sure that Ryan used his “no bullshit” tone with Kyle’s boss.
I wished there was someone I could call to keep Lauren’s lips off of Ryan; someone to order her to stay away from him. I would have loved to
use my authority to issue a “cease and desist” order on her.
I tried to constantly remind myself that Ryan was making a movie, that his kissing Lauren was no different from him kissing Suzanne.
Sometimes I tried to swap out Lauren’s head with Suzanne’s just to keep my jealousy at bay, but since I had never met Lauren, it was difficult. I
didn’t know her and therefore I didn’t trust her.
Ryan constantly assured me that he loved me, but I couldn’t help to think of my failed engagement and all the times Thomas “assured” me when
he covered his infidelities. Some experiences were difficult to shake.
It didn’t help that Ryan’s demeanor towards me had been different these last few days. He was nervous and weirdly excited that I was coming to
Miami. Flight times, arrival times, departure times, all carefully orchestrated.
My friends were behaving differently as well… smiling at me awkwardly all the time, like they knew something I didn’t. It sort of reminded me of
the ambiguous looks they used to give me when they thought I was too stupid to realize Thomas was cheating on me.
The day finally arrived that I departed for Florida. This time I was going to make it there safely; Ryan was making sure of that. He hired a driver
to get me to the airport and Jamaal, my new bodyguard – who was the size of an NFL linebacker - accompanied me the entire way. I felt better
knowing that Ryan wanted me to arrive unscathed, especially since Angelica was still on the loose.
“I thought Florida is supposed to be sunny and warm?” I said to my driver, trying to break the silence. I glowered at the dismal gray skies that
darkened the afternoon. The heavy rain was making trails down my window, obscuring my view of the landscape.
“It is, madam,” my driver stated with a thick Jamaican accent. “But not today!” He laughed.
“I feel like I should ask for a refund! All this false advertising!” I laughed at my own joke, sensing that he either didn’t hear me or he didn’t
understand.
Downtown Miami was still teeming with life despite the dubious weather. I tried to pay attention to where we were driving while my fingers
tapped along with the rhythmic sound of the windshield wipers.
I noticed the marquee on the Regency Hotel as we slowed. It was a relief to know that I finally made it and only a few more minutes separated
me from being reunited with my love.
I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around him and put an end to all my worries.
The steel garage door sealed tightly behind my car, shutting out the prying eyes and photographers that surrounded the hotel.
It was difficult not to feel like royalty when I had a hulking bodyguard holding out his hand for me to exit the limousine, my driver was handling my
luggage, and hotel security was waiting for my arrival at the private entrance.
Butterflies coated my stomach while I slid the keycard into the lock of Ryan’s private suite.
“You can just leave my bags here,” I pointed to the floor in the entryway.
“That’s okay ma’am, I’ll take them to the bedroom for you,” the bellboy nervously insisted.
“I can get them,” I said. I wanted the bellboy out as soon as possible so that the second I saw Ryan it would be a private, intimate moment. I had
been thinking about this reunion for days. I even strategically picked out my outfit – a simple cotton top and his favorite jeans. I was not about to
waste a second of our time messing with layers of clothes as we got re-acclimated. Besides, I didn’t know if Ryan was lying and waiting naked in
the bedroom. At least I hoped he was.
“No! Um, I have to take them!” The young man was adamant, almost shouting out at me. Before I had a chance to say no again, he quickly
carried my bags off to the bedroom.
“Here you go,” I said with a smile, tipping the bellboy ten dollars. He quickly snatched the money from my fingers and sprang for the door, not
even making eye contact. I thought it was rude that he didn’t even say ‘Thank You.’
Ryan’s suite was magnificent, of course! Private bedroom, enormous living room, and a large dining table with a lush fresh flower centerpiece
made the room feel like an apartment.
“Ryan?” I called out, wondering why he didn’t meet me at the door. I hurried to the master bedroom and opened the double doors. “Are you
here?” I wandered around all the rooms but he wasn’t in the suite.
Where is he? We had agreed to meet here. I looked at my watch. I had expected him to be waiting for me, figuring he’d scoop me up in his
arms and carry me off to the bedroom the moment we saw each other.
I tried his cell number, anxious to let him know I had arrived. My smile turned to a frown when his voicemail answered instead.
I took my thin jacket off, struggling a bit to get the cuff over my cast, and laid it over the back of the silk-clad chair.
Shimmery hues of black, blue, and cream-colored fabric caught my attention. Next to the polished mahogany dining table stood a long metal
clothing rack on wheels.
I hesitantly approached, admiring the exquisite evening gowns that hung on padded hangers. I let my fingers feel the silkiness of the different
fabrics. One striking dress stood out over the rest – the bustier top was made of buttery soft ivory leather, crisscrossing at the waist. Curiosity made
me look. Atelier Versace, I read the garment tag. I felt like I was committing a crime just by touching the dresses.
Stacked up on the floor were dozens of shoeboxes - Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, you name it. Every high-end shoe designer was
represented.
Why does Ryan have women’s clothing on display? Must be nice to be an actress – look at all the perks that come along with it. Wait, am I in
Ryan’s room or Lauren’s room?
I turned around in confusion then hurried off to the bedroom again, noticing Ryan’s suitcases and his Gibson guitar. I double-checked the
luggage tags and sighed with relief after reading “Shell-B Enterprises.” Okay, I’m in the right room.
I reached for my suitcase and noticed there was an envelope lying next to it on the bed. Hmm, that’s weird. Did the bellboy leave a bill for
something? I opened the envelope and removed the folded paper. Ah! Ryan did leave a note! My eyes focused on the handwriting... but it wasn’t
Ryan’s.
Are you serious? No, this can’t be happening! My brain tried to rationalize what I just read. No, he wouldn’t do this to me. Not today. Not on my
birthday.
I looked at the note again, trying to read it as it shook in my hand.
There was my name…
I felt the weight of the entire world as it collapsed in on me, shattering every bone in my body. My heart was instantly torn to shreds and smashed
into dust.
… There was her signature, clearly encouraging my boyfriend to leave me. The rumors, the lies, the photographs – could they all be true?
… The words jumped off the page like a sharp dagger into my heart.
“No. Damn It! NO!” I cried out. “No! He loves me! Me, not her!”
Did he really fly me down here to break up with me or wasn’t I supposed to see this little remnant of his infidelity?
How could he do this to me? Would he really be that coldhearted, leaving this behind for me to read?
Why not? After all, Thomas did it to me.
No, Ryan is not like that. He is a good person… who is cheating on me.
I started to hyperventilate. A million pictures flashed through my mind... Ryan kissing my hand, his smile that made my heart flutter, hearing his
voice say he loves me a thousand times.