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Chapter 5
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The afternoon was ablaze with the sun’s golden glow. Rachel Adams and her mother, Reneé Adams both emerged gracefully from their limo. As they stepped out, camera flashes emerged from the paparazzi as they made their way down the street.
Rachel’s platinum blonde hair was in an uptight bun as usual. She stood poised, shoulders high and chin raised to portray a flawless jawline. Her deep red lipstick was a center of attraction as she answered a few questions from the paparazzi.
Racheal, who are you wearing today? Are the rumors about your new found romance true? What’s your secret to wealth? How do you handle the constant media attention?
As usual, she answered only the ones that she knew would keep her fans in awe and fascinated. She loved being famous and loved every attention.
She turned to her mother and listened in on the conversation she was having with a particular reporter. She went on and on about her new fashion line.
After a long while of attending to their fans, the Adams walked up the stairs leading to the upscale boutique owned by Reneé, their heels clicking authoritatively against the stone pavement,echoing a rhythm of unshakable confidence.
The boutique was exactly the same to Racheal when she walked in.
The chandelier in the center hung down like a crown jewel, it’s crystals reflecting light onto the marble floor beneath.
To Racheal, each corner of the boutique was a sanctuary with its own unique style. The plush velvet seating was a perfect place to sit and admire the collection that Reneé released every month.
Racheal looked at her mother who was now examining the jewelry section. She was in awe of her. She aspired to be exactly like her mother and she knew she would, her perfect husband was just in line now.
She walked over to her mother, ‘ The pearls are lovely mom’
‘Yes darling, I was thinking you would wear it tonight ‘, her voice came in with a rich elegance.
‘Tonight?’
‘Yes Racheal, tonight. You’ve been in L.A for almost a week now, it’s time you stop chasing unnecessary things and focus on why you really came.’
Racheal was quiet for some minutes, as though she was debating on whether to say what she had in mind, ‘ I followed Ryder last night mom, he’s seeing someone’
Her mom walked over to her, handing her the box of pearls, ‘I have arranged a dinner with you and Ryder tonight. His parents think it’s a good decision too as you guys have been far apart. You can’t blame him for being with someone else whilst you were away. So my dear-“, her mom ran her fingers down her cheek,” quit whining and help me look for a dress for you.”
Racheal swallowed and walked quietly behind her mom. She clutched her purse and felt her phone, her mind travelled back to what she had done earlier on, she remembered the exact words she had used in the text ,‘I FOLLOWED YOU LAST NIGHT, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WATCH YOUR BACK!’
Welled up with jealousy and envy from the previous night, she had made enquiries and research and tracked down the girl Ryder was with, she even went as far as getting her number and sending her a threatening text.
She wasn’t going to hurt her, she just didn’t want any complications now she was as close as possible to rekindle her teenage love and dreams of becoming Ryder’s wife.
“Well?-“, her mom’s questioning tone brought her mind back to reality.
“Sorry mom, I didn’t get you.”
“You’ve been out of place the whole day, dear. I hope nothing’s wrong?”
“ I’m fine mom, nothing’s wrong “, Racheal gave a fake smile.
Her mom’s eyes lingered on her for a moment as if she was trying to study her or make out something she was hiding,” Well, if you say so Racheal. I was asking what you think about this dress”
It was only then that Racheal made notice of the dress her mom was holding. It was in a transparent wrap but she could still make out it’s blue color,” I’ll try it on now mom”, she said ,taking it from her mom and immediately heading to the changing room. She wanted to be away from her mom even if it was just a few minutes, she felt choked up in her own thoughts.
As Racheal slipped into the enchanting midnight blue dress, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. It had intricate silver beadwork lined around it that she knew would glitter under the moonlight.
Rachel’s couldn’t help but feel a surge of confidence as she stared at her appearance in the mirror. The dress accentuated her curves in the right places and she could almost see her eyes glisten from all the shine.
She reached out for the pearls and wore the necklace, it was truly a match made it heaven. She imagined the look on Ryder’s face when he saw her, only if he wasn’t too distracted thinking of Lily.
Racheal stopped herself immediately, she wasn’t going to entertain any bad thoughts, the evening was going to be a blast and she promised that to herself.
Her mind traveled back to her early teenage days with Ryder , when they were truly in love and had no care in the world. It was so promising she was sure they would last. Sadly, her parents sent her away to school in France, tearing her away from her true love.
Often times, she wondered what life would’ve looked like if she had stayed back. If she had, there’ll be no reason for this stupid arrangement like she and Ryder were strangers.
She closed her eyes and remembered the first time they made love, the feeling was still so strong from many years ago, she felt sparks whenever she thought of him. She knew he was her match, just a little time now and things would go back to how they were before, she was sure of it.
And so, with a wistful smile, Racheal put away those memories, knowing they will last forever in her memory.
It was now 3:45pm. In just a few hours, she would be with the love of her life and nothing else would matter. She thought about him, wondering what he was doing at the moment.
Just then, her phone chimed. She almost gave a squeal when she saw it was a text from Ryder.
It read:
“I got the news that you’re in L.A. and we have dinner tonight? Wonderful. Can’t wait to see you”
Racheal bit her lower lip and muffled squeals of excitement. She had just gotten a text from Ryder! Yes, RYDER!
Now she was sure Lily was long forgotten. Or was she?
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Lily sat on the old park bench, gazing into thin air as she awaited her best friend, Ashley. She had arrived early at Funtimes Park just as they agreed, she wondered what took Ashley so long.Her mind was in turmoil, thoughts swirling like a hurricane. She couldn’t shake off the feeling she had gotten since she read the threatening text earlier in the morning. She suspected it had to do with the man she had her one night stand with the previous night who was now her new boss and so she decided to stay away from him for good. Maybe he had a girlfriend or perhaps a wife?Just as Lily raised her head up, she spotted Ash running towards her, her face hinting all signs of worry.“Sorry I’m late friend! Traffic was insane”, she tried to catch her breath,” You said we needed to talk urgently?”Lily gave a small smile as she adjusted for Ash to sit, “Something really strange happened Ash”“ Of course something strange happened girl! Where were you last night?”And so, Lily narrated the whole
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As Racheal walked down the long hallway, she was filled with nothing but excitement. The atmosphere reeked of the smell of fresh flowers all around.Her mind rehearsed all the things she had discussed with her mother from an hour ago. Don’t slouch, always smile, induce conversations of the company and the requirement to have a wife, try to rekindle your old love.Although these thoughts pressured her somewhat, Racheal knew her mom was right. Ryder had just inherited the company from his father and needed a wife to be by his side for at least three months to keep the position permanently. Racheal had sworn to herself, she was going to do everything possible to be the wife to Ryder banks.Racheal Banks, she thought to herself and giggled like a child.The familiar butler greeted her with a smile,” Goodevening Miss Racheal”“Goodevening Scott”, she smiled back.Scott opened the door before her,” The Banks family will join you shortly.”“Family? I thought I was dining alone with Ryder?”“
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Racheal watched from a distance as the Banks family talked to the police men. The noises had attracted them to the house as they were already somewhere nearby. And of course, her intended romantic dinner with Ryder was more than ruined.It was cold outside, she felt chills run down her spine. Everything had been ruined by the good-for-nothing Aiden. It took some couple of minutes before Ryder walked up to her.She looked up at him,” Hope there’s no much problem?”“No. My dad has handled it” he paused for a moment “ I’m so sorry for what happened tonight.”“Don’t say, it wasn’t your fault at all” she looked at his torn shirt,” When did all these start?”“Walk with me.”Racheal’s heart gave a happy jump as Ryder held her hand and led her towards the garden at the back. Racheal looked around, she remembered the tree house that was in that same garden many years ago.“Everything feels the same”, she said when they stopped walking.“Everything?” Ryder sounded unconvinced.“For the most par
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Lily paced around her work desk anxiously as she waited for her boss. It was officially her first day as his secretary so she was waiting for him to arrive and give her orders.He had told her earlier to receive instructions from Jane, his personal assistant but on arrival this morning Lily learnt from Jane that the boss had changed his mind and wanted to give the orders himself.Lily glanced at the clock, it was almost 8. At intervals, she mindlessly adjusted her blouse or her skirt and made sure her hair was still tightly tucked in a bun.She had just sat down when she heard footsteps pass by her door. Anxious, she stood up again immediately. She listened closely as his door unlocked with a low beep shutting quietly behind him.He’s around. She thought. HE’S AROUND!! She was so nervous that she felt her palms get sweaty as she thought of what to do. There was paperwork jane had given her to ask for instructions from the boss, grabbing them, she made way to the door.Immediately she
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It was late afternoon when Lily finally wrapped up the paperwork she was assigned to. She was arranging them when she heard a soft knock on her door,”Come in”, she said softly.Lily’s eyes instantly fell on a man with chocolate skin. He was tall, around 6’2 inches with an athletic build. It was obvious that he took care of himself as his skin glistened under the office lights. He smiled at her as he stretched out his hand, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, “ Hi,I’m Will. Nice to meet you_”“Lily”, she smiled back accepting his hand. Damn! He was sexy.“I can see you got the flowers”, he grinned proudly.“Oh! These were from you?”, she stood up, “ Thank you so much!”“ You’re welcome. Although it’s nothing for a lady as beautiful as you are. I’m sure you get a lot of these.”“These were actually my first “, she smiled shyly,” The note was really sweet too.”“Oh!”, he blushed,” Thank you. I’m sort of a poet.”“Sort of?”“People don’t usually see my work. It’s a bit personal. I do i
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The aroma of gourmet food filled the air as Ryder and Lily walked into the restaurant.As they approached the table at the far end of the grand room, Ryder noticed how the directors sat impatiently, glancing at their watches a number of times. They all had stern looks on their faces.Ryder took a deep breath as he got to where they sat . They barely acknowledged any of their greetings and only told them to sit.“I didn’t know we were going to have company “, the fat man at Ryder’s right said loudly, his eyes on Lily.Ryder cleared his throat nervously,” This is my new secretary, Lily.”“Good Evening gentlemen, I’m Lily Waters. It is an honor to be in your midst.” Lily said confidently.Her greeting was acknowledged with silent nods which indeed was the most reaction both she and Ryder had gotten from the rather impatient directors.Ryder’s heart pounded in his chest as he and Lily awaited the next person to speak from the directors. The directors exchanged looks before the man at the
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The clock struck midnight as Ryder unlocked the door to his own apartment. He had realized earlier that his parents would have been informed about his meeting with the directors today and he didn’t want further questions from them about him getting a wife. With that, he decided to spend the rest of the week in his personal apartment, which in turn, was closer to the company anyways.The dim light from the hallway casted eerie shadows across his room but he didn’t bother turning on any more lights. He was exhausted. The only thing he needed was to get into bed and forget the world for some hours.The soft cool breeze from the open balcony door drew his attention . He walked forward and squinted his eyes. There on his balcony, stood a figure he knew all too well, her figure silhouetted by the city lights.“What are you doing here Racheal?”“Your parents told me that I’d find you here. They told me about the meeting and how it would stress you out. And, guess they were right.”“Well I
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“What do you mean you haven’t told him yet?”, Ash repeated her question to Lily.Lily rounded the table and made way to the boiling kettle, she avoided Ash’s eyes,” I mean, there hasn’t really been time for that. Besides, I haven’t gotten any threatening texts since then.” She shrugged.“All the same Lily”, Ash’s voice was calmer,” he ought to know.”Lily retook her seat beside Ash and slid a mug of coffee to her,” How am I meant to tell him when he still pretends like he doesn’t know me. It’s as if what we had never even happened.”Ash stirred her coffee gently, “ Well if he wouldn’t bring it up, then you should.” She said firmly.“What? That’s my boss Ash. What if he gets offended?”“If he’s a real gentleman Lily, your safety to him will be of utmost importance.”Lily was about to speak when she was interrupted by the doorbell.“I’ll get that”, Ash said, hurriedly making way for the door.“Who was that?” Lily asked , listening as the door shut quietly behind Ash.“Um-just Ricky “Li
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Racheal bolted up from the bed immediately her mom barged in, shouting at the top of her lungs, “RACHEAL!”A maid came running in too.“Open the curtains!”, Reneé ordered furiously.The lights almost blinded Racheal as the maid drew the curtains wide open.“Mom, what is it?”, Racheal slurred sleepily.Reneé was red with anger,” I thought you said you had the Ryder situation in control.”“I do mom”“Then, EXPLAIN THIS!”, she dumped a large news paper on Rachel’s lap.Ryder’s heart plopped into her stomach as she mouthed the headlines:‘HIGH PROFILE BILLIONAIRE HEIR, RYDER BANKS, TIES KNOT WITH MYSTERY WOMAN’Rachael stayed staring at the newspaper like she was still dreaming. Slowly she felt anger and frustration well up inside her with each second passing by.“How could he do this?”, she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and disbelief. She crumpled the edges of the newspaper, her knuckles turning white.Reneé's eyes narrowed as she watched Racheal's reaction. "I truste
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Lily closed her eyes as the civil registrar enclosed the last document,”All set. You’re married now.”She heard Ryder’s mother whisper something to his father but she couldn’t make out what.Ash’s words kept ringing in her head throughout the arrangement,’you don’t have to do this Lily, you really don’t have to’She wished Ash was here by her side, maybe she wouldn’t feel as empty as she was feeling now. Sadly, Ash couldn’t be here as Ryder’s mother insisted that the abominable marriage shouldn’t be known by many.She was clearly upset about everything but time was running out for her son to find true love.“It’s going to be okay”. She looked up at Ryder who had just spoken to her and gave a weak smile.She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The room was filled with a tense silence, only broken by the occasional whisper and the rustling of papers. She felt Ryder’s hand gently squeeze hers, a small gesture of comfort amidst the chaos of her thoughts. They walked out of t
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The familiar ceiling that met his eyes when they opened reminded Ryder instantly of where he was. Immediately, everything came rushing back into his mind from when he found Lily. He sat up immediately,” Where is she?”“Second room on the second floor sir. Should I send for her?”“No”, he replied the staff sharply,” I’ll go see her myself “Ryder wondered what time it was when he knocked on Lily’s door. He was about to knock the second time when she opened the door slowly. Her face was a swollen red-like she had been crying.Ryder felt an instant pang of guilt. He shouldn’t have been so hard on her. She suffered also and almost got raped. He was too ashamed to even apologize to her.He took a deep breath, trying to adjust his nerves,”I’m really sorry Lily. Please can we talk?”Lily shifted to the side, letting him inside before shutting the door quietly. She stood there, silent.Ryder walked a few steps before stopping in his tracks to look at her,” You can’t go back there.”“Please do
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It was the third and final night of Ryder following Lily to the shelter. He had confirmed it, this was where she was staying. He had also gone as far as checking her old house and found out that there were indeed new residents staying there. He decided to bring it up to her the next day, even if he knew she’d be angry that he had been following her.He watched her step down from the bus and make way to the shelter. But, she stopped to receive a call from someone and didn’t go in immediately.She was alone outside. Ryder decided to make sure she watched her go in before driving away.He watched her from a distance. She was pacing to and fro and laughing at intervals during the call. The thought of her flirting with some guy made him feel a huge pang of jealousy.He was still watching her before he realized that he wasn’t the only one watching her too. Across the road from him, there was a shabby looking man watching her too.He looked suspicious, his eyes darting around nervously. Ryde
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“Is there a problem Mr. Banks?”, Lily asked as she was shocked to see Ryder standing in front of her office door on her way out.“I told you that you could call me Ryder just between us,”“I'd rather keep it professional sir.”“Hm. I need to talk to you but it seems I never see you after work these days.”“I’m here to talk sir. You can come in”, she shifted and opened the door wider to let him in.“No. I meant outside the company. Can I take you home?”“No!”, she said a little too fast.“No?”“No?” Ryder echoed, raising an eyebrow.Lily took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “I appreciate the offer, but I prefer to keep our interactions strictly professional. It's better that way.”Ryder looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. “I understand. I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay. You’ve seemed a bit distant lately.”“I’m fine, really,” she insisted, forcing a smile.“Alright, can we talk tomorrow? Immediately you come” he said, turning to leave.“Of cou
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Ash stood on the doorstep, the weight of the travel boxes and bags making her departure feel more real. As she shut the door behind her, she noticed a car drive in.She stopped in her tracks and watched the man in the passenger seat get out. It was Lily’s boss, Ryder.“Lily’s not here”, she said flatly. Her tone expressed a mix of anger and frustration.“Oh-I was wondering why she closed so early today. I wanted to-““-why she closed so early?”, she gave a cynical laugh, dropping the large bag in her hand to the ground with a loud thud. “ She closed early because she’s meant to close by 6pm on Fridays, that’s why.”Ryder looked taken aback at Ash’s rudeness,” I know, we sometimes have business outside the company.”“With all due respect sir,I don’t think that’ll be happening anymore ““Excuse me?”“You know, sometimes I wonder how she’s able to stand you. From the first night at the bar, to pretending you didn’t know her at the office. Then repeating the same thing two nights ago? How
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The sun ray pierced Lily’s eyelids, nudging her awake from a deep slumber. She blinked a few times, her vision slowly adjusting to the soft, golden light that filled the room. The scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, making her feel both comforted and slightly disoriented.She turned her head and saw Ryder standing by the window, his back to her as he buttoned up his shirt. The morning light cast a soft glow on his silhouette, highlighting the strong lines of his frame. His movements were deliberate, almost methodical, as if he had done this countless times . Right then, the realization hit her that he was preparing to leave."You’re leaving ?" she called out softly, her voice was a broken whisper, almost a cry. He turned to face her, a mixture of surprise and something else she couldn't quite place in his eyes, then he looked away immediately.“You’re doing this again?”“I don’t know what you mean.”“Well of course you do”, Lily said, gettin
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Racheal’s room was a picture of opulence. The walls were adorned with intricate gold leaf patterns, and the ceiling boasted a grand chandelier that cast a warm, luxurious glow over the space. Plush velvet drapes in deep burgundy framed the tall windows, and a massive four-poster bed with silk sheets and an abundance of pillows dominated the room. Expensive artwork hung on the walls, and a large, ornate mirror reflected the grandeur of the room.Racheal paced back and forth, her designer heels clicking on the polished marble floor. She stopped in front of her friend, Emily, who was lounging on a chaise longue, sipping a glass of champagne."I just don't get it, Emily," Racheal said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Ryder used to be so devoted to me. Now he barely even looks my way."Emily raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of her drink. "Maybe he's just busy, or tired like he said Racheal. You know how things must be now at the company ."Racheal shook her head, her perfectly s
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The dancers were already positioned at the center when Ryder and Lily re-emerged.“Where do we sit?”Ryder whispered to Lily.“Over here”, she gestured to a cozy corner beside the fireplace.They made their way quietly to the corner Lily had suggested and sat together. The warmth from the fire helped remove the remaining chills from the cold.Ryder glanced at Lily,her eyes shone with excitement as the dancers began to dance.A server approached them with a warm smile,” Hot cocoa”“Thanks”, Lily received the two mugs and handed one over to Ryder.“Have you ever been to a place like this?”Lily asked Ryder as she took a sip from her mug.“No”, Ryder said, staring into the cup which was filled with a swirl of whipped cream and cinnamon. He took a sip,”But, it’s nice. I wouldn’t mind coming here sometimes ""With you”, he added.Lily tried to hide her smile and looked away quickly.They sat in complete comfortable silence, sipping their hot cocoa and watching the dancers perform.The music s
