Mask of Rade

Chapter One

Studying hard and focusing on a business career finally paid off for Rachel. It was the first day on the job for her as a junior accountant, and she had worked her ass off, trying to get in, only to find that she was overly prepared. Not that she couldn’t have gotten a job with a better pay in a multinational firm; actually, she had received job offers from several top financial companies served to her on a platter, but she’d turned them down for Drake Anderson Consultants located in New York City. She had waited patiently for months for the opening at the firm. Having graduated summa cum laude, she was top choice in the market. It would be hard for any reasonable person to understand why she was bent on working at DA Consultants. Rachel knew her reasons for turning down incredible job offers and accepting the one she had, and she didn’t need to share that with anyone.

Growing up like she did with a single mom, she was very appreciative that her mother taught her great discipline and values. They lived a comfortable life in New Jersey, just a bridge ride away from New York. Rachel spent most of her free time in New York, captivated by the high-rise buildings and crowds of people. Luckily, when it came time to move out on her own, she quickly located a reasonable apartment close to her new employment there in the midst of the city. It was a brownstone separated into two apartment units. She fell in love with the architecture of the building, the location, and above all the price.

Rachel was never spoiled and learned to live within her means, and not be dependent on any monies her non-existent father contributed. She didn’t know much about the alimony until she was older … One day, about two years back, her mother discussed the terms of her divorce with Drake, out of the blue, while they were in their kitchen. She and her mother, Leanne, often talked and had a very close bond. However, that particular talk was the most important conversation of her life and had set her off on the path she now was on. Now she had a personal quest that she had to achieve—it had become her life’s purpose. It was a fight for acceptance; she felt she had a point to prove. It was revealing to learn who her father was, the circumstances that surrounded her birth, and the divorce of her parents. There were a lot of questions that still needed answers, and some of them she could only ask the man himself.

Rachel kept her mind busy most days thinking of her initial encounter with him, her father, and how it would all play out. She tapped down her nerves on her first day of her new employment. She needed to keep a low profile. Like any new job position she arrived at the office and was shown around by her supervisor and introduced to the entire staff of the finance department, where she had been placed. The office at DA Consultants was massive. Being so large would keep her a distance from her father, but eventually she would cross paths with him.

One day we’ll surely meet. Her thoughts were disrupted with an introduction. Suddenly, she felt like there were many eyes upon her, and a slight smile pursed her lips.

This Rachel Anne Dempsey. She’s new with us and will be working on our assets and financial risk management, Mr. Ramsey, the head of the department, said. She’s gone through our detailed hiring process. Please make her feel welcome! I think she’ll be a fantastic addition to this department, he concluded.

Everyone greeted her warmly with smiles and kind, encouraging words, and she really did feel welcome. She knew she was going to enjoy working with them, but her heart was set on the top. Her plan was sacred to her; she wasn’t going to lose sight of it. At the moment, Rachel’s eyes were on a woman with honey-blonde hair and big, blue eyes that were captivating in her cherubic face as she came up to Rachel and introduced herself.

Let me know if you need anything, Rachel. I’m right next to you, Sonya said. I’ve heard great things about you, and we’re all excited to have you here. Me especially, she chuckled.

Rachel couldn’t help noticing Sonya was talkative; she had barely been quiet in the less than an hour Rachel had spent in the office. She was either chatting away with another colleague or talking to Rachel.

Rachel started to familiarize herself with the systems and work environment of the office, and she was really fast in picking it up. At the close of work, just as they were about to leave the building, Rachel was with Sonya and Corey, another co-worker, when she saw an incredibly striking man. He was walking into the office complex as they were leaving. Rachel couldn’t help but stare at him. He stood at just over six feet with beautiful fair skin. He was very attractive in his black suit and tie, his dark hair perfectly in place. Unfortunately, his eyes were hidden behind the tinted shades he had on. Rachel found herself intently focused on him.

That’s Dean, he’s Mr. Drake Anderson’s son, the heir apparent, Sonya whispered. I’ve heard the office chatter that he’s desired by most girls in this building. I see you certainly agree and have joined us all to drool over him, Sonya joked. You were really staring at him.

I just wondered who he was, she lied, trying to sound surprised at the insinuation. Simmering down the inner excitement her heart immediately felt, Rachel averted her eyes, playing the moment off.

Rachel, every female in this building talks about Dean. He’s hot, single, and successful … what girl wouldn’t want him? Corey added, her gaze traveling across the black marbled floor of the lobby, then upward toward his face. Corey’s words echoed in the vast, open area. Her long, jet-black bangs swept loosely across her face, hiding any sign of embarrassment if she was heard. Corey didn’t seem timid at all. In fact, her light green-colored eyes sought to keep looking at Dean more and more.

Well, he’s kind of cute, Rachel admitted as she tilted her head slightly to one side. But you know cute guys come with a lot of baggage. She rubbed her lips together as her thoughts were still on him.

Who cares what baggage they come with? For me, I’d just love to have a piece of him, Sonya confessed.

Corey and I laughed.

Girl, you’re so honest, Rachel remarked.

Oh, welcome to Sonya’s world, Corey said. She tells it as it is.

As it was, the first day on the job for Rachel was a good one. As soon as she got home to her apartment and grabbed a cold sparkling water, she sat down in her favorite gingham wingback chair and turned on her faux Tiffany lamp on the side table to brighten the dim room some. While she sat there drinking her water, her mind started to play back the day, and she began to reassess her plans. It was funny that she saw her rival was the handsome Dean. Her thoughts warmed. He was incredibly attractive, and she was glad Sonya and Corey informed her quickly enough of who he was before she started having any funny ideas.

Rachel had yet to cross paths with Mr. Drake Anderson himself, nor did she expect to so early on. She wondered how she would handle seeing him, or worse, having a conversation with him.

After putting together a light meal of broccoli and pasta in a white wine sauce, she spent the rest of her evening researching. Getting herself further acquainted with the job was her only way to break into the circle where her plans would have a shot at seeing the light of day. Her quest for answers would bring closure.

Chapter Two

Her consistency and tenacity started to pay off, and she was soon very prominent in her department. In just four months, she was flying high on the job. Her monthly stats and ratings were soaring. Rachel was pleased she was getting noticed. Mr. Ramsey recommended her for a higher management level training position. This was going to be her first interaction with the top executives of the company. Her plans were slowly getting pieced together; she was going to make sure she exerted herself duly and made the most of the opportunity.

On the other hand, Dean was always noticed. Being attractive and successful made it quite easy to be desired by the many women in the office. Growing up with a silver spoon as the adopted son of Drake Anderson had way too many perks. It also came with its own confusion and downsides, especially when it came to relationships and women. Everyone respected you for what you had and what you stood for, not who you really were. It was the norm for the women in the office to always look his way but never within his heart. Yes, he was handsome and wealthy, but that didn’t stop the girls in his life from cheating on him or teasing him sexually, both of which never developed into a future of love. He was still suffering and hurt from the bad break-up he had with Chelsea. They had dated for about eleven months, and he’d believed she was his final resting place as far as relationships were concerned. They were even talking about marriage together until it happened. It was a day he’d never forget. She was supposed to be at the Grand Hyatt in the city to meet up with her college friends for a girls’ weekend. She had told Dean she would be staying at the hotel with her friends and showing them a lot of the sights the few days they were in town.

Dean, in turn, decided to spend the weekend solo at a hotel in the casino area of Atlantic City, New Jersey to gamble and relax. Having his first weekend unplugged—no work, no Chelsea, and no one knowing where he was—was intended to be a pleasing few days of solitude. He had decided to go to the pool to for a refreshing swim, and as he closed the door of his hotel room, he heard a chuckle. The lilt to the laughter was all too familiar …

It was Chelsea, kissing and clinging to a guy, about to walk into the hotel room on his floor, two doors away. His key card fell from his hand as he screamed, "Baby, what