Consequences: Consequences, Book 1



Well, you believe you know Anthony Rawlings, forty-five, self-made billionaire? Or maybe you would like to know him? You may be too late. Since May of 2010 Anthony has been seen out on the town with the same mystery woman. Up until now we have not known much about Anthony’s special woman. That is until she agreed to sit down with old friend and freelance writer Meredith Banks. The woman in Anthony Rawlings’s life is Claire Nichols, twenty-six. She is originally from Fishers, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis.

Claire graduated from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana in 2006. She has a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. Ms. Nichols and Meredith were in the same sorority from 2003 through 2006. It is believed that this long-time friendship is why Claire finally agreed to sit down and discuss her relationship with one of the world’s top bachelors.



Claire looked up from the page in her hand. Tony sat on the sofa and watched her reaction as she sat on the floor and read. Her whole body trembled as nausea erupted in her empty stomach.

“Tony, I did go to school with Meredith, she did come up to me the other day and started talking. I didn’t know she was a reporter. I wasn’t giving an interview. I didn’t say anything about you. Your name was never mentioned!”

He didn’t speak. Instead, he nodded toward the pages and she continued to read.



Anthony Rawlings has long been seen as a wonderful catch for that one deserving woman. He dated such women as supermodel Cynthia Simmons and recording artist Julia Owens. However, none of his previous relationships lasted very long. That is until now, now that Rawlings and Nichols have been together. These two were first seen together in late May (see picture) at the Quad City Symphony not far from the large wooded estate of Anthony Rawlings. And since that time, they have been spotted by curious onlookers at various charity events, as well as taking on two of the nation’s biggest cities, New York (see picture) and Chicago (see picture).

The question all eligible bachelorettes are asking, why Claire? What makes her the woman for a man like Anthony Rawlings? Perhaps it is her youth, her beauty, or her style. Obviously, from her college days to present, she has found her flair!

While Claire would neither confirm nor deny that she and Anthony Rawlings were involved. She didn’t deny living in the Iowa City area. Could that address perhaps be the same as Mr. Rawlings’s?

Social Security records indicate that Ms. Nichols’ only employment has been as a bartender since losing her job in 2009 at WKPZ in Atlanta, Georgia. WKPZ was purchased by TTT-TV, resulting in the layoff of many employees. Yet despite this loss of employment Ms. Nichols was seen shopping in Chicago at such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Anne Fontaine, Cartier, Giorgio Armani, and Louis Vuitton. It was also rumored that Ms. Nichols spent the better part of the day enjoying all the comforts money could buy at one of the most exclusive day spas in Chicago.

Claire used to spend her days in Chicago (see picture) with many different men from Valparaiso University. Now it seems she is enjoying the better life with only one man. (see picture). The two of them walking arm in arm on their way to the theater. The performers will be happy to know that Claire and Anthony enjoyed the performance of “Wicked.”

The final bit of evidence confirming their involvement came when Ms. Claire Nichols was ushered to the eighty-ninth floor of Trump Tower, the private city dwelling belonging to none other than Mr. Anthony Rawlings.

Emily Vandersol, twenty-nine, sister and only living relative of Ms. Nichols was asked about her knowledge of Claire and Anthony’s relationship. Mrs. Vandersol informed Ms. Banks that she recently spoke to Claire and she sounded well. There hadn’t been any mention of Anthony Rawlings during their conversation. Mrs. Vandersol had no further comment.

Sorry, ladies, it seems that Ms. Claire Nichols is holding on to Anthony Rawlings. What will she tell us about this private man? We are anxiously waiting to learn.

Byline: Meredith Banks

Claire held the papers even though she finished the article. She desperately searched for something to say, some explanation. Finally, she set the pages on the floor but she didn’t look up. She knew there was nothing to say. The article hadn’t revealed any information, although the sensational title alluded it would. Tony knew that, he flew all the way home. He obviously read the article multiple times.

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