Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Chapter 38

~ RACHEL’S POV

After parking the car, I donned a white hat and black sunglasses. I look at my reflection in the rear mirror and I lowered the hat so it can cover half of my face. With a sigh, I mummer "Here goes nothing."

I step out of the car and while walking into the restaurant, I silently pray that I will not be seen by paparazzi. I can not handle their questions or their irrelevant photo clicks. It gets really annoying when they ask me random questions and keep clicking photos of me. I know it’s their job and I shouldn’t criticize it but I find it very funny, I mean why will someone’s job be stalking people?

As I walk into the restaurant, a wave of relief washes over me. I am so glad that no paparazzi approached me; this will make Richie know that I can handle myself. He didn’t want to go out alone, he says I should take Brad with me but I insisted not to; I didn’t want Brad or any other bodyguard to come with me. As much as I hate being approached by the paparazzi when I am alone, I’d rather let that happen than walk around with a muscular man by my side. I just don’t feel it’s necessary to have bodyguards following me wherever I go. I feel like it draws attention to me and I don’t like attention especially if it’s paparazzi’s attention.

I take a seat at the first empty table I come across. I take my glasses and hat off and I keep them on the table. Rebecca and I are having a lunch date. It’s been a while since we hang out or had a friendly conversation without having to talk about Richie or any other issues. I feel like I am losing touch with Rebecca but hopefully, this lunch will make up for all the times we missed out. The idea of having lunch together was mine but the restaurant was chosen by Rebecca, she said they have the best food.

My thoughts come to a halt when I see Rebecca walk inside. I raise my hand in the air, hoping to help her spot me easier. She smiles once she sees me and begins to walk over.

"Hey, babe," Rebecca says, taking the seat across from mine. "How are you?"

"I’m good," I say, smiling

"Look at that smile. What’s the story behind it?"

"There is no story, I am just very happy. The past few days have been very great for me." I respond. I have had a wonderful week because of everything that is happening to Richie. It’s so nice to see him falling apart but it would have been much better if I were the reason behind his misery.

"Let me guess, you’re happy because of the things going on with Richie." She asks

"Yes I am but let’s not talk about that. Let’s talk about you. How are you doing?" I inquire.

"I’m good but work is killing me. I literally had to miss last week and this week’s Wednesday clubbing just so I could finish working on my new project." She groans.

"I thought of taking a few days off so I can relax but I changed my mind." She says

"Why did you change your mind?" I ask

"I got a new assistant, his name is David."

"Shut up, tell me more. Is he cute?" I suddenly got interested when a smile appears on her face.

"Yuck! You know I don’t like cute. I like hot and damn he is hot; ten out of ten." She says, confidently.

Classic Rebecca, always rating guys. "Well too bad you can’t date him; it’s against all work rules."

"And who said I follow the rules?"

I won’t be surprised if she violates the rules and dates him. I am about to speak when the waiter approaches us "Good day, welcome to Rhode Bistro." He says, placing two glasses of water on the table. "What would you like to order?" He hands the menu to Rebecca and me.

I choose the first thing that catches my eye on the menu."I will have the creamy squash and hazelnut fettuccine with sautéed mushrooms."

"And I will have the lamb chops with mustard greens and potato confit," Rebecca says

"What would you like to drink with that?" The waiter asks.

"A virgin mojito," Rebecca and I say simultaneously.

I look at her, smile and then turn my gaze to the waiter "Make that two, please." I say, shutting the menu.

"Okay, your food will be ready soon." The waiter closes his notebook and walks away.

I flip my hair to one shoulder "So, tell me more about David. Do you want to be serious with him?"

"I don’t know about that. But I like him, he is very handsome and funny, he tells the best jokes and when it comes to me, he is always protective and I feel very comfortable around him, he makes me laugh all the time…"

I watch her expression as she talks about him, she has a smile on her face and her eyes are glittering with emotions. "Oh my god, Rebecca," I cover my mouth with my hand "You are in love with him," I say, excitedly.

"What!"

"Yes, you are in love with David."

"No, I’m not." She immediately denies

"Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes, you smiled when you are talking about him and I have never seen you smile like that when talking about a guy. You are in love with him." I say.

She thinks for a moment before she speaks "You really think so?"

"Yes. You are in love with him."

She takes her time before she responds "I think you are right. I mean, I just finished talking about him and I didn’t mention anything flaws of his. Not that he has but…… oh my god! I am in love with him."

"Yes, I am so excited for you," I say, grinning. The waiter approaches us with our food and he places it on the table. He asks us if we need anything and I tell him we don’t.

"Yeah, but I am not excited. I mean, I don’t know if he likes me." She says.

"What if he doesn’t like me? What if he has a girlfriend?" She asks

"Relax, stop freaking out. It’s gonna be fine." I take a sip of my drink. I understand why Rebecca is freaking out, this is her first time being in love and well, she has never been in a serious relationship before.

"Oh my god! You need to help me."

"I will, but for now let’s eat. I’m hungry." I say shoveling a bite of creamy squash into my mouth; it tastes really good.

Rebecca and I had a lovely time eating and talking. I really enjoyed spending time with her, it reminded me of old times just that this time, we didn’t hook up with any random strangers.

After lunch, I head back to the office. Richie is having a meeting and I have to be there since I am his secretary. Pulling into the parking lot, I look further and spotted the paparazzi standing by the entrance of the building. These people are literally everywhere. I groan and put on my hat and sunglasses, it is of no use because they saw me parking the car.

I take a deep breath before I climb out of the car. The paparazzi rushed to me as they surrounded me, clicking photos and asking me random questions.

"Rachel, over here."

"Rachel, what do you think of the current situation going on with Richie?"

"Are you happy with Richie?"

"Do you think Richie Maranzano will make a good husband?"

"Rachel, care to share your thoughts on the current situation?"

"What’s your plan for today?"

So many questions were rammed at me as they continued to click pictures. I didn’t plan to respond to any questions but the last question caught my attention. I never knew I have fans but since I do, and they what to know what I hate the most then I guess I will tell them. I stopped walking and I turn to look at the man that asked the question.

"You want to know what I hate the most, right?" I ask him.

"Yes, I and your fans want to know." He responds clicking photos of me. The flashlight is too bright but that’s okay since I am wearing a sunglass.

"Well, for starters, I hate it when I try to mind my business and a bunch of people walk to me and keep asking random questions!" I said. I am very frustrated by their behavior, it’s high they get a piece of my mind.

"I also hate it when people keep asking me about my life when we all know that it is none of their business." I snapped glaring at each and every one of them. I know what I said won’t change anything but it feels good to just say it out.

Before I could add up to what I said, one of Richie’s bodyguards walks to me and clears the way. He walks side by side with me. We walked through the first floor and the moment we walked past them, a sigh escaped my mouth.

"Thank you," I say to the bodyguard.

"You’re welcome, ma’am."

"Where is Richie?" I ask after glancing at the clock. I am five minutes late for the meeting. This is all the paparazzi’s fault, if they didn’t approach me I wouldn’t have been late.

"I don’t know ma’am but I think he is in his office."

"Okay."

I walk directly to Richie’s office, I didn’t bother to keep my bag at my desk first because I know I don’t have time for that. Without knocking on the door, I busted into his office as usual.

"Richie I-" I trail mid-sentence as my eyes caught the scene In front of me. A sharp pain ran straight to my heart, pulling a painful gasp from my lips.

Angelina. What is she doing here and what is she doing sitting on Richie’s lap? Why are her hands wrapped around his neck?

Richie immediately pushes her up. It was obvious that he didn’t expect me to be here. The look on Angelina’s face pissed me off so much that I felt like slapping the hell out of her; she has a giggly smile on her face.

The whole scene looks like it is being interrupted; It’s so clear, I just interrupted something so private.

I couldn't speak, I couldn't cry, I couldn't do anything. I froze. Richie looks like he is about to say something but before he could, my feet too over my body. And I am glad it did; it lead me away from them.