Liyana:
So, let me analyse my situation right now.
I am sitting in a lavish bussiness restaurant I never really like to hang out in. In an outfit not really fit for a place like this and people staring at me is obviously awkward. With a world famous photographer and artist I'm working on without his definite permission yet and in broad daylight.
Yep, it's pretty bad.
"I can see you're a bit uncomfortable." I looked up to the amused voice.
Oh, you have no idea.
I just smile to avoid answering that. I have been shifting from one leg to another for the last 10 minutes now. He has said nothing other than formal conversation about what I'd like to have or what I prefer.
I know I have to say something. I mean his litereal expression reads he wants me to say something first. This is one reason I never interviewed a client either. I'm not good with coming up with conversations. And with how he attracts attention isn't helping either. He's a walking greek sculpture, of course with the perfect tan. Whenever he moves, people's eyes follow, especially women. Like a women's eye candy. It's clear with the whispers, so loud it's feel like a fish market.
"Um, I was wondering why'd you offer for us to have lunch. Suddenly?" I asked slowly. It's almost winter but still I'm sweating bullets now.
"I just wanted to have some words with the person who was handling my story." He replied with giving out no expression what so ever. I can't read anything on his face.
"Are you unsatisfied with anything I wrote?" I asked and instantly regretted.
How the hell did he know it was you in the first place, you idiot?
He smiled as the waiter brought our food. I just ordered a salad or more like forced to. Not that I am a salad person but I doubt I'll be able to put anything heavy into my stomach without throwing up right now.
Thanking the waiter, he turned back to me. I prepared myself for the devastating consequences.
"I have nothing to complain if that's what you're wondering. In fact I enjoyed what you wrote. Most magazines output only things public wants to know about my personal life. But you put in my work too which I appreciate." He explained making me calm down a bit.
"Um, then why did you wanted to meet me?" I asked confused.
"I didn't exactly wanted to meet you intentionally. I saw you at the event and recognized you. Thought I'd say hi to the writer who published my story." He shrugged sipping his drink.
"Oh, but how'd you know it's me? I mean, personally we've never met before?" I said in more of a question than a statement, very much concerned.
Did he asked it to be checked? Maybe he ran a background check? I'm pretty sure I never met him. And I'm said to have brilliant memory.
"You're right, we have never met before. Nor intentionally at least. But when I saw the name Caldine written, I wandered if you'd be the same Caldine everyone knows. So I asked your boss if you're the actual Caldine, and he confirmed it. Obviously I could guess it wouldn't be the famous model Luci, so it could only be the other Caldine sister, which is you." He explained the whole scenario like its something such a busy guy would do in a late night evening. Why would he go for so much trouble anyway?
"Why go for so much trouble anyway?" The words slipped out before I even got to comprehend them.
"I was simply curious about Luci's sister. You're quite the mystery since you barely ever come out in public or media. As Liyana Caldine people only know you work in a good magazine but that is it. But as just Liyana your just a editor." He shrugged which made me almost roll my eyes. People just can't stop ruining privacy.
"You know Luci?" I asked changing the topic of me being a mystery.
"I do surprisingly. My friend and I worked on a project with her."
Now that makes sense why he's be interested. But why in me though? Like seriously, people barely even know I exist. Its only in formal they said there's another Caldine. That's it.
"You're sister doesn't talk much about her family when asked. But she did mention having a sister who hates attention and perfers to stay out of public eye. It makes sense now." He said swallowing.
I was still playing woth my food carefully listening to him. I still am confused why'd he approach me. Maybe for some people ota natural when your sister'sfriends approach you. But for us having a very awkward relationship, people barely know we are even related.
Those who do know me are all from either upper class or simply professionally. I barely ever went to any parties and even when I did, it was only back when Grandmother was alive because she forced me to.
"I'm very surprised though." He said pulling back my attention.
"About?"
"Even after checking thoroughly, I failed to find any picture of you with your sister. You've done well to shut all their mouth. Thankfully I found family photos which made it easier to recognize you. That's also barely." I almost chuckled at that.
"I'm shocked at you that you even did. My last family photo was a few years ago. I doubted anyone would even have that in their possession anymore." A small laugh escaped me. It's weird how we're so famous but we barely take photoes.
"An artist's eyes has it's charms. Plus you can find anything online now a days. It wasn't easy though. You've been quite successful in keeping yourself from public eyes. It's rare to keep one's identity a mystery these days." His eyes lit up at that. He looks like he's happy with his accomplishments.
"It is and so I'd like it to stay that way in you don't mind." I replied with a static grin.
I may be nervous or what not, but it took my my whole life to stay out of media's rader. I'm not about to let it go to waste. No matter who it's for or because.
"Oh, don't worry. Being someone who's never cared for public views his whole life, I wouldn't damage someone's hard earned privacy." He held up his hand in surrender as I nodded. I just hope he keeps his words.
We left awkwardly. Maybe I was more awkward than he was. He didn't look any part awkward thought. He also bid me a see you around. I just hope that wish is never heard. I'm far better off never meeting anyone like him.
I reached home about late afternoon which made me relieved. I'd prefer not to ride with Luciana after dark. Nobody can gandle her wild side at night. I'd prefer it to be perfect daytime when we ride.
After changing into my riding outfit, I spot my sister grooming her horse. She looked like a model standing by her white horse. Well, she is one already so I get why.
Her horse was no less either, she have been featured into many magazines already with how pretty and docile she is. Most beautiful was her mane which everyone loved braiding and so she always looked the part to match her master. Although she doesn't ride as good with anyone other than with Luciana. It's proof that she belongs to Luci.
"Did you plan on matching with Lilith?" Luci asked as I reached her.
"What'd you mean?" I asked confused reaching for the stable.
"Outfit." She pointed as I let out a laugh.
"I can say the same for you." I said walking backwards.
"I always match with my baby." She said kissing Clio.
I was in a all over black riding outfit and had tied my hair in a high ponytail. It's easier to ride without hair sticking all over your face. The same cannot be said about Luciana. While my hair stuck to the face, She loved when her hair flows in the wind which it does. Her outfit also followed with how casual she always dresses even while riding, in a kakhi riding pants and white tshirt with a jacket. You can guess why I say its better if she rides in the day. She'll break her neck with how careless she can be while riding.
Opening my stable, I automatically smiled at my beautiful Lilith. Lilith is from a unique black breed which was a cross between pure black domeastic and wild horse. Because of this she was bigger for her size and was much stronger than any other horse. Even male horses feared her temper. Which also meant she was hell hard to train. I can't even count how many times she threw me off and how many times I almost broke my neck. They say that you never choose them, they choose you. It took me 5 years to earn her trust. Still now she prefers to be riding free rather than eat and be lazy in his stable like all the other horse.
Her black mane was so dark you'd mistake it to be dyed. At night when moving she's almost unnoticeable. When I was in highschool, I sometime went riding with her at night to run away from my reality and problem. No one could find us if she didn't want them to. I loved how she understood my feeling before anyone else and was always ready to ride whenever she realized I was feeling suffocated.
It's been a while since I rode, so getting on top of Lilith is quite refreshing. The moment I walked her out of the stable she was already ready to sprint in full speed.
"Easy girl! Don't break my neck before I even get to ride." She only burffed at me. She always had an attitude.
"You sure are impatient, Lilith. How about an unofficial race? We've never raced unofficially before since we barely ever rode together." Luciana said getting on top of Clio.
"Well, we only ever raced in the tournament at the end of the year anyway." I pointed walking to her.
"Where's the fun in that." She said as the corner of her mouth lifted mischievously and she sprinted outside with Clio.
Here we go. Let's hope none of us break a bone today.
Thinking to myself, I followed her. By the time we reached the meadow, all eyes in the ranch were on us. I can understand, no one has ever seen us ride together before. Even when we did participate in the year end tournament, it's only ever been formality. And Lilith never liked gearing up so I always had to ride someone else. It's not the same without her.
"Don't fall back, Liya." That's all I heard before she started running full speed with Clio.
That's not how you race, that's how you cheat. Sighing I started picking up speed too.
I don't know about others but when the late autumn hit my face full speed, I felt alive again. I wonder why I stopped riding like this with Lilith recently. It made me feel free, made me want to ride without a care in the world. It was never just riding a horse for me. The adrenaline rush felt when Lilith went wild is unexpressable. It was almost like drug and I loved it.
When I reached top of high lamd , I instantly spotted Luci riding like crazy as always. Somehow my adrenaline made me grin and I wanted to have fun for once and forget everything.
"Lilith, lets show why you never participate in any race, shall we?" I asked which I'm not sure how this girl understood but she instantly reared before sprinting full speed toward Luciana.
When I say was fast would be an understatement. Father wamted to out her for a race many times with how fast and wild she is. Nobody has ever been able to ride other than me. Three professional rider broke a bone trying to tame her and ride. She's smart, she'll let you ride and then she'll throw you off. I'm speaking from experience.
To be honest, she'd have been sold off if not for me. But I guess since my mother bought them for us was another reason no one ever thought of even touching them. The same goes for Clio. She'd act out if you pair her with anyone else for a race. But since Luciana races sometime, it didn't matter.
When Luci nptixed me beaide her, she was shocked wouldn't express her expression.
"H-how you catch up?" She asked with no sign of slowing down. I let out a laugh befpre replying.
"Lilith has her charms of being a wild one." I replied before Lilith instantly picked up and before you know it Luci fell behind us.
I could hear Luci shout behind me but the wind made it almost unnoticeable. When we reached open feild I slowly closed my eyes to take in the feeling before slowing down by the lake.
In about a minute, Luci reached me. Her face said she was pouting. I can guess why. She hates losing, this isn't new.
"Why the hell don't you race, Liya?" She asked closing in.
"Because Lilith doesn't seem interested. She hates gearing up." I replied getting down to let her rest a little. Luci followed as Clio joined Lilith in drinking.
"That'd make sense. Does anyone even knows how to tame her?" She asked stretching.
"She isn't for taming anyway." I replied opening my hair.
"True, wonder what attracted mom to buy her." I heard her mumbled but didn't reply.
I'm not sure either but I can guess why anyone would find Lilith attractive. There's been many offer to buy her from us. Even as a child I loved her, despite her temper. If you carefully notice she wasn't exactly untamable. She was quite calm around my mom or so I remember. I guess animals have better instincts than us.
The first time I rode her was when I had the worst day of my life in middle school. She was still under trinning then. And she'd still throw me off. But that I was so upset I didn't care if I fell off or something. I think Lilith felt it. That was the first time I felt the perfect feeling of riding a horse. Since before her, I only rode trained horse. They listen to your orders but Lilith was free willed. I guess I fell in love with that.
"Hey, Liya." I was pulled out of my thoughts.
"Hm?" I turned back at her.
"Is it just me or someone's standing by our stable?" She said squinting her eyes while pointing in that direction.
"Um, isn't it normal? We have lots of people working here if you forgot, Luci." I said shrugging.
"Yes, I'm well aware but I'm sure none of them wear suit." She said which made me confused as I tried to understand what she meant and looked back at our stable.
It was a little far from where we were but not far enough for us to not see anything. And she was right there was someone standing in a blue suit. A very tall guy is my guess. Talking to our manager most probably. But that's weird. Dad shouldn't be back yet and he doesn't wear blue suit like that. Neither is he that tall. We have no other male coming in our stable looking like that.
"Any guess who it could be?" She asked putting her hand on my shoulder.
"You're asking me? I barely know anyone." I repliedrolling my eyes.
"Yea but you know most of the high class folks that hang around pur family. I barely met any." She said with a shrug.
"I do but no one that'd come unannounced. I asked Lily today, no one was suppose to come today." I replied as we walked back to our horse.
"One way to find out." She got up on Clio saying.
Nodding I got on top of Lilith and we sped off toward our stable. As closer we got, I got a clearer view of the person by the stable. Before I can even grasp who it was I saw Luciana sped off before me shouting.
"Oh, my!"
I slowed down a little but kept my pace behind her. I wonder why got Luci excited like that.
I saw her getting down instantly and running to hug the man in polished blue suit. I could easily say he was tall and build well. There's no doubt in that. Closing in he looked up at me and I was taken aback from shock would be a lie. It was more familiarity that took me by surprise. I wonder what kind of expression I had that made him look at me with curiosity. Maybe he felt the same way I did after so long. Probably not with how observant he was.
A handsome face. Well defined, with a sharp jaw covered by unnoticeable stubble with angular cheekbones. The complexion of his skin went well with his blue hued eyes. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must be used to that, the sudden pause in a person's neutral expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course the blush that followed was a dead give-away. It didn't help that he was so modest with it, it probably made the people fall for him all the more.
Despite all the opportunity that came his way he was said to be a one-woman-man who prized genuineness and thoughtful conversation above lipstick and high-heels. He was handsome alright, but inside he was beautiful. His way of work said it all.
And how I knew all that is a story for another time. But most important of all was the fact that he fancied my sister a lot more than one had expected of him, even me.
Getting down I approached them. Luci was still under his arms as she grinned was seen from far and wide.
"Guess none of us expected him, right Liya?" She said which was probably supposed to make me smile. But somehow I didn't feel like I could pull it off right now.
"Liyana Caldine, what a plasure to see you after so long." He said in such a sharp tone which made me internally flinch with how formal it sounded. He always had his ways to make you feel things. It depended him on how he wanted to make you feel.
"Plasure is mine, Ashton Wade." I replied wirh a neutral smile.
"Gosh, aren't you two formal. When did that happen?" Luci said huffing.
"Not everyone's like you, Luci. I'm more surprised to see you two sisters together at all. Even more so that Liyana tolerated riding with you." He said putting his hands in his pocket.
"Oh sure, you classy people. I like being myself than act all posh and robotic." She flipped her hair and called a worker to take her horse away.
"Beautiful horse you have there, Liyana. I haven't seen this one before." He said which made me genuinely smile. Of couse he didn't because we never rode together and Lilith never hangs around other people without me.
"Thank you. Her name's Lilith. She's actually been around from the begining. But she isn't exactly social." I replied stroking my girl while she only observed my reaction. I wonder if she can feel what I feel too.
"Just like you I believe." I turned at that comment. I never knew him for his snide remarks. But I guess time changes a lot. Just as it did to us.
"Just like me." I nodded before leaving with Lilith. He didn't even notice just as he never did.
Ashton Wade, the young CEO of the chain of Wade PR firms. Wade Enterprise had a lot under their belt but none were as successful as his presently. Known most for his sharp entrepreneur mind. His firm never lost a case or project as far recorded. He moved with the most renowned people of the high society and celebrity world yet not a single scratch was on his name. He's so perfect in people's eyes that it almost makes me curious how he succeeded in being so. But who am I to judge.
I probably got lost in this man's charm before he even hit his spot light. Sadly, the only one who lost a part was me, foolishly so.