Rachel's POV

The gnawing pain in the pit of my stomach made me feel sick with nerves. I stood in the closet for the past 20 minutes looking intently at my nude lace mini dress with matching heels. I was feeling weird for some reason. The guests were expected to arrive in 10 minutes.

I accepted Alexander's offer to get an in house chef to serve us for the night. I didn't think I had it in me to cook up a whole feast. It was only yesterday that I was informed about this and thinking back, I should have said no.

I can't even remember these people. They're practically strangers coming into my home. I was uncomfortable with that.

Looking dazed at the mirror, Alexander came to fetch me. I was snapped out of my reverie when he called out to me.

"Why so long, princess?"

Alexander looked breathtakingly handsome in his grey trousers and tight black long sleeve t-shirt. His biceps protruding adding to his delicious appeal.

Trying my best to conceal my fleeting emotions, I walked to the vanity and spritzed some perfume on my wrist and on my neck.

"I was just trying to make myself presentable," I somewhat lied.

Alexander came up to me and placed his hand on my waist. "You're looking stunning as always," he said with a perfect smile. "Let's go down."

I placed a tight lip smiled on my face and nodded, "Yes, I'll be down in a few."

He turned around to walk out but when he heard me he stopped. Looking back at my almost trembling figure, he was displeased.

"Princess? Do you want to talk to me about it?" he treaded carefully.

"There's nothing to talk about," I tried my best to laugh out but one look at him and my face immediately fell and the my tears almost made their appearance. I practically ran to him and jumped in his arms that provided me with all the comfort that I needed.

Pulling back I looked up at him with a somber face. His eyes were soft as he led me to take a seat on the vanity chair and he kneeled down in between my legs.

"We can cancel if you want."

I shook my head, "They've come all this way, we can't be such terrible hosts."

"Want to share what's bothering you?" he asked carefully and tenderly.

I placed my hand on my stomach trying to ease the ugly knot that's formed inside. I feel as if I'm overreacting. It's only a simple dinner.

"I don't know, I just... I don't know," I wobbled out all confused.

Alexander was so patient with me. He didn't force me to say anything neither did he rush me.

However, uncontrollable emotions resurfaced and I melted. "I'm scared. I'm always scared. On one hand, I'd love to get to know people who knew me as a kid, and on the other hand I can't help but think nothing ever good comes from the past. My past especially. It was all so crappy and I never want to relive any moment of it... I hope I'm making sense here," I said and furrowed my eyebrows at my own incohesiveness.

"I'm not going to force you to do anything, beautiful," Alexander said and tucked a stray lock behind my ear. "It's your call. If they make you feel uncomfortable at any moment then I won't hesitate to ask them to leave. But judging from the way Rick asked about you, I don't think they're malicious people."

Hearing that gave the reassurance I needed. "Alright then. As long as you're with me, okay?"

Alexander leaned up and kissed my forehead. "Okay."

We went downstairs hand in hand and I did a round checking that everything was perfect. The dining room table was all set up and the patio doors were wide opened with the drapes pulled back elegantly.

The doorbell rang and we both answered it together. Opening the door, I was met with a couple who fit perfectly in each other's arms. Alexander held a protective arm around my waist all along.

Intently looking at the beautiful lady in front of me, unclear flashbacks of going to a fun fair of a sort with her ran through my mind.

"Rick, welcome," Alexander held out his hand and the men firmly did their handshake.

I was caught by surprise when the blonde lady – isn't her name Jenna?- leaped forward and enveloped me in a tight yet warm hug.

"Oh my dear, Rachel! Look at how much you've grown," she gushed out excitedly. Alexander still held me tightly around my waist paying close attention to them.

She pulled back and turned to her husband with a wide smile. "Look at how much she's grown, Rick!" Her husband reciprocated her smile and also leaned forward to quickly give me a little hug.

I cleared my throat trying to tame the broken memories that were running through my mind. "It's Jenna? If I remember correctly," I asked.

She laughed a little not phased at all. Instead she looked all the more pleased. "I'm so glad you remember. I wouldn't have expected you to, you were barely 5 but it's Gemma."

Chiding myself for already being a terrible host, I ushered them inside where Alexander took the liberty of getting us some drinks.

Small talk was made and the long time memories of being dumped in Rick's office headquarters miraculously resurfaced. I partly remember how Carina had left me in Gemma's workplace and they had taken care of me for a few days until she returned to fetch me.

Suddenly, I wasn't so scared anymore. They were lovely people and we spent the evening talking about our lives. Alexander didn't leave my side and always asked if I was feeling okay. Rick and Gemma had showed me pictures of their teenage son, Archer, as well as pictures of their miracle baby, Lucia who was only 4 years old.

This whole night was completely the opposite of what I had expected. They adored me despite not even knowing me that well and it made my heart warm.

The night practically flew by and I stood up offering to clear the table with Gemma while the men went to the bar to talk business. I gave Alexander a knowing look to not touch alcohol as per his therapist's request to which he replied with a flat face yet still listened to me.

While in the kitchen, Gemma was rambling on about anything and everything. I loved her company and listened attentively to her pointless chatter. It was refreshing for some reason.

"I was surprised to learn that you had married Alexander," she said as we took a seat at the kitchen counter.

"We married a few months ago, it was... unexpected. But I wouldn't change anything about being with him," I said genuinely with a smile playing on my lips.

"I can see how much he loves you," Gemma said with a twinkle in her eyes and I kept a neutral expression at her statement. "He was so protective over you during the evening. I'm so glad you found happiness, Rachel. You deserve it after your horrible mother."

Hearing the last bit I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "You knew her?"

Gemma nodded at my question. "She had a bit of a thing for Rick at a time. She is also still super close to his family. As a matter of fact, she was living with them for a bit after her life fell into pieces."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused. Alexander and Ricked walked back into the kitchen and stood next to us respectively joining in on our conversation.

Gemma looked hesitantly up at her husband who dotingly took her hand in his. "Carina got involved with the wrong crowd. Gambling, drugs, theft, fraud... everything under the sun. She served a few years in prison."

Alexander gave me a look full of concern silently asking if I want to continue with this.

I chuckled bitterly, "Well, good riddance," I said referring to Carina.

This time Rick spoke up. "Rachel, had we known that she had left you with somebody then we would have tried our best to have you in our care. Unfortunately, I had cut off all ties with my family and hadn't spoken to them for many years until recently so we had no idea. We're sorry-"

I shook my head at him cutting him off, "No. No need to be sorry. It's not your fault."

I sat there thinking about what a bitch my mother was. I hated her and it's a shame because she is my mother after all, but how could I feel anything except hatred when she had given me no reason to?

I silently stayed in the kitchen as Alexander was kind enough to escort our guests out. They bid me farewell and Gemma gave me her number insisting that we get together sometime soon.

Alexander cleared the remaining few dishes on the dining table and closed up the patio doors and curtains. He turned off the lights and approached me.

Gently ushering me to stand up, he rubbed my shoulders to provide some comfort. "Let's take a long bath together."