Disillusioned Love

by Amy Lee Peine

  “Oh hush!” Lexi scolded. “You’re going to look amazing. Like you always do, only better.” She winked. “He won’t be able to resist.”

  It wasn’t that Riana never wore dresses, she just had an inkling the kind of dress her two lovely best friends would pick for her would be drastically different than what she might choose for herself. As Sam reappeared she shook her head as she took in the very short, slinky black dress with lace cap sleeves. “Are you serious?” Riana laughed. “No way.”

  “Yes!” Samantha exclaimed. “You’re going to look amazing in this. I mean, really, have you seen yourself?”

  Francisco stood in front of Riana with his hand on his hip and nodded thoughtfully. “Mm, yes, that will do marvelously.” He agreed. Riana groaned and snatched the dress from Sam.

  “Fine.” Riana huffed. She got up from Francisco’s chair and proceeded back to the private massage room to change. Francisco hollered for Lexi and Sam to keep Ri from any mirrors. They went into the room with Riana and assisted her as she stepped into dress.

  Lexi and Sam then presented Riana with the shoes they expected her to wear. Stilettos. Riana groaned loudly and rolled her eyes. Though she figured at least with how vertically challenged she was, the dress wasn’t right under her butt cheeks as it was designed to be. And perhaps the stilettos would make kissing Alex easier. She quickly chastised herself for the presumption he would kiss her that night. Though she couldn’t stop the excited smile that passed over her face at the thought.

  Riana shimmied around a bit and attempted to get used to the feel of the dress then looked to Lexi and Sam. “Alright ladies, how do I look?” She asked as she bit her lower lip.

  “Abso-freaking-lutely smoking hot!” Lexi proclaimed. Sam giddily agreed. “Let’s get you back out there so Francisco can see, and so you can finally look in a mirror.” Lexi urgently ushered Riana back out to the main area of the salon.

  As Francisco turned to face Riana he gave a quick gasp and covered his heart with his hand. “Girl, for real. Damn.” He gushed as he motioned Riana over to him. “You must see yourself now.” He gently guided Ri to turn and face the mirror. For a moment, Riana didn’t recognize the stunning woman before her.

  Riana’s hair was brilliantly teased into beach waves, with the sides pinned back just a bit to present the face Francisco transformed from ordinary to unearthly exquisite. Her smoky eyes were rivaled only by her pouty red lips. The dress Sam and Lexi picked out accentuated her curves perfectly. Riana did a slight turn as she checked everything out. Whew. She figured if she was going to do something huge like this, she may as well look damn good as she did it. She turned and grinned at Lexi and Sam, then turned and hugged Francisco as she whispered a heartfelt thank you.

  Lexi and Sam changed into their own dresses, a bit toned down from Riana’s because they wanted to keep the attention on her, but fantastic nonetheless. Sam was in her typical atypical style; a black and white polka dot vintage look with a red patent leather belt, red heels and thick black framed glasses. Lexi had her curly hair tossed up in a messy yet classic French twist and had slipped into a chic white A-line dress with strappy flats. Riana sighed in envy and wished she had flats. Riana wasn’t a stranger to stilettos, however, and knew she’d adjust quickly.

  Riana glanced up at the clock, 7:02pm. She considered the traffic downtown and knew they’d have to leave quickly in order to make it to Fifth in time. “Alright ladies, let’s do this.” Riana declared. She was ready. Ready to tell the man she was in love with that... well, that she was in love with him.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Ain’t No Other Man

  Derek and Matthew arrived at 230 Fifth around six to meet guests who came early and to make sure everything came together as planned. “Alright, seems the ladies are on their way.” Derek called with a smile from where he chatted with the DJ.

  “Ri didn’t bail last minute, did she?” Matt asked as he waited for the manager to come back so they could go over the custom menu one last time. Derek confirmed she didn’t, and that she was happy to have decided to come.

  Matthew felt an insistent vibration in his pocket and he quickly pulled his phone out. “Now why didn’t your girlfriend call you?” Matthew mused to himself as he slid his finger across the screen to answer. “Lexi, love, what’s going on?”

  “Well, Matthew, dear, Derek didn’t answer his phone and the maitre’d won’t let us into the private room.” She quickly explained. “Would you mind either sending my lovely boyfriend out here or coming out to let this fine gentleman know we are indeed guests to such a lavish private party.” She teased.

  “I’ll be right there.” Matt slid his phone back into his pocket and went out front. He spotted Lexi right away, she looked ravishing. His eyes then caught Samantha in her quirky off-beat style. Finally, he saw Riana. She had her back to him at first, but as she turned he was rendered speechless. His mind quickly reminded him he was married and also reminded him of the fact he was pretty sure Alexander was hopelessly in love with the woman.

  “You ladies look...amazing.” He gushed as he approached. He leaned into the maitre’d and assured him they were VIP guests to the party. He apologized quickly and Matt patted him on the back to calm his anxiety about having denied them access.

  Lexi hurried to Matthew and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and a tight squeeze. “You look dashing as well, Matt.” Matthew was simply mesmerizing without much effort. Black slacks, and a pinstripe button down shirt was all he needed to appear perfectly put together. Riana smiled shyly at him. “Riana.” He murmured softly as he approached her. She blushed as Matt wrapped her up in a tight embrace. “I’m so happy you came, and that you’re doing better… and you look…” He pulled back and shook his head as he gazed at her again.

  “It’s too much isn’t it?” She assumed quickly as she fought to pull her dress down to a more modest length.

  “No!” Matt corrected. “You look...absolutely enchanting.” Riana released a breath. “Come on, I’ll show you to our room.” He wrapped one arm around Sam and the other around Riana as they proceeded to the back of the restaurant. “Hey D!” He hollered. “Look who I found!”

  Derek turned from the DJ and grinned brightly as he took in the beauty of their best friends and his girlfriend. He reached for Lexi’s hand, pulled her to him and then met her in a heavy kiss. “You.” He kissed her. “Are.” He kissed her again. “Gorgeous.” One last time for good measure. “Sam! Looking classic.” He beamed. He then rested his eyes on Riana. His smile softened. “Oh, Ri. You look stunning.” He released Lexi’s hand and embraced Riana. “How are you doing?” He asked quietly. While Alex was the one who struggled the most with what happened to Riana and how isolated she’d been, all the guys had been concerned.

  “Much better, D, thank you.” She answered as she hugged him. Matthew and Derek ushered their VIPs around and introduced them to a few friends and cousins who had arrived already. They went through the rough game plan of Alex’s surprise party; Frankie would bring him in for dinner at eight, where they’d all greet him at the main entrance of the private room. It would then essentially be game on; plenty of free flowing food and drinks, dancing and moonlighting. “That leaves us with how much time?” Ri implored nervously.

  “Twenty minutes.” Matt replied as he watched more people come in. First family, Matt’s parents, Derek and Alex’s parents, Rebecca, then Tabitha and Spencer. A quick rush of friends followed. Some well-known, others were private friends who weren’t in the celebrity spotlight. Riana continually pulled at her vertical labret ring. Matt could tell the anxiety of meeting everyone was getting to her. Lexi tried to comfort her, which was logical, being as she was Derek’s main squeeze she had met his family and a fair number of their friends.

  “Good lord Riana, you look hot!” Rebecca exclaimed as she ran to Riana. Riana laughed as she hugged her, happy to see another face she knew. Riana and Rebecca chatted about school as they awaited Alex. Spencer was also quick
to find Riana. As he wrapped his little arms around her leg Sam could literally feel Riana’s nerves relax.

  “Hey buddy!” Riana grinned as she looked down at Spencer latched to her leg. “Hi Tabitha.” She greeted as Tabitha came up behind Spencer. Tabitha smiled warmly at Riana as she took Matt’s hand.

  “Alright ladies and gentlemen!” The DJ called. “The man of the evening has arrived. He’s down in the lobby, I figure we have two minutes!”

  Oh hell here we go. Riana thought as every ounce of her soul panicked. She hid herself in the back of the crowd. She didn’t want to be the first person he saw. Everyone anxiously turned to the door and as it swung open there was an overwhelming cry of, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!” Riana laughed as Alex dramatically grabbed his heart and pretended to be surprised. His smile was grand and bright, his laughter genuine and contagious.

  Alex made it through the crowd and made sure every person knew how happy he was they were there. Then, as the handful of people in front of Riana parted, he saw her. His eyes met hers and the world quickly melted away. There was no one else in the moment but Alex and Riana. Riana could hear her heart in her ears, her tongue felt like it had swollen up and taken over her whole mouth, and the heat of the room had to have at least doubled as she took him in. Alex's hair had grown out some, and his button down shirt was undone slightly underneath his leather jacket. She sighed as she determined that Alex pulled leather off like no one else in the world. She grasped her vertical labret with her teeth and waited for him.

  Alex couldn’t believe she was there. She was absolutely enticing. There were no words Alex could find to describe the radiance she put out. He found her unnaturally blue eyes first, then her dark crimson lips, accentuated by her small silver barbell. Her hair was messy, like she had just spent the day at the beach. And her dress… Alex swallowed hard as he tried to mentally burn the image into his memory. His eyes traveled along her body and he became mesmerized by how her curvy legs were displayed. He quickly scolded himself to keep his dirty thoughts repressed.

  Alex felt like it took forever to reach Riana. In her heels she was a good four inches taller but still melded perfectly into him. It was intense for Riana, almost too intense. She wasn’t sure if she could go through with the plan. As she fell into his embrace, and found comfort in the feel and scent of him she knew she had to. Just not yet.

  “Ri.” Alex breathed. He squeezed her tightly, maybe too tightly. Alex’s hands instinctively ran along her back and rested at her hips. Riana reached her arms around Alex’s neck and twisted her fingers into his hair. “Oh my God, Ri.” He mumbled by her ear. “I’ve missed you.” The vibration of his voice weakened Riana’s knees.

  Riana turned her face into his neck as she murmured, “I’ve missed you more.” Alex couldn’t bring himself to release her yet, and Riana wished they were alone. Alex knew he didn’t need anyone or anything else that night except for her. He was also mildly aware of the hushed questions among his guests, yet he didn’t care. He didn’t worry about who was saying what, if they wondered who she was, or if they wondered what her relationship to Alex was. All he cared about was having her remain in his arms for as long as possible.

  Riana knew she wouldn’t be able to tell him what she had to tell him in front of everyone. Lexi approached, and with one small sentence from her lips, Alex was ripped from Riana’s embrace. “I provide pretty good birthday presents, huh Alex?” Lexi teased. Alex reluctantly let go of Riana but instantly grabbed her hand as he turned to face Lexi. Riana sighed, thankful she could still touch him.

  Alex looked over at Riana as he replied, “The best.” Riana blushed under his gaze. Lexi smiled at Riana and gave her goofy eyes full of excitement and expectation. Without a word Riana widened her eyes to tell her no, she hadn’t told him yet. Alex, Lexi and Derek chatted for a moment as Riana tried to regain her composure.

  “Ri, let me introduce you to some friends.” Alex urged excitedly as he started to pull Riana through the crowd. She pulled back on him. She knew it was now or never.

  “Actually, Alex…” She looked around nervously. “Could we step outside for a moment? It’s kind of hot in here.” Alex nodded and placed his hand on the small of Riana’s back as he ushered her out to the top floor balcony. “Wow, it’s beautiful!” Riana gasped as she took in downtown New York City from the 52nd floor. Alex rested his head on her shoulder and hummed in agreement. His hands rested protectively on her hips.

  Riana turned to him as she placed her back along the glass railing. “Alex,” she started as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “A lot has happened recently.” She paused and he patiently waited for her to continue as he read her expression and deduced she had a lot to say. “I didn’t do so well for a while. Ryan...had terrified me...and it brought up a lot of stuff.” Alex’s eyes darkened quickly as Riana confessed she had been scared. She rubbed his lower back to ease him. “I had to understand my past, what happened, where I was going. I was in a lot of pain.” Alex’s eyes softened as he tightened his grip on her. “But… I wasn’t in pain because of him, Alex. I was… I just… I wanted you there so badly.” Alex started to speak but Riana hushed him. “I wasn’t ready to ask you to be there. I’m...I’m ready now, Alex. I want you....with me.” She swallowed hard. “I love you.” She looked up and finally met his eyes. “I’m in love with you.” She confessed softly. “And I know you’re my best friend so I understand if that’s weird...or whatever, but I...I just had to tell you--”

  Alex didn’t interrupt her with words, but he hastily pulled her to him as he crushed his lips against hers. It was a desperate, soulful kiss that brought everything to a screaming crescendo. Riana pulled her hands from his waist and tangled them in his hair at the back of his head. She whimpered against his lips as every emotion she had tried to deny broke through. Alex pulled away, just enough to speak against her lips, “I’m so in love with you, Ri.” Tears rushed down Riana’s cheeks as his lips embraced hers again.

  As Lexi watched Riana and Alex head out to the balcony she hoped this would be the moment Riana would tell him. She grabbed Derek’s hand and quickly pulled him over to Sam and Matthew. “Listen, okay, I know it’s wrong to spy, but something huge is about to happen.” Matt and Derek looked at her like she’d grown a second head but Sam’s eyes grew excited.

  “Now?” She asked. “Where are they?” Lexi headed over to table by the window and drug Derek behind.

  “They’re outside. Now if we just hang--”

  “Who’s outside?” Matthew interrupted. Lexi groaned loudly. Sometimes, Matthew was frustratingly oblivious.

  “Riana and Alex. Now, if we just hang out here all nonchalantly we could probably see how this plays out. Though, of course, I know it’s going to play out wonderfully.” Lexi tittered.

  “Lex, what do you know that we don’t?” Derek probed. Lexi smiled at him innocently then turned and looked out the window. Riana faced Alex with her hands around his waist. She was talking, which was good. The way Alex looked at her, Lexi couldn’t understand how Riana couldn’t see it. The whole group intently took in the scene. Riana continued to talk and then, mid-sentence, Alex pulled her into a quick, intense kiss.

  “YES!” Sam and Lexi squealed happily. “Good job Ri.” Lexi beamed.

  “You knew she loved him.” Derek concluded simply as he pulled Lexi to his side. She nodded.

  “I also knew that he loved her. It took a while for Riana to admit it and gain the courage to tell him, but I twisted her arm.” She laughed.

  Derek kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you did.” He murmured. “He’s absolutely ecstatic. Thank you, Lex.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Inside Your Heaven

  Alex soared. Riana loved him. She was in love with him. Finally, everything they had gone through became worth it. Riana was finally in Alex’s arms, where she belonged, and he didn’t have to deny how he felt anymore. He couldn’t stop kissing her; small, short, sweet kisses, and long, deep, intense kisses. E
very inch of his body reacted to her touch and he desperately wished they weren’t at the party. He knew eventually they’d have to go back in and mingle. Until the decision was made, they devoured each other. Riana pressed herself into Alex, each of them attempted to get closer to the other.

  Alex’s hands traveled off her hips, to just under her butt, and grasped hungrily. Riana moaned against him then tossed her head back with her eyes closed. Alex kissed along her neck as she sighed. “I love you.” She whispered again.

  Alex released her slowly, brought his hands up and cupped her face. “Ri,” he started cautiously. “Are we together now?” Riana nodded as tears welled up in her eyes and a smile spread across her lips. Alex brushed two large tears from her cheeks then kissed her softly. “Well, then I think we should make the rounds and make sure everyone knows it.” He grinned proudly. His heart swelled to the point of bursting and he couldn’t wait to share it with the world.

  “I’d rather just stay out here and kiss you.” Riana teased as she reached her lips to the side of his neck.

  Alex groaned and bit his lip. “Ri… You’re not making this easy.” Her idea did sound much better than his, but he knew they had to go back in.

  “It’s not supposed to be.” She purred as she continued to kiss his neck. Alex laughed deeply as he pulled away from her tender lips. Riana gave him a pout but accepted his hand and followed him back into the party.

  Lexi was the first one to meet them. Alex slung an arm over Lexi’s shoulder but kept his other hand still firmly locked in Riana’s. “Best. Birthday. Ever.” He proclaimed. He kissed Lexi’s cheek then pulled back. “Lexi, I’d like you to meet the lady of my life, my girlfriend, Riana.” Lexi couldn’t contain the squeal that escaped her as she danced around Alex and wrapped Riana in her arms.