Chapter 7

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?”

“Oh, no miss. His parents will be joining in”

Racheal gave the fakest smile,”Oh that’s fine”. Nothing was fine, she was pissed. All through the day, she had imagined a perfect romantic dinner with Ryder, not a dinner with two old people staring at them from across the table.

She walked in gracefully and got captivated immediately by the grandeur surrounding her. The soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the whole room, casting a warm inviting ambiance.

Racheal took a sit at the table. The fact that Ryder wasn’t present to pull the seat out for her made her question if she was thinking way out of line from what it all was. Is this a friendship dinner? She thought. Even if it was, she was going to force her way into Ryder’s heart!

The table was set with exclusive china ware , gleaming silverware and crystal glasses. 

Racheal’s heart raced with anticipation as she awaited the family. She had just reapplied her lipgloss when the door opened.

Ryder walked in first and Racheal felt her insides melt into puddles. His suit hugged his perfect body , accentuating his strong shoulders. His hair was styled and sleeked to the back with a perfect trim.

“Racheal?”

Rachael looked up to Ryder stooping over her seat, she just realized that she was lost in her thoughts. Again!

“Oh!”, she stood up abruptly ,” I’m sorry I don’t get what you-“

“ I asked if I wouldn’t get a hug”, Ryder chuckled.

“Oh! Of course!”, Racheal beamed and pulled Ryder into a tight hug.

She pulled away softly and turned to his parents,”Goodevening Mr. & Mrs. Banks “ , she greeted gracefully.

Mrs. Banks gave her a warm hug,” Racheal! You look as beautiful as ever!”

“Not as much as you Mrs. Banks”, she grinned.

“Shall we?”, Ryder asked, pulling Racheal’s seat out for her to sit.

Once they were all sat, Mr. Banks pushed a golden button on the table which rang louder. The entrance door opened immediately and three chefs came in with different large trays of food.

A tray was set directly in front of Racheal. With a startled look , her eyes questioned Ryder.

Ryder , who sat beside her,only smiled and opened the covered tray. 

Immediately Racheal’s saw the dish on the tray before her , she felt her inner child leap with joy. They had gone out of their way to prepare a classic dish Beef Wellington, which they all knew was Racheal’s favorite.

Rachael looked up at Ryder and before she could say anything he mouthed the words ‘ my pleasure’

Racheal felt more than happy with herself at this gesture. She was confident now that she didn’t have to do much to slip her finger into the diamond stoned ring that awaited her. Soon, Ryder’s parents would leave and they’d be all alone, she hoped.

The rest of the dinner went on peacefully with Rachael only speaking when she was asked a direct question. Certainly, she wanted to seem as gracefully as ever.

She was just about telling them about the job she had worked in France when they heard a loud thud from outside the door.

The door flung open immediately Ryder stood up. Thoughts clashing and both realizing the drama that was going to unfold, they both stared at each other. Ryder stood his ground as the intruder plunged forward. The intruder ,which was no other person than his wayward older brother- Aiden.

Aiden looked a direct contrast from Ryder. His unsteady gait and disheveled appearance caught everyone’s eye as he staggered like a mad man towards Ryder.

 Once close, he  immediately glared at Ryder with bloodshot eyes, “You stole what belongs to me!” , Aiden shouted at the top of his lungs, grabbing Ryder by his collar and tossing him to the floor.

Mr and Mrs. Banks stood up immediately and directed Racheal to exit the room immediately as they dialed security.

“Aiden!”, Mr. Banks called. But, Aiden ears were blocked with rage and anger and the only thing he wanted to hear were the growls that came out from his brother as he made him his punch bag.

Ryder stood up and got his balance, throwing in a fist at Aiden’s face right before Aiden could give his.

The blow was so hard that blood oozed out from Aiden’s mouth and nose immediately.

Aiden felt blood trickle down his jaw and only cackled loudly like a man man,” So what’s this?”, he slurred, “ A congratulatory dinner you for my company you STOLE?!!!”

Aiden looked around and continued, “ALL FOR WHAT?! I am the oldest, the company should belong to ME!”

Mrs. Banks voice came in low,” You are not fit at this moment Aiden ,instead of all our hardwork going to the shareholders don’t you think it’s only right that your brother manages our family’s finances?”

“NONSENSE!”, Aiden barked, “ I’m not a fool! The company remains with him forever. MY COMPANY!!” 

“MINE!!!”, he growled as he pulled down the table cloth, dropping all its contents to the ground.

“You stole my life!”, Aiden said turning back to Ryder, his fists already clenched for a fatal blow which Ryder dodged by a near miss.

Ryder took many steps backwards, “ I don’t want to fight you brother. Please, think about this .”

“I am not your brother!!!”, Aiden bellowed. “ A brother wouldn’t steal from his brother!”

Aiden immediately turned to his father and staggered towards him, “ I have served you many years! Worked for you, ran errands, traveled countries to represent you and you do this to me?”, his voice broke and he started crying and laughing like a deranged man.

The room was quiet and everyone watched Aiden slide down the table and curl himself up, his cries coming in like a broken radio.

Soon, the entrance door reopened. Police.