Ch. 71..75: Blind Billionaire Bride Chapter 71-75
Chapter 71 Is she dead or alive?“Darling.”
Mrs Vivian Robert called at her husband as she stepped into the luxurious living room.
Mr Frederick Robert sat on the couch with a newspaper high up in the air. “What is it, Vivian?” He asked, bringing the newspaper down a bit to look at her.
“I am traveling to Chicago.” Mrs Vivian said.
Mr Frederick dropped the newspaper and stared at her in shock. “Why? When? You didn’t–” He paused to study her expression.
Vivian hardly makes a request to go on a vacation outside Idaho. Not that she hasn’t been out of Idaho to other states or countries but she doesn’t fancy traveling all around the world. She would rather stay back at home or spend time with her friends having dinners.
“I know you are wondering why I want to travel to Chicago.” Mrs Vivian sat next to her husband on the couch.
Mr Frederick cleared his throat. “Yes, I am surprised but don’t get me wrong. I am not saying you shouldn’t travel but I am only disputing the fact that you chose Chicago. There are better places to go on a vacation.”
Mrs Vivian let out a handful of breathe. “I am not going on a vacation. Moreover, have you forgotten I said that I would only consider going on a vacation after I must have seen a grand child?”
Oh yes! Mrs Vivian always says that too anytime her husband asks her to go on a vacation with him. “I remember.” Mr Frederick shook his head. Thank goodness they would have a grandchild soon!
“Listen, at dinner yesterday my friends didn’t stop talking about this new clothe store in Chicago because some of them even went to the launch party. I watched it online. Darling, you really need to see those stunning dresses in that store! Even the designer is currently famous on National Tv, billboards and fashion magazines.”
Mr Frederick listened to his wife rattled on about the famous clothe designer and her store in Chicago. Mr Frederick wondered how on earth the store and clothe designer was his concern.
Mrs Vivian came closer, she collected the newspaper and tossed it aside. “Watch this.” She placed her iPad on his palm. “You will be amazed.” She clicked on the screen and played a video.
Mr Frederick saw a big building with a designer brand of RRC engraved at the entrance. It was beautiful! The whole place was crowded and there was barely any space for people to walk around.
“Whoever owns this business must be rich because the whole items used were of high standard.” Mr Frederick commented.
“Exactly!” Mrs Vivian snapped her fingers. “This is the launching of the store. It took place three days ago.” She added.
“Isn’t that Jack Bryant’s?” Mr Frederick pointed to Ian Bryant when he saw him.
“Yes. He is partnering with the clothes designer.” Mrs Vivian replied.
“Well maybe because his family is running a textile company.” Mr Frederick shrugged.
“I guess so. My friends mentioned something about the clothes designer signing a partnership contract with Lint Corporation main textile branch in Chicago. Look Perla was there too. I heard she planned the whole event.”
“Really?” Mr Frederick arched his eyebrows in surprise.
“Yes. The whole place was filled with famous business people in Chicago. There she is again.” Mrs Vivian pointed at Mrs Perla again.
Then Mr Frederick saw Mrs Perla Bryant talking to a group of women. “What is RRC?” He asked.
He had to ask because RRC was engraved on the walls and windows and they even showed it on a dress tag a woman was holding.
“It is like a clothing brand. And it means Ria Robert Couture.”
“Ria Robert Couture?” Mr Frederick repeated.
“Look at her! She is the famous clothe designer!” Mrs Vivian screamed as she pointed at a beautiful and elegant lady on a blue gown. She was walking up to a podium.
Mr Frederick swallowed hard. “She is a beauty goddess!” Mrs Vivian exclaimed.
Mr Frederick shifted uncomfortably on the couch as he stared at the image of the lady smiling so happily on the phone.
“Her name is Ria Robert.” Mrs Vivian said.
The name echoed in Mr Frederick’s head. She looked like someone he used to know but he was trying not to think she is the one!
“This lady has been through a lot in life.” Mrs Vivian sighed.
“How do you know?” Mr Frederick asked.
“She shared her life experience in an interview on national TV and even in this video. Listen.” Mrs Vivian increased the volume and clicked on the iPad screen to forward the video.
The clapping ended abruptly and the lady named Ria Robert continued. “I was once a blind lady with a dream of becoming a clothe designer. You might be wondering how possible that would be because of my disability. The truth is I was blind but I had a dream. At that point being disabled made that dream seemed like a burden to me because I was hopeless.”
Mr Frederick heart beats rapidly at her words. This lady was once blind.
“Her life story has served as an inspiration to many women and young teenagers. She was blind but she still held on to those dreams. Isn’t that wonderful?” Mrs Vivian asked but her husband didn’t give an response.
Mr Frederick was trying to put things up in his head. This Ria Robert was once blind but now she can see. He has known just one Ria Robert in his entire life and she was a little blind girl who happened to be late step brother’s child. He didn’t know much about the child though.
It can’t be possible. This Ria Robert can be the same Ria Robert he had gotten rid of years ago.
“I want to meet her too.” Mrs Vivian blurted as she stare at the devise.
Mr Frederick heard just clapping from the crowd now. He didn’t pay attention to what his wife had said about meeting the famous clothe designer. He was lost in deep thought.
“Are you okay darling?” Mrs Vivian screwed up her face when she looked at her husband.
Mr Frederick jolted out of thought. “Yes.. yes.. I am fine.” He stuttered.
“Are those sweats?” Mrs Vivian pointed out.
Mr Frederick touched his forehead only to realize that he was sweating. “Yes… I am just feeling hot. It must be the weather.” He cleared his throat and gave the device back to his wife.
“But the air conditioner is on and it is not sunny today.” Mrs Vivian arched her brows in confusion.
“I’ll just take a shower and rest.” Mr Frederick stood up from the couch.
“Okay. But can I go to Chicago?” A smile grazed her face.
“For what?” Mr Frederick stopped on track without turning to face his wife.
“I want to get dresses for myself, Bay and Serena from Ria Robert Couture.” Mrs Vivian answered with excitement in her tone.
He closed his eyes at the mentioned of that name. “We’ll discuss it later.” He signed.
“Why not now?” Mrs Vivian frowned.
Mr Frederick turned sharply. “Are really going to do this to me? Chicago of all places? Don’t get on my nerves, Vivian.” He raised his hands up to silence her.
Mrs Vivian stamps her feet on the floor like a child as her husband walked away to the bedroom.
Mr Frederick Robert paced to and fro when he got to the bedroom. It is not a good idea for his wife to meet Ria Robert. If this Chicago famous clothe designer is the same Ria Robert then there is a big problem! But she can’t be one. He pondered deeply.
Mr Frederick remembered Lucas said that he had fun with the little girl in his car and threw her off a cliff. Ria Robert is dead.
“But what if Lucas had spared her life but lied to me?” He thought.
No. No. No. Ria Robert is dead! Frederick was disturbed. He can’t sit back now that he knows there is another Ria Robert in Chicago!
“And looking at her closely, she looks so much like Madison, Ria’s mother and that her vibrant aquamarine eyes looks like that of my step mother’s.” Mr Frederick bantered internally.
He stopped pacing. “I have to do something before things gets out of hand! I need to find out the truth!” He concluded.
But how?
Some minutes later, it struck him that there was only one way to find out the truth about what happened eight years ago.
***********
AT LIMOS COMPANY
Drake sat at his desk. This time he wasn’t handling any task neither was he signing off deals. He was staring at an image on the system. The image of Ria Robert! He met her at the BMW party and it was hard for him to take his eyes off her the moment his gaze fell on her.
She was beautiful! Drake admitted that he hasn’t seen any woman as beautiful as Ria Robert! At that moment he had set his eyes on her, he would have made his move on her but he couldn’t do it because she was with Ian Bryant. She was his date.
Drake had searched the room for Ian Bryant even as he greeted some business associates in Chicago but all thanks to Harvey Wesley who had told him where he could find Ian in the part of the crowded room. Harvey didn’t warn Drake that he was going to see a beauty goddess with Ian Bryant so he wouldn’t have drooled when he saw Ria Robert.
At first Drake felt this happiness within him when he introduced himself to Ria. His first impression about her was that she was a business woman who was just talking to Ian Bryant so he thought that he would take the chance when she said Ria Robert. But she turned out to be Ian Bryant’s date.
Drake noticed something strange about her while he studied her carefully. Ria’s smile had disappeared the moment Ian introduced him properly to her. Even though she had tried to maintain equanimity but she failed at it.
“Ria knows my father? No she said that she has heard about him. Of course! Everyone should know Frederick Robert the famous business tycoon in Idaho.” Drake sighed.
But Ria had excused herself to use the restroom and it had sounded lame to him. The surprised look after he confirmed that Frederick Robert was his father, the need to visit the restroom, and leaving at a close run. Perhaps was she too pressed at that moment? Was it what he had said? He mused.
“No I didn’t even get to say too much just my name and position. Maybe it was the way I stared at her. Damn! It was hard to not stare. Still I shouldn’t have stared too much but I couldn’t control watching such beauty.” A slow smile crept on his face as he recalled that moment.
Ria Robert must be the type of woman who doesn’t like men staring at her and taking in her beauty. But that’s impossible! She was irresistible! And her beauty was enough to cause traffic on highway! Ian didn’t tell Drake too much about Ria when he asked who she was.
“She is my date.” Ian had clarified but he also sounded like he was warning Drake to back off and not get silly ideas in his head.
Chapter 72 The perfect plan
FLASHBACK TO BMW PARTY
Ria Robert must be the type of woman who doesn’t like men staring at her and taking in her beauty. But that’s impossible! She was irresistible! And her beauty was enough to cause traffic on highway! Ian didn’t tell Drake too much about Ria when he asked who she was.
“She is my date.” Ian clarified but he also sounded like he was warning Drake to back off and not get silly ideas in his head.
“Oh! Wow! You have a beautiful date, Ian Bryant.” Drake complimented after Ria walked away at a close run.
“Thank you, Drake Robert.” Ian replied with a deep frown grazing his face.
“Come on, don’t give me a frown. I am not going to steal your date away.” Drake chuckled. But well he could steal Ria Robert from Ian if he wanted to anyways. He thought.
Ian didn’t give any response. Sincerely, Drake didn’t attend the business men and women association party to steal anyone’s date. He came to Chicago strictly for business!
“Well I am yet to get a response on the shipping deal.” Drake said after a moment of stern stare contest.
“Forty five percent or no deal.” Ian replied as he ended the staring contest.
Drake followed his gaze. It was on a lady. She was dressed in a skimpy red cocktail dress. Her chest was large enough to drive any man insane except Drake Robert because he doesn’t like ladies with big boobs!
Drake arched his eyebrows. Ian came with his date but was still staring at another lady. So he wondered how Ria would feel if she saw him staring at another lady.
“Too bad… for Ria.” Drake mumbled. If he were Ian he would be faithful like an old dog to Ria Robert. He wouldn’t need another woman if she was with him.
Drake cleared his throat. “Ian Bryant, why are you insisting on forty five percent?” He asked.
“Why are you insisting on giving thirty percent?” Ian looked back at him. “Would you have accepted thirty percent if you were in my shoes?” He asked.
“No.” Drake replied sincerely.
Ian screw up his face.
“But Ian Bryant, you can accept thirty percent and your corporation won’t go bankrupt because of that fifteen percent difference.” He added.
“I don’t run deals that way.” Ian replied.
“Woah! If Ian Bryant can give out three million dollars for just one night party and millions to a Charity home then you can spare me that fifteen percent of the deal too.” Drake smirked.
“I don’t run the corporation alone. Plus the millions I gave doesn’t belong to the corporation. Look Drake-”
“Hello.”
A soft voice interrupted Ian.
Drake turned towards the voice and saw that lady Ian was staring at earlier. He is sure the lady must have noticed him staring at her that’s why she came to them. Now Drake thinks that someone is going to steal Ian from Ria Robert tonight. And if that happens Drake doesn’t mind going home with Ria just for tonight. He would be willing to take Ian’s place. He thought.
“Valeria Diaz.” She introduced.
“Drake Robert.” He shook hands with her.
“It’s a pleasure.” Valeria flashed Drake a seductive smile before turning to face Ian who now wore a concerned look on his face. He was distant with his gaze at the entrance.
“Where is your date Ian?” Valeria asked.
“Excuse me, I’ll just go ahead and look for my date.” Ian said facing Drake directly. And he was almost leaving when Drake grabbed his upper arm.
“We aren’t done talking about the deal.” Drake gritted.
“Forty five percent or no deal. If you agree with the percentage then let’s talk later and if you don’t agree then have another shipping company run the deal for you.” Ian jerked free and walked away.
“Still an asshole.” Valeria muttered. She was angry because Ian ignored her.
Hearing Valeria calling Ian an asshole made Drake sense some connection between them.
“Perhaps do you know -”
“Yes we used to date.” Valeria blurted out before he completed his statement.
“Really?” Drake huffed.
“Yes. We dated for quite some time.” Valeria replied with a bright smile.
He could see it in her expression that she was proud to be Ian Bryant’s ex girlfriend. Drake realized that Ian wasn’t staring at her because he liked what he saw but because Valeria was once his woman.
“I met his date tonight and I told her about us. Poor lady, he is just going to have her in his bed and give excuses of not wanting commitment.” Valeria laughed.
Oh that’s bad! It must have been a huge blow on Ria and Ian wasn’t happy Valeria introduced herself to Ria Robert.
“So what about you? Did you come with anyone?” She asked.
“No. I am here to meet, Ian Bryant.” Drake answered.
But now she has ruined everything! They were discussing business before she interrupted them. Drake was sure her presence made Ian leave too soon. Now Ian didn’t agree as planned even though it seemed like he was about to give in to the demands.
“Same here.” Valeria opened her purse and brought out her card. “You know, we can hook up some other time.” She said with an alluring smile.
“Sure.” Drake just doesn’t want to be rude by rejecting her card so he accepted it. His eyes did a slow crawl on her. Valeria wasn’t bad too but not as pretty as Ria Robert.
Valeria leaned in closely. “I’ll be expecting.” She whispered into his ear before kissing his cheek.
Drake managed to stiff in a laugh. What is she thinking?
“Bye.” She walked away.
“That I will hook up with her? Never. She is not my type. Definitely far from from my ideal type of women.” Drake mumbled.
He also hates women making the first move. But he can always call her up to warm his bed anytime he is in Chicago. “No… she isn’t worth it.” He said.
Drake waited to see if Ian would return back to the party but he didn’t come back. He tossed Valeria’s card into the waste bin on his way out of the room. He concluded that he doesn’t need her.
Drake Robert has too many problems to deal with and he doesn’t want anyone showing up at his parents home with a baby bump again. She is not his type so there is no need to hook up with her.
Drake was angry that this night didn’t turn out the way he planned it. He should have stick to the plans to enticing Ian Bryant or doing some background check on him instead of doing a peaceful persuasion.
FLASH FORWARD
A continuous beeping sound on the desk snapped Drake out of thought. It was his phone! He looked down at it and saw that his mom was the caller ID.
‘Hello mom.’ He picked the call.
‘Hey Drake, how are you?’
‘I am fine. What’s wrong?’ Drake asked after he noticed that she didn’t sound the usual way.
‘It is your dad.’ Mrs Vivian sniffed.
Drake leaned back in the swivel chair. ‘Tell me about it.’
‘He won’t let me travel to Chicago.’ She replied.
‘Chicago?’
‘Yes. I want to get some dresses in Chicago.’
Drake rubbed his temples. ‘Mom, you can get them here in Idaho.’
‘You think I don’t know where to buy a dress in Idaho? No! I want the dresses from Ria Robert Couture because her designs are beautiful and elegant. And some of my friends already visited the place while some went to the launch party.’
Oh! Drake never knew his mom was aware of Ria Robert Couture. He had also watched the launching on YouTube after he heard his staffs talking about this new fashion house in Chicago and how they would like to visit and get a dress there.
Drake had typed RRC Launching and it turned out to be for Ria Robert, the woman he had met at the BMW party. And Drake wished he was there at the launching of RRC but he wasn’t even aware Ria was a clothe designer until he watched some clips about her and even the interview on National TV.
‘Have you heard about her too?’ Mrs Vivian asked.
‘Yes and I have met her once.’ Drake responded.
‘Really?!’ She gasped out.
‘Yes. We met at the business men and women party in Chicago.’
‘Wow! She was at the party too!’
‘Yes mom. She came with Ian Bryant as his date.’ Drake added.
And he didn’t even get to see Ian till he left Chicago after a few days. Drake had tried all his best to see Ian but it was either he was in conference meeting or emergency meeting with board of directors or that he didn’t show up at work. It was as if Ian purposely avoided Drake. And he was making a big issue out of this deal.
Drake should have considered partnering with another shipping company but partnering Lint corporation will fetch him more money at the local markets. A whole lot of money with an increase to the company’s funds if Ian agrees to at least thirty percent. The deal would be profitable to Drake if he can have seventy percent.
‘Yes son. She is partnering with Ian Bryant. Lint Corporation is supplying her textiles and it seems like Ian is her backbone because she confessed that he has really helped her a lot.’ Mrs Vivian sounded different now. No doubt, she was happy talking about Ria Robert.
‘Yes I know mom. No wonder she turned up as his date. They must be really close.” Drake sighed.
Mrs Vivian hummed a positive response. ‘So mom, why did dad refused to allow you go to Chicago?’
‘He didn’t give me any reason.’ She answered.
‘Mom give him time. Maybe dad is thinking that he would be alone at home if you leave for Chicago. Don’t worry, I am sure he will let you go.’
‘You think so?’
‘I will talk to him.’ Drake replied.
‘Alright son. And have you talked to Bay today?’ Mrs Vivian asked.
‘Yes we spoke earlier this morning. She is fine.’ Drake responded.
Mrs Vivian heaved a sigh of relief. ‘I want to get a dress for her too. Isn’t that a good idea?’
‘It is a good idea.’
‘Oh! I have to go now! Mrs Belinda is calling. Bye son!’ She disconnected the call.
Drake dropped the phone and tapped on the desk softly. After some minutes of thinking about the deal with Ian Bryant, an idea popped up in his head and it was best way to get Ian to sign the deal.
Limos produces the best fabrics in United State Of America. He can offer to supply Ria Robert Couture at a lower price. He can bear the cost for the time being.
“Yes, this is it! I will make a deal with Ria.” Drake loosen his tie as he stood up from the chair. “If Ian Bryant sees me with her…. I am sure he won’t like it. If I am not wrong Ian Bryant seems to like Ria Robert. So he will feel insecure and concerned with me around Ria and he will have to sign the deal to make me stay away from his woman. Yes. Yes. This is the perfect plan.” Drake chuckled.
He just need to have a perfect plan on how to reach Ria and talk to her. He will act on this perfect plan.
Chapter 73 Attraction or Love?
AT RIA ROBERT COUTURE
Ria heard the soft knock on the office door. “Come in.” She said to whoever was at the door.
Then Ian opened the door and popped his head in. “Busy?” He asked.
A smile crept up on her lips. “Not really.” Ria dropped the pencil and stood up from the chair to meet him half way.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.” She greeted cheerfully.
Ian leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. He has been doing the kiss on the forehead a lot these days. The kiss gesture was limited to just her cheeks or forehead whenever they greet each other in the morning or whenever they are about to call it a day on Ria’s porch.
“Good to see you. I brought coffee.” Ian raised the two in one coffee pack in the air.
Actually, he has made it a custom that they always have coffee together every morning ever since Ria started working at the fashion house. They both have a cup of coffee before he drops her off at school. And Benjamin is always around to pick Ria up whenever she is done with classes because Ian is always busy with work at the office during middays. In a nutshell, Ian has been doing all he can to make sure Ria is comfortable and not go through the stress of taking a taxi everyday.
“Thank you.” Ria collected the coffee and drank from it. They settled on the couch. The coffee was refreshing and it tasted good.
“What time are you scheduled for classes today?” He asked.
“I have classes by twelve.” Ria answered.
“12? By that time I’ll be in a meeting with an Italian investor.” Ian sipped his cup of coffee.
“It is fine. You can send Benjamin over to pick me up.” Ria smiled at home.
Ian drew in a deep breathe with a sad look on his face. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” She demanded in a concerned tone.
“Yes, I am fine. It’s just that Ramsey called me this morning and said that Benjamin tendered his resignation letter.” Ian sighed.
“Really? But why?” Ria asked.
“Ria, I don’t know. But I will talk to him when I get to the office even if I will have to increase his salary.” Ian answered.
“Do you think he wants to resign because of the salary?”
Ian locked their free hands. “I have no idea. I am only suggesting that I will increase his pay if it is needed.”
Well Ria doesn’t think it is because of the payment. Benjamin’s salary is good and better off than the normal driving payment. Ian do give him bonus and sometimes Ria tips him whenever he drops her off at school but most times she always have to persuade him to accept it from her.
Now Benjamin wants to resign! Cassidy won’t be happy because Benjamin won’t be coming around anymore. They are pretty close now and ma’am Elise already sensed a connection between them. It is possible that Cassidy is in love with Benjamin. Now what’s she going to do? Ria wondered.
“I am thinking of something.” Ian said.
“What is it?”
“If Benjamin insist on leaving, I’ll allow him but at the same time I am thinking of asking him to teach you how to drive before he leaves finally. He is pretty good.” Ian responded.
“Oh! You want Benjamin to teach me how to drive.”
Ian shook his head in agreement. “Yes… or don’t you wanna learn how drive a car?” He asked.
“I want to learn how to drive.” Ria pouted.
“Good. It will make things much easier for us if you can drive a car.” Ian smiled.
“It is a good idea.” Ria said in an excited tone.
“I know you are busy but Saturdays and Sunday evenings will do. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, it is fine. And I don’t have classes on Wednesday too.” Ria responded.
“So if Ben says yes then he will teach you on Wednesdays and Saturdays and I will take you on Sundays.” Ian added.
“But won’t he feel like you made the offer because you don’t want him to go?” Ria screw up her face.
“I will pay him. Do you want to go to driving school instead?” Ian asked as their gaze met.
“Ian, I am too busy for the scheduler the driving school might give out.” Ria answered.
“Then Ben is our best option now.” Ian swallowed hard after having another sip of his coffee.
“Alright. Talk to him about it and get back to me.”
Ian shook his head in understanding. “You don’t have to worry, I will work on how to get your driver’s license when you can drive perfectly.”
“I’ll do a great job.”
“I trust you.” He raised their locked hands up in the air and Ria smiled brilliantly at him.
“So what are you up to?”
“School project.” Ria stood up from the couch and went back to the desk and picked up the big notepad and pencil.
“Making a new design?”
“Kind of.” Ria settled beside him while he set the coffee cups on the table.
“What design are you working on?” His arm snaked around her shoulder while she leaned in and rest on his chest.
“A wedding gown design.” Ria gave the big notepad to him as she soak in his sweet scent.
“Your lecturer asked you to design a wedding gown.” He examined the design.
“Yes. This is my first design.” She used the pencil to touch the notepad.
Wedding gowns! The main reason she decided to attend a fashion school! The design she sketched on the pad was a white princess wedding dress, floral patterned with a draped off the shoulder neckline and a long, full skirted ball gown that has white bearings and a white veil.
“It is beautiful.” He complimented.
“Really?” Ria looked up at him.
Ian dropped the notepad on his thighs. “Yes. What else do you have to do on the design?” He grazed his knuckles on her cheek.
“I’ll make it look better than this when I want submit it. And I think we will have to make the sample too.” Ria answered.
“Wedding gown classes this week I guess.” Ian looked back at the notepad
“Yes. We are having the classes for three weeks.” Ria added.
“You can do this, Ria.” He placed a kiss in her hair.
“Yes I know. I can do it.” Ria giggled.
“So what else are you working on aside this one?” He intertwined their hands.
“Ma’am Elise and ma’am Loretta are the ones working on the dresses for now. They want me to focus on school works.” Ria answered.
“That’s right. What about the supplies from the textile branch?”
“They will deliver it today.” Ria replied.
“Everything is fine?” He asked.
“Yes Ian everything is fine.” She smiled at him.
“Okay. Do a great job at school.” He kissed her hair again before giving the notepad back to her.
“Are you leaving?” Ria asked when he glanced at his wrist watch.
“Yes. I don’t want to be late for meeting with the staffs.” He let go of her hand and stood up from the couch.
Ria stood up too although she wanted him to stay for more minutes.
Ian noticed the smile on her face already faded. He covered the inch between them. “I really want to stay too Ria. But…” He cupped her face. “I have a lot to do at the office.”
Ria mouth twisted as he studied his expression. “I understand.”
Then Ian placed his forehead on her forehead. “Thanks for understanding. I will give you a call whenever I am less busy.” He kissed her forehead.
“Alright.”
Ian stepped backward. “Bye. Have a good day at school.” He walked out of the office.
Ria’s mind was spinning as she watched Ian leave the office. She was trying so hard to control her whirling emotions.
“What is this feeling?” Ria placed her hand on her chest and it was beating so fast.
‘You are in love with him.’ A voice whispered into her mind.
“In love? It couldn’t possibly be! And how does it feel to be in love?” She wondered.
Ria knew she was attracted to him but maybe not in love. “There hasn’t been enough time for me to think of how much I am attracted to him.”
‘But maybe you have fallen in love with him.’ She heard the soft voice again.
“In that ridiculously short time?” Ria said loudly.
‘Short time? It has been months!’
Ria sat back on the couch gently. Close to six months is not a short time. And thinking about it now, they have been together for months now.
Is this how it feels to be in love? Ria heaved a sigh.
Chapter 74 An old friend
He sat in his car, holding an old picture in his hands as he also compared it with the lady he had seen on screen. There was no doubt that she was the same person. He just wasn’t sure how the sixteen years old girl in the picture had survived eight years ago. The cops confirmed her dead but they never showed her true body.
And he had searched the whole town because he never wanted to believe that she was dead! He kept on searching, hoping to find a sixteen years old blind girl but he failed! Days turned into weeks and then time went by into months until he had to believe it even though it was really hard to accept that she was dead!
Ria was talking to a man at the huge steel gate of the institution! The men in uniforms knew who she was-the latest clothe designer in Chicago. “Alright. Bye.” She waved at the men in uniforms before walking away.
Then she moved to the roadside to take a taxi to her workplace. Benjamin already resigned but he agreed to teach Ria how to drive while Ian was busy at work.
He glanced up from the picture and saw Ria Robert trying to hail a taxi. She was alive! She didn’t die like they claimed. Immediately the feeling of guilt washed over him! He should have done better! He should have searched! He shouldn’t have given up that way!
The sixteen years old girl was now a fully grown woman. The dimple on her right cheek and long hair was still eminent enough to prove that she was Ria Robert and he had always teased her about the dent on her cheeks because it made her look cute. The same blind girl who had mended his clothes. The same Ria he had helped to school whenever he was less busy at work. Memories flooded his mind, images of how they used to play in the small garden in her family home.
Now here she was after eight years! Would she recognize him? No Ria can’t possibly know him because she was blind back then and she only identified people by their voices. But it isn’t bad to try his luck and see if she would recognize him by his voice. He concluded.
He started the car and drove closer to where she stood. He stopped the car right in front of her and rolled down the glass.
Ria raised her brows at him while he stared at her. He took in her feature closely, cataloguing every changes from the sixteen years old girl he used to know. The silver patches on her eyes were gone and it was replaced with a pair of vibrant aquamarine eyes which stared back at him intensely. Those eyes was just like the old woman’s picture he used to see in her home – Her grandma.
Ria has the facial features of her mother. No, she was a striking image of her late mother just that her mom had a brown hair while hers was black. She got the black hair and nose from her dad.
He recalled that he had promised that he would help her see the world and he had worked hard back then and gave the tokens he had made to her mother to add it to the savings for Ria’s surgery. But he couldn’t fulfill that promise because he found out she was dead.
At first he didn’t know what happened because he was out of town until he received the call that her parents were dead and she was missing. He wondered how she had left Idaho as blind girl and made it big in Chicago.
Ria stared back at the man in the car. He doesn’t look like a taxi driver and the car was a Mercedes Benz. “This is definitely not a cab!” She said to herself.
The man didn’t say anything and he just stared at her. Ria moved away from the car. “Where are the taxis in Chicago?” She mumbled.
Ria heard the closing of a door and when she looked that way she saw that the man was already out of his car. He was tall and well built-in and she knew he would be a regular client at the gym center. He has a sunrise gold hair with some curls falling over his forehead. An Irish eyes that were flush with triumph from being successful. A thick black eyebrows, an aquiline nose that complimented his prominent tight jaw and full lips. He was dressed in a fitting dark jean and a blue body hogging top that showed off his tight arms and well sculpted chest. He paired it with a dark vans.
“I don’t need a free ride!” Ria said within. He must be insane to think that she would just go into his car like that because she couldn’t get a taxi. Why isn’t he saying anything? Why is he just staring at her? Men have no shame!
Luckily for Ria, a taxi stopped in front of her and she entered it without looking back at the man.
“Where to ma’am?” The taxi driver asked.
“RRC.” She replied and the taxi driver looked back at her and smiled. “Ria Robert Couture.” She completed.
“Yes ma’am, I know and it is really nice to meet you in person.” The taxi driver said before the car hit the road again.
And Ria flashed him a small smile. “Perhaps ma’am, can I get an autograph for my daughter? She wants to be a clothe designer like you.” He said some seconds later.
“Oh really? How old is she?” Ria asked.
“She is just seven years old. She actually watched your interview on national TV where you had shared your success story so since then she decided that she wants to be a clothe designer too.” The taxi driver responded.
“Okay. I’ll give you an autograph.” Ria brought out a notepad and pen from her bag. She doesn’t have an autograph so she just wrote down her name and signed on the paper.
“This is it.” Then she gave it to him. “I would like to meet your daughter Mr -” she waited for him to tell her his name.
“Mr Maureen.” He said.
“Mr Maureen anytime you are ready just bring her to Ria Robert Couture with this note.” She replied.
“Oh! Thank you ma’am.” Mr Maureen collected the paper from her.
“I am always less busy on Saturdays.” Ria added.
“Okay ma’am.” He grinned happily.
Ria cellphone buzzed and she took it out of the bag. It was Ian!
‘Hello Ian.’
‘Hi. I am coming over to pick you up at school.’
‘No. You don’t have to drive all the way here because I am in taxi now.’
He was silent.
‘Since Ben resigned and I figured you would be busy at work so I took the taxi. I am on my way to the shop now.’
Ian had called Ria around ten that he wasn’t able to convince Benjamin to stay but he had asked him to teach her how to drive before leaving finally. The only reason Benjamin gave was that he wants to stop working as a driver and probably starts a small scale business with the money he has saved up.
‘Okay.’ Ian replied.
Ria wasn’t convince that he believed her words. ‘Believe me, Ian, I am in the taxi.’
‘Alright. I believe you. I’ll drive to the shop. See you there.’
‘Okay.’ She mumbled before hanging up the call.
“Excuse me, ma’am.” The taxi driver called out to her.
“Yes Mr Maureen.” Ria looked up from her cellphone.
“Do you know the owner of that car behind us? I noticed it has been following us since I picked you up.” He said.
Ria looked back and saw the same car from earlier. What does he want from me?! She thought.
“I don’t know whoever owns that car.” Ria replied.
“Should I call the cops?” Mr Maureen asked.
“Now don’t tell me I am being stalked by some weird guy!” She bantered internally.
Ria wanted to say yes but a part of her wanted to know the guy’s identity. He can’t be trailing her without a reason.
“No, don’t call the cops. I want to know why he is trailing us.” She answered.
“Okay ma’am.” Mr Maureen pulled off from the road and cornered into a quiet street.
“Don’t worry we will still hit the highway soon. Let us see if the car will still come after us.” Mr Maureen said.
“Okay.” Ria huffed. At least she was in safe hands! But then she looked back and saw the car now making the same turn.
“He is coming! Who is the hell is this man?! Mr Maureen stop the car.” Ria instructed.
She is not going to allow him come after them like they are on a chase. It is better she challenged him!
“Miss Ria, are you sure that you want to talk to him?” Mr Maureen demanded.
“Yes please. I won’t take a long time.” Ria replied.
Mr Maureen stopped the car. Ria looked back to see that the other car also stopped too and the man came out of the car. Ria was furious as she stepped out of the car too. She was ready to lash out harsh words at this man.
“Who are you?! Huh? Are you a stalker?!” Ria screamed at him.
He didn’t respond.
“If you don’t have better things to do other than stalking women with your car then you might as well find a better job!”
He stared at her. His Adams apple bobbling up and down his throat. This is so annoying! He is so good at just staring!
“You know what? You should consider a staring competition. You might as well collect a medal for stalking women! Pervert! If you don’t stop trailing my taxi, I’ll call the cops on you!” Ria hissed and made an attempt to turn back towards the taxi.
“Ria.” He called.
Ria heard his voice when she was three steps away from him. All of a sudden, her heart beats rapidly as she tried to trackback where she had heard that voice. It was familiar in her ears! It was like a voice that she was once used to hearing everyday! It couldn’t possibly be the same person.
Ria turned to face him. “You are Ria Robert right?” The man took one step forward. ” I mean, Ria Robert, the child of Mr Nathan and Mrs Madison Robert.” He took another step.
Ria’s mouth opened slightly. He knew her parents names!
“Am I right?” He asked.
There was only one person with this voice. Is this really him? When Ria was blind she recognized her parents and an only friend with her sense of touch and by hearing their voices. And she was very familiar with three voices, her dad, her mom and an only friend. His name was Ethan.
And now this man’s voice sounded so much like Ethan’s and he even knows her parents names! What if he is Ethan?
“I once knew a blind girl named Ria Robert and she lived in Idaho. Her mother was a seamstress and Ria learnt the craft of sewing and she also used to help me mend my torn clothes. But I don’t know if I am mistaken now or if I am right… that the owner of RRC is the same Ria Robert I used to know.” His voice was shaky.
He paused and drew a deep breathe. “Please just tell me if I am right.” His voice pleaded in a tight whispered.
This man is Ethan but she needed to be sure. Without thinking she moved closer and her hands reached out to his face. He wasn’t surprised by what she was about to do. He stood still as her hands did a facial recognition with her eyes closed as if she was blind.
When Ria was done, she stepped backwards with a shocking look on her face. “Ethan?” She muttered. No doubt, he is Ethan with everything he just said about her.
And a smile formed on his face. Ria can’t believe this is happening now! “Are you Ethan… Dantes?” She asked shakily.
“Yes, I am Ethan Dantes.” He replied.
Then without wasting time, like in a slow motion Ria went ahead and she hugged him. “Ethan.” Her eyes became blurry.
“Ria. It is me.” His hands went around her to embrace her.
Ria was so happy to see him! She was extremely glad to see someone who knows so much about her. Another companion who encouraged and stood by her when she was blind.
Ethan was her childhood friend even though he was quiet older than her. Mrs Madison met Ethan when Ria was six years old. Mrs Madison took Ria to the store that day because she wasn’t well enough to go to school. She had bought so many things and was finding it hard to carry the items coupled with the fact that she also had to hold little Ria. Ethan was barely up to twelve years old. He was nearby conversing with a friend when he spotted her, so he waved goodbye to his friend and offered to help her carry the load so she could hold Ria properly.
Ethan followed Mrs Madison home and ever since then he would always drop by to help her buy materials from the store. And Ethan ran errands for Mrs Madison. He did things Ria wasn’t able to do for her parents and was accepted as a member into the family. Ria knew her parents loved him most especially her dad who liked the fact that Ethan was always willing and ready to help.
Ria came out of the embrace and stared at him. “Ethan.” The tears that clouded her vision had already flowed down her cheeks.
“Ria. I am sorry.” Ethan apologized.
“Sorry about what?” Ria noticed the drop of tear on his right cheek.
Ethan sniffed. “We need to talk Ria. I want to know how you survived.”
Ria nodded in agreement. Yes, there is a lot of talking to do. Ethan wiped her tears with his fingertips. “Can we do that now?” He requested.
Ria looked around. They were standing on a lone street with barely anyone around. “We can go somewhere else.” He said.
“Okay. I’ll just get my bag from the taxi.” Ria agreed.
“Alright.” He wiped his cheek with the back of his palm.
Ria walked to the taxi. “Miss Ria, is everything okay?” Mr Maureen demanded. He had been watching vigilantly to see if the man would attack Ria or do something bad to her.
“Yes Mr Maureen. He is an old friend.” Ria took out some notes from her purse and gave it to him.
“Thank you, Mr Maureen. And I will be expecting you at Ria Robert Couture with your daughter.”
“Thanks ma’am.” He smiled brightly because she had added more to his fee. He drove away while Ria walked back to Ethan.
Meeting Ethan again was the answers to her prayers! Ria needed someone who was in Idaho around the time her parents died. Ethan must know what happened after the cops came around that night! He will give her answers to the missing puzzles!
And there was one more thing Ria was more concerned about which was where her parents were laid to rest.
Chapter 75 Dane Julio
The prison warder came to a cell filled with six male inmates. “Who is Dane Julio?” He asked.
The man named Dane Julio looked at the warder but he didn’t respond. It has been long since someone called him by that name. Dane Julio was his biological name before he changed his name after joining money make life gang.
“Hey man, aren’t you Dane Julio?”An inmate pointed at him.
The warder cleared his throat. “Okay. Who is speedy?” He asked again.
“Right here.” Speedy came down from the bunk bed and went to the steel cell gate. “What is it?” He asked the warder.
“Someone is here to see you.” The warder replied.
Speedy laughed. “You are joking right?” Another inmate said to the warder.
“Do I look like a clown? Someone is here to see him.” The warder had a stern look on his face.
“But he has no family.” An inmate commented.
“Yes. You are right. I am a prodigal son but I never returned home.” Speedy joked and they all laughed.
The warder unlocked the cell. “Hey speedy, maybe the old man is ready to get you out of here.” Another inmate said to him.
The warder placed a handcuff on his wrist. “It better be him because I have waited for too long and I am beginning to run out of patience.” Speedy grimaced in anger.
“And you can as well tell him to drop some cash before leaving.” The same inmate said to speedy before the warder took him away.
Speedy saw Frederick Robert when he got to the waiting section. He came with a bodyguard. He was glad and a glint of hope stirred within him. He walked closer to the chair and settled down facing Frederick directly.
“You have finally come to take me out of this hell hole.” Speedy said with a bright smile on face.
Frederick Robert leaned forward. “Look speedy, I am still working on it.” He replied.
And speedy’s smile disappeared almost immediately. He placed his locked hands in the table and leaned forward. “Robert, it has been eight years and you are still working on getting me out of this place.” He gritted.
“It is not easy. There is little I can do because of your criminal status.” Frederick Robert whispered.
Then speedy realized Frederick hasn’t been working on getting him out of the prison. He should have believed what his mind had been telling him for eight years now. The moment the judge had sentenced him to life imprisonment and also when they rejected his appeal in court. He should have accepted his fate that day. But instead he had wrote a note and threatened to expose Fredrick’s deep secrets.
Frederick had assured speedy that he would get him out of prison even if it meant for him to frame his death and fly him out of his country but none of that happened. It was easier said than done.
Eight years in prison and Frederick was still yet to frame his death and fly him out of the country. He hasn’t even come around to check on speedy since four years now. He has only been sending money anytime speedy calls from prison.
Frederick Robert should have gotten rid of speedy a long time ago because he was the only member alive among the money make life gang who knew his secret but he didn’t want to get his hands stained again. He had given up killing people after he ended the life of his step brother and his family.
But at the same time, Frederick was still thankful that he had spared Speedy life because he was the one that can tell him the truth about Ria Robert.
“You haven’t showed up here since four years. You barely even answer my calls.” Speedy clicked his tongue.
“You have been sentenced. There is nothing I can do anymore.” Frederick Robert blurted. He saw no reason to lie to speedy anymore.
Speedy nodded slowly. He tried to control his fury as he wished he could kill Frederick at that moment and just end everything. “So why are you here?” He asked.
Frederick leaned in closely again. “I want you to tell me the truth about what happened eight year ago.” He whispered.
“Oh! From what I can remember, you ordered us to kill your brother and his family.” Speedy said loudly.
“Keep your voice down.” Frederick muttered and showed Speedy the bundle of dollars in his suit pocket. He knew that was the only language speedy understands. “I will give you this money if you answer my questions. I want nothing but the truth.” And Frederick was ready to give out more as long as speedy was ready to tell the truth.
“And you want me to believe you?” Speedy flashed him a croaked grin.
Frederick removed the money and passed it under the table. Speedy looked around before feeling the notes.
“If you want the truth then slid the money into my boot.” Speedy instructed.
Frederick gestured to his bodyguard to fix the money in his boot and he did it carefully so the warder won’t know about it.
Speedy stamps his feet on the floor. “Good. Now what truth do you want, Robert?”
Frederick didn’t plan to ask about his brother or the wife because he knew they were long dead. He was the one that arranged for their burials.
“That blind child.” Frederick said.
“What child?” Speedy arched his brows.
“My step brother’s child.” Frederick replied.
Speedy frowned. “You mean Ria?”
Frederick Robert shook his head in agreement. “Yes. Tell me, did Lucas truly get rid of the girl that night?”
Speedy shifted uncomfortably in his chair and remained silent. He had swore to Lucas that he would never tell Frederick that they didn’t kill Ria that night. And he wasn’t going to betray Lucas even if he was dead.
“Yes Frederick. We killed her. Although he didn’t kill her at their home because we heard the sirens. We took her with us and Lucas had fun with her in the car. She died in his hands because Lucas went too deep with her then we threw her body off a cliff.” He repeated the same words Lucas told Frederick.
Robert knew Speedy wasn’t telling him truth. “Why are you asking about Ria?” Speedy asked hoping Frederick would buy his false story.
“Ria Robert in Chicago.” Frederick responded.
“That’s impossible.” Speedy chuckled.
Then Frederick collected a brown envelope from his bodyguard and passed it to speedy. “That’s impossible. Ria Robert is dead.” He insisted.
Speedy thought Ria won’t survive after Lucas’s death. He had concluded that it was either Ria had committed suicide after she heard the news of Lucas death or she had died in the fire when the police burnt down Lucas’s den. No, she can’t die in the fire because they found no one in the den.
Speedy took out the content in the envelope. They were pictures of Ria Robert and it took him extra effort to keep his jaw from dropping. Ria was alive! The little blind girl was now a grown woman. A beautiful woman! And the most surprising aspect was that she could see!
But Speedy wasn’t ready to admit to Frederick that the lady could be the same blind girl he knew eight years ago. “Did she resurrect from the dead?” He asked Frederick.
His pretense and silly questions were beginning to annoy Frederick Robert.