Alicia's Misfortune (55 page)

She began the day early with a horseback riding session at
the guesthouse. She patted its neck so the animal can get acquainted with her.
She was no expert in riding a horse, but she had tried it a few times.

“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” The butler commented while he
mimicked her movements.

“She is. Is she ready for a ride?”

“Sure. You need help?” The butler asked as she mounted on
the horse.

“No, I’m good. Thank you.”

It wasn’t a difficult task. And she was the type of woman
who was used to being independent and strong-willed. She grew up without much
assistance from her parents. She basically did everything on her own.

“Where are your friends? Or did you come alone?” He pried.

Marly hated when men used this kind of line to know whether
she was alone or with someone. She might answer if he had asked her honestly.
But she didn’t let her annoyance show.

“Who knows?” She answered as she patted the horse before
pulling the reign.

The animal galloped freely on the vast land. She was
thankful that the land was filled with grass. She once had the worst kind of
skin asthma, she do not want to risk suffering from it again by exposing her
skin with dust which was why a business trip on a ranch never appeal to her.

After a good twenty minutes of ride, Marly felt a different
kind of rush. She hadn’t been on a horse for a long time. She patted the horse
for it to slow down as she slowly approached the stables. The butler was
waiting for her, and she couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

“You’re a good rider.” He flashed her his most charming
smile.

She was annoyed because she wanted to be alone at the
moment. She needed to think, to ponder on what took place the other night.. The
intimacy they shared was beyond making out. She almost had sex with him.
Shivers ran down her spine upon the realization that she was treated cheaply.
And it happened because she allowed him to.

She jumped off the horse’s back in anger. Her mind was set
on presenting the proposal soon she could leave the damn place. Erin would have
to take care of the rest.

“Leaving so soon?” The guy blocked her path, trying to look
sexy.

“Back off.” She hissed. Her day wasn’t turning out right and
the last thing she wanted to do was deal with an airhead. “I said back off.” He
glared at him when he didn’t budge.

“Didn’t you hear what she said? Back off.” Rick ordered
after he disembarked from the cart.

She drew in a deep breath. Her day was just getting more
interesting. The butler immediately walked away after seeing the ranch owner. She
couldn’t help but shake her head in irritation.

“Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere to deal with an
accident?”

He was his usual outfit which revealed a lot of his
character. He was proud, witty, funny at times and he looked very attractive as
he slowly walked toward her with his hands on his pocket. A gesture she figured
he often did when he was observing her.

“I have my most trusted men work on it. It’s what I pay them
to do.” He casually answered. “Want to join me for a ride?

“No. I have more important things to do, like planning your
wedding.”

He stood a foot away from her with his lips pressed
together. She couldn’t figure out what he was thinking because his eyes were
hidden behind his tinted shades.

“We can talk about that over dinner.” He tried to tuck away
a loose strand of hair, but she stepped back. He paused, puzzled by her
rejection. “Is something wrong?”

“I’ll send the proposal within the day. Kindly browse
through it and find out which design you’d like to use. I will be needing your
email for the files.”

“Are you mad?” He inquired.

“No.” She gave him a straight face. “I’m just doing my job.
This is what I came for, to begin with.”

“Ah. So now, you are just a wedding planner.” He tilted his
head to the right, giving her time to think about her answer. “Is that how you
want me to treat you?”

“It’s the proper thing to do.”

She lifted her chin to take pride in reclaiming herself.
Once was enough, she wouldn’t fall for it again.

“What changed your mind? Was it the butler? His tone raised
a little, mad at her coldness toward him. She wanted to slap him for being so
conceited. Just because she almost gave in to his advances the other day,
didn’t mean she owed him an explanation.

“Do you know what I think?” She stepped a foot closer to
emphasize her point. “Mixing business with pleasure will never work. And I’d
like to keep our relationship to be in the professional level. So please, don’t
overwork yourself about my personal matters.”

“Fine. I will play along with your little game. Just don’t
forget, I don’t like losing.”

“This isn’t a game, Rick! Why can’t you understand what I’m
trying to say?”

“And what is it, exactly? Care to enlighten me?”

So now he wants to play dumb
. He
turned out to be the most stubborn client she has ever dealt with and she didn’t
need any of this drama when doing her job.

“For crying out loud, we can’t be playing games, if that’s
what you wish to call it.” She ran her hand over her hair. “You’re getting
married in a few days. And I’m here to make sure that wedding comes out perfectly.
What’s so difficult to understand?”

“You’re making things complicated.”

“No. You’re the one who is making things complicated.” She
raised both of her hands in frustration. The conversation was going nowhere. “I
can’t mess someone else’s wedding. I don’t have the heart for that.”

She stepped aside and walked toward her cart. The driver
immediately started the engine and they drove away.

When she reached her cottage, she thanked the driver and
went inside. She took out a bottle of cold water from the fridge to cool
herself down.
Well, that was exhausting. How could he toy
with my feelings like that?I guess it was my fault for sending him mixed
messages.
She began to replay the events over and over again in her
mind.

She took off her blazer and unbuttoned her shirt. The
temperature outside was difficult to cool down, she was still sweating even
though the room was air-conditioned. She nearly screamed when the door suddenly
unlocked itself and Rick stormed in. He was still mad.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Trying to talk some sense out of you.” His voice had a
trace of danger on it. He was getting so worked up over their argument.

“What is there to talk about?”

“Firstly, I’m not toying with you.” He stepped further into
the cottage. “Secondly, you didn’t give me a chance to explain myself.” Then he
stopped right next to the sofa in between them. “And thirdly, so you really
think this thing, this argument, this very matter I am trying to get through to
you, isn’t worth talking about?

“I am your wedding planner. I came here to plan your
wedding. And you, are getting married to the woman you chose in five days. So
tell me, why are we discussing something totally irrelevant to the event?”

Her words must have knocked some sense on him. If it didn’t,
she couldn’t think of another way to explain their situation. The
disappointment he felt was evident on his face. He tried to open his mouth, but
then he decided not to and left. He didn’t even say goodbye.

Rick left without saying another word to her that day. But
he left his card with his contact number and email address on it. So as
planned, she emailed him two design proposals for his wedding. They were short
of time, but her crew can get the work done within two days.

She got a reply from him with the chosen design and he asked
if they could further discuss the details with his fiancées. Though she
vehemently insisted on keeping a strict business relationship, a little part of
her had hoped that he would burn bridges for her and change the situation they
were stuck with. Yet his bravado went somewhere, leaving her hanging.

Marly wore a cocktail dress that wasn’t too revealing that
night. The couple had requested that they talk about the plans over dinner. She
was curious to meet the woman who he decided to spend the rest of his life
with. 

When she arrived at his house, memories of their intimate
moment flashed rapidly. She inhaled deeply before getting in.

Dinner was served at the rooftop of the house. She didn’t
have time to marvel at the beauty of the place or the sight presented before
her for her body stiffened upon seeing the woman he chose to marry.

The bride’s German origins were very prominent in her
physical features. She wore a black satin dress that left her back bare. Her
white skin matched perfectly with his bronze skin.

For the first time since she came to the ranch, Marly felt
unattractive. She wanted to shrink and wished she had a smaller waistline and a
doll-like body. It’s no wonder that he chose her over Marly in the end.

“Hello, Miss Andrada. It’s so nice to meet you.” The woman
greeted her with a hug. Though there was a light hint of her German accent, she
was very fluent with her English.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Lane.” She matched the
cheerfulness of the bride.

“Oh, I’m still Sara Schmidt.” She giggled and guided her to
the table. “The reception design is fantastic! Maverick said you really know
how to capture moments. And when I saw how the place would look like on my
wedding day, I nearly jumped. It’s so lovely.”

“I’m delighted. There’s no better compliment than seeing you
adore the design.” She looked around to find Rick. “Isn’t Mr. Lane joining us
this evening?”

“Oh! I forgot to tell you. He is in a very important meeting
right now. It was so sudden we didn’t have time to cancel our dinner. I hope
you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Most of the time, it is better to talk with the
bride about the wedding plans. Men are lousy at remembering all of the
important details.”

Sara kept a tight smile. The night was young and the wine
served by the waiter was to die for.
I might as well indulge
myself
, she thought to herself.

Their conversation over dinner initially started with
talking about some details Sara wanted to be part of the altar decoration. The
reception area was left for Marly’s expertise. Then, they went to talk about
how she met Rick through a site.

“It was a friend of mine who insisted on checking out this
site she heard so much about. So I went there, created a profile. I didn’t give
much thought to it. I really did it to stop my friend from bugging me about
it.” She slurred a bit after drinking a couple of glasses. “So you could
imagine my shock when he contacted me.”

“It must have been quite a shocker.”

“I was so impressed by his profile I didn’t waste time to
get to know him. He is really funny and very sensitive. I fell for him right
away. And I believe he feels the same way too. He is nothing but considerate
and kind.”

Marly began to feel a tightening feeling in her stomach. It
was like acid being poured on an open wound. She wanted to change the subject
but Sara went on about their online relationship up until he proposed to her in
between sipping her wine as Marly watched Sara with envy.

“I think you’ve had too much of a drink, Honey.” Rick stopped
Sara from taking another sip from her glass. “You should call it a night.”

He helped his bride up and half carried her downstairs,
without glancing at Marly’s direction. Tonight, she felt so unwanted and
unattractive. She wanted to cry, but her eyes remained dry as she made her way
towards the guesthouse. The house was awfully quiet as she walked across the
living room.

The cart that brought her in earlier was still parked
outside with the driver snoring. After gulping down some more wine from the
bottle, she felt a little dizzy. The alcohol was taking its effect. She had to
take off her shoes because it was becoming a burden, she could barely keep her
balance. She drank some more and the steps down doubled, she had to wave her
hand to make sure it wasn’t an illusion.

“You’re drunk,” Rick whispered in her ear after he
successfully prevented her fall. He held securely by her waist.

“No, I’m not. A little tipsy, I guess.” She giggled this
time.

“Stop doing that,” He warned.

“Doing what?” She giggled again. His arm was tickling her.
“Oh, you have to stop touching me, it tickles.” She couldn’t stop laughing.

Rick turned her around so she was facing him. The look in
eyes was a mixture of anger, regret and lust. Yes, the thing they had, the same
thing she was wallowing about, for him, was lust.

“Stop. Just stop.”

“Why? Do I turn you on?” She asked with a flirtatious smile.

“You’re drunk, Marly. You don’t know what you’re asking
for.” He said.

How did he know what she was asking for? She wasn’t asking
for anything. Although, she had hoped for a miracle.

“Okay. I give up. I’ll move on with my life.” She nodded her
head out of alcohol intoxication. “Sayonara!”

She peeled off his arm around her in the attempts of walking
away, but she was drunk and remaining upright seemed impossible. Rick caught
her again before she could harm herself.

“Let go of me, you jerk!” She screamed as she tried to free
herself.

“Marly, stop it. You could seriously get hurt.”

But she didn’t listen. She tried pushing him away. When that
did not work she weakly punched his chest with the intention making him feel
the pain she was suffering from.

“Jerk!” She yelled again.

Rick did the one thing that could truly shut her up. He
greedily kissed her. And with a longing heart, she passionately kissed him
back.

“Erin!”

“Hey, girl!” Erin gave a peck on the cheek.

“I’m so glad you could make it. Thank you, really.” Marly
led her friend to the cart waiting for them outside the hangar.

On board the ranch’s private jet was Erin and her crew who
would decorate the makeshift altar and reception area. As she had previously
planned to do, she asked Erin to take over the project as soon as the
development started.

“Oh wow, this place is fantastic. I can’t believe you didn’t
ask me to come sooner.” Erin couldn’t keep her eyes from checking every angle
of the ranch while on their way to her cottage. The crew was set to use the
cottage next to hers.

“Believe me, I have been tempted to call so many times,” She
said without adding too much information.

As much as possible, she wanted to leave the ranch without
Rick knowing for he would surely stop her somehow. She didn’t want to make a
scene as much as she already has, especially after her drunken stunt the other
night. Thankfully, the heated moment ended just before both of them ended up
doing something they would be regretting later.

The entire day yesterday, she avoided being in his presence.
She devoted the entire time in the cottage, contacting everyone that needed to
be on the plane. She emailed him about the plan and he agreed to fly in her
crew with his jet.

And surely, his bride had kept him busy the entire day too
since he didn’t try to see her yesterday. It was like they were invisible to
each other. She tried her best not to pamper the aching of her traitorous
heart. At the moment, an emotional breakdown would definitely ruin the
contract. She didn’t want that for so many reasons.

“You’re awfully quiet. Is something wrong?”

“No.” Marly laughed half-heartedly at the question. “Do you
need change before we meet the client?”

“I’m good.” Erin smiled widely. “I’m excited to meet the
famous Maverick Lane.”

She smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm. That’s right. She
could fake it well so long as Erin didn’t figure out what was really going on.

After dropping the crew and Erin’s things, they immediately
headed towards Rick’s house. He insisted in his email that she bring Erin to
his house for a meet and greet before they started the job. Though, nervous and
uneasy as they got closer to his house, Marly remained calmed knowing Erin was
there with her.

“Marly!” Sara called out cheerfully at her as they got out
of the cart.

“Good morning, Sara.” She shook the hands of the bride.
“This is my good friend and trusted colleague, Erin. She will be helping us
with the materialization of the entire plan.”

“Oh hello Erin, I’m Sara.”

“Hello, Mrs. Lane.” Erin shook the woman’s hand.

“Please come in.”

The interior of the house had become a familiar sight. She
inhaled deeply, readying herself for whatever bomb was waiting for her inside.
And true to her suspicion, Rick was waiting for them inside holding a glass of
whiskey.

“Good morning, ladies.” He greeted them with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Mr. Lane. I’m Erin Michaels, Marly’s
colleague.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Nice meeting you too,” Erin replied.

“Let’s go to the rooftop. I’ve prepared a healthy breakfast
for us all.” Sara ushered the crowd toward the staircase that lead to the
rooftop.

Erin immediately started a conversation with Sara after
asking the bride about her beauty secrets. They become close right away when it
turned out they were using the same brand of cosmetics. And she was left to
deal with Rick, who alongside her, walked silently.

“Honey, I need to show Marly some materials I want to be incorporated
in the setup. You go on ahead, okay?” He suddenly announced.

“Sure. Take your time, Honey.” Sara eagerly answered back.

As the two women climb up the stairs, Rick held her hand and
hurriedly led her to his private office. She followed without a fight because
she didn’t want an audience. When they got in, he locked the door behind him.

“Why are you avoiding me?” He asked angrily.

Marly turned to face him with a blank stare. She wouldn’t
allow her emotions to ruin her plans if she wanted to keep her dignity intact.

“I’m not.”

“Where were you yesterday?”

“In my room, working.”

Her lack of emotion drove his anger a little more almost
making him mad.

“Why are you doing this?” He stepped closer to her but she
backed away. “I don’t like it when you’re cold and distant.”

“Are you kidding me? Really, Rick?” Now she was mad. “Do you
honestly think I would grovel at your feet just so we can secretly meet like
this?” His selfishness was too much. “This will not work. Nothing will work for
us. There is no us!”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I can not give you what you want.” She breathed in deep.
There, she finally said it.

“Do you really know what I want right now?” His eyes
narrowed in anger.

“It doesn’t matter,” She said firmly. “Just keep your hands
to your wife. Good day, Mr. Lane.” She walked past him and slammed the door as
she went out.

It was over, finally over. She can walk out of his life and
leave the ranch with a lighter heart. When the time came, she would recall the
memories she had with him and laugh. Because that was what everything between
them would become, a memory.