C3 Three

Raymond congratulated himself for thinking so fast. He was taking a chance by forcing Alexis to spend the day with him but he had to make her see him somehow. This date was the perfect opportunity he needed. She was a New Yorker but she'd been away for two years and a few things had changed. His first destination was his favorite place. An orphanage he liked to visit whenever he had a chance and spend time with the kids there. He was always grateful that his mother had left him a letter telling him who his father was or he would have ended up there himself.

His parents had been high school sweethearts and they would have ended up married had it not been for his grandfather who had threatened her to leave. Not even once did he grieve for that man when he died. Sylvester Lachlan was the worst human being he'd ever known. Even after conducting a DNA test behind his father's back, he'd still not believed Ray was his grandson. To this day he wondered how his father grew up with such an evil man. It must've not been easy. No wonder he'd chosen to be a police officer rather than follow in his father's footsteps. "Ray, Ray, Ray" the children's voices brought him back to the present.

"Hey guys. Miss me?" he asked them waiting for Alexis to get down first before he could. She'd taken off her helmet and she looked confused. Prettily confused. "I brought a real life Princess with me. Say hi to her kids" some moved to shake her hands, other looked at her in awe while the rest were scared to touch her. And he understood their hesitation because after all, he'd told them she was a real Princess. He got off the bike just as the director approached them. She was a short plump woman who gave off maternal vibes the second she smiled. Her smile was always warm reminding Ray of his mother. "Hi Mary" he greeted flashing her his killer smile.

"Ray. I see you brought a guest with you" she said her gaze on Alexis. The kids had made a circle around them leaving them in the middle. Katia who was ten spoke up first.

"She's a Princess"

"Is she now?" Mary asked amused. Ray was sure the woman knew who Alexis was but was waiting for him to introduce her. Why? He didn't know. Nonetheless he turned towards Alexis

"Alexis meet Mary. The director of this nice place. Mary this is Alexandra Rutherford famously known as the Rutherford Princess"

"Hi" Alexis said stretching out her hand. Mary shook it studying her then turned her gaze to Ray with questioning eyes.

"She's pretty Raymond. Is she your girlfriend?" Ray's eyes widened and Mary laughed "I'm joking boy. You should have seen your face"

"That's not funny" he turned his face away scratching the back of his neck. It was so like Mary to put him on the spot like that. Clearing his throat he asked "Are they here yet?"

"What?"

"If you don't know then it means they haven't arrived yet."

"What did you do now?"

"Nothing" Ray shrugged turning to the kids. "Okay guys. Let's go. I have work for you to do" they groaned but followed him.

Two hours later they were all seated in the dining room drinking their midmorning tea. Ray had ordered new mattresses and blankets since he'd seen how worn out the kids slept on were. He had also taken a few minutes to calm Mary down because the woman was freaking out over how much money he'd spent. It was a lot but it was worth it. Then he'd put everyone to task even Alexis. At first Ray thought she would refuse to help and sit in a corner counting the minutes before they had to leave, but she'd surprised him by helping out. She looked like she was having fun judging by how hard she laughed. It warmed him from the inside out to know he was the reason she was so happy. Well indirectly of course. By lunch hour the kids were so hyped up that their disappointment was visible when they decided to leave. Ray had to promise them he would come back soon before they let them leave.

"So? What's the verdict?" he asked her as she was putting on her helmet

"I'm pleasantly surprised Ray."

"Good. But just out of curiosity, where did you think I was going to take you?"

"I don't know, a casino or a club. You don't strike as someone who does meaningful things like this"

"Ouch. I'm offended Princess."

"Don't care. Drive before I throw you off my bike" she said winding her hands around his waist and intertwining her fingers. He looked down at them and smiled to himself. She did that like it was the normal thing to do and he wanted to pat himself on the back. Soon Raymond. He promised himself. Soon she would see start seeing him differently.

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Alexis looked at the scenery they passed. She had to admit that Raymond had surprised her today. She thought he was the kind of guy who spent his days gallivanting around the city showing off how rich he was. It was what other rich kids did. But to some extent, he'd redeemed himself even though he'd forced her to spend the day with him. She still wanted to punch him but the urge wasn't so strong anymore. In fact she looked forward to seeing where he was taking them next. Maybe he'd do something stupid so she would have the reason to kick him to the curb. Honestly speaking this day would have been a million times better if he was someone else.

Connor Grey. Ever since she got back she had been dying to call him and tell him she was back but she wanted to surprise him. Face to face, just to see his reaction. She had met him in senior year, and they'd connected instantly. She liked him because he wasn't rich like the guys she went to school with. They acted all high and mighty like the world belonged to them alone. Not her Connor though. He was humble, kind and made her feel like a real Princess. His school had been playing against theirs and During half time she'd come across the boys in her school surrounding someone, threatening him. She'd told them to piss off since it wasn't fair that they were five against one but Connor had spoken from the middle saying he could defend himself. She hadn't believed him and neither had they, so they'd tried to punch him but Alexis had stepped in the middle, the blow landing on her.

Everyone had froze including Connor who had looked at her in horror. The other boys had tried to apologize but she'd told them to shut their mouths and accept a punch from her or it would be worse for them. To that day she still laughed at how they had obliged, each turning their faces so she could land her blows. "You're crazy. You know that?" Connor had asked her and she'd just shrugged. The way he'd taken care of her after, had melted her heart. But he'd told her he wanted to be her friend so for a year she had endured being his friend and acting like she didn't like him. Until prom night when he'd kissed her for the first time because according to him, he couldn't resist her anymore.

Too bad it wasn't her first kiss. Someone had already stolen that. But it didn't matter, he was going to be her first in every way. If Ray hadn't forced her to spend the day with him, she would have gone to look for Connor. Alexis rolled her eyes shaking her head. Ray was always ruining her plans. She was tempted to throw him off her bike while it was still moving. Maybe then he'd leave her alone. "We're here Princess."

"Here where?" she asked even though he'd stopped in front of a restaurant. She just wanted to go home so she could plan her surprise. She wondered what Connor was doing at that exact moment. Was he thinking of her? Missing her? Last they'd talked he'd told her he had found a part time job. He was studying to be a lawyer and of course when she had volunteered to pay for his tuition fee, he'd refused. It was so like him to turn down her help. She wondered if she should just tell Ray to eat alone so she could go see him even if it was from a far.

"Hey, the food's getting cold"

"What?"

"Food. Get off so I can too. I'm really hungry" Ray said trying to push her of the bike.

"Go eat alone. I have things to do"

"Oh no. That wasn't the deal Princess. The day isn't over yet"

"Come on Ray...."

"Don't even think about it. I'm not my dad who'll melt at your feet with just one look from those puppy eyes of yours. I mean it Alexis."

"Argh I hate you"

"I thought we already established that already beautiful."

Alexis stomped in to the restaurant sulking all the way. Now that she got to thinking how Connor would react when he saw her, she couldn't wait to see him. But this idiot wouldn't let her leave. At least not with her bike. He was the most annoying person she knew. She hadn't even realized where she was until a waiter ushered her to a window seat. The same seat she always sat at with Jim whenever they came in. She froze in front of the table at a loss for words. The chairs and table were still the same. As if they were reserved only for her.

"Ma'am are you okay?"

"Yes." she blinked and sat down. Ray was behind the waitress, watching her. If she didn't know him, she would say he took her there just to annoy her.

"We can leave if you want" Or not.

"No it's fine." she cleared her throat. "The usual please" the waitress scurried away, leaving them alone.

"Do I want to know what 'the usual' consists of?"

"A bucket of chicken, fries and a burger"

He whistled. "Your mother lets you eat that every time you come in?"

"Is that supposed to mean something Ray?" Alexis asked clenching her fists. She was seconds away from decking him.

"No. It's just a question jeez Princess. Calm down"

"Stop calling me that. I have a name"

"What's crawled up your ass now?" Alexis pounced ready to punch him but something made her stop. She turned and saw a couple kissing by the door. She should have ignored them but her eyes wouldn't look away. Why was she staring at them like an idiot? They broke apart and all color drained from her face. Connor. The guy kissing that girl was Connor. Her Connor. Without realizing it, she slumped back on the seat her eyes still on them. Connor raised his hand and brushed back the woman's hair, Just like he used to do with hers. Only Alexis couldn't believe that was him. Maybe it was someone else that looked like him. It had to be. Connor wouldn't do that to her. He wouldn't cheat on her.

"Hey are you okay? Alexis what's wrong?" Ray's voice penetrated her hazy mind but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the couple. Please don't let it be him. It's not him. My Connor wouldn't do that. Please don't be him. But then he smiled and Alexis knew without a doubt it was him. Still in shock she turned back to Ray.

"Keys"

"Alexis....."

"Give me back my keys Ray" she pierced him with a cold expression that had him handing over the keys. Having lost her appetite, she rushed out of the restaurant, with her head down. She couldn't believe Connor would cheat on her. He loved her. He'd told her he would wait for her. He'd promised her.

She got on her bike and drove without a destination in mind. She couldn't believe Connor would do that to her. They always spoke on the phone and even face timed when he wasn't busy with school. He hadn't said he'd met someone else. Not even once did he act weird when they talked. Why hadn't he said something? She drove aimlessly for an hour then decided to go home. The sky had turned grey matching how she felt. After the shock of seeing Connor with someone else wore off, anger replaced it. She didn't want to wander around the city especially when she was so angry. Tomorrow she was going to confront that bastard and demand answers.

"Oh great. The whole gang is here" she said under her breath when she arrived home. Big mouth Raymond had gone and called a committee to wait for her. As if she should expect anything less from him.

"Honey are you okay? We've been worried sick" her mother asked.

"Yeah. This is why I don't want you to drive that thing around. It's dangerous especially when it's dark outside" her father added

"I was worried so I came to see if you got home alright" Ray said stepping forward. Needing someone to unleash her anger on, she snapped at Ray.

"Stay the Fuck away from me and my business" then she turned on her parents. "I am not a kid anymore that you have to check up on me every second of the day mom. And dad, I bought this bike knowing very well that I could handle it. When I feel that it's endangering my life, I will let you do whatever you want with it. Until then, leave me alone. All of you!" she walked in to the house pushing Ray aside on purpose. She was sick and tired of everyone meddling in her life. She was a grown woman. The sooner they all realized that, the better.

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"That went well" JR said scratching his chin. Hayley just shook her head.

"I'm leaving. See you later guys"

"Thank you for making sure Alexis got home safe" Hayley told Ray who nodded then left.

Seeing the worry on her face, JR pulled his wife in for a hug. "Hey don't worry. She just had a bad day. She's entitled to that you know"

"I'm worried JR."

"Worried about what? Alexis is fine and she's right. She's not a child anymore which means we have to take a step back and let her be a grown up"

"I want to believe that. But deep down I know this is just the beginning. We should prepare ourselves."

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I second that girlfriend. What do you think? Is Hayley right? Should we prepare ourselves?