Becky’s POV “Me?” I asked Anna, shocked at what she had said.“Yes you. You would make a beautiful lady,” she said.“I... I... I can’t go with Rebecca, Gran.” Phillip stammered.“Why not?" Anna asked.“She is going with Frank.”“Are you?” Anna looked in my direction and asked.“I was Anna, but I canceled it to stay with you. I can’t leave you,” I told her.“Nonsense. I will be fine. I am just tired, not dying. If you have canceled it with Frank, then you are free, right?” She asked me.“Yes but-““And if she is free you can go with her, right?” She asked Phillip.“Well, yes, but-““Good. So go get dressed, Rebecca, go on. Don’t keep Phillip waiting,” Anna said.“Are you sure, Gran?" Philip asked Anna. "I think she should stay with you. I can find someone else,” he completed.“And I think both of you should stop wasting time and get going. You two are perfect for each other. Now, stop arguing and get ready.” She told us, insisting.“Okay, Miss Richards, get dressed, let’s go,” Phillip
Becky’s POV After I was introduced to the members of the organizing committee, a gray-haired man walked up to us.“Phil,” he said, smiling, then frowned when he saw me. “Who is this lovely looking lady?”“This is Rebecca Richards, my companion,” Phillip said quickly.“Nice to meet you,” he said, coolly. “Where is Anna?” “She couldn’t make it,” Phillip said.“Celine didn’t come?” The man asked.“I have no ideas,” Phillip told him briefly.“Does Rebecca walk in the company?” He asked.Phillip mumbled something and led me away.“Celine’s dad,” Phillip whispered to me.I looked back at the man who was staring at me with interest.“Let’s have something to eat,” Phillip suggested, and led me to the buffet table.“These look exotic,” I said, nibbling some of the food.“They are,” Phillip said, biting a piece of food. Some of it fell on his jacket. I took out my hankie and wiped it off, then wiped the corner of his mouth.“Thanks,” he said softly.We looked into each other's eyes. He touche
Becky’s POV I sat on my bed for a long time, asking myself what had just happened. Had Phillip really kissed me? Or was it my imagination again? I touched my lips, and smiled. I could still feel his kiss. It was real, alright.I took a shower and dressed for bed. I didn’t close my eyes till nearly midnight. I was thinking about his kiss. When I did fall asleep, I dreamed I was making love to Phillip. I woke up to the sunlight streaming in and wetness between my legs.I sighed. "The kiss was a mistake. He was probably drunk, so stop overthinking it," I told myself.It was Sunday, so I was in no hurry to get up. I lay down, thinking of the fun I’d had and the dance with Phillip. It was great. I was happy Anna had insisted that I go.Then I thought of Frank and again felt bad. He was hurt and it was all my fault. I picked up my phone and dialed his number.It rang but he didn’t pick up. I tried again, he answered.“Good morning, Becky, how was your night?” He asked cheerfully.“Hi Fran
Becky’s POV Frank and I ended the day with dinner at our favorite restaurant.“Thanks for giving me such a great time today, I really enjoyed it,” I told Frank.“My pleasure.” He smiled. “I had hoped to give you a great time yesterday too.”“I had a good time yesterday, it was great. Phillip was named gentleman of the ball again, and I was named lady.” I smiled.He nodded, but I could see he wasn’t happy.“Are you okay?” I asked.“I am. I just really like you, and want us to be closer,” he said, holding my hand.I blushed. “I like you too and enjoy spending time with you.”“I know, but I want us to be very close,” he insisted.We are. You are a good friend,” I said.“Friend?” He raised his eyebrows.“Yes. A very good friend,” I repeated.He frowned briefly, then smiled.“Sure. I like our friendship too,” he said.We finished dinner, and he drove me home, and walked me to my front door.“Let’s do it again next week,” he suggested, “I will take you to go see a movie.”“I will love that
Celine’s POV It was Monday morning and, as usual, I was having a bad day at the office. I didn’t have a good relationship with my annoying coworkers. They were jealous of the fact that my dad was a millionaire. Yeah, right! If only they knew the truth. If only they knew his fate depended on me getting married to Phillip Dale, a task that looked almost impossible.I took an elevator from the meeting where I had been all morning back to my office.I shared the office with two other people who I disliked. I knew I was always the topic of their gossip, but I didn’t care. This morning, though, they seemed to be talking and laughing a lot more. They would look at their phones, then at me, and giggle. I ignored them. I had bigger worries. My dad asked me to join him for lunch. He said it was urgent. And he had sounded anxious. I wondered what the problem could be.If only I could get Phillip to pop the question. I have tried everything. In the beginning, that pest, Linda Finley, had made i
Phillip's POV I left Rebecca standing there and walked to my car. I knew I was being unnecessarily harsh and unfriendly, but that was the only way I could stop my feelings from showing on my face. Since the night I kissed her when we returned from the ball party, I have not been myself.I find it very difficult to let go of the taste of her sweet lips from my memory. I still find it surprising how I let loose of my gaurds and kissed her. Very funny. Although I claimed I was drunk, I know very well that it was all a lie. Get a grip man! I kept telling myself.Going with her was a mistake I shouldn’t have made. I should have gone alone. But deep down I know I enjoyed her company. What was wrong with me? No woman had ever had a hold on me this way, so why were thoughts of Rebecca filling my head, day and night? I shook my head to clear it and drove to work.The news blogs were filled with pictures of Rebecca and me at the ball. I knew Celine would see them, and it would piss her off.F
Phillip's POV “Miss Richards, I said, buckling my trousers. “What are you doing here?”“This is off limits to staff,” Celine told her arrogantly. “You don’t belong here.”“I am sorry to interrupt, but please you need to keep it down. Anna isn’t feeling well and is trying to fall asleep,” she told us.“That is your business! Do your job and take care of her!” Celine barked.“Hold it Celine!” I snapped. I turned to Rebecca, “Gran is ill? What is wrong with her?”“She is running a fever. I have taken her to the doctor and given her medication, but she needs peace and quietness so she can fall asleep,” she explained.“How dare you talk to your boss like that?” Celine snapped. “You need to fire her, Phil!”“When did it start?” I asked, ignoring Celine.“Since this morning.”“Let me go see her,” I said, buttoning my shirt.“But Phil-“ Celine began.I ignored her and followed Rebecca to Gran's room. She was lying down, half awake.“Hey Gran, how are you feeling?” I asked, sitting beside her
Becky’s POV I opened my eyes and found myself looking straight into the emerald green eyes of Phillip Dale, his lips locked on mine. He moved back suddenly, as if I had bitten him.“Miss. Richards…it is not what you think…..I …I was trying to… I mean… I tripped… you were…” He kept stammering, not making any sense.I sat up and looked around, wondering where I was. I remembered I had read to Anna till she fell asleep, then I decided to have a cup of tea before bed. After that, I couldn’t remember anything else. This is not my room. I mean, how did I get here? And what's Philip doing in the same room as me, on the bed? Did he bring me here? Why? Had he been kissing me? Yes he had. So many questions and thoughts were running through my mind.I thought he said what happened the other day was a mistake? I asked myself.He continued stammering, red-faced, and I tried not to laugh.“It is okay Mr. Dale, I understand. You fell on top of me. I get clumsy too.” I smiled, trying to help him out
Becky’s POV“Are you okay?” Jenny asked as we left the café.“Sure,” I nodded.“I hope you aren’t thinking about Jerry, the jerk?”“A little. I don’t want the loser making trouble for me.”“Relax. He won’t. He is just making noise. Come on, let's go pick out your wedding dress.”I winced. I didn’t want to go with her because I knew her very well. She would pick out the thinnest, most expensive dress in the shop and I was right.“No way Jenny. This dress barely covers me,” I protested as she pulled it from the hanger.“So? It is a wedding, and not a funeral dress. This is perfect.”I squinted my eyes, “No it isn’t.”“Try it on and see.”Sighing, I did. It was worse than I imagined.“I need something more covered up,” I said, frowning.We tried a few more dresses, but still couldn’t find the right one.The store assistant asked us to come on Saturday afternoon when a new shipment would have arrived.“Okay, we will be here on Saturday, and I promise to get you a dress,” Jenny said.“I ca
Becky’s POV“We read you are getting married, congratulations,” he said.“Thanks.”“You are preparing for the wedding, right?” Someone else asked.“Yes.” I answered, not sure what to make of it.“Would you be able to juggle working and preparing?”“It will not be easy actually, but I will try.” I shrugged.“How about you take time off and let us handle things here until after the wedding?” The manager suggested.“No, I can’t. I have to run this place.”“When you come back,” the company’s accountant added. “We will help you hold this place down. Meanwhile, concentrate on your wedding.”Everyone agreed. I didn’t want to, but their suggestion made sense. So I had no choice but to obey.By 3:00 PM that afternoon I was waiting for Jenny at the airport. Her plane was late and l was getting impatient when I saw her coming towards me. “Becky!” She said, hugging me tightly. “It feels like centuries!”“I have missed you too,” I said, putting her bags in the truck.“I have so much to tell you a
Becky’s POVA week has passed, and I still hadn’t gotten over the shock of my discovery. Phillip tried to help me heal, but I was still upset anytime I thought of how much time I had spent not knowing my real mother. I tried to imagine if she had ever come around to visit. She hadn’t. She just abandoned me.Luckily I had already quit Lenora Fashions, so I didn’t have to go there or see Sandra. She called me almost every day, but I ignored those annoying calls. I wanted nothing to do with her.“Sandra called me. She says she has been calling you, you aren’t picking up,” Phillip said at breakfast one morning.“Why is she calling me? What does she want?” I snapped.“To talk to you.”“She has survived years without talking to me, or even seeing me so why the sudden change?” “Babe, I know you are hurt and angry, but please you have to calm down and talk to her. She is your mother. And she loves you.”“No, if she did, she wouldn’t have abandoned me.”“She does. She didn’t abandon you. Try
Becky POVI ran as if someone was after me. I didn’t know where I was going and didn’t care. I just wanted to get away. Running, I had only one thing in mind: Sandra was my mother! I had lived with her for weeks and never realized it. Phillip was aware, why hadn’t he told me? Who else knew? I imagined that I had run a few feet, but I was shocked when I saw where I was; in the center of the town. I must have run for an hour, perhaps. My heart and legs ached. I observed around, and noticed a café I often went to across the street. I went in and ordered coffee immediately, eager to calm my nerves, and get hold of the situation at hand.It was unbelievable for me. I preferred to run away because I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I was suddenly very furious. All along I had been living with April who didn’t love me, thinking I was the problem, not knowing my real mom was so close and didn’t say anything. If I hadn’t started asking questions, would she have still kept silent? And why had m
Becky’s POVOn Saturday afternoon Sandra called me.“Rebecca, how would you like to come to dinner this evening?” She asked.“Yeah, sure but,” I hesitated. Phillip and I planned to go to a movie. “Phil and I have plans.”“I won’t keep you long. I promise. I want to talk to you. It is kind of important.”“Is everything okay?”“Yes. Please come.” She sounded serious.“Okay sure. When and where?” I asked worriedly.“Five in the evening. At my house. I will be waiting for you.”“Who was that?” Phillip asked, coming to join me in the living room.“Sandra. She is inviting me to dinner this evening. I will try to be early so we can move on with our plans.”“Sure.” He joined me on the sofa. “Are you okay? You looked troubled.”“Sandra’s tone speaks of anxiety. I don’t know what it is, but it sounds serious.“Really? Have you told her you are leaving her company?”“Yes, but she said she was okay with it.”“Then relax. I am sure it is nothing. Maybe she just wants to sort a few things out,” he
Becky’s POVI looked at the door, but did not see anything unusual. I turned back and was shocked to see Phillip on his knees, holding out a sparkling diamond ring.My hands flew to my mouth; my skin turned crimson red, embarrassed by the number of people staring at us.“Will you marry me, Rebecca?” I could hear some people in the background saying, “Awn!” “Say yes!”I didn’t need much convincing. I had longed for this day.“Yes!” I screamed excitedly.He slipped the ring on my finger, and kissed me. Observers clapped while I blushed red.I couldn’t wait to get back to our car.“Phillip! Did it have to be in the public?” I asked, still flushed.“I love you. I want the whole world to know.”He kissed me, then started the engine. When we got home we changed into our pajamas and cuddled together in the living room, while sharing a bottle of our favorite wine.“How would you like our wedding?” Phillip asked as we sipped our drinks.“Something small, but beautiful.”He laughed. “It cannot
Becky’s POVOr could my mom have been lying to her sister? I didn’t think so. Why should she? I shut my laptop, and began thinking far back. Growing up, I had sometimes wondered if she was really my mother the way she treated me. Now after hearing this, I had my answer. But I needed more. Where would I get them? The only people who could have told me were her and my late Dad. I doubt if she would accept to tell me. I thought of Aunt Helen. Perhaps she knew something, and if she did, would she open up?I decided I will have to visit her and find out. But first, my arm had to heal. I was still sitting in the garden when an emerald green car drove in. I was wondering who it was before Phillip stepped out. He saw me and waved.“Nice car,” I complimented, walking over to him.“Do you think so?”“Sure. I love the color, and I know Anna would love it too,” I told him.“Anna? You think this is for her?”“Isn’t it? You talked about buying her a new car some weeks ago.”“Yeah, but her doctor
Becky POVI gasped in fear. “What is that?” I asked in alarm.“Relax. Dinner is about to be served,” Phillip grinned.“By setting us on fire?”He laughed. “It is the food that is being set on fire. This is a Hibachi restaurant. We eat and are entertained.”I have heard of such a restaurant, but had never been in one. I watched the chef perform magic tricks, and settled down to be entertained.It was a lot more fun than I had imagined. Phillip fed me the food so all I did was relax and enjoy. When it was over, he drove me to see a movie.“I enjoyed today. Can we do it again tomorrow?” I said.“I will be happy to. Maybe I will find another interesting place.”“How did you find this one?”“I was searching for something to entertain you.”“Why?” I asked teasingly.“Because I love you.” I smiled, and kissed him.“How about we skip the movie and just go home to enjoy each other’s company?” I suggested.Phillip was okay with my request as he said, “Sounds good to me.”It was late when we go
Becky’s POV“What does it look like?” he asked, nibbling my ear.“It looks like something romantic,” I said, staring at the picnic basket near the swimming pool.“Yep, a picnic by the pool,” he grinned.“Have I told you, you are romantic?” I teased.“No. Never.”He kissed my forehead, then led me to a deck chair. He gently brought out the food from the basket, laying them on the table.“Do you like it?” He asked.“It is cute, where did you steal the idea?”“Steal? No way, I thought it up myself. Are you saying that I am not romantic?”I laughed and learned back in my chair, watching him-- wealthy, handsome, and romantic, I really was a lucky girl.We sat down to our little picnic. “Did you tell Anna I was going to be living here again?” I asked. He looked uncomfortable. “Well I tried to but…” he hesitated.“What is it?” I asked.“Gran doesn’t really remember you,” he said sadly.“What? She does not?” He shook his head.I sighed unhappily. I was sad, but not surprised.“So it has got