Page 135 of From Rivals to I Do

“Good morning, Rayne. How did you sleep last night? I’m heading down to the lobby. The car is here to take us to the airport,” Leonard says before heading out,

making sure to avoid eye contact with me.

I head back into the room, pick up my handbag, and walk down to the lobby. As I entered, I had to do a second glance, Reece! He is standing across the lobby

and instantly notices me. My heart skips a beat. What is he doing here?! Probably laying-up with some strange women. He was always good at that! Maybe he

did not recognize me. Can I run? Can I turn back or hide?

But before I can arrive at a solution, he approaches immediately. I quickly scan the lobby for any sign of Leonard. I don’t see him and don’t know how to feel

about this, but it feels awkward.

“Rayne! I thought you moved away from LA? Where’s Charlee?” he asks.

“Hi, Reece. Yes, we moved. I’m here on a work assignment. Charlee and I are doing well. We are adjusting to a new city, and life has been good, I say with a smirk.

He starts to comment just as I see Leonard walk through the entrance door. I know I have to dismiss Reece immediately. I can’t let him talk to Leonard. I told

Leonard all about Reece, and our trip has been great. I want to keep it that way. Reece tends to ruin everything.

“I have to go. I’m running late. I have a flight to catch,” I say, pretending to be looking at my watch as I begin to move away from him. “It’s nice seeing you, and I

wish you the best, Reece.” I don’t wait for him to respond before walking as fast as my legs can carry me. Leonard walks in to meet me and reaches for my

carry-on makeup tote out of my hand. “I will carry this for you. Do you know that guy? He is looking this way at us”. I frantically respond, “That is Reece,

Charlee’s father, the irony of seeing him here. He just makes me nervous. I hate I ever married him”. Leonard grabs my hand, and we walk to the limousine. “Are

you ok? I know you had a bad experience with Reece, but that is in the past. Rayne, do not allow him to affect you” Leonard's voice reassured me that Reece

was my past. As he opened my door and I leaned to get in the car, I saw Reece staring through the window with the most peculiar look on his face. Leonard

shuts the doors, and we drive off.

Chapter fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

As I recount the trip to Mick, he doesn’t seem so happy with me. “Leo, what’s your problem? Why will you spring such a thing on a single mother?

Something is definitely wrong with you, man. Why didn’t you come to ask me?” he says, clearly frustrated.

I try to explain my reasoning to him, hoping he will understand. “Mic, you were traveling to Australia or something and Ria just canceled on me. I needed

someone and she was just there. Rayne thought it was work and it ended up being a great trip. I think I finally found a woman that makes me feel different and

happy without any motives. Mick, I could not have asked for a better person to be with me. She was so understanding and patient with me—-and get this— when I confessed the truth to her, she laughed”. “ So you did finally come clean—man, you are lucky— she did not dump you right then. She must be a jewell to

deal with your crap”. Oh, Mick. I am not that bad, am I”? “No, Leo, you know I am just playing with you. I am glad you two hit it off. You deserve someone special

in your life, especially since your mom passed. I know it's hard for you to talk about her, but I am here for you, Leonard”. I sadly say, “Mick, I have never told you what happened to her.”

My mom was at her favorite restaurant in LA, and she went there to eat every trip.

After her meal and chatting with them, she was in high spirits. They recalled later and hoped for a short trip home to her family. She hated flying. She thanked them for a delicious meal, said goodbye to them, and was ready to walk back to the hotel. Not far from the restaurant, an unbuckled child’s cart ran across the street. A typical mother ran towards the child, trying to prevent the child in the carrier from being hit by an oncoming vehicle. The child was saved, but she was struck by the vehicle. The impact was sudden and powerful, and she was thrown by the impact, her head hitting the pavement. The couple from the restaurant called an ambulance and waited by her side. She kept asking about the child before she lost consciousness. My dad and I rushed to her side as quickly as possible. Her injuries were severe, and she was in critical condition for several days. She eventually regained consciousness and held my hands so tight. Her last words to me were that she loved and was proud of me. More days passed and unfortunately, she died, despite the medical staff's efforts to help her live. Me and my father wept for hours. Unspoken words and tears became our lifestyle. We had one another but did not know how to express our pain to each other. And now he has cancer, and I can't help but worry. Will I be without both of my parents one day?

“Leonard, I am so sorry. She was truly a hero”. I sadly respond with tears, “Yes, she was! I miss her, Mick, but Rayne was so supportive. This trip was different from any other trips since her passing”.

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