The Howards

Chapter 15

PART THREE

GUARDIAN ANGEL

"Nothing haunts us like the things we don't say."

Mitch Albom

••••

2012

Randall shook hands with his Japanese client and went back up to his hotel room. He shrugged his suit off, pulled his tie out before plopping himself down the couch.

After Eleanor agreed to marry Rick, he decided to escape. He traveled all over the place, learning new architecture, studied interior designing, picking up clients as he goes. He didn't have the guts to go back S.Angel or Dream Lake. He is afraid that when he sees Eleanor, he might really go on his knees to beg her to take him back.

Randall helped himself with a glass of whiskey, a way to numb the pain he'd experience whenever he think of Eleanor. He pulled out his wallet and looked at the picture in his hand.

It is a picture of Eleanor and him during her freshmen year in college. That summer was the best. It was when Randall finally realised he couldn't get Eleanor out of his system and when Eleanor still looking at him as if he is her whole world.

It was the summer before made her decision.

Even after a year, he still couldn't get over the fact that he is still very much in love with his brother's fiancee. All the girls swooned over him, but Randall doesn't even give a damn about them.

So why is he still so torn up when Eleanor made her decision? He should be still drinking at the pub with group of sexy girls hanging all over him, not mopping in his hotel room with a photo of Eleanor, brushing his fingers on her face.

He looked at his vibrating phone, double take at the caller ID before he picked it up, "Having problem with your ass, Maverick?"

Rick snorted, "Not really. Couldn't say the same for you. Mum has been nagging at me to call you."

"I'm busy," He lied.

"How are the girls there? Interested in anyone?" Rick prompted. Randall knows his brother. After all, they fought for the same girl. And, Rick is deeply in love with Eleanor that he is not giving in like he used to. Rick still cares about his brother's feelings.

Randall smiled but that smile didn't reached his eyes, "Tons of them, don't want to settle down."

Rick sighed, "We all missed you. It's time to come home,"

Randall stalled. His hand tightened when he thought about Eleanor. "I just picked up a new project,"

"Try harder, fucker. I just called Beatrice and she said tonight is your last deal and you will have lots of free time." Rick said, being a lawyer still doesn't change his choice of words. Randall heard his brother sigh, "I'm getting married, I need my brother. Come home,"

••••

Planning for my own wedding had drained me. Rick brushed his lips over my face, then down my neck, "Wake up, baby. We have to choose our invitation card then I have to rush back to the firm,"

After graduating from college, Rick opened his own lawyer firm, focusing more on civil litigation cases. I did another scenic painting of Dream Lake, that piece started my career in oil painting. People started noticing my art work, inviting me to exhibit my art in galleries. People are actually purchasing my artwork.