Sunday, May 20th, 2018

Ryder's POV

As we were leaving the resort for our luau, we saw a crowd gathered near the front entrance at the water fountain.

Someone was screaming and crying in pain. The guys and I ran over to see what was going on.

"What hap........?"

"Ryder, somebody came from behind us and took a swing with something at Kimberly's ankle. It looks really bad. We are waiting for an ambulance to come. Why would someone do this to her?!"

I didn't bother thinking, I just acted.

"Wrap your arms around me. I'm getting you off the ground."

"No!!! It hurts!!!!"

"There is a bench near the door. You have to get off the ground."

"No!!!!"

"Listen to me, you are going to get sick sitting on cold concrete. Don't argue with me on this. Wrap your arms around my neck."

She did, and I carried her to the bench. She screamed the whole way.

Shortly after, an ambulance pulled up to the resort and rushed over to the bench.

"I'm going to have to lift you again to place you on the stretcher."

Her ankle looks really bad. It has swollen to the size of a football. She screamed again.

"Please follow us."

"Uh, uh......."

"Aren't you coming with your wife to the hospital?!" One of the paramedics asked.

Kimberly Forester is certainly not my wife. No way, and not ever.

"No!! He is not my dang husband!! We aren't even friends!!!! Now, can we go already?!!!!! My ankle is in pain!!!!"

Nicole ran over. "I'll go, Ryder." Nicole followed the paramedics. "What hospital are they taking her to?!"

"Maui Island General!" One of the paramedics yelled.

"Ryder, we are going to the hospital with the ladies. Are you coming?" Steph asked.

Why me? Can't I just have one, peaceful day of vacation? "I'm driving. Let's go."

****************************************

We waited for over an hour until we saw a nurse coming our way.

"Excuse me, Ms. Kahale, Ms. Forester was rushed to the OR for surgery. Her ankle was beyond repair in the exam room, hence the reason she was rushed to surgery. She is going to be in surgery for a while. My name is Kaylee. I'll be at the nurse's station if you need anything."

Nicole replied, "Thank you. I can't believe someone would hurt Kim. She wouldn't hurt a fly. While Rhys was driving away from where we dropped Kim and the ladies off, we saw someone running away, then he jumped into a black van that sped away. I did tell the police that. But I couldn't get the license plate number."

"I'm going to call Kim's parents. I'll be right back," Livia says.

Beyond repair?

Another 2 hours went by, and no news. We all took turns getting something to eat. Yes, I stayed the whole time. I'm not that cold-hearted.

"Excuse me, Kaylee tells me you all are here for Ms. Forester. I am Doctor Casales. She was just wheeled to a private room. The surgery lasted for three hours. We basically had to reconstruct her right ankle. Screws and rods were placed in her ankle. She is currently knocked out from the anesthesia. I would suggest coming back tomorrow to visit. Her room number is 1012. She is on the 10th floor."

"Thank you, Doctor Casales."

"Kim's parents will be flying tomorrow morning, and will arrive later in the day," Livia mentioned.

"Let's head back to the resort." There is no way I can come back just to run into her parents.

*****************************************

Monday, May 21st, 2018

Kim's POV

"OUCH!!!!!" My ankle freaking hurts!!!!

"Ms. Forester, are you okay? We heard a scream coming from your room," a nurse says as she comes into the room.

"My ankle is killing me. Whatever pain medicine that I was given feels like it is wearing off."

"I'll get you another IV."

"Thank you."

Right after the nurse left, I heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

"Hey, Kimi. I'm not going to ask how you feel because you don't like that. Your mom and dad are on their way. The owner of the resort wants to see you once you are out of the hospital. He is also flying from Chicago right now."

"Thanks, Roshawna. The real estate agent visit will need to be canceled."

"No, it won't. Nicole and Livia are going in your place."

"Okay, that's fine. I'll need somewhere to stay because I won't be able to fly anytime soon."

"The guys are going to visit as well. They stayed with us at the hospital last night until we had to leave, even Ryder."

"He did?" I figured he would be glad to see me in pain.

The nurse came in with another IV. The pain started to subside once she switched the bags.

"That's much better. Thank you. Did I miss breakfast?"

"No, ma'am. I'll get something for you."

I hope it is not the typical nasty, hospital food.

"We'll let the guys come in. And, we will be back later."

"Thank you, Ro and Marta." The ladies left the room.

Mr. Ellis and one of the other guys came into the room. This is really awkward.

"We wanted to bring you something. Do you have any allergies?"

"I am lactose intolerant, so I can't have dairy products. It sucks because I love ice cream and Mac and cheese. Thank you for coming. And, staying last night. What is your name again?"

"I am Koby."

"Okay. I'll remember next time. And, thank you, Mr. Ellis." We are not on a first-name basis. The nurse came in with something to eat.

"You're welcome, Ms. Forester."

"This is actually delicious." It was eggs, bacon, toast and a bowl of tropical fruit.

"Sorry guys. I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon." I don't care what they think. I gobbled that food fast - within about 10 minutes.

"Ouch! I guess that dang IV still hasn't fully kicked in. Well, I appreciate the visit, but can you guys come back later? I really need to lay back."

I heard him mumble, "I'm not coming back. I already wasted some of my vacation time."

I grabbed one of the pillows and threw it at him. "You really need to learn not to say stupid things like what you just said out loud. I didn't ask for your help anyway. Ugh, just get out already and stay away from me."

"Gladly." Jerk of the year got up and left.

"I'm sorry, about him, Kim. The rest of us will be back to visit."

"Thank you, Koby."

I laid back on the bed and tried to get some rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ryder's POV

"Man, look, I understand your families are rivals, but really? She is in major pain because of some nut going around whacking people's ankles. You could have shown some sympathy."

"I showed enough sympathy coming to the hospital and waiting all night. Plus, we missed the luau  I'm tired and hungry. Let's go."

"Ryder, you are one sad individual. Ladies, Koby, Laiki, and I will be back later. Grumpy here won't."

"Thank you all for coming. It's best he stay away anyway. Kimi's parents arrived in Maui, and are on the way to the hospital," Roshawna says.

"Let's get out of here now. That is the last thing I need."

We made it to the first-floor lobby. As soon as we were about to walk out of the door, we were face to face with her parents.

Wendy Raquel Robinson as Sasha Forester

Tyler Perry as Mitchell Forester Sr.

"What are you doing in Hawaii?" Her mother asked. I don't have time for this.

"Mr. & Mrs. Forester, Hawaii is plenty of big enough for me and your daughter to vacation in. If I knew she was here in Maui, trust me, I would have vacationed somewhere else. Your daughter would probably be still sitting on the cold, concrete ground if it wasn't for me. And, I sat here most of the night. Now, if you will excuse me I can now get far away from Kimberly Forester."

"Oh, thank you." Then they walked into the hospital. Some vacation this is. How about I just go back home and spend time with my daughter? I called my mother.

Blair Ellis

William Ellis

I dialed Ryley's phone because I know she would answer.

"Daddy! When are you coming home? I miss you."

"I miss you too, my favorite girl. Can I speak to grandma?"

"Okay, daddy." Ryley must have put the phone down to get my mother. I heard her say in the background, "Daddy wants to talk to you, grandma."

I love hearing my favorite girl's voice. She brings so much joy and happiness in my life.

"Ryder, is everything okay in Maui?"

"Two words - Kimberly Forester. She is also vacationing in Maui with her friends. It's bad enough both companies are in the same state and industry but come on - I have to see her on my vacation?! No way. I'm coming home for vacation. Ryley and I are going to Disneyland."

"Ugh, why do they have to be everywhere?! I'll pack a suitcase for Ryley. When will you be home?"

"I will be leaving Maui tomorrow morning. I'll be back in L.A. in the evening."

"Okay, son. Try to enjoy today. And, have a safe trip home."

My mother hung up the phone. The guys looked at me like I grew an extra head.

"Man, you are so overly dramatic. Kimberly Forester is harmless," Steph says while shaking his head.

"You guys don't understand. Now, here are the keys to the Range Rover. It's already paid for, so enjoy it while you are still here. I'm on the first plane flying out of Maui in the morning."

Kimi's POV

The first thing my mom says as she entered my room was, "Why did we see Ryder Ellis leaving the hospital just now?"

"Mom, seriously?! I'm in astronomical pain and you ask about Ryder Ellis?!"

My dad replied too. "Sasha, seriously? Besides the pain, how are you? And, what the heck happened?"

"Daddy, the girls and I were returning from touring Maui with Nicole, who is visiting her grandparents. Almost immediately after we got out of her car and started walking towards' the resort hotel, someone came from behind and took a swing at my ankle. I am in major pain, and my ankle was reconstructed with rods and screws. So, I may have a permanent limp, thanks to some whacko."

"Also, the owner of the resort is flying from Chicago to talk with me."

"As well he should."

"Mom, it's not his fault someone has a screw loose in their head. But I do know how Forester could benefit from this."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, May 28th, 2018

Finally, I can get out of the hospital. I have a walking boot on and a pair of crutches that I will need to use. I can't fly home yet - well not for at least two weeks. The girls, however, found the perfect vacation home for me.

I had a virtual tour of it, and absolutely love it. The views of the ocean are amazing! I signed the closing documents, and was able to move in right away. My parents also bought me a SUV to drive.

I can't drive yet either, so Nicole is driving me home today.

"Thanks, Niki, for driving me to my home for the next two weeks. My mom is staying with me to help me. And, a huge thank you for the house."

"You're welcome, Kimi. Rhys and the guys fixed food for us. And, my nana's restaurant will be sending food for you and your mom for the next two weeks."

"Aww, that is sweet of her. Can you thank her for me? I would love to meet your grandparents."

"I'll bring them by one day."

We pulled up to the house, and the guys were waiting for us on the porch.

Steph came over to help me out. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Take your time going inside."

"Trust me, I will." Thank goodness I will not be seeing Ryder Ellis for the next two weeks. Hopefully, I never see him again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, July 6th, 2018

It feels so great to be back in L.A. I have been home for two weeks now.

My parents forced me to work from home, which was hard. So, I saved my energy for The Enlightened Star Gala for companies in the advertising industry. Also, The Enlightened Star Award for the number one company will be awarded. Forester will be number again.

My mom is helping me get dressed.

My parents even set me up with a date. I didn't need one. I have no interest in dating, at least not yet. The last time they set me up on a blind date all the guy did was talk about himself. He didn't let me get a word in edgewise on our date.

"Gorgeous as usual, Kimi. Love the dress."

"Thank you, mom. There was no way I was going to miss this Gala. This is the biggest one in the industry. And, what about this date you got me? He better not be like the last one you set me up with."

"Trust me, he isn't. This one you will really like. He is riding in the limo with us tonight. That is them right now. Take your time coming down the steps."

"I will, mom."

My mother walked ahead of me to answer the door. It took me about 15 minutes to make it down the stairs. When I saw who was my date, I was very impressed.

This is the one guy that I considered dating. He works at one of the companies in our building. I don't know which one though.

"Kimi, this is Liam Spencer. Liam, this is my daughter, Kimberly."

I hobbled over to shake his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Liam."

He didn't say anything for a few minutes. I was worrying if he liked me or not. I then got my answer.

"I'm sorry for my silence. I was just admiring how beautiful you are in that dress. I mean you are always gorgeous in every outfit you wear. I work in your parent's building on the 20th floor. I work for Sky High Holdings at the headquarters as an Investment Banker."

He then took my hand and kissed it. My insides started tingling from his kiss. Calm down, hormones. I just met this guy.

"Well, thank you for the compliment. I thought you looked familiar when I came into the room."

"I'll get your wrap, Kimi. Then, we can leave." My mom went up to my room. Then, she came back within 5 minutes.

I linked arms with Liam, and we walked out together to the limo. So far, this night is off to a great start.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The location where the banquet was being held was beautifully decorated. The tables had purple cloths with gold runners on them. Each table had a bouquet of what looks like white lilies. There were place settings for 10 at each table. Mitch, Timika, and Myles were already here, but sitting at a different table. This year, the host wanted the companies that are here to mingle amongst each other.

I wonder who we are sitting with? A waiter showed us to our table, which was near the front. Liam put his hand on the small of my back, and it awakened senses that I haven't felt 5 years. I wanted to go back to my house and have my way with him.

"Are you going to be okay with your ankle?"

"I will be okay. Thank you for your concern, Liam."

Once we sat down, trays of wine were brought to us. We each took a glass.

"Would you like any of the hors d'oeuvres? And, are you allergic to anything?"

"I'm lactose intolerant. Other than that, I'm okay."

"I'll be right back." I got a look at the back view, and this guy is hot. So hot that I couldn't help but like my lips.

"So far so good, mom."

"Good. I'm glad you like him versus the last one."

"He was clueless and self-centered. But, with Liam, we'll see."

Ryder's POV

I wonder who we are sitting with? Ryley would have been bored if I brought her here. And, this date my mother picked out is getting on my nerves already. I wish I did bring Ryley instead now.

I did see one of my good friends. "Liam? It's good to see you. What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Ryder. Good to see you too. I'm here with a date. And, I'm smitten already. I was hoping to go out on a date with her. We work in the same building. I'll introduce you to her. Where are you sitting?"

"It's the one closest to the stage."

"That's where I am. Just follow me."

Whoever his date is, they look gorgeous from the side. As we got closer, I had a sick feeling. And, my sick feeling was right.

"Kimberly, I would like you to meet my good friend, Ryder Ellis. He'll be sitting with us tonight."

Kimberly Forester is Liam's date?! Just great. Can't we just have one, peaceful night?

****************************************************************************

Picture of Wendy Raquel Robinson is courtesy of Flickr - Athena LeTrelle

Picture of Tyler Perry is courtesy of Wikipedia Commons - By John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA - Tyler Perry, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75142085

Picture of George Clooney is courtesy of Wikipedia Commons - By nicolas genin from Paris, France - 66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8470536

Picture of Salma Hayek is courtesy of Wikipedia Commons - By Jenn Deering Davis - Salma Hayek, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18217125

Picture of Kimi's date is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / deandrobot