I walked in through the door and into Ash's apartment. I knew she was in the kitchen cause I heard the sound of the cooker go on.
"Ash!"
"In here!" She called right back so I hurried to meet her. I can't wait to tell her how my day unfolded. The talk with Hunter, and the plan.
I sat on a stool by the counter and passed myself an apple from the fruit bowl. "You got off work early" Ash said as she sprinkled a little oil in the pan just to grease it up.
"Yeah...the girl taking the shift from me came earlier" I took a large bite from the Apple.
"So what's up?"
"Hunter knows I'm Elaine"
I wish I hadn't said that with her standing next to the cooker. She turned around quickly and that made her tip the pan off her hand and to the floor. I bit on my bottom lip.
"Say again!" She half yell.
I repeated myself the same time Ash shoved veggies in front of me. "Slice em" she said and I picked the chopping board.
"How'd he find out?"
"According to him, he's a curious person. He found out on his own"
"He's been snooping around!" Ash gasp. Well, I won't want to call it that but...ok.
"He offered to help me....I don't know why" I started cutting the vegetables into bits.
Ash scoffed and then chuckled. "You've been around Hunter for two weeks to know damn well that he'd do anything for you" she clicked her tongue making me roll my eyes.
"What's that mean? He's just helping me get Autumn back" I say. Ash shake her head.
"You clueless girl" she picked the pan and set it back on the fire before snatching the already cut veggies and putting them in the pan. Who even taught her how to cook. I never knew she could. She always loved takeout.
"I guess he was bound to find out any way. I ask him way too many question. They all must have left clues"
"Or you wanted him to know" Ash smiled.
"No!" I hiss. She's being extra annoying this evening. She raised her hands in defence.
"Ok ok...so how is he helping you? Sneaking you into the mansion?" She chuckled. I rubbed behind my head. Here it comes.
"We're moving in together" I say out loud and Ash drops the pan for the second time making me roll my eyes.
"Shit! So your eloping without telling me first?!"
I threw a handful of cut vegetables at her and she dodged it with the wooden spoon in her hand.
"Hell no!...it's all part of the plan" I knew that would've been her reaction. Even when Hunter brought it up during dinner, it sounded hilarious. But as he explained further, I gave in to the plan.
"So what if you two live together? What's the plan there?" Ash finally ask.
"We're moving into the mansion next to the Rivera"
"Will you stop this we shit?" She grimace and I laugh. That from someone who literally told me Hunter likes me and was all giggly about it.
"Wow...mansion huh? Who's going to pay for that?" She asked. Her eyes narrowed at me.
"Him. I don't know why he'd do that...." I start saying but Ash roll her eyes cutting me off. Ok ok...I get it. Maybe, he likes me but I don't have the time for that. I have bigger things to focus on.
"You sure your ok with that?" Ash ask me. She took the last veggies and turned them into the pan stirring with her wooden stick.
"I don't have a choice Ash" I fold my arms. "I've been clueless for weeks and then he comes with a plan that sounds interesting and fulfilling" I shrug. Ash nodded in understanding.
"So when are you moving?"
"Tomorrow. Their charity ball is this weekend. I need to get acquainted with them before then"
"How acquainted?" Ash frown. She wasn't so sure about this. I can tell.
"Get to know them as fellow rich neighbours. If I'm lucky, I'll get an official invitation from them" I grin but Ash huffs. "The Riveras love rich people" I say more to myself. This has got to be the only way close to them.
"I see"
"And why must Hunter be with you?" She asked dropping the pan from the fire
That question, I knew she'd ask but I didn't think she'd remember. She raised her brows for me to answer.
"We're going to be like newly weds" I say with a little frown.
"What!" Ash yelled. This time, I was happy the pan was already off the fire and safely on the wooden counter.
"I'll be his wife. But it's only a pretence and you know that. " I said. Ash rubbed her fingers against the bridge of her nose. Her lips formed an 'o' shape.
"Did you even think his through?"
"I did. This is the only way Ash. Please support me. I don't know what I'd do if my best friend doesn't support me" I winced, Tears threatening to spill. I think I'm close to my period. I've been getting so emotional lately. And seriously it's annoying but I'm happy the tears is softening the look on Ash's face.
"Elaine. I support you. I just don't want you getting hurt" she opened her arms and I almost rush into them but I go slowly. I hugged her tight. What would I without her? "This shit your about to do is risky. If they recognise you, that could be the end"
"I know" I huff into her shoulder. "I have to try"
"Great. Then I'm behind you with every step you take" we pulled apart and she was smiling. Her fingers wiped my tear stained cheek.
"Thanks Ash. Your the best"
"I know. Now when is the groom coming. I need you out of my hair" she hoots.
"You little..."
"I'm kidding girl....I always want you here" she said and we both chuckle.
"He said he was going to stock the house with groceries before picking me up"
Ash's eyes shine with humor. "This is some serious shit going on here"
"It's sweet of him don't you think" I smirk and Ash threw a table rag at me.
"If you ask me, I'll say Hunter's been planning this thing since he met you" ash unties her Apron and hang it on the hook.
"Whatever you say Ash. Whatever you say" I said.
I didn't expect Hunter to come in early the next day but he did. Ash was right. He does seem to care about me in a special kind of way. One I'm not ready to look into or discover why?I went down the steps slowly pulling my little box of cloth that Ash graced me with. I would rather not wear prison clothe everywhere. Hunter appeared at the bottom of the steps and helped me with the box."Is this all?" He asked."Yep! Don't got much" I sighed"Then we'll have to go shopping" Hunter said and walked away quickly so I didn't have time to object. I'm still going to anyway. He can't just take me shopping like that. This is all an act. Not some romance prodigy.Ash was seating by the counter having coffee. I'm surprised to see she's not holding a bottle of wine. What's up with her?."Hey girl" I dropped my purse on the counter and poured me my own coffee. Black coffee? Ash is
I got dressed in a floral free gown. The length was a bit over my knee but nice and still decent. At least the gown didn't have a low cut or anything. I'm surprised Ash even has a floral gown.I packed my hair up in one breezy ponytail and decended downstairs. The sweet smell of food led me all the way to the kitchen and I stopped in my tracks when I saw Hunter cooking. He even had on an apron. I chuckled."So you cook?" I came and sat by the counter looking at the already made dishes on the table. Pastrami on Rye, black and white cookies, , Bagel and cream cheese."Yeah" he replied and placed a plate of creamed cheese in front of me. I inhaled the sweet aroma that suddenly made my tummy growl. "You better take care of that" Hunter grinned.I served myself some Pastrami and then stuffed my mouth. I won't deny, this is good food. At Ash's place, sphagetti and meatballs were the common.
I stared between Hunt and Nicole,waiting for Hunter to correct her but he didn't. He only grinned and stretched his hands out to her. We have a lot to talk about."You know her honey?" I ask with a side grin and clenched teeth."Nicole is a good friend" he smiled at the blonde and I blinked. Is this a game? How did he know Nicole and they seem to be so much good friends.A plump lady came out from the Rivera mansion with a worried expression on her face."Ma'am....Autumn won't have lunch" she said with full concern. I held my hands up to say something but Hunt pulled me away."See you around" he told Nicole before leading us back into the mansion. I found the nearest chair and sat down burying my face in my palms."Tiff. Are you alright?" Hunter asked kneeling in front of me."Why call me Tiff when you know who I am?"He smiled. "I guess I
The fair bob lady in front of me kept trying to steal glances at Hunter. When she tried looking at our direction again, I scowled at her and she cleared her throat looking away.We both stepped into Kennedy & Co boutique. The lady by the counter smiled at us and did a full glare at Hunter. Can I ever stop calling him that? His name is Lucas.I glared at him and he wasn't even noticing all the attention seekers around him. His right hand was tangled with mine while the other punched into his phone. He's here with me beat that.... i grinned stupidly to myself."We're here" he suddenly announced beside me.Once more, we're greeted with a fair blonde but this time, Lucas does seem to know her. He hugged her, kissing both her cheeks."Content de te re voir, Lucas" she grinned at him. While I never paid much attention during french class, now i wanted to gnaw my eyes out fo
Staring at the woman in the mirror was just as inspirational as any motivation I could ever need. Myself. The Cocktail dress I and Jacq finally picked out was as dashing as ever on me. On the hanger it looked pretty and all but wearing it now, I feel powerful. Intimidating.It was a red Sheath/ column off-the shoulder Assymetrical cocktail dress, with sequins. Jacq finalised the entire dress with a pearl earring and diamond necklace."Make sure to not loose this" she said pointing to my neck. I stared at the necklace through the mirror as it shone like thousands of diamonds. It wasn't huge or anything but looked simple and intimidating as ever."Why? Has he got his family fortune on it" I said with a grin but Jacq shook her head. "So what?"She pushed my cheek gently to the side applying a little rosy blush to my cheek making me look plush."You wanna know what's on your neck?"she asked st
My palms felt sweaty and often times, I'd touched the diamond on my neck so the cold feeling of it soothed me. Hunter placed his warm hands on my cold ones."You'll be fine. I've got you" he said with a smile but that didn't stop the nervousness that still ran down my spine."Tell me... how's it going to be like?" I asked him and he looked at me in disbelief and a raised brow."Ethan never took you to charity balls?" He asked and I was shocked to notice how freely he'd mentioned Ethan's name. I don't think I've heard anyone say his name for a while now. Myself included. And Lucas just said it like it was an easy thing to do and like he knew him."Only once and that was before we had Autumn. After then, I just enjoyed staying home with her." I said and smiled in the end. "He never liked the events anyway""Ethan?" Hunt asked and I nodded. God! I can't even pronounce his na
My dark mood was suddenly brightened up when I saw Autumn. She was in a pink flowery dress with black flats. Her short bangs were parked in a tight bun, I feared it'd wound her scalp but she looked neat and lovely.. She took her seat opposite me and next to Nicole.I watched her as she focused on the napkin in front of her before her eyes darted to me and she smiled."Hello" she said in a shy manner. I squeezed my hands together under the table and took deep breaths before replying."Hi little one. Nice to see you again" I smiled lovingly at her."Likewise" she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears before looking at her aunt. She's grown so much.I can't believe I'm sitting with my daughter right now. She looks happy to be around people but bored at the same time.I spotted Diana coming over with her husband Ryan. She had smiles all over her face as she talked with
It was nice seeing a most familiar face coming towards our table. Alice Rivera was smiling gracefully at Diana. When she got to the table, they exchanged pleasant hugs.I didn't expect her to come and embrace me too cause she doesn't know Tiffany. She doesn't know me. She shook hands with Ryan and Nicole before smacking Cooper in the head."Good to see you after so long, bedbug" She teased him. That has always been her nickname for him. Alice had nicknames for everyone in the house except Mrs Neveah of course. Speaking of Neveah....I watched as she moved across the room carrying so much aura with her. Her gown was silk gold with sparkling diamond stones. Everyone turned to stare at her. She's Royalty. I watched as the woman who locked me in prison for murdering her son, smiled at the crowd.Everyone on our table got up as she joined us. A sign of respect for the elderly. The sixty eight years old woman to