buttercupsim

[buttercupsim]

Dark Side

As the phone number she knew by heart rang and then cut off, Agora felt a pit in her stomach. He would never answer her calls. While her prison sentence was significantly less than Dylan’s, she couldn’t bear the thought of not speaking to Mickey for the next several years. How did she fuck up so bad?

She had a life she loved as a DJ, spinning tunes at the best parties in town. Getting fucked up and partying on her off hours, she was broke but at least relatively happy. She fell hard for the ladies man Mickey Smith who hit the same DJ circuit as her. They became good friends and while she yearned for more, he always shut her down.

When one of her junkie pals approached her with a deal of a lifetime, get rich and also hurt the woman Mickey had been starting to see, how could she have said no? It had been so appealing.. and with wealth came desire. Perhaps Mickey would be interested if she could elevate her worth? Her looks? She agreed.

Agora was not a good person, a kind person or someone with even an ounce of empathy. Working with Dylan they executed their initial plan seamlessly, they kidnapped Riley’s aunt and Dylan forced her to take out a large life insurance policy. Agora, while an accomplice and tried as such, was definitely not as innocent as claimed. She would off Riley herself with pleasure, Dylan could handle the old aunt.

As Dylan worked his way into Riley’s love life and shattered her and Mickey’s blossoming relationship, it gave Agora the perfect opportunity to soothe a grieving Mickey. He had stumbled through her front door that night and poured his heart out. And she had been there and knew what he needed.

She knew he was vulnerable, but she was manipulative and used that to her advantage. Saying all the right things, pledging loyalty, upping the sex appeal and declaring it should’ve been them all along. In her success, the ring he’d been saving for that bitch ended up on her hand that night.

Then it was weeks of bliss, making up for lost time. Mind-blowing sex, trying to prove to Mickey how right she was for him and that he had not made a mistake in finally choosing her. It was the happiest she had ever been and she reveled in knowing Riley would be out of the picture for good soon once Dylan and her wrapped up their plan. And she would have the wealth for her and Mickey’s life together!

Then it had all gone to shit. The police knew, Riley knew and then her amazing husband-to-be knew and it was over. She was dragged away in cuffs and that was the last time she ever saw Mickey.

She knew she should have remorse, but she didn’t. She was just angry it all went wrong. Particularly because the second she arrived in prison she was violently sick upon ingesting her first taste of prison food. While she had thought it had been just that, she continued to feel nauseous and off for the following weeks.

Now switching into more comfortable clothes and making her way into the maternity ward, Agora wrings her hands distraught. This is not how it was meant to be! She needs to be home with Mickey now making their life together as future parents.

However, she cannot hide her pleasure at the thought of having this connection to him that cannot be undone.. He will take care of the baby until she’s out. Then she will join him and they can be a happy family just as she always planned. Right… right?

[buttercupsim]

Dylan’s Downfall

Facing the next 20 years in prison, Dylan now has more than enough time to reflect on the past and where it all went wrong. He was once a respected junior officer in the military. How far he feels he’s fallen… if it weren’t for the drugs and a stupid woman he couldn’t seem to get out of his head maybe things would’ve been different.

It had all started with her, a beautiful yet married woman. She embodied lust, wealth and confidence. Dylan had been immediately smitten by Ashley Sinclair.

He took whatever she gave him, from fleeting hookups at the bar to rendezvouses at his place whenever her husband was working late.

But it never was enough, and Dylan craved more. More than he wanted her was her wealth, unlimited and the way it seemed to exude from her very essence. But she would never leave that husband of hers and Dylan knew he would have to create his own.

Amidst his inner turmoil, pressure to succeed and plummeting self worth, he struggled with substance abuse. His rank in the military began to fall rather than climb and before he knew it he was out of a job.

Rage consumed him as he wrought his brain for a solution. He needed to be better, needed to succeed, what would be the easiest way? He started a low level job at the local bank and upon interacting with the trusting yet wealthy patrons regarding life insurance policies, an idea came to him.

Colluding with one of his more nefarious connections he had become acquainted with throughout his drug use, Dylan realized this idea could really work… and the riches he could soon have blinded him.

Sharon Foss was the perfect target. He saw the wealth she had in her portfolio and realized the fleeting high school relationship he had with her niece, Riley, could work to his advantage as well. Before he could second guess his plans, he was making his move and tricking her into adopting a hefty life insurance policy. If it weren’t for her being a damned military vet herself, perhaps she would have never escaped his basement and he could’ve succeeded in marrying Riley and then offing them both for the payout.

Now he sits in prison, a pregnant Ashley visiting him to cut ties. She tells him regardless if he is the father, she will be raising the babies with her husband and will never be seeing Dylan again.

If Dylan felt rage before, it was nothing close to what he feels now. Shaking with anger and withdrawals, he swears he will get out, he will appeal, he will do whatever he can. Riley and her aunt must suffer and Dylan now has absolutely nothing to lose…

[buttercupsim]

Honeymoon for the Smiths

Following their quick nuptials, Mickey and Riley head to the islands for a spontaneous honeymoon. Spending time just the two of them is a necessity after the craziness of the past few months.

It was a rather relaxing and romantic, much-needed getaway. These two lovebirds couldn’t be happier… but can it last?

[buttercupsim]

A Stormy Wedding

Heavy rain falling and her heart racing, Riley jams the car into park and rushes towards the wedding arch where Mickey and Agora are preparing to begin the ceremony.

Both are quite unpleased to see her and she begs Mickey to just hear her out. In a lengthy explanation, Riley informs him of Agora’s diabolical side-job where she assisted Dylan in kidnapping Riley’s aunt in an elaborate insurance scheme and that she is only marrying him as personal revenge against Riley.

Mickey is throughly shocked and hurt. He demands from Agora to tell him if this is true. She sobs and sputters, “I did it for us, Mickey! I wanted to marry you with all my heart and share the money with you! However SHE made you push me aside… But I really love you.”

Infuriated upon her confession of betrayal, Mickey calls off the wedding and their relationship. He tells her can’t speak to her anymore, he is utterly appalled by what he has heard.

The rain pours harder as the tension in the muggy air escalates. Agora flies into a murderous rage, sobbing and screaming. She lunges for Riley, fists flying, “YOU! You ruined everything!!” A violent struggle between the two women ensues.

Riley stands her ground and is able to tackle Agora to the grass as the wedding guests watch on in horror. Cops flood the scene amid the chaos, a fortunate call made beforehand coming through, and Agora is dragged away in handcuffs. They tell Riley that Agora in addition to Dylan will no longer be harming her or her family anymore.

Once the cops load Agora into the back of the police car and drive off, Mickey turns to Riley, his tears indistinguishable from the raindrops continuing to fall. “Riley. I’m so sorry I didn’t follow my heart. Since we met, you’re all I ever think about. Please forgive me for being so blind. And do me the honor of just one thing…”

Riley watches in blissful shock as the love of her life gets on one knee, his eyes shining with love and clarity, “Riley, I love you with all my heart. I know how foolish I was to let you go and I promise to never do so again. Won’t you marry me right here and now?”

Matching tears now streaming down her cheeks, Riley launches into his arms. While she knows it’s sudden, she has always been a girl that flies by the seat of her pants and she has never felt the way she does about Mickey with anyone before. He is the one, she just knows it.

Night descends and Riley and Mickey find their way under the arch as the guests reseat themselves. Then while rose petals gently fall and the rain softens to a drizzle, Riley and Mickey exchange rings and vows of eternal love. The stars in the night sky twinkling as if this is what was always meant to have happened.

[buttercupsim]

Escaping Dungeons and Deception

Meanwhile, Aunt Sharon has not been staying with a sick friend as Riley had been lead to believe… but held captive in a dirty basement. After weeks of suffering and refusing to bend to her captor’s demands, she uses her old army training to finally escape.

She goes straight to the police and reveals her story. The man that did this to her will not get away with it and the even more ominous plan he revealed to her will not be kept quiet.

While Sharon hides upstairs and waits for the cops to come, Dylan returns home and is infuriated to find she is no longer trapped in his basement. Consumed by anger, he guns it to her house hoping he still has time before she goes to the police. Unbeknownst to him they’re already on their way…

He shows up only to find Riley having just arrived home from work and making her way up to the front door. And Sharon nowhere in sight. He then explodes, kicking over things, screaming and ranting that Sharon and her have cost him everything. Riley is confused.. what is he raving about?

She then starts to feel actual fear as he storms toward her, the look on his face something she has never witnessed. Before he can lunge for her, the sounds of sirens fill the air and a police car whips around the corner. Sharon promptly exits exclaiming “That’s him officer! That’s the man that kidnapped me!!”

The cop holds Dylan at gunpoint upon seeing his clear to intent to harm Riley and the murderous glint in his eyes. He alerts Dylan to back away and put his hands up. Sharon cries to Riley that Dylan had tricked her into getting a large life insurance policy and then trapped her in his basement.

Riley can’t believe her eyes. The cop apprehends Dylan, informs him he is under arrest and that they will be looking into his accomplice. Riley finds herself in shock and struggling to hold back sobs. How could she have been so blind?

Her aunt and her embrace, and Riley feels immense relief that her aunt seems relatively unharmed. She goes on to tell Riley that she is okay and she will give her the whole story once they get inside. As the cop ushers Dylan into the backseat and drives off, the two women enter the house.

At the kitchen table, Sharon breaks it down that once Dylan tricked her into getting a large life insurance policy, he tried to force her to declare him as her beneficiary. When she wouldn’t budge, he locked her in his basement and chose to focus on who would be next in line for the money… Riley. He planned to marry her, then do away with the both of them and keep the money for him and his accomplice. She describes the accomplice as a woman and someone that seemed to have something personal against Riley as well…

Shaking from the information her aunt just revealed, Riley’s gut can’t help but tell her that the woman MUST be Agora, she just knew something felt off with her. She rushes to the phone to call Fiona to determine when the wedding is and if she has time to warn Mickey. Upon discovering it’s currently happening, will she even have a chance at making it in time?

[buttercupsim]

Fixing It

After weeks of wallowing, Riley decides she’s had enough. She can’t let things end this way with Mickey. If he won’t take her calls, she’ll just have to come to him! She resolves that she will do everything in her power to restore what she had with him no matter how long it takes.

He’s not too happy to see her initially, but Riley is determined and knows if she can at least get him to understand no infidelity was involved he may give her a chance to build back their relationship.

Lot’s more explaining to do, but he is hearing her out.

Truth goes down easier with a good breakfast. 

Realization hits he may have jumped to conclusions...

Riley continues to unpack the whole story and stresses that her feelings toward him are genuine. It was all a misunderstanding and she made a grave error allowing Dylan back into her life.

The chat continues and Riley ends up spending the next few days mending her and Mickey’s friendship. While he is technically engaged to someone else, she hopes that their time together will remind him of how special their bond was and bring him back to her.

By the end of the week, Riley and Mickey are laughing together again. How could there have ever been any doubt they would grow close again? That spark could not be put out. 

Just as things are heating up, however, Mickey pulls away discouraged, “This is so hard for me to do. I’m so happy that we were able to patch things up, but I made a promise to Agora. What kind of man would I be if I broke that promise? Don’t forget me, Riley. I’ll never forget you!” 

Riley feels the tears come immediately. Before Mickey can spare a second glance, he turns and heads out the front door. How could she ever forget him? If only she had one more chance...

[buttercupsim]

Break-Ups and Reconciliations

Riley, still slowly trying to heal, is surprised by a call from Fiona. Shockingly, Mickey and Agora are getting married?! It’s been the talk of the town and apparently he wanted to do it as quick as possible.

Riley winces, trying her best to shove Mickey and what happened out of her mind. What can she do at this point? He won’t return her calls. She dials Dylan hoping maybe he can help her with some retail therapy. Unfortunately, he seems caught off guard and hangs up rather abruptly for work. Guess Riley will have to shop it off by herself.

Minus Dylan’s wallet, Riley knows she’ll have to budget her cash wisely and limit her haul. After trying on a handful of overpriced clothes only to put them back on the rack, something catches Riley’s eye through the boutique window.

It’s no one other than Dylan, who seemed SO busy earlier and he’s all over Ashley Sinclair like a cheap suit. His hands are everywhere they shouldn’t be.

Before Riley can think twice, she’s charging out of the building toward Dylan, absolutely enraged. How could he say all those things to her last night? Clearly, he has been playing her this entire time.

Riley barrels into him, landing several good punches whilst hoping to ensure he regrets ever crawling back into her life.

Reeling from his injuries and exclaiming profanities, Dylan lurches away while yelling “You have no idea how good you had it with me! You’re gonna get it, Riley, you and that whining aunt of yours!” Why does he keep mentioning her aunt?

Still fuming, Riley turns and heads back into the shop after discovering the asshole dropped his wallet. Guess that’s one way he can start repaying her. It’s unfortunate she didn’t see him for the dog he is until too late as it’s cost her a relationship that was actually meaningful.

Before she can retreat home, Riley is stopped in her tracks. Of course, she spots the potential love of her life there with Agora, looking blissful and in love. How foolish of her to get involved with Dylan when she had Mickey. It’s too much to handle, Riley hails a cab and makes her escape.

Turns out the trip to the boutique Riley was hoping to cheer herself with ended up making her just feel worse. Home alone, she wipes a tear. If only her aunt would finally come home..

[buttercupsim]

Goodbye Mickey

Riley covers her eyes in horror as the two men in front of her swing on each other, fists flying. Mickey lands soundly on the tile after a particularly brutal punch.

He struggles back up and marches over to Riley, eyes blazing. “Riley, how could you do this to me? I thought I could trust you. Agora was right —you are a hussy! We’re finished.”

Riley gasps, unable to clarify nothing happened once they were official before Mickey turns around and storms off. Dylan offers words of comfort, but Riley is lost for words. She heads to the locker room to change and head home.

On the drive home Riley ponders what the hell just happened, her ears ringing with Mickey’s insults. She strolls through the front door ready to collapse on the couch in tears, but instead finds… Dylan?

He seems caught got off guard, but quickly recovers. He tells Riley of his deep feelings for her and that they’ve never gone away. Has this ex of hers finally matured? Riley, lonely and heartbroken, finds herself listening.

As he showers Riley with affirmations and compliments, it slightly begins to ease her hurt. She knows she isn’t thinking straight, but still leans in to give him a tender kiss.

While Riley knows what she’s feeling right now is inauthentic, the comfort of Dylan’s arms is all too tempting. This isn’t rebounding, is it?

The clothes begin to peel off as she attempts to numb her aching heart and turn her thoughts away from Mickey… That is until Dylan’s phone lets out a chime and he abruptly gets up to check it.

He tells her he has to get going as he received a call from work (at this hour?) and he needs to take care of things- but he’ll see her again soon. While Riley is glad she has Dylan there for her, she can’t help but hold out hope that with some time Mickey can forgive her.

But as Mickey goes to seek comfort from an old friend, a second chance for Riley may be too late…

[buttercupsim]

A Twist of Fate

Things are looking up! Riley’s got a boyfriend and can’t wait to spend more time with him enjoying their new couple status.

She’s feeling a little out of shape following all of these dinner dates so she decides to invite him to hit the gym with her.

Ecstatic to see her new beau, she greets him warmly and they decide to get a move on.

Little does she know, Mickey’s “best bud”, Agora made a move on him rather recently. Luckily it was not so well received.

He then corrected whatever assumption Agora had cooked up in her mind regarding his feelings toward her. He had feelings for Riley, and Agora simply was just a close friend.

Riley hops on the treadmill while Mickey splits off to hit the weights. Crazy coincidence Riley and the local on the equipment next to her have the EXACT same taste in work out attire.

Riley decides to take a dip in the hot tub post work out. Mickey is welcomed in with a playful splash.

Then of all people to show up at the gym, DYLAN walks over and enters the hot tub…

He sidles in close to Riley, “Hey there, Riley. I wanted to tell you I had a great time the other night. How about I come over tonight for the second course?”

Mickey asks Riley who the hell this guy is and what he means. Dylan interjects and tells Mickey to head on home as this “doesn’t concern him”.

That reply doesn’t go over too well with Mickey, who charges forwards and yanks Dylan out by the neck. This can’t be headed anywhere good…

[buttercupsim]

Revelations

Mickey invites Riley to hang out at the park the next day where she is abruptly greeted by some random woman.

She knows who Riley is apparently and states that she works at the bank with Dylan, the latter sounding oddly like a lie. He speaks GREAT things about her and her aunt. Her aunt?

Um okay?

Yes! Thank God, Mickey is here!

Aw and he brought some hot dogs for grilling, time to grub!

After the day goes by, Riley decides, hands down, Mickey is the one she wants.

Some picspam of their adorable date. (Riley did play football in high school.)

Then Mickey asks Riley to be his girlfriend!

And Riley is done for. Mickey is the one for her, it’s destiny!  She is absolutely besotted.

[buttercupsim]

For Old Times Sake

Riley is a working girl! With all these promotions happening, she’ll be out of debt in no time!

Who’s that? DYLAN just called her... he heard from a “mutual friend” that she was in town and he wants to catch up over dinner? Uh oh, Riley’s getting nostalgic..

Is this a good decision? She and Mickey aren’t exclusive... right? And this could be platonic anyway? Right?

Ohshitohshitohshit.

Aaaaand he greets with her a kiss, which leaves Riley wanting more. It has been four years..

No self control, girl.

And she knows it feels slightly wrong after all that’s happened with Mickey, but sentimentality overcomes her.

So she makes him dinner, of course, and continues.

Dylan’s working his old charm on her and Riley’s giggling like a schoolgirl. (C’mon now..)

And she has quite literally fallen back in his arms.

She is FINALLY able to find enough restraint to realize she wants to figure things out with Mickey before she goes any further with Dylan.

However, Dylan doesn’t seem to be the type that would particularly care.

And what is he up to?

[buttercupsim]

An Actual Date!

Riley calls up Fiona to have a lil chat-rant about Agora, ya know -only discover her old high school flame, Dylan, moved to town just a couple weeks before she. Well that is weird...

No worries! A nice dinner date with Mickey is the perfect solution to get old memories off her mind.

And it is a damn good solution.

Awww, and a romantic game of chess. Checkmate, let’s woohoo!

Things progress during dinner as well.. and not so much the eating portion.

I mean sparks fly, food flies? These two are feeling it.

REALLY feeling it.

Neither had any qualms about enjoying a little dessert. :) Dylan who?

[buttercupsim]

A Date?

So Aunt Sharon’s gone to help out a “friend” for a few days? Guess Riley will just have to bide her time. She did get Mickey’s number, right? She definitely feels there’s something there.

When Mickey arrives, Riley’s stoked and all... but um, why did Agora HAVE to tag along?

I mean, this makes it a bit awk, don’tcha think?

Luckily, Riley is a no-nonsense type of girl and has no hesitation towards getting closer with Mickey. (Look at that chemistry!) Agora (as shown) is quite distraught.

Did she just- did she just come at Riley? Oh hell no...

You don’t mess with that face.. and Riley’s no wimp.

She isn’t self proclaimed as Riley “Black Eye” Harlow for nothing, Riley showed Agora she is NOT going to be pushed around. This will definitely not stop her towards pursuing things with Mickey.

[buttercupsim]

Riley takes the Sims 2!

Following Riley’s story line from the lovely Sims Life Stories- Riley Harlow’s leaving the city life behind and headed to Desiderata Valley to move in with her Aunt Sharon!

Losing her job had left her no choice really…

Sharon couldn’t be happier, but she has to take care of something at the bank right away… leaving Riley to explore the town for herself.

She decides to check out the local art gallery owned by the vivacious Fiona Fortuna, who is more than ecstatic to take Riley under her wing.

Someone else seems to catch her eye, however, the GORGEOUS Mickey Smith, a charismatic party DJ.

Agora, Mickey’s particularly heinous-looking coworker, appears to be rather interested in entering their conversation… Riley isn’t quite sure what to make of her..

It’s all good though- with all these sparks flying, she had no choice but to back off… Mickey and Riley even got a little friendly with one another. Riles is sure hoping to see those dimples again sometime soon. And Aunt Sharon hopefully?

Maybe not…

Stay tuned folks, for more of Riley’s story! Things are about to get a little more interesting…