Chapter Three

Bringgggggggggggggggggggggggg!

“Mrnghhh.” A hand emerged from under the thick covers, slapping around the bedside table. The ringing alarm clock was knocked to the floor, where it continued to vibrate and buzz.

“Aiyooooo,” came a plaintive grumble, muffled under the covers.

Moments later, the duvet was flung back and the woman ­– no, more like girl – of the hour sat up. Her hair was wild, her eyes bleary and still shut, and there was a sulky pout on her lips.

The clock paid no heed to her and continued ringing happily. Grumbling under her breath, she rolled over and felt on the floor. When she brushed against the clock, she turned it off and fell back onto the bed.

And I said what about "Breakfast at Tiffany's?

She said, "I think I…

She screamed into her pillow in frustration, feeling around for the second clock. She sighed with relief once the song stopped. Finally, silence.

Her phone started vibrating against the bedside table. She scrunched up her face as if she was going to cry but grabbed her phone anyway.

“Wei?”

“Rainie Lin. I’ll bet you’re still in bed, you bum.” Lisa’s voice mocked her.

“I won’t deny it. I was having such a good sleep too,” she groaned, arm over her eyes to block out the morning light.

“You’re supposed to be meeting me in like an hour hun.”

She groaned again at the reminder. So that was why she’d had two alarms on standby! “Okay okay I’m up. I’ll take a quick shower and meet you in a bit.”

“Sweet. Don’t be late!” Lisa trilled before hanging up.

She dragged herself out of bed and into the shower, where she promptly started screaming. The water was freezing!

She was wide-awake by the time she got out, hair dripping wet and wrapped in a towel. She blew dry her hair, picked out and put on random pieces of clothing and stared at herself in the mirror.

Satisfied that she looked passable, she grabbed her bag and left the apartment. Getting to the mall wouldn’t take too long so she wasn’t too worried about being late.

It was Saturday and sunny. A gorgeous day out, but Saturdays were her only sleep-in days and she treasured them. Lisa however, was a morning person and getting her to agree to meet at 11am had tested her skills of persuasion.

She smiled slightly. It had been about two to three months since Lisa had “discovered” her, as Lisa liked to put it. Things had been awkward the first few meetings, but Rainie had eventually warmed up to her. Lisa was just so genuine, and she was trying so hard.

They’d started hanging out more often, sometimes just for lunch or dinner. It was surprising how they were so different but at the same time, similar in so many other ways.

She still had yet to meet Nathan. Part of her was curious and dying to meet him, another part of her just wanted to avoid him as long as she possibly could. She wondered if she’d be reduced to blushing and stuttering when they did finally come across each other. Her childhood crush on him had been huge.

Once she stepped off the bus, she scanned the area for her friend. Not seeing her, she dialled her number.

“I see you!” Lisa sang into the phone, bypassing the customary greetings.

Rainie stared at her phone. Lisa had just hung up on her. She didn’t have too much time to think about it because the next thing she knew, she was attacked by a monster hug.

“You have no idea how glad I am to see you!” Lisa breathed, smoothing Rainie’s hair. “Nathan was being a bummer and wouldn’t budge from his bed.”

“Why couldn’t you have been as kind to me?” Rainie teased wryly.

“Sleep schmeep. Oh right, you didn’t forget that I’m having a party tonight and that you’re invited, did you?”

Rainie stared at her blankly.

“Oh my gosh, you did forget. I knew I should’ve called earlier this week to remind you.”

“Wait, your party’s tonight?” Rainie was flummoxed that she’d forgotten about the party. “Didn’t I say that I wasn’t going to go? I don’t have anything to wear to fancy parties.”

Lisa smirked. “Come on. We’re going to get busy.”

She eyed her friend suspiciously. She didn’t trust that look on Lisa’s face. She only ever had that expression when she was up to no good. ‘That just sounded so wrong, on all counts.”

“Oh shush you.” Lisa grabbed her hand and had her flying after her. “First stop, a dress.”

She dragged her from store to store, making her try on dresses of every colour and style. Rainie merely looked on in horror at the price tags dangling off the dresses, but Lisa would not listen to her protests.

After the fifth store, and countless dresses later, Lisa pronounced the dress she had on as perfect. Pearl-white, off-shoulder, with an empire line waist. The dress was a little too long, not surprising as Rainie was just tiny. Nothing a pair of heels wouldn’t be able to rectify.

“I…can’t afford this,” Rainie protested, looking at Lisa wide-eyed. She looked at herself again in the mirror. It was a dreamy dress, something celebrities wore to premieres and shows but it wasn’t for an ordinary girl like her.

“Silly girl, of course I’m paying. It’s my party, and I’m forcing you to go to it. I’d feel so guilty if I made you spend on an outfit too,” Lisa dismissed her concerns easily.

“It’s too expensive!”

“Nonsense. Go change out of it. We are not leaving without that dress,” Lisa set her jaw.

She eyed her friend, defeated. She knew that mutinous look. Lisa was probably the most stubborn person she knew, and once she’d set her mind on something, there was no moving her.

She changed out of the dress and put her own clothes back on. She wordlessly handed the dress to Lisa when she exited the dressing room.

They left the store with the dress neatly folded and packaged in a white box. “Now, shoes and lingerie!”

Rainie could have cried. She would’ve been willing to bet everything she had that Lisa wouldn’t let her leave without first getting her a new pair of shoes to go with that dress.

She was right. A good almost-hour later, they’d finally settled on a pair of glittery, bronze-gold heels that went perfectly with the dress and some fancy lingerie that Rainie had never ever worn before.

“Now what boss?” Rainie had given up protesting by then, embracing Lisa’s encouragement to let go and enjoy herself.

“Accessories. Hmm we can make do with what I already have. Now we head back to my place!”

“So early? The party doesn’t start for another three hours.”

“Darling, getting ready alone will take more than two of those hours,” Lisa informed her, more than a little amused at her little friend’s naiveté. It was really endearing how Rainie had been wide-eyed most of the day as they’d shopped, and now had that look of amazement on her face again. That innocence was one thing that hadn’t changed about her in the seventeen years they’d spent apart.

“Wow.” Rainie mumbled to herself but Lisa picked up on it and grinned in response.

It was only when they had pulled up in front of the huge Ranieri mansion that it hit her. Lisa’s home. Nathan’s home. The same Nathan who had been lounging in bed all morning. The possibility of him being at home, and at the party tonight, was very high.

She sighed. It looked like they were bound to run into each other sometime that day, or night.

Lisa dragged the both of them to her luxurious bedroom, dumping their purchases on the canopy bed. “Go have a soak while I get everything ready. I called in earlier so the bath should be ready.”

She nodded wordlessly, taking the neatly folded bathrobe and towel Lisa handed her and disappearing into the bathroom.

She spent a good minute gaping at the bathtub, filled with warm water and covered with bubbles. A giggle escaped her. She felt like a princess!

“Hey Rain, one of the maids will let you know when it’s time to get out. I’ll be soaking in the tub down the hall. See you in half an hour!”

She grinned, playing with the bubbles. Wow, soaking for half an hour was a luxury she’d never experienced.

True to her words, sometime later there was a polite knock on the bathroom door and a woman’s voice filtered through. “Miss Lin, if you are ready to get out, we’ll start on dressing you up for tonight.”

“Sure. Thanks! I’ll be out in a minute!” she called back. She wasn’t quite sure what to do about the now lukewarm bath, so she drained the water and washed the bubbles off her.

Wrapped and warm in the robe, she stepped out and was immediately assaulted by three maids. Two mirrors had been set up close to the massive glass window, and there was a spread of makeup on a table that looked like a beauty counter taken straight from the mall.

“Impressive huh?” Lisa’s amused voice had her whirling around.

They were made to sit next to each other in front of the mirrors.

“Miss Lin, I am Wendy and I’ll be doing your hair today.”

“I am Yun, and I’m in charge of your makeup.”

Rainie just gaped at them and then turned to Lisa incredulously. “You have beauticians in your house?!”

Lisa nodded sheepishly. They were silent as the beauticians got to work.

“Close your eyes please, miss.” Rainie obliged, and felt a brush sweep over her eyelids.

This was turning out to be a fairytale day for her. Gorgeous dress, pretty shoes, an entourage of personal aids at her beck and call, and all because of her wonderful friend. She could get used to this, but she knew she couldn’t let it get to her head because it was all just for today, and then normality would set in again.

Yun and Wendy fussed over her, gushing over her long shiny hair and smooth flawless skin. All she could do in response was to smile shyly; she was so flattered by their compliments.

She had no idea how long they’d sat there, but Yun and Wendy finally declared they were done and retrieved her outfit. “Do you need help getting dressed, miss?”

She blushed furiously. “I think I’ll be fine.” She tried getting a look at herself in the mirror but they both blocked her line of sight.

“No looking until you’re in the dress and heels, missy.” Lisa winked. She looked more beautiful and glamorous than ever, if that was possible.

She locked herself in the bathroom and tried putting on the lingerie, but after struggling with it for a good ten minutes, she gave up and peeked out. “I can’t figure out the proper way to put on the undergarments,” she admitted shamefacedly.

Lisa giggled. “I’ll come help,” she offered, knowing Rainie would be too shy to allow the staff to help her out.

They fixed her up and pulled the dress on, adjusting it so that it fit every curve and flowed down her petite frame perfectly. Lisa led her out, going to get accessories while she put on the heels.

Hair? Check. Makeup? Check. Dress? Check. Shoes? Check. Bling? Check.

“Perfume,” Lisa muttered, returning and spraying the air liberally and ordering Rainie to walk through the mist of perfume.

“You’re all set! Now you can go check yourself out.”

She tottered over to the full-length mirror carefully, not used to wearing such high heels. She smoothed the front of the dress and looked up and gasped in wonder.

The girl in the mirror looked back at her, mirroring her expression. She looked like her, but at the same time, nothing like the Rainie she was used to seeing in the mirror every morning. Her eyes were bigger, because of the dark makeup lining them. Her hair was shinier, bouncier, and pulled back into a high ponytail with curls cascading down her back. Her skin was literally glowing.

She felt tears start to prickle her eyes. It really felt like a dream.

“Lisa, thank you,” she had to say it, though it came out choked.

“Anything for the best friend I’ve ever had.” Lisa’s simple reply further shook her already heightened emotions.

She sat on the bed and waited while Lisa dressed. The end result took her breath away. “You look…gorgeous.”

A sincere smile touched Lisa’s lips. She wore a strapless, wine-red silk dress that cinched at the waist and minimal accessories.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to do stuff like this with you. Go to parties together, and have heaps of fun getting ready together,” Lisa admitted, smiling brightly. “Now come on, put a smile on. The two of us are going to be the Belles of this ball!”

She giggled. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Rainie was catching it.

---------

Knock knock.

“Come in!” Nathan called, straightening his bowtie.

“The party’s in full swing already big bro. I hope you don’t mind, but I need a favour from you,” Lisa popped in.

He took in her appearance and grinned. God help all the young men tonight. They wouldn’t know what had hit them.

“What kind of favour?”

“Well, you once said that fate was against Rainie and you meeting, so I’m playing a hand at it tonight. She needs an escort for the party.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow. “She’s here? I wouldn’t have thought this was her kind of scene.”

“What, a formal ball?”

He nodded. How would she even have been able to afford to get a dress fancy enough for Lisa’s shindig? He knew very well, from what Lisa had told him, that Rainie Lin was nowhere near even semi-rich. He had a sneaking suspicion that…

“Oh since I wasn’t going to let her refuse to come, I got her a dress and the works,” Lisa waved a hand dismissively, grinning from ear to ear.

My gullible little sister. He sighed inwardly. “So what was that favour you wanted again?”

“She needs an escort for the party,” Lisa repeated, furrowing her brow slightly at the mildly displeased look on his face.

He noticed and wiped his face clean of any expression that would’ve given away his train of thought. “Me? Be her escort?”

“Yeah. I need someone to watch over her. I’m the host so I have to go mingle, but she’s so shy and innocent, and I just want to make sure nothing happens while I’m away from her.”

“Why me?” He had to check.

“You’re the only one I’d trust with her. I don’t know any other guys, or girls here too well. Besides, I think it’s about time you two met each other. This hit-and-miss thing is getting a little old,” she rolled her eyes.

He shrugged. “Sure, I’ll do it. You’ve made me curious.” Time to see if this “Rainie” girl is genuine or playing my sister for a fool.

“Thank you!” She flashed a cheeky grin. “Let’s go!”

I hope, for your sake, that she’s all you’ve said she is. Outwardly, he smiled at her enthusiasm. “Yes boss!”

He followed her willingly down the stairs, where the guests had already begun arriving and mingling. It seemed like everything overpriced had gathered in their mansion that night. Dresses, hairdos, jewellery, tuxedos, you name it.

He wrinkled his nose as they marched past a woman dressed in black. The area around her was so thick with her perfume that he felt suffocated. Her hair had been bundled into a mountain so high atop her head; he couldn’t help wondering how it stayed up.

He grinned when Lisa loudly exhaled once they were out of her sight (and hearing). She’d been holding her breath the entire time; he’d felt her speeding up in her hurry to get away.

She led him towards the side of the room, but upon discovering that her friend didn’t seem to be waiting there, she whirled around. Her panicked eyes searched the room.

She might have run off. Expensive dress, expensive shoes. I’d bet she was wearing more money than she’d ever seen in her life. Even pawning them off would give her quite a bit.

Nathan knew quite well that he was cynical. Perhaps it was the certified genius in him that overanalyzed situations and found most people lacking. He loved working and doing things that kept his mind busy. He’d never been in a relationship and didn’t see the need to have one.

He had everything he could ever want and had never been lacking for anything. He probably had one friend out of all the people he knew, and that friend was on the other side of the globe in New York. Friends meant trust, and trust too easily led to hurt. He had never really found anyone he’d wanted to call friend, except Logan Anderrs. Having just one friend suited him fine, but he knew that Lisa was made differently.

That was why he was going to be protective over his little sister. It was part of his job description as a big brother, and one he took very seriously. Rainie may be the most angelic person in the world, and Lisa certainly believed that with all her blessed, trusting heart, but until he saw that for himself and was convinced, he would retain his doubts.

He shook himself out of his thoughts as Lisa began pulling on his wrist again, leading him out of the main ballroom to the adjoining anteroom. He heard her sigh of relief and knew she’d found Rainie.

She let go of him and he watched her approach the tiny girl dressed in white. She had her back to them and was just looking out the glass window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling.

“What are you doing out here?” Lisa chided her gently.

“I don’t know anyone in there. They’re all so glamorous and they all seem to know each other. I didn’t dare to talk to them. They’re all so…” Rainie trailed off softly.

He chuckled to himself. “Intimidating?” he filled in for her.

She froze. He knew because he saw her back stiffen and her shoulders straighten.

Lisa turned her around. He saw her huge almond-shaped eyes widen. He fought to keep his own face impassive, with just a small polite smile on his lips. Now, let’s see how sincere you really are Miss Lin.

“Rainie, you know Nathan,” Lisa re-introduced them, her dark eyes shining. “He’ll be your date for the party.”

Rainie’s eyes widened even further, if that was possible, and her head snapped back as she looked up at his sister.

He stopped listening and instead looked Rainie over as she talked to Lisa. She looked quite beautiful, if he said so himself. The dress accentuated her slim figure, and made her seem curvier. The shimmer of the material made her pale skin glow. Her makeup was natural, darker around the eyes to enhance them. Her hair was up in a mass of elegant curls. She looked like she had been born for this, which further deepened his suspicions.

He smiled at her. She smiled back tentatively, exchanging a look with Lisa.

Lisa smiled encouragingly. “I expect to see the two of you inside soon. You’ll be fine, Rainie.” She leaned towards Nathan. “Be nice Nathe.” She left them with that.

He grinned at her, knowing the effect that particular grin of his had on the ladies, despite his apathy towards relationships. He’d try laying on the charm, and see if she let anything slip.

She bit her lip, unsure of what to do as she glanced at his offered arm.

Strange, doesn’t seem like the charm’s working. He stepped up to her and took her hand gently in his, placing it in the crook of his arm.

The little frown on her face cleared; she smiled at him gratefully.

Whoa.

Wordlessly, he led her back into the ballroom, mulling about what had just happened. Her smile was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. Before, he’d thought her beautiful, but he’d seen his share of beautiful. All those designer-clad, spoilt princesses he’d met those years he’d been in the Big Apple. They’d seemed to be pretty plastic dolls to him, mostly.

Rainie, on the other hand, put them all to shame. When she smiled, she smiled with her entire face. Her eyes crinkled, her cheeks and chin lifted, her eyebrows relaxed, and the corners of her mouth curled up. It was a smile free from all inhibitions, innocent and untainted.

He could feel his resolve weakening, and he had to forcibly shake himself. He would not allow a mere little smile to affect him, not until he knew for sure that her “innocence” was all real, and not just an act put on.

“I’m sorry, this must all be overwhelming,” he spoke up with a little laugh, looking at her. Dang, but she was small. Even in those heels, the top of her head barely managed to be above the level of his shoulders.

“It is,” she admitted freely, her grip on his arm a little tight. Her eyes danced over the other guests in fascination.

“Lisa can be very persuasive when she wants to get her way,” he laughed fondly.

“I told her that I wasn’t going to come, but she would have none of that. She spent all day dragging me from shop to shop.” Rainie’s laugh was rueful and soft.

“Are you okay with all this though? Must feel like a whirlwind just swept through your life and turned it upside down.”

She surprised him with a louder laugh this time. “You hit the nail on the head with that one. I couldn’t think how to describe it.”

He smiled slightly, content to stay silent for the moment.

“It took me a while to warm up to her. That day she hugged me in the office, I didn’t even believe anything she said. It was just, too coincidental, if you know what I mean. Meeting just like that after so many years. You just can’t help but love her though.” Her voice was so soft that he had to strain to catch her words. She seemed to be speaking more to herself than to him.

She caught herself with a jolt of surprise. Her eyes flew up to him. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to say all that to you!”

He had to laugh. She was so apologetic about it. He was warming up to her; he could feel it. She was either a very good actress, or this was as real as Rainie Lin would get.

“Do you want to dance?”

“I don’t know how to.”

He saw the way her eyes lingered longingly on the dancing couples and made up his mind. “Come on. I’ll teach you.”

“I don’t know the first thing about dancing,” she protested, digging her heels in.

“It’s okay. Just follow my lead.” He was resolute.

She surveyed his face and sighed in resignation when she saw the determined set of his face. He led her forward with a hand on the small of her back.

She’s so tiny.

“Put your hand on my shoulder,” he said softly, taking her other hand in his.

She complied, looking down at their feet. “I don’t want to step on your feet.” She worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

He found himself smiling again. “I’ll live even if you do. Ready?”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “Never.”

“Too bad.” He squeezed her hand and they were off. He muttered the counts under his breath for her. She stepped on his foot a couple of times but she was so light he barely felt them.

“Stop staring at our feet and look up,” he instructed in the midst of his counting.

Her head whipped up quickly. Fortunately he’d stepped away slightly so the top of her head had missed smacking into his chin, saving them a whole lot of pain.

“Sorry, I’m a big klutz,” she apologized breathlessly, cheeks flushed from the dancing.

“At least you didn’t trip up.” It clicked then. The girl before him and the one who had tripped coming out of the elevator were one and the same. She looked different now because of the makeover, but she was definitely that girl.

Rainie Lin had not changed. In that aspect anyway. She had been the clumsiest person ever in pre-school, and it seemed that had stuck. He started chuckling under his breath as he tried keeping up the count.

The curious look she sent his way made his chuckles turn to laughter. He was glad when the song ended and led her off the dance floor.

“What’s so funny?”

“You’re still clumsy,” he managed to get out, struggling to keep the laughter at bay as childhood memories swamped his mind. A four-year-old Rainie tripping over everything possible in sight. She’d become so used to falling that she hadn’t even cried over new scrapes and cuts.

“Unfortunately,” she sighed, smiling slightly.

“Whoa, what’s up with Nathan?”

They turned to face Lisa as she approached. Her eyes took in her petite friend, and her older brother, who had finally managed to pull himself together.

“I was just being clumsy again.”

Lisa giggled, understanding instantly. “I’m glad you seem to be having more fun now. It isn’t as bad as you thought it would be, is it?”

“No. Nathan just taught me this dance.” As Rainie spoke up, she realized that her hand was still encased in Nathan’s. He seemed to realize it then too and they quickly let go.

This did not escape Lisa’s notice; a smirk crept on her face. Neither Rainie nor Nathan saw it.

----------

“What did you think of tonight?” Lisa re-entered the ballroom and saw her brother seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Nathan pulled himself away from the window and smiled as she joined him, linking her arm through his. The last of the guests had just left and the help were started to clear up the remains of the party.

“You outdid yourself, sis,” he ruffled her hair affectionately.

“Hey!” she slapped his hand away playfully. “But thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

She leaned against him, tired out from her full-on day. It had been awesome. Her brother and best friend had finally met, and while it hadn’t gone as well as she would have liked, at least now they’d met each other. She would have preferred for them to get along with each other as if they hadn’t spent the past seventeen years apart, but sometimes things just took time. She knew that.

“What did you think of her?”

Her question was met with silence. She wondered if he was ever going to answer and opened her mouth to repeat the question but the sound of his voice stopped her.

“I thought that she was surprisingly innocent for someone who’s had to face so much in her life. She’s naively trusting, more so than you are. She’s very cautious at the start, but I haven’t figured out why,” he mused, patting her hand absent-mindedly.

“Doesn’t sound very positive,” she joked, a little put out. Apparently it hadn’t been as good as she’d thought either.

“It is, trust me. I wasn’t expecting her to be like that at all.”

“Are you convinced, or your suspicions still running wild?” Her tone was mildly accusatory.

“You knew?”

“How could I not? You’re my brother, the closest family I have,” she retorted.

“I’m satisfied for now, at least. Don’t be mad, Lis. I know you love her, and you want me to instantly accept her, but I just…can’t. I need to be fully certain that she’s not going to hurt you.” Nathan would be Nathan, never beating around the bush.

“I know. I know.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “You know I love how you’ve got my back in everything.”

“Always. Always.” He reassured her.

“Spend more time hanging out with her. Maybe that’ll help you to settle your doubts?”

“I plan to.”

“Alright brother, that’s all I’m asking for. Give her a chance. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m bushed. Time for bed. Good night!” She hugged him and left.

“Lisa?” he called out before she left the ballroom. She stopped in her tracks. “You’ll be the first to know once I’m convinced.”

“I know.”