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“Well talk about that later mum. I have to see him out.” Rachel whispered, walking out of the room to the door.
Leo had to leave for an urgent business trip, leaving Rachel feeling pouty and abandoned. As soon as he was gone, she began to tease her mother about her young lover coming to visit, but her mother didn’t want to talk about it. She couldn’t help but wonder if Leo was really the right person for her, or if she was just caught up in the excitement of their forbidden romance.
Rachel retreated back into her house, making a mental note to be extra vigilant in the days to come. She sat down at her desk and pulled out her notebook, flipping through the pages until she found the list of possible suspects she had compiled.
She read through them again, trying to connect the dots and find any clues that might lead her to the truth. It was a long shot, but she was determined to get to the bottom of her father’s accident, no matter what it took.
Her mother noticed Rachel’s fixation and tried to distract her with tales of her own romantic escapades.
She sat down next to Rachel and poured herself a glass of red wine. “So, have you heard about my latest conquest?” she asked with a smirk.
Rachel rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile. “No, but I’m sure you’re dying to tell me,” she said.
She laughed. “Well, I met this guy at a charity event last week, and he’s absolutely gorgeous. We hit it off right away, and we’ve been seeing each other every night since then.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Every night? That’s pretty intense.”
Madeline shrugged. “I know, but when you know, you know. And he’s just so… experienced.”
Rachel laughed. “Experienced, huh? I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Madeline leaned in closer. “Trust me, it’s a very, very good thing.”
“Okay, enough about me,” Madeline said, sensing Rachel’s mood. “What’s going on with you and Leo?”
Rachel sighed. “He had to go on a business trip today, and I’m going to miss him.”
Madeline grinned. “Aww, you’re such a softie. You know, I never would have guessed that you two would end up together.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
Madeline shrugged. “I don’t know, you just seem so… different. Leo’s got this whole ‘bad boy’ thing going on, and you’re so… I don’t know, wholesome, I guess.”
Rachel laughed. “Wholesome? That’s a new one.”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “Okay, maybe that’s not the right word. But you know what I mean. You’re just not his usual type.”
Rachel thought about it for a moment. Madeline was right – on the surface, she and Leo seemed like an unlikely pair. But they had a connection that ran deeper than just physical attraction.
“We balance each other out,” Rachel said finally. “He keeps me on my toes, and I… I don’t know, I think I make him feel something he’s never felt before.”
Madeline raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”
Rachel shrugged. “I don’t know. Safe, maybe? Like he can let his guard down around me.”
Madeline nodded thoughtfully. “I can see that. You’ve got a calming presence about you.”
Rachel smiled. “Thanks. I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Madeline laughed. “Well, don’t get too excited. I still think you’re a bit of a goody two-shoes.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “And I still think you’re a walking disaster.”
They both laughed, and for a moment, everything felt normal. But then Rachel’s mind turned back to her father’s accident, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still off.
“Hey, Maddie,” she said suddenly. “Do you remember anyone in Dad’s life who might have had a reason to hurt him?”
Madeline frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Maybe someone who owed him money, or who he had a falling out with.”
Madeline shook her head. “I don’t know, Rach. Your dad was pretty well-liked. I can’t think of anyone who would want to hurt him.”
Rachel sighed. “I know. It’s just… I can’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t an accident. There
29
A WEEK LATER
Rachel had been missing Leo terribly ever since he had left for his urgent business trip. She found herself sending him naughty texts in the middle of the night, missing his touch and his scent. But she had to put all that aside as she had an important task at hand.
Her sponsor firm had contacted her, saying that they wanted to plan her first fashion runway show debut if she enters the competition. Rachel was thrilled at the prospect of showcasing her designs on such a big stage, and she immediately got to work.
She spoke with her model friend, who shared her story of how she made it in the fashion industry. She told Rachel that she had to be bold, unique, and confident in her designs. Rachel took note of all this and began to sketch furiously, inspired by her friend’s story.
As Rachel worked on her designs, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building up inside her. She was finally going to get her big break in the fashion world, and she was determined to make the most of it.
She had just finished sketching some designs when she heard a car pull up outside. She peeked out the window and saw Leo’s sleek black car parked in front of her house. She quickly gathered her things and hurried downstairs to greet him.
As she opened the front door, Leo stepped out of his car and made his way towards her. He looked dashing in his white t-shirt and pants, his dark hair slicked back, and a big smile on his face.
“Surprise, my love,” he said, sweeping her up into a tight embrace.
Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. “I missed you so much,” she whispered.
Leo pulled back, holding her at arm’s length. “I missed you too,” he said, his eyes drinking in her beauty.
Rachel blushed, feeling self-conscious under his intense gaze. “What brings you back so soon?” she asked, trying to change the subject.