When The Light Falls - Book 3 by N. Y. (big screen ebook reader TXT) 📖

back, I stand in the middle.

 

No one wants fighting friends on a business vacation.

 

 

''Hey you guys, stop arguing. Okay, we're on vacation. So please don't ruin this for us.'' I said.

 

''Beats me, we're not the ones who ruined our chances of getting to go here last year.'' Rikki shot back.

 

 

My eyes open in shock, then my eyebrows furrow.

 

They both head to the free convention sample table, I frustradedly grab my name tag.

 

Jacob rubs my shoulder consoling my need for attention.

 

 

The mic squeaks, as we all look up to see Lauren on the small stage.

 

She's smiling as usual.

 

 

''Welcome all FARELLE magazine workers to the Annual Magazine Company Face Off's here in Brazil. I am very happy to anounce to being here this year and all of you too.'' she says.

 

 

Everyone cheers as Rikki and Marybella finally join me.

 

Mark stands behind Marybella as the crowd continues to roar.

 

 

''Thank you everyone, feel free to sign in if you haven't. And in 1 minute the rest of the day is yours.'' Lauren finally says.

 

Claps and hoots went around, everyone was excited to get this long day over with.

 

The afternoon sunset rose as we took the transportation bus ride back to the hotel.

 

 

Each sun ray setting on my skin, with every flawless touch warmed my heart. I was in a new country, far away from home.

 

I bit my bottom lip as my eyes continued to look out the window.

 

Jacob's head rests on my left shoulder, as he tries to get some sleep next to me.

 

I make a small turn to face him. Then back to the window.

 

 

 

When we got back to the hotel, I changed into my bikini top and high-waisted jean shorts. I planned to go to the pool today, once I got some free time.

 

 

I put on my light fabric cardigan. I packed my big purse with sunscreen and my glasses along with extra dry clothes.

 

 

Wearing minimal clothing is mandatory now that we've been here for 1 day.

 

It has been hot since we arrived and i'm glad for the weather here.

 

 

I open the bathroom door to see Jacob snoring into his pillow.

 

 

I grab my flip flops, then hung my towel over my shoulder.

 

I strut down the hall after closing the door. Turning the corner to run into Sara.

 

 

She bumps into me, falling with piles of papers. I lean down to help her.

 

She looks up shocked to see me.

 

 

''Oh, sorry I didn't see you.'' she says.

 

''It's okay.'' I said.

 

 

She gathers the rest of the papers then stands up.

 

She takes a look at me.

 

''All that hard work is putting me in a stress level stage. Actually getting back into the work field for FARELLE brings a lot of responsibilites to be able to qualify for. Snce I had experience.'' she says.

 

 

I give a small smile, attempting to move ahead.

 

Sara turns to face me.

 

''Nice running into you, it's different to see you in a bikini top. For once,'' she replied.

 

 

And before I could reply, she's already gone down the hall.

 

  

I shake my head from the last thought and head down to the cool refreshing pool. The sun sets on my skin, giving me an illuminating glow.

 

I scope out a free beach lawn chair.

 

 

As I pass by severeal, I felt the sprinkles of the water hit my skin from the pool nearby.

 

I finally sat down on an open chair beneath the solid concrete.

 

 

Children and adults talk as I watch them soar and swim through the water.

 

I slip off my flip flops then lay down, my head facing up below a palm tree.

 

 

The shade hits the spot making me shiver a little. It was werid to get into the comfort of my own skin while i'm on business vacation.

 

I relax putting my arms behind my back.

 

But then i'm interuppted.

 

 

''Hello.''

 

I recognized the voice. I flutter my eyes open seeing Marybella.

 

 

I sigh then sit up. She sits down in the empty chair next to me on my the right.

 

''Sorry for earlier, me and Rikki didn't mean to say what we did.'' she said.

 

 

Before I actually payed attention to what she was saying, i'm drawn to the reveal of cleavage she had.

 

She looked amazing.

 

 

She wore a white bikini top with matching bottoms. She also had on a sheer pink body cover.

 

Her hair was in a high ponytail, which was unusal.

 

 

Bella smiles through her hippy sunglasses, her face shaped like a heart. She homehow reminded me of my mom during the summer.

 

 

Rose cheeks, red full lips and a scarf over her head to mock the 60's head wear.

 

 

''Elle say something.'' she says.

 

''Yes?'' I said.

 

''Do you forgive us?'' she says.

 

''Yes.'' I said.

 

 

They hadn't even talked to me on the way back to the hotel.

 

I guess this was their way of apologizing.

 

 

''Good, because now that we have free time, you need to focus on Jacob.'' Marybella says, setting down her bag full of things.

 

She lays down trying to find comfort.

 

She sighs as she stares up at the palm tree.

 

 

''What do you mean, me and Jacob? We're fine.'' I replied

 

''No, I meant, this is the perfect time for you guys to make up. You know, since-'' she says lingering.

 

''Since I got out of jail. Ikay I see how it is.'' I said.

 

 

''Not that I mean that. I mean you guys have been in the lovey dovey romantic were back together phase for weeks now. What's up with you guys? You leave for a year and he doesn't even surprise you with a ring?'' she says.

 

Marybella sighs adjusting her sunglasses.

 

 

''Jacob will put a ring on me. It just hasn't happened yet. But why is it your business?'' I said turning to Marybella.

 

''Unlike you guys, me and Mark are fine. You however left your relationship on the tip of the iceberg for a year.'' she points to me.

 

''I was in jail.'' I tried to whisper.

 

''Well after being in jail, have you guys gone out?'' Marybella said turning on her left side.

 

 

She puts down her sunglasses to see me.

 

''Yeah one time...well....we went shopping and then we went to see a movie.'' I replied.

 

 

Marybella gives me an all knowing look.

 

It struck me how much time we haven't spent together since we first met.

 

I don't even know what we are now.

 

 

''Shopping, and a movie? That's nothing compared to marriage, me and Mark are practically engaged d to each other. One might even say that we're already married.''

 

''No you're not. You guys are still engaged and have a child. Don't call it that.'' I shot back.

 

''Yeah, but at least Mark proposed to me.'' she shot back.

 

 

I scoff in response. She didn't say another word.

 

It sort of scared me with her outburst, it hadn't came to mind.

 

 

The thought of Jacob proposing, scared me out of my skin.

 

My stomach might twist and turned in that moment for sure.

 

Maybe we weren't ready to be married, or meant to be.

 

 

Does he just wants to be my boyfriend, for the rest of his life?

 

 

Marybella speaks after the awkward silence.

 

 

''Sorry. I just worry about you a lot since you've been back. You're better than ever, but part of me realizes nothing has changed between you and Jacob.'' she says.

 

 

She reached over to hug me. I grow stiff for a moment, thinking.

 

Then I return the hug.

 

I know it wasn't her doing to upset me.

 

But me and Jacob need to continue our thoughts on being together.

 

 

Are we going to be boyfriend and girlfriend for more than 3 years? Are we going going to be engaged anytime soon?

 

Will we ever marry? Sooner or later.

 

 

Marybella releases me, heading to the pool. She lets her feet touch the water, before eventually standing and wating for the moment to jump in.

 

 

I walk up beside her, tempted to jump in by the sun blinding my skin.

 

It was cool and refreshing to see.

 

I turn to Bella.

 

 

''Are you going to jump in?'' I said teasing her.

 

''No,....but you might-'' she says suddenly pushing me.

 

 

I'm awakend by the feeling of cold water rushing and covering my skin.

 

I realized it was the pool.

 

I rise up to the surface, wiping the water from my eyes to see Marybella laughing.

 

  

''Why did you do that?'' I said suddenly so angry.

 

 

All she did was smile looking down at me.

 

''Revenge is sweet huh?'' she finally says.

 

 

Then I realized what she was talking about.

 

She was clever but not to clever for me.

 

 

''That's your revenge to me? Oh i'm so, gonna get you back.'' I said smiling.

 

 

I swim to the edge where she had pushed me. I climb up, aware of the water soaking my jeans.

 

I flip back my wet hair as I search to find Marybella in the crowd of people.

 

 

I fast walk back to my chair and dry myself with my towel.

 

Marybella was still on my mind.

 

I was gonna get her good when I see her again.

 

 

But i'm stopped at my thoughts when my stomach growls.

 

 

I grab my things from the chair and walk back towards the hotel.

 

 

I was hungry after the time spent earlier.

 

I needed to undress from my damp clothes and see if the hotel is serving food soon.

 

 

 

I quickly waddle back in my wet shorts making the skin between my thighs itch. My hair still wet swinging behind me.

 

 

I head to the elevator, then press the button to my floor waiting for the doors.

 

Before I go up,  Rikki comes in sight as she nears the elevator and waits for the doors to close.

 

 

We stood in silence going up as I shivered from the cold air on my bare exposed skin.

 

I was still cold and wet.

 

I pulled my towel over myself as I tried to find warmth.

 

 

''Marybella told me.'' Rikki finally says.

 

She smiles widely.

 

 

''It actually didn't even last really long. Devious Bella huh?'' I replied.

 

Rikki laughs in silence as I try to cover my exposed legs to the cold air.

 

The elevator dings again and I get off, with Rikki following me.

 

 

She stops me before I reach my room.

 

''Elle, can I say something?''

 

 

I turn to her from my direction.

 

''I want to say sorry for telling you, that you ruined our chances of going to Brazil last year. I'm just anxious to win this year. The notes from the conference with Ms. Parfum kind of scared me too, about what the photographers have to do.'' she said.

 

 

I didn't expect to hear so much just for an apology.

 

Rikki had it out.

 

 

''It's okay, I understand. The pressure was put on all of us when we went to the conference. The writers have it worse, but at least the photographers have better competition.'' I replied.

 

 

Rikki laughs as I give her a smile.

 

I hated to see her angry.

 

Ever since that time Marybella was in the hospital, i've never seen her this way.

 

 

She's changed so much and I need to have faith that she's still the same Rikki.

 

Only with a new attitude.

 

 

''Well thanks for that, I just hope we win this year.'' I say.

 

''Me too.'' she replied.

 

 

We smile at each other for a moment before she walks back to the elevator.

 

''I'll see you at dinner in thirty.'' she says.

 

 

''Only 30 minutes till dinner?'' iIreplied.

 

''Yep, you better get ready. Fast.'' she says before she leaves.

 

 

I scoff then close my room door. I'm quick to hurry in.

 

I hear the squish of water in my flip flops.

 

 

I rushed to the bedroom and slowly take off my damp clothing.

 

My towel and purse follow behind the rest of my discarded clothes as I hop into the shower.

 

 

The steam forms quickly as I choose between shampoo and conditioner.

 

I didn't have time to dry my hair for long. So I take the shampoo to clear out the chlorine from my hair.

 

 

I rinse throughly, as I watch the steam cloud the glass walls and doorway of the shower. The slightly hot water stings, but relaxes my tensed skin.

 

 

After, I wrap the towel around myself and began to blow dry my hair. I hear the door knob click, I turn to see Jacob with sleepy eyes enter in.

 

 

I must've forgotten to lock the door.

 

 

''Hey, why are you in a towel?'' he asks as he clears his voice.

 

''Getting ready for dinner, and you should too.'' I replied blowing hot air from the dryer.

 

 

I began to wrap my hair in a nearby towel as I enter the bedroom again.

 

I open my suitcase and search for something to wear.

 

 

Nothing too fancy or