RIA ♠
EPISODE • TWENTY • ONE
THEME:BUSINESS p@rtNERS
• A WEEK LATER •
•LINT CORP •
IAN POV ????
“Sir..I just received a call from an agent now” Grace said
“Does he have a bigger space now?”
“Yes.. he s£nt some pictures”
she handed me the company’s tablet. I looked at the pictures in it. The images looked good but it isn’t the type of space I want for Ria
“I want the working space to be bigger than this..and then the personal office should be a bit bigger too”
“Okay Sir. I will let him know”
“What about Ramsey?”
“He is trying to find the House agent you requested”
“Tell him to see me as soon as he finds one”
“okay Sir” she exited
Two days after we arrived in Chicago. Ria called to inform me that she was re-ady to be my p@rtner. She agreed that I should invest in her business. I don’t know what had changed her mind.. cause it seems Ria will never say yes when we were in China. I felt she would turn me down because I insisted that she doesn’t refund the surgery bills.
But, I was happy she agreed in the End. So ever since, I’ve been trying to find a good place for her. One that will attra-ct rich people to come to her workplace.
“Mr Ian..” I looked up from my system
“Yes Ramsey”
“I just found a place”
“Let me see” I collected the tablet again and checked the images
“This is it Ramsey”
I tapped on the screen.
Exactly what I want for Ria! A big space like a small company..by the road side where people can get to see her work.
“What about the house?”
“I’m still working on it Sir”
“Okay..call the agent and set up a meeting”
“Will you like to meet him today?”
“Uhmmm..do I have any meeting?”
“No Sir”
“Good..tell the agent I want to meet him today”
“Okay Sir”
“Do that while I call Ria..”
“Okay”
He walked away
I picked up my phone and dialed Ria’s Number..but she didn’t pick up.
♦••♦
RIA Ap@rtMENT
RIA POV ????
“Thank You once again Mrs Betty” I thanked the old Lady that c@m£ up pick up her dress. She smiled at me before entering the Taxi and I waved.
“Miss Ria! Miss Ria!” I turned back to the house and saw Mrs Elise on the porch
“What’s wrong?”
She gave me my phone
“Mr Ian is calling”
“Oh!” I collected it and picked it
“Hello”
“Hi” I replied
“Sorry for not picking up on time…a customer c@m£ for her dress”
“Okay..so are you less busy now?”
“Uhmmm Yes”
“Can we meet up now?.. I want you to see something”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes Ria”
“Okay..”
“I will text the address to you”
“Okay” the line dropped
“Mrs Elise..Ian wants to meet up with me”
“Where?”
“I don’t know yet..he will s£nd me the address”
“Well maybe he found the space for the workplace”
“I’m not sure that’s the case”
“Go and meet him”
“Uhmmm.. Can I go like this?” I asked
Mrs Elise raised her brow
When did I start caring about how I look just because I want to meet Ian
“No..Change into something better.. Hmm let’s see..a fitting jeans and a S-xy t©p will do”
“S-xy t©p?”
“Yes..like that t©p you made… The off shouldered one”
“No..that’s too revea-ling”
“Hmm but it looks good on you”
I rolled my eyes before walking into my room
I c@m£ back some minutes later. But not the off shouldered t©p.. I can’t wear that to meet Ian
“How do i look?” I asked her
“Still good”
“Thank You Mrs Elise”
My phone beeped. A text from Ian
“He s£nt the address”
“Go to him on time”
She gave me my purse and followed me out to get a taxi
“Bye”
I waved when I got into the taxi
♦••♦
RIA POV ????
I c@m£ down from the taxi and paid the driver when I got to the exact address Ian s£nt to me
“Thanks Ma’am” the driver said before driving off
My phone binged. It was Ian! I picked
“Hey…I’m there”
“Look ahead..I’m right in front of you”
I turned and looked ahead. He was standing at the other side of the road waving with his phone still on his ear. I hang up and crossed the road to meet him
“Hi” He greeted as he flashed me a smile that almost blinded me
“Hi” I managed to say while I surveyed the area.
It was quite busy..with half dozen streets lined with shops and businesses. Its heart and wi-despre-ad residential area sprouting out in all directions around it. The first thing that struck me about this place was how clean and well kept everything was.
And why does he want to meet up here?
Ian cleared his throat
“I found a space for your workplace” I stared at him trying to make s-en-se of his words. He pointed to an enormous building right behind him as he moved to let me get a clearer view of the place. There were some structures on both sides ..a diner,counter service, ice cream parlor, a grocery sto-re and some major fast food business wasn’t far from it. Shops were set up in their own distinctive styles. And there was the requisite Starbucks,as well as g@s station complete with Mini mart down the block. For the most p@rt of it seemed best with available spaces.
“Let go in the agent is waiting to show us around”
He held my hand and we walked in throu-gh a glas-s door which was beautifully designed. And I was curious about how the inside would look like!
“Hello” a young man with glas-ses on greeted when we walked into the Stour room
“Ria meet Daniel..he is the agent”
“Nice to meet you Miss Ria”
“Same here Mr Daniel” I shook hands with him
The room was enormous..a luxurious room with a blue marble floor with large windows
“Here..can be used for the workplace” Daniel said
“Since Mr Ian said that you’ll be using it for a sewing business. There are other rooms too that can serve as office for you..your secretary,..the payment desk and all that” Ian nodded in agreement. We walked throu-gh a connecting door into another room
“Here can be a closet..more like a dressing room to check out dresses” Ian added when we entered a room. Daniel showed us around as Ian didn’t st©p complimenting every p@rt of the building. It was incredible!
“So do you like it?” Ian asked after we were done checking the whole place
A phone beeped almost the same time of his question
“plea-se excuse me..” Daniel excused himself to pick his call. And slowly I turned to face Ian
“So..how is it?” He asked again
“It cool..but – ” I paused
“But what?”
He asked with a concerned look on his face. It struck me that Ian won’t be Happy if I didn’t like the place.
“I like it” I said with a smile
No that’s an un-derstatement! I love it!
“But..don’t you think it too big for -”
Ian leaned closer
“It not too big Ria. You nee-d somewhere like this to start your business”
Yeah! This is starting in a big way! A really enormous way!
“This place would be able to accommod@t£ a lot of workers and probably people who might want to learn. Or don’t you want people to work for you?”
“I do”
“Then we are not getting a small place. We will take this place” he stared intensely at me
“What are you thinking?”
“Well..I’m just thinking of the rent and the bills to set up a place like this -”
It would require a lot of money to furnish this whole place
“You don’t have to worry about the money..I will take care if of Ria”
And there he goes again..wanting to take on responsibility! This is getting too much!
“Ian I still don’t think it a good idea..”
“Of course it is a good idea Ria…just wait and see once everything is set. I will get interior designers to set up the whole place”
“It -”
“Sorry for the delay” Daniel cuts me off as he joined us
“Miss Ria are you doubting this place?..if you don’t like it I can get -”
“We want this place”
Ian said even before I could think of saying anything to Daniel.
Daniel’s face brightened at Ian’s response
“s£nd your Account details to Ramsey so he can transfer the payment to you”
“Okay Mr Ian”
“And thank you Mr Daniel”
I said before walking out with Ian
“I will drive you back home”
“No..never mind. I will just take a taxi”
I didn’t want him to stress himself driving me home and going back to the office
“I don’t have Much work at the office..so let me take you home”
He opened the SUV and gestured to me to go in. He wasn’t going to change his mind after all so I did as he said. Ian rounded the Car and entered. The engine purred to life and the car moved.
“How about if I introduce you to the people who will help you set up your place?..so you can talk to them about what you want and how you want the place to be”
I knew it would be useless to argue with him not to bring in expert designers so I just agreed
“That a good idea”
“I’ll also tell Ramsey to help in getting the people you’ll be dealing with when they bring things in or come In to set the place”
I didn’t want to consider why Ian was willing to go to such extent to fulfilling all my long dreams. He’s done a lot for me..more than enough. And soon i hope I don’t start getting this strange feelings that I’m a burden to him.
I pray it doesn’t occur to me!
We didn’t say anything after what Ian said cause he had to answer his cell phone. Calls from work.
“Thanks for the ride” I said to Ian when he pu-ll-ed up in front of my house
“You’re welcome” he replied
Then I c@m£ out of the car and closed the door
“I’ll give you call” He said
“Okay”
“Bye” I waved at him
Then he drove off
I was welcomed by the smell of de-ep fried Pomfret in the air when I walked in. I watched Mrs Elise as she worked her around the kitchen. She hummed a song I couldn’t make out
“What are we celebr@ting?”
“Oh you’re back Miss Ria!”
I nodded as I eased myself on the stool
“I’m just preparing dinner”
And I’m so hungry!
“So how was the meeting with Mr Ian?” She asked
“It was good..”
I explained everything to her without leaving any detail
“Sound like everything is working for you Miss Ria!”
“Maybe..”
“It not maybe. Everything is working! You’re beginning to have those things you’ve ever wanted”
She paused and stare at me. Mrs Elise pointed the perforated spoon in her hand towards me
“Are you still doubting Mr Ian?”
Maybe that the problem!
“I know what this is about. But at the same time I want you to remember that you alre-ady agreed to be his p@rtner. And I think as business p@rtner he wants to invest in some ways. So just see it all as a Business Relationsh!p… And not that Mr Ian wants your b©dy in return”
I nodded slowly
I just hope that’s all it is for Ian. Business p@rtners and nothing more!
♪♪♪♪♪♪•
“…
♣ RIA ♣
EPISODE • TWENTY • TWO
THEME: sp©tLIGHT ????
• PERLA JEWELRY Sto-re •
PERLA POV ????????
Walking around my large luxurious Jewelry sto-re checking out the old and new items in glas-ses and cases of different styles of Gold,Diamonds and Silver. n£¢klaces,Rings,Chains,br@celets in distinctive styles and designs.
I st©pped at a hvge glas-s and stared at the accessories in it. I raised a f!nger in the air calling the attention of whoever was in charge of the Space.
“Yes ma’am” a lady in black suit c@m£ to my side
“Open up this glas-s and clean out the dust” I ordered
“Okay Ma’am”
I turned away to look at some other things,But then I saw my old Friend walked into the Sto-re.
“Oh! Good Morning Perla!” The old Lady greeted joyfully
“Madam Charity!” I replied as we exchanged plea-santries
“Good to see you again” she said
“Same here” I responded still maintaining my bright smile
“So you’re here to get a Jewelry?”
“Oh yes! I nee-d a n£¢klace and..I’m also here to give you an invitation”
Madam Charity said
“Then let’s go into my office and talk”
I led her to my office
“plea-se sit” I pointed to one of the couches in my office. She sat gracefully dropping her bag by her side.
“The annual p@rty at the Foundation is in two weeks time”
She brou-ght out an invitation card and placed it on the Table.
Madam Charity runs an orphanage home. It one of the best Charity Organization in USA. And so she holds a p@rty once in a year to celebr@te the Kids, sponsors and whoever has contributed to the growth of the Foundation.
I checked out the Card which re-ads
“AMBER FOUNDATION ANNUAL p@rtY”
The p@rty is a Five – Day Event. With Grand Finale on Saturday where they give out Awards to Donators.
“Will you be chanced during this days?” She asked
I tried to think if I would be chanced,when she said again
“You’re the Mother of The Day for this year’s p@rty”
I checked it and saw my name on the downside of the Invitation Card
“You’ve donated so well to the Foundation that’s why we decided to give it to you”
“Oh! thank You Madam Charity”
Well I never expect something like this coming from her. Won’t buy that idea of being the best Donator. I s£nd money to the Foundation every week..at least Half A million in Two months but I don’t think it enough to make me the Best!
And where the hell is Jennifer Muller? She is always the Mother of the Year? Did she st©pped donating to Amber Foundation?
I was tem-pted to ask But I decided to keep that to myself.
It better not to know about that Sly!
Madam charity is not here to buy a n£¢klace exactly..she’s here to impress me with the title. So I would make contributions to the p@rty.
But even without her doing this..I would still give whatever I have if I wasn’t made the Mother of the Day.
“What are your plans for the p@rty?”
“A lot has been planned..and the Kids are preparing for it too. Games,family outings and performances from the children”
Performance?
“We decided to print out t-shi-ts for the kids and people who will attend the Game section”
Then a dress for every child performing that day…Sound good!
“I’ve met with the printing press yesterday..so they’re working on that”
I think this a good plan!
It struck me that children could wear dresses sewn by a talented Seamstress!
I listened to Madam Charity plans for the p@rty without interruption.
They can get the printed T-shi-ts for everyone! I won’t st©p them on that since it a good plan. But I want to do something else on my own path!
“Madam Charity we could make dresses for the girls.. from a certain age..like 6-8”
She stared at me for a second and nodded slowly
“That’s a good idea” she answered with a smile
“But..how do we get someone who will make those dresses?”she asked
Ria! She can! Ian said she is a seamstress!
This is a chance to help, to show her skill to the world!
And I really want to be p@rt of that Dream Ian has been talking about.
” I have someone who make dresses..pretty ones at that. Just help me with the number of children between these ages”
“Yes…I will do that. I will get back to you”
“Okay”
She stood up and clasped her hand around her handbag
“plea-se help me pick out a nice jewelry for the event”
She said
“Yes”
Then we walk out of the office.
♦••♦••♦
IAN MANSION
IAN POV
The continuous beeping sound un-der my pillow woke me up from a de-ep sleep. I reached out for my phone un-derneath. Caller ID..My Mom!
Why was she calling by this time of the night? 11:45pm
I ru-bbe-d my sleepy eyes ra-pidly and picked the call
“Hello Mom”
“Oh Ian!..I’m sorry for calling at this hour”
I sat up and rested my head on the be-d board
“I should have called earlier but I was kinda busy”
“What is it mom?”
“I nee-d to see Ria”
“What?! Why mom?”
“It -”
“Mom..we alre-ady talked about this. It isn’t the right time to meet Ria. I don’t want her think that I’m introducing you to her for some reasons. Remember I told you it Business Relationsh!pnow..not the other way round”
“Yes I know and that why I called. I want Ria to make dresses for madam Charity’s Children”
“What are you talking about mom?”
She sighed
My mom explained her plans for Amber Foundation.
“This is a great chance to bring Ria to sp©tlight. If she sew those dresses well..then people at the Event will want to know whoever made them”
“Yeah mom..you’re Right. But will Ria be able to finish up in less than two weeks?”
“Tell her about it first”
“Oh Thank you Mom”
“Just talk to her About it and get back to me”
“I will do that now”
I hang up
Will Ria be up by this time?
I dialed her number
And she picked on the first Ring
“Hello”
“Hi” she responded
“Sorry for calling -”
“It fine I wasn’t asleep anyways”
And why is she still awake by this hour?
“I nee-d finish up a dress”
“Okay”
Thank Goodness I didn’t have to ask her before she told me what was keeping her up.
“My mom wants to make dresses”
“Your mom?”
“Yes. She called in just now”
I briefed Ria about Amber Foundation and told her about Mom’s plans to make dresses for the kids as the Mother of the Day.
“So what do you say?”
“It actually a good plan you know”
“Will you be able help her?”
I asked trying not to sound like I was compelling her to do it.
“Yes I can”
“Will you be able to make at least 50 dresses in less two weeks”
She was silent
Children ranging from 6-8 at Amber Foundation should be up to 50. Not Too sure but we should set our minds on 50.
It a lot of work! Too much for Ria and I won’t mind her saying no cause of the stress. She is just getting better from the conditioning Treatment of the Surgery.
Even though this is a chance to make her famous I would still accept her decision.
If this doesn’t work out then we will make more plans…Better ones.
“Ria I would un-derstand if -”
“I will do it” she replied finally
“Ian I will those dresses for the kids”
“Okay. I will let her know you agreed”
“Yeah”
“Bye” I said
“Ian -” she called
“Yes”
“Thank You”
“You’re welcome”
Then the Line dropped
I dialed mom’s number back
“Hey son”
“I just discussed with Ria. And she agreed to your plans”
“Oh That good”
“So when do you want to meet her?”
“Tomorrow”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes Ian..we don’t have much time..just less than two weeks to make at least 50 dresses”
“Okay..where do you Want to meet?”
“She can meet me at the Sto-re”
“What time?”
“12:00..So we can talk before leaving to Amber’s foundation”
“Okay mom”
“See you tomorrow”
I hang up and s£nt a text to Ria
“Meeting with my mom by 12:00pm” I s£nt
My phone beeped an incoming message from Ria
“Text me the address”
She doesn’t nee-d address
“Perla Jewelry sto-re. I’ll come and pick you up”
Was about s£nding it but i paused to add more
“And don’t think of turning my ride down. See you by 11:15pm” then I s£nt it
Ria might insist on taking a taxi just to save me the stress of driving down to her house from the office.
My phone binged again
“Okay.. And thanks once again”
“Yeah..see you tomorrow”
I replied and waited to see if another message will come in. But nothing.
I swiped to switch off my phone.
I rolled on my be-d and toyed with the be-dside lamp switch for a while
The thought of seeing Ria tomorrow made me smile.
But soon I drifted into sleep with a hvge smile on my face.
♪♪♪
“..late in the night into the morning
Holding me ti-ght..baby I’m yours now
Feening for your t©uçh
baby you just like a drug
I know it took one hint
Now I nee-d a fix
Because of you
I’m so high now I’m not coming down
Why should I do?
I think I’m add!çted…”
????????
Is anyb©dy out there?! ????
What do you all think of the plans?
Well for me i just thought of something that might make Ria see that Ian is true to her and really wants to help. And also to give her the as-surance that her dreams will come true soon!
????????
Now reaching out to a fan..I re-ad her comment and from what I saw it seems she’s just like Ria..having this issue of trusting men.
It a good thing that I am able to write something that will inspire a change of mind and for you to learn from.
To whom it may concern!
Don’t give up on love! ????
Just open your heart to love ????..I can tell you that your Ian is waiting for you ???? But Patiently waiting for you to accept him. ????
Thanks for re-ading this story