A/N: Basically, to sum up, the characters you recognize on TV are not mine. The story's based on these characters though—modified by me. Needless to say, this is another one of those AU stories of mine. Hope you enjoy…
The Right Kind of Wrong
prologue
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Rachel held the necklace against the soft light coming in from the open window and marveled at the very expensive dangling heart-shaped pendant in all its splendor. She must have seen that necklace over a hundred times, but every time, she couldn't help but be amazed at how beautiful it looked. "Wow…" she gasped under her breath, watching the pendant's small diamond studs display a kaleidoscope of colorful lights around the room. "Grandmama, your necklace is so beautiful!"
Grandma Green leaned back in her antique rocking chair and smiled tenderly at her fifteen-year old granddaughter. "Well, Karen," she began, calling her granddaughter by her middle name—she always had. "It's yours…" She reached out to the teen and lovingly tucked a wisp of soft brown hair behind her ear. "I'm giving it to you."
"Really?" Rachel muttered excitedly as her eyes turned a shade darker than the pleasant blue skies outside.
"Really. Call it as an early sixteenth birthday present." Grandma Green nodded, chuckling lightly as her grandchild smothered her with hugs and kisses.
"Oh, thank you, Grandmama! Thank you!" Rachel sighed and sat back on the low ottoman to admire her newly acquired heirloom. "My sixteenth birthday isn't until next year, but wow…This is…this is really beautiful…"
Grandma Green smiled, watching the dance of excitement all over the teen's face. Rachel Karen had always been her favorite. All her grandchildren were wonderful, but her sweet Karen…she just reminded her so much of herself when she was younger. Of all her grandchildren, her Karen was the only one who still believed in magic, in fairytales, in happily-ever-afters, in true love. Untainted by the negative views of the world regarding such matters, that was what she loved most about her granddaughter and the one strong connection that had always drawn her to the teenager.
"Wow…" Rachel marveled again. "I can't believe this. Are you really giving this to me?"
"Of course!" Grandma Green laughed. "I think it's time to share the magic with you," she added with a wink.
Magic, indeed. Rachel smiled as she looked at the pendant in her palm, letting its cool, small stones tickle the skin of her hand. The pendant—or rather, the pendants—made her grandparents' love story, and she thought nothing could get more romantic, more magical, than that.
"You know, I did meet your grandfather when I was sixteen, and a year before that was when I got that necklace…" Grandma Green went on. She sighed softly, recalling fond memories of her late husband, of that late summer afternoon when their paths crossed, of that crisp cold autumn night when they separated only to be reunited again on a stormy winter afternoon many years down the road. Theirs was a story of a love found, lost, but then found again. The necklace might not have been the main catalyst of their story, as her granddaughter believed, but the necklace, together with its pendants, had always been the reminder to her that true love lasts forever.
Already familiar with the piece of jewelry, Rachel unclasped the pendant until they separated into two hearts, each with a smooth side that had served as the inside panel from when they were locked together. She rubbed one of the pendants with her thumb, running her fingernail over the engraved phrase saying, "True love lasts forever…" She smiled, more especially, when she read the name "Rachel" engraved in it. The engraving wasn't intended for her, of course. Rachel was her grandmother's middle name, the name that her grandfather had always fondly called her grandmother, and the very reason why she had always been a Karen to her grandparents. Still, now that the necklace was in her possession, she couldn't help but smile and feel that strong sense of ownership that the engraving added to her already favorite treasure.
"Your grandfather and I never got the chance to have his name engraved on the other heart…" Grandma Green held the other pendant, running a finger across its smooth face. "So I'm thinking, maybe you could have his name engraved on it instead." She gave her granddaughter an all-knowing, but slightly teasing smile.
Rachel rolled her eyes, smiling. "But Grandmama, I don't have a him yet."
"You don't?" The older Green arched a wrinkled brow. "I can't possibly believe that. You, my child, are a very beautiful young lady that I am most certain that many gentlemen are already competing for your affections …"
"Well…there are boys, all right." Rachel grinned somewhat bashfully. "But I want to have what you told me you and Grandpa had. You know…the love at first sight…the magic…the feeling…"
Grandma Green threw her head back as she laughed. "Rachel, Rachel, Rachel…" She muttered, shaking her head. "Child, every love story is different. There is no one way to fall in love, per se. Sometimes, it happens in a split second. Sometimes, it happens gradually over long periods of time. But never, ever the same way, I don't think…"
"I guess…" Rachel sighed. "But I still think that my love story would be more romantic if, you know, it happens more like yours and Grandpa," she admitted thoughtfully. "I mean, you lost your pendant, but of all people in the ship, he's the one who found it and returned it to you…but you broke up…because your parents didn't want you to be together." She knew the story so well that her grandmother just smiled as she listened.
"But then of course," Rachel continued. "To further prove that you're meant to be, you sold the other half of the pendant to an antique store in Maine before you moved to New York, but guess who found it again? Grandpa! I mean, after so many years you'd think that he wouldn't be the one to find it, but he was…"
"And he looked for me when he found that pendant and returned it to me, flying red balloons outside my window…I was holding a red balloon for my nephew who was with me at the time when we first met, you know…" Grandma Green added. "Then, of course, accidentally, it slipped from my grip and your grandfather caught it from the upper deck of the ship. And as they say, the rest is history."
Rachel released a dreamy sigh. "Aww…so romantic…I want that to happen to me…"
"You're one special girl, Rachel Karen." Grandma Green touched her granddaughter's cheek "I'm sure it will happen to you too…differently, of course…but just wait. It will come to you…maybe even when you least expect it…I know it happened to me…"
"Grandmama, do you think it's fate?"
Grandma Green shrugged. "I honestly don't know…"
"If it's fate, I really want that to happen to me…" Rachel smiled knowingly. "It's just more romantic, you know?" She sighed, standing up as her eyes lit up dreamily, entering a zone where her imagination ran wild and free. "I can already imagine it. I'm walking and then I lost my pendant and then he'll find it and keep it safe with him for years. Then, we'll meet on one day…accidentally, of course. Then, all I need to do is look into his eyes and I'll know that I've finally found the one…the love of my life. Who knows? Maybe I'll find him when I go to George's wedding this summer…"
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The setting sun cast a romantic blend of reddish pink across the virtually surreal horizon, making a very strong impression on Rachel as she watched her older cousin exchanged vows with his one true love. She thought it was the most romantic, fairytale-like wedding she had witnessed in all her fifteen years. Set in the lush backdrop of countryside Italy, the magical garden wedding was like a whimsical paradise on top of a hill. Combined with the most romantic music played by a truly superior acoustic ensemble, it was an enchanting place to be.
Hands clasped loosely on top of her lap, Rachel let out hopeful sigh and, without thinking, lifted her hand to the base of her throat to touch the special pendant hanging down the white gold chain. Years from now, she wanted to have her own wedding very much like this one. With all the money her parents have, she knew they could afford her the most lavish wedding she could dream of. She just really needed to come up with the most romantic way to meet her prince charming. She wanted it to be magical… special… extraordinary… with fireworks spectacular…
After another dreamy sigh, Rachel heard her younger sister, Amy, made a gagging noise. With a roll of her eyes, she glanced sideways at her annoying sister, who was at this point pulling all sorts of faces to mock her. "What?" Rachel's tone was hushed since they were in the middle of a ceremony, but still it was cutting.
"You're making that 'fairytales come true in real life' face again," Amy snootily pointed out.
"So?" Rachel arched an eyebrow.
"Rach, how many times do I have to tell you that fairytales don't come true?"
"I don't care…" Rachel rolled her eyes and opted to ignore her sister's comment. Amy had always been a nonbeliever in fairytales and happily-ever-after. She, on the other hand, wanted to believe that they could come true. She had this strong feeling that that one person who could make it happen for her was just waiting to meet her somewhere out there. For all she cared, he could be there in her cousin's party right that moment. She glanced around, carefully eyeing every single one of the well-dressed visitors. Then, she spotted him, standing oh so tall and handsome in the back.
Him was wearing a relaxed tan suit, making his golden hair appear even more golden. When he looked at her with those crystal blue eyes, Rachel thought her heart stopped beating. When he smiled with those pearly whites and adorable dimple in his left cheek, she thought she would melt. He couldn't be a whole lot older than her, Rachel thought. At most, he was probably a year or two older than her, making him a very suitable 'future' for Rachel to look forward to.
Rachel sighed dreamily. It was love at first sight. There was certainly no doubt about that.
With a confident smile stamped across her face, Rachel pulled out a compact mirror from her small handmade Italian leather purse that matched her long, deep blue Armani formal wear. After checking to make sure that her soft brown curls were framing her face in the most flattering way, and that her makeup was still fresh to highlight her best facial features, she slid out of her seat and into the back row to 'make a new friend.'
"Hi," Rachel greeted warmly and cheerfully when she approached him. Meeting cute boys had never been a problem for her. Although she's attending an all-girls exclusive high school, her rich socialite parents have taken her to and hosted more than enough social events for her develop her skills in meeting and holding conversations with the opposite sex. Besides, interpersonal skills had always been part of her training while growing up in Manhattan's upper class society. So really, talking to 'golden boy' should be a fairly easy task.
"Hi," 'golden boy' replied in an equally friendly tone. The smile he gave Rachel was so bedazzling that Rachel couldn't help but be bedazzled by him. It must have been over a minute before she found her words again. Even then, her usual articulate self could not utter a single comprehensible word. She was practically drooling.
"I'm Louis Bradford with a silent s," 'golden boy' introduced when Rachel remained inarticulate another minute later. He extended his hand to her and gave her another one of his megawatt smiles.
Rachel felt her cheeks flushed. She has never been this tongue-tied in her whole life before. She knew she was making a big fool out of herself, but she knew if she didn't speak he'd think even more so. "And…and I-I'm Rachel Green with a capital R…" she managed to respond in the same clever fashion that he introduced himself, taking his outstretched hand. She could swear that the electricity that flowed from his hand to hers was enough to kill her right there.
Louis laughed—the deep, masculine, and sexy kind that sent shivers down Rachel's spine. "You're funny," he told her, keeping his eyes glued to her and hers alone.
Rachel thought her heart would burst. They had only exchanged a few words, but she was already going gaga over him. Without even realizing what she was doing, she brought a nervous hand to the base of her throat and touched white gold heart-shaped pendant hanging from the simple chain around her neck. Could he be the one, the one whose name would be forever engraved in the other half of the pendant? She knew she wanted to leave her love story to the hands of fate, but then, this is fate. Meeting him is fate. Her heart definitely seemed to think so. She could already picture herself with him, living their happily-ever-after.
"Are you always this quiet right after you say 'hi' to someone?" Louis asked jokingly, bringing Rachel back to reality.
When Rachel snapped out of her dream world, she found herself blushing again. She couldn't believe how much effect he has on her. She wanted to give him the pendant right there and then because she has a strong feeling that 'golden boy' was the one. She didn't want to scare him off, though, so she held onto her reins and brought her hand back down to her side. She'd just have to figure out some other romantic way to give it to him.
"Rachel with a capital R, are you okay?" Louis touched Rachel's arm lightly when she still didn't say a word. "Can I get you some water or something?" he asked softly with a smile.
Rachel couldn't remember what she said in response. The next thing she knew was that Louis was holding her hand, leading her to where the drinks were stationed. She felt like floating with her head above the clouds. She couldn't feel much else but the warmth of his hands against hers and the rapid beating of her heart. She had no doubts about it. She just met the love of her life.
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"He's so dreamy! He's like perfection!" Rachel gushed dramatically as she waltzed around the manor suite she was sharing with her sisters, Amy and Jill. She was no longer clad in her Armani formal wear, but her eyes were still gazing at a wishful distance, and her feet haven't touched the ground since she met Louis Bradford. "And to think, he's just a floor above me right now!" She squealed like a person going out of her mind, unable to contain her fuzzy feelings anymore.
"Rachel Karen Green, could you please cut it out?" Amy demanded, sitting up from her reclined position in the middle of the posh king-sized bed.
"What's your problem, Amy?" Jill joined her older sisters, hopping onto the bed. "Rachel's in love…"
"Sure…whatever," Amy arrogantly mocked. "But look how she's behaving? She's worse than you when you had that crush on that Chris guy! And see, she's fifteen…a year older than me and three years older than you. For goodness sakes! She's going to fly if you don't hold her feet down to the ground." She shook her head as she rolled her eyes, disgusted by her older sister's childish 'head in the stars' attitude.
Jill shrugged her shoulders and smiled as she reclined down the large bed. "You know what I think, Amy? I think you're just jealous because Rachel found a boy and you didn't."
Rachel giggled when she saw Amy roll her eyes at their youngest sister's comment. "Thanks, Jill. I know you'd always come through for me."
"Fine!" Amy pulled a haughty face. "Gang up on me. I'm just saying that this thing is just a crush. It will be over before you even go on a first date."
Rachel rolled her eyes. "You're too cynical, Amy. Why can't you have just a little bit of romantic bone in you?"
Just then, Ling, the girls' long-time Asian nanny—well, personal assistant, as they refer to her now that they were all past the age that still needed nanny's care—came into the room, carrying five red helium balloons by the strings. "Here you go, Miss Rachel," she said in her nearly perfect English as she handed Rachel strings.
"Thanks, Ling-Ling…"Rachel smiled gratefully at the Green sisters' ever so faithful helper as she took the balloons she had asked her to pick up for her before she and her sisters went back to the suite. Ling had been taking care of her and her sisters as if they were her own for as long as she could remember. She knew she and her sisters were all past the stage that they still need a 'nanny' to attend to their needs, but their domineering mother insisted that Ling kept her employment at the Green household. They didn't mind this, of course; they had always considered Ling family rather than employee anyway.
"What are you going to do with
those balloons?" Amy mockingly asked.
"Make a wish and send them to the stars?"
"In a way, yes," Rachel replied confidently with a smile. "Four are for props and the fifth one is the
one that will get caught in the tree branch next to Louis' window, so when he
wakes up tomorrow morning, he'd see it and get it…and that's how he'd get my
other pendant." She had planned it
all. She had surveyed the area,
analyzed the pros and cons, and most importantly, created the perfect setup for
'golden boy' to get the special pendant.
"Oh no!" Amy dramatically gushed. "Not the pendant! Rachel are you out of your mind? That's like…expensive!"
"Too late," Rachel sarcastically replied, pulling a pendant attached to a red ribbon from her purse on the overstuffed armchair. With a determined smile on her lips, she tied the ribbon to a red balloon. "There," she said satisfactorily. "The pendant that would be in the care of the man I'd love forever. It will be all worth it in the end…you'll see…"
Amy stuck out her tongue, making a gagging face. "Oh I think I'm going to puke! Oh and if you want a story like grandma's, that's not the way to do it. She didn't to it purposefully."
"Oh c'mon, Amy…don't be such a baby! It might be fun!" Jill hopped out of the bed and followed Rachel out into the balcony to watch her sister's silliness. "If it comes true for Rachel, who knows, I might do the same?" she called over her cynical sister.
Outside, Rachel glanced up at Louis' dark bedroom window. Part of her wished that he would peek outside so she could see him again before she went to bed; but another part of her hoped that he wouldn't, lest he'd see her silliness and be turned off by her 'crafty little acts of love.' With a sigh, she let go of the balloons, one by one, intentionally positioning one particular balloon so that it would get caught among the tree branches. "It's still fate, right?" she smirked as she watched them fly. Just before she headed back inside, she glanced up at the red balloon, caught in the branches of the tree as planned, a few feet away from Louis' window. "Take care of my heart…" she whispered dreamily with a smile. One day, her fairytale would finally come true…
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The dew was still fresh on the grass, yet this very morning he had to work. He wished he had gotten the afternoon shift instead. He hated having had to clean the after-party mess from the wedding the day before. But, what could he do? He wanted a summer job and he sure got one…just not the kind that he wanted.
Grabbing the rake, he walked across the lawn towards the tall tree where the most fallen leaves gathered. He sighed and dully began working. He wished he were doing something else. Or, if he's really going to wish for things, he wished he were sleeping in one of the lavish rooms of the manor just like its wealthy guests inside.
Someday soon, he vowed, he's going to get rich. He's going to live his dream and he's going to get rich. Or…he could just win the lottery…
Smiling at the thought, he looked down and continued to rake the leaves. Then, he saw it. Attached to a popped chunk of red balloon, he saw it. Curiously, he stooped down and picked up the shiny metal. To his surprise, it was studded with diamonds. He flipped it over, and on the backside, there was a name engraved inside the quote saying, "True love lasts forever…" He read the name and smiled. "So you believe that, Rachel, huh?"
He looked up at the manor. There were four windows going up, so the pendant could only belong to one of its occupants, he thought. He wondered if someone was looking for the pendant right that minute. On the other hand, something about it being tied to a balloon told him that someone lost her pendant intentionally.
He stared down at the piece of jewelry for what seemed like a long time, but when he heard his supervisor calling him at a distance, thoughtlessly, he just slid the pendant into his pocket and ran. He'd just give it back to Rachel later.
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