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Chad hadn’t heard a peep from Rachel the whole day, which seemed weird, but he didn’t let it bother him. She’s a grown woman and was free to do whatever she wanted. Just because they were getting cozy didn’t mean she was required to do every single thing with him. He took the free time to catch up on some beauty rest. After taking a short dip in the pool, Chad went back to his suite and laid down in his room for long nap. A few hours later he woke up to a very loud sound, which was a roaring clap of thunder that was so loud it rattled the windows. When Chad got of bed to check what time it was, he was surprised to see how dark it was outside despite it only being four in the afternoon. The rainfall was torrential, and the tree outside were flapping around as if they were made of paper. Rather than panic, Chad strolled over to the windows of his suite and made sure they were all securely closed. There were a few more claps of thunder, but they were further away so he saw the flash long before the sounds came over to them. Chad was usually afraid of storms, but that day he remained by the window watching the chaos outside. He could remember how his father used to enjoy watching storms as well, but his old man only did that until they became too dangerous. Whenever he saw hard rain, or even lightning, Chad would always remember his father and his respect for mother nature. He never took what the planet gave him for granted as he was grateful for every morsel. It would have broken his father’s heart to know that his son grew up to be such a ruthless lawyer. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to lie and cheat for his client, which was not supposed to be something men should be proud of. While Chad knew how the old man might react, he honestly stopped caring about what the old man thought a long, long time ago. When he moved away and paid his own way through college and law school, he never had to depend on anyone for anything. Chad took out terrible loans and worked two jobs as he was determined to do whatever it took to get by.
Despite being a royal asshole one thing Chad was never accused of underestimating anyone. He always prepared for each case regardless of what the odds were it would settle long before reaching a court room. It was evident even then to Chad that he had inherited his father’s work ethic. No associate did more work and billed more hours for their clients than Chad Barrington. He created more paperwork than the associates, which was outstanding because those people rarely slept. His father would have called it dishonest work, but Chad honestly didn’t give a flying fuck. At least that is was what he always told himself whenever he thought about the old man, and maybe one day Chad might actually believe it.
He had been sitting there by the window, watching the rain fall for over an hour. It was amazing how long this storm was ravaging the island, to the point where Chad wondered if there were any parts that might be susceptible to flooding or even mudslides. He didn’t have to worry about the Anderson family, as their new room was high enough to save themselves from everything but a monster tsunami, which wasn’t damn likely. Yet Chad was stunned out his silence when there was a loud knock coming from his door. He quickly walked over to the door assuming it might be Frankie Junior coming upstairs to get a better view of the storm. Turns out he was wrong, as he opened the door and felt a rush like euphoria as he saw a very wet red headed woman standing outside it. Chad couldn’t help but have this clumsy look on his face, as he was happy to see Rachel Jones to the point where he didn’t even bother to ask why she was there. He never got the chance to ask as an older woman, stepped up and started squawking at him like an angry duck.
“Aren’t you going to let us in?” She called out while brushing past Chad into the presidential suite. “If you’re going to keep staring at her, take a picture on your cell; it will last longer.”
“Oh, okay,” Chad watched as the old woman walked over to the couch and made herself comfortable. He then looked back at Rachel to realize that there were a few large suitcases behind her.
“Sorry about that,” Rachel whispered.
“Something tells me this isn’t a social visit.” Chad suggested.
“No shit, Sherlock,” The old woman called back.
“Mother, Please!” Rachel called out. She paused to give Chad a chance to process what she had just blurted out.
“Your mother,” Chad said, looking back at the old woman. “I guess we know where you got all the spunk from.”
“Hey, I heard that.” She called out from the couch. “Where’s the damn remote?”
Rather than ask questions with the door open, Chad used his foot to keep the door propped open as he grabbed the big suitcases and wheeled them all into his suite. “Come on in.”
Rachel walked in and closed the door behind her. “I’m sorry for imposing.”
“I’m not,” Chad confessed, “It’s nice to see you again.”
Rachel blushed. “Thank you, it’s nice to see you again too. I just wish it was under far better circumstances.”
“What’s going on?” Chad asked.
“The rain, it caused a flood that took out our hotel.” Rachel explained, “Half if it is underwater right now. We got out of there before it got really bad. I knew your room was really high up so this seemed the safest bet. I tried to get a room here first, but your resort had no vacancies.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Chad said, “As you can see I have plenty of room. You two take the master bedroom. I’ll move all my stuff into the spare room.”
“Are you sure about that?” Rachel asked.
“I am,” Chad insisted, “You and your mom will make better use of all the space on the king sized bed.”
“Good point,” Rachel said, “Thank you so much.”
“So,” Chad said as he closed the door and looked back at the old woman on his couch, watching the big screen television. “Don’t you think it’s a little early to introduce me to any of your parents?”
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“Ha ha,” Rachel said, giving him a playful punch on the arm.
“You know I’m kidding,” Chad told her, “You’re both welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“We were supposed to fly back out tomorrow.” Rachel told him.
“The airport is likely going to be a mess.” Chad said, thinking about it. “I’m not due to leave for another week, so I can cover your delay, or you can even stay a few extra days if you like. It would be no problem at all, and I know I’d enjoy seeing you more of you.”
“Good gaud,” the old woman cried out from the couch, “Get a room already.”
“Let’s go to the dining hall for supper,” Chad suggested, “While we’re down there, I’ll make sure to get some extra keys for you.”
“Not yet,” the old woman crowed, “I wanna watch my show!”
“Alright,” Chad said, as he resisted the urge the laugh, “I guess I have time to move my stuff to the spare room before supper.”
Rachel also laughed and then even helped Chad move his stuff to the spare room. When she opened the closet, she had a surprise waiting for her. It was Chad’s suit, still torn and ripped up, hanging alone on the rack. It looked a lot worse than Rachel remembered, as she had assumed that she untucked the shirt or stretched it a bit but looking at it in his closet painted a difference picture for her. She looked back at Chad when he strolled into the bedroom to fetch more of his things.
“It’s looks worse than it is,” He lied, as it was basically ruined.
“I’m sorry,” Rachel said, feeling bad about it. “I was rather rough with you.”
“Some could argue that I deserved it,” Chad countered.
“Just let me know what shop in New York made this,” she said, gesturing to the suit, “I’ll pay to repair or replace it.”
“I appreciate the thought, but it wasn’t made in New York.” Chad corrected her, “It was made in Italy, and I have to inform you that the designers over at Brioni were not very thrilled when they heard what happened to it.”
“Excuse me?” Rachel said with a stunned look on her face. “I was joking when I asked what it was.”
“I wasn’t joking when I answered,” Chad replied, “That’s a forty-five thousand dollar Vanquish number two.”
“Oh, my gaud!” Rachel said, holding her hands to her mouth, “That thing is worth more than my car!”
“Relax,” Chad said as he walked over, and tried to calm her with a hug. “It’s just a suit. It’s going to be recycled for a good cause and I have one hell of a story to tell. It’s not the end of the world, even though it looks like it on the outside.”
“How can you do it?” Rachel said, surprised. “How can you be so calm when I trashed one of the most expensive suits in the world?”
“I’m not worried because it’s not my only Brioni.” Chad answered casually, “I’ve got half a dozen more back home.”
“Why would you have seven of these?” Rachel asked.
“I save them for important cases when I appear in court,” Chad replied, “A former partner at my firm once said it’s easier to take money from people when you already look like a million bucks. It makes more sense to know he was a civil attorney.”
“I’m starting to think you’re a lot better at your job than I had earlier perceived,” Rachel said as she thought about it some more.
“I punched my own client in open court, and he still didn’t fire me,” Chad said, “That should tell you how much they value my talents.”
“Wow,” Rachel said, as she remembered that detail. “Just wow.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Chad said, “It’s no different than your work. We just do battle in suits and use words and thoughts for our weapons.”
“I’ll have to watch you in court one day,” Rachel said, as she put her arms around his neck, “I have a feeling it could be quite a turn on.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I heard that,” Chad said, smiling back at her.
Rachel playfully slapped him in the arm and then went back to helping him move his stuff over. Once Chad was fully moved over, he helped Rachel carry her and her mother’s bags into the master bedroom. It was right after they finished moving the bags in there her mother started calling for them.
“Hey!” the old woman cried out, “There’s a kid in here interrupting my shows!”
“I’m not here to see you, Granny,” Frankie spat at the lady on the couch.
“Frankie,” Chad said as he exited the master bedroom, with Rachel following him out. “You remember Rachel, and this is her mother...”
“Janice,” Rachel said, aware she never really gave her name yet.
“Janice?” Frankie said, laughing. “Her name is Janice Jones?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Janice called out.
“Nothing, J.J.” Frankie said, laughing again.
“Hey, cut that out,” Chad said, even though he also thought it was funny.
“Sorry,” Frankie said before remembering his purpose. “I’m here cause mom and dad are going to head for the dining hall soon to eat and wanted to catch up with you.”
“Cool,” Chad said, aware that it might be wise to have many human shields to defend himself from Rachel’s mother. “Tell them to meet us down there in about a half hour, okay?”
“Okay, man.” Frankie said before bolting from the suite.
“He’s nice,” Rachel said.
“He’s a little horror,” her mother retorted, “Interrupting my shows.”
“Let it go,” Rachel said, taking Chad’s hand. “It’s best just to leave her be, and she forgets what she was so mad about.”
“How long has she been like that?” Chad whispered, not wanting to be the next person to interrupt her shows.
“A few years now,” Rachel answered, “She doesn’t live with me, as my brothers moved her in an assisted living facility. I thought it would be nice to take her out for vacation and enjoy a change of scenery.”
“That’s great,” Chad said, understanding and admiring her courage, “Spend some time with her while you still can. I wish I could take either of my parents out for a vacation like this.”
“I’m sorry to hear about that,” Rachel said, as she had no idea that Chad’s parents were not with him anymore.
“That was a long time ago,” Chad replied, “I’m alright.”
“I have this feeling,” Rachel said, holding Chad’s hand, “That underneath all your fancy suits and douche amour is a man who goes out of his way to help those he really cares about.”
“Maybe,” Chad responded, unwilling to argue the point. “You’re not the only one to make that claim this week actually.”
“Is that so?” Rachel said, smiling to know someone agreed with her.
“I’m going to tell you the same thing I told him,” Chad continued, “Please take that secret to your grave. I have a reputation to maintain. People need to fear me and what I can do in a courtroom. It’s essential to my business that people think of me that way, like the cold hearted lawyer that I can occasionally be. The image sells victory, making my enemies shake as the clients never miss a payment.
“That sounds a little lonely,” Rachel said, half hugging him. “Could there be room in there for a queen in that castle of yours?”
“It’s possible,” Chad answered, “I’m not going to sugar coat it; I’m just finishing up what has been a rather ugly divorce, one that seriously broke my heart.”
“That gives me the urge to break her face.” Rachel replied.
“As much as the thought amuses me,” Chad confessed, “As your attorney, I have to recommend you refrain from assaulting people outside of the octagon.”
“Does that include you?” she asked, with a sly grin.
“Yes, that includes me.” Chad replied, “I am into a different kind of foreplay.”
“Is that so?” Rachel purred, “I love that you realize it even exists.”
“Ouch,” Chad said, laughing. “That was a rough burn.”
“Get used to it,” Rachel promised, “I’m like that all the time.”
“I look forward to it,” Chad countered, “I’ll take your mental barbs over the physical ones any day.”
It was at this point where Rachel’s mom turned off the television and looked back up at the two people starring at her.
“My shows are finished.” She called out. “Let’s go get some grub!”
“Okay, Mom.” Rachel replied, “We’ll head for the dining hall.”
“I’m game for that,” Chad concurred, “Let’s get going!”
Chad held the door open for both ladies as they exited, and then locked up and followed them to the elevator. As they were heading down for the lobby, Rachel reached out and held his hand. It was still raining, but the thunder had stopped, and it seemed things were starting to clear up for everyone.