In Between by Rizonne Alexander (the reading strategies book .TXT) 📕

show I came home to an empty house. My show was a massive success and the orders kept on rolling in. My workshops and seamstresses have been working around the clock with so much overtime, I decided to triple all overtime because they too play a massive role in my success. Payroll department received all notifications so that too is something that is been worked through. Penny has been constantly on the line with couriers and arranging fabrics to be imported. It’s been tough but a huge success nonetheless. I expected my father to be by my side, but only me and my mother was on the red carpet taking photos alone. My mother has been very down since we both got to my house, I know we haven’t spoken properly since my father and Bastiaan had a fall out here, but I don’t like seeing her like this. “Mother, you are supposed to be leaving tomorrow morning early. Where is dad?” I asked her. “Come and sit next to me Ammi” she responded. She always called me by my nickname when she was about to deliver bad news. So, with a heavy heart I walked over to her and sat next to her. “What’s wrong?” I asked her. “I also never intended to know about the mystical world, I’m sure you know the whole story of your father’s family, right?” she said, and I nodded to agree. “So, years ago, I picked up your father from the dirt and we built the empire we have today but for years I always thought that one day he might return to be King. It is his right may he decline; that would be another situation. However, your father and Bastiaan has returned to their home and I do not know if they would return.” She explained, and tears filled her eyes. The thought of me not seeing my father again or even Bastiaan who I have fallen so deeply in love with brought tears to my eyes too.  My heart felt like it was torn into pieces and I grabbed my mother and held on to her. “I know you are hurting Ammi, so am I” she said weeping softly. “So, what happens next?” I asked her. “Well, your father just called me to say that I need to oversee the business. At least that will keep our lifestyle afloat.” She replied. my heart felt shattered, for the first time that I fell in love, I’m left behind. “I have to go now.” Mom said, “why don’t you sleep over?” I asked. “I can’t, I’m meeting some friends for late night drinks.” She replied. “Ahhhh, take me with mom! Please. I can’t stay here. Well I don’t want to stay here all alone.” I said whining “Why would you want to hang out with me and all my older friends?” she asked laughing at me. “can’t you go somewhere else?” she asked with her hands on her waist. “nah I would actually love to get drunk with you tonight.” I replied. she looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Okay fine, let’s go then.” She said walking out the door. I squealed from excitement. I really need this, I can’t be alone here, surrounded by four walls when my heart was broken. We got into the car and drove off to some casino far off into the city. We both got out and I was hounded with paparazzi, my dad who has always been my body guard was not here today, so I had to rely on the bouncers outside the casino. When we entered the casino, it was sardine packed. My mother grabbed my hand and led me over to the VIP sections where her friends were awaiting her. “Amber! Alyssa! Oh, you brought your daughter with! Hi Amber!” Everyone shouted and greeted at once to the point where for a moment I started to regret coming. We took a seat, my dress was pulling up and I kept on pulling it down, how frustrating. I have never experienced my mother partying with her friends and it’s a good distraction to see what she gets up too. All I know is that her hangover is going to tragic tomorrow morning. I feel sorry for the aeroplane staff and her employees too. A couple of people came over for my autograph and a few photographs. The first round of tequila was placed onto the table, everyone downed the shots and then me. The warmth of the liquid filled my veins up with the alcohol. I watched through the crowed, all the girls dancing and the guys. A part of me wishes that he was here with me, on that dance floor. I yearned for his lips, I yearned his touch. I still repeat to myself that I can’t believe that after so many years, I fell in love and literally get dumped! “Fuck” I said shaking my head. A waiter came over to me with a cocktail. “Mam, this is for you from the guy over at the bar.” He said and walked away. My mother and her friends were on the dance floor after the shot of tequila, I looked at the cocktail and then at him.  I shook my head from annoyance, he had a sexy smirk though. I took out my drug dipper from my clutch bag and placed it in the glass. Yes, I carry a drug dipper around me all the time. When I’m offered drinks I just use the little stick and it will tell me if there is an active drug or not placed into my drink. I have to do this because of who I am and my family too. The test came back negative, I smile back at him to signal that I accept and took a sip. I was getting bored, really bored so I gulped the cocktail down and made my way to the dance floor to my mom. The moment I reached her, she dragged me over to the bar for about two more shots. My head started feeling fuzzy and we went back to the dance floor again. I was hot, I was sweaty, and I just wanted to get in a shower especially to just cool me down. I have not done this in a while. Suddenly, I felt hands around me, nothing alarming and it was the same guy who bought me the cocktail. Sober me would have slapped him, drunk and heartbroken me now wants to just dance and let go. I turned around to him and placed my arms around his neck and we continued to dance for a few more minutes until my mother dragged me to the bar. All I could remember was his gorgeous cologne and his dirty blonde hair. Another round of tequila but this time I did not take it but instead I ordered myself a Lemon Gaze cocktail, my favourite. “Sour taste of cocktail you got there mam.” The voice said, I turned around and it was dirty blonde hair smiling at me. “Yes, just like the buyer!” I shouted back at him laughing. “You have entertained me well tonight!” He shouted back at me with that gorgeous smile. “Oh, I did? I would not call dancing entertaining, okay well it is but oh c’mon you know what I mean!” I shouted. I pointed to the VIP section and signalled him to follow me. He took a seat next to me. “This is much better, not so much noise.” He said, and I giggled. His voice was angelic and soothing. “So, who are you with?” I asked him knowing that every sexy man on this earth that comes to a club as a girl back home. “I’m here with my colleagues” He said pointing over to them. “Ah I see, some sort of celebration?” I asked him. “Yes, in fact I got promoted today to CEO.” He responded with his gorgeous smile. “Wow, CEO. That is amazing. Cheers!” I said raising my glass to him. “You have a hard journey ahead of you I must say.” I responded. “Not really, I was stand in CEO for about two years already, so I know the tricks already.” He replied. “Well that is awesome!” I said smiling back at him. “So Amber Lily, what made you come out tonight? The world hardly sees you partying or evening drinking.” He asked me. “You would not believe me if I told you.” I said to him tilting my head in a sobbing kind of way. “Alright, now I am curious.” He said and moved closer to me and came up to my ear. “Do tell.” He said. He gave exciting chills down my spine. “Why don’t we discuss this in a more quieter place?” I said smirking at him. I could sense his shock but neither did he decline when I took his hand and we walked out the club together. Sober me would never do what I’m busy doing, drunk me is basically telling my body and everyone around it to fuck it all. Paparazzi was all over the place, but dirty blonde kept me close to him and made a way for him. I started to feel a tiny bit emotional because here this guy is protecting me. It made me think of all the times Bastiaan saved me. A taxi finally stopped and we both hopped in laughing at the whole situation. “Mountain Manor please driver.” I told the driver and passing on a few dollars to him. “Wait, are we going to your place?” He asked me, smirking and tilting his head making his dirty blonde hair fall to his forehead. “Well I did ask if we could discuss things in a quieter place?” I said smiling but looking out the window. The motion made my head even more fuzzy and I knew for a fact I was drunk. I was so drunk that I decided to bring a guy home and not even tell, my mom I’m leaving. Suddenly my mobile rang, wow. It was her. >>” Mom, hi” << >>” where are you?” << >>” I got a taxi home, don’t worry about me. I am almost home okay. See you tomorrow.” << I immediately hung up because I didn’t want to seem like a mommy’s girl when in fact I’m a daddy’s girl, but my father left me too. Fuck I am so depressed. We stopped at my house and he got out to open the door for me, his such a cutie. We both walked up to the door and he patiently waited till I unlocked the door and we both entered. “I hope you don’t mind but I’m ridding myself of these heels. My feet are killing me.” I said to him and making my way over to light the fire in the fire place. “Why don’t I help you out with a foot massage?” He asked me. “I’m impressed. Let get us a bottle of wine to enjoy while you pleasure me with that massage” I said smiling and turning around to the kitchen. When I returned, he was sitting on the sofa and had his jacket removed. Oh, his biceps! I was drooling. “So, I did not know if you would like sweet or dry, so I brought both.” I said and then handing the bottles over to him. I took a seat next to him and he picked up both my legs and placed them on his legs. He then took the one bottle and filled up two glasses then handed me one. “So, what is your name?” I asked him. “Chad, my name is Chad Lofter.” He replied sweetly. “May I?” He asked pointing to my feet. “Well of cause!” I said laughing. He started massaging my feet and I closed my eyes letting out a slight moan escape. “You like?” He asked in a low voice. “You bet