Ch. 46..50: Blind Billionaire Bride Chapter 46-50

Chapter 46 Leaking the secret

Ma’am Elise caught a glimpse of a figure she knows or no a glimpse of someone she knew. She didn’t believe her eyes at first until she followed him. The figure leaned closer to a woman holding a basket in her hands and she was pregnant! The two figures laughed happily as the man placed a kiss on her cheeks.

Tears gathered at the corner of ma’am Elise eyes as she watched her ex husband, Leo and her ex best friend, Abigail displaying their love right in front of her. Ma’am Elise couldn’t take her eyes off Abigail’s baby bump. Again Abigail was carrying her ex husband’s child, probably the second or the third child.

Ma’am Elise turned away quickly before Leo could see her. She shouldn’t have followed Leo when she caught a glimpse of him. Ma’am Elise lost concentration as she couldn’t control the tears at the sight of seeing Leo and Abigail together.

“That should be me! Not Abigail carrying his child! He is happy! That ingrate left me! After everything I did for him! How could he do this to me after giving up my savings and part of my inheritance to save that his stupid ass! But in the end he left me because I couldn’t bear him a child! He didn’t remember how much we suffered together!” Ma’am Elise failed at controlling the tears due to the words that were echoing in her mind.

Leo fell in love with Abigail! “He cheated! And that had happened right under my nose and I didn’t know about it.” Ma’am Elise only found out it was true the day she saw Abigail with Leo in court. She had considered her a good friend but she turned out to be a thorn in her flesh.

“She took my husband away from me!”

Ma’am Elise bumped into someone and the basket she was holding dropped from her grip. And most of of the items she had picked poured out of it.

“Sorry… Sorry.. I am sorry. I am so sorry.” Ma’am Elise cried out and apologized to whoever she bumped into without looking up at the person.

“Ma’am Elise?”

The voice said and she looked up to the person. It was Mr Brown which caused her to look away quickly just to hide her tears. She was surprised to see him again.

“Good… good afternoon…” Ma’am Elise managed to say as she kept her head down to wipe her face.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

Ma’am Elise sniffed as she stood up after packing the items that spilled out of the basket. “Oh yes! I.. I.. am fine.” She stammered with a half smile. She tried to maintain the ma’am Elise this man had met the other day.

“Are you-”

“Oh! It is you… Mr Brown! I remember you! Cassidy’s father right?! How are you doing? How have you been? How is Cassidy?” Ma’am Elise questioned frantically as she tried to blink back more tears.

“I.. I.. am… I am good.” He replied with a shock expression.

Yeah Ma’am Elise knew she was acting weird! Earlier on, she was crying and grieving for her ex husband but now she was faking a smile for this customer.

“Good to see you again.”

“What about you?” He asked.

“Yeah. I am doing fine too.” Ma’am Elise clasped her hand around the basket “You are here to shop right?” She asked. That sounded foolish but she still pointed at the basket with him.

“I came to get some ingredients for Mr Ian’s favorite dish.” He answered with a bright smile.

Ma’am Elise raised her eyebrow at his words. “Mr Ian… favorite dish?” She was confused.

Is this customer a cook? Is he an errand boy? By coincidence, is he working for Mr Ian? She pondered but there was no point since he was standing right in front of her.

“Are you working for Ian Bryant as his cook?” Ma’am Elise demanded.

Immediately his forehead creased. His look displayed that of someone who just exposed a deep secret. He scratched the back of his neck for seconds after realizing that he had said too much.

“Perhaps do you know Mr Ian Bryant?” Ma’am Elise waited for his response.

“Actually..” He paused.

“Yes…”

He cleared his throat and said. “I am a chef… or a cook… whatever you call it.” He sighed. “I work at Mr Ian’s mansion.” He completed.

Ma’am Elise scrunched up her face. What is this?! “Mr Ian told me that Mr Brown was his friend.. and Cassidy’s father.” She mumbled to herself. Oh well he can be his friend and still work for him. She mused.

“The truth is that I am not his friend like he told you.”

Ma’am Elise stared at him in shock. Now what is he saying?! Everything is not clear to her.

“Are you done shopping?” He asked.

“Oh yes! I’ll just pay and leave.” Ma’am Elise replied and made an attempt to leave.

“Please let me drop you off at your place.”

Ma’am Elise stopped on track and turned to face him. “Thank you. But there is no need for that.”

Ma’am Elise doesn’t think that she wants to hear the remaining part of the secret. Or maybe she was just scared to find out that Mr Ian might have been pretending and deceiving them. No! It can’t be for that reason. She didn’t sense deception around Mr Ian and it has been weeks.

“Ma’am Elise.” Mr Griffin followed her to the payment desk. The lady at the table gave her the bills after calculating the items.

“I’ll pay for my items and hers too.” Mr Griffin gave his credit card to the lady.

Ma’am Elise couldn’t argue with him not to pay because she caught a glimpse of Leo again so she just let him pay so they could leave on time.

Mr Griffin helped her with the grocery nylons. “We need to talk.” Mr Griffin said when they stepped out of the mall.

“What is it we have to talk about?” Ma’am Elise asked. She wasn’t even in the mood for a chitchat today.

“I will drive you home.” Mr Griffin carried the nylons to his car knowing that she would follow him. “Please go in.”

Ma’am Elise hesitated. “Well I’ll accept the fare if you don’t want a free ride.” He said with a croaked smile on his face.

Ma’am rolled her eyes and entered the car. “Now what do we have to talk about?” She asked when they moved on the highway.

“The truth.” Mr Griffin replied.

“What truth?”

Mr Griffin cleared his throat and started. “I lied to you and miss Ria. I am not Cassidy’s father and I didn’t come to your house to really get a dress for my daughter.”

Ma’am Elise listened as he explained Ian Bryant’s former plan on how to get close to the blind lady he met at the park. And why Ian had sent he and Cassidy to find more information about Ria just by to acting like a father and a daughter.

“Mr Ian was just curious about Miss Ria and he was really interested in her case. So that was why he did it but when Cassidy realized that his plans to keep acting as a spy seemed like deceit so she suggested that we bring you into the picture just coming out clean and straight.” He ended.

Ma’am Elise heaved a sigh of relief. After all she was right! Ian Bryant is true to Ria Robert! Always real. His plans was just to get him close to Ria! And that feeling is strong! The feeling of helping her out with everything was still waxing strong!

“So that means you are not Mr Brown.”

“Oh well-”

“So what’s your name?” Ma’am Elise asked.

“Tyler Griffin.” He answered.

“So your name is Tyler and Griffin is for the surname. Then what about Brown?” She asked again.

“My mother family’s name is Brown so I am still Mr Brown.. partly.” He chuckled.

Ma’am Elise nodded slowly. She wasn’t in the mood to laugh at his joke. She remembered the reason why she had cried at the mall. But immediately she managed to blink back the tears that threatened to spill at the thought of Leo and Abigail.

“Ma’am Elise, you weren’t looking good at the mall earlier. Is everything okay?” Mr Griffin asked in a concerned tone.

“Oh! That… I was just.. like that because I had dirt in my eyes and couldn’t see for a while.. it is the reason why I bumped into you.” Ma’am Elise managed to rush her words out! Those words were not true and she thought it worked on Mr Griffin because he didn’t say anything about it.

This must end! It has to end! Shedding tears because of Leo and Abigail must end! She concluded. The drive to Ria’s house was cool! Mr Griffin and Ma’am Elise had a friendly conversation. Actually they talked about Ian Bryant and Ria Robert mostly. Ma’am Elise told him about Ria while Mr Griffin filled her in about Ian. But ma’am Elise didn’t tell Mr Griffin about Ria’s past.

Mr Griffin knows a lot about Ian and it was clear that he was now part of The Bryant’s Family. Since the wealthy CEO regarded him as a father.

Chapter 47 No more arranged marriage

Ian let out a handful of breathe before walking into the restaurant. Earlier on, Lorna and Ian had agreed to meet up since she insisted that they needed to talk like two matured adults. Speaking of maturity, Lorna is quiet far from it!

Ian felt like stuffing a bread in her mouth as they were at the store because she didn’t take her eyes off Ria while she was talking to him. And he just hopes that Ria didn’t get the wrong idea about Lorna. If Ria is thinking the other way round then how would he even explain things to her?

Lorna must be mad at Ian because he didn’t introduce her to Ria and that he even acted like she wasn’t important to me. What should Ian have done? “Ria meet Lorna, she is the lady my dad wants to me to marry but I don’t love her. Does that make any sense?” Hell no! Ian thought.

About the meeting with Lorna in the restaurant Ian has no choice but to give in to Lorna’s request because she had threatened to tell Ria that he was having an affair with Grace the secretary. That wasn’t true though! But Ian had to say yes just to stop Lorna from saying those nonsense to Ria.

And even if it wasn’t true Ria would still find it hard to believe Ian if he ever tried to explain that nothing was going on between he and Grace.

“I thought you wouldn’t make it down here.” Lorna said when Ian sat on the chair opposite hers.

“I said I was going to meet you.” Ian replied.

“She is the reason why you were out of the country for weeks.” Lorna blurted out and that didn’t sound like a question. She knows something!

“Yeah.” Ian nodded.

Lorna chuckled. “I see.”

“When will you stop paying people to find out things about me?” Ian demanded.

“You caused it Ian. We aren’t like this when were kids. We used to be best of friends until you changed up and I keep wondering what caused this change between us.” Lorna said.

“You should find that out alone.” I shrugged.

“Listen, I have tried all I can to figure things out but nothing has ever occurred to me.” Lorna said with a screwed up face.

Just one thing changed Lorna and Ian’s friendship-Mason! Ian and Lorna were inseparable but everything changed the day he saw her kissing Mason. What age was that? Yes! When they were fifteen. It was on Lorna’s fifteenth birthday and Ian had bumped into Lorna and Mason kissing in the dark! Lorna wasn’t dating Mason back then, she had made things clear to Ian about her relationship to Mason but she still kissed him.

Was she drunk that day or she wasn’t in her right mind? Ian was only disappointed because Lorna had made it clear that such would never happen between she and Mason because she was in love with Ian.

At some point Ian thought he was in love with Lorna because of their closeness but everything changed when he saw her kissing Mason. And Ian did tried to stop seeing Lorna as a friend but a s a girl that he could love but it didn’t work out. So right then Ian realized that he wasn’t meant to see her pass that friendship level.

“What went wrong?” Lorna asked.

Ian was not ready to tell Lorna what made me him change! He concluded that they should just leave things that way.

“We can talk things out and-”

“And what do we have to talk about?” Ian snorted.

“Us.”

“Us?” Ian frowned.

“Yes.”

“Lorna, there is no us. I told you that love can’t work out between us”m.” Ian stated clearly.

“What about her?”

“Pardon?” Ian screwed up his face.

“The lady I saw with you.” Lorna replied.

“Let us leave her out of this conversation and please stop paying people to stalk me.” Ian said in a stern tone. How on earth did Lorna always find out things she wants know? It is always like Lorna eyes are everywhere!

“I didn’t have to pay anyone to tell me you were in China taking care of a blind lady. Piper told me about it.” Lorna blurted.

“What?!” Ian’s jaw dropped slightly.

Piper told Lorna about Ria! And how much did she know about Ria? What did Piper tell her? Nothing is safe with Piper! Ian chanted in his mind.

“Yeah she told me about the blind lady when I called to check on you. Ian, you weren’t picking up my calls and I was worried. So I went to Piper’s office.” Lorna explained.

“What exactly did she tell you?” Ian demanded.

“A lot.”

“A lot?”

Ian doubted it! Piper doesn’t know anything other than the fact that he paid for Ria’s medical bills and he went with her to China. About his plans to set up Ria’s business was between Ian and his mom only. He was sure that his mom won’t leak his plans to anyone.

“Piper told me that you paid for her surgical bills.” Lorna said.

And that doesn’t signify the a lot that she had mentioned in her sentence. “Piper is right. I helped Ria regain her sight.”

“Do you love her?” Lorna asked unexpectedly.

Ian stiffed back a laugh. “Why do you want to know?”

Lorna sighed and leaned forward. “I want to know how you feel about that blind lady so I won’t keep my hopes high.” Lorna responded.

Keeping her hopes high? Ian can’t believe her words when he already told her years back that he can’t fall in love with her. So why is she holding on to him? “Her name is Ria and she is not blind anymore.” Ian corrected.

“Whatever.”

“Listen Lorna, I am not stopping you from loving whoever you want to love.” Ian added.

“Yes I know. That’s why I want to get over whatever feelings I have for you.” Lorna replied.

So if I lan confessed to Lorna that he doesn’t love Ria then she won’t give up on him? Ian has feelings for Ria. He already figured that out but telling Lorna about his love for Ria will break her heart and make her feel sad. What is the best option for Ian?

“Ian, I want the truth. I don’t want to keep fighting for what doesn’t belong to me. I have realized that it is pointless so I will understand your decision.” Lorna sounded so sincere with him.

Maybe Ian should just tell Lorna the truth so she can move on and let him be. Plus he also want to come out of the arranged marriage with Lorna.

“Yes, I am in love with her.” Ian confessed.

Lorna nodded slowly. “I knew it. I just wanted to be sure.” And how did she know he loves Ria? Ian thought within.

“I spoke with your mom earlier before I saw you. She told about about your feelings for Ria when I insisted that she tells me more about her. I just want to hear it coming from you. My heart will accept it now that you confessed it.” Lorna added.

So Lorna has been on the look out for a while now probably trying to find out if Ian truly loves Ria. No wonder Mrs Perla asked her son if he saw Lorna leave her office. The meeting was about Ian and Ria.

“I am sorry.” Ian said to her.

“Sorry for what? Are you sorry for now loving me?” She let out a snort.

“Maybe.” And Ian had no idea why he had said sorry to her.

“Ian, it is fine. I accept your decision. Now I know, we aren’t meant to be together and thank goodness one of us was able to sense it before it caused us any harm.” Lorna reasoned.

Ian only gave a short nod! Now he was a bit surprised to see a different Lorna. Did she grow up in few weeks of not setting his eyes on her? She seems to sound more mature now. He mused.

Lorna stood up and moved closer to him. “I wish you well, Ian Bryant.” She kissed his cheek before walking out.

Ian stood up seconds later, he made it out of the restaurant and went back to the jewelry store which was just few blocks away.

Chapter 48 The money figure

Ian heard laughter from inside the office when he got to the entrance and he stepped in. And seeing the way Ria threw her head back in laughter as Mrs Perla said something funny made him happy to see her this way.

“Oh son!” Mrs Perla said.

Ria’s vibrant aquamarine blue eyes which had left Ian mesmerized the moment he had looked into them after the surgery sparkle slightly as she looked at him.

“I was telling Ria about our last vacation in Swahili.” Mrs Perla laughed.

Ian nodded. The vacation in Swahili was hilarious and fun filled. Everyone was present, Josie’s family, Lauren’s family and Piper who came along with her celebrity boyfriend who almost ruined the vacation.

“So have you both decided on the plan?” Ian asked.

“Yes! We already finalized the whole plan!” Mrs Perla exclaimed. She seemed too excited about everything.

“So can we leave?”

“Yes son.” Mrs Perla smiled.

Ria stood up and picked up the large paper bag she brought. “It is really nice to meet and spend time with you.” She said.

“I am more pleased to meet you in person, Ria.” Mrs Perla stood up too.

“Okay mom. We’ll talked later.” Ian kissed her cheeks.

The phone on her desk beeped. “That should be madam Charity. I’ll see you tomorrow son.” He walked to the desk to answer the call.

Ria and Ian walked out of the office and back to the car. “Thank you.” She said when he opened the car door.

Ian pulled out of the driveway to main road. Ian Bryant felt relief of the fact that he might possibly be out of an arranged marriage with Lorna Simmons. He was thinking of what to say Ria to her when she said, “Your mom is nice.”

Their gaze met for a second before she looked away. Yeah Ian knows that his mom is nice! In fact he always feel like he has the best mom in the world!

“It was so fun to be with her.” Ria added.

Ian was happy. It was interesting to hear those words from Ria-she likes his mom!

“How was the meeting?” Ian asked.

“It was good.” Ria smiled.

“So did she tell you what sort of dress she wants for the kids?”

“Yeah. I drew a sketch of what she planned for the children. Just a little touch of creativity and the design will be done.” Ria brought out a notepad and a pencil.

“What’s that?” Ian questioned.

“I made a special design for your mom but it is sill a sketch though.” Ria answered.

“What about the ones in your collections? She didn’t like it?” He glanced at her shortly.

“She liked it. Your mom gave good comments about my designs but she just wants something different for the kids at the foundation.” Ria said with a smile.

“Okay.” They lapsed into silence.

Ria focused her attention on the notepad. “You are using left?” Ian broke the silence.

“Huh?”

“I mean, you are holding a pencil with your left hand.” Ian emphasized.

“Yes, I am a left handed person.” Ria shook her head.

Ian never knew! Maybe because he hasn’t seen her use a pencil up until now. “So what have you put together?”

“You want to see?”

“Of course!” Ian exclaimed.

“It is not perfect though.” Ria pouted.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect for it to look good. I just want to see the design you made” Ian smirked. Everything about Ria was just perfect for him and even when he had accepted her despite the imperfections.

Ria turned the notepad for Ian to see the sketching of the dress on it. “We planned to use silk for the dress and lace to make it pretty bit we haven’t decided on what color of silk to use. So for that, your mom is thinking of calling the party planner to know the color of the stage-”

“For it to match the dress.” Ian completed her intended statement.

“Yes.” Ria nodded in agreement.

“The design is pretty. I am sure the kids will like it.” Ian commented.

“You think so?”

“I am sure.” Ian replied.

Ria flashed him a bright smile that almost took his breathe away. “When are you visiting the foundation? Tomorrow?”

“No, I have to make a sample of the dress first. If your mom and Madam Charity likes it then I will visit the foundation to measure the kids.” Ria responded.

“When will you make the sample?” Ian asked.

“I should be able to finish up the design tonight and buy the materials tomorrow. And it should be ready in two days time since I don’t have much work to do.” Ria stated her plans.

“Okay. What time will you be leaving to the store so I can come and pick you up?”

Ria was silent.

“Ian, you don’t have to bother. I’ll just take a taxi.” Ria said after some seconds of silence.

“Are you sure?” Ian asked.

He doesn’t want to insist on driving her to the store just for some reasons. Ian doesn’t want her to feel pressured that he want to always be around her.

“Yes.” Ria mouthed.

“Okay.” Ian managed to say.

And does that mean he won’t be seeing her tomorrow or the next? Ha! No! Ian can’t bear the thought of not seeing her in a day.

Chapter 49 Comforting Ma’am Elise

Ian stopped the car but didn’t pull into the driveway of Ria’s home. “Thanks for the ride.” Ria said when she got out of the car.

“You are welcome.” Ian replied.

Ria expected him to drive away but he didn’t make an attempt to do so. Ian just sat in the car staring at her. Ria raised an eyebrow at him and then he just simply nod his head.

“Yeah. Bye!” Ian waved before driving off slowly.

“Ma’am Elise.” Ria called when she walked into the house.

“Oh.. Miss Ria, you are back.” Ma’am Elise sat up on the couch.

Immediately Ria noticed the sad expression on her face. “What’s wrong, ma’am Elise?” She went to her quickly.

“Oh.. nothing.” Ma’am Elise sniffed.

“Something is wrong. You just don’t want to tell me about it.” Ria settled beside her.

“I am just tired.” Ma’am Elise mumbled incoherently.

Something is quite not right. Ma’am Elise barely complains of tiredness! It was weird to hear it coming from her.

Ria held her hands. “Ma’am Elise, remember our promise.. no secrets.” She stated intently at her.

Ma’am Elise eyes became blurry from tears that threatened to spill anytime soon. “What happened? What’s wrong, ma’am Elise?” Ria stood up immediately, she searched around the house to see if someone had barged in and harm her but everything was clean as usual. Well that was her first thought!

“Oh… miss Ria -” Ma’am Elise voice trailed off.

“Relax. Just tell me about it.” Ria settled beside her on the couch again.

“I.. I.. met Leo and Abigail at the mall today.” Ma’am Elise managed to say.

Ria gasped in shock. “Abigail.. Abigail is carrying his child… probably the second or third.. and I couldn’t hold it in. I broke down in tears at the mall.” Ma’am Elise sobbed.

Ria wiped her cheeks. She has no idea of what to say or how to comfort her. It must very hard for ma’am Elise to see the man who had caused her so much pain in the past to be happy with the woman who had also betrayed her. That’s unfair! Does taking what isn’t meant to be yours greed?

This question reminded Ria of how her uncle Frederick had taken away her father’s inheritance. Frederick Robert had more than enough but he still wanted the token that belonged to Nathan.

“I shouldn’t be like this because of them right? I.. I…. mean I ended things with Leo long ago so I shouldn’t be bothered right? But I can’t just take it off my mind. It should have been me carrying his child. I should have been me smiling so happily that way. These are just stupid thoughts that have been bugging my mind since I came back from the mall.” Ma’am Elise sniffed.

“Oh.. ma’am Elise.. please don’t cry.” Ria pulled her in for a hug.

“He didn’t see it. I am glad he didn’t see me because I would have been so ashamed of myself.” Ma’am Elise cried.

Ria withdrew from the embrace. “No.. no.. don’t talk like this. You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself. You are also doing a great job at living a happy life. You have to take him off your mind.”

Ma’am Elise nodded in agreement. “Yes.. yes.. yes… I should stop thinking about him because he has moved on with Abigail so I should do the same too.”

Ria understood why ma’am Elise was feeling sad. Leo has a wife and children. But her case is different, she is still yet to find love and have children of her own.

“I am sorry.” Ria apologized not knowing what to say.

“I promise not to think about them again. I swear.. I am going to forget everything I saw today.” Ma’am Elise wiped her face.

“Please don’t think about them anymore.” Ria embraced her again.

It won’t be easy for ma’am Elise to forget about her past but at least she could try not to think about her ex husband and ex best friend.

Several minutes passed with ma’am Elise crying and Ria only let her go after she calmed. Ma’am Elise wiped her face and sniffed.

“Now look at what you have done to these babies.. you ruined them.” Ria used her fingers to wipe ma’am Elise cheeks.

“Don’t mind me. I shouldn’t let you see this other side of me but you know I can be so emotional at times.” Ma’am Elise managed to smile.

“Yes, I know that you are a strong woman too. And Leo is a jerk and a bad ass for letting a woman like you go! If only I could meet him then I would tell him that he lost a precious jewel!” Ria gritted. And she keeps praying that ma’am Elise finds true love. A man that would love her deeply knowing that ma’am Elise is not too old to find love! She is still in her prime.

“Miss Ria, you are stronger and I envy your courage.” Ma’am Elise pinched her cheeks playfully and they both giggled.

“Now tell me how was your meeting with Mrs Perla?” Ma’am Elise sniffled.

“Good it was -”

“Wait before you say a word let me get you something to calm your nerves. I know for sure that meeting a money figure like Mrs Perla Bryant wasn’t an easy task.” She interrupted Ria.

“Yes it wasn’t easy. I was so nervous, ma’am Elise!” Ria huffed.

Ma’am Elise stood up and went to the kitchen. Ria pulled off her flats and then arranged the collections back in its place.

“Here you go.” Ma’am Elise came back with a glass of chilled orange juice.

“Thank you.” Ria gulped down the whole liquid and dropped the glass on the table. And she went on to explain everything that happened at the Perla Jewelry Store.

Chapter 50 She found out the truth

“Welcome home sir.” A maid greeted Ian when she unlocked the door to let him into the house.

“Drink this.” Mr Griffin joined in with a glass of water in a tray in his hands.

“Thank you, Mr Griffin.” Ian accepted the glass of water and gulped down the whole liquid.

“We need to talk.” Mr Griffin said as he passed the tray to the maid. She bowed and walked away.

“What is it, Mr Griffin? I am so tired.” Ian asked as he bounded up the curvy stairs leading to his room.

“It is about Miss Ria.”

Ian stopped abruptly and turned to face him. “What’s wrong with her?” He asked in a concerned tone.

“Nothing bad. Please can we have the discussion in your room?” Mr Griffin requested politely.

Isn noticed two maids close by cleaning the interiors in the living room. “Alright.” Ian agreed.

Mr Griffin opened the bedroom door and Ian walked into the large room. “I made a terrible mistake today.” He sighed.

“Terrible mistake? What mistake?” Ian arched his brows.

“I bumped into ma’am Elise at the store today so along the line she found out that I am working for you.. as a cook not -”

“What?!” Ian’s jaw dropped. Even without the completion of Mr Griffin’s words, Ian already understood how the scene would have transpired.

“I am really sorry for my loosed mouth but I had no choice but to explain everything to ma’am Elise.” Mr Griffin said in an apologetic tone.

“So are you saying Ma’am Elise is aware that Cassidy is not your daughter and that I sent you to Ria’s place to know about her?!” Ian demanded.

Mr Griffin shook his head. “Everything. I told her the whole plan.” He confessed.

Ian placed his palms on his face. This can’t be happening! “What have you done?’Now ma’am Elise would see me as a bad person!” He ran his hand through his hair.

“She understands your reason for the plan but I wasn’t able to convince her against telling miss Ria.” Mr Griffin added.

“What?! Ma’am Elise is going to tell Ria the whole truth?!” Ian asked with a wide eyes.

“Yes. She insisted that Miss Ria deserves to know since Cassidy is pretty close to her now. And-”

Ian picked the car keys on the bed and stormed out of the room. “Sir Ian, where are you going?” Mr Griffin called out behind him.

“Where else?! To see Ria!” Ian replied before rushing out of the house. He needed to see Ria! It is better to face her and explain things to her himself!

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

AT RIA APARTMENT

“What?!”

Ria gasped when ma’am Elise said that Mr Brown is not Cassidy’s father. They talked about the meeting with Mrs Bryant and how everything is going to work out. Phoebe and Phoenix came back from school when ma’am Elise was suggesting additionally style to the design. And then she broke the news of Mr Griffin as Mr Brown, Cassidy and Ian’s plans.

“Yes, that’s what he told me. Mr Ian did that because he wanted to get close to you. I don’t blame him but you know…” Ma’am Elise stopped.

“I can’t believe Ian could go to such extent just to know about me.” Ria fumed.

“Miss Ria, you wouldn’t have let him close to you if Cassidy wasn’t in the picture at first. He was trying to help you.” Ma’am Elise persuaded.

Maybe she is right but Ian shouldn’t have made such a move. Oh well, maybe that was the only way! But Ria doesn’t like the idea that Ian sent Cassidy to obtain information about her.

“And Cassidy actually changed the plans when she realized that it looked like they were deceiving you. So Mr Ian called me to his office and told me straight that he wanted to help. You know the rest of the story.” Ma’am Elise said in a calm tone.

“Do you understand, Miss Ria?” She asked when Ria didn’t say a word.

“I shouldn’t try to a make a scene out of it. He did that to help me. Yes, I understand why he did it.” Ria heaved a sigh.

“Mom, I think a car is in the driveway.” Phoebe said as she walk into the living room with a glass of milk in her hand. She must have seen the car from the kitchen window.

Ria exchanged glances with ma’am Elise. Who could it be? They pondered.

“Do you want me to check?” Phoebe asked.

“No, I will check it out.” Ria stood up and went to the window pane. It was Ian’s SUV. Why is he here?

“It is Ian.” Ria whispered as she turned back to look at ma’am Elise.

“Mr Griffin must have informed him about it. Please go and talk him. Ma’am Elise persuaded.

Ria went to the door. Ian was almost at the front door so she met him halfway not too far from his car.

Ian itched the back of his neck as Ria waited for him to talk.”Did ma’am Elise tell you about -”

“Yes, I know everything.” Ria cuts him off.

There is no need for him to tell her the whole story but wait did he come here because of that? Ria mused.

“I came as soon as Mr Griffin said ma’am Elise would tell about my former plans. I am really sorry Ria. I don’t want you to see it as me trying to deceive you. I was only trying to help and I am glad that I listened to Cassidy’s advice to drop the plan.” Ian apologized. His chest was rising and falling in a fast rate.

Oh yeah! So Ria confirmed that Ian was here because of the secret his right hand man leaked. But why didn’t he just wait till tomorrow?

“So I think I have some making up to do.” Ian said after a huge sigh.

Ria decided to tease him about it. “You have lost me.” She folded her arms across her chest.

“Listen Ria, I did something bad. I shouldn’t have sent an old man to deceive you and I should have come straight to you. But I only did that because I realized that you don’t want me close. So I want to make up for the false plan.” Ian was sincere.

Ria gave up the plan to tease him because he looked too serious about the situation. “Ian, there is nothing to make up for. As far as I know, business partner have no expectations of make ups and undivided attention is not really needed.” She doubted if her words made any sense to him.

“Okay. I get you. It is fine. But let us say I am making up to me and you then for acting like a coward.” Ian rushed out his words.

“And that doesn’t sound businesslike.” Ria replied. Yes! He shouldn’t try to make things up to her! To Ria, making up sounds like they just had their first major break up and a party is trying to ask for forgiveness for acting like an asshole.

“It doesn’t sound businesslike but -” Ian paused.

Ria knew it was really hard to win against Ian when it comes to him wanting to do something for her! Ian does anything that he already set his mind on.

“Here is what I was thinking, I need to do some stuffs at the office early in the morning but I will be done by 10:00 a. m so please call me when you are ready to leave for the store so I can come and pick you up.” Ian found a small smile on Ria’s face but she tried to hide it.

“It doesn’t sound businesslike but let me do it anyways.” He added.

And before Ria could even think about it, Ian blurted. “Say yes, Ria. Please.” He begged.

“Alright.” Ria heard herself in a voice that was barely more than a whisper.

And that made Ian smile even broader and she almost got lost in it. Long ago, Ria already knew his smile and his presence always seem to tip her off to the edge. Ian was big, tall and muscular. His features was what any woman would call a dream man.

Ian came closer. And what’s he trying to do? Ria thought. Ian leaned in closely again and she stood rooted to the spot. He was going to kiss her? Ria didn’t know how but it looked like it. So is she going to let him kiss her? No! She just made it clear that they are just business partners! And without doubt, Ria won’t let him!

“You just agreed to let me pick you up so don’t you even think of taking a taxi.” Ian stated in a stern tone before he stepped backward.

Ria snapped out of thought! Did she only imagined things! He wasn’t going to kiss her like she had thought! But what if he had tried to anyways?! He didn’t.

Ria just stood stunned and a little embarrassed that she thought – IAN WAS GOING TO KISS HER!

“Al… right.” Ria stuttered.

“Have a good night sleep.” Ian sounded resigned.

Ria gave him a slow nod before he walked back to his car. Ian waved before entering into the car. Ria waited for him to drive off before walking back inside.

“Settled?”

Ria looked up at ma’am Elise. “Yes, we settled things and he wants to make up by driving me to the store.”

“So he came all the way from his place just to talk and make up with you? I can’t believe it.” Ma’am Elise giggled as she walked off to the kitchen.

Ria rolled her eyes. “You should go to bed, Phoebe. It is getting late.”

“Yeah. I will go to bed after I am done drinking this milk.” Phoebe raised the glass up in the air.

Ria shook her head in acknowledgement before walking away to her bedroom. She kept wondering why Ian came rushing to her home just to explain himself!