WATCH YOUR BACK!’
Welled up with jealousy and envy from the previous night, she had made enquiries and research and tracked down the girl Ryder was with, she even went as far as getting her number and sending her a threatening text.
She wasn’t going to hurt her, she just didn’t want any complications now she was as close as possible to rekindle her teenage love and dreams of becoming Ryder’s wife.
“Well?-“, her mom’s questioning tone brought her mind back to reality.
“Sorry mom, I didn’t get you.”
“You’ve been out of place the whole day, dear. I hope nothing’s wrong?”
“ I’m fine mom, nothing’s wrong “, Racheal gave a fake smile.
Her mom’s eyes lingered on her for a moment as if she was trying to study her or make out something she was hiding,” Well, if you say so Racheal. I was asking what you think about this dress”
It was only then that Racheal made notice of the dress her mom was holding. It was in a transparent wrap but she could still make out it’s blue color,” I’ll try it on now mom”, she said ,taking it from her mom and immediately heading to the changing room. She wanted to be away from her mom even if it was just a few minutes, she felt choked up in her own thoughts.
As Racheal slipped into the enchanting midnight blue dress, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. It had intricate silver beadwork lined around it that she knew would glitter under the moonlight.
Rachel’s couldn’t help but feel a surge of confidence as she stared at her appearance in the mirror. The dress accentuated her curves in the right places and she could almost see her eyes glisten from all the shine.
She reached out for the pearls and wore the necklace, it was truly a match made it heaven. She imagined the look on Ryder’s face when he saw her, only if he wasn’t too distracted thinking of Lily.
Racheal stopped herself immediately, she wasn’t going to entertain any bad thoughts, the evening was going to be a blast and she promised that to herself.
Her mind traveled back to her early teenage days with Ryder , when they were truly in love and had no care in the world. It was so promising she was sure they would last. Sadly, her parents sent her away to school in France, tearing her away from her true love.
Often times, she wondered what life would’ve looked like if she had stayed back. If she had, there’ll be no reason for this stupid arrangement like she and Ryder were strangers.
She closed her eyes and remembered the first time they made love, the feeling was still so strong from many years ago, she felt sparks whenever she thought of him. She knew he was her match, just a little time now and things would go back to how they were before, she was sure of it.
And so, with a wistful smile, Racheal put away those memories, knowing they will last forever in her memory.
It was now 3:45pm. In just a few hours, she would be with the love of her life and nothing else would matter. She thought about him, wondering what he was doing at the moment.
Just then, her phone chimed. She almost gave a squeal when she saw it was a text from Ryder.
It read:
“I got the news that you’re in L.A. and we have dinner tonight? Wonderful. Can’t wait to see you”
Racheal bit her lower lip and muffled squeals of excitement. She had just gotten a text from Ryder! Yes, RYDER!
Now she was sure Lily was long forgotten. Or was she?
Lily sat on the old park bench, gazing into thin air as she awaited her best friend, Ashley. She had arrived early at Funtimes Park just as they agreed, she wondered what took Ashley so long.Her mind was in turmoil, thoughts swirling like a hurricane. She couldn’t shake off the feeling she had gotten since she read the threatening text earlier in the morning. She suspected it had to do with the man she had her one night stand with the previous night who was now her new boss and so she decided to stay away from him for good. Maybe he had a girlfriend or perhaps a wife?Just as Lily raised her head up, she spotted Ash running towards her, her face hinting all signs of worry.“Sorry I’m late friend! Traffic was insane”, she tried to catch her breath,” You said we needed to talk urgently?”Lily gave a small smile as she adjusted for Ash to sit, “Something really strange happened Ash”“ Of course something strange happened girl! Where were you last night?”And so, Lily narrated the whole
As Racheal walked down the long hallway, she was filled with nothing but excitement. The atmosphere reeked of the smell of fresh flowers all around.Her mind rehearsed all the things she had discussed with her mother from an hour ago. Don’t slouch, always smile, induce conversations of the company and the requirement to have a wife, try to rekindle your old love.Although these thoughts pressured her somewhat, Racheal knew her mom was right. Ryder had just inherited the company from his father and needed a wife to be by his side for at least three months to keep the position permanently. Racheal had sworn to herself, she was going to do everything possible to be the wife to Ryder banks.Racheal Banks, she thought to herself and giggled like a child.The familiar butler greeted her with a smile,” Goodevening Miss Racheal”“Goodevening Scott”, she smiled back.Scott opened the door before her,” The Banks family will join you shortly.”“Family? I thought I was dining alone with Ryder?”“
Racheal watched from a distance as the Banks family talked to the police men. The noises had attracted them to the house as they were already somewhere nearby. And of course, her intended romantic dinner with Ryder was more than ruined.It was cold outside, she felt chills run down her spine. Everything had been ruined by the good-for-nothing Aiden. It took some couple of minutes before Ryder walked up to her.She looked up at him,” Hope there’s no much problem?”“No. My dad has handled it” he paused for a moment “ I’m so sorry for what happened tonight.”“Don’t say, it wasn’t your fault at all” she looked at his torn shirt,” When did all these start?”“Walk with me.”Racheal’s heart gave a happy jump as Ryder held her hand and led her towards the garden at the back. Racheal looked around, she remembered the tree house that was in that same garden many years ago.“Everything feels the same”, she said when they stopped walking.“Everything?” Ryder sounded unconvinced.“For the most par
The chill of the evening and the starless sky were the perfect lookalikes for Lily’s downtrodden heart. She walked quietly beside her best friend Ash, who on the contrary, had a lighter spirit.“ I don’t think this is a good idea Ash”, Lily said , stopping in her tracks.“Why not? What better way to get your mood up after your work place just shut down than to go see your boyfriend?”“He said he was going to meet me at the send off party, I don’t want to disturb him.”“ Well, it’s the same thing if you go together right? I don’t want you dragging your feet through the party door with a mood like that. Come on, I’m sure Sam would be happy to see you”, Ash smiled and grabbed Lily’s hand as they made their way up Sam’s front steps.The door was locked when Lily turned the doorknob,”He’s not home. I’m sure he’s still at work ”, she said sadly.“Bummer”, Ash sighed as they came down his steps.“Let’s just go home.”“Wait! That’s his car over there right?” Ash pointed to a red truck packed
The moonlight casted a silvery sheen on Lily’s red hair, making it glow with a soft light as she clung tightly to the man’s arm, taking careful steps not to fall as she was still blindfolded.“Why the blindfold?”, she asked inquisitively.“Just for the fun of it”The walk to his limo wasn’t long and they were soon seated in his back seat.The alcohol was giving effects in her insides and she felt fuzzy.“Where are we going?” She asked, her mind piling with thoughts on the adventure she was about to take with a complete stranger.‘My suite. Somewhere private, I don’t like to be seen outside so much. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.’He reached out and took off her blindfold.Lily looked around , she had never been on a ride so magical and elite. The interior of the limousine was carefully designed, everything voiced wealth from within.The dark windows and shining lights made it look like their own private club. ”What do you want to do with me?”, she said trying to study his face.“Wh
The streets of Los Angeles were unforgiving that morning as Lily tried to make her way through the bustling city of crowded people.Well, what did I expect to see on a Monday morning? She thought .Her clothes were not appropriate for the appointment and she knew she had to stop somewhere for a quick fix.The call from the Hr department at the office a few minutes ago had reminded her that she was going to miss the appointment if the boss arrived before her, he despised lateness.Losing track of time stung for Lily , as she had always awarded herself for professionalism and punctuality to any event. She had to get this job by all means. Ash’s boyfriend, Dan, had pulled some strings to get her a spot.“Taxi!”, she yelled as a yellow and black car pulled to a stop in front of her.She got in,”Santee Alley please. Can we take the fastest route?”The driver nodded in agreement and they were on her way. Lily clutched her bag beside her. She felt the beignets she had packed earlier on at the
“Well, it looks like we will be needing another breakfast for you”, the man’s voice rang loudly in Lily’s head.How on earth was her one night stand her new boss! She followed his gaze to the beignets that had fallen out of her bag when it dropped from her hand in shock.She bent down and picked up her bag and the contents that had fallen out except the beignets.“ I didn’t know that _”“_I’m your boss and my name is Ryder Banks”, he cut her short and stretched out a hand to her.She walked over to his desk and received his hand, hers trembling and cold. She wanted to say something but her tongue was tied, she couldn’t get herself to say anything.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost miss”, he said to her.“We’ll it’s just that _”, she cut herself short “No sir, it’s nothing.”“Those beignets, I’m sure you would’ve loved them. I love beignets.”Lily wanted to say something but again, her words failed her. What was most interesting to her was the fact that Ryder’s acting was so perfect,