Chapter 33: Lydia

Lydia’s phone kept going off with notifications as she headed back to the suites with Madilyn,

“Wow Ms. Popular.” Madilyn joked.

The moment Madilyn started teasing Lydia, her phone also started pinging.

“What the hell is going on?” Madilyn asked as she pulled her phone out, “Oh my God!” Madilyn’s mouth dropped open.

“What, what is it?” Lydia asked.

Madilyn’s shaky hand showed Lydia a picture that had been posted to the one of the top gossips sites online. It was a picture of Drake leaving an abandoned island on the back of a jet ski, with an extremely gorgeous woman driving it. In large bold letters right above the letter is the title of the article.

***IS THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR BACK TO HIS CHEATING WAYS***

Lydia continued to scan the article reading about Drake’s past and how he’d never had one serious relationship. Her name was brought up a few times and Lydia couldn’t help but feel a pain in her chest. Would this be how their marriage was, even if it was a fake marriage would Drake stray? Would he go on rendezvous with random women everywhere around the world. She couldn’t let her thoughts stray to the what ifs. If she did, the part of her heart where she’d envisioned a romantic future with Drake would break. She handed Madilyn her phone back, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

Lydia pulled her phone out and looked down at it; there were multiple other articles where her name appeared and also a text from Drake’s PR rep wanting to quickly get out an article to clear Drake’s name. Lydia ignored them all. She didn’t have the energy to respond to any of the comments or texts.

“I’m sure there’s an explanation for all of this. I’m going to call Sampson, I bet the boys and him did like a snorkeling adventure or something, and the girl on the jet ski was one of the instructors,” Madilyn said trying to reassure me that nothing was going on, as she pulled out her cell once again, this time to call Sampson.

“Hey Sammy!” Madilyn’s face lighting up with a smile that only Sampson could make appear.

“Ugh yeah sorry to interrupt your boys’ date but did you happen to go snorkeling over on the Island of West Caicos? “
Lydia could tell by the way Madilyn’s voice dropped that they hadn’t gone snorkeling today.

“Ummm… yeah.. just a few members of the paparazzi photographed Drake there this afternoon.” Madilyn waited a moment for Sampson to say something on the other side of the line, before responding, “Yeah babe, it’s a pretty clear shot of Drake.”

Lydia could feel her anger rising at the position Drake had put her in. Not only had he made her feel safe and secure, but he had also made sure their engagement was publicized around the world. Lydia would come out looking like a fool and she would have to struggle with finding new work since Drake had had her quit Mia Novella’s. Maybe Mia would take her back, Lydia’s recent status in the public eye could bring more high clientele to the services. Lydia grimaced at the thought. She didn’t want to return to escorting. She had enjoyed this time with Drake, not because of the riches or the fancy food, but because she finally felt free. Free to be who she wanted, free to use her body as she pleased. Lydia made a promise right then and there, whatever happened to her, she’d never go back to Mia’s. She’d make a decent living somewhere else; perhaps as a live in Nanny, like Amelia was. She wouldn’t need to pay for rent or other household necessities. All of her money could go towards her mother’s health. She wouldn’t be able to afford the best doctors that Drake could, but she could still get her mom into a decent hospital with better doctors than the one she was previously in. For one moment with her rage still boiling Lydia considered sharing Drake’s real story with her to the tabloids, it would give her plenty of money to keep her mother under the best care available, but no Lydia couldn’t stoop that low. No matter how much Drake’s actions had hurt her, she still cared deeply for him. And she wasn't angry at Drake, she was angry with herself, she should have kept her heart guarded.

The moment the limousine stopped in front of the hotel, Lydia bolted upstairs to the suite she shared with Drake. He still wasn’t there and Lydia didn’t care to wait around for an explanation. She quickly began packing her bags, leaving the expensive jewelry and the gorgeous evening dresses, but taking the necessary items. Lydia called a cab and then quickly sat down to write a letter to Drake. She didn’t want to disappear on him without an explanation, she’d saw first hand the damage Amelia had caused.

*Drake*,

*I’m sorry I cannot hold up my end of our contract and continue to be your date until the end of the wedding. I did something that I never expected myself to do. I caught feelings for my client. These last few weeks have been some of the best weeks I have had in a long time. Thank you for reminding me what it is like to be free. If you hadn’t have come into my life when you did, I would have forever lost myself. With you by my side I found the courage to be myself once again. I’ll never forget the memories I’ve created with you Drake. I will forever treasure them.*

*I know my leaving may seem abrupt to you; this morning I was trying on wedding dresses with Madilyn and this afternoon I am running away. If you look into your heart though, you’ll see that my leaving was inevitable. Our lives are just so vastly different from the others. It would have never worked between us, no matter how hard we tried. So thank you for making the decision for us. I am not sure why you were with the woman on the jet ski, but the paparazzi created an out for me, letting me leave the limelight without too much of a scandal. The tabloids know that you were just being you, the rich billionaire playboy. I don’t blame you for the choices you made Drake. I already knew that our connection we shared wasn’t a reality. It was just a show we were putting on for the entire world. Unfortunately, you’re an amazing actor and I fell for the show we were putting on. I should have reminded myself that Cinderella is just a fairytale read to little girls to inspire them to be more than the station they were born too. I could never be Cinderella. My life has been anything but a fairytale.*

*When you entered into my life, you became the light in my darkness. As cliche as it sounds, you showed me a whole new world. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking now, another Disney reference. But if you know me at all, you know that I’m never one to be serious, if you put on a smile and make jokes, then you can shield your heart from being broke.*

*On a more serious and back to the point note, I’ve arranged for my mother to be placed under the care of a new doctor at a new facility. Her new doctor isn’t available until next month though, so she will be staying in New York until then. Please send me the bill for the month and I’ll take care of it as soon as I can.*

*Once again, thank you for everything Drake, thank you for showing me how to love again and helping me find me again. I’ll forever be grateful for the day I met you.*

*Forever yours,*

*Lydia*

Lydia left her letter with the front desk receptionist, trusting that she would give it directly to Drake. She took one last look at the hotel, before turning around and walking to the cab, directing the driver to take her to the airport.

***For those of you who missed my comment in the comments section, but last week I had a huge exam I had to study for so I was unable to post any updates, this week I will be posting 4 chapters total to make up for last week. Im hoping to complete the second chapter by the end of today and then posting the next two on saturday. Thank you once again for your continued support. Drop your comments down below and make sure to give me a like. Thanks for everything. Xoxo Marriah***