When The Light Falls - Book 3, N. Y. [good beach reads TXT] 📗

too under dressed.

 

As I search, I hear the shower being turned. I grab my phone.

 

7:19

 

 

I open my other suitcase, then my phone rang. I adjusted the almost falling towel from my body.

 

 

''Hello?'' I said picking up.

 

''Dinner. Are you ready?'' Lauren's voice squeaks.

 

''Yes, i'm getting ready now.'' I replied searching for a dress.

 

 

Suddenly I hear the shower knob go off in the bathroom, the hotel room fills with silence.

 

 

''...Be sure to wear something beautiful, it's a dancing kind of night.'' she says.

 

''Great/ I will find something beautiful to wear.'' I reply.

 

 

She hangs up as I search for one of my fitted dresses.

 

The door opens from the bathroom, as I turn around to see Jacob wearing a towel just above his waist.

 

 

I'm mesmorized as I stare at his stomach caressing in view from the sunlight going down outside.

 

I've never seen him shirtless before.

 

 

His rip my eyes from him, as I try not to stare blankly at his god given body. Water drips from his skin over his lean waist.

 

His smiles appears in my view as i'm struck back to life.

 

 

 

I've never done that before. I've never fully looked at his body, as if it were possible.

 

I was looking at him.

 

 

''Like what you see?'' he replied.

 

 

I turn back to my phone quickly.

 

7:23

 

Damn. I had probably spent 3 minutes wasting time.

 

But good wasted time.

 

 

Jacob begins to gather the clothes he's going to wear. 

 

''Make sure to dress nice. Lauren says it's going to be a dance type of night.'' I said, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

 

 

I tried not to stare at his body again.

 

But I knew i'd do it.

 

 

After fighting with my thoughts, finally I went into the bathroom again.

 

I dressed up and dried the rest of my hair which was slightly damp.

 

I sprayed it with volumizer and brushed it down to style.

 

 

I pull down the tightly red dress as iI look into the mirror.

 

I hear a knock on the door.

 

 

''Can I come in?'' Jacob says.

 

''Sure.'' I said smiling.

 

 

''Alright what do you think...'' he says looking up to me.

 

 

I don't answer. I put on a few strokes of brown highlighted eye shadow on.

 

It's been a while since i've never worn proper makeup, so tonight was a try.

 

 

I drew a slight arch of a matte lip on. Then I turn to Jacob, who had been watching the whole time.

 

I watch his eyes linger at my movement. As I look back to the counter and I placed the lip stick down.

 

Boy, he looked good.

 

  

A black blazer and a white dress shirt underneath. He matched the blazer with his pants and shoes.

 

He wore his shiny gold watch. His hair, dark and black, falling in front of his eyes.

 

 

''Wow...you look amazing,-'' he replied in amazed silence.

 

"Thanks, so do you." I respond.

 

 

He opens his mouth to speak, and I shush him by lifting my left hand up. Putting my finger on his lips.

 

I don't notice for a second, but then his lips caress my finger with a kiss as I try to get out of the romantic trance.

 

I pull my finger away quickly, then I examine him.

 

 

''You look really handsome.'' I finally said.

 

 

His smile turns into a grin as he slightly looks me up and down.

 

My eyes shift down to the ground as my small grin loosens up to a normal pout.

 

Jacob's finger brings back my eyes to his.

 

 

He eyes look down to mine.

 

I try to put on a smile to make it seem less tense between us.

 

But he places his hands on my face, concerned.

 

 

''You look really beautiful.'' he says, a smile beginning to form.

 

 

I tried to smile. But there was just silence.

 

He whispers silently leaning in. ''I love you.''

 

 

His face nears my cheek and I have to look away in response.

 

My heart melts at those uttered words.

 

I missed that feeling when those words escaped my mouth before.

  

 

''I...love...you too-'' I start.

 

But i'm stopped by the press of his lips.

 

 

So warm, so soft. So gullible to fall for.

 

The small kiss deepens. 

 

Jacob caresses my cheek with left hand. And the other hand reaches down, almost touching the small of my back,...when my phone rings.

 

 

My lips part from his, as the warm feeling between us washes away.

 

I didn't want to stop.

 

We part from each other on instinct, almost upset at the interupption.

 

 

I sigh then go to answer my phone.

 

 

''Elle where are you? Why aren't you here yet? I don't see you.'' Lauren says.

 

''Yes, me and Jacob are coming down. We'll be there.'' I replied.

 

 

I click my phone off as I dart for the door. I didn't even think to check if Jacob was following me.

 

I finally turn around to see him coming along.

 

 

''Ready to go?'' I said as Jacob comes from the bathroom.

 

''Yeah, i'll lock the door behind us.'' he replied.

 

 

I walked out first. Seconds later, I heard the door click behind us.

 

We both walk down to the elevator in silence. There's no conversation after we left our hotel room.

 

It's nothing but still air and quiet breathing that fills the elevator as we went down. 

 

 

We walk into pop jazz playing. Everyone was socializing.

 

The room had 2 chandliers hanging above which we didn't see earlier.

 

And the tables were changed from 7 round tables and 5 long streched table to all round tables fitting 8 people.

 

 

Rikki waved her hand, putting down her wine glass. I spot her as I cling to Jacob's arm.

 

Marybella smiles to us as we sat down.

 

 

''Nice to see you two. The lovey dovey couple finally get's here. You're 15 minutes late.'' Marybella says.

 

''Yeah, well at least the party hasn't started yet.'' I replied, getting comfortable.

 

 

The waiters whisked around the tables, coming to me and Jacob, setting down plates filled with food.

 

The waiter behind me smiles.

 

''Dinner for the FARELLE workers, we have a chicken fillet served as the main dish with delicate french clusters on the side. And dessert, will be served later tonight.'' says a waiter.

 

 

He leaves with the other waiters. I smile down to my plate.

 

I was expecting something more exotic, but of course Lauren would order something simply american.

 

 

''Mmm, let's dig in.'' I said attempting to eat.

 

I look and see everone's plate is empty.

 

Everyone else slides a guilty face.

 

 

''You guys already ate.'' I said.

 

 

Rikki gives an innocent face. ''Sorry, you were just taking too long and we got hungry.''

 

''Okay, I forgive you.'' I said teasing them.

 

 

All of them were dressed beautifully.

 

Rikki had a couple bobby pins taking a large piece of her hair back.

 

She wore a peach colored dress with dangly earrings.

 

 

I turned from my taken bite of the chicken fillet to Bella. She wore a slightly salmon pink dress and a white faux fur throw scarf.

 

Her hair was in the usual bun.

 

Mark was in a black suit and his hair slightly slicked back, everyone looked so good.

 

I was glad to see them all so happy, to be here with me.

 

 

Halfway done with my meal. I look in the corner of my eye to see Jacob eyeing at the dance floor.

 

That instantly flashes a smile on my face.

 

I remember last time we were on the dance floor, it was in Paris, at Carla's wedding.

 

 

It was a weird and such a crazy moment in that time. How we made up that night and my worries went away.

 

 

It made me think of how close we were back then. But it still couldn't make me shake the feeling of what we were years ago.

 

Jacob's breath warms my ear bringing me from my thoughts.

 

 

''You okay?'' he asks.

 

''Yes-'' I start.

 

But i'm cut off by my own words. I couldn't just lie to Jacob about what I was thinking.

 

We had to talk about this at some time, but i've never thought now.

 

 

''...No actually.'' I rephrased.

 

''Why, what's wrong?'' he said turning to me, rubbing my right hand.

 

 

His eyes look back into mine. Even after a year, he still felt concerned about my feelings.

 

It was sweet to know that he cares.

 

 

''It's actually about....us.'' I said whispering.

 

 

Jacob's expression turns to our friends at the table, then to me.

 

He leans in.

 

''I'm listening.'' he says.

 

 

I sigh then clear my potential thoughts.

 

''Do you see us in the future together?'' I tried to whisper.

 

 

He looks at me, aware of the question. Maybe he knew at some point that I would ask him.

 

I felt so guilty for making him answer this question, but I shouldn't.

 

 

''Well,...I do see us together. And I see us having a wonderful life.'' he says.

 

Slightly kissing my cheek.

 

''Well are you thinking of maybe...taking it up a notch?'' I asked flinching at his reaction.

 

''Yes, I think we should. It would be great, we practically made it official the first time when we moved in together. But now, it seems to be appropriate.'' he replies.

 

 

I raise an eyebrow in surprise, followed by a huge smile.

 

This was it. This was the right thing to do.

 

I could hear the calm words come from his mouth. He hasn't snapped about us going further yet.

 

 

I was lucky to have Jacob. Because if I didn't...I wouldn't be here.

 

''Do you see me as more than girlfriend? or-" I start.

 

 

The lights dim as a mic is turned on. Lauren in the distance taps on it to get our attention.

 

Jacob and I turn away from our interuppted conversation.

 

 

Even from the dim light, I could still see the bright smile Lauren had.

 

She cleared her throat before answering.

 

 

''Thank you all for coming tonight.''

 

 

The crowd cheers.

 

 

''I really want to thank you all, who came out here to join us. And KARL magazine one of our sister companies, an ally, for joining us tomorrow. Thank you all.'' she says.

 

 

 

The lights brighten up again, letting the chandelier light shimmer above us. Lauren gets off the stage to greet people.

 

 

I smile. This was just too perfect.

 

A week in brazil and my amazing job to thank you for that, because Lauren believed in me.

 

 

 

Jacob whispers into my ear, grabbing my attention.

 

''Let's dance.''

 

 

Music starts to play. Marybella and Mark go to the dance floor.

 

Rikki stays behind, watching us.

 

 

We get up and shuffle out way to the floor.

 

Jacob turls me around, pulling my body to his. We slow dance for a second before catching up with the beat of the music.

 

''So what was it that you wanted to say? You know, before we were interuppted," he says.

 

 

I hesitated, embarassed. I was gonna ask him if he wants me to be more than his girlfriend.

 

But now it seems unecessary.

 

 

''Um,..'' I started looking away.

 

''Come on, tell me.'' he says.

 

 

My eyes are brought back to his.

 

I finally sigh then ask him again.

 

''Do you see me as more than a girlfriend?'' I said, unaware of the way my voice sounded.

 

 

He looks at me, and a smile overcomes his face.

 

I felt my face sting with embarassment.

 

Maybe he thought I was not going to be his girlfriend for too long.

 

 

''Of course I see you...as more than a girlfriend. You're practically my best friend. Nothing and no one can make me question our relationship.'' he says.

 

 

I smiled.

 

Even after a year, he still remained faithful to me.

 

He waited for my return, and he was amazingly sweet about it.

 

 

But I didn't expect that answer. I wanted him to tell me that something was going to change and we'd be more than just that.

 

Boyfriend and girlfriend.

 

 

Maybe even his fiancé, just like how I dreamed.

 

 

''That's nice to know Jacob, but um...I meant....I want us to take it to the next level.'' I said over the booming music.

 

The music got louder, eventually slowing down to a slow speed where we can hear each other.

 

Jacob's concern turns to me.

 

 

His voice is almost muffed from the crowd singing along, but I heard what he said.

 

I nod my head, i'm sure he agreed to my question.

 

 

''Right now?'' he says smiling into my ear.

 

 

I was kinda shocked by his quick response. 

 

I smiled at his response. Of course he knew at some point we would be talking about our future.

 

 

''Yes, now is perfect.'' I said back finally.

 

He grins as he pulls me from the dance floor, i'm surprised by the immediate take on the subject.

 

 

He pulls into an elevator. By the grip of his hand,  he wanted this to be a quick hurried thing to do.

 

The elevator doors closes behind us.

 

 

I however, am shocked by his massive appeal to get away for a second.

 

This means he's serious.

 

 

He presses his hand on the stop button for the elevator to stay still. He looks over to me, slowly walking towards me.

 

I'm taken back by the approach. Ive never