Chapter 5

The 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?