Chapter 16: Chapter 16

~ RACHEL POV

A few days have passed by since the engagement party. Richie’s arm is getting better and he now doesn’t need to wrap a bandage around it. Things had been pretty good and Richie has been very busy both with work and the preparation for John’s wedding. It is so hard to plan a wedding without the media knowing about it. Just as much as Richie is busy, I am also busy. I did a lot of digging for the last couple of days and I have come to discover that Richie Moranzino is hiding behind a fake name that is now being used by the government. I still haven’t gotten the full information about this but once I find out everything, I will avenge my revenge.

I’m just a step away from beginning to ruin Richie’s life.

That’s a good thing right?

Apart from that, I have gotten to know more about Richie’s family members, especially his stepbrother's fiancé Alice. She’s my favorite so far, she is very nice, considerate, friendly and very funny to talk to. I never knew she is such a darling till I shared a bottle of wine with her. Emma is also great; she’s Richie’s step-sister, she’s not that bad and I think I like her. But as for Emily, she’s still the bitchy person who always finds a way to irritate me.

While figuring out Richie’s secrets, Rebecca helped me in so many ways. I feel like if I had told her about Richie years ago, I would have accomplished my plans in those years. But I guess now isn’t any better.

I take my phone and dialed Rebecca’s number, she and I are supposed to meet up today but I have to cancel my plans with her, so I can join Alice and John to pick up a wedding dress. I couldn’t have decide to cancel my plans with Rebecca if it wasn’t for Alice’s wedding. Alice had me convinced that it’s a one in a lifetime thing and I have to come with her just in case the paparazzi find out, I will pretend that I’m the one picking a wedding dress. But that’s not the only reason why Alice wants me to come, she thinks it’s romantic if Richie and I accompany her and John. She says it’s going to be great if we pick the dress and afterward go on a double date.

"Hello," I say to Rebecca immediately as she answers the call.

"Hey girl, what’s up!"

"I’m good. I- Uhm,"

"Stop talking." She cuts me off "Are you planning on ditching me? I hear the Uhm sound you just made." She says.

This girl knows me too well. God! I don’t know how to tell her that I am planning on ditching her, Rebecca doesn’t take last-minute cancellations and I know that if I tell her, she will start snarling at me.

"What? No." I say a bit weird than expected

"When what is it?" She asks

"I wanted to ask you if we can move our plans to tomorrow, I have something to do today, it’s important but not as important as you are but it’s necessary and it’s a once in a lifetime thing. Actually, I will just tell you what it is. Richie’s step-brother John, is getting married and his wife wants me and Richie to help her pick a dress so I have to go just in case the paparazzi come and I will act like I am the one picking a wedding dress so they know nothing about the wedding. By the way, the wedding is a secret so you’re not supposed to tell anyone." I huff as I say all those words at once. I had to explain everything to her so she doesn’t think that I’m deliberately trying to ditch her.

"Okay," Rebecca says

"Yeah so…..wait, did you just say okay?" I ask. After all my explanations, all she could say is okay?

"I was actually thinking of canceling on you because Angelina wants us to go shopping. She got a gift card and it’s gonna expire today."

"You guys are going shopping without me?"

"Yes, we are. You have a personal designer and you have so many clothes. You don’t need to shop." Rebecca says and whispers something over the phone. I think she’s with Angelina

"We’ll talk later Rach, tell Alice I said congratulations."

"I can’t, I’m not supposed to tell anyone."

I could hear Rebecca whisper something to Angelina before she told me goodbye. I end the call and turn to leave the room when I saw Emily standing in front of the door.

Was she listening to my conversation?

"Who were you talking to?" She asks

"Why did you ask? Are you planning on irritating the person I’m talking to, because you know, that’s what you always do." I say grabbing my jacket and hat.

She fakes smiles and gestures her hands pointing at her eyes and then at me. "I am watching you."

I roll my eyes as I brush my shoulders against hers and I walk out of the room "Tell that to who cares."

We got to the car and I sit next to Richie. Alice is with John in his own car while I am with Richie, his driver, and his bodyguard Brad. We didn’t want to use the same car just in case the paparazzi are following us.

No sooner did we arrive at the bridal store. Richie made sure that the store gets empty and only a few employees are left so Alice will pick the dress she wants without anyone spotting her.

I put on my black hat and sunglasses as I stepped out of the car. I am so glad that no paparazzi approached us as we walked into the bridal store. I know that if they had seen us coming, they will make sure that they find out what kind of dress I will buy and everything will turn out to be about me and not Alice. The moment we stepped inside, we were welcomed by a woman who appears to be in her early thirties. She has a broad smile on her face as she welcomes us.

"Good afternoon, I am Camila the senior designer and I am here to help you find that perfect dress you are looking for." She says, grinning. It looks like she practiced that before we came.

I put on a fake smile and try to ignore Richie’s hand that was trailing behind my back.

"I have heard so many amazing things about you two, I have watched engagement videos and I have to say, you will make the perfect couple." She says looking at Richie and me.

Ohh, so she thinks that I am the one picking the dress. I guess Richie told her a different thing.

My fake smile vanished and I looked at Richie, wide-eyed. His hand is caressing my waistline.

What the hell is wrong with him?

"Camila, can I- I mean, can Rachel start trying the dresses?" Alice ask

"Of course, you all should please come with me," Camila responds.

I instantly move away from Richie and shoot him a glare which he returns with a gesture of a kiss.

Camila takes us to the exclusive bridal room where she shows us many wonderful dresses. I tell her to excuse us and she smiles and went away. Richie and John sit on the chair and I help Alice choose a dress. All the dresses are drop-dead-gorgeous so it is very hard to pick a dress at one point. I finally find a beautiful lace sheath wedding dress and I give Alice to try it on.

While she goes into the bridal changing room, I continue to look through the dresses, I know that one dress won’t make up a decision, she has to try as many dresses as possible before she finally picks the perfect one. I pick up a white boat neck wedding dress, it is very beautiful so I think Alice will like to try it on.

"You should try it on," Richie says from behind me.

"Nah, I don’t think I should," I respond still looking at the dress

"Come on, I know you want to try it on so just do it." He grabs the dress from my hand.

He’s not wrong, I do want to try it on.

"Okay, I will try it on." I take the dress from his hand.

I walk into the changing room and take my clothes off. I put on the dress and try to zip the zipper but my hand couldn’t reach it. I try again yet I couldn’t pull it up.

God! I hate this kind of thing.

I call out Alice's name, I want her to come to help me with the zipper. I wait for her response and then I call her again. The door pushes open and I sigh.

"Thank God, you’re here Alice, I need you to help me with th-" I halt my sentence and suck in air as I feel a warm hand touch my back. I look in the mirror and I realized it is Richie.

"What are you-"

"Shh," He cuts me off "I’m gonna help you with the zipper." He says

I wanted to tell him no but then even if I do, I still need someone to help me with the zipper. I kept to where I stood waiting for him to zip it up. Richie stands behind me and gently trails his hand on my back. I arch my back at the warmth of his fingers and he reaches to my ear and whispers "You look very beautiful in a white wedding dress."

Richie gently bites my earlobes and I suck in air. His lips trail from my ear to my neck and go all the way down to my back.

"Why do you always make me lose control of myself? I can’t stop myself from drooling over you." He huskily whispered reaching my lower back to suck it. He leaves hot kisses on my skin as his fingers start to fondle my lower back.

Richie then begins to kiss my neck and bite gently on my earlobe. He turns me around and now that we are facing each other, he wraps his arms around my waist.

"R- Richie, the zip-" Before I could complete the sentence, he presses his lips on mine, trying to make me lose myself with his tongue while fiddling with my hair. "You are absolutely stunning." He says against my lips.

He breaks the kiss and rests his forehead on mine. "Gorgeous." He whispers as he lifts his head.

I was about to speak when I heard noises coming from outside. "What’s that noise?" I ask

"I don’t know." He says and walks out of the room. I followed him behind and as soon as I walked out of the room, a flashlight screamed at my face.

What the hell are the paparazzi doing here?

Richie’s expression suddenly changes and he quickly covers me up not wanting the paparazzi to capture my exposed back. He immediately tells me to change into my regular outfit. I nodded and I instantly went back into the room.

My heart was hammering as questions began building in my head. Why are the paparazzi here? How did they know that we are here? Did they find out about John’s wedding?

Oh no, if they did. Alice will be devastated, she doesn’t want any public attention. I quickly change my clothes and stepped out. I watched how Alice's face as John walked her outside. It is so obvious, she is sad. They know about the wedding. The paparazzi began pushing me around as they battled to get the best photo shot. I am a bit frightened by their actions. They were all over me, pushing me to a corner and I had no idea what to do. Richie instantly came and pushed them away from me, he wraps his arm around me and covers my face not wanting their harsh flashlight to affect my eyes.

I once complained about that.

Richie avoided all questions about the wedding and other things. We finally got outside and he made sure I sit comfortably in the car before he enters the car.

"Are you okay?" He ask immediately the car started moving. I nodded and he turns his gaze to the bodyguard. He looks very angry.

"What the hell was that Brad? Didn’t you see them coming?" He rants at the bodyguard

"I’m sorry, I-"

"You’re sorry what!" Richie yells at him "What if they hurt her, huh! What are you gonna say, are you just gonna tell me you’re sorry?"

"Richie, it’s fine. I’m fine." I try to calm him down.

"No, it’s not fine, they were all over you. What if something happened."

"Nothing was gonna happen, they were just asking questions and that was it," I say. I am very surprised to see Richie acting so protective over me.

"I swear to God, Brad, one more mistake and you’re fired." He says.

Brad didn’t say a word afterward and the drive back home felt very distant and quiet. I didn’t say a word nor did Richie. No sooner did we arrive home, I grab Richie’s outstretched hand and stepped out.

The moment I walked into the house, my gaze landed on Alice, her hands were wrapped around John and I think she was crying. Without Alice saying a word I can tell that the paparazzi scared her, they might have found out about her wedding.

"What’s wrong Alice?" I ask walking closer to her

"What’s wrong? Are you seriously asking her that?" Emily suddenly says.

"Why did you do this Rachel? You know that Alice and I wanted to keep things simple and quiet, why did you go ahead and tell everyone." John says, his voice low and calm

I look at each of them confused about what they are saying. "What are you talking about?" I ask

"You know exactly what we are talking about," Emily says

"I don’t know. I am confused, what happened ?" I ask

"You happened." Emily points at me "Thanks to you now the whole world about Alice’s wedding. Mission accomplished Rachel, you ruined her wedding before it even started."

My eyes widen as my brain processes what she just said. Why will I do that?