"Hey mom, Good morning...what's with the luggages?" Lexa asked stepping out of her room seeing her mom.
"Oh darling, Good morning, how are you?. I'm sorry I didn't inform you earlier your dad and I have a 10am flight to catch to Manchester, we have a meeting with a top business man and some few clients, we might be back in a week" Lady Hazel told her daughter caressing her cheeks before pecking her goodbye. She sighed as the watched her parents car leave the compound, she feels a bit of sadness and bitterness, trapped in a home of luxury but still lonely. She has the lastest brands of shoes, bags, shops from the biggest cloth brand, uses the latest phone, have maids at her beck and call but she's always lonely. Being an only child of the Raynolds of course she can't hang around just anyone, so far that she doesn't keep friends. She barely joins her parents for dinners, parties and different occasions because she will be forced to make friends with the children of her parents business partners who she finds proud and full of their selves. They insults their workers and have a very proud aura she dislikes so much so she avoids making friends with them.
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Thursdays are very hectic days for Jace, as he juggles his job at the hardware store, being very dedicated and hardworking and loved by both his employes and fellow coworkers. Recently, he enrolled himself at a local community college for evening lectures and was rewarded a scholarship due to his outrageous high score from the registration exams he took. His commitment, dedication and zeal to further his education made him excel in his studies and find favours in his lecturers. Despite his busy schedule, he often finds himself looking forward to the moment he might catch a glimpse of Lexa in her garden.
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"It's really a hot afternoon Max isn't it?" Lexa said to her dog before letting it jump down to play. Few minutes later, Max ran to the fence and jumped out running off to Jace after recognizing him. Lexa ran after Ma, not noticing Jace until she accidentally bumped into him.
"I'm so so sorry...Jace right?" Lexa said shyly.
"Yh, it's nothing really"Jace replied quite happy the rich girl remembered his name.
"Well, Max seems to be fond of you already" she said looking down at her dog who was playfully rubbing his body against Jace's leg.
"You've got a really great dog you know, I'll really love to have one for myself too" Jace said. "Uhmm...you've got time to spear?, It's really hot here we can stroll to that park it's got an animal feeds store also, I can buy a snack for your dog...that's if you don't mind Princess?"Jace added.
"Her parents were in Manchester city, Nanny Dianne had gone grocery shopping with the driver, so she can actually spear some time outside this big boring mansion and won't get scolded by anyone.
"Alright then, by the way, my name is Lexa not Princess" she said smiling.
"Well then Princess Lexa, I'll still call you Princess because you look flawless and only princesses look like that" he said gushingly.
While at the quite park, they let Max roam around as they sat on a bench. Jace tells Lexa the story of his life, his hardworks, his dreams and his experiences. Lexa on the other hand is really fascinated on such wonderful dreams and how he plans to achieve each one of them, his determination and zeal really impresses her. After an hour at the park, they bid each other farewell and returned to their different abodes. Jace is really proud of himself for striking a conversation with Lexa, the flawless princesswho happens to be the only daughter of the Raynolds family. Though the personality of her father scares him, but he is willing to take a risk.
As the days go by, Lexa and Jace becomes more drawn to eat other as they spend every evening strolling together for an hour or two with Lexa's little white lie of going to the garden for fresh air with Max.
They bond over shared interests, desires and taste of musics. Jace is really drawn to Lexa's intelligence, her Queen's English, her warmth and other traits that make her even more beautiful in his eyes. Finding solace in each other's compan, they become close and bonded so we'll before the week expired and Lexa's parents returned from their business trip.
With time, Jace earnestness and humility appeals to Lexa who is already tired of the superficial relationships within her social circle. On the other hand, Lexa's kindness, humility and genuine interest in Jace's life makes him feel seen and appreciated.
One evening, Lexa takes advantage of her parents dinner outing with a certain Russian business man to sneak out of the mansion and hang around with Jace. In the process of their strolling and talking about life, Lexa confindes in Jace about her feelings of loneliness and the pressure from her parents to conform to their expectations. Jace listens attentively, offering her the moral, emotional support and empathy she craves for. This moment of vulnerability deepens their bond, solidifying their friendship.
As the summer progresses, Jace and Lexa continue to find time to spend together. They meet in secret spots around their neighborhood, avoiding the sterning and prying eyes of Lexa's parents. Each moment brings them closer and their conversations become more intimate, filled with shared dreams and secret longings.
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DON RAYNOLDS MANSION
Don Raynolds and his wife at their large dinning hall, feasting over different dishes.
"Don't you think it's high time Lexa gets married?, I mean she'll be out of college in some months time, she is now of age and also looks womanly. Don't you think this will tighten the bond between a family like ours and another noble family too?. It will also earn the family more respect, business partners and increase our businesses both financially and other wise " Don Raynolds said, breaking the silence.
"Lexa is our only child, I can't let her get married at the age of 20, she might appear womanly but she is still a child. Let's give her sometime to mature before bringing up a marriage topic" Lady Hazel said rolling her eyes.
"Well then hazel, this will remain pending until I find a perfect suitor for her. She is old and matured enough to get married. Haven't you noticed the numerous suitors?, The young men from noble, reputable homes coming to seek her hand in marriage, do you know the connectios, fame and business associates this Will attract?. Weathy families and cooperations will want to partnywith us, don't you know it will boost our reputation in this country and abroad?" Don Raynolds said getting pissed.
"But can we give her time?, Let her get to 23 and then she'll be fit emotionally and otherwise to shoulder the responsibilities of being a wife, let's also let her pick her suitor,
her preferable choice to get married to" Lady Hazel said.
"What are you saying woman?!!, Are you dumb?. We should let her pick her preferable choice? So she can pick just anyone from the street and trample on the image and reputation I've built over the years? And if your daughter decides to pick just anyone than what will happen to the business, our partners, how are we to form business allies, do you think I made just stupid decisions to be where I am today?." Don Raynolds fired, hitting his palm on the dinning table.
"No, no that not what I mean to say" the now frightened woman agitated.
"Well, I don't care about what your tryin to say, she is getting married to the most powerful business bachelor I can find amongst her suitors and that's final!" He shot, leaving the table.