Bending the Rules: Breaking the Rules #2

by Lewis, L. K.

  “No, thank you,” I reply in an almost broken whisper as I slip Morgan’s sleep mask over my eyes and prepare myself for the nine hour direct flight. What I really wanted to say was, “yes, miss, could you please get me the last 72 hours of my life back?”

  Chapter 3

  Morgan

  “Hi, sweetie!” my mom answers the phone cheerfully. She obviously has put the “happy” in “happy hour” today.

  “Hi, Mom.” I do my best to hold back my sniffle and speak in a clear voice, but fail miserably.

  “Morgan, what’s wrong?” I never cry in front of my parents, so hearing a sob of any kind is cause for concern for my mother.

  “Oh, Mom. It’s all screwed up,” I sob into the phone, while racing around my apartment trying to get packed for a trip with no real destination or timeframe.

  “Okay, Morgan, slow down and take a deep breath,” my mom says as I envision her closing her eyes and doing her deep yoga breathing, while touching her thumbs to middle fingers and chanting “om” as she’s done so many times during my life. “Now tell me, darling, what is ‘all screwed up’?”

  “Everything!” I continue to sob. “Everything is screwed up. I’ve lost Drake, I quit my job, and now I’m packing for a flight to God knows where, to search for the love of my life and bring him back, only I don’t have a clue where to start, and I can’t reach him.”

  “You quit your job, Morgan? What happened? And who is Drake? Not Drake Baylor… Morgan, please tell me you haven’t fallen for a married man. That’s completely distasteful and unladylike.”

  “Drake Baylor Jr., Mom. Not Sr. We’ve been dating for a few months now, only he isn’t allowed to have a relationship if he wants to take over his father’s company, so we have been dating in secret. We are head over heels in love, Mom. We went to Vegas last weekend and he told me he hoped to take over Baylor Industries soon, and as soon as that happens he plans on marrying me. Now he’s gone and I can’t get ahold of him. I know something has happened and I’m worried about him. I have a feeling his father has shipped him off somewhere, or he was fired and needed to clear his head and figure out his next move, but either way I have to find him. He needs me and I need him. God, I’ve never needed anything so badly in my entire life. Anyway, I thought you would like to know I’m going to the airport tonight, and will call you when I land, wherever that may be.”

  “Morgan, sweetie, I think you might be overreacting just a bit. Why don’t you just come home for a few days, regroup, and figure things out. I’ll take you shopping, what do you say?” My mom obviously wasn’t listening to anything but what she wanted to hear.

  “I’m not overreacting, Mom. I’m simply reacting. My life has taken a sudden turn and for once in my life I’m grabbing the reins and taking control. I made the decision to break the rules with Drake just as much as he did. He’s out there somewhere fighting for me, and I need to step up and do the same.”

  “While I can appreciate that you feel that way, Morgan, do I need to remind you that A: he might be off somewhere and doesn’t want to be found, and B: you are the one that insisted on going to grad school, starting a career and becoming an independent adult? You’ve worked really hard to achieve those dreams and now you want to search the globe for a man so he can come home and marry you? Isn’t that the opposite of what you’ve worked for? What if you find him and he runs again? This might not be about his father, Morgan. I think you need to put your big girl pants back on and get back to work. After all, that’s what you’ve wanted all along, not to become a housewife. Your father and I have always supported you, Morgan, but this is not something we will support.”

  My mom had a good point but that is the opposite of what I want to hear right now. Frustrated, tired, and not ready to continue this argument, I still say what I should’ve said a long time ago. “This is what I have to do right now and if you can’t get behind me on it then get out of my way. You have always said you give me freedom to do what I want, yet you still control me every step of the way. For once in my life I’m taking complete control over my destiny. I love you, Mom, and even though you might not support this decision, at least trust in the fact that I’m doing what I believe is right for me at the moment. I’ve gotta go, Mom. I’ll call you when I land,” I say, hanging up before my mom can say anything else that will more than likely just end up pissing me off.

  I feel even more frazzled when I get off the phone with my mom so I decide where to go first and book my ticket, then call the only person besides Drake who really understands me and will support my decision to search the globe until I bring my love back to me. I know what I’m doing is the best thing for me at this time, but after the phone call with my mom I really just need some reassurance. God, I really hate that I’m feeling so needy and unassured. That is so not me. I’m the confident girl with her head on her shoulders and her sights on a bright future. Drake’s leaving has brought me to my knees and now he isn’t even here to help me up. This is exactly why I need to take this trip.

  “Hey,” Amanda answers with less enthusiasm than normal. I can practically feel her apprehension through the phone line. I love that she knows me so well that her normal perky behavior will just set me off even more. Like the perfect BFF that she is, she’s always ready to listen, help, and support, just like I’d do for her.

  “Hey, my flight is booked. I’m headed to Vegas first.”

  “Why Vegas?”

  “We were just there a few days ago and I feel like that is the most logical place Drake would go first to re-establish a connection to me. I know that sounds silly but just as people often retrace their steps to find their lost car keys, I think he might be retracing his steps to feel connected to me again, and I can retrace our steps to hopefully find him. Plus, there are millions of people around so he can feel anonymous and not be bothered, which will put him more at ease and help him clear his mind.”

  “Sounds logical to me, Morgie. Can I do anything to help?”

  “Wanna give me a ride to the airport? My flight leaves in about four hours.”

  “I’ll be there in fifteen,” Amanda says before she hangs up. I love that I can always count on her to be there for me. I may not have a lot of people in my life that I keep close to me, but Amanda is not only my very best friend, she’s like a sister to me. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

  I finish packing my bag, making sure to grab my passport and the Euros I have left over from my trip to the Côte d’Azur this summer with my parents, as well as the other cash I keep in my apartment for emergencies. Before I leave, I do one last scan of my apartment, making sure my appliances are unplugged, my windows are locked, and other “going out of town safety checks”. I glance around my bathroom then my bedroom, making sure I haven’t forgotten anything important. I’m just about to walk out of my bedroom when I spot the picture Drake took of me sleeping on his chest while he smiles the most beautiful, contentedly happy smile into the camera. It’s the picture Drake put in a file and gave to me in the elevator what seems like a lifetime ago. It’s not the best picture since it was taken with his phone, but the way it depicts the love he has for me is crystal clear. I grab the picture, and tuck it into my purse. Locking my apartment door behind me, I take a big deep breath and center myself. I can do this. I have to do this. Drake is my life, and until I find him and bring him home with me, my focus and attention will be centered solely on fighting for the life and future I have with him.

  Drake

  Waking up in Zurich reminds me of my childhood. I’m in the company apartment surrounded by luxury and affluence, but I feel poor, homeless, and helpless. I once read somewhere that a man is poor at heart without the feeling of love and support, and right now I couldn’t agree with that statement more. My heart hurts without Morgan at my side, and the idea of living this way for the next nine months is unfathomable right now.

  A driver was waiting for me last night when I exited the airport. I should have known my father would make sur
e I actually boarded my flight and made it to the apartment. I’m not sure why he did it, but upon my arrival, I found the apartment has been opened up, freshly cleaned with the bed turned down in the master suite, and the kitchen fully stocked. I did notice that while there was a six pack of beer in the fridge, the liquor cabinet in the butler’s pantry remained empty. Now that I think about it this has Grace written all over it, not my father. Even before my mother’s death, Grace always stepped in to make sure my needs were met, and that special things were done for me every once in a while to remind me that someone still cares.

  After a quick shower, I decide to spend the day familiarizing myself with the area. Luckily, I’ll have a car and driver while I’m here so I don’t have to worry about getting lost. I find a department store and make the sales girl’s day as I outfit myself with a new wardrobe, complete with both business and everyday attire. I can see her calculating her commission in her head as she rings up my sale and arranges for everything to be delivered to the apartment later this afternoon. Next, I stop by an Apple store and replace my computer, iPad, iPod, and phone. On my way home, I spot a gym that is within running distance from the apartment, so I ask my driver to drop me off there so I can sign up for a membership, and then plan a good route to and from home. I’m almost back to the apartment when my burner phone rings.

  “Hey, Garrett. How’s it going?” I answer.

  “Hey, man. Are you getting settled in?”

  “Yeah, I just spent the day picking up a few things I needed, now I’m headed home. What’s up? Is everything alright?” I ask.

  “Everything’s fine, I just wanted to call and let you know Morgan stopped by the bowling alley looking for you yesterday,” Garrett says as my heart skips a beat.

  “She did? Is she okay? What did she say?” I start to panic.

  “She’s fine, man. She was looking for you. She’s worried. She said she stopped by your house, and she’s been calling you, and she can’t get ahold of you so she was hoping I would know where you are.”

  “What did you tell her?” I ask as my heart shatters a little more. God, I feel awful for just leaving Morgan. She must be a wreck not knowing what’s going on. If I could have left some sort of message for her without any chance of my father finding out I would have.

  “I didn’t say much, just that you stopped by and asked me to watch your place and store your car for a while until you get back. I told Morgan you were pretty vague and didn’t tell me where you going or for how long.”

  “Was she okay? How did she take it?”

  “She was crushed, man. She left pretty quickly. I don’t think she wanted me to see her cry,” Garrett says.

  “Holy shit, this sucks. I hate what this is doing to her. I just hope she knows that I’m doing this for her.”

  “She loves you, Drake, I have no doubt about that. I get that you are doing what you think is right, but can’t you just tell your father to fuck off? Can’t you and Morgan figure out something else to do with your careers?”

  “I can’t, Garrett. For once in my life I have to finish something I’ve started, the right way. I have to play by the rules, and make everything right. That’s the only way I can come home to Morgan.”

  “I get that, but you are both bright people. I know Morgan is headstrong about having her career, but can’t she just find something else to do? I just don’t understand how this is the only way.”

  “Morgan has dreamt her whole life of doing this. She left her boyfriend of almost four years before they graduated from college so she could concentrate on grad school and make something of herself. We almost didn’t get together because the idea of her screwing up her career by being with me scared her so much. I’m just lucky enough that she chose me over the possibility of her losing out on her career because she knew we belong together. Now her career is potentially over. I have no idea if my father fired her or not. I’m hoping my sacrifice in leaving was enough for him to keep her on at Baylor. I have to do this so that when I get home, I’ll be able to give her an amazing life.”

  “I know, buddy. I’ll keep an eye on her for you until you get home. Nine months will be over before you know it.”

  “Thanks, man. Keep me posted, okay? Remind her that I love her.”

  “Will do. Talk to you soon,” Garrett says before I hang up and tuck my phone into my pants pocket and continue my walk home. She went looking for me at the bowling alley. She knows something’s up and she’s worried about me which means she still cares. I’ve completely dropped out of her life and she’s still trying to find me. It warms my heart to know she still loves me. This isn’t over, she’s fighting too. A few blocks later I reach my apartment door. I go to bed that night thinking of Morgan, ready to take on these next few months and return to the woman I love.

  Morgan

  The first thing I do when arriving in Vegas is go to the Bellagio to check in. I took the red-eye flight out here but with the time change it’s only about 10:30 which is like noon in Vegas. I know hotels can’t divulge who is staying in their rooms so instead of asking if Drake has checked in to a room I simply walk to the front desk and ask for a key to his room like I belong there.

  The front desk clerk smiles at me as I approach and I raise my chin slightly, smile back with as much confidence as I can muster and say, “Hello, I’m joining Drake Baylor Jr. in his room, he said he added my name and that a key would be waiting for me. I believe he is staying in one of your Tower Suites.”

  The front desk clerk looks at me speculatively for a minute and I can tell she’s trying to figure out if I’m a girlfriend, scorned wife, or hooker. Clearly I would know the suite number if I was actually supposed to be joining him.

  After a few moments of clicking away on her keyboard with her uber-long French-tipped acrylics with the words Good Luck painted on them omitting the thumbs. She looks up from her screen and asks, “And your name is?”

  My heart stops. Drake is here like I knew he would be. Maybe he actually put my name on his room hoping I’d come find him. I can’t believe he’s here… the first place I’ve looked. I thought I’d have to travel the world looking for him and he’s exactly where I thought he’d be, some place brilliant.

  My excitement is halted when another thought creeps through my brain… what if it’s a different girl’s name on his room? What if his father was right and he really is off some place warm licking his wounds in the arms of another woman? What if he came here to Vegas with the best intentions but then found someone else, someone with a better body and a killer tan and great fake tits? I’m well put together and have a nice figure and a pretty face, but in a place like Las Vegas I’m not exactly a head turner. I don’t know what I’d do if another woman’s name is on Drake’s room and not mine. It’s only been a few days and he might have already moved on. No. I can’t go there. I’ve come to fight for my man and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m not a scrapper, I was raised with more class than that, but for Drake, I’d definitely pull hair and girl slap a bitch to make sure he’s mine.

  “Uh…Miss?” I’m pulled out of my own crazy thoughts by the front desk clerk. I was standing there in a daze like an idiot.

  “Oh, sorry…It was a long flight I think I’m a little tired. My name is Morgan Lane,” I say, hoping I can just get the key to Drake’s room and put this incredibly awkward moment behind me.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Lane. Mr. Baylor isn’t in our system. I don’t believe he’s a guest with us.”

  “Are you sure? He told me the tower suite,” I lie.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Lane. We don’t have any guests in our Tower Suites this evening and Mr. Baylor is not in our system.”

  My eyes brim with tears and the woman helping me gets a worried look on her face like I’m going to lose it at any moment. She quickly responds by handing me a tissue and offering to book the Tower Suite tonight for me this evening and adds Drake’s name to my room in case he arrives looking for me. She explains that although the Tower
Suites normally require a two night minimum stay, she would allow me to book for just one night, explaining things like this have happened to her before as well. I smile and thank her for her kindness knowing she really has no clue what is happening to me exactly.

  I unlock the door to the suite and walk into the foyer, taking in the room. This is a different Tower Suite than I stayed in with Drake which is probably a good thing, but the opulent décor is the same. I didn’t eat anything before catching my flight and I’m absolutely starving. I ring room service and ask for a salad, extra dirty gin martini, and the largest piece of chocolate cake the kitchen could find, then go to the bathroom to fill the tub while I wait for my dinner to arrive.

  The tub has just finished filling and warm exotic scents of jasmine and patchouli fill the room when the doorbell sounds with my dinner. I thank the room service attendant as he pushes the cart next to the bed as I’ve requested, then show him to the door. I grab the martini and head right to the bathroom and crawl into the tub after removing my clothes. The rest of my dinner can wait, I need a cocktail and a warm bath to soothe my worn, emotional body first.

  ****

  Then next morning I wake feeling better rested, but anxious. I may be surrounded by 1400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets but I have to remember that I’m on a journey, not a vacation. I’m retracing the steps I took last time I was here to find my lost valuable, Drake.

  After coffee, water and a berry bowl from room service I decide to face the desert heat and go for a run outside. Drake did this in an attempt to feel closer to me when we were here last weekend so I guess I’ll give it a try, it couldn’t hurt at this point.

  On my way out of the building in my running clothes I get a few odd stares from people and I assume they must think I’m crazy for wanting to run in the heat but I just smile and head for the door. Drake wasn’t kidding when he told me how unbearable it is to run in such high temps. I brought a Nalgene with me but downed those 32oz of water pretty quickly so I decide to make my usual five mile run only three. The desert heat isn’t so bad, it’s just very dry and I don’t want to get too dehydrated and feel ill all afternoon. My muscles burn as I set my pace and a sheet of sweat coats my body it vasodilates to cool down.