Maybe it's All For the Best
Chapter 2: NowThree years Later...
"Your career has skyrocketed in a little under three years, how did that even happen?" The interviewer asked from the couch across from me. I crossed my right leg over my left and smiled.
"It was pretty crazy actually. My sister had just graduated high school, back in England, and her and our other sister decided to take a trip to New York, because it's my favourite place in the whole world" I flicked my hair over my shoulder as I explained. The interviewer jotted down the words I was saying quickly. "And we were riding the subway, heading back toward our Aunt's place when a man stopped me and told me that I had just the face he was looking for"
"And this man was..." She prompted.
"Well of course, my now-manager Andy Saks" I laughed. "so anyway, he gave me his card, told me to drop by the Modelling Agency and do some head shots and then he completely disappeared. My sisters were totally sceptical, I am the baby after all... but I went along to the Elite offices and, well, here I am!" I grinned and shrugged my shoulders. "Riley Vanderbilt, supermodel" I laughed
"Here you are" She agreed. "So you don't have any immediate plans to go back to England?"
"Not at the moment" I shook my head. "Like I said, I love New York and now my whole career is based in New York. I'm happy to stay here"
"Well that's good" She nodded. She opened her mouth to say something else but a chime from my phone cut her off.
"Sorry" I apologised, pulling it out of my pocket.
"Would that be Mr Nathanial Carter?" She grinned at me, her pen poised.
I tucked my iphone back into my pocket and nodded. "It might be"
"Well that's a yes" she laughed. "How long have you and Nathanial been together now?"
"We've been together about a year and a half" I smiled.
"Blissfully happy?" She asked.
I nodded, my hair falling over my face again. "Blissfully" I agreed. "Of course I'm happy with him. He's a real sweetheart"
"Wedding bells in the near future?"
I shook my head vigorously. "Not on my mind. Maybe in a couple of years... but my definition of a couple is 10" I laughed and she forced a smile. I'm betting she wanted juicy gossip to take back to her editor to print. Suck on that miss reporter lady.
"Well I think I better wrap this up Miss Vanderbilt" She said, flicking her notebook closed. "Thank you for your time"
"Not a problem, thank you for listening" I smiled and stood. "I better go reply to Nate... He wants to know what we're having for dinner" we both laughed and she walked away. I pulled my phone out again and walked to the elevators.
A lot had changed since I first came to New York with my sisters. After I walked into the modelling agency, against the better judgement of Avery and Rosalie, I became what they called an 'over-night sensation'. I had jobs lined up, photoshoots to do and people knew my name. It was like I'd drunk a goblet full of Felix Felicis to be honest, but I hadn't looked back since.
I live in New York, away from everything I left behind and I'm happy. Something I never thought I'd be again.
I stepped out of the elevator and into a huge studio.
"Riley! There you are!" Katelyn, my personal assistant and best friend in New York rushed over to me "Hair and makeup need you right now... You're late"
"I'm not late, I'm on time" I rolled my eyes and pocketed my phone again. "The interview went on a little longer than I thought" I followed her to the hair studio. "Hi Manuel" I greeted the hair stylist.
"Riley, Darling, you're late. I don't have all day" He sighed exasperatedly. I just smiled.
"But Manuel... It's me" I batted my eyelashes.
"Girl, you're lucky I'm a gay man or Nate would have some seerrriouuusss competition" He ruffled my hair and pushed me down into the seat. "Let's get to work on this" He clapped his hands and spun my seat around to face the mirror.
Man I love this life! It was so fast paced and hard but very rewarding. It was the best thing I could ever have asked for.
"Ok that's a wrap!" Nigel, the photographer put his camera down. "Thank you Miss Riley" he took my hand and kissed my cheek. A robe was draped over my shoulders and I pulled it on.
"Anything for you Mr Barker" I smiled. "How was your trip back home?" I asked him.
"Oh darling, it was fantastic. Every time I go home I realise how much I miss the place" He sighed. "Although hearing your accent does do wonders when I'm here" He smiled.
"As does yours... I haven't been home in almost three years" I admitted.
"Far too long! What does your family think?" He said, shocked.
"They're happy if I'm happy" I shrugged with a smile. My phone started ringing and I looked around.
"Riles, it's Nate" Katy called out to me, holding the phone out in front of her.
"I'm being summoned" I laughed. "Catch you later Nige" I waved goodbye to the photographer and trotted over to Katy. I took the phone from her fingers and placed it against my ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey babe, ready to go to dinner?" He asked smoothly.
"Dinner? When?" I asked, glancing at Katy. She opened my schedule and flicked through it. She glanced at me after a second and shrugged.
"Now! I texted you about it!" He laughed.
"No... You texted me about what I want for dinner, you didn't say anything about us actually going out to dinner" I started walking to the dressing rooms, Katy following behind me.
"And you said pizza... so we're going to get the best pizza you've ever tasted" He chuckled again. "I'll be outside the studio in about 10..."
"Nate! I don't have any clothes with me except a t-shirt and jeans! I can't go out like this" I froze and looked at my made up self in the mirror. I was only wearing a Victoria's Secrets underwear set from the shoot. Even that was more dressy than what I'd actually worn today.
"You look gorgeous in anything... this isn't a fancy date I promise" He said. "I'm almost there, you better hurry"
Then the line went dead. I dropped the phone on the dressing table and looked at Katy.
"What?" she asked.
"Nate's almost here... apparently we're going out to dinner..." I bit my lip.
"Spur of the moment much?" She snorted and picked up my jeans from the back of the couch. I took them from her and went into the bathroom.
"I know! It's strange" I frowned and bit my lip. "We're going to get 'the best pizza I've ever tasted'"
"Oh he's going to propose I bet!" Katy said excitedly. She danced around the dressing room.
"What? Oh Katy he is not!" I exclaimed, walking back into the dressing room. I had to dodge around the spasmodic assistant. Truth be told, she's my best friend as well as my assistant, and my roommate. She's also the only one in New York who knows my secret because she's a witch too.
"This is so romantic... you're being whisked away to some far off place where he's going to feed you good food and then propose!" She sighed dramatically. "You know, you're gonna have to tell him about your witchy abilities now, if he proposes"
"Good thing he's not going to propose because I'm not telling him" I rolled my eyes.
"I still don't know why... Nate adores you" she sighed.
"Yeah but me being a witch is my secret. I don't like people knowing my secrets" I shrugged, pulling my curled, honey blonde hair into a messy pony tail.
"You told me"
"Because you found my wand in my bag and you whipped yours out" I snorted and looked at my reflection. "I hope he's not taking me to some ritzy place" I sighed.
"You look gorgeous" She placed her hands on my shoulders, blinking her big, chocolate brown eyes. "He's so proposing!" She squealed.
"He's not!" I exclaimed.
"He is!"
"Katy?"
"Yes Mrs Carter?" she grinned.
"Get back to work" I sighed. She laughed and picked up all our schedule stuff. I handed her my duffel bag to take home.
"Aye aye capt'n" She saluted. "I'll see you back home tonight... when you're wearing that gorgeous Tiffany's one thousand carat diamond" She added cheekily and scooted out of the door. I shook my head and followed her. I exited the building and stood on the street outside.
"Hey baby" Nate called out to me. I looked to my left and saw him leaning on a cute little white Vespa. "Ready to go?" I was relieved to see he was dressed as casually as I was, in a plain black t-shirt and blue denim jeans.
I smiled as a breeze ruffled his blonde hair, blowing it off his face. He really was one of the most gorgeous guys I'd ever seen. Tall, blonde and blue eyed, muscles in all the right places and the complete opposite to what I normally went for. I got tingles in my toes whenever I saw him.
"Where are you taking me?" I smiled as I placed my hands on his shoulders. He leaned in and kissed me softly.
"It's a surprise" He smiled, the cute dimples appearing in his cheeks. "Get on the Vespa kid" He cocked his head over his shoulder and pushed me away from him. He swung his leg over and offered me a helmet. I pulled it over my hair and swung my leg over the Vespa. I settled in behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle as he pulled into the street.
We drove for what seemed like ages, following FDR Drive along the river. It was only when we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge that I realised he was taking me to Brooklyn.
"Nate what are we doing in Brooklyn?" I laughed. He didn't answer me, but we stopped a short time later.
"You know I'm from Brooklyn right?" He asked as he helped me off the Vespa.
"Yeah I know that" I nodded. It made no difference to me. I didn't know much about Brooklyn. I actually liked the place... well the parts he'd shown me.
"Well, I used to work in this Pizza Shop..." He gestured behind him. "Welcome to the best pizza in New York"
I glanced at the shop front behind him and almost laughed out loud. The small green building sat in front of the Brooklyn Bridge and donned the name Grimaldi's Pizzeria across the green paint. It was so ironic but I couldn't explain to him about Grimmauld Place. He wouldn't understand.
I took his hand and we entered the shop. "Hey Uncle Nicky" He yelled out to an old man with his back to us. The man turned around and looked at us.
"Nathanial! It's been too long... Your Aunt Bell is going to be mad at you!" His face broke out into a grin and he walked around the counter to hug Nate. "Who is this beautiful creature?" He turned his smile onto me and I was reminded strongly of Dumbledore.
"This is Riley Vanderbilt. My girlfriend" He twisted an arm around my waist.
"Pleased to meet you" I smiled and held my hand out.
Uncle Nicky just looked at it and laughed. "No handshakes here" He pulled me into his chest for a bone crushing hug. "You kids sit! I'm going to get Bell! She'll be so happy to see you Nate" He bustled out the door to our right and yelled out for the woman named Bell.
"Are you related to him?" I asked as we took a seat in a booth by the window.
"No, but they were practically my second family when I was a kid" I smiled. I picked up the menu and looked over all the delicious pizza that I could eat.
"NATHANIAL! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" A woman's voice cut through the silence. I looked up, startled but Nate jumped to his feel.
"Aunt Bell! I'm sorry, I've been busy!" Nate hugged the round, plump woman affectionately. "Come meet Riley"
"Riley? Who's Riley?" She asked. My stomach knotted. What if she didn't like me?
"This is Riley, Aunt Bell. She's my girlfriend" He smiled. I stood.
"Well she's gorgeous!" Aunt Bell smiled, her red painted lips pulling up at the corners. I breathed out a sigh.
"Hi! This place smells great! I'm starving"
"English too!" Aunt Bell clapped her hands, picking up on my accent. She pulled me in for a hug. "Sit down kids, I'll bring you my special pizza" She winked at me and bustled away.
"They're lovely Nate" I smiled at him as we sat.
"I wanted you to meet them... They're very important to me" He reached across the table and held my hand. "How long have we been together Riley?" He asked, his blue eyes drilling into mine.
"About a year and a half... give or take a few months" I replied, a little guilty that I couldn't remember specifics.
"Are you happy?" He asked.
"Yes! Blissfully" I nodded and squeezed his hand. "Are you?" I felt my stomach knot. What if this was another break up? I don't think I could take that.
"Very... which is why I bought you here today... I wanted you to meet the two most important people in my life beside you because... well... Riley... will you marry me?"
My eyes widened as he dropped down onto one knee and held out the blue Tiffany's box. Nestled inside this box was a sparkly ring. A sparky Tiffany's ring. Platinum band, bead-set diamonds accentuate around a brilliant 2 carat centre diamond. It was big, it was sparkly and it was a proposal.
I swallowed and looked up at him, my eyes wide. Nate, Uncle Nicky and Aunt Bell all looked at me expectantly. I breathed in and out.
"Of... of course!" I smiled, my cheeks feeling tight as they pulled up. He stood up and pulled me to my feet. Aunt Bell clapped and wailed about her baby growing up. I pressed my face into Nate's shoulder as he slid the ring onto my finger.
"Riley... I love you" He smiled down at me.
"I... I love you too" I smiled back. He ducked and kissed me.
The rock hung heavy on my hand. This meant I had to tell him about my 'witchy ways' as Katy so eloquently put it and I HAD to go home.
Ah crap.
Plea's Note:
There's the two 'Then and Now' chapters just to get get the ball rolling. Normal chapters will resume as normal very soon
Thanks for reading. Reviews make me feel LOVED :D
Xo Plea
