The prologue
2036 Words
Peter Philips
My family had just moved back into fort canon in the middle of a billionaire’s war after more than a decade of absence. I must say it felt good to be back in the city I grew up in, everything there was nice. The neighborhood was safe and quiet, the food was delicious and diversified you couldn’t miss anything to eat, the economy was competitive and there was a constant supply of fresh air being blown by the wind from the ocean. But none of that would mean anything without the people.
We spend the first week trying to settle in and keep a few things in place. My sister Kristen and I were very excited about meeting our friends that we left behind a decade back. On top of the list of people I wanted to meet was girlfriend Anita. She had visited me back in Westwood a couple of times since we started dating. And even though my parents did not like her that much because of our socio-economic differences she was my choice.
“Pit!” my annoying sister called from the hallway.
“What’s up Kristen can’t you get closer I don’t want to shout” ironically I was shouting back.
She opened the door with her phone in her hands.
“Your friend Scott is getting married in a couple of months, and check out his bride” she side handing me her phone.
She was beautiful. Almost as beautiful as Anita. I gave Kristen back her phone and went back to typing on my laptop. Perhaps my reaction was not what she expected.
“Is that all pit?”
“What do you want me to do about it? “
“You’re going to call and congratulate him, I will pitch this to mum and dad we can even go to the wedding as a family we were family friends before we left remember”
“Am busy”
“At least try pit, this will be a good opportunity for you guys to hang out”
Kristen was so relentless. She was not going to give me peace so I went on and agreed to her demands. Later that evening I called Scott to rekindle our friendship and he was happy to hear from me. We even organized for a double date so that he would get to know my girl and I would get to know his fiancée.
Anita Brown
I was very excited when peter called to say he was coming back to fort canon for good. To be honest, the long distance thing was not working for me. I lived in constant fear of some billionaire’s daughter snatching him away from me. That was because his parents; Cole and Gabriella Philips had made it clear who he was supposed to marry; someone in his class, a fellow billionaire. His wealth and social status was none of my business really, I would have still loved him even if he had nothing. Peter was the nicest person I had ever met, caring, understanding and above all humane.
In a nutshell peter was a once in a lifetime human being, among the few people I rendered myself lucky to have met and connected with.
After almost a month and a half of being busy and hiding in the Philips manor he finally came out to meet me. It was a surprise visit. I remember that Sunday I was home alone resting in the living room watching movies after attending church when the watchman came to fetch me.
“Come in ken” I said when I noticed him standing by the door.
“Thank you, someone is here to see you” he said.
“Who?”
“They wouldn’t tell me their name”
“Okay” I said quickly following him.
My guess was one of those boys who would follow me from the market trying to convince me in to being their girlfriend so they could hit once and run then brag to others how nothing was impossible. Nothing no matter what I did could make them believe that I was seeing someone.
That day it was someone different. When I opened the gate peter was leaning on his red Audi R8 in carrying a banquet of roses. Dressed in a white cape, black sheds, white polo T-shirt, a pair of blue faded unfinished jeans and matching white sneakers on his feet. I screamed happily dropping my phone as I dashed to hug him almost knocking him off his feet. Tears of joy were making my eyes itchy, I had never been happier seeing a fellow human being.
“Calm down baby” he whispered in my ear, I was still hugging him tight not letting him go from my embrace.
I wanted to smell him all day and feel his heart beat on mine every second.
“You should have called”, I complained breaking free to give him room to breathe, the bear hug was driving all the wind from his chest.
“And miss seeing you go nuts” he said, “this are for you”
“Thank you” I said wafting the scent from the ri petals, “Are we going in?”
“Next time my princess charming”
I frowned.
“Today I just want to walk with you” he said taking my arms into his, our eyes met when he got rid of his sheds. They were full of life and happiness just like mine.
“Okay, I know a place. Ken”
He came with my phone. Lucky for me the screen had not cracked.
“Thank you, keep this in my room then park his car”
Peter pinched my hand. I looked at him, he pointed at Ken with his chin. Friendly peter wanted to be introduced. He was smart though, it was only ken who would have helped him sneak in.
“Wait” I said forcing ken to stop abruptly, “I haven’t introduced you guys”
“He is peter Philips, nice to meet you sir” Ken said going for the handshake and peter shook it with enthusiasm.
“Thank you Ken, call me peter” he said.
“Okay, now that you two are introduced can we hit the road” I said taking his hand into mine.
That afternoon I led us to the park. We were chatting happily talking about life back in Westwood and in fort canon, fashion and politics. The billionaire’s war that was going on, ben against Thomas and everyone until we got to some clearance opposite the fort canon river. We both lay on the grass side by side, shoulder to shoulder. He turned around to look at me, only to find I was looking at him.
“I missed you so much” he said.
“Likewise here baby I missed you like crazy you touch, your scent that smile on your face right now”
He chuckled lightly and suddenly leaning over me. He was supporting his body weight with his elbows and knees. Staring down at me, I held my breath, my lips were parting as he got close. An electric impulse stunned me when his heart-shaped cherry lips met mine and his tongue dominated mine. I couldn’t help but kiss him back with my hands around his neck. He paused to look at me playing with my hair.
“You’ve grown more beautiful than the last time” He said.
“And you devilishly handsome” I said and kissed him again this time dominating him.
I paused to ask, “How is your family?”
“They are all fine” he said rolling over.
Maybe I shouldn’t have asked that. I knew how bad he felt his family not accepting me but that was the reality of our situation. It was upon us to dare to disobey and love.
“Can I say something I've been dying to say?” He asked supporting his head with his hands his gaze fixed on the cloudless skies.
“Please” I said lying on his chest, I wanted to hear the words from his heart”
“Okay...I love you much Anita and I would want to wake up and sleep by your side every single day of my life"
“You are going to make me cry” I said clapping for him.
“Can we play a game?”
It was games time. And our games were very unique. We both loved music and singing, poetry and novels. So if it was music we picked a lyric and the other would name a song or play song titles. I had our favorite female musician in mind.
“Sia, I want to be with you from dusk till dawn”
“Let’s turn this night into the greatest night of our lives”
“Can anything stop you from dancing with me under a chandelier of stars?”
“When it comes to loving you am unstoppable” He said and gave me a quick kiss.
“Don’t ever leave me, even big girls cry when their hearts are broken”
“I will never give you up for cheap thrills”
That one was good. I was not surprised, apart from his looks and wealth peter was also the smartest people in any room he entered.
“That’s good baby, your love makes me burn like helium”
I pinched him and quickly got up on my feet to run. He followed me at a slow pace, he was trying to make me feel like I was faster than him, treating me like a baby I was to him. He kept getting closer and letting me run.
“Rub superwoman you’re a bird set free” he said.
“Even superwoman needs superman sometimes” I said stopping to let him catch me.
He lightly speared me on the ground like they do in wrestling. We both collapsed on the green carpet grass and rolled until we rested on a tree, he grabbed me stopping my momentum.
“Are you okay?” I asked concerned.
“Am fine” he said confidently, “Have you ever gone on a double date?”
“Never, you have one in mind?”
“Yes” he said looking at me, “Scott and...”
“And Arya Richards? Am in when are we going for the date?”
“I didn’t expect you to be this happy, tomorrow night”
“Am in”
Thank you, let’s go get you to test on that dress” He said helping me back on my feet.
Next day...double date night
Arya and I had no idea the boys had agreed on getting us dressed uniform. We were girthed up in silky red slip on dresses with side slits above the knees. There was only one difference, she had a white purse, black pumps on her feet while I had a black purse, blue pumps on my feet. The boys had navy blue suits, white shirts, red bow ties. Rolex’s on their hands and black leather penny loafers on their feet.
It was a good thing Arya and I clicked right the moment we met. She was sweet. The boys ordered the food and drinks, we ate talking about how we met each other. It was hilarious how Scott and Arya met. They also laughed at us meeting on tinder.
“I have been meaning to ask you since we met” Arya said capturing our attention, “I have one more spot for bridesmaid”
“And I am lacking a best man” Scott said.
“Don’t ride on this baby, Anita would you do me the honors...”
“Of being you best maid? Yes!” I said happily, she got up to hug me as we giggled.
“Am In dude you don’t have to do that” Peter said pointing at us behaving like teenagers.
That’s how I got a spot in Scott and Arya’s wedding. But my biggest win was meeting Arya.
- Writer
