I have started to re-write this book the way it was supposed to be. Hope I do not disappoint you :)
Ricardo chuckles shaking his head as he puts his phone down before groaning, his precious was just playing with fire. And he will be damn if he got burned.
Making his way towards his office Ricardo pauses on his step as he finds his father waiting on for him. With a sigh, he steps inside of his office and shuts the door close so no one can disturb them.
"What a surprise" he comments as he greets his father.
"I was passing by so though to see you but it seems you were out busy" Richie comments and Ricardo nods his head as he takes his seat.
"Yeah, I had a dinner party I need to attend. Is there anything...?" he pauses as his father picks up the file from his table and turns to read it.
"I have been visiting the office for few days but it seems something has been keeping you busy but I knew you would be in tonight so I have been waiting"
"You should have called if there was something dad, you know I would come visit" he states.
"No, no it's okay. It's nothing important, I just wanted to see how you were doing. The last time we were in same room things were not right"
"We all know mom and Rich do not see eye to eye" he points out making Richie sigh.
"It's just like yesterday, he would not even leave her side and now they cannot stand each other"
"They will come around" he states giving him hope.
"I wonder when, Alana is too proud to admit she loves him and Richard is too hurt to accept her love. Anyways, they will sort things out when they feel like it. I did not come to discuss about them with you" he sighs as he turns to face his son.
"Okay"
"What is this nonsense am I hearing about you refusing to sign the treaty papers with the Price yet flaunting with one of them around the town?" he questions and Ricardo tilts his head to a side not saying a word as his father waves his hand and continues.
"I love Gabby never doubt that, I love it when she is around. I can see that she makes you happy but what I cannot see is why are you even marrying Melissa...
She is beautiful and comes from a very strong family which will help you to grow your roots in future but I don't understand, I just don't" he shakes his head walking back to take a seat.
"As you said it will help me grow my roots" Ricardo replies and Richie frowns.
"I do not want you to marry for the sake of it Rick, look how it turned out for Rich and you do know you cannot have sweets in both hands...
As soon as you tie your knot you will have to give up Gabby, being her best friend, all her life is not an option I see for you" he reminds his son.
"She is not an option" he replies instead but before anyone of them could speak more Ricardo's phone starts to buzz and he glances at the caller's name before he stares back at his father.
"Your engagement party is held next week" his father reminds him and Ricardo turns his phone down.
*******
"Are they for real?" Gabby asks as she watches her father and uncle dance alongside the bride and groom to be.
"If this keeps going, I wonder if the wedding is even happening" Bo groans as she sits down on the floor and Gabby sighs as she joins her friend.
"So, any progress on your love life?" Bo asks as she pushes Gabby with her shoulder.
"He is not answering my calls"
"I don't see how that stopped you from sexting him?" she shrugs her shoulders.
"Sexting is a two-way thing"
"He must be super busy then"
"Perhaps" she shrugs her shoulder before she grabs the water bottle Bo passes her way and throws to where her father was.
"What the fuck?" Gabriel curses as the bottle hits the side of his leg.
"Don't ruin this" she shouts at her father.
"I am learning how to do it properly so when I give you away I know not to step on your toes" he replies.
"If you two don't stop it then we will be the one stepping on your toes, so you cannot dance at all" she warns before she grabs her bag and walks out.
"Hey where are you going?" Gabriel calls his daughter who just waves him goodbye.
"I need to learn to do this father-daughter dance properly for future reference" he yells but she just walks out.
*******
"I am going to head to the work now" Bo states as she asks for the car keys with Gabby.
"So, you want me to walk back home?" she stares at her friend in disbelief.
"No idiot, you have a ride waiting" she grins turning Gabby around.
"Rare?" she asks in excitement as she looks around.
"Not him, my brother you idiot. You were supposed to do this party thing with him, remember?" Bo remind Gabby who sighs.
"Not the kind of sigh I was hoping for" Bernard smiles as he jogs towards the girls.
"Maybe if you would stand without your shirt then" Gabby teases while Bo hits on her brother's side.
"Be the gentleman you hope to see me end up with" she warns her brother who scoffs.
"Go away Bo" he grins as he takes Gabby's bag.
"Enjoy kids and remember no sex without condoms" she yells making few of the head turn their way.
"She is such an embarrassment at times" Bernard groans as they make their way towards his car.
"I did not know you were coming to take me" she grins when he opens the door for her.
"I texted Bo, she said you were free and refused to give me your number so"
"Oh. So, where exactly is this party?" she asks him as he starts the car.
"About that. We will have to stay the night at the hotel tonight after party" he confesses, and her eyes widens.
"Guess, we will have to buy lots of condoms then" she jokes making him laugh but she does not.
"Oh, you are serious?" he asks, and she nods her head.
"Condoms" she yells making him laugh again.
*******
Ricardo halts on his step as he sees Gabby walking out of the store, he excuses himself from the group as he makes his way towards her before his eyes narrows seeing someone walking behind her before Gabby turns around and pokes on his chest saying something as they both laugh.
"Precious" his voice stops her, and she turns to face him.
"Rare, what are you doing here?" she asks surprised.
"Seeing, I own the building it's obvious" he states as he stares from her to the guy next to her.
"You were in the town, why did you not tell me?" she asks as all three of them just stands awkwardly.
"I had few things I need to wrap up"
"Oh, well you must be busy then" she clears her throat before she sides step.
"See you around" she smiles as she grabs Bernard's wrists and starts to walk around Ricardo.
"How's kitty?" his words stop her, so she turns to face him once again.
"What?"
"Is she missing...?" he continues when he faces her as well.
"She is doing great, umm Bernard will take care of her tonight" she announces, and she grins as she sees the tick at the side of Ricardo's jaw.
"Hey" Bernard stretches his hand to shake Ricardo's hand, but the man eyes were just set of Gabby.
"Excuse me, you forgot something?" the cashier calls out as she runs to where they were before she puts the box of condom inside the bag Bernard was holding on.
"Condoms of course, thank you" Bernard chuckles as he pushes Gabby a bit playfully.
"Well enjoy" the cashier smiles as she walks back in while Gabby coughs.
"Did he just say con..."
"We are going to be late, so see you around" Gabby states as she grabs the bag from Bernard's hand.
"Wait...where are you two..."
"Bernard is taking me for this beautiful one-night stand" she laughs before she starts to run holding Bernard's hand while Ricardo stands rooted on the ground.
*******
"One-night stand, really?" Bernard laughs as they get in the car.
"Of course, because even if we are to stay in a hotel with a box of condoms I am going to stand you out all night" she grins before searching through the bag and pulling out a chocolate bar.
"And, wait who is kitty?" he asks her.
"My cat"
"She is coming along?" he asks and Gabby shrugs her shoulders.
"She is too young to be left alone so" she replies.
"You are weird"
"We all know that, now move on and tell me what this party is all about?" she asks.
"Well you see, I just got this job in this company and this is like a welcome party kind of thing where we get to see who we are working for...
And I need to give a great impression to my bosses, so my contract does not end soon"
"You will be fine, if they do not hire you after your contract is done I will ask one of my brothers to hire you"
"Thanks, but I want to do something on my own, stand on my own two feet so"
"Well whose feet have you been standing on if not yours?" she asks staring at his legs.
"You know what I mean" he chuckles.
"Don't worry, you will get it just don't be naked in front of them"
"Why would I be naked?" he frowns but she just shrugs her shoulders and be quiet.
*******
Gabby smiles as she stares out of the window the hotel they were staying at, she watches the sky above as she waits on for Bernard to come and take her as she was all dolled up to join him for the party. The knock on her door makes her turn to make her way towards the door.
"You asked for these" he states as he passes her the bag and Gabby smiles as she takes it before asking him to come in.
"Thanks"
"You are looking beautiful"
"I know, and you are looking good yourself"
"May I know what you are going to do with those?" he asks pointing at the bag he gave her.
"Nothing for you to worry about" she smiles as she walks to get her purse.
"Well I did get it for you, so it's the least you can do by telling me about it"
"Enough of the talks, tell me all about the music and food we can dance on and eat" she states as they make their way out of the room.
********
Gabby gasps as she steps inside of the room where the party was held on, she looks around the room in awe.
"Okay, wow" Bernard grins as they look around all the décor.
"This is the kind of party I am talking about" Gabriel grins as she pulls Bernard along with her as she goes to stand in between the balloons that were tied around and asks him to take her pictures.
"Okay don't get electrified" he teases as she runs to hold the lights that were hung like waterfall.
Gabby starts to move along the music as they stand next to the drinks area while Bernard laughs as she just starts to dance alone.
"Stop that" he chuckles as she grabs the front of his tie and plays with it.
"I know you want to dance" she teases but he just shakes his head.
"No way, we will just be a mess" he refuses but she grabs his ties and jerk his body closer to her.
"I refuse to be the only fool" she states as she refuses to let go of him dancing on her own.
"So, why don't you just meet me on the middle, middle" she shouts the lyrics gaining attention from around.
"Uh, Gabby" he smiles embarrassed, but Gabby was not the one to listen.
Letting go of Bernard's tie Gabby starts to dance alone before few people joins her on the dance floor before she just dances on her own enjoying the song while Bernard looks around the room to check if his bosses arrived and when he sees no one was there he joins her just as the slow song comes in.
Gabby puts her arms around Bernard as they sway along, and she cannot help but shout the lyrics.
"If he fucks me so good, must be love on the brain" she shouts at his face before he twirls her around.
Gabby leaves Bernard arms as the song changes as she sways along with the music and few more people joins in, she moves around the crowd away from Bernard someone joins him on the floor.
Gabby stops for a second as she bumps into someone before turning around and as if the fate knew the lyrics of the song plays and Gabby moves her hands touching Ricardo's chest.
''You don't want a girl like me I'm too crazy
For every other girl you meet its gazy
I'm sure them other girls were nice enough
But you need someone to spice it up
I don't really want a white horse and a carriage
I'm thinking' more of a white Porsches and karats
I need you right here cause every time you call
I play with this kitty like you play with your guitar"
She wraps her arms around his neck swaying on with the music, but he does not move along and the music stops.
"What?" Gabby groans as she turns her head around to face the DJ only to find Richard with the plug off and her senses returns as her head jerks towards the man she was touching.
"Rare" she squeals as if just now seeing him.
"Enjoying much?" he raises his brow at her and she slowly drops her hands down, but he holds her wrist before wrapping one of his arms around her waist.
"What are you doing here?" she asks narrowing her eyes at him.
"Are you stalking me?" she accuses but before she can get her answer people start to surround them.
*******
"Good evening, Sir" the guests that were dancing starts to greet him and she frowns as she finds few of the men combing their hair and dusting their clothes.
Ricardo does not greet them back as he just gives a slight nod and starts to walk along with Gabby and she frowns before she looks around for Bernard as she mouths 'what the fuck' to him while he just shrugs his shoulders her way.
"You need to let go of me" Gabby tries to push Ricardo's hand away from her waist, but he does not let her go.
"I am here with a date and...he is.... ughhh.... alone, so...umm...let go" she groans as she tries to pry his hand away but fails.
"No" he refuses, and she sighs.
"How did you even know I was here?" she asks him as few people pass by to greet him.
"Because I am paying for all of this"
"What?" she asks staring at his face.
"The music you were dancing on, the floor you were stepping on comes from my cheque" he informs, and she narrows her eyes at his words.
"That is why the music is so bad and the floor is so cold" she jabs back before she hits at his side with her elbow making him let her go.
*******
"Gabby" Bernard smiles but she grabs his ties before pulling him along with her out of the party.
"Let me explain" he starts but she kicks him on his shin and he groans as he falls on his knees.
"I do not like being used" she snaps at him.
"No, you are getting it all wrong" he groans as he tries to breath through the pain he feels.
"Oh, please go ahead and do tell me how shocked you are to find out Rare being your boss" she asks as she folds her arms and glares at him.
"Look, I am sorry I should have warned you on about this"
"But you thought bringing her in you can pull one on me" Ricardo's voice makes him wince.
"That is not what this is"
"It's not my place to fire you but trust me I am thinking on pulling ranks on you, but I also know this will bring Precious unnecessary stress because you are her best friend's brother...
Next time you try some trick like this Bernard, I will burn you down" Ricardo warns as he puts his hand out for Gabby to take it.
"I am not using her" Bernard sighs as he slowly gets up.
"Enjoy the stay" Ricardo states finishing the conversation and Bernard sighs as he stares at Gabby in a pleading manner.
"Precious" Ricardo calls waiting on her and she sighs before she pats on Bernard's chest as she goes to hold Ricardo's hand.
"You are paying for the hotel rooms as well, right?" she asks him, and he says nothing as they walk out.
*******
Gabby unlocks the door as she walks inside of the room while Ricardo follows, he clicks the lock in as he starts to take his coat off while Gabby pulls her heels off her feet before she starts to pull the pins from her hair.
"I will order for room service" he announces but she does not reply as she keeps walking towards her bed before she lies on it, face down.
"Change your clothes" he requests as he stands on the doorway but when she does not make a move he sighs making his way towards her.
"The butter chicken here is really good, you will love it" he tries as he sits beside her before he slowly touches her hair and starts to pull few of the pins stuck.
"I have not seen you put your hair up like this" he points out as he massages the back of her hair and she turns her face to stare at him.
"Why are you here? And don't say because you can or that you paid for it" she questions sniffing a bit.
"What were you doing with the boxes of condoms?" he retorts back, and she gets up sitting on the bed and fully facing him.
"Because I was having a one-night stand with a guy"
"A one-night" he raises a brow.
"Yes, the only times I have had it, it has always been with you or one of my brothers. This is like the first time ever I got to spend a night with some guy that is not you or my brother...
So, I had come up with this bad ass idea, to knock on people's door at middle of night and leaving a balloon made of condom in their door and may be threw some condoms balloon filled with water from the window...
And I was so looking forward for it until you came and ruin it for me. I should have known something was wrong when they gave me a room three floor above Bernard because we were supposed to have one room...
But I thought, oh well more room for kitty to play" she shrugs her shoulder and Ricardo shifts a bit to look for the cat.
"Kitty is here?" he asks as he calls for the cat.
"Maybe" she sighs.
"Maybe?" he raises his brow.
"I had left the window open" she points out and he sighs as he walks to check for the cat but stops when he hears the mewl and smiles as he kneels and pull the cat out of the couch.
*******
"There you are, at least you know not to do something bad even if it's tempting unlike someone we know" he comments as he walks towards the bed and puts the cat on the bed and she jumps down.
"I hate you right now" she sighs as she lies on the bed and he smiles before he lies on the bed as well facing her.
"One-night stand means having a meaningless sex or perhaps drunken sex with someone you have no feeling for...
And I would not dare title the nights we spent together as such and I do not think that's the term you should use when describing spending the nights out with your brothers" he explains pushing her hair away from her face.
"Bernard is not using me" she sniffs.
"Any other man except your brothers, I see you with. I know they just want to use you" he clarifies, and she pushes his hand away from her hair before she gets up and sits on the bed.
"Does that mean you are using me as well?" she asks, and he frowns as he too sits on the bed.
"Don't wear lipstick" he commands as he wipes her lips with his thumb and she moves her head away from his touch only for it to smears all over her face.
"Don't do that" she groans as he grins before he sucks his thumb.
"Is that strawberry?" he asks as he once again touches her lower lip with his wet thumb and tastes her lipstick.
"Ewe, that's gross and it's not strawberry" she groans moving away from him while he chuckles.
"Don't buy condoms with another guy"
"What?"
"I don't like it" he confesses staring at her and she picks up the cat.
"Don't marry Mel, I don't like it" she states before walking towards the door as someone knocks on it.