After my world came crashing down - read between the lines, lost my job, my land lord threw me out, my purse was stolen...- I accepted my best friends idea. To move in with her brother. Cliche right? Let me tell you. It gets worse. We hated each other since like...Forever? But suddenly there is this other side of me that finds his good qualities he always managed to hide. Days pass but attraction grows stronger. Now should I fight the chemistry or surrender myself to playboy enemy? ******** I don't want her in my home. She hates me since the day we met. But what other choice do I have since my sister allowed her to use her bedroom while she gets back on her feet. But as much as I try to keep my distance from her, I can't. There is something about this girl that pulls me closer. The more she fights our chemistry, the more I want to show her how good we can be. Will she be able to change a well known playboy, or will our chemistry burn to dust?
Chapter 1 (Rachel's POV)
It was another rainy day in London.
Nothing new.
I was born in London, so rain to me was something that's almost a must every day.
But when I woke up at 6am this morning, I had no idea it would be raining in my life as well.
I was sitting in my office, going over some papers for my boss and waiting for my lunch break.
See, I was just an ordinary secretary in a huge law firm but I didn't care.
I liked my job.
The only thing I didn't like was my boss.
He was a sleeze bag that groped me every time he passed my desk.
So a few days ago, I complained about him to our HR team.
I should know by now a good lawyer wouldn't fall that easily.
And that would be proven to be right to me in three, two, one...
BANG!
The doors of my office were pushed open with great force, and a loud bang resonated all around the office.
"You ungrateful bitch! I gave you an opportunity to work with the best lawyer in London and you went and reported me to HR! For what? A few touches that were accidents? Pack your things Rachel. You are fired?"
I was looking at my boss with wide eyes.
"Excuse me?"
He was red in the face from all the rage. It would be hilarious if my job wasn't on the line.
"You heard me right. Pack your things or I will call security!"
At this point, I'd heard enough.
One way or another, I had already lost my job, so what else was there to lose?
"You know what? You are the biggest self-absorbed idiot that ever walked on this earth! Accidents? Groping my butt and breasts is no accident you asshole! And you can deny it all you want, but we both know I'm right here! I feel sorry for your next assistant! Now leave my office so I can pack my things!"
He was still fuming but he did as I said and left me alone.
I packed my things in a hurry and left the building.
All I wanted now was to go home and eat all the ice cream my stomach could get.
I had just arrived home and put away my things when there was a knock at my door.
I went to open with a huge amount of exasperation.
Can't people get a hint and leave me alone?
I opened the door and there stood my landlord.
"Miss Bigsby, I need to inform you that you have to move out of this apartment as soon as possible. Technically, you only have time until tomorrow morning."
I was speechless.
"Are you shitting me right now? What's the reason behind all this? I always pay my rent on time and I am a silent tenant. There were never any complaints made about me, and I get along with every neighbour. So I really don't understand why all this now?"
He began sweating and wringing his hands.
"You see, Miss Bigsby, I got a call today. It was from Mr. Rigson. He said you lost your job because of harassment. He told me you were trying to seduce him and I am really sorry, but I can't have such a woman living in my building."
I couldn't help it anymore. I started laughing like a crazy person.
My landlord only watched with huge eyes.
I bet he thought I was crazy, and maybe I really was, considering how my day was going so far. I wouldn't really be shocked if I indeed went crazy.
When my hysterical laugh finally settled down, I looked at him and just accepted my destiny.
"No worries. I will be out of your hair by the end of the day. But next time, try getting both sides of a story before you judge someone."
With those words said, I slammed the door right in his face.
Now what was I supposed to do?
An idea hit me.
Becky!
I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed my best friend.
We have known each other practically since we were born. We lived next to each other and went to school together, but most of all, we just clicked at a young age. And even though she has traveled a lot since she was a model, we texted every day and, if it was possible, we called each other at least three times a week.
She picked up on the second ring.
"Hey babes, how's life in London?"
Just hearing her voice broke me, and a river of tears started.
I managed to tell her everything between sobs though.
"Damn Rach. It seems the universe decided to fuck you over hard today. What can I do for you? Tell me and I will make it come true."
I knew she really would, but there was only one thing I wanted to ask her.
"I will put myself together fast, you know me. But I would appreciate it if I could move into your house for a few days or weeks. Just until I find a new job."
What I said I meant it and Becky knew it. I was a stubborn person and I never gave up on anything I wanted. I fought with everything in me to get the things I wanted in life. This time will be no different.
"You know you can babes. You have the keys so just get your ass to my house and make yourself at home for as long as you need it."
I really have no idea how I managed to get such an amazing bestie.
We spoke for almost an hour, while I moaned about my missery, she tried to cheer me up with her adventures.
And like always, it helped.
By the time we ended our call, I was already halfway done with packing.
I quickly called the moving service and let them know where to pick up my furniture and the location of my storage unit where they would be taking it.
I carried my clothes and smaller belongings into my car and locked the door behind me.
I was just walking across the street to my car with car keys and phone in one hand when suddenly someone pulled my purse from my shoulder.
I tried to make a grab for it but it was too late.
The robber was already running away with it.
And judging from the development of my day so far, I didn't even bother to run after him.
I would probably manage to injure my leg or something.
So I just let my shoulders drop and continued towards my car and everything that was left of my life.
Now, universe, if you could just let me get to Becky's house, I promise to go straight into bed and go to sleep.
It wasn't even 12 o'clock but I was ready for this day to end.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."