Derek found her excitement infectious and he couldn’t help but laugh. The ladies he usually brought home always did their best to act unimpressed whenever they came around, but he could literally see the effort it was taking them to maintain their composure. He liked how original Rachel was and how she was comfortable with showing her true emotions because that made him feel at ease. He didn’t even have to try to impress her and to him, that was the real definition of peace of mind.
The elevator stopped in front of his penthouse apartment and they got out of the car with an equal measure of excitement. He couldn’t wait to show her around his place, while she couldn’t wait to feast her eyes on all of the beauty waiting inside. When they entered the huge four-bedroom apartment, Rachel was not disappointed. She oohed and aahed as she followed Derek around as took her on a tour of his home.
“This place is phenomenal,” she remarked after they finished their tour. “I’ve never been inside a penthouse before.”
“I’m glad you’re impressed,” he said with a feeling of satisfaction.
“I can imagine doing a vlog in here. It would totally go viral and blow up my YouTube channel,” she gushed dreamily.
“You post on YouTube?”
“Yeah. Lifestyle content mostly, you know, I just talk about all the fun stuff I’m into, share a few dance videos, makeup tutorials, and stuff like that.”
“Sounds interesting. How long have you been doing that?”
“Five years.”
“That’s quite a career.”
“Yeah. I enjoy it and the money I make from the channel pays my bills, so yeah. If I had to rely on the stipends I get from the parents of the children I teach ballet to, I’d be homeless by now.”
“You teach ballet too?” He was surprised.
“Yes. I once thought I was going to become a famous ballerina one day, but I couldn’t keep up with the weight requirements, so I stopped.”
She’d meant the last part as a joke, but she couldn’t deny that her heart still broke when she thought about her past struggles with her weight and the body image issues that had taken years of therapy for her to overcome.
Sensing a drop in her mood, Derek came to stand beside her in front of the window with a breathtaking view of the city below. “I don’t know much about you, Rachel, but from the little I know now, I can tell that you are a remarkable woman. Never forget that. Now, let’s continue with your birthday celebration.”
She smiled at him, appreciating his effort to lift her spirits. “What do you have in mind?”
“How about a rooftop dinner featuring a six-course meal and a bottle of champagne to top it off?”
Rachel laughed. “That sounds ridiculously expensive, but since I’m not the one paying, why not?”
“Do you always say what you think?” Derek asked with a laugh.
She shrugged.
“I’ll call my chef to have our dinner sent up here, but in the meantime, what would you like to drink while we wait?”
“Boy, I could get used to this kind of life,” she smiled. “I’d like a bourbon on the rocks if it’s available.”
“Coming right up,” he said and strolled to his bar to fix her drink.
Rachel knew instinctively that she was about to have the most memorable birthday celebration of her life.
*******
Dinner with Derek was a luxurious affair; the six-course meal featured a variety of fancy foods that looked like something out of Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook, the drinks were just as bougie and tasted great too. The final course was a slice of peach and caramel upside-down cake with a tiny candle on top as a reference to her birthday. This was by far the sweetest birthday experience of her life.
“Happy birthday again, Rachel,” said Derek. “I hope all of your dreams come true.”
She blew out the candle and said, “I think they just did. I have always dreamed of having a special dinner to celebrate my birthday and here it is happening thanks to a handsome stranger. Thank you, Derek. You have made me very, very happy today, and it’s not just about the dinner, but the thoughtfulness behind it. And you don’t even know me, that’s the weirdest part of it.”
“It doesn’t have to be weird, and it takes a lifetime to know someone but that too has to begin at a moment. This is the beginning.”
Rachel felt all warm and fuzzy inside at his words. Derek was such a sweet guy who knew what to say and when to say it. How come he’s single?
“I think I should be on my way now,” said Rachel, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “I don’t want your girlfriend to walk in and start having the wrong ideas.”
Derek chuckled. “If that’s your way of asking if I have a girlfriend, the answer is no. I’m single.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“I mean, have you seen yourself? You are handsome, well-spoken, and rich. You can have any woman you want, so why would you be single?”
“You’ve already answered your question, Rachel. I can have any woman I want but that doesn’t mean I have to be in a relationship with them. So, relax. Nobody comes to visit me without letting me know first.”
“I see,” she mused. “So, does that mean you have many lady friends that you invite over whenever you want?”
Derek grinned. “That sounds like a trick question that I’ll rather not answer. Come, let me show you something.”
“Sure,” she said and let him lead back into the penthouse. The outdoor dinner had been so lovely, it almost felt romantic.
She followed him to another section of the house that looked like a gallery with different oil paintings, artworks, and a white grand piano in the middle of the room. The place looked so heavenly that Rachel couldn’t think of the best adjective to describe it.
“This is my favorite room, besides my bedroom, of course. I always come here to relax whenever I feel drained after a busy day at work, or when I need to clear my head.”
“Derek, this place is amazing!”
“I know,” he smiled.
Rachel walked over to the piano and ran a hand across the smooth, polished surface. “Do you play?”
“Yes,” he said and he sat down on the piano seat and began to play a tune.
“Fur Elise,” sighed Rachel. “One of my favorites.”
“It’s my favorite Beethoven piece too,” he said as he continued to play.
Rachel’s body seemed to move of its own volition as she began to sway, then suddenly, she was on her toes doing a ballet dance routine that she thought she’d already forgotten. She twirled and soared around the room while Derek kept playing the tune and watching her performance. When the tune reached its crescendo, she ended her routine by sitting on the piano seat beside Derek.
“That was brilliant,” he whispered. They were sitting so close to each other that his breath fanned her cheeks as he spoke. “You are a wonderful dancer, Rachel.”
“And you are an amazing pianist and a ridiculously sexy man,” she whispered back and pressed her lips against his. It felt like the natural thing to do with this beautiful man, in this beautiful place. Rachel didn’t mind if she never saw this guy again after tonight, but right now, she wanted all of him. He was going to be her birthday gift to herself this year.
He broke the kiss and said, “I guess it’s time we did a grand tour of my bedroom and I can show you why it’s my second favorite room in this house.”
“I think I can guess why,” she giggled. “But I’d like to find out firsthand. Go on, lead the way.”
Encouraged, he took her by the hand and led her upstairs to the master suite. The room was done in white and different shades of blue, giving it a cool and relaxed ambiance. His bed was a huge four-poster creation with a shiny golden frame.
“I’d call this place a minimalist over-the-top bedroom,” laughed Rachel. “I like it.”
“You have good taste,” he complimented her.
“I agree,” she said and climbed on the ottoman at the foot of the bed, making her nearly as tall as him. She leaned forward and kissed him again, pulling him closer to her by the lapels of his suit jacket.
Derek liked how bold Rachel was – no dilly-dallying, just a straightforward expression of passion with no mixed signals. I like this girl, he thought to himself as he began to take off his clothes feverishly.
“Easy there, tiger,” she laughed against his lips. “No need to rush, darling. We’ve got all night.”“Are you sure?” He asked uncertainly. “What about your friends?”“What about them? I’m not their babysitter. They’re all probably at home already by now, sleeping off all that margarita. I’ll give them a call later.”“Good. I don’t want the cops beating down my door on allegations of a possible kidnapping.”Rachel laughed. “Stop being dramatic. They know I’m out here having a great time.”“Are you?”“I guess I’m about to find out, aren’t I?”It was a challenge, and Derek loved challenges. He carried her off the ottoman and took her to the bed where he laid her on the soft surface like a delicate flower. First, he took off her figure-hugging T-shirt before taking off her ripped cut-off denim pants. He took a moment to admire her voluptuous body and wondered what the hell made him prefer skinny women all these years? This woman on his bed was a masterpiece with her sexy curves and rounded
As soon as Rachel left, Derek felt like an asshole. Why had he behaved that way like a jilted teenager? Ok, so it was shocking to him that she had turned down his offer to meet again, but so what? Men got turned down every day, so why did he think he was too good to be rejected? Because he had more money than most men?Disgusted with himself, he threw back the covers and got out of bed then marched angrily to the bathroom. Inside, he got a faint whiff of Rachel’s perfume and his gut tightened involuntarily. Perhaps it was just as well that things had ended sourly between them this morning because that woman was trouble, plain and simple. He didn’t quite believe in love, but Rachel looked like the kind of woman that might make him start thinking about that strong emotion.He had seen what love does to even the strongest and most level-headed men, how it turned them to mush and made them do stupid things. His father was an example of a victim of love – the older Fraser had made the mist
Derek spent the rest of his morning working out in the gym until his muscles were sore and begging for mercy. It was the only way to successfully obliterate his encounter with Rachel from his mind permanently. Feeling invigorated afterward, he took a shower, got dressed, and took his favorite Lamborghini for a spin.While in the car, he put a phone call through to Cassie but she didn’t respond, so he scrolled through his contact list and found another woman who might be available for him. His call was answered on the second ring.“Hi, Derek!” The woman on the other end of the line said with a high-pitched voice that showed how excited she was to receive his call.“What’s up, Gwen. How are you doing?” He said casually.“How are you doing, babe? I thought you’d forgotten all about me.”Derek chuckled. “You know that’s not possible. I’ve been very busy.”“That’s what you always say,” said Gwen sulkily.“All right, let me make it up to you. Where are you right now?”“At home.”“Why don’t
Six weeks later…Rachel blew out a shaky breath as she walked into the reception area of the office building. She had been psyching herself up for weeks before this meeting, still, she wasn’t ready for it but she couldn’t postpone it any longer.“Hello, how may I help you?” Asked the pretty blond receptionist with a bright smile.“Uh, hi,” said Rachel, uncertainly. Her heart was pouncing wildly in her chest and her palms were sweaty. “I’m here to see Derek Fraser,” she said, trying to match the receptionist’s dazzling smile.“Do you have an appointment?”“Um, no, but it’s very important that I see him today.”“I’m sorry, Miss, but that won’t be possible. You can only see Mr. Fraser if you have an appointment with him. If you give me your name and contact details, I can send them to his personal secretary and she might set up an appointment for you.”Rachel tried to hide her frustration but she knew it would be impossible to see Derek without getting past this receptionist first. It ha
When they finally reached the 16th floor and the elevator doors opened, Rachel quickly staggered out of it and gulped in air through her mouth while holding unto a pillar in the hallway for some balance.“Rachel, you’re as white as paper,” said Derek, his voice filled with concern for her. “Should I call a doctor or an ambulance?”“No,” she said weakly. “I need to sit down.”He put an arm around her and gently led her toward his office. “Please, get me some water for her to drink,” he said to his secretary as he passed by her desk.“Uh, sure,” said the secretary who couldn’t understand what was going on with her boss and the sickly lady.He led her to the Chester couch in his office and helped her to settle down. The secretary came in just then with a tray containing a jug of water and a tumbler. She poured the water into the glass and offered it to Rachel.“Thank you,” said Rachel, accepting the tumbler of water and taking a few sips. “I feel better, thanks,” she said with a shaky sm
“We are saying the same thing, my friend,” said Jonah, sympathetically.“Damn! This can’t be happening to me. I am always so careful. I let my guard down once, and boom, I’m being accused of pregnancy.”“ ‘Accused of pregnancy?’ Are you serious? You make it sound like a crime,” laughed Jonah.“This isn’t funny, Jonah. This is my life we are talking about here. My reputation is at stake. What if she goes to the press with this?”“As I said, getting a woman pregnant isn’t a crime, Derek. I’ve done it twice and I’m not in jail right now.”“You are married.”“And you could be too.”“Never! I’ve told you many times already that I will never get married. I will never give up my freedom and sanity for a piece of paper that will have me giving half of my fortune to some woman if she eventually decides to leave me.”“Marriage is more than just a piece of paper, Derek. It’s a union of heart, body, and souls,” said Jonah, seriously.“Miss me with that BS, Jonah. I’m not interested and that’s tha
When Rob saw her, he gasped in shock. “Oh my gosh, Rachel. What happened to you?”Her hair was disheveled, her hair was a mess, her face was streaked with tears and her eyes were bloodshot from crying non-stop. Her oversized T-shirt was rumpled and stained with drops of chocolate ice cream and her legs were unshaven.Her apartment looked like a war zone; magazines everywhere, furniture askew, dirty plates and cutlery everywhere, floors littered with snack wrappers, and the whole place stank.“Geez, Rachel. What’s this? Are you doing drugs?”She ignored his question and continued her slow walk back to her bedroom where she landed heavily on the bed, exhausted from the short walk.Rob was not surprised to see that her bedroom was even in worse shape than her living room. “Are you going to tell me what is going on, or do I have to squeeze it out of you?”“I messed up, Rob,” she said softly and her chin began to wobble. She couldn’t believe that she still had any tears left in her eyes, b
As they had expected, their mother threw a fit when she heard the news of Rachel’s pregnancy. She had only recently come to terms with the news of Rob’s sexuality and now this was happening. Why?“How could you let that happen, Rachel?” Asked Rosemary Lane with a horrified expression. “I thought you were a sensible young woman, how could you do this to me?”“This isn’t about you, Mom,” said Rob, rolling his eyes.“How could you embarrass me like this?” Rosemary continued, ignoring her son’s comment. “What have I ever done to deserve this?”“I’m sorry, Mom. It wasn’t intentional,” said Rachel. “It just happened.”“What do you mean by ‘it just happened’ as if it was an accident? Were you walking down the street and just stumbled on the pregnancy? Was that how it happened? Did someone just throw it at you? Or you accidentally had sex and got pregnant? What part of this wasn’t intentional?”Rachel sighed but said nothing. If it were up to her, she wouldn’t have informed her mother about t