RIA ♠
WRITER: ADEMIDE ????????
EPISODE • TWENTY • THREE
THEME: TRAITORS! ????
••• RIA Ap@rtMENT •••
RIA POV ????
I st©pped the wheels and accepted the glas-s of water Mrs Elise offered me
“Thank You”
I said after drinking from the glas-s
“You should get dressed for the meeting. Mr Ian will be here soon”
“I know Mrs Elise. Let me just finish up then I’ll get dressed after”
“You can finish up later Miss Ria. Meeting Mrs Perla is more important…Remember this is a big deal”
I nodded in agreement
“So what price will you give to Mrs Perla?”
“I have thought of it..but I’ve not concluded”
“Hmm..but still I have this feeling that you’ll make a lot out of this deal”
“Yes..but I won’t give Mrs Perla a high price..for Ian’s sake. And not only that.. I won’t bill more considering the fact that it a Charity work”
“You will give discount right”
I nodded
“Let’s just use that word Discount..on each child”
” it won’t affect you right?”
“No..I did a rou-gh estimation last night. And from the pay I will get a form into the Fashion school..and also give Ian the rest of the money of set up my place”
“And you think Mr Ian will accept your money?..No I doubt it. He won’t accept it”
“I will persuade him”
“Okay”
“Mrs Elise -”
“Yes”
“Do you think I can run that Large place and still study at the same time?”
I asked
Doubting if I would be able to attend school and run my place all at once.
“Yes you can Miss Ria. You attend school when you have to..and attend to work when you are less busy from school work. And it won’t be ha-rd since you have an idea about what you wanna learn..and not just an idea..I mean you can sew and you’re pretty good at it. You just want to gain more knowledge about how to run things and know more styles”
Yeah she is right! I didn’t even think of it like that!
“And I think I don’t have to worry about anything since you will be there to oversee things at the workplace while I’m in school”
“No..” She itched the back of her n£¢k
“What’s wrong Mrs Elise?”
“I…I don’t think I can run the business”
“Yes you can Mrs -”
“No I don’t think so..someone else can -”
“No one else except you. If I want someone to help me then it would be You. You’ve been with me for years now and it only you I trust”
Her cheeks flu-shed pink
What was she thinking? That I would let someone else run the business while I’m away. No I can’t do that!
Mrs Elise is my only trusted companion!
“Let see what position you will hold..” I said and she giggled
“The manager.. Or Accountant?” She laughed
“Come on Miss Ria”
“Just name it -”
I paused
“I’ll be fine with just handling the Supplies of clothes” she said with a smile
“And what about being in charge of the workers, taking stock of dresses -?”
“Can I get to do that too?”
“Of course! As a matter of fact Mrs Elise can do whatever she wants”
“As long as I don’t mess things up”
She said loudly
And we busted into laughter
“Now go and get dressed before Mr Ian comes. You shouldn’t keep him waiting when he arrives”
“Okay” I threw my hands up and stood up from the machine
“I will finish up the dress”
“Thank You Mrs Elise”
I nee-ded to take a shower and change my dress.
I took a quic-k shower then went in search of my clothes which was hung in the Closet.
Searching for something to wear,trying not to think of Ian as I did.
Why should it matter what he might like or what might make my w@!st look smaller and my rear end look firmest that they were? It shouldn’t matter to me If Ian will like it!
But as I stood surveying my choices,I suddenly regretted that my limited budget had left my wardrobe empty. I can’t remember when last I purchased a dress for my self. It was left on the practical side.
Well Everything between me and Ian is businesslike so I had no nee-d to be overly concerned with what I look like.
Even though i didn’t have anything I considered impressive. I won’t be un-derdressed.
I’m meeting the famous Perla Bryant so I should look my best.
So I as-sumed Jeans is too casual. I opted in for a pair of black twill slacks and a plain white blouse with a banded collar. And I paired it with black flats.
I stood in front of the Mirror and focused on my reflection. I powered my face,freshen a mascara and blus-h and put a comb throu-gh my hair then bound it up. I focused onto myself to make sure I was at least pres£ntable. A p@rt of me secretly wished that I was so stunning that it would take Ian’s breath away.
I sl@pped myself out of it.
It was something I shouldn’t be thinking,let alone wishing for.
“Strictly Business” I told my reflection much more sternly. Then I turned away from the mirror and moved out of my room.
I stooped on track as soon as i walked into the sitting room. Ian was there with Mrs Elise. When did he come in?”
They st©pped talking and stared at me. Did I apply too much on my face?
“Hi” Ian greeted with a smile
“Hi” I replied shyly
He stood up from the couch and said
“Can we go now?”
I gave him a nod
“See you later Mrs Elise” I said before following Ian out of the House.
He was wearing a Khaki slacks and garnet colored polo shi-t. He must have changed into this before coming over..cause it doesn’t look office like.
He was freshly shaved and the scent of woodsy Cologne wafted out. I tried not to think how much I liked it or how much I liked that first glimpse of him inside.
But it was all there anyway..just below the surface.
I said to him as we walk to his car
“Sorry for keeping you waiting”
He opened the door and waited for me to enter before saying anything
“It was worth the wait”
He closed the door and made his way to the driver seat. He started the car and it glided into motion.
I thought of what to say to start a conversation but nothing occurred to me at the moment.
“Ramsey got someone that Will set up your place” Ian said. “Two actually. So I planned to meet them tomorrow”
A good way to persuade him to accept what I want to give in setting up my place.
“Will I be there with you?”
“No. I will talk to them and check out their works before introducing them to you”
“Okay”
“About..the equipments you will be nee-ding. Do you have a list? Of machines?”
“I have some”
But I’m still yet to know the rest. There are new inventions coming out which I don’t know of.. And this why I want to attend a fashion school to get to know this things and how to use them
“You will get it at school right?”
“Yes”
“So have you found any?”
“Any?”
“I mean the Fashion institute you wanna attend”
“Yes”
“So tell me about it”
“Rory Thomas institute”
“Is it the best?”
“One of the best”
And not too expensive
“How far is it from your house?”
“About An hour drive” I replied
“From the workplace?” He asked
“35 minutes”
“How long will you be in school?”
“At least three months. I’m not going in for the full course”
“Because you know about it”
“Yes”
“Okay..then Mrs Elise can see to the affair of your place while you at school”
I nodded
My phone beeped. It was Mrs Elise
“Hello”
“Are you there now?”
“No still on our way”
“Okay..I want to get some stuffs from the grocery sto-re. Is there anything you nee-d? so I can buy it”
“Uhmmm..” I itched the bridge of my nose.
I recalled that I made a list last night before going to be-d. I planned to drop by at the mall on my way back. But I didn’t remember to bring the list along Now.
“Mrs Elise I pinned the list to the board in the kitchen”
“Hold on lemme check” she was silent for a while
“Oh! Seen it! It almost the same with mine”
“plea-sed don’t add shrimps to the list because of Phoebe”
“Oh yes! That’s true I will take it out”
“Thank you Mrs Elise”
“You’re welcome” then she hang up
I looked at Ian whose attention was focused on the road ahead. He didn’t say anything but I felt like we should talk…like have a conversation. But nothing c@m£ from him. Same with me. So i just let things remain like that!
♦••♦••♦
AT THE MALL
ELISE POV ????????
I caught a glimpse of a figure I know.. Of someone i knew. I didn’t believe at first until I followed him. He leaned closer to a woman holding a basket in her hands. She was Pregnant! The two laughed happily as the man placed a k!sson her cheeks.
Tears gathered at the corner of my eyes as I watched my ex husband Leo and my best friend Abigail displa-ying their love right in front of me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her baby bu-mp. She was carrying his child.. Probably the second or third. I turned away quic-kly before Leo could see me.
I shouldn’t have followed Leo when I caught a glimpse of him.
I lost concentration, 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 bastard left me! After everything I did for him! Giving my saving and inheritance to save that as-s-hole!
But in the end he left because I couldn’t bear him a child! He didn’t remember how we suffered together!
He fell in love with Abigail! He cheated! And that had happened right un-der my nose and I didn’t know that. I only found out it was true the day I saw Abigail with Leo in court.
I had considered her a good friend but she turned out to be a thorn in my flesh.
She took my Husband! Away from me!
I bu-mped into someone and the basket I was holding dropped from my grip. p@rt of the items poured out of it
“Sorry…Sorry I’m sorry” I apologized to whoever I bu-mped into without looking up.
“Mrs Elise -”
The voice said and I looked up and saw the person. It was Mr Brown.
I looked away quic-kly to hide my tears
“Good..good afternoon Mr Brown”
I managed to say keeping my head down to wipe my face
“Are you okay?” He asked
I sniffed and got up after packing the items that spilled out of the basket
“Oh Yes! I’m fine”
I said with a half smile
Just trying to maintain the Mrs Elise he met the other day
“How are you be doing Mr Brown?!”
“I’m..I’m good” he replied with a shock expression
Yeah I know I’m weird! Earlier I was crying,grieving for my ex husband but now I’m smiling at a customer.
“What about you?”
“Yeah. I’m fine too”
I clasped my hand around the basket
“You’re here to shop right?”
I asked
That sounded foolish but I still pointed to the basket with him
“I c@m£ to get some ingredients for Mr Ian’s favourite dish”
I raised my eyebrow at his words
“Mr Ian…favourite dish?”
Is he a cook?
Is he working for Mr Ian?
“Are you working for Ian?..as his cook?”
His forehead crea-sed
His look like someone who just expo-sed a de-ep secret.
He scratched the back of his n£¢k for seconds and I waited for his response.
“Uhmmm..” He paused
He cleared his throat and said
“I’m a chef..or a cook. Whatever you call it” he sighed
“I work at Mr Ian’s place” he completed
What is this?!
Mr Ian said, Mr Brown was his friend..and Cas-sidy’s father…
Oh well he can be his friend and still work for him.
“The truth is that I’m not his friend like I said”
I stared at him
Now what is he saying?
“Are you done shopping?”
He asked
“Oh yes! I’ll just pay and leave”
“Lemme drop you off at your place”
I st©pped on track and turned to face him
“Thanks.. But there is no nee-d for that”
I don’t think I wanna hear the remaining p@rt of the secret. Or
Maybe I’m just scared to find out that Mr Ian had been pretending and deceiving us.
No! It can’t be!
I didn’t s-en-se deception around Mr Ian.
“Mrs Elise..”
He followed me to the payment desk. The lady at the table gave me my bills
“I’ll pay my items and hers too”
He gave his credit card to the lady and I couldn’t argue with him not to pay. So i just let him.
“We nee-d to talk”
He said when we stepped out of the mall.
What is it we have to talk about?
He helped me with my bags
“I will drive you home”
He carried it to his car
“plea-se go in”
I hesitated
“Well I’ll accept the fare if you don’t want a free ride” he said with a croaked smile on his face. I rolled my eyes and entered the car
“Now what do we have to talk about?”
I asked when we moved on the highway
“The truth”
“What truth?”
He cleared his throat and started.
I listened as he explained Mr Ian’s former plans. And why he had s£nt he and Cas-sidy to act like a Father and daughter.
“He was just curious about Miss Ria. And he was really interested in her case. So that was why he did it. But when Cas-sidy 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”
After all I was right! Mr Ian is true to Miss Ria!
Always real. His plans was just to get him close to Miss Ria!
And that feeling is Strong! So strong!
“So you’re not Mr Brown?”
“Oh well..”
“So what your name?”
“Tyler Griffin”
“Hmm so your name is Tyler and Griffin for surname. Then what about Brown?”
“My mother’s family name is Brown so I’m still Mr Brown”
He laughed
I nodded slowly
I wasn’t in the mood to laugh at his joke.
I remember the reason I had cried at the Mall. But I managed to blink back the tears that threatened to spill at the thought of Leo.
“Mrs Elise..you weren’t looking good at the mall earlier..is everything okay?”
“Oh! That.. I was just..like that because I had dirt in my eyes and couldn’t see for a while..it the reason why i bu-mped into you”
I managed to rush my words out! Those words were lies but I think it worked on him. Cause he didn’t say anything about it.
This must end! It has to end!
Shedding Tears because of Leo and Abigail!
The drive to Miss Ria’s house was cool! Mr Griffin and I had a friendly conversation.
Actually we talked about Mr Ian and Miss Ria mostly. I told him about Miss Ria while he filled me in about Mr Ian.
But I didn’t tell him about Ria’s past.
He knows a lot about Mr Ian and it was clear that Mr Griffin was now p@rt of The Bryant’s Family. Since Mr Ian regarded him as a father.
♥••♥••♥••♥
Hello Everyone!
Forgive me ????for not posting any episode yesterday!
I will give you a reason.. which is that there was no light! Even now???? No power to charge!
That’s my only problem!????
I have written almost all the episodes to this story..just for me to type them but NEPA???? is giving us issue here!
Well i hope you enjoyed re-ading this episode!????
Like and drop comments!
????????
♠RIA ♠
EPISODE • TWENTY • FOUR
THEME: MEETING HIS MOTHER!????
RIA POV
It was nearly 12 before we got to the Jewelry Sto-re. It was an enormous, old red building that had been renovated with an eye towards retaining the original design. The building was caused into a granite arch above the main entrance and I was curious to know how they c@m£ about such structure. Ian pu-ll-ed up in the pri-vate driveway and st©pped the car.
I couldn’t help but glance around when we stepped into the sto-re.
“Want to check out some stuffs before seeing my mom?” He asked
I as-sumed he noticed I was looking around with a surprised look on.
“No..no” I replied
Why do I nee-d to check anything when I don’t plan to buy one.
He nodded and we resumed walking side by side.
Every person we pas-sed in the sto-re stepped to greet Ian..as if he were a prodigal son returning home. There was no nee-d to ask why most people st©pped to say hello. He is Ian Bryant! CEO of Lint Corp! He is quiet popular in his world! So they must greet him as the son of the owner of the Sto-re.
“Ian”
I heard a soft voice call his name. He heard it too cause he st©pped and turned. I saw a young woman dressed in an expensive knee length go-wn.
Who is she?
I drank in her features as she walked towards us. She was beautiful. Long wavy brown hair frumed her round face with fulll-ips and large eyes. She had a pointed nose..her alabaster skin shimmered. She is rich noting from her outfit and the way she carried herself..Gracefully with her shoulder up. Ian tucked his hands in his pocket
“Lorna” he called at her
The lady stared at me for a second before looking back at Ian.
“We nee-d to talk” she said with a frown on his face
“Okay” Ian replied
“pri-vately” she said again
“Lorna as you can see I have a company” she glared at me
I don’t think I wanna be the one st©pping her from talking to him.
“I will just give you some space to talk”
I said and stepped aside. Away for them to talk pri-vately
My phone beeped. It was Cas-sidy. Then I looked back at Ian and Lorna before picking up.
“Hello Cas-sidy”
“Hi Miss Ria”
“How is school?”
“Fine..I just finished clas-s. Are you home?”
“No..I’m at Mrs Perla sto-re”
She was silent
“I’ll tell you about it when we see Cas-sidy”
“Okay..see you tomorrow then”
“Yeah” i hang up the Call
“I’m sorry for delaying you”
I heard Ian say behind me. The lady wasn’t around anymore
Where did she go?
“It okay” I managed to say
Even if p@rt of me wanted to know who that Lady is to Ian
His girlfriend? Or his Ex?
I shouldn’t be bothered about it
“Let’s go”
He said and we continue walking.
We st©pped in front of a hvge door. Ian opened it and motioned to me to walk in. I did and he stepped right behind me. The lady at the large desk who I immediately recognized to be Ian’s mom,she stood up and met us halfway.
This was our first meeting but we’ve spoken on phone thrice while in China throu-gh a video call.
“Goof Afternoon Ma’am” I greeted. Ian c@m£ beside me and perform the introduction
“Mom,this is Ria Robert and meet my mom Mrs Perla Bryant”
Then we both exchange plea-santries
“plea-se take a seat”
She pointed to a large couch.
Ian and I settled on it
“Son..did you see Lorna?”
She asked Ian
“Yeah I saw her”
Even his mom knows Lorna
“So how is business Ria?”
“Fine ma’am”
“Good to hear that”
She picked a blue print file from her side and stretched it towards me. I leaned forward and took it from her
“It Amber Foundation File. Madam Charity insisted that the seamstress should know about the Foundation and kids too”
“Is that necessary?” Ian asked
“Madam Charity insisted on that”
I scanned throu-gh the files. In it was the number and names of children ranging from the selected ages..6-8.
“Will you be able to make 30 dresses in less than two weeks?”
I have to do it cause I nee-d the money!
“Yes Mrs Perla”
“How?”
She asked and I looked up at her. Trying to make s-en-se of her question.
“Will you be the only one to make all those dresses?”
“No I have someone who is helping me in the business”
Ian was busy with his phone
“What sort of dress do you want for children?”
“I want a beautiful go-wn”
I brou-ght out my collections and placed it on the table.
She picked one out of three. I was a bit nervous. What if she doesn’t like the style in the book?
They are actually dresses I designed myself when I was blind.
To me they are pretty and awesome when I got to see them after the eyes surgery…But for someone like Mrs Perla I’m not sure if she will like it.
My phone beeped as I waited for Mrs Perla to say at least say a word.
It was a message.. from Who?
Ian! What did he s£nd me a message when he’s right here with me?
“Don’t be nervous.. Your dresses are good and I’m sure she will like. I have to get somewhere quic-kly… I’ll be back to pick you up”
I re-ad the message he s£nt. Ian stood up
“Hey mom..” She glanced up at him
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes..i nee-d to see someone. I will be back soon”
He k!$$£d her cheeks and flashed me a bright smile before walking out.
Now way did he leave me alone with his mom?!
And where was he heading?
Mrs Perla cleared her throat and I looked up at her
“Your collections are -” she paused
What was she going to say? Awful?Boring? Old Fashioned?
“Intriguing” she said finally
And did she just say that?!
“And attrac-tive” she added
A smile automatically formed on myl-ips
“Did you make these dresses when you were blind?”
“Yes ma’am”
“I must say that this is amazing..”
I have three collections for all my dresses. Andrea put my first collections together in a folder while Mrs Elise put the second and third collections together.
“You’re creative in this field”
My cheeks flu-shed at her words
“Thanks Ma’am”
“But you can also do better than this” I nodded
“Can you make another design for the dress?”
“What type of design?”
“I want something that will amaze everyone at the [email protected] that when they see it at the event.. They will all be dying to know whoever made the dress. Something that spells professionalism..practically designed by a Clothe Designer”
And that’s my greatest dreams! To be a Clothe Designer! It what I wanted to be since I was a kid!
I brou-ght out a notepad and a pencil.
“Let’s discuss about it now..so our next meeting will be at the Amber Foundation to take the kids measurement”
“Okay” I nodded in agreement
♠••♠••♠
IAN POV ????
I let out a handful of breathe before walking into the restaurant. Earlier Lorna and I agreed meet up since she insisted that we nee-d to talk like two matured adults. Speaking of maturity..Lorna is quiet far from it!
I felt like stuffing a bre-ad in her mouth as we were at the sto-re! She didn’t take her eyes off Ria while she was talking to me. I just hope that Ria didn’t get the wrong idea about Lorna. And i how will i even explain things to her?.
Even Lorna was mad that I didn’t introduce her to Ria and that i even acted like she wasn’t important to me.
What should I have done?
“Ria meet Lorna..the lady my dad wants to me to Marry but i don’t love”
Does that make any s-en-se?
Hell No!
About the meeting with Lorna in the restaurant.. I have no choice but to give Lorna’s request cause she threatened to tell Ria that I was having an affair with Grace my Secretary.
That wasn’t true.. But I had to say yes! Just to st©p her from saying those nons-en-se to Ria.
And Even if it wasn’t true Ria will still find it ha-rd to believe me if I try to explain that nothing is going on between Grace and I.
“I thought you wouldn’t make it down here” Lorna said when I sat in the chair opposite her
“I said i was going to anyway..” I replied
“She is the reason why you were out of the country for weeks”
Lorna said and that didn’t sound like a question!
She knows something!
“Yeah”
She chuckled
“When will you st©p paying people to find out things about me?”
“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 that change between us”
“You should find that out -” I shrugged
“But I don’t know Ian”
Just one thing changed our friendsh!p.. Mason! We were inseparable! Maybe but things changed the day I saw her k!ss!ngMason. What age was that? 15! Yes it was on her 15th birthday!..and I had bu-mped into them in the dark!
She wasn’t d@t!nghim then..Lorna told me that herself but she still k!$$£d him.
Was she drun!kthat day or she wasn’t in her right mind?
When she had made it clear that such will never happen between them because she was in love with me.
At some point she said that I made up my mind to fall in love with her. But I changed that decision when I saw her k!ss!ngMason.
And I did tried to st©p seeing Lorna as a friend but a girl that I could love..but I couldn’t!
So right then I realized that I wasn’t meant to see her pas-s that friendsh!plevel.
And I’m not re-ady to tell Lorna what made me change! We should just leave things the way they are!
“We can talk things out -”
“And what do we have to talk about?”
“Us”
“Us?”
“Yes”
“Lorna I told you that love can’t work out between us”
“what about her?”
“Pardon?”
“The Lady I saw with you..”
“Let’s leave her out of this”
How on earth did she always find out things she wanna know? 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”
“What?!” My jaw dropped slightly
Piper told her about Ria! And how much did she know about Ria? What did Piper tell her?
Nothing is Safe with Piper!
“Yeah she told me. 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”
“What exactly did she tell you?”
“A lot…”
“A lot?”
I doubt it! Piper doesn’t know anything other than the fact that I paid Ria’s bills and went with her to China. About my plans to set up Ria’s Business..that between me and my mom.
“She said you paid for her surgical bills” Lorna said
And that doesn’t signify “a lot”
“And she is right Lorna”
“Do you love her?”
She asked unexpectedly and I stiffed back a laugh
“Why do you want to know?”
“So..i won’t keep my hopes high..Ian”
Keeping hopes high? When I told her years back that i can’t love her. So why is she still waiting?
“I want to love someone..who will love me in return” she said in low tone
“Lorna I’m not st©pping you from loving whoever you want to love”
“Yes I know – that why I want to get over those feelings I have for you”
So if I tell Lorna I don’t love Ria..she won’t give up on me.
I love Ria I alre-ady figured that out..but telling Lorna about my love for Ria will break her..and make her feel bad.
What do i do?
“Ian I want the truth. I don’t want to keep fighting for what doesn’t belong to me. I realized it pointless. So i will un-derstand”
Maybe I will just tell Lorna the truth so she can move on and let me be!
“Yes I’m love with her” she nodded slowly
“I knew it..i just wanted to be sure”
And how did she know I love Ria?
“I spoke with your mom earlier before I saw you. She told about about your feelings for Ria when insisted that she tell me about Ria”
So she’s been on the look out for a while now.. Trying to find out if I love Ria.
No wonder my mom asked if I had seen Lorna in the sto-re
“I just want to hear it coming from you. My heart will accept it now that you told yourself”
“I’m sorry” I said to her
“Sorry for?…not loving me?” She chuckled
And i have no idea why I said that!
“Ian it fine..I accept your decision. Now I know..we aren’t meant to be together and thank God one of us was able to s-en-se it before it caused us any harm”
I gave a short nod!
Now I’m seeing a different Lorna.
She stood up and Moved closer to me.
“I wish you well” she k!$$£d my cheek before walking out.
I stood up seconds later made it out of the restaurant and back to the Sto-re which was just few blocks away.
Tbc