The Billionaires´ Redemption: HER SAVIOUR (Book2)

Chapter 4 - New York

Rachel POV 

Tomorrow would be the big day, Mr MC sent his private plane to pick us up. Gianna decided to go to New York one week prior Thanksgiving, which was her deadline. I guess she wants to get acquainted with the city. I know she is nervous but I am so f*****g excited, finally I would be able to walk around without being on guard or having to look over my shoulder for any signs od Patrick. 

While we were packing our last items, I kept playing all sorts of songs that contained NEW YORK along. Gianna was pissed, but I guess she was getting fed up with the whole Frank Sinatra New York booing around the Penthouse. 

“Gi, let's relax. Have fun, New York is so f*****g big, what are the odds of running into Tony on your first week!” I said, trying to get her to lose a little. She has been nervous, anxious and crying silent tears. She is my best friend and sister and I would do whatever I can to see her happy, because she deserves it. She nodded at me and then I added “You know what? Let's finish packing and go to the karaoke bar one last time!”

That placed a big smile on her face but then she said “What about if we run into Patrick?”. My smile flattened a little, yes it was a possibility, but also I know that Carl, Steve and Jackson wont let anything happen to us. “Well, we will let Carl know if he can escort us to the Uber when we leave. Don't worry about it.” I said trying to convince her, but inside I was shitting myself. “Yeah, we can do that.”She said and then added “At this point I would do anything to stop hearing another New York song.” and then both of us laughed. 

*** 

Our karaoke escapade was so much fun. But right now while we are boarding the jet, my head is pounding mercilessly. Gianna asked the flight attendant to bring some Advil and a couple of blankets. Definitely it was going to be a long ass flight, especially if you are so hungover. 

We spent the whole flight talking, watching movies and sleeping. We didn't have any major events, other than Gianna vomiting her food twice. I guess she is not that used to drinking like we did yesterday. Soon the pilot was announcing our landing in New York. I clapped and Gianna let out a little tear. s**t she is not coping well with the idea. 

“Gianna, we have talked about it. You have grown up a lot, and that people can't harm you. Over my dead body they would be getting to you.” I said and she smiled at me. “Yeah you are right, the only way they can get to me is if you get distracted with an attractive bachelor…” She laughed and then I crossed my arms annoyed, because ever since the whole Patrick s**t, she has been insisting that I should see other guys, she said something about opening myself up again, because not everyone is like Patrick. “Oh, come on Mer! You know I am off the market permanently.” I said and she laughed and said “Be careful, you might be biting your tongue soon.” 

“Look Merida, I know you want me to be happy, but I still need to process everything. I am here right now to support you. You are my sister, so let's not argue about if I should start dating again or not.” I said to Gianna. She nodded, and did not push the topic further because she understood that it was a sensitive topic with me. 

We landed in New York and a black fancy car was waiting for us. We rode in the car and the driver took us to a beautiful mansion. Wow, Mr. MC and my Gi are loaded. I know she said that her dad was super rich, but seeing the whole s**t up close and personal is a different story. I am thankful that she is my friend, she is amazing and worth more than any fortune in this world. We explored the property and we saw that there were two other Estates around the lake, of course really far away from Gianna's place. I just kept thinking that this is so far away from the close neighbourhood I lived with my parents, where our house was surrounded by noisy and nosy neighbours. 

***

Gianna left to go to her dad´s company. She asked me to tag along and visit Manhattan, but I was suffering from jetlag and I wanted to explore the surrounding área. We were staying with Mr. MC for one week and after Thanksgiving we would be moving into a city apartment nearby the office. So I wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet of the place.

I was walking along the lower floor of the house when I heard voices near the foyer. The housekeeper greeted a cute girl at the door. She introduced herself as Mackenzie. She was looking for Gianna, she said she was one of the neighbours. Since Gianna left, she asked me to go horseback riding with her. I immediately agreed, she is about our age and super friendly. Maybe I can have an extra friend here in New York.

She took me along her favorite parts of the surrounding woods. I loved the scenery and the peace I was getting here was magnificent. Soon we finished our horse ride, we left the horses at the stable and headed back to Mr. MC´s house. When we entered the house, Gianna and her dad were at home, and Gianna´s face went pale as a sheet of paper. She tried to excuse herself but then Mr. MC introduced Mackenzie to her. “This is our neighbour Mackenzie Astor.” 

Shit now I get it, this girl is Antonio´s sister. I was so sure that Gianna would be taking about 1 or 2 months in running into one of these people, but she hasnpt been here even 24 hours and here it is his f*****g sister. Mr. MC invited Mackenzie to stay for dinner, Gianna left for her room, and I turned around and crossed my arms in front of my chest and gave Mackenzie a hard look. She immediately said ”Look Rachel, I know what it looks like, but I mean no harm and I don't want to get Gianna upset.”. I was livid, I wanted to make new friends but not this way. “Well nice job, she only gets this kind of headache when she is upset about something related to her past.” I said, spitting venom in my voice. 

“Look Rachel, I am guessing she told you about her past and her experience at Dalton Academy, I don't know if she told you that I was the only one helping her at the cafeteria the first time Constance bullied her. My brother wanted me out of trouble, so he kept me on the side from helping her, but I always thought she is a wonderful person, and I would really like to be her friend.” She said in one go.  She sounded honest but, I was hesitant in trusting her, because every f*****g time I meet someone new, I get the surprise of a lifetime. 

 “Trust is earned Mackenzie, but it is true you were the only student that day that came out and picked me from the ground, and for that I am thankful. Maybe we can start over, of course baby steps, with the only condition of not telling your brother I am here, I want nothing to do with him” It was Gianna coming back to face her. I am so proud of my sister, she is facing her demons one at a time. 

“Gianna, even though you don't want him to find out about you being here. You will eventually run into him at work. You are taking over your dad's company and your company and ours are business partners.” Mackenzie broke the news to Gianna, and her face paled. She knew that her dad went into a business partnership, but she was not aware who was the partner. “ I was definitely not aware of that business partnership, but If I have to deal with Tony in a professional environment, let it be. I just hope he respects my wishes.” Well said sister, I just hope that he respects your wishes too, if not I am here for you. I thought. 

“Well now that we agreed, and that Mackenzie will be part of our group, changing our duo to a trio, why don't we watch a movie?” I said breaking the awkward silence, and then Gianna agreed to the plan. We stayed at the movie room watching Marvel movies for the rest of the evening. Mackenzie went away around midnight. She is cool I guess, et´s see if this time around strangers prove me wrong.