Chapter 21
Karma is now standing at the airport along with her mom. The hospital had already sent her father overseas right away. Mrs. Cooper had handled all of the payments and even arranged for Karma's mother to go along with her dad. Karma couldn't feel any more bittersweet than she is feeling right now. Of course, she is telling her parents goodbye; she won't be seeing them for a long while until the hospital says it is OK for her father to come back. She is happy that her father is getting the medical care that he should but how does she go about that faking with the girl that she wishes she wasn't faking it with. She wishes she could tell what goes in Amy's mind but she can't come up with anything. And the fact that Reagan is somehow still in the picture annoys her to a degree. But, what has Reagan done to her? Nothing really. She is just acting jealous. But doesn't she have a right to be though. She had hoped. She had really hoped but when that hope died, her heart broke.
Molly hugs her daughter extremely tight, "Sweetheart, take care of yourself alright. I don't know when I will be back but I hope it is soon. I'm going to miss you."
"I know mom, I'll be alright. You just worry about dad OK. And call me every day so that I know that he is alright." Karma really couldn't handle the fact that she was going to be away from her parents for so long. But, what can she do? Her dad needed the treatment. She hopes everything goes fine for him because she doesn't know what she would do without her dad. "I love you guys."
"I love you too sweetheart. I'll call you every day to check if you eating your meals and going to school and work." Molly cries as she holds her only daughter in her arms for a few good seconds then lets her go. They were already calling for her to board the plane.
"Bye mom!" Karma says.
Molly turns back once more and throws her daughter a kiss then smile to her, "I love you." She mouths.
Karma waits for her mother to disappear within the plane and stayed until her plane flies off to its destination. As soon as it disappears behind the clouds, Karma makes her outside the airport to her car to go home and rests a little bit. She is going to be in that house on her won with no one. It is not like she's scared of being alone; she's not Amy. But, the loneliness is going to be too apparent to ignore. What is she going to do with herself? Just lying around every time she comes home from school? Well, that's what she does anyway when her parents are there. Well, that's one of those moments when you learn how to be independent Karma. Halfway through her drive she receives a phone call; she doesn't know who it might be. So, she connects her Bluetooth to the car and answers.
"Hello?"
Then, Mrs. Cooper's voice resonates in the car, "Karma dear, my precious daughter-in-law, I need you to come to Amy's condo right this minute."
Karma rolls her eyes, "I'm not anywhere near Amy's condo right now. Can we put this for another day?" She really wasn't in the mood to see this woman or Amy or any other person from this family.
"Well dear, it is important that you show because you and Amy have a photo shoot." Mrs. Cooper wanted Karma and Amy to be the new face of a new product that one of company is about to put on the market. Well, since they need as much publicity out there to promote their relationship, what better way to do so? And, this with the fact that they are an adored couple out there, especially to the customers that this new product is designed for, it will beneficial to her and of course, her husband.
Karma stops her car at a nearby store, "A photo shoot? For what?"
"Dear, show up and then I'll explain. I have other things than to chat with you on the phone. Time is money dear and it shouldn't be wasted." Mrs. Cooper has never had to explain herself and she was not about to do it to an eighteen years old girl.
"I guess I have no choice but to make a detour then." Karma sighs the turns her engine back on to drive to the streets and make a U-turn at the next light. Her day today, she feels, was going to be a long one. "I'll be there in a few."
"Very well then dear; we will be waiting." And she hangs up the phone as Karma puffs yet another desperate sigh. She really was not in the mood to meet any of the Raudenfelds today.
It took her about ten minutes to get to Amy's condo. She didn't go up right away though. She had to make sure that her face was on point. She didn't want to show with her face freshly dried of the tears that she has shed this morning as she sends off her mother. One thing she learned throughout her entire experience with the Raudenfeld family, never show tears, fears, or feelings. So, she wasn't about to let them see that her life is completely going down the drain right now. She lazily dragged her feet up to the elevator and presses the button that leads to the very last floor. The elevator quickly reached its destination and Karma makes her way to Amy's condo. She knocks and immediately Nick opens the door and rushes her in.
"Oh dear God! You look like a mess!" He looks up at Karma simple flower dress and slightly disheveled hair and her worn out face that made her look like she just got out of bed. And here Karma thought she looked presentable enough. "We have much work to do with you. It is going to take half of the day."
"Nick dear, leave it to the stylist when we get there. We are already a bit behind schedule." Amy's mother comes walking out of the kitchen as she hastily rushes out both Nick and Karma out the door.
"Where are we going?" Karma stumbles upon her steps as she is being rushed back to the elevator. "I could have just met you at the photo shoot location instead of driving all the way over here."
"Yes but I wanted to get you there myself. Amy is already waiting there for us. And I wanted to talk to you." She says as she presses the button to descend back to the last floor. "I believe you went with your mother at the airport this morning?"
"Yes, she left this morning. I was on my way from the airport when you called me." Karma explains though she doesn't understand why she is even talking about this with her.
Mrs. Cooper awkwardly looks down at the floor as she fiddled with her lips to mouth words that she's not used to say, "How are you doing dear?"
Karma frowns. Did she hear right? Is Mrs. Cooper asking her how she is doing? "Excuse me?" She had to ask again because she doesn't seem to be understanding.
Mrs. Cooper looks up now to stare at Karma, "I ask you about your well-being? How are you? I know the fact that you have to live without your parents for a while must be a first time experience for you." She says as she pushes Karma out of the apartment building towards her huge black tainted Ford which is opened by a black suited man with dark shades.
They mount the car in silence because Karma still couldn't find the proper words to answer the uncharacteristic inquiry of the vindictive woman. "I'm alright, thank you…?"
"Dear, I may be ambitious and pompous when it comes to getting what I want but I'm not completely heartless. I know what you are going through may be having its toll on you so I am here to tell you that things will come around for you. So, you just wait." She says then looks outside the window and ends the short unusual banter.
Wow, it was all Karma could think. But she remembers to be kind enough, "Thank you Mrs. Cooper."
"You're welcome dear." Mrs. Cooper keeps her eyes looking out the window. The whole drive went silent as none of them bothered to start up a conversation that would have had no point. So, the car stops in front of a huge hotel that had multiple floors which made it look like it touched the sky. Of course, all of this belongs to the Raudenfeld family. She knows that Amy's family was wealthy but she misjudged to what extent. The wealthy signs the checks of the rich but this – this made it look like the Raudenfelds signs the checks of both the rich and the wealthy. Karma follows Mrs. Cooper and Nick inside the fancy hotel and immediately felt out of place. Everything looks so expensive and shiny Karma had the impression that she was walking amid nothing but gold and diamonds. Every one of the staff bows at the sight of the woman as she walks through the hotel with the authoritative stance and powerful poise along with the unbound arrogance that she possesses. No one is to mess with Mrs. Farrah Raudenfeld-Cooper and for a minute, Karma was in awe. She remembers the same thing happened with Amy when she took her to the mansion the first time.
They enter a glass elevator from which the outside could be seen. And as they go up, Karma could overlook the vast fancy hotel in which the many employees and important political figures stayed in all day throughout. They were all working for Mrs. Cooper. Karma wonders how stressful it must be to deal with the numerous issues that go on within the business world all day. Things must not be easy for Mrs. Cooper. After all, her late husband left this entire empire behind for both her and Amy and she is at the helm until Amy is old and mature enough to replace her. No wonder she has such a nasty personality, the power got to her head. Everything could be Amy's one day and I wonder is Amy realizes that. They walk within a large room where there were several photo shoot equipment lined up, lightings, cameras, background photos, and a bunch of other things. People were running up and down and around in circles setting up everything. No one had the time to be friendly or cordial; they all were focus doing their task. Karma is quickly led by Nick to a stylist as Mrs. Cooper went on to speak with the photographer.
"Ana love, please do something with this girl… I don't know what but please work your miracle." Nick holds his face in his hands and shakes it in desperation, "Girl look a mess."
Anna just walks around her, carefully studying the strange girl who obviously neglects her charm, "You are a pretty girl, why don't you take care of your hair? It is beautiful." The girl had a French accent and Karma barely caught on to what she said. "Mais Nick, cette fille est très belle. Elle est quand meme très séduisante si je peux le dire."
"Oui je sais, c'est la fiancée de la fille de Madame Cooper, so, s'il te plait, fait quelque chose." He kisses the girl's cheek, "I love you love." then he disappears within the hectic room.
Karma just waited as the girl did all kinds of things with her hair and put all kinds of products on her face. Things she's never even heard the name of and she wondered if all those things would later have an effect on her at some point. She went through hours of a complete makeover, walking from stylist to stylist, to fashion designers, to masseuse, and back to stylist once more. She didn't know how and when or why she now looks a completely different person. She sits in front of the mirror examining her hair; they now look like swift wavy silky brunette threads that hang down her shoulders in soft, small waves. She was wearing a deeply cut black evening gown, strapless, with a diamond necklace that embraces the soft skin of neck. She looks completely different. She could not even recognize her own self. As she keeps studying her features in the mirror, Amy appears from behind her and starts staring at her. She had her hair pull straight down the middle of her back, emphasizing the heart shape of her face. She was wearing a black Armani suit buttoned down the middle of her stomach leaving sight to the middle of her breasts covered by the vest. Her trousers were barely resting above her ankles and she was wearing expensive black high heeled sandals that complimented the length of her legs. For a moment, they just stared back at each other, each other not finding the word to speak as the people walk in between the both of them, hindering the slight glances that they missed.
"You look splendid, both of you dears." Mrs. Cooper approaches us both while signaling for Amy to come along and Amy does so, "So, you two will be portraying the face of this new product that one of my companies will soon be putting in the market."
"And what product is that mom?" Amy asks, forcing herself not to stare at Karma sitting in front of her.
Mrs. Cooper smiles at us both, "It is a new diamond necklace which Karma is wearing. One of my jewelers recently created this design and is looking to promote it to the upscale buyers that eagerly awaited of its arrival. Now, you must be careful Karma, this is one of the two designs out there. And this one is the original."
Karma immediately took panic, "Are you looking to run me into debt? Please, take this thing off me." She is even scared to touch it now.
"It is alright dear; you will only be wearing for this one photo shoot, it is not the jewelry that we want to put in the market. Amy will be holding the real one. Amy, you recently bought this amazing necklace for your lover, so please show the affection and the tenderness and the love that I know you two have."
Both Karma and Amy look away trying to avoid making eye contact.
"Oh by the way, there will be a commercial shooting too." Mrs. Cooper slyly grins and walks away with both of them slowly trailing behind her. They reach a man in his forty which is no doubt the producer along with the editor of the commercial. They tell them what to do and they both listen carefully. Amy was supposed to be walking in the bedroom where Karma was in and Karma would be sitting in front of a dresser applying on her make up. Amy would be walking in with the box that obviously hold the diamond jewelry then she would stop, she would stop and stare at the beautiful woman in front of her while standing a few meters apart. They would hold each other in an adoring gaze while Amy fidgets with the box of jewelry in one hand and keeps one hand in her pocket. Then she will smile a genuine smile as she approaches her lover while taking the jewelry out of the box while Karma takes off the jewelry that is around her neck.
"…then Amy, you will slowly lift Karma off her seat to turn her around so that you can have a better access of her back. Karma, you will sensually lean your neck to the side as you brush your hair past so that Amy easily hook the necklace around your neck." The producer explains, "It should be easy for you guys since you two are engaged."
Amy uncomfortably nods, "Sure…easy breezy…" The awkwardness was real.
"Alright!" The man claps his hand together, "Everybody get into position, we are about to start shooting." He walks off to sit into his chair and Karma is led in front of the dresser that she is supposed sit at waiting for her lover Amy. The lights immediately dim low and silence filled the room.
"Action!" the producer calls out.
A few seconds later, Amy appears behind the fictional door holding the box in her hands. She does as she is told, she stops a few meters behind Karma while holding the jewelry box. Both of them stare at each other but it was more than just acting; it was genuine. They weren't faking it. Amy stares at Karma with vehemence that she surprises even herself with. She got lost within the eyes that were looking back at her from the mirror. She gently fidgets the box in her hands, keeping her other hand in her pocket. And Amy suddenly smiles a genuine smiles as the producer asked and starts walking towards Karma who was now taking off the necklace that was around her neck to accept Amy's gift. She lifts Karma up her seat and turns her around and Karma leans her head to the side as she brushes her hair to the front. Amy embraces Karma's neck to clasp them around her bare back where she hooks the necklace. The slight contact of her fingers brushing against the flesh of her neck made Karma shiver. Amy, not being able to resist, leans her head down to breathe on her skin then chastely kisses her bare neck. Karma knew that this wasn't in the script but she just went along with it since no one else seemed to be bothered by it.
"Cut!" the producer yells, "That was awesome. It was even better than I thought. I can see the chemistry between you two." The producer keeps on complimenting them. Only the producer will never know that they weren't faking at all. The only time that they needed to fake yet they didn't.
"Thank you…" Karma tries to hide the fluster in her voice but she knows that she failed miserably. She kindly smiles to the producer then asks to retire to her station. She didn't want to stay one more minute near Amy.
"This is going to be harder than I thought." She mutters to herself. The day ended quickly and Karma couldn't wait to go home and sleep. They took several pictures to promote and shot the commercial a second time. They decided that Amy's personal addition to be genius so they wanted to shoot it again for editing purposes. After the whole thing finally coming to an end, Karma dressed back to her casual wear and headed for the exit door out of the room to only be stopped by Mrs. Cooper.
"Where are you going dear?" She smiles, "The day is not over yet. We have a press conference."
"I'm sorry but for what?" Karma asks. Why do they need a press conference for only a commercial?
"Words have spread rather quickly that Amy's fiancée and her were shooting a commercial. So, the staff must have photographed the both of you and posted the pictures online. So the press is here. Since Amy is my daughter and a next heiress, they need to know what's going on." Mrs. Cooper explains.
Karma inwardly groans and follows Mrs. Cooper to the next room filled with reporters everywhere. Amy was sitting on a podium facing the curiously eager reporters and answering their questions. She looks so calm and relax. Well, it's not like she hadn't done this a dozen times before. Karma on the other hand was a nervous mess. She joins Amy on the podium and took the seat right next to hers.
"I never thought it would get to the point where we do a press conference." Karma whispers to Amy as she sits next to her.
"Well, before, I didn't expose us as much as my mother is doing right now." Amy whispers back.
A reporter stands up and shot a question to Karma, "Ms. Ashcroft, I understand that you have been Ms. Raudenfeld's fiancée for a while now, this is quite an unusual pairing hoping to walk down the aisle, what do you have to say to the closeted couples out there?"
Shit! am I supposed to come up with something right now? Well yeah doofus, it is an interview. Karma thinks. Her throat suddenly goes dry and she can't find her words. "Well, I would say that they shouldn't be afraid to love as they please because, the world is a vast place to explore and to stay within a closet, you miss out on very important stuff. So, I'd say that they should get out of the closet and live." Karma remembers when Amy took her skydiving and what Amy told her when she was afraid to go up there. Get the fuck out of your corner and live!
Another reporter stands up, "Ms. Raudenfeld, we all are aware of your very extravagant lifestyle, what made you decided to settle down with a girl like Ms. Ashcroft?"
Amy flashes her charming smile then looks directly at the reporter that asked her the question. The way she looked at the reported and her smile sure had to make the reporter feel like she was the only one in the room. And this is how many people have fallen for Amy Raudenfeld. The way she speaks to you makes you feel special, "Ms. Ashcroft has made me realize certain things that only a kind innocent heart can let you see. That's what attracted me to her the most, her innocence and courageous spirit and strong sense of the world. I knew she was strong because of the way she slapped me when I overstepped my boundaries with her." A few reporters laugh. "Yes, she is special. She is very special to me." Amy looks back at Karma and gives her seductive wink.
A male reporter stands up, "I'd like to clear up a rumor that has been going around. The rumor says that you two are faking being engaged to each other, would you care to explain?"
How did this rumor even get out? Both of them quickly answer, "We are not faking it. If we were faking it, would we do this?" They both jump on their feet and both grab each other's head as they leave their fingers stranded within each other's threads and clash their lips together in a long, passionate French kiss that they both craved for. Amy tentatively brings her other hand down Karma's waist and pulls her in closer. They deepen the kiss for a few more seconds before breaking away, each of them out of breath. The reporters were still taking pictures of the both of them. This sure was going to be all over the internet and TV.
"Alright but, you guys have been engaged for a while now, when is the wedding date?" Another reporter asks.
"We plan on doing it this fall." Amy quickly answers.
Karma quickly turns her head to face Amy. Since when? No one had discussed this with her and how far are they going to take that fake engagement?
"But, I noticed that Ms. Ashcroft, you don't have a ring?" The same reporter that earlier asked if they were faking it.
Karma looks down at her naked ring finger and couldn't find the answer to that question. And when she was about to say something, Amy immediately speaks up in her place.
"It's right here, with me." Amy pulls out a brown box out of her black leather jacket and holds it out, "I wasn't able to find the proper ring that would suit the love of my life so I had one carved out for her. I designed it myself, so it is one of a kind." Amy then turns to face Karma and gets down on one knee, "It looks like I am doing a second proposal."
The reporters were all on their feet filming and taking pictures of the occasion.
"Karma Ashcroft, will you marry me?" Amy asks, with her eyes hopeful and scared at the same time.
Both of them are now dealing with confusing feelings that they just don't want to admit. Is this even faking anymore? Are they still faking? Or is this real? But, Karma knew better now, unromantic face with sweet words, nothing changed. While Amy wasn't sure with herself if she was being truthful or not; but deep down, it felt like she actually wanted karma to be her wife. They are faking it, right? So karma can't say no to a fake engagement despite how much she wanted it to be real.
But, had it been real, what would have been her answer?
"Yes…"