Forever Yours

By Sally McGuire

On the outside, Saline Summers appears to have the perfect life. She is a renowned fashion designer, owner of an exclusive boutique on the Upper East Side, fiance of New York Citys popular mayor, Sebastian OReilly, and mother to their beautiful little girl. But what no one knows is that on the inside, Saline is living a personal hell.

For the past four years, Saline and her daughter, Ariel, have been enduring abuse and blackmail at the hands of Sebastian, a master manipulator with powerful friends. The only thing that has kept Saline going through it all is her desire to be with her first love, Lex Banks, again. As Saline and her best friend, Lucy, contemplate how she can safely leave Sebastian once and for all, Lex returns to New York City on a business trip and personal mission: to profess his undying love for Saline. When their paths finally cross, Saline must decide first whether she can forgive him and then whether she trusts him enough to untangle her from Sebastians web of manipulation.

Forever Yours is the compelling tale of one womans journey as the past intertwines with the present and helps her in her quest to find love and her true destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491773161

Sally McGuire

Sally McGuire has written many short stories and always keeps a journal. Her love of researching the history of various cultures earned her an award of excellence. She lives in New York with her son. She is also the author of Destined to Love, Forever yours, Devil in Disguise and children’s book the Missing Letters.

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Copyright © 2015 Sally McGuire.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-7317-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-7316-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015912612

iUniverse rev. date: 08/04/2015

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

To My Parents: Molly and Fred McGuire and Christine Bolden. I will forever love you. Thank you

Special Thanks to Paula Edwards King, Erma Duncan, Attley Sandy and Terry Poyser.

Prologue

DETERMINATION IS THE WHIP THAT drives ambitions to successes were the sentiments echoed by the principal of The Durham School of Arts in North Carolina. The school was one of the best in the area, based on performance and test scores. The atmosphere in the auditoriumwas quiet and peaceful as the students sat attentively listening to every word. The sky is the limit and you can be anything that you want to be, with hard work and determination.

Saline Summers sat among the group of joyful graduates, next to her best friend Lucy. She was neatly and uniformly dressed like all the other students of the graduating class with black gowns and hats. After working hard throughout her high school year, she was happy to have reached that level in her education. Her dreams of going to college and pursuing a degree in fashion designwere about to become possible. To make a name in the fashion industry was everything she dreamt of. Now on her way in making her dream become a reality, she was veryexcited.

Saline, we made it! Lucy shouted happily, hugging her best friend tightly as the principal ended the ceremony, then made his way off the stage.

Yes we did! Saline exclaimed, beaming with happiness and wrapping her arms firmly around her friend. As she smiled her dark eyes lit up; they matched perfectly with her mass of dark curls that fell over her shoulders. Her long face dimpled when she smiled, exposing a slight gap between her two front teeth. Her full lips were covered with red lip-gloss.

We have a bright feature ahead of us but right now let’s celebrate! Lucy shouted enthusiastically. What do you want to do?

Saline did not utter a word but only stared at her friend and smiled. She did not want to celebrate since she had plans of her own. She knew that sharing those plans with Lucy was going to make her very unhappy but now the time had come for her to do so. She has put it off for too long.

We are going to enjoy this summer to the fullest before leaving for college in September, Lucy continued, stilled bursting with gladness. Let’s get the celebration started!

Saline looked at Lucy and her smile slowly faded. They had been best friends since the first grade. Lucy was the daughter of a wealthy family and she the child of two school teachers. They were close as two sisters can be. I would like for you to drive me to the train station in a few hours, she said softly, mustering all the courage she possessed to inform Lucy about her plans.

Why do you want to go to the train station? Lucy asked, a startled look on her face.

I am going to college in New York where I will study fashion design.

You are going to New York? Are you joking? Lucy searched Saline’s face for answers. Why am I just hearing about this?

No, I am not joking Lucy, she replied softly, seeing the look of disbelief on her friend’s face turn into one of unhappiness. I am so sorry; I should have told you.

Yes, you should have; I thought we shared everything, Saline! she said furiously. I guess I was wrong.

You are my best friend Lucy and I love you, Saline said when she saw the sadness in her friend’s eyes. I did not tell you about my plans because I knew that you would try to talk me out of it.

Oh, is that so? Lucy probed crossly, watching her friend. You watched me make plans for us to go away to college in France, without objecting to anything! I thought that was what you wanted.

Please Lucy, try to understand. You were making all the plans without asking me if that was what I wanted to do, Saline said, pleading with her friend. I love you and I am so happy that you are always there looking out for me. I really need to do this.

Lucy regarded Saline as her anger and disappointment slowly disappeared, leaving sadness in her eyes. She knew that her friend was right and definitely would have tried to convince her that they should go away to college together. She always felt compelled to protect her. She was blessed with two parents and all the material things that money can buy. Her friend, on the other hand, had lost both her parents in a car accident when she was twelve. She was placed in the care of her uncle who treated her like a stranger in her own home. Lucy remembered vividly that time when she found Saline crying in the girl’s bathroom six years ago. After patiently questioning her, her friend broke down crying and sobbing uncontrollably. She related to her how much she missed her parents and how horribly her uncle and his family were treating her. They cried together and from that moment on shared a strong bond. They did everything together and were treated as equals by her friends and family. She assumed that their college years would be the same.

Most of the graduates and their families had left; a few remained, conversing with staff. The two friends were not mindful of anything happening around them. They were focused on each other, trying to resolve their problems. Saline observed Lucy, who remained quiet. Her friend was very beautiful: tall, slender and athletic. I have been accepted to the Parson School of Fashion in New York. This school offers degrees in fashion design, marketing and a number of different courses. Some of the big names in fashion, like Donna Karan and Marc Jacobs are affiliatedwith this school, she said gently. It’s one of the best in that field and you know how good I am at designing new fashion.

That’s great, Lucy said, very impressed by what she just heard. Saline had designed outfits that they had worn over the years. With the service of a seamstress, they were able to do so and were complimented by many. She knew how very talented her friend was.

I will be starting classes this summer, Saline said, smiling when she realized that her best friend was now showing interest in her plans.

Where would you live and how would you pay for all this?

I have already found an affordable apartment in the city through a realtor, paid for my summer classes and first semester, Saline answered assuredly. I used the little money that remained from my parents’ insurance settlement. My uncle spent most of it, claiming that he had to care and provide for me.

Living in the city is very expensive, Lucy added, with distress in her eyes. Saline was innocent and naive about so many different things, especially men. Lucy had lost her virginity at sixteen and had many boyfriends. She worried about Saline and did not want anything to happen to her.

Stop worrying Lucy, I will be ok, Saline whispered, seeing the concern in her friend’s eyes. I will find a job when I get there. I need you to believe in me since you are the only family that I have.

I do believe in you, Saline, Lucy said, hugging her friend. I know that you will make a great fashion designer one day. Please be careful and know that I am always going to be there for you. Best friends forever.

Best friends forever, Saline repeated while they hugged each other tightly, fighting back tears.

Ok, ok, what time is the train? Lucy asked. Letting go of Saline was the right thing to do, but it hurt so much.

A few hours later, the two friends said their goodbyes at the Raleigh train station. It was very emotional as they hugged, cried, and made promises to call each other every day. Lucy handed Saline a card which she opened moments later. She was baffled when she saw a check for fifty thousand dollars and a note stating college tuition and love from Lucy and her family. Tears fell from her eyes when she thought about the love and compassion they had shown her over the years. They treated her like family, unlike her relatives.

The train drove through the different states, making its way to New York City. Every state was unique and diverse in its scenery and topology. When she left Raleigh the topography was covered with lush, green vegetation, tall treesswaying in the wind and the nearby traffic was moving along smoothly. As the train moved closer to the city the pattern changed from greenery to grim. The trees were replaced by tall, huge buildings of different shades of gray. The traffic was congested; there were long trails of vehicles trying to reach their destinations. Saline was fascinated by everything and welcomed the changes. She was glad to get away from North Carolina. The place held so many sad and painful memories for her. Losing her parents in a car accident was agonizing. They were driving home one Friday afternoon after her soccer game finals. Her team had won and her family was proud and joyful as they drove home, talkingabout the game. A drunk driver ran a red light and collidedwith their car. Her parents died on impact. She was not injured but only traumatized. She would cry herself to sleep every night and would awaken with nightmares, months after their passing. Why didn’t I die with them? she often wondered. They left her all alone and at times she became angry with them. They entrusted her uncle to care for her, who turned out to be a huge disappointment. He was selfish, caring only about his own family. He moved them into her home and used the money from the insurance settlement to take care of his personal needs. She was heartbroken and needed a shoulder to lean on; there was no one except Lucy, who was a kid herself. She turned to drawing and sketching which provided a way of escape for her. Anytime she picked up a pencil and sketch pad all of her problem seemed to disappear for awhile. She started off by drawing gowns for fairytale princesses and over the years it changed into all kinds of women’s outfits and styles. Now she had the opportunity to perfect her craft and share her talent with the whole world; nothing was going to stand in her way.

The train pulled into Penn Station in New York City nine hours later. After such a long trip most of the passengers were anxious to get off and be on their way. Saline was exhausted, however the feeling quickly vanished when the conductor announced that their journey had come to an end. The energy and busy atmosphere were like nothing she had ever experienced. Thetrain station was a major subway hub, where trains from all over the country, even Canada, stopped. It was open at all times. She noticed security guards and police officers stationed all around. There were people everywhere hastening to and from trains. She took her two pieces of luggage and rushed to the exit along with the crowd. A few minutes later she was sitting in a taxi on her way to her apartment and was amazed by everything she saw. The place had an energy of its own. She felt so alive and elated to start her new life. It was starting to get dark when the driver reached her destination. He informed her that the apartment was across the street as he pulled off;she retrieved her luggage.

Saline quickly tried to locate her apartment number but after searching for quite some time she was unable to do so. She became frustrated and terrified because it was getting darker. She had seen on the news and read in the papers about horrible crimes happening to young women in the city. Eagerly she tried seeking out someone to assisther with the directions, but everyone was inauspicious as the hurried by. The most sensible thing to do was to locate a police station or officer to aid her in her quest. Slowly she made her way back to where the taxi driver had dropped her off before. It was now dark. She noticed that a car was driving slowly behind her. Panicking, she hastened her steps. Suddenly she hearda car door shut and quickly looked over her shoulder. Someone walking towards her. She quickened her pace, her heart beating fast.

Can I help you, Miss?

Saline spun around in desperation and saw the most handsome guy looking at her. I am trying to find an address, she said nervously, hoping that the stranger could help her. Five twenty-two east fifty-second street. I am seeing all the numbers that are close to my apartment number but cannot find it.

The house is across the street, he said, pointing and smiling politely. The only reason why you could not locate this address is because there is no number written on the house. The sign came off a few months ago due to bad weather and the owner never replaced it.

Now that explains why I couldn’t find it, Saline said, breathing a sigh of relief.Thank you very much.

You are welcome, he replied, observing her closely. My name is Lex. Are you new in the city?

Nice to meet you, Lex, Saline replied, smiling as she nodded her head. It was impossible to shake hands since she was carrying her luggage. My name is Saline and I’ve just moved here from North Carolina.

You are very far away from home, Saline.

I have been accepted at the Parson School of Fashion in the city, where I will pursue a degree in fashion design, Saline said proudly, noticing the look of surprise on Lex’s face. His face possessed an expression of intelligence and maturity. He was very masculine and fashionably dressed in a white v-neck t-shirt and blue jeans. He looked to be in his late twenties, about ten years her senior. I will be starting summer classes in a few days.

That is wonderful and good luck, Lex said.

Thank you, Lex, for assisting me, she said, smiling shyly. She headed toward her apartment. Have a good night.

You are most welcome, neighbor, Lex replied, standing there watching