Chapter 4
Lovely sat in front of the mirror motionless for minutes, regretting the decision she had made when she had been in a fairer mood. She applied a bit of makeup concealing her freckles and eye bags from not sleeping much. It had been less than a week since her mom left for the city and she had grown restless, anxious about any and everything. Even the daily calls from mom couldn't put her at ease till she heard the soothing tune of her father's voice an hour ago.
"Lovely it's your father," Uncle Billy had announced stretching out the landline to her after picking up the phone some minutes earlier.
She quivered as she took hold of the phone line, running her fingers through her hair. After weeks of aching for this moment, she couldn't utter a word for the first few seconds, unable to find the right words. This was the second time she got to talk to him since his conviction.
"Dad? Is that you?" clinching tighter.
"Hey buttercup, how are you holding up?"
"I'm okay, you?" she simpered with her fingers on her lips, close to tearing up, overwhelmed by her emotions. I've been worried sick about you, why didn't you call sooner or more often?" she interrupted before he could reply, blinking the brimming tears away.
"I heard from your mother Love and I'm sorry. It's being an insane couple of months still I'm inexcusable for not phoning my little princess," he said and she could tell there was a smile on his face that made her feel warm. "I'll try to more often, I promise."
They talked seamlessly for minutes, about Willcox and her mom but nothing about his incarceration.
"Dad, I'll be heading out later today for a fundraiser. It's for the orphanage and I wonder how it will--"
"Classy! Would you look at that? Soon you'll be too far up the social ladder to converse with a rusty chap like me," he teased, chuckling after his last word.
It had been far too long since she heard him laugh which really brightened her mood and put her more at ease but this was short-lived after getting the few words she dreaded to hear.
"I have to go now Love, I'll try to call as soon as I can. Knock them dead at the fundraiser."
"But Dad I love you-"And the phone line went dead before she could complete her farewell or even ask why he had to go, leaving her in a state not so different from before the call.
Her thought was drawn back by a light knock on her door.
"Yes, Uncle?"
"I won't be able to take you to the fundraiser I'm afraid. Turns out I still have a few errands to run in town and I may be a little late. You'll be going with Ashley, I already called her mom."
Lovely was a little surprised by the sudden change of plans but it's was Ash so she couldn't object, how could she?
Ashley's mom pulled up in front of the house half an hour after Uncle Billy had driven out in his saloon car, taking the dirt road.
"Alright c'mon girl, we haven't got all day," Ashley's mom let off in a very southern accent that was followed with a few honks. Mrs. Browns didn't fancy being kept waiting, a stranger could tell.
"I'll go get her mom." Ashley giggled.
But lovely emerged through the door before Ashley could step out, looking ravishing now more than ever. She wore a blue sleeveless dress that matched the color of her eyes, sprigged with small white flowers, pressing tightly against her slender waist, expressing the arch of her hips beneath and buffed her chest upwards, half revealing the curves of her young breasts above the V-shaped neckline. A little too sophisticated If Mrs. Browns were to be asked. She really does know how to put on a show Ashley thought equally stunned. Wearing a black off-shouldered, sleeved gown
"Hey, Mrs. Brown, sorry to keep you waiting," Lovely bellowed as she opened the car door. "You look amazing darling. Buckle up now girls." Igniting the engine and they were off.
The drive to Sunglow Manor felt like a swift one, typically cause of the endless chatter between the girls, though the car slammed around corners making lovely wonder if they would arrive in one piece, but she need not have worried, Mrs. Browns driving was fairly reliable if a bit daredevil.
Lovely had learned the Ortega's were notably wealthy as they ran one of the most prominent courier/shipping companies across North and Latin America worth billions with Charlie's father a major overseer in the family business.
Past an intersection was a narrow road with tall bushy trees on both sides, the ladies could feel the change in terrain. They were finally in the estate approaching the house.
The car breezed in front of the building after a half turn around the fountain. There were recognizable faces already present at the villa with cars littered all around. The town's people had really turned up to support this event.
"Hey! You made it." Charlie exclaimed, elated by the sight of Lovely who stood beside Ashley. Her mother had jumped into an engaging discussion right after one of the doormen offered to park the car properly.
Lovely's face flushed with relief, her pulse tardy, at ease to see a face she was comfortable with. Just comfortable? Quite the understatement.
"You look dazzling," he confessed.
"Thank you, you're not bad yourself." He was smartly dressed in a grey tux.
"And you too Ash."
"Oh! Now you see me? Ashley blurted making all three laughed softly.
"Where's Evans?" Ashley questioned almost immediately.
"With Marcus by the pantry, helping the cooks," He chuckled making air quotes. "Why don't you go fetch them while I show our new friend around." his gaze narrowed on lovely.
"Sure whatever," Ashley retorted as she whisked inside, beaming a naughty smile across her face knowing their premature attraction needed some alone time.
"Well, shall we Milady?" he teased, offering out his arm.
"Stop it you," her gaze wandered around for prying eyes as she clutched his arm sharply.
The Villa was a sight-see. The courtyard adorned with luscious hedge walls and lawn cut impeccably around the main manor so huge one would need more than an afternoon to fully explore. It was one astounding piece of architecture Lovely complimented early during their walk. For once it felt as though she had escaped Willcox and in some fairytale town with a charming lad in her arms.
They had passed by the enormous pool before heading to the gallery, indoor aquarium, and other sections of the house off-limits to guests. This grand gest was truly stunning and she was having much more fun than she had anticipated. The last scene they went through was the garden, his favorite place in the entire estate he said.
They walked across the lawn to a section of estate covered in flowers of many kinds and soft-colored tall scrubs that marveled Lovely, she couldn't stop gazing all around her. There were other people in the garden. Couples who wandered from the manor, entwined in each other's embrace, not caring for anyone but themselves. He had put his arm around her to guide her over the rough grass. Now that they were here, lovely noticed how their little stroll has really blossomed into an enchanting afternoon with distant music and far-off laughter part of the magic.
They had spent most of the afternoon together, almost forgetting the event that brought them together in the first place. Charlie held her hand with their fingers locking and she couldn't help but feel a quivering thrill she had not known before.
"Let's join the others now, my dad should be addressing his guests," Charlie suggested, snapping lovely back to the little town she now called home, this was a fundraiser after all.
Her heeled shoe echoed against the marble as she walked hand in hand with Charlie, snatching the attention of most, admiring how splendid they looked together. As they made their way to where the rest of the circle stood, hearing the sensuous throbbing of acoustic guitars as they strolled with the unsolicited lascivious gaze from young men in tux only made lovely clutch onto Charlie a little tighter.
The hall was as spectacular as the rest of the house only here had the aroma for fine cuisines mixed in the whiff of wine and the luster from the glittering chandeliers only highlighted the enchantment of the afternoon as their radiance struck against the clear polished marble floor,
"How nice of you to join us," Ashley said immediately as she sighted their approach, making a curtsy with arms spread out, a glass in one. Her little gesture cracked up Marcus and Evans both dressed in a three-piece of different colors. They could all tell lovely had a delightful tour of the manor by the enchanting smile on her face.
Lovely, though with one handsome lad in arm couldn't help but notice how dashing Marcus was as he threw his head a little backward as he chuckled revealing his lusciously craved Adam's apple.
Drawing closer, Marcus's unswerving gaze was fixed on Lovely as did hers. She had no right to have such disarming smile, he thought as he felt an unusual jittery warmth in his chest.
A husky voice interrupted before Charlie could respond to Ashley's one-liner.
"Ah, my boy, you sure like to make an entrance," A buffed old chap in an all-white suit and a cowboy hat grinned, now walking towards the bunch." And who's this pretty lass?" He turned towards lovely.
"Hey, Dad this is lovely, the priest's niece. She just moved to town."
His smirk vanished and his eyes widened, taken aback by his son's words but quickly regained his composure, tipping his hat to the ever-gorgeous lovely.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Ortega," Lovely simpered.
"Charlie don't let go of this one, she's a keeper," He chortled after some minutes of small talks and the bunch let out a soft laugh. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll be addressing my guests in a few." He continued, taking a sip from his whiskey tumbler, striding off with a hint of poise in his steps.