If Paradise Was on Earth: (Huntington Beach BOOK 3) Read online

  “The drawings are sweet. I like the one she did of Alice in Wonderland. You were obsessed with that story when you were a child since you both have blonde hair and blue eyes. I even bought you a rabbit after you begged me for days. Poor thing died a year and a half later. You refused to leave your room for days. I felt so bad. I didn’t know that their lifespan was so short when I got him for you.”

  “Oh mother, that’s so sweet. I don’t even remember it that well,” Alice said.

  “What I am trying to get at is motherhood is difficult. Motherhood is filled with tears and anger and tough times. You need to be sure of what you are signing up for here, okay? Don’t jump into a brash decision just yet. Besides, I think this has moved a little too fast for my liking. Try to take things a little slower. How old is he, anyway? Where’s the mother of his child.”

  Alice gulped. Her mother was taking the conversation pretty well, but she wasn’t sure if maybe she had an ulterior motive or not. Trying to find anything to use against her. She seemed nice about it though. Maybe she was slowly coming to terms that Alice wanted to make her own decisions in life. Though she always appeared that she was on Jeremy’s side, perhaps it was all a facade and deep down she wanted what was best for her daughter.

  “She’s dead. I don’t know much about it, but I think she died a year after Emily was born. He...he doesn’t like to talk about it,” Alice said, as she sat across from her mother. She was enjoying the conversation so far. Fiona had taken off the snobby rich mask and was now just a normal person. They were chatting like old friends and Alice longed for it to happen more often. It was nice to have someone to talk to. She didn’t really have many friends, but that was mostly due to self-sabotage in any case. She isolated herself intentionally, keeping people close enough to think they were friends, but far enough so that she didn’t have to deal with their nonsense. Alice was picky when it came to friends, and it was easy for her to be put off of someone because of something simple.

  “Wow, that’s actually really sad. I can’t begin to imagine what that would be like,” Fiona said.

  “He’s broken but he’s a good person. He’s twenty-seven, by the way.”

  “Really?” Fiona said and raised an eyebrow, “That’s an age gap and a half.”

  “Yeah, I uh, I lied to him about my age at first, and yeah. I told him I was twenty. But then he fell for me. And he found out my real age after, and there was no going back from there. I should have just been honest from the start, but I didn’t know where the relationship was going back then, so I thought it was harmless. I thought it was just going to be a summer fling, but I was wrong. The moment we laid eyes on each other we fell in love.”

  “What a cliché,” Fiona said, and saw Alice’s face drop, “I mean that in a nice way though, darling. Like a fairytale.”

  “Thanks, mum.”

  “Oh, Alice. I will organize for your father to be less strict on you leaving the hotel whenever you want, to do what you want. I will have to do a little lying, but I will figure something out. You’re an adult now, and I don’t think it’s fair for him to be treating you like a child. Maybe say you two broke up because he was married or something. You will have to do me a favor then though, keep doing as your father says. Act complaisant. Don’t back-chat him. Do what he says. He will grow to accept your life choices at some point,” Fiona said.

  Jeremy knocked on the door loudly, and the girls were startled.

  “We’re going to be late for breakfast, hurry up you two!” Jeremy said.

  Fiona scrambled to hide her cigarettes and make sure there were no signs of it left in Alice's room.

  “Quickly, can I use some of your perfume? I didn’t want Jeremy smelling smoke on me,” Fiona whispered.

  “Sure,” Alice said, and picked her perfume out of the vanity drawer and spritzed her mom with it three times.

  “That should be good, thanks. Let’s go,” Fiona said.

  They made their way to a restaurant a little further away, that served very expensive meals, and had a nice breakfast. Alice stayed silent. She didn’t have anything to say to her father, and she was not interested in fighting with him. Besides, he preferred silence while he ate anyway, so it was fine. Her parents spend the day working and went to multiple meetings,

  3

  Richard

  A lice, can I see you today?” Richard said to Alice over the phone. He already organized for Emily to stay the night at Melissa’s, so everything was already sorted.

  "Things are very busy here, but I can definitely take some time to see you," Alice answered. “What would you like to do? I’ve got some things to talk to you about.” She paused for a moment, taking a breath. “I have a plan in the works.”

  “How about we go to a movie? There’s a retro movie night at the drive-in,” Richard said, and chuckled nervously. He felt so nervous, and he didn’t know why. It was like he was a teenager again, asking his first girlfriend out on a date.

  “Oh my god, that sounds incredible!” Alice answered. “I’ve never been to one of those. I’d love to.”

  Richard was relieved when he heard the excitement in her voice.

  “Sounds like a plan. And they provide cute, old cars for us to use too, so that’s a good thing.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “I just never really thought it was necessary to buy a car. You know, since I work and live on the same beach.”

  “I like that though. You live simply. You only have what you need, and you don't need the excess. I love that so much about you. You’re everything I want in life,” Alice said then giggled, “Sorry, I was getting all squishy and emotional there.”

  “No, it’s okay. I like it when you speak your mind,” Richard said. “Or rather your heart.”

  “What time? And should I meet you at your house?” Alice replied.

  “Seven. I’ll see you are my place. We’ll walk together. Bye.”

  “Bye-bye, Richard.”

  Richard ended the call and held the phone close to his chest lovingly. He was excited for the date and he had a lot of things planned for it. The times he had with her on the beach were incredible, but he wanted to do more and make her feel like the princess she was. There was nothing quite like a drive-in date, and the new world lacked little things like that in the dating scene.

  Richard turned his shower on and waited for the water to warm up, hopping in when it was to his liking. He finished up and wrapped a towel around his waist. He looked after his body and his skin, unlike most men. He made sure to have a good facial routine with moisturizers and various face creams. He didn't want to grow old and wrinkly too young, but he didn't tell anyone about it. Culture conditioned him to believe that there was shame in self-care for men. That they need to be rough and burly and calloused. He resented it, but he knew that the world was decades from a change in that regard.

  He checked himself out in the small bathroom mirror and backed up a little so that he could see his body. The years of physical labor have paid off very well, with all the heavy lifting of equipment for the sea sports rentals - as well as all the walking he did since he didn’t feel the need to own a car.

  He picked out an outfit for the date, a pair of jeans and a white shirt. He didn't want to dress too fancily since they would be inside a car the whole time. He got dressed and ruffled his hair with a towel so that it would dry quicker and waited for Alice to pitch up.

  There was a knock on the door, and he opened it. The sun was near the setting point, and Alice looked absolutely gorgeous in the orange light. She wore a black pleated skirt, with a tucked-in white blouse that wasn’t buttoned up all the way, which showed a little bit of cleavage. Richard smiled and he stepped outside.

  “Ready to go, handsome?” Alice said.

  “Yes, ma’am. You look wonderful today. I like the blouse.”

  “Thanks, you look great too.”

  Richard locked the door behind him, and they set off on their walk, hand in hand.

  While they walked, they spo
ke of their hopes and dreams and Richard was surprised to hear how Alice had signed herself up for college, and what she was interested in studying. She wanted to become a clinical psychologist. Richard wasn’t sure what he would have expected her to be interested in following as her career, but he didn’t expect that. She seemed really excited to start her studies, though, and he admired her interest in learning and eventually helping people.

  It took fifteen minutes to walk, and they finally arrived.

  “Hello sir and madam,” the man at the front desk in a small booth said, “Do you have your tickets already, or do we need to get you some?”

  “I have already booked,” Richard said, “We’re near the front.”

  Richard handed the man the tickets.

  “All set then. Here are the keys to the vehicle,” the man said, “And you may get your snacks at that booth over there.”

  “Thanks! Have a great night.”

  Alice and Richard walked to the snack booth, which faced the big screen where the movie would be displayed.

  “What do you want love? Snacks are on me,” Richard said.

  Alice looked at the available options. There were various potato chip brands, sweets, and chocolates.

  “I’ll have the chocolate malted honeycomb bites and a box of popcorn, oh! And can I have a cherry Slushie please?" Alice said.

  “Cool,” the woman behind the counter said. She looked tired and unbothered, and they could tell that she definitely didn’t want to be there.

  “I’ll have the same,” Richard said, “But give me a grape Slushie instead.

  “Kay,” the woman said. The tag that was pinned to her uniform said that her name was Charlotte.

  Richard noticed it, and his heart was filled with pain before subsiding shortly after. Alice seemed to notice it and squeezed his hand as the woman prepared their snacks.

  She spoke softly so no one else would hear them.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, yes. I’m okay. Sometimes it hurts a little, but I will be fine,” Richard said.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Alice said.

  “Yes, we can. In the car,” Richard whispered. He swallowed the lump in his throat and clenched his jaw. He didn’t want to ruin the special night they would have just because he was a widower.

  “Here ya go,” the cashier said, “That’ll be twenty dollars.”

  Richard drew in a sharp breath at the price of the snacks. Since the dawn of their time, movie theatres were rip-offs when it came to their snacks.

  “I’ll pay,” Alice said. She pulled out a fifty-dollar note and slid it over to the cashier.

  “You don’t have to, Alice,” Richard said.

  “It’s the least I can do, considering the lovely date you have set up for us,” Alice said.

  The cashier grew wide-eyed.

  “I thought I recognized you! You’re that Rineheart girl, aren't you? Alice Rineheart?” Charlotte said.

  “Uhh… Yes, I am,” Alice mumbled.

  “I’m a huge fan of your work,” the cashier said, with more emotion now than before, and she winked, “What are you doing around here, anyway? I was under the impression that you are from Las Vegas.”

  Alice grew uncomfortable and squeezed Richard’s hand.

  “Thanks, here for business, I guess,” Alice said.

  “Your family’s building that huge hotel right on Huntington Beach, but I didn’t know you guys were actually here. I saw the uproar about it online, and I knew you had something to do with it! Good on you for sticking it up to the big man,” Charlotte said.

  “Thanks! Keep the change,” Alice said.

  “Thank you,” the cashier said, “Enjoy your movie!”

  They took their snacks and made their way to their designated car and got inside. The snacks came in a big cardboard box so that it was easier to keep them contained and they wouldn’t fall over on the seats.

  The car was old and black. The seats were made of faux leather, and the front seat had no divider in the middle, with the stick shift being in front of the seat, and out of the way. This was an added benefit, meaning they could cuddle closely without anything getting in the way. Once they were settled, an announcement came over the speakers: The movie will commence in 10 minutes, so settle in and don’t forget to grab some snacks. Tonight's viewing will be City Lights, starring Charlie Chaplin.

  They set their snack packages on the top of the car’s dashboard.

  “Oh! I love Charlie Chaplin. Did you know that one of his descendants became an actress as well?” Alice said excitedly.

  “Ah yes, Oona Chaplin. She played in Game of Thrones. I was surprised, to be honest. She’s been in a lot of good movies and TV shows. But then again, I guess it makes sense, runs in the blood and all that,” Richard said.

  “I’m sure the movie’s going to be great. I hope you enjoy the date so far, sorry about all that back there. What was that about anyway?” Richard said, as he sipped on his Slushie.

  “I caused a bit of uproar on social media. I couldn’t figure out what to do about the whole hotel situation, but our little talk about reporters and paparazzi got me thinking, if I expose what they’re doing to the public eye, maybe we can force them to pull out of the deal. I don’t know if it’s going to work, but, it’s the only thing I can think of.”

  “So, expose it to the public eye. What will that do to stop them?”

  “The more people that know, the more likely it is that people will care enough to start protests. It’s a long shot, but I will be taking part. When I posted all of this online, I hid my identity with an array of fake social media accounts, but come to think of it, I don’t care if they find out that it’s me who started it all! I’m not going to hide from my parents anymore. It’s time I be vocal. I can’t let this happen to you, if this doesn't work, I will do anything. I’d strip naked on construction day for all I care!”

  Richard chuckled at Alice’s passionate rant. It was cute.

  “We will just have to wait and see. For now, we just have to be patient. Don’t get yourself into too much trouble along the way, young lady,” Richard said.

  “Trouble is my middle name,” Alice said with a wink.

  Richard brought his face close to Alice's neck and whispered in her ear: "Oh, it definitely is. What will I ever do with you?”

  Alice closed her eyes and swooned at his words. His voice was soft and raspy.

  “I don’t know, you’ll have to show me,” Alice whispered back as she grabbed a fistful of his black, silky hair and held on.

  “Oh, I will,” Richard said, again in a soft and sultry voice.

  Richard planted soft kisses all the way from the nape of her neck to her jawline and kissed his way up to her lips. Alice moaned in his mouth as their lips collided, while Richard slowly trailed his fingers up her skirt, and they went into a passionate frenzy, until they were interrupted by the start of the movie’s cheery soundtrack.

  “Oh man, that gave me a fright, I nearly jumped out of my seat,” Alice said.

  “Me too,” Richard said.

  He composed himself and sat back in his seat.

  “You’re incredible, Richard,” Alice said after a moment of silence.

  “Why do you say that?” Richard asked.

  “You just… You make me feel so many things and I don't even have the words for them. I feel awestruck by you every time you touch me…”

  “I feel the same. English has been around for nearly one thousand five hundred years. You’d think they’d have come up with a few words or phrases for what we’re feeling. We can’t be the only people that have had feelings for each other like this before.”

  “I know, right. Oh, and Richard?”

  “Yes, my sunflower?”

  "Is my age really not an issue for you? It was a terrible thing to lie about… I mean, seven years' difference doesn't sound as bad as nine years."

  “To be honest… It does make me feel slightly uncomfortable. You’re bas
ically just out of the nest and I’m snatching you up. Though, finding out about this news hasn’t changed anything one bit. It may take a bit of adjustment, but we can work through it. As long as you’re comfortable, my love, we can move forward,” Richard said.

  “Well, it doesn’t really bother me. I find you so charming, and so attractive. The way you look after Emily, how caring of a father you are just pulls me towards you even more. Maybe it’s a base instinct to be with someone who cares for people so deeply, but lord knows I’m in love with you.”

  “Oh, you’re going to make me blush.”

  “Good,” Alice said and winked at him.

  Alice grabbed the bag of chocolate bites and opened them. She told Richard that they were her favorite ever since she was a young child. Edwin would sneak these under her pillow any time she accomplished something great, as a little gift. Her parents weren’t the kind for praise, and any time she would receive an award or novelty for doing well in school or her extracurricular activities, her parents would brush her off with an eh, could have done better. She told Richard that it hurt her a lot, but she appreciated the little bit of acknowledgment from Edwin. He was truly an angel on earth. Richard hoped to meet Edwin someday.

  The movie went on, and it was enjoyable. It was a silent movie, with only music to narrate it.

  “I hope you don’t mind that the movie doesn’t have speaking in it,” Richard whispered, keeping his eyes on the screen.

  “No, no. I like it. I like that we can still understand a movie without words. That it's so easy for people to express themselves with their body and face. I think it's beautiful. Charlie was an incredible person. His Great Dictator speech… shook me to the core. The fact that these ideals are still so true to this day gives me chills. No wonder he is a household name to this day, although it is mostly remembered for his silly little comedy skits.”