Chapter 15 Going On A Date
Rachael stood before the mirror, her fingers delicately gliding over her skin as she applied a touch of makeup.
She preferred it light–just enough to enhance her features without feeling caked under layers of products.
The soft glow of her vanity lights highlighted her natural beauty, but her mind wasn’t on her reflection; it was drifting somewhere far more dangerous.
She bit her lip, trying to focus on perfecting the wing of her eyeliner, but the memory of that heated encounter with Adrian in the car earlier that day played on a loop in her mind.
She blushed, the corner of her lips twitching
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
into a small smile. She could still feel the heat of his touch, the urgency in his kisses.
But underneath that brief thrill was an ache she couldn’t quite shake. How had she ended up here? Tangled in a mess of old wounds and new desires?
And then there was Victor. Oh, Victor. The very thought of him sent a shiver down her spine, and not the good kind. It was a cold reminder of the past she’d tried so desperately to bury.
She never thought she’d see him again- not until she was six feet under, at least. But fate, with its cruel sense of irony, had other plans.
He looked different now, more mature, more muscular. She could tell he’d been working out, his shoulders broader, his jawline
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
sharper.
But none of that mattered. His physical appearance meant nothing compared to the scars he’d left on her heart.
Rachael stared at her reflection, her expression hardening. “You think you can just walk back into my life and act like nothing happened?” she muttered, her voice low and bitter. “Like you didn’t tear me apart and leave me in pieces?”
She ran a hand through her hair, her fingers trembling slightly. The betrayal still felt fresh, even after all these years. He humiliated her, broke her in ways she never thought possible.
There was a time when she thought he was her forever. A foolish, naive fantasy of a girl in love. She had given him everything–her
2/16
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
heart, her trust, her body. And he had thrown it all away without a second thought.
“I hate you,” she whispered fiercely, gripping the edge of the vanity. The words tasted bitter, but they felt true. She hated him with every fiber of her being. For the lies, for the deceit, for making her believe in something that was never real. “You ruined me, Victor. And I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive you.“”
Her eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. Rachael straightened up, taking a deep breath.
Tonight wasn’t about him. It wasn’t about the past. It was about her–moving forward, reclaiming her life on her own terms. She wasn’t that broken girl anymore. She was stronger now, and she’d be damned if she let Victor or anyone else make her feel small again.
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
She took one last look at herself in the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of her dress. “Tonight is mine,” she said softly, but with determination. “And no ghost from my past is going to take that away from me.”
****
As Rachael applied the final dab of blush to her cheeks, she caught a fleeting glimpse of movement from the corner of her eye. Her heart warmed at the sight of a small face peeking around the doorframe, the playful curiosity radiating from her son, Jamal.
“Mummy” Jamal’s voice rang out with innocent inquiry, “who were you talking to?”
Rachael, her makeup brush hovering mid–air, turned toward him with a gentle smile, her eyes softening. She stretched her arms
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
out, an invitation for him to close the gap between them. “Come here, baby. Mummy wasn’t talking to anyone, okay?”
Jamal, his round eyes sparkling with mischief and curiosity, stepped into the room, his little feet padding softly on the carpet. His gaze shifted playfully as he asked, “Or were you soliloquizing, Mummy?”
Rachael’s eyebrows arched in surprise, her smile widening. She hadn’t expected such a sophisticated term from her young son. “Wow! That’s a big word, Jamal. Do you know what it means?”
Jamal’s face lit up with pride, his small chest puffing out slightly as he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Mummy. It means talking to yourself, like when you’re alone and thinking out loud.”
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
Rachael’s admiration for her son’s intellect grew. She moved closer and ruffled his tousled hair affectionately. “That’s right! You’re absolutely correct.” Her voice was warm, a mix of pride and love. “I guess I was just thinking out loud. Sometimes Mummy needs to do that to feel better.”
Jamal’s gaze held a tinge of concern, his eyes reflecting the innocence and depth of his feelings for his mother. “Are you feeling better now, Mummy?”
Rachael knelt down to his level, her heart swelling with a profound sense of love and gratitude. She gently cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing softly against his cheeks. “Yes, sweetheart. Much better. Thanks to you. You always know how to make Mummy smile.”
A radiant smile spread across Jamal’s face
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
as he reached out, his tiny hand slipping into hers. “That’s good! Can we play now, Mummy?”
Rachael’s heart swelled at her son’s excitement, but she couldn’t help the pang of mixed emotions that accompanied his innocent words. She leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Jamal’s forehead as she spoke.
“Well, we won’t play for long, my love, she said, her voice soft yet firm.
Jamal’s eyes widened with a mixture of curiosity and disappointment. “Awww, why, Mummy?”
Rachael sighed, a hint of hesitation in her voice as she began to explain. “As you can see, Mummy is going out on a date tonight.”
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
She gave a tired but practiced flip of her hair, a gesture she often used to signal her readiness to move on, even if her heart wasn’t always in it. Her eyes caught Jamal’s, searching for the right words to soften the impact of her next statement.
Jamal’s face lit up with a wide grin. “Yay! I know you’re going out with Uncle Damian. I like Uncle Damian, Mummy. He treats you well. I want him to be my daddy”
The innocent declaration took Rachael by surprise, leaving her momentarily speechless. Her heart ached at the simplicity of Jamal’s wish, his desire for stability and love reflected in his words. She knelt in front of him, her hands gently resting on his small shoulders.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said, her voice tender as she fought to keep her emotions in chaal.
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
“Uncle Damian is a very nice man, and he’s been a good friend to Mummy. But it’s important for you to know that things are complicated.”
She brushed a stray lock of hair from Jamal’s face, her fingers lingering for a moment, as if hoping to convey more than words could. “Sometimes, grown–ups have to make difficult decisions. I’m glad you like Uncle Damian, and it means a lot to Mummy that you’re happy when he’s around.”
Jamal’s eyes, still bright with hope and trust, gazed up at her. “But why can’t Uncle Damian be my daddy, Mummy? He’s nice and always smiles at us.”
Rachael took a deep breath, trying to find the right balance between honesty and reassurance. “Well, Jamal, being a family is about more than just liking someone
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
It’s about understanding and making sure everyone is ready for the changes that come with it.”
She paused, choosing her words carefully to make sure they were age–appropriate but still truthful.
“You see, Mummy and Uncle Damian have been spending time together, and he’s been very kind and supportive. But being a family means making a lot of important decisions together, and that’s something we need to think about very carefully.”
Jamal’s brow furrowed slightly as he absorbed her words. “So, we’re not a family with Uncle Damian yet?”
Rachael shook her head gently, trying to smile through the complexity of her feelings.
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
“Not yet, sweetheart. Right now, we’re just enjoying our time together, and we’re taking things one step at a time. It’s important for Mummy to make sure that everything is right before we think about anything more.”
Jamal’s gaze softened, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Okay, Mummy. I just want you to be happy.”
Rachael’s heart swelled with love and gratitude for her son’s understanding. She hugged him tightly, feeling his small arms wrap around her in return. “Thank you, Jamal. Your happiness is so important to me too. And I promise we’ll always talk about things together.”
She pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes with a gentle smile. “Now, let’s finish getting ready for dinner and have some fun before Mummy goes out. What do you say?”
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+5 Points
2018
Jamal’s face brightened, his earlier concerns melting away. “Yes, let’s play! Can we start with the puzzle?”
Rachael nodded enthusiastically, her spirits lifted by Jamal’s excitement. “Absolutely! Let’s get started.”
***
It didn’t take long for Jamal to fall asleep. Rachael made sure he was well–fed before tucking him in for the night, her care evident in every gentle touch and soothing word.
She prepared a comforting meal for him, ensuring he had his favorite dishes, and watched as he ate with a sleepy, satisfied smile.
Once Jamal was ready for bed. Rachael
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
called in the housemaid, Mrs. Thompson, to ensure that everything was in place for the night.
She gave Mrs. Eve clear instructions on Jamal’s routine and made sure he was comfortably settled before she turned to leave.
“Please keep an eye on him and make sure he has everything he needs, Rachael said, her voice filled with appreciation. “He should sleep soundly, but if he wakes up or needs anything, just give me a call.”
Mrs. Eve nodded with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Madam I’ll take good care of him.”
Rachael gave Jamal one last loving glance, her heart heavy with the bittersweet feeling of leaving him behind for the evening. She
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
quietly slipped out of the house, the quiet night air cool against her skin.
To her surprise, she didn’t need to drive herself. Damian had arranged for a driver to pick her up, and the luxury of the vehicle waiting outside was unmistakable. A sleek, black Lamborghini, its polished surface gleaming under the streetlights, was parked by the curb.
As Rachael approached, the driver stepped out with a polite nod and opened the door for her. She slid into the plush interior, the seats enveloping her in comfort.
Rachael stepped out of the Lamborghini, her heels clicking on the polished marble of the restaurant’s entrance.
Damian, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated his refined demeanor,
Chapter 15 Going On A Date
+ 5 Points
rose from his seat with an effortless grace.
His eyes lit up as he saw Rachael approach, and a warm smile spread across his face. He met her halfway, took her hand, and pressed a gentle kiss to her fingers, his touch sending a pleasant shiver up her spine.
“Mademoiselle,” he said with a playful glint in his eye, “you look stunning tonight.”
Rachael couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and melodious. She playfully tapped him on the chest with her free hand. “When did you start acting all fancy and speaking French?” she teased, her eyes sparkling with
amusement.
Damian chuckled, his smile widening. “Ah, you caught me. Just trying to impress you.”
