Nothing Better Than Us.

23

Riley's POV

When Candice got back with my suitcase, I decided to have a shower instead. Even though she was smiling and being helpful which threw me off. I was still not ready for whatever conversation she was about to have with me. And I didn't want this conversation to happen without David being here with me. I was not ready to have anymore conversations with our family without him.

I returned my stuff to the room and went to meet Candice in the private waiting room. I ran my fingers through my hair as I sat down on the couch, facing her. Candice was sitting there looking beautiful as the first day I saw her. While I was over here looking like I just throw on anything I pulled out of the suitcase. That's indeed what I did but my eyes were still puffy from all the crying plus they were tired. I know I look tired.

I rubbed my temples again as I tried to relax for this conversation. With all the yelling I have listened to from my mother; I am pretty sure I can handle a few more. I was just hoping that she was not about to fight me because I was not in the best of shape to defend myself. 

"You probably need to get something to eat and to get some rest. You probably should go back to the house for...."

"I am not leaving him here" I was playing with the hem of my sweater. Her gaze moved from where I was tugging on my sweater back to my face.

"But what about your health? Sleeping on that couch in there can't be comfortable".

"Sleeping at home..." There I go calling David's place, my home. I looked away from Candice and took a deep breath. "I don't want to be in that big empty house....alone". Now was not the time to be tripping up but my voice was cracking up.

First, there was a small, soft chuckle which caused me to look around at her. Then she glanced at me and covered her mouth with her hand. I had no idea what was happening or what was so funny so I just kept looking at her. She then broke into a fit of laughter as she shook her head. 

"Candice" I finally said.

"You actually love him this much?" She wiped at the tears that escaped her eyes. "You love him enough to subject yourself to this?" She was still laughing but it wasn't as loud as before. She was still trying to control her tears as they fell. I stopped fidgeting with my sweater and just watched her. "I am sorry for laughing. I haven't been myself for awhile I needed a moment". She took a deep breath and shook her head even though she was still smiling. "I don't know how you do it or even both of you for that matter but I couldn't".

I was beyond confused at this point but I felt as if she was going to explain herself either way.

"I know this isn't the time to laugh but I had to get this one off my chest. I wanted him to be awake when I decided to do this but he had to go get into an accident. And I think now would be the best time to say it especially with him being unconscious" She wiped her eyes with her sleeves as she composed herself. She took a deep breath and her gaze met mine. "David and I aren't getting married".

"Well you did cancel the wedding..." I nod but she shook her head as she still smiled at me.

"No, I mean David and I were never getting married" She held her hand up and the engagement ring was on a different finger. I was about to say something but she held her hand up and so I waited to hear what she had to say. "You don't get it honey. David Stevenson and Candice James was never a thing. Well I am his lawyer so I knew him for 5 years so this story was easy to build. And if you want to mention his relation with my biological father then yes but we were never dating."

I couldn't describe this feeling. I didn't know what to even think. I just sat there looking at this woman in complete shock.

"Lawyer? Story? What the hell?" I stood up and looked at her. "Everything was a fake?"

"Yes, well I mean David and I are friends but getting intimate with David on any sort of level is highly disgusting for me. Honey, I get paid to keep him out of trouble. I get paid to make sure that Kenny and you stay away from the fangs of the media" The Candice sitting in front of was absolutely different from the Candice I met. This Candice just relaxed in the couch as if a great weight has just rolled off her shoulders. "I am definitely not paid enough to deal with such a toxic family. I don't even deal with my own family but you and David want to savor anything left of a family. I couldn't... I would have taken out a restraining order or two".

Everything was a lie? Is she messing with me right now? Where did all of this come from? They were only pretending to be together for what?

"You pretended to be his girlfriend to get me jealous?"

She chuckled. "Ding Ding Ding!! However, yes and no....I knew you would get jealous if you saw David with someone or you would be upset if you did. I am just here to make sure that you actually spent time with David so I was keeping your mother away from both of you." She smiled at me and pat the couch beside her. "Sounds crazy? I know. Its my plan, David thought we could have found some other way to trap you. But I liked my plan better. Anyways, I can't take all the credit from the man that's just laying in there escaping reality right now. I have seen his reactions and desire for you over the past 3 or so years and it was quite heartbreaking to witness. I honestly believe that if you didn't take him back, he was going to end up in the hospital either way" I slowly sat down beside her and just watched her as she spoke so carefully about this. "He is my friend and all but what sparked the attraction?" 

"You knew?"

She started laughing again but she rubbed my shoulder. "Absolutely! I mean I did text him everyday asking what was happening...I didn't have to text him even he was excited about everything that was happening."

"He lied to me?" She took my hand into hers but I shook my head as I remembered everything that David told me over the duration of the week. He made it look like she was ignoring him or she just didn't care at all. Was the story about an agency all an lie? Am I trusting David alittle too much?

"Aren't you happy?" I looked up at her. "I get that this wasn't the best way to go about things but if Kenny didn't keep the letter a secret from you then gave it to you at the right time. You probably wouldn't have come" I widened my eyes as I looked at Candice. And she laughed at my reaction. "Yes, Kenny knew about the invitation but that's it. At the time..."

"I told David that he should stop coming over because I didn't know how to explain his frequent presence to Kenny" I held her hand with both of mine and squeezed it slightly. "Everything about this is so stupid" I started laughing as tears rolled down my cheeks. Surprisingly, Candice didn't say anything instead she just pulled me into hug. She hugged me tightly as she rubbed my back. I hugged her and cried on her shoulder. "We just want to be together and be happy. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing and that's one of the reasons I left because I needed to handle something for David" We eased away from each other and I wiped my tears. "So just wait it out. It will all be over once he wakes up" She smiled at me. "I'll go in first...just keep this a secret between us." She pat my shoulder and stood up. "And Riley, you probably  need to work on telling Kenny the truth too" she smiled at me and started walking away. 

"Um, Candice!" I stood up and she turned to look at me. "Thank you! I am still processing everything but Thank you..."

"I am just doing my duty as a friend. Definitely not paid enough. I deserve a vacation after this" She chuckled before disappearing around the corner.

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