Riele tried her best to convince Kim Huxley that Kim Utter was a bad figure for the company, but he didn't pay attention to her.
"Do as you are told, young lady!" He glanced through the files in his hand.
Riele had been battling with Mr. Handsome, trying to get him to change his mind, but every word she said went into one ear and came out of the other. "There are other models out there, why not choose among them? why does it have to be Utter?"
"The same reason why it has to be you." Kim walked up to her. Riele stared into his eyes. There was no way she was going to back down so easily.
"Was he voted in or is this just an irrational decision made by you?"
"Do you think I make decisions without thinking it through?"
"Obviously," Riele muttered.
Kim sighed as he went back to his desk. "Get me the model I want Riele and we are not debating on this issue."
"But..."
He lifted his hand to shun her. "Also, I need a beautiful female model. You should find the right one," he told her without looking at her. Even though he wasn't looking at her, he could tell she was still there. "Do you want to get fired? Believe me, nothing will give me greater joy than to send you out of here."
Riele didn't need to be told twice. She rolled her eyes at him before leaving his office.
**++**
"It's fine, Riele. You've done your part," Charlotte told her as they walked home.
Riele shook her head. "This is all messed up. Why is he so adamant?" She asked. "All he cares about is what he says, what he wants...nothing else matters. Is this the kind of person I am going to be working with?"
Charlotte giggled. "Just take it easy. He seems like a good guy to me."
"Every hot guy is a good guy to you Charlotte."
"Well, it is not my fault they are hot." They arrived at Charlotte's house. "Where are you going to find him?" she asked.
"Don't worry about it. I have my ways."
Charlotte looked at her friend closely. "Are you part of a secret agent?" She asked.
"Something more," Riele joked as they both laughed.
"About the beautiful female model, I know just the person," she told Riele.
"Who?" Riele asked.
"It's a secret mission."
"Nice." Riele smiled. "So I will get Kim Utter and you will get the mysterious female model."
"Right!"
"See you tomorrow then."Riele hugged Charlotte as they said their goodbyes.
That same evening, Riele decided to search through the net for some information about Kim Utter.
He was a celebrity so definitely, the net would have every information about him. She clicked on the news that was talking about 'KIM UTTER'S FAVORITE HIDEOUT'. She read the news and found out that he visits mostly the clubs, but he has been found in this particular clubhouse, "Oak". Riele muttered as she checked the direction map."435 W 17th St, New York."
After getting all the information she needed, she boarded a taxi and went straight to Oak. She wasn't a fan of parties. but she had no choice.
Arriving at Oak, she saw different scenes; people smooching, kissing, getting laid, drunk, dancing, and other despicable acts. Riele couldn't remember the last time she came to places like this. "Let's ignore everything we are seeing and focus on what we are here for."
She tried to endure the smell of Cigarettes and marijuana that penetrated her two nostrils.
She glanced around looking for the young man, but he was nowhere in sight. "Maybe he is upstairs."
Riele decided to go upstairs to check it out. The sight she saw upstairs was even worse than the scenes she saw downstairs. She covered her pure naked eyes, walking past the scene. "I can't find Kim Utter at this rate, I need to ask someone."
"Did you just say, Kim Utter?" She heard a voice ask as she turned to look at who the person is.
"Madison?" She called in shock. Riele looked at her from head to toe, she was dressed as a stripper. "I am so surprised to see you here. What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like?" She asked. "What are you doing here?" She passed a drink to Riele, but she refused.
"I am here to see Utter, any sign of him?" She asked.
"Kim Utter?" Riele nodded. "I saw him a few minutes ago with a girl and I think they entered a room, but I have no idea what the room number is."
Riele was happy. "Maybe it's not a bad idea you are here," she thanked Madison who smiled at her before leaving. "We know what he is doing, but we don't know exactly where he is. Acording to the information given, he is in one of these rooms which means, we are going to have to search each room," she reminded herself. "Get ready eyes! You are going to see a lot tonight."
She touched her eyes as she mustered up the courage to start her mission.
She moved to the first door kicking it open, but it was empty. "Phew!" she sighed.
She moved to the next three doors and the rooms were empty. "Is Madison sure?"
She had searched ten rooms. Seven were empty and the three were filled with people that weren't Utter.
She was about to give up when she heard a crash downstairs.
She peeped down to see what was going on and there she found Kim Utter fighting with a girl or guy.
Riele was confused about the image of the person Utter was fighting with, so she decided to go down to get a look.
"You impersonated yourself as a lady to get my money!' Utter screamed at the girl-boy.
The boy was quiet. Utter gave him a punch on his cheek. This made the boy to crash the bottles on the table at the back of him.
He moved closer and pulled the boy by his neck before he could do anything, the police siren could be heard from outside.
Riele didn't know when someone pulled her out of the scene into somewhere dark. She tried to struggle but she couldn't.
"Shh!"
She didn't know who the person was because they were in a dark room. She tried wriggling herself out of his grip but he held her tight. "Be quiet, will you?"
Riele could hear screams and shout from the club and she could also hear the police's husky voice dragging some people that were caught away.
A few minutes later, the club became so quiet like a graveyard and that was to show that everyone had gone except them of course.
Riele didn't wait, she opened the door, came out, and breathe a sigh of relief.
"There's another one inside."
Riele heard someone say. She didn't need to be told it was a policeman.
The guy who saved her life had a cap and a nose mask on so Riele couldn't tell who he was.
The guy held her hand and ran out of the club through the back door.
The policeman followed after them as he called his colleagues to join in the chase.
The guy ran so fast that Riele had to try to keep up with him. "Hold on tight!" she heard him say as he held her by the waist and carried her straight on his motorcycle.
He removed his cap and wore his helmet and looked at Riele whose eyes were closed tightly, a smile crossed his lips. He saw that the cops were catching up to them, so he started the engine.
"You need to do better than that," he told her, but Riele had no idea what he was talking about. He zoomed off in a flash and Riele didn't need to be told, she held him tight.
After a few rides of avoiding the police, the motorcycle came to a halt. He carried Riele down, but before Riele could say anything, the guy started his engine and took off.
She was stunned and frightened at the same time. She couldn't complete the operation and she didn't know if Utter was arrested or not.
Thank goodness her knight in shining armor came at the right time.
She looked at the area she was and nowhere looked familiar. She checked her g****e map to see where she was. After much observation, she saw it would be easy to board a bus home.
"I hope Charlotte had better luck than me," she said.
A bus stopped in front of her and she entered, but the event of tonight kept playing in her head.
The park was bursting with color that sunny afternoon, a gentle breeze ruffling the picnic cloth spread neatly across the grass. Trees whispered as if sharing secrets, and the scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air. The sun wasn't harsh, it bathed everything in a golden hue that made the day feel magical.Jay looked around the space he and Riele had chosen weeks ago for the small reunion. A low table was set with cupcakes, juice, and snacks. Blankets and cushions were scattered for everyone to relax. Ella, their daughter, now a spirited three-year-old with her mother's eyes and her father’s dimples, giggled as she tried to help her dad arrange cups."Careful, baby," Jay chuckled, lifting her gently into his arms. "You're supposed to be supervising, not sabotaging."Ella grinned and clung to his neck. "But I'm the boss!" she declared.Jay laughed. “Yes, ma’am. Boss it is.”A car door slammed gently in the distance. Riele turned toward the sound, squinting. "They’re here!" she calle
The gentle breeze teased Riele’s curls as she stepped out of the car, her fingers still intertwined with Jay’s. The soft scent of saltwater floated in the air, and before them stood the breathtaking beachfront villa Jay had chosen—a quiet, private slice of paradise. The sun dipped low, casting golden hues over the calm waves. Riele turned to Jay, eyes wide with wonder."This place is beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.Jay smiled, brushing his thumb across the back of her hand. “Not as beautiful as you. But it’s close.”She blushed, laughing gently. “You always know the right thing to say.”They walked up the wooden path that led to the villa, their bags carried by resort staff who greeted them respectfully before disappearing. As the front doors opened, Riele gasped. The suite was spacious and elegant, draped in soft whites and sandy neutrals. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a view of the endless ocean, and the sound of crashing waves drifted in like a lullaby.Ja
The morning sky stretched wide and soft, painted with streaks of gold and delicate clouds. It was the kind of morning that whispered promises—of joy, of love, of forever. Inside Charlotte’s house, laughter filled the air like music. The scent of flowers and faint notes of vanilla-scented candles danced in the corners of the bridal room.Riele sat in front of the mirror, dressed in a white silk robe, her eyes still. Her reflection didn’t quite feel like her—it looked too graceful, too still, like someone preparing to step into a life she had only dreamed of. Charlotte stood behind her, brushing her long dark hair gently.“You’re about to be someone’s wife, Rie,” Charlotte whispered, her voice tender.“I know,” Riele murmured, trying to keep her hands from trembling in her lap.Charlotte gave her a warm smile through the mirror. “You're beautiful. I almost don’t want to let him have you.”Riele chuckled softly, blinking back the heat building in her eyes. “Don’t make me cry, not yet. We
Jay stood in front of his mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt when his phone rang. He picked it up immediately, seeing the name that made his heart skip—Mom.“Hello, Mom!” he answered, already smiling.Her voice came through warm and eager. “Jay, I’ve just landed. I’m at the airport now.”His grin widened. “You’re here already? That’s amazing! Give me a second—I’ll call Riele and we’ll be on our way.”“Good. And make sure she’s dressed nicely. Today is a very special day,” she added with a teasing tone before ending the call.Without hesitation, Jay dialed Riele’s number.“Hey, love,” Riele said, her voice still soft with sleep. “What’s up?”“She’s here,” Jay said excitedly. “My mom just landed. Can you get ready quickly? I want us to go together.”“Oh—already?” Riele asked, suddenly alert. “Okay, okay, give me like twenty minutes. Should I wear something formal?”Jay chuckled. “Just be yourself. You’re perfect the way you are.”By the time Jay pulled up in front of her house, Ri
Jay had just finished sorting some paperwork in his study when his phone began to buzz. He glanced at the screen—“Mom.” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He hadn’t spoken to her in a few days, not since he mentioned Riele’s proposal acceptance. Sitting back in his chair, he answered the call.“Hello, Mom.”“Jay,” came the warm, steady voice on the other end. “I’ve been waiting for you to call me. How are you, my son?”Jay leaned back, a gentle smile spreading across his face. “I’m good, Mom. Things have been… peaceful.”There was a pause, and then a chuckle. “Peaceful? That’s not something I usually hear from you. Is this because of Riele?”Jay’s cheeks warmed. “Maybe. Actually… yeah. She said yes.”“Oh my goodness.” His mother let out a gleeful laugh that made Jay's heart swell. “Finally! I knew she would. I could feel it in your voice when you spoke about her. You sounded different.”Jay laughed softly. “I do feel different. Happier. Like I can breathe.”“I’ve waited for this
The front door swung open with an easy creak, and Charlotte’s cheerful voice rang through the hallway before she even stepped in.“Guess who brought the best cupcakes in town!” she announced, holding up a small white box as Riele and Jay stepped into the living room behind her, laughter already bubbling in their throats.Utter appeared from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. “You brought cupcakes and didn’t bring drinks to go with them? What kind of hospitality is this?”Charlotte rolled her eyes and handed the box to him. “You’ve got juice, don’t you?”Jay chuckled and set his keys on the side table. “She’s got a point. Cupcakes are meant to be chased with something cold.”“I’ll take care of it,” Riele offered, moving toward the kitchen, and Charlotte followed. They talked softly, moving around like they had done this a thousand times—comfortably, naturally.Utter and Jay took seats in the living room, their conversation light, mostly filled with subtle jabs and shared laughte