Flashback lll

• Rafe •

It had been a year now since I was trying to learn and understand each and everything about my family business. Recently I had just one definite goal and that was I had to prove myself responsible and eligible for a CEO position of Eastmond Builders.

This would sort out some of my problems for instance Father and Mom would stop dictating my life. Even I would be fully independent to run the company according to my ways. I would be a free man and even powerful.

From a young age I was told by my family that I was the only heir of Eastmond, that I had a responsibility to keep our family name alive. My parents made sure this thing should literally run in my blood and they tried every method like reminding me about my responsibilities on and off, sending me to a renowned business school.

After years of struggles now it felt like I was at my final stage. Once I would take over the CEO position, I would be there where I should be.

I stopped my Miata sports car right in front of Howard's chalet, a large bungalow made of wood. Freya's family designed and built this elegant house all by themselves. They had bought the entire area so that no one can build any other house or anything else and their chalet can stand out.

The space surrounding it had its own unique decorations like solar street lamps along with nature's touch; fully grown coconut, maple trees and sunflowers. They had even built their own artificial lake just in front of their house which had its own lights' embellishments.

I called Fay to inform her about my arrival. Staying extra hours at the office had made me haggard. I leaned against my car and waited for her.

Some minutes later, I saw her running towards me with a wide smile on her face. Raising my brows, I tried to figure out the reason behind her unusual excitement. When her parents impose sanctions on her, she whines, gets angry and bad mouth about them till she gets back her freedom but now I was witnessing something different.

I stood straight and waited for her. She attacked me with her sudden, unannounced hug, causing me to stumble back.

"What are you doing." I chuckled and used my strength to stand upright.

She wrapped her arms tightly around me. Due to her short height, her head was only reaching my chest. "Rafe. Why did you take so much time." She shook her upper body excitedly.

I lightly patted her back and laughed, "I stuck at the office, but I came here directly. I swear your suspense kept me on edge all day."

She stepped back, released me from her bear hug, "My stomach was in pain this whole time." She placed her palm on her tummy, "I pledged to myself I'll share it first with you and then to everyone."

I shook my head at her silliness, "Okay, puke it now whatever is there." I hinted towards her tummy through my eyes.

She clasped her palms together in front of her chest, "Rafe, I got my ring. Ben proposed to me."

I pulled down my brows surprisingly, "Come again?"

"I said I got a ring from Ben." She repeated, then face-palmed herself, "Oh. I forgot my ring in my drawer. I thought I'll show you."

"Ben, that artist? Was he that serious with you?" I was still unable to comprehend this piece of information.

I earned a slap on my arm, "Hey."

"Are you sure about this? Marriage and all?" I wasn't. It was hard to believe Fay was planning to get married. And her boyfriend Ben or whatever his name was could be a fraud. She hadn't been dating him for long and Ben didn't even have a promising future. He could be after her wealth or something.

"Yes, I'm happy. I love Ben."

Her response calmed my negative thoughts a little. Fay acted innocent and easy, but I knew she was not foolish. She takes decisions after a lot of thinking. Maybe I was being sceptical unnecessarily.

"But seriously marriage? It's a big decision."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I couldn't refuse Ben. He was being cute, Rafe. I'm so in love with him." She got lost in her reverie. I rolled my eyes.

"What about your parents? How you'll tell them? You know it's not easy to let our parents know who we like."

Her smile quickly disappeared from her mouth as she frowned at me, "Can we not think about this right now? Do not spoil my mood. I'm very happy and I want to celebrate."

I didn't respond, just looked at her.

"Besides, Ben hasn't talked about the date of our marriage or anything. He just said he wants to marry me which means he doesn't want to marry me immediately. I have time. I'll think about it later about how I'm going to convince Mom and Dad for that."

I could foresee. Freya's disclosure about her boyfriend would bring a tornado to the Howard Residence. We both were keeping our dating lives secret from our families for a reason.

"If you say so." I didn't push her further. She knew better what she was doing.

"Are you treating me with some food, right? It's the moment of celebration." She came closer and showed me her toothy smile.

I lifted up my brow, "Is this your way of begging me to buy you some fancy food because you don't have your money?"

"Yes." She pouted, "But you should do something for me. I got engaged today. It's a life-changing event."

"Fine." I agreed while checking the time from my wrist watch. Mona would be mad at me for cancelling our dinner plan. "We'll sit at the pizza station and have your small celebration." I smiled. Despite my concerns, I should congratulate her and be happy for her. It was indeed life-changing.

"Great. Thank you. I'll treat you too after I get money." She showed me her thumbs up.

"Whatever." I make a face.

Fay had naturally wavy hairs; brunette, shoulder-length. Sometimes she had different highlights. Right now her hairs were tied into a rough, high pony tail. Light strands were covering her forehead. The color of her eyes were similar to forest, round nose, pointed chin, full lips, high cheekbones and ivory skin tone.

Her hair cut, facial features, fashion style, in fact her overall look made her look younger than her actual age. Maybe because she didn't want to act like a lady or look mature. She dressed up like a lady when she attended some business event or when her mother forced her.

The things I liked about her were her honesty and modesty which were rare qualities in a world full of hypocrites -- the world in which I lived. Most of the elites try to be someone they are not, they camouflage their weaknesses and act like they own the world. I looked for someone who had not split personalities and Freya seemed like one.

We suited each other. We understood each other and we needed each other. That's why maybe we were together.

"Mom is crazy. She blocked my credit cards because she wants me to join the office." She said.

"Then why don't you? It's not difficult for you."

I knew she was being only stubborn and only doing this because she hated the strict business environment. Otherwise she had all the excellent business skills and required talents.

We both were raised with this purpose that we would take care of our families' heritage.

"I want to enjoy my freedom, Rafe. And I feel like once I join the company, I'll be like them. I don't want to be like them, ever." She said then went to my car, towards the passenger's side.

I followed her and went to my side. She didn't say anything afterwards, just looked through her side of the window. I knew her issues, but I couldn't help her much.

"Hey. Don't spoil your mood." I touched her arm, "You said you want to celebrate today then do it. Worry about it tomorrow or maybe some other day."

She turned her face to me and smiled, "Hmm. You're right. You're awesome. I'll walk down the aisle on my wedding day with you instead of Dad."

"What? I'll never do that." I gave her a disbelieving look.

"You will."

"Shut up." She's crazy, can't argue with her on that. I turned my head straight and started the car.

I didn't know but I was feeling weird and surprised about the idea of Fay planning to get married. She shouldn't be thinking of marriage this soon.

Anyways I started the car and drove towards the nearest pizza station.

...

The bright light all of a sudden teased my eyes. I squeezed them tightly to avoid it. I changed my lying position and slept on my other side, covering my face with a duvet.

"Why did you come late last night? You cancelled our dinner date as well." I could sense Mona's voice coming a few inches away from me.

She was probably standing near the bed.

I murmured, "I was stuck at the office then I went to meet Fay. It was a tedious day."

She removed the duvet from my face. I snapped my eyes open, "What is wrong with you? And why did you slide the curtains. Just put them back."

I was right. She was standing right there in her silk, night gown.

"You make plans on your own and then cancel them on your own. Do I have a right to say my opinion?"

I dropped my shoulders. I decided I should forget about sleeping. She was in the mood to argue. I rose to a sitting position, duvet exposed my bare chest. I took her hand in mine and pulled her to sit on the bed.

"I'm sorry. I promise I'll make it up. And this time you should decide time and day."

Fay kept me with her till late. Her excitement about her marriage proposal wasn't calming down, left me no option but to accompany her and listen to her with the same excitement. I couldn't understand why she was this happy about marriage. It wasn't like she got a ring from some royal crowned prince. He was not even eligible for her. I couldn't say that to her.

"Forget it." Mona tried to pull back her hand from my hold.

I tried to look guilty to earn some generosity from her while keeping my grip tight on her hand.

Monica had been my girlfriend for six months. I was attracted to her killing looks; especially her long, straight hairs. I had a thing for long hairs, then her big emerald eyes, soft feel of her skin and don't even get me started about how my heart weakened when I saw her long, slender legs. They drugged my sanity.

I untangled the knot of her gown and slipped it down. She was wearing my favourite red lingerie. She knew I can't resist it. I traced my fingers on her bare arm, leaning my lips close to hers, "Exactly, forget about everything, but this." I took her lower lip between my lips. My hands traveled down to her bare back.

She responded to my kiss and wrapped herself around me, "You're clever, Rafe." I kept my focus on her lips. Once I got to taste those lovely lips, my mind stopped working.

I crashed into her apartment once or twice a week. I had kept my relationship with her secret from Mom and Father. If they would find out that she was just a not-so-successful model, they would go cray cray. They wanted to set me up with a woman who was equal to my status and had a reputable family name.

I didn't care about it. I didn't care about status and reputation. All I cared about was Mona. I liked her confidence, boldness and carefree attitude. And if, just if she would continue racing my heart like right now, I would think about marrying her.

Actually, now Fay was planning to settle down. I should think about it too. I was twenty-eight, after all. Maybe Fay had taken the right decision and I was the one who was behind. I should make plans about marriage too. And Mona was a potential candidate to start with.

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't be looking this sexy. I can't go to work like this." I said between our kiss and pushed her down on the bed and quickly took my position on top of her.

"Then don't go. Stay with me." She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down on her.

"Anything for you." I responded in a husky voice and claimed her lips once again. I would have a round with my bit of crumpet then leave.