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35 pt2. First Ring
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Better In Every Way 36. A While
Alec As soon as I hung up the call with Dariana I immediately dial Lachlan’s number. It takes a while for him to pick up and I’m just about out the door and on my way down to the parking garage of my building before he does. “Hey, sorry about that. I was on another call, you know how it is.” I hear him sigh as he picks up the phone. “Uh yeah, sure. Are you at home?” I ask “I can’t exactly go anywhere which things looking like this. There have been photographers perched outside the gate all day. I can’t even sneeze in my own yard without them snapping away.” I can sense his sass through the phone. “Maybe you should ask Barry for tips on how to sneak around them.” I hop into my car and get the engine going. “I’m not really interested in what that boy has to say, he’s done enough as it is.” He says. “Does that mean I can keep him?” I ask. “What are you talking about? Why are you calling me?” He responds in a tired tone. I can tell that he’s very annoyed by my intrusio
Better In Every Way 37.Low Class Company
Dariana I knew that the bliss would not last very long, but I’d be damned if I didn’t revel in every second of it. I miss it now the most while I sit here and receive a migraine inducing lecture from my parents. I was ambushed by my parents in my own office; my own secretary too powerless to stop it when they stormed in here like they owned the place. “All we are trying to say is that it would have been nice if you had warned us that this would be happening.” My dad says from the couch in the corner. “I don’t think that that’s what she’s saying.” I reply to him while pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance. “It’s not like I had foreknowledge about this article anyway.” “You know that’s not what I mean.” He admonishes. “I told you about that boy– I told you about a lot of things but you thought you were too smart for me; that you knew better. We’ll look where your youthful wisdom has gotten you now. On the front page of some cheap tabloid!” My mother continues to rant
Better In Every Way 38. Ambush
AlecThroughout this entire week Barry has proven himself to be easier to deal with than the other one. It is a welcome shift from the drama that was Cam’s life, especially considering that I already have my hands full with so many other things. Next week, in particular, is supposed to be our annual Thanksgiving charity gala. It would be the first time I’m hosting it Stateside, so there will be a lot of new faces. Henry, my assistant, is handling most of the details for the whole thing; but it doesn’t change the fact that I am sort of a newcomer on the scene. Since most of my business had been cultivated overseas, this gala would be the first real formal event where I’d rub shoulders with the financial elite this side. And it is important that I make an impression if I intend to stick around. So I am grateful for the ease that comes with having Barry as a roommate. A part of that may have something to do with the fact that most of the really taxing stuff involving getting him settl
Better In Every Way 39.Giggling Over The Wine
Dariana “It smells like a omething is burning.” I say, rushing out of the bathroom to the kitchen where the girls are supposed to be helping me with my weekly meal prep. Instead I discover them giggling over the wine in the icing room. When they hear me come out, Emma is the only one who immediately springs up to meet me in the kitchen. She pinpoints the source of the burning smell a lot faster than I do. Quite frankly my contribution to the entire ordeal is worthless. While I was busy checking each individual pot on the stove to see which one could be the source of that smell, Emma hurriedly nudges me out of the way to pull out the blackened carrots, potatoes and peppers from the oven. It is only then, when the oven doors open to let out the steam (smoke?) and the the smell of charred vegetables becomes more pungent, that Rory and Rachel turn from where they’re sitting to witness scene in the kitchen. “Oh… that’s not good.” Rachel says. “No it is not.” I say, moving t
Better In Every Way 40. Uncomfortable
Alec “I don’t want to be here.” Barry repeats his stance for the umpteenth time since I told him yesterday that we would have to be here. “Neither do I.” I sigh as the gate to Lachlan’s estate opens for me to pull into the driveway. It seems very quiet and unassuming on the outside. All the reporters that were camped out here on this lawn earlier this week seem to have gotten tired and moved on to the next story already. The grounds are so quiet you wouldn’t know they were ever there. “Then let’s go. It’s not too late for us to just turn around and do our own thing.” He says. “You know we can’t do that–” I start to get out. “Like, fuck this. These dinners aren’t even that important.” He groans while rubbing his hands on his face in frustration. “This one is. Your dad said that they have something important to talk to everyone about. So we all have to be there.” I say, bringing the car to a stop and turning the engine off. Barry just scoffs at this. Like he has every sin
Better In Every Way 41. You’re Joking
Alec Barry goes into a coughing fit, choking on his food as soon as the words leave Lachlan’s mouth. “What did you just say?” He says between coughs. “The wedding won’t be anything big, it’s more of a formality. That way we can get it done as soon as possible. Elizabeth is far along enough already, we can’t waste any more time.” Adeline takes the conversation over from her husband. The whole room is shocked to silence. Somehow this silence is even more quiet than the one before. Gone are the sounds of utensils scratching against the plates as everyone has abandoned the meal to stare at the newly engaged couple. “I suppose a congratulations to the happy couple is in order.” I say, raising my glass to them before taking a large swig of my water. Everyone else around the table mumbles their own congratulations, they’re a little uneasy but they’re all mostly genuine. Contrary to my well wishes, the couple don’t seem so excited about their impending nuptials. Why would they b
Better In Every Way 42. He Knows Me?
Alec Brea follows Rory out as she leaves the rest of us sitting in uncomfortable silence. Cam keeps staring daggers at me, and I am compelled to act on my earlier promise. “Barry come on. I think we should go too.” I tap Barry on the arm as I get up. “Congratulations, you guys. Thank you for the food Adeline.” Barry, looking like he has been itching for this moment, does not waste a second in getting up and getting out of there. In fact, he makes it to the car before I do. He is already inside by the time I get to the front steps. Just as I am making my way down them, I hear Carter calling my name so I pause to let him catch up to me. “You okay? You don’t have to leave so soon, Adeline made that chocolate and strawberry mousse cake of hers—” He starts as soon as he gets to me. “No, I’m good. I’m jus– Barry’s got school tomorrow so I’ve got to get him home.” I say, hoping that it would be enough to end the conversation and he could just let me go. But that seemed to just be
Better In Every Way 43. It Happened
Dariana I have been staring at me computer screen for an amount of time I couldn’t possibly have perceived, never mind kept track of. This morning started off like any other. It felt like I was finally starting to fall back into a routine, like it would just be another unremarkable Monday morning. I walked down the hall from the elevator to my office without anyone staring at me. I greeted Liliana at her desk. She followed me into my office to brief me on my day and she changed out the flowers while making a remark about the ‘anonymous’ sender under her breath and I pretend not to hear her. Like normal. Like any other average Monday. But it wouldn’t be my life if I got to start off my week without a single out of the ordinary thing happening. And this week’s out of the ordinary thing is an email from Eliza. Subject line: Resignation. She’s resigning? I have been reading and rereading her resignation letter for so long it has completely stalled my morning. I can hardly believ
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Better In Every Way 48. That Friend
Dariana The sound of the doors opening is immediately drowned out by the music and the sound of chatter coming from the event hall. The familiar mixture of sounds does very little to comfort me, but it does serve as a sort of switch. Sending me into a practiced, almost robotic, stance; moving me through the room with an ease and grace I wish I felt. At first I try to convince myself that no one cares, that there are much more important and much more interesting people here for people to look at. That everyone is staring at Dominic and Rachel, the co-host and his new girlfriend. That would, of course, make for better news. It’s new and interesting, where I hopefully have made enough rounds around dinner and tea tables that my scandal is old and tired. That hope dies in me when I separate from Rachel and her beau when they head for the bar and the eyes still follow me. People look at me out of the corner of their eyes, some don’t even pretend to look like they’re not tal
Better In Every Way Sorry For The Mistake
*DON’T PAY FOR THIS CHAPTER!!! SKIP IT!!!* This was supposed to be a chapter but there was a mistake that I didn’t notice pre-publish. It was an error with the title. Then I forgot I could just edit it so I re-published the chapter *insert facepalm here*. I am very very sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused, I’ll get better about these things, I promise. The rest of this is just going to be the first quarter of the next chapter because I cannot put less than five hundred words down and I really do not have much to say outside of my deepest apologies. Especially considering that I did warn you in the first line so you wouldn’t be subjected to this. But if you are comfortable enough to have your settings set up in a way where you auto subscribe to chapters… *shrugging my shoulders* I feel like this is your lesson to be more careful. Because what if you don’t like a book? Now you have wasted valuable coins on a book you don’t like…. *sigh* tsk tsk tsk. I’m glad I cou
Better In Every Way 47. Good For Them
Dariana Standing here, taking a good long look at myself in the mirror while I get ready, I am glad that Emma, Rachel and Rory didn’t let me settle for the first dress I picked up off the rack. This one is much better. It’s a black floor length, off-shoulder slip dress. The side is pleated in a way where it looks like it’s being pulled in a way that accentuates my curves that are usually hidden under many layers of professional clothing given the weather recently. Overlaying the pleats is some of the most exquisite beaded flower embroidery I have ever seen. It’s so simple but so well done. Emma essentially put out a whole look for me, all I had to do was obey. All the way down to my hair and the silver accessories in it. “This dress demands an up do.” She had said, last night when she was laying everything out for me. “Gotta show off those collarbones.” Not to forget the makeup. Many inspo pictures were sent. A light smokey eye paired with a deep, plum lipstick. I wasn’t
Better In Every Way 46. Wink Wink
DarianaI hate how quickly the days are going by. This week in particular seems to be in a rush to get done. It’s feels like just yesterday when I was trying– and failing– to convince Rachel to let me sit out the gala. But I blinked and now it’s Friday and Emma, Rachel and Rory are dragging me from store to store to find a dress for tomorrow evening.I would have been fine with the first dress from the first store, seeing as I didn’t really want to put in too much effort for something I wasn’t really keen on going to in the first place, but they would not let me.That and the fact that they didn’t have it in my size and it is too short notice to put things in for alterations.“I’m tired.” I dare to complain, leaning on Emma so I don’t have to carry my own weight. Rory and Rachel are walking slightly ahead of us, engrossed in their own conversation.“It’s your fault for leaving things for the last minute.” Emma rolls her eyes.“Why can’t I just wear something I already have? I don’t ne
Better In Every Way 45. Pet Name
The walk to my office was longer than I’m used to. Or at least it felt that way. Your brain has a funny way of stretching out and building up moments that you’re dreading. And that is what I am feeling right now, dread. Not for any other reason than the fact that I don’t really know what I am walking into. I mean– I knew she would be here at some point, she had warned me after all, I just didn’t expect that point to be today. It feels too soon. I feel rushed. I finally make it to my office door. I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what is waiting behind it. When I open the door I am greeted by Hadley’s back to me as she pours herself a drink from my bar cart. “Sure, help yourself.” I say as I walk in; causing her to jump up a little in surprise, spilling a bit of my not-so-cheap twenty-five-year-old single barrel bourbon. “Alec, hi.” She says, offering a small smile. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” “Of course not.” I say, trying my best to keep things polite. “What are yo
Better In Every Way 44. Punchline
Alec “You’re here.” I say, very much shocked to see Dom walk past me to his office. Over the last few weeks I’d seen him so little I had actually begun to forget that he works here and is not stationed at Brokk for some reason. “I’m not saying it’s not nice to see you, I’m just surprised. It’s a good surprise, I’m just… surprised.” I continue to ramble as I follow him to his office, his foul mood stinking up the hallway as he moves along. “Why are you here?” “Don’t you have other things to do?” He groans. “Perhaps.” I shrug. “But your sour mood is written all over your face and it has peeked my interest.” “It’s really none of your business.” He shakes his head and starts to set up his work station. “I think it’s my business when my partner seems a little worse for wear.” I say. “Now, tell big bro what’s wrong.” I tease, and he scrunches up his face. “She doesn’t want me there, so I thought I’d just come back to my own office. I see it’s been collecting dust.” He sig
Better In Every Way 43. It Happened
Dariana I have been staring at me computer screen for an amount of time I couldn’t possibly have perceived, never mind kept track of. This morning started off like any other. It felt like I was finally starting to fall back into a routine, like it would just be another unremarkable Monday morning. I walked down the hall from the elevator to my office without anyone staring at me. I greeted Liliana at her desk. She followed me into my office to brief me on my day and she changed out the flowers while making a remark about the ‘anonymous’ sender under her breath and I pretend not to hear her. Like normal. Like any other average Monday. But it wouldn’t be my life if I got to start off my week without a single out of the ordinary thing happening. And this week’s out of the ordinary thing is an email from Eliza. Subject line: Resignation. She’s resigning? I have been reading and rereading her resignation letter for so long it has completely stalled my morning. I can hardly believ
Better In Every Way 42. He Knows Me?
Alec Brea follows Rory out as she leaves the rest of us sitting in uncomfortable silence. Cam keeps staring daggers at me, and I am compelled to act on my earlier promise. “Barry come on. I think we should go too.” I tap Barry on the arm as I get up. “Congratulations, you guys. Thank you for the food Adeline.” Barry, looking like he has been itching for this moment, does not waste a second in getting up and getting out of there. In fact, he makes it to the car before I do. He is already inside by the time I get to the front steps. Just as I am making my way down them, I hear Carter calling my name so I pause to let him catch up to me. “You okay? You don’t have to leave so soon, Adeline made that chocolate and strawberry mousse cake of hers—” He starts as soon as he gets to me. “No, I’m good. I’m jus– Barry’s got school tomorrow so I’ve got to get him home.” I say, hoping that it would be enough to end the conversation and he could just let me go. But that seemed to just be
Better In Every Way 41. You’re Joking
Alec Barry goes into a coughing fit, choking on his food as soon as the words leave Lachlan’s mouth. “What did you just say?” He says between coughs. “The wedding won’t be anything big, it’s more of a formality. That way we can get it done as soon as possible. Elizabeth is far along enough already, we can’t waste any more time.” Adeline takes the conversation over from her husband. The whole room is shocked to silence. Somehow this silence is even more quiet than the one before. Gone are the sounds of utensils scratching against the plates as everyone has abandoned the meal to stare at the newly engaged couple. “I suppose a congratulations to the happy couple is in order.” I say, raising my glass to them before taking a large swig of my water. Everyone else around the table mumbles their own congratulations, they’re a little uneasy but they’re all mostly genuine. Contrary to my well wishes, the couple don’t seem so excited about their impending nuptials. Why would they b
