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

looks like I won't be dating anyone soon.'' Rikki replies.

 

''You can't say that.'' I shot back.

 

''Why not?'' Rikki replied.

 

 

''I'm sure there are plenty of people who want to date you. Because you might actually meet someone, who you'd want to date and like very much. Or someone who's willing to give you the day of time.'' I said.

 

''Like who?'' she asked.

 

''Someone,...who you've never known before. In that kind of way.'' I suggested.

 

 

''Hey, if I hadn't known you back when it was your first day at FARELLE. We wouldn't be friends and I would have still been with Jason, my life would have been normal.'' he says.

 

 

''We would've been like,...friends to each other.'' I said.

 

''Highly not, but yeah, we would have.'' she replied.

 

 

We walked towards a seating area in an open grass space, between 2 apartment buildings. 

 

It was oddly werid to see something like that in Manhattan, but that's a state of New York for ya.

 

 

''So anything happening with you and Jacob. Since you guys are, you know, reunited?'' Rikki asked happily.

 

''Well, we actually went shopping and went to the movie theater. And we haven't talked since then.'' I replied.

 

 

The wind gusts by as I saw Rikki's blonde highlights flip around.

 

I straighten the shirt that I wore when it folded in the wind.

 

 

Rikki shook her head out of impatient answers.

 

''You guys need to start dating again, have you forgot you're together?'' she said.

 

''Well no, we just lost connection after I went to jail. And before that."

 

 

"You guys live in a house together, you're bound to find time to date." Rikki said,

 

"You know. Besides...we're still together.'' I replied.

 

 

I look off to the side in confusion. Did I mean that?

 

 

''That counts right?'' I said seconds later, turning back to Rikki.

 

''Yeah, but that won't last for long. Eventually he's gonna grow tired of you, even after you went away for the past year.'' Rikki replies.

 

 

''I know. Things aren't exactly going back to normal. But it's a work in progress.'' I say.

 

''Hey, the Elle i'm friends with, has known Jacob for at least 3 years now. You guys haven't been anywhere together since you moved up in the suburbs.'' she says.

 

 

''I know, but 3 years? And we've been together for so long?'' I said looking down.

 

''Hey me and Jason haven't been married a long time, 2 years to be exact. 3 years is just the tip of the iceberg. Jacob either has to propose to you now or some time in the future.'' Rikki reassures me.

 

 

What Rikki was saying made sense. After all these few years, it's up to him to make the big move.

 

Either get engaged and get hitched, or just suffer in the stage of romance again.

 

 

''Well, maybe we're not meant to be together anymore. That's why I was put in jail, maybe it was a sign that we need to break up.'' I said.

 

''Yeah, maybe. And I never would have found a sense of fun for once, instead, being stuck at home as a housewife.'' Rikki said.

 

 

I know her responses were coming off targeted, but it seemed too real to begin with.

 

Maybe if she changes the subject, it won't be awkward.

 

 

''How bout after the big trip to Brazil for the magazine face offs...we hang, we both won't be busy then. Right?'' Rikki suggested.

 

''Right.'' I said with a smile.

 

''Now that's the 'Elle' I know. It would be nice to see you and me, the old girls together again. Just like how we use. to last year.'' Rikki said with a grin.

 

  

''Yeah, but last year was just my wake up call to stop doing things that could get me in trouble. Especially in the past.'' I said, feeling upset.

 

''I know you're a good person. Things are different now, let's go back to work.'' Rikki replies.

 

We get up from the table.

 

 

 

''So what do you think?'' I asked mid way to FARELLE's parking lot.

 

''About what? '' Rikki said looking down at her phone.

 

''We throw a party after this month for my home return and new beginnings.'' I reply.

 

 

''Sure. That would be good, except it would be for all us. You, me, Marybella, Mark, Taylor and Jacob.'' she says putting her phone away.

 

''Great, we'll shop for dresses in Brazil that we can bring back home.'' I respond.

 

''Yeah, and i'll get a brazilian wax while we soak in copacabana.'' Rikki replied.

 

 

''I wanna make up my mind, so do you think I should go for fashionably simple or something that says beautiful?''' I said.

 

Rikki shakes her head.

 

She can't decide either.

 

--

 

We walk in on interns gathering for a small meeting with Lauren and Vanessa.

 

It's all calm and quiet till we're back into our places.

 

 

''I'll talk with you later, bye Elle.'' Rikki says heading to the distance.

 

 

I walk back to my desk and sit down to start on the assignment Lauren left on my table.

 

As I continue on with my assignment, I heard a heavy walk come from the left of my desk.

 

 

I could tell by the click of the heels it was Marybella.

 

I looked up to see Lauren stare at me from a distance, no type of expression on her face.

 

 

''Hey, Elle.'' Bella said, approaching my desk.

 

My eyes rose, I felt the tension rise.

 

 

It was not just the simple way she said my name just now. 

 

It felt different, as if it was rolled off the tongue.

 

 

''Hey.'' I reply.

 

''Can you give me your shoes.'' she said.

 

''Why? No.'' I shot back.

 

 

''Give me your shoes.'' she said back, stern.

 

''Why, do you want to run in them?'' I asked.

 

''Yes. Now give me your shoes.'' she said.

 

 

Marybella gave me a look and finally I gave up. There's no fighting with a fashionista in pink.

 

Clearly, her wardrobe was bathed in Chanel and Tiffany Co.

 

 

She took off her stilettos and I take off my designer boots.

 

 

''Hold these.'' she said.

 

Bella handed her stilettos to me as I whisper goodbye to my boots. 

 

 

As she rushed on her way, my instinct kicked in.

 

It just didn't feel right to give up those boots.

 

It was sad to see it go off my feet. The bare feet that deserved those boots, even if it was borrowed.

 

 

I love those boots.

 

 

''Hey!'' I said, startled by my own words.

 

 

Bella turned, giving me a cautious look. I brushed the embarassed feeling away.

 

''Give me my shoes back, I got it. Fair and sqaure.'' I replied.

 

 

Marybella walked closer to me, slowing her pace.

 

I felt a pair of eyes on me, pretty soon everyone around the area was watching me.

 

 

Maybella opened her mouth to speak. I cleared my throat.

 

She crossed her arms over her chest.

 

 

''Impressive job, Woods.'' she said finally.

 

She flashed me with a big smile, the tension in the air left.

 

 

''I was beginning to think you wouldn't talk back or ask why I took your boots.'' she replied, approaching me.

 

''But why did you do that?'' I asked.

 

''Because Lauren had a plan, a test. She wanted to try an experiment on you this week.'' she replied.

 

 

 

''I get that now, but why take my boots?'' I asked.

 

''Because, a girl never steals gucci from another girl. And I figured since fashion is something you clearly have a style in, Lauren set up the trap just in time. She knew you wouldn't resist to take the boots back.'' Bella said.

 

 

Marybella smirks at me, as Lauren claps in the distance with the interns.

 

''I see you've heard about my test on you right?'' Lauren said approaching me.

 

''Yeah it was kind of silly, but, I appreiciate that.'' I said, relieved.

 

 

''Well i'm glad that you enjoyed that rush of adrenaline, now get back to work. And just so you know, it was a test to see how well you compromise to any situation. I figured i'd do that since you're back in work.'' Lauren said

 

I smiled as she leaves with the interns, walking towards Vanessa.

 

 

Everyone goes back to work, including Marybella.

 

And I go back to my reception desk, finishing my work for the day.

 

 --

 

I opened the front door to the house and saw Jacob in the kitchen. 

 

 

Jacob turns my way giving me a small smile.

 

I return the favor and smile back.

  

I enter past the living room and towards the kitchen. I set down my purse on the table, as my slow steps pile onto the tile floor of the kitchen.

 

 

I give Jacob as hug, as his back is turned to the sink. Lately he's been obssesed with the kitchen and spends his days cooking and cleaning there.

 

 

But I don't mind. As long as he'd doing something while I was gone.

 

I held on tight to his body. I could smell the sweet scent I didn't recognize on his dark green sweater.

 

 

''I love you.'' I say.

 

"You never say that," Jacob jokingly says.

 

I smile, rubbing my cheek on his shoulder as I try to find my comfort in it.

 

 

''Love you too.'' he whispered back.

 

Chapter Five: Fading

  

''Morning Elle.'' an intern said passing by.

 

''Hello Elle.'' Vanessa said.

 

 

She passes by, with Marcus on her foot trying to keep up.

 

Vanessa was always busy, no matter what.

 

 

''Hey girl.'' Rikki said walking and joining beside me. 

 

 

Lauren walked past, then stopped to give me a smile as I head to my reception desk.

 

She dropped the stories needed to be approved and published today.

  

There's so much work to do.

 

 

''Elle, can you please get me my fan mail from Becky down in the shipment office, after these stories are printed?'' Lauren asked.

 

 

''Yes, i'll do that.'' I replied.

 

 

My head turns back to my computer, as I turn on the software for the stories.

 

I typed up my story for my big published return to FARELLE and a couple others for the season.

 

 

Lauren wanted me to write my side of the story and explaination to why I came back. And course i've written up a huge novel on it, but page will have to do.

  

 

 

By the time it came to an hour after writing stories and more things to cover on the magazine, I was done with the assignments.

 

And I needed to hand Lauren her fan mail.

 

 

I exit my reception desk, towards the glass doors. I pass by our merchandisers and stock market investors that are in today, towards the elevators.

 

 

 

I don't know much of where the shipment office was.

 

I've spent most of my time here in FARELLE just being busy on the same floor everyday.

 

 

But it's nice to explore parts of FARELLE i've never seen before.

 

 

I got into the elevator and press the 4th button.

 

When the doors dinged open, I was surprised by the floor i've never thought I'd seen.

 

 

So far from the 5th floor where I work, people here were buzzing around, working.

 

No loud noise, just silent talking.

 

 

This was an amazment to me. Lauren was hiding this secret away from me for too long.

 

No wonder why she told me to go get it today.

 

 

Usually she would have whatever intern is nearby to go get it for her.

 

But today was my turn to keep the secret.

 

 

''May I help you?'' asked a young woman at the front desk.

 

I turned to her from looking around, she was straight ahead from where I stood.

 

 

''Yes, I need to pick up the fan mail for Ms. Lauren.'' I replied hovering over the desk.

 

 

She sorts through some bins, then ends up placing her hands on a big storage bin filled with mail.

 

She opens the lids and takes out the mail, handing it to me.

 

 

It was wrapped in a thick rubberband. My hands reach out to take them.

 

''Make sure Lauren gets it okay?'' she replied.

 

 

This must be Becky.

 

 

Lauren mentioned her during my time of beginning to write.

 

''Sure thing Becky.'' I said.

 

 

She pauses, unsure of the situation.

 

''Wait, you know