Chapter 2 – Lester Drake Media

In his office, situated in the business district; Drake Spencer is sitting behind his desk. Looking at a photo of the beautiful 9-year-old girl with Auburn hair he has loved all his life. “Finally, we will be together” he says, his lips curling into a smile on his tanned face; running his free hand through his dark hair. Changing it to a more recent photo emailed to him by Simone, his smile grows wider.

“I had HR approve your employment as a journalist for In the Know Magazine. Is she worth all the trouble?” Lester Smith tells him, from the side of his office; looking at Emmett’s smile curiously. “Wouldn’t it be easier just to tell her who you are?”

“No. She is marrying Emmett Peterson, not Drake Spencer. Just because we came back and built Lester Drake Media from the ground up; doesn’t mean she needs to marry him” Emmett says to his best friend and business partner. The pair share the CEO responsibilities. Emmett or Drake as he is known in the company, is the more serious CEO. Whereas Lester is the face of the company and the more approachable of the two men.

“You are one in the same” Lester argues, not seeing the sense in his decision. Once the two of them finished university; they decided to come back to Rocky Valley. Paul intervened with Emmett’s business at first; however, once the two of them joined forces; they created a Media empire. It was dubbed the fastest growing company in Rocky Valley. Although they own three different magazines, two newspapers and the local radio station; they all come under the one company. Emmet then became Drake Spencer. Only Lester knows who he really is. “Did you tell Claire about the wedding?”

“It’s none of her business” Emmett spits at him; placing the photo in the small shoe box with the other items. His chocolate brown eyes glaring at his friend. “You know we were never in a relationship. I don’t give a fuck what she told people; my heart always belonged to Simone and that’s the way it’s going to stay.”

“Relax” Lester says, placing his hands up in front of him, trying to get Emmett to calm down. “I was merely asking.”

Truth of the matter, he didn’t want Claire to know. She would always come on very strong towards him. Even after telling her point blank, he wasn’t interested; she would still pursue him. “I have told her there will be nothing between us. She can’t take the hint; it’s her problem, not mine” Emmett finally answers Lesters question, shifting in his seat.

Lester was well known as a playboy in the industry and Emmett never liked that side of him. “I’m not like you; having 8 different girlfriends going at any one time…” “9” Lester announces with a grin on his pale face; cutting Emmett off. “All I’m trying to say is; you don’t know anything about Simone. It’s been 15 years since you have seen each other and things change. You may love her; she may not love you.”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as I can call her my wife; I am happy” Emmett snarls, getting out of his chair and heading out of the doorway, signalling this conversation is over.

Meanwhile; in the countryside Simone and Tiffany are at the local wedding shop for their final fittings. “You look absolutely gorgeous” Jenny; Tiffany’s mother states as Simone comes out of the fitting room and the seamstress starts pinning up the dress around her.

“Thanks Mrs Walker” Simone says, giving her a small smile. She looks down at her dress, a simple design. It shows off her curves under a flowing skirt bunched around the bottom with little rosettes.

“Your mum is smiling down on you” Jenny smiles, placing the veil fixed to a headband of imitation pearls on her head. Jenny Walker was an older version of Tiffany. Her blonde hair had a few grey highlights and her green eyes showed the sign of age with a few wrinkles. They were both as beautiful as one another. Since her mother had passed away, she decided to take on the role of mother of the bride. “You and Vince will be next” she adds, grinning towards Tiffany.

Tiffany could only glare at her mother before rolling her eyes when Jenny started to laugh at her daughter’s reaction.  “Has Phillip come to terms with everything?” Jenny questions, turning her focus back to Simone.

“Yes. He isn’t happy about it. He understands this is my decision and will not stand in my way” Simone replies, frowning. He blamed Emmett for why she hadn’t had many boyfriends, he didn’t know the real reason. Deep down, she was happy her father allowed the wedding to take place. He had once stated he would not give her away. Seeing how unhappy Simone was; he changed his mind. She wouldn’t have been able to go through with the wedding if he wasn’t there.

Sensing the tension in the air; Jenny changes to the topic. “Where will you be living, once you are married?” she asks.

“Emmett messaged and asked if I wanted to live in his small bungalow cottage on the outskirts of the city. I agreed. Thought it would be better than in Tiff’s and my apartment. He mentioned, once he came back to Rocky Valley; he got a job at In the Know Magazine as one of their journalists. It will be easy for me to get to Lively Design Studio as well” Simone exclaims, giving Tiffany a small wink behind Jenny’s back, before heading into the fitting room to take the wedding gown off.

“In the Know magazine? Isn’t that one of the magazines owned by Lester Drake Media? I thought he would have worked at Peterson Properties with his brother” Jenny gasped, covering her mouth once she realised what she said.

“You know very well Paul Peterson didn’t have anything to with Emmett mum. Why would he even want to work with that asshole and his asshole son” Tiffany butts into the conversation as she heads to the fitting rooms to take off the bridesmaid dress.

“Yes, In the Know magazine is part of Lester Drake Media. I’m not sure why he chose to work with them, Mrs Walker” Simone says, coming out of the fitting room with the wedding dress in her arms. ‘I would want to run away from that family too if it were me’ Simone huffs in her mind.

“I realised after I said it. It was a slip of the tongue” Jenny replies, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment.

“That’s ok; Mrs Walker. We all make little mistakes like that” Simone chuckles before all three ladies leave the bridal shop.