Adam took a gulp of his beer.

"Only thirty?"

I raised a brow at him. "You knew!"

He sighed. "I can tell the difference from cubic zirconia and diamond, thank you very much."

"Why didn't you tell me, Adam?"

He shrugged. "You didn't ask."

I groaned. Then I said, "Don't tell me you also knew that the date I brought with me was a fake! He wasn't really a bartender!"

He was silent for a long while. I stared at him, unable to believe that Adam could hide the truth from me.

"Oh my God, Adam! How could you?" I groaned.

"Hey, Ash. It wasn't my position to tell, and he asked me not to."

"What? When?"

"Well, I got the door for you, remember?" He said. "I recognized him at first glance. Ryder Van Woodsen is a prominent guy in some cities. He was new here. But in Manhattan, he has a face value."

"A-list?"

Adam nodded. "Sort of. Their family is not exactly unpopular. They're quite rich and they own a chain of restaurants in three continents. When I saw him, I told him immediately that I was expecting to meet a bartender. He asked me not to say anything to you. But he's willing to help you out in your own little game."

"Why?"

Adam shook his head. "I don't know. He didn't say."

I sighed. "That was why you were looking at him funny all evening. That was why you were constantly warning me not to fall for him."

He nodded. "I was not really happy that day, you know. Or maybe a little." He smiled. "Because I know I would be getting my ten grand back. But other than that, I was worried."

I sighed. "He must have been having the laugh of his life that night!"

"Who knows? Maybe he was bored with his life." Adam said. "The ring was gorgeous though."

"I returned it." I whispered.

"Good for you." He said. "Show him you're not one of the material girls he knew."

I took a gulp of my beer. "I didn't know until the guy in the jewelry shop told me I was wearing an authentic Harry Winston. That's when I looked for him again. True enough, he wasn't known in Oil Rig as the bartender."

"He owns the place." Adam whispered.

"I've been duped twice in a row, Adam!" I muttered.

Adam smiled. "But if it's any consolation, I did a little research on him. He doesn't seem so bad. He was just too much into his work, but the good news is... he was never rumored to be a womanizer."

"I don't care about Ryder Van Woodsen, Adam." I said. But I know something inside me is deeply broken. I don't know why. But I felt really sad to see him again today and find out that he really is Ryder Van Woodsen, and not the Ryder Woodson I was looking forward to see again.

"Then why do you sound so sad?" Adam asked wearily.

It took me a while to answer. "Because I was disappointed. Because, for a while, I was hoping to meet him again. To show him the side of me that isn't... you know... cuckoo!" I sighed again. "I really liked him. The guy who went with me to the wedding. He was funny and smart. Down to earth and... romantic. He inspired me to be better. And now, I think I am. And I was hoping to find him again... so I could see what... lies ahead of us."

"You found him again, Astrid. This could be the beginning of something great."

I shook my head. "I will never see him again." I stared at Adam sadly. "I will never see Ryder Woodson again. Because he doesn't exist. He never did."

"What about Ryder Van Woodsen?"

I shook my head. "I don't know him." I replied. "I never did."

"Well, don't you want to get to know the guy?"

I laughed humorlessly. "Come on, Adam! That guy is way out of my league! There is no way I'll fit in to his world. It won't last. And you know, if I will start believing in 'ever after' again, I need to find a man who can lead me to that. Not a playmate for a while, who will ditch me later on. I don't want to live like that."

Adam narrowed his eyes. "Live like what? Like a queen? With a guy who can give you everything your heart desires?"

I shook my head. "I'm not asking for much. I never did. I liked the simpler things. I just wanted a stand up guy who can grow old with me, would respect me and won't look down on me. And I don't want to live like... a bomb is about to fall on my head any day. That he might tire of me because he lived in an exciting world full of glamorous women who would do anything and everything to take him away from me."

"You're a very complicated woman, Ash." Adam shook his head. "Now, I understand. Even a guy like Ryder Van Woodsen would be crazy about you!"

"I've been through a lot. And now that I'm almost out of that zone, out of danger, I... wanted to make sure I won't head down the same path again."

"I don't think you would head down the same path, Ash." Adam said reassuringly. "Bryan is... one of a kind!" He added sarcastically.

"He's a classic, isn't he?" I said shaking my head. "You know I saw him tonight. At the wedding."

"Oh? And how did that turn out?"

"Really bad. I slapped him." I said.

"Finally!" Adam threw his hands up in the air triumphantly, as if he had been hoping for that to happen for a long time. "Now, do tell!"

"Well, he came up to me and congratulated me for getting back in business. Then he said that he didn't think I really loved Ryder, that he thought I was just using Ryder to spite him. Then he told me that Ryder bought me. I couldn't take it. I slapped him."

"Still couldn't accept the fact that he lost you. And he lost you to a better man. And then what happened?"

"I turned away from him, and ran straight into Ryder. I don't know what he was doing at that party... but he was there at the right time. Bryan told him that he didn't think that Ryder really had me."

"What did Ryder say?"

"He doesn't give a damn." I replied. "He said he loved me enough for both of us and that's all that matters."

Adam snorted and then took a gulp of his beer. "Van Woodsen reads a lot of cheesy novels!"

"Sometimes I don't know if he's for real." I admitted. Ryder just blows me away. But then again, I really didn't know him.

The real Ryder Van Woodsen runs a chain of bars and has money I wouldn't be able to count. There's no way he will have time to read cheesy novels. And he didn't step out of a romance novel either, that's for sure!

Chapter Twelve.

WEDDING FAVORS:.

There are plenty of choices for wedding favors. You can choose from figurines, candles or mints. Just make sure that whatever you choose, it's not out of your theme and your budget. Plus, it should be something that you yourself would be glad to receive.

I made myself busy the next week. I got the early shots of Angela's and Jacob's wedding. I asked permission for these to be uploaded onto my site. I also asked for some early video clips that showed most of the venue, the arrangements, and the highlights of the party.

I was very happy with the results. Rose is getting a lot of inquiries for our services. I don't give a quote unless I have met with the couple and hear about their ideas, and of course, their budget.

I met with my friends at a new bar called Rig Style. I do not want to risk meeting Ryder at Oil Rig. I promised to stay away from that place since I found out he owned it.

"So when will you treat us for a round of beers?" Dannie asked me.

"Once I start making money. Right now, it's still on take off stage. But I'm happy with how popular we're getting." I said with all smiles.

"You've always been great, Ash. This is you. This is who you are, and what you're made of." Nicole said. "And I won't forget what you promised me. You'll hire me as soon as the cash comes pouring in, okay?"

I nodded. "I promise."

When we took our bill, the waiter told us it has been taken care of.

"By who?"

The waiter stared at me. I raised a questioning brow at him.

"My boss said you'd know." He said. "He was hoping you would come up to his office."

At first, I didn't get what he meant. Then it dawned on me and my heart pounded inside my ribcage.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" I groaned. How rich could he be?