Love, Life, & Happiness: The Lost Story Part 1: LLH: The Lost Story, #1

Love, Life, & Happiness: The Lost Story

Part 1

By:

Sheena Binkley

Love, Life, & Happiness: The Lost Story

Sheena Binkley

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2016 by Sheena Binkley

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or

given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please

purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it,

or it was not purchased for your use only, then return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you

for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are

not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this

manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of

the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to

publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means,

including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Editor: Artessa Michele

Book Cover: Fantasia Frog Designs

Formatting by: Sheena Binkley

Published in the United States of America

Acknowledgments

Heavenly Father, thank you for your continued blessings. The past couple of months has not been the best, but You continued to push me to be a better person each day. That I will always be grateful for.

To my future husband, Ethan. Every time I write a scene regarding Shawn, I always think about you because you are the inspiration for his character. Thank you for being you and everything that you do. :-)

Artessa Michele, thank you so much for editing The Lost Story. You have been such an important aspect to SBinkley Publishing, so we all definitely appreciate it.

Tara (Fantasia Frog Designs), thank so much for doing the covers for the entire series. I'm so happy that we are working together again. I missed your amazing designs. :-)

To my SBinkley Publishing family, Laurencia Smith, Lynette Edwards, Tameka S. Brumsey, Tonya Brown Rivers, and Liz Doss, thank you for making my dreams come true with being a publisher. This has been a great ride so far, and I'm glad to have you ladies a part of it. We're going to do amazing things in the literature industry, so get ready for it!

Victoria D. Johnson, thank you for being a great promoter. You go above and beyond to have my books noticed, and I sincerely appreciate it. Thank you!

Most importantly, thank you to the readers. Thank you for your continued support. I will always be grateful to you all. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I love you all! :-)

Other Books by Sheena Binkley

Available Now:

In Love With My Best Friend series

In Love With My Best Friend (Camille & Trevor)

A Chance At Love (Tia & Charles)

The Wedding Part I (Camille & Trevor)

The Wedding Part II (Tia & Charles)

Love , Life, & Happiness series

Love Unbroken (Riana & Shawn)

Trust Me (Cheryl & Marcus)

Unconditional Love (Britney & Jayden)

The Way We Were (Monica & Donnell)

Love Always (Riana & Shawn)

Redemption (Nathan)

Something Just Ain't Right series (Hayley & Morgan)

Something Just Ain't Right

Something Just Ain't Right 2

Something Just Ain't Right 3

No Other Love series (Kevin, Carla, & Jennifer)

No Other Love

No Other Love 2

No Other Love 3

One Shot With A Baller series (Jayden & Zack)

One Shot With A Baller

One Shot With A Baller 2

One Shot With A Baller 3

Standalone Books

Our Love (Charlie & Michael)

Reclaiming What Is Mine (Asia, Bryon, & Dwight)

Love & Drama: The Root Of All Evil (Zuri & Damon)

I'm The Only One You Need (Mika, Devin, & Anthony)

Coming Soon

Say That You Love Me (Andie & Dexter)

Love, Life, & Happiness: The Lost Story Part 2

A Love, Life, & Happiness Christmas

The Meaning of The Lost Story

Hi everyone! Before you begin reading The Lost Story, I wanted to inform everyone about the meaning of the story and why I decided to publish it.

When I decided to write Love, Life, & Happiness, it was in the summer of 2004. As an avid reader, I was infatuated with the New Adult genre, as I could relate to many of the stories that I was reading. There was one issue, though: I never picked up a book that centered around African-American characters. I figured why not write a story that is about the ins and outs of college life through the eyes of four, strong-willed African-American young women; and the series was born.

As I was writing the first part of the series, I tried to based some of my college experience into the story, but I also added a little of bit of drama into it. Let's face it, readers love a story that has a little of bit of everything: Romance, friendship, with a bit of drama. Little did I know that there was too much drama (for me at the time); that's why at the time of the official release in 2013, I decided to change up the series by detailing a couple's journey in each story. That's how Love Unbroken was created with Riana and Shawn.

I guess you're wondering, why I decided to release this story now? Mainly because I wanted to share this story with you all as you can understand the true meaning behind the series as well as see the differences between the series with each couple and the series told through the perspective of each woman.

Regardless of the reason, even though the two series are very different with the storylines, there is one thing that has remained the same and that is the close bond that the characters share. I really hope you all enjoy the series; but keep in mind, they are from two different perspectives, which mean there will be some storylines that will be a bit shocking; but like I mentioned, they are from two different perspectives.

Now, here's part 1 of The Lost Story... :-)

1.

As the summer was coming to a close, a new school year was approaching at Shaw University. It was only a few days before the fall semester, but many students were rushing to find their new living quarters, while others were hanging out on the lawn socializing and enjoying the beautiful scenery around them.

As Riana Robertson approached the quad of the university with an armful of luggage, she looked around to see where she was. She pulled out a hair tie from her bag and put her long, dark brown hair into a ponytail. She looked at her caramel skin, wondering if she could stand in the Texas heat much longer.

I've been here for a year and still don't know my way around.

She picked up her luggage and started to move her long legs again, towards the apartment living section of the university. After a few minutes of searching, she noticed the apartment she was looking for and headed toward the entrance. She loudly knocked on the door, so someone could hear her. When her friend opened the door, Riana noticed her and her other friend busily putting things into their new living room.

Hey roomies, Riana said as she strolled into the apartment.

Hey. How was your flight? Britney Lewis, Riana's friend, asked while putting a vase on the coffee table.

Britney was always the exotic one of the girls. With smooth and creamy complexion and bright brown eyes, she could pass off as a fashion model. As she pushed her medium length black hair from her face, she glanced over at Riana, who dropped her bags by the doorway.

It was great. I had a lot of fun in New York. Cheryl should be coming in soon. She went back to her house with her parents.

Oh joy. Tell me, again, why we are all living together? Why we couldn't find someone else instead of your cousin? Riana's other friend, Monica Taylor, asked. She walked over to the mirror placed in the hallway to check out her chocolate-colored features and to brush off some lint from her lean legs.

Listen Monica, I know you don't like Cheryl, but could you please try to tolerate her since we're all living together? Besides, we needed another person to help pay rent and Cheryl wanted to move out, so I didn't see what the problem was.

I don't either, Britney chimed in.

You supposed to be on my side Britney, Monica said. Britney grinned as she continued to move things around.

How was everyone's vacation? Riana asked.

It was cool. I had fun relaxing, Monica said.

And how is Donnell?

He's fine. Lately, I've been thinking about breaking up with him. I mean, he's nice and all, but the chemistry is not there anymore.

Monica, you and Donnell have been together for so long. Not to mention, you two been through so much. Why end it now? Britney asked.

I don't know. I guess I want something new. Britney shook her head, while Riana gave Monica a disappointed look.

Hopefully, things will work out for you two. I'm just glad I don't have those issues with Isaac and me. Even though we were apart for the summer, our relationship is stronger than ever, Riana said, smiling. Monica smiled, while Britney stared nervously at the plain white walls.

You're lucky Riana. You have it all. In our freshman year, you were the only one to achieve a 4.0 GPA and you have Isaac, the most perfect man there is.

Or close to it, Britney faintly said.

I know, I know.

The three started to laugh when the doorbell rang. Riana went to the door and open it. Cheryl Thompson walked in with several pieces of luggage. As soon as she entered the apartment, half of her suitcases fell on the ground, causing a loud thud on the hard wooden floor.

Wow Cheryl, it seems like you brought your whole room, Riana said.

No. Just half. Hey Britney, Monica.

Hey, Britney said.

Hey, Monica whispered.

What took you so long at your parents? Riana continued.

Nothing, just them being parents. They didn't want me to leave.

Maybe you should have stayed there, Monica said.

Are you really going to go there? I don't like this as much as you do, but I'm here to help out my cousin. So, if you don't like it, why don't you get your own place?

Why don't you? It would make me happy.

Will you two stop? Now, we all agreed after last semester that we were going to move off campus and get an apartment together. We all know we cannot afford a place on our own, so this was the best solution. So, just deal with it, Riana said.

Can you two please tell us why you don't like each other? We still don't have a clue why, Britney wondered.

We just don't, so just leave it at that, Monica said. She threw the dust towel she had in her hand on the table and went to her room. She slammed the door, causing a vibration to erupt from the impact.

I'll go talk to her, Britney said as she went into the room she shared with Monica. Riana exhaled, while Cheryl picked up two of her suitcases.

Where's our room?

Down the hall across from the bathroom.

Cheryl went towards the hallway and into her and Riana's room. Riana watched the door close to their bedroom, when the doorbell rang. She headed to the door and answered it. Isaac Harris was standing on the other side of the door with a dozen red roses in his hand.

Hey baby. I missed you, he said.

I missed you, too, Riana said. She went to him and gave him a hug. The two looked at each other as they gave a passionate kiss.

This is a nice place, Isaac said, once he walked into the living room.

Thanks, but we have a lot more work to do. How was your summer away from me?

Pure torture. I missed every moment being with you.

Riana beamed as she kissed Isaac. Monica and Britney walked into the living room. The two stood motionless, while watching Riana and Isaac kiss. Monica started to clear her throat to get the two attention. The two noticed they had an audience and pulled apart from each other.

Nice to see you, Isaac, Monica said while smiling.

Hey Monica. Britney.

Hey, Britney muttered. Britney gazed at Isaac, while Isaac glared at Britney in a longingly trance. Riana looked at the two strangely.

Since everyone is back from vacation and school starts back in a couple of days, I was hoping maybe we could go out tonight? I heard the Tunnel is going to be poppin tonight, Isaac said.

Sounds like fun. I'm down, Monica said.

Me too, Britney mentioned.

Riana gave a confused look at Isaac. That sounds fun, but baby, we haven't seen each other in two months. You think that maybe we should spend some time alone tonight?

Isaac gave Riana a sympathetic glance as he put an arm around her. Baby, we have a few days before summer vacation is over. You know we are going to be spending time together, but I thought it would be great for all of us to have a club night. Besides, I already told the boys we'll be coming up there.

Riana folded her arms across her chest as she looked at Isaac angrily. Fine.

Good. I'll come back around nine to scoop you up. And, everyone, better be ready when I come, Isaac said while staring at Monica.

Monica rolled her eyes at Isaac. Please, like I take a long time to get ready.

Whatever. Bye, Isaac said. He walked over to Riana and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Bye baby.

Bye, Riana softly replied. Isaac glanced over at Britney as he walked to the door. Britney watched Isaac as he closed the door. She turned around to face Riana and Monica.

I'll be right back. I need to get something from my car. She went to the door and hurriedly walked outside. Riana went over to the couch and threw herself on it.

What's wrong? Monica asked.

You don't find it strange that Isaac rather spend my first night back with everyone at the club?

Maybe, but he did say that you two will spend a lot of time together before classes start.

Something doesn't seem right. You know I haven't heard from him but three times since I was away.

Monica sat beside Riana on the couch and put an arm around her. You worry too much. That has always been your weakness.

So, you think I'm overacting?

"Yeah. The whole situation is kind of weird, but Isaac is a busy person so it could be possible that he didn't have the chance to talk to you like he wanted to. But he does have a point. We haven't seen each other all summer, so