Beautiful

By Roseann Ezra

Lauren Denai is a drop-dead gorgeous psychiatrist, but her life takes an unexpected turn, when she becomes the legal guardian to paraplegic Brett McKenzie whose parents were killed in a car accident. Her life becomes interwoven with her worst nightmare in the form of the power magnate Chase Richards, a successful businessman that commands the utmost respect in the property industry. Her life suddenly becomes pretty eventful as she is exposed to a child molestation case and as a result, she is brutally attacked and left fighting for her life. The only thing sustaining all of them is their love for the Lord.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: May 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493193943

Roseann Ezra

Roseann Ezra is passionate about serving the Lord through every aspect of her life. Though recently divorced, she has been in the family business for the past ten years. She is mum to her beautiful daughter, Rayann, and lost her twelve-year-old son, Rayden, in 2008. Roseann holds a bachelor of arts degree in applied psychology for professional context from the University of South Africa under her married name, Roseann Moodley. She has always been active in the development of children and the disadvantaged for well over twenty- two years. This has been accomplished through her own personal endeavours and the volunteering of her time through the Hatfield Christian Church. Her children have been her inspiration and her best motivators.

Book preview

Prologue

THEY WERE FINALLY divorced. Dinah gave a huge silent scream of thankfulness the moment the judge approved their paperwork. She felt a huge weight being lifted from her shoulders as she turned to hug the gangly youngster who sat patiently next to a smiling, suit-attired woman with stunning emerald green eyes.

No more bickering, no more being smacked around, and no more having to endure insult upon insult. It was all thankfully over.

‘Bo has invited us for a final goodbye visit to the diner, Lauren. Don’t you want to come along?’ Dinah smiled warmly at her best friend.

‘Unfortunately, I can’t. I have a patient coming through in an hour’s time, but you as a family should go. It will give you some closure,’ Lauren advised before scurrying away.

The drive was hot and dusty and getting hotter by the minute as Dinah watched Bo consume beer after beer. She met the eyes of the fearful girl who sat silently in the backseat.

‘Why don’t you just let us off at the next filling station, Bo?’ Dinah urged as they weaved from left to right as Bo tried to reach for the can that had fallen to the floor.

‘Always nagging, aren’t you? Don’t you ever shut up?’ he screamed at her in frustration.

‘Watch out!’ screamed the petrified voice of the child as they smashed into the huge tree that sat at the curve of the road. She watched as her dad was thrown about like a ragdoll before slamming into the battered figure of her mother, who gazed at her through sightless eyes. Anguished screams rent the air before giving away to silence.

Lauren allowed the phone to drop through nerveless hands before collapsing into her chair. She sobbed uncontrollably. If only she had gone along, then maybe, just maybe…

Chapter One

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, But love your neighbour as yourself.

Leviticus 19:18

THE MUSIC BEGAN to throb over the group of people who were swaying to its beat. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and intrigue. All around were laughing faces and expectant partners, though not for everyone present.

Lauren stood on the edge of the staircase. She had come for one purpose, and that was to catch a glimpse of the man that had almost single-handedly destroyed the life of the young child called Brett, who was now—as a result of this man’s actions—an orphan at the tender age of fourteen.

Together with her parents, they had been a close and loving family until the formidable Chase Richards had stepped into the picture, a man so powerful that he always got what he wanted no matter what the cost.

Bo and Dinah had owned the diner, which was situated in the most beautiful part of Salt Rock in KwaZulu-Natal. Charmingly nestled into the hills and overlooking the sea, this was indeed the most coveted place along the coast lines. It had been a thriving success until all the surrounding land had been bought by a mysterious developer. Sad to say, the business began to suffer, and this began to put an immense strain on their relationship.

Barely two months later, after this troubling occurrence, they had separated. Dinah moved back to her parent’s home with Brett. It seemed as if Bo had lost all hope in everything and turned and lost himself in the comfort of the bottle.

The last time that Lauren had seen them together as a family was at the final signing of their divorce papers. They had gone for a final glimpse of their diner which was in the process of being sold, when Bo lost control of their Land Cruiser and had slammed right into a tree. Dinah and Bo had been instantly killed, but Brett had been more fortunate. She had been flung to the ground during the crash but had sadly lost all feelings in her legs. She was, therefore, confined to a wheelchair at such a tender age, and it seemed as if all her joy had disappeared.

It was common knowledge, as well as documented, that if anything happened to Bo and Dinah, their best friend Lauren would become legal guardian to avoid family conflict.

One year later, Lauren was still trying to adapt to the life of a single mother.

Brett, who was now fifteen, proved to be incredibly strong and mature for her age. Shying away from attention, she was extremely withdrawn from everyone except Lauren and Maggie, her helper. Tonight she was with Maggie as Lauren had some unfinished business to take care of.

Dressed in an eye-catching creation in the colour jade, with her lovely long red hair falling softly down her back, Lauren was unaware of the breath-taking picture she presented. Her emerald-green eyes swept silently over the throng of people until it finally rested on Chase Richards himself. Devastatingly handsome in an expensively tailored suit, with his jet-black hair curling softly over the collar of his jacket, he was certainly an eye candy. As if aware of the close scrutiny he was being subjected to, he turned, and Lauren suddenly found herself gripped in a gaze of piercing green eyes.

A peculiar feeling stirred deep within her chest as she was drawn into the very depth of his eyes. She suddenly realised that she was staring and turned away in embarrassment on the pretence of searching for something to drink. It was then that she realised that this man was more dangerous than what she had initially thought and that she needed to be on her guard or else she would be lost to his charm.

Lost in her thoughts whilst she sipped on a glass of sparkling water, her senses immediately reacted to the threat of danger. Lauren knew immediately that he was standing behind her. Willing herself to turn around, she found herself gazing up into a beautifully tanned face.

Chase could hardly believe that he had actually followed this lovely image all the way across the room. He just knew with a certainty that she was someone he needed to meet and get to know.

‘May I have this dance?’ he asked, holding out his hand to hers.

Before she could respond, he captured her hand in his and quickly twirled her across the floor.

Lauren was impressed with his superb dance skill and furious at his assumption that she would have agreed to his invitation. ‘Just what do you think you are doing?’ she demanded, tilting her head back and staring up at him through blazing eyes. ‘I don’t recall accepting your invitation, and I would prefer it if you would immediately stop.’

‘No, I like having you here in my arms, so actually, I do mind,’ Chase drawled.

‘I’m Chase Richards, by the way, and I’m the host of this party. The good Lord must be smiling down on me because I certainly don’t recall ever having seen you before. Are you sure that you were included on the guest list? I guess it’s a bit too late to be checking now.’ He chuckled.

‘Though I’m sure I would have remembered someone like you,’ he continued.

‘And what exactly do you mean by someone like me?’ hissed Lauren, squirming in his arms as she tried to break free.

‘How can you possibly know anything about me?’

‘Well.’ Chase laughed.

‘I guess that you are what every Christian mother would describe as a temptation. I guess they knew what they were talking about, especially with that figure and blazing hair that one could lose his hands in, not to mention his head… Yep, definitely a temptation!’ He sighed dramatically.

‘It’s a good thing that I’m a church-going boy and I’ve been taught how to fend off the wiles of a seductress,’ he said solemn-faced.

‘That is enough, you insufferable man, you! You know absolutely nothing about me, and now that I’ve met you, I thank God that I would never have to stomach your presence in the near future,’ she lashed out furiously, wrenching herself from his grip.

As she suddenly became aware of the many eyes that were openly staring at them, a shuttered look closed over her face, and smiling politely, she thanked him for the dance. Pivoting perfectly on her incredibly high heels, she deliberately exaggerated the sway of her hips as she glided through the curious onlookers and out into the foyer. It was only once she was in the safety of the empty room did she allow herself to exhale. Relaxing her face into a smile, she approached the doorman for her velvet wrap. In one fluid flick of her wrists, she draped it over her shoulders. Stepping towards the rotating doors, she stopped in mid stride as she caught sight of him propped against one of the outside pillars, studiously watching her.

‘Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life!’

Proverbs 21:21

Chase was not quite certain as to why he had followed her. Maybe it was because he didn’t know her name or, if truth be told, she intrigued him with her confidence and her quiet poise. No one had ever dared to stand up to him, and yet she had done it so effortlessly. He was impressed.

‘Are you waiting for your car to be brought around, or can I give you a ride home?’ he asked gently.

‘Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I was just about to call for a taxi,’ answered Lauren politely.

‘No, you won’t,’ said Chase. ‘I’ll drive you. Consider it my way of apologising for my rude behaviour earlier on.’

Lightly grasping her elbow, he led her to a sleek black Audi Turbo that was parked in the courtyard. Being the gentleman he was raised to be, he opened the door and strapped her in, making her alarmingly conscious of his masculinity.

Chase grinned cheerfully into her astonished face as if in tune to her emotions. He walked unhurriedly around the car and slid in. The car purred to life at his touch, and with a skilled hand, he eased out of the parking area and on to the road. There was a deadly silence except for the need to give directions.

Lauren was not sure just how to react to this situation. Why was he driving her home when he had a house full of people to entertain?

Surely somebody was going to notice his absence? It all just didn’t make any sense as to why he would even bother.

‘No one questions my actions or decisions.’ Chase’s voice broke the silence, startling her.

‘The party will still carry on whether I am there or not, thanks to my wonderful mother, who also happens to be the hostess.’

‘Your mother?’ She gasped. This was getting very confusing really fast. Here was the most eligible bachelor in town, and he was living with his mother?

He laughed at the look of total bewilderment on her face.

‘Oh gosh no! It is so not what you are thinking. I do not live with my mum. She has her own home just up the road from me, so I can still ensure that she is okay without being obtrusive. Why I feel the need to explain myself is beyond me, when I don’t even know your name. I could just continue to call you sweetheart,’ he said softly.

Angry at the way he was able to read her mind and thoughts, she blurted out quickly, ‘Lauren. My name is Lauren Denai.’

Turning to look at her through amused eyes, he said, ‘You have a lovely name, Lauren Denai, but I still prefer sweetheart. And on the subject of all things beautiful, your home is equally lovely.’

Lauren jerked upright and turned to gaze out the window, only to realise that they were parked outside her home. Deep stains of crimson crept over her cheeks as she fumbled with the door catch and hastily climbed outside. Quickly trying to regain her composure, she thanked him in a stilted voice. Just as she hurriedly tried to make her escape, the front door opened, and Maggie ran out.

‘Laurie, come quickly. Brett tried to get out of bed, and she fell—’

Maggie had barely finished what she was saying when Lauren dashed past her and