#THE_BLIND_GIRL
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 15
*RIA POV*
“Miss Ria I’m heading out”
“Huh?”
“I want to go out now”
“Yes i heard that..but you said no outing this morning”
“Yes”
“Are you seeing someone Mrs Elise?”
She bursted into laughter
“Miss Ria..well I wish I am seeing someone..but anyways I’m not”
“Okay so where are you off to?”
“Mr Ian just called..he wants to see me”
“Who is Mr Ian?”
“Ian..you don’t remember?”
“I don’t…”
“The man that got your purse back from a thief..i mean the guy we saw at the hospital”
“Okay..but why does he want to see you?”
“He wants to make a dress for 9years old niece. And I think he doesn’t want to come here with her because of -” she stopped
“Me right?”
“I didn’t say that..” She said in a low tone
“Okay”
“Can I?”
“Sure”
“I’ll go ahead then”
“Bye”
“Take care” she kissed my cheeks
♦♦♦
*LINT CORP*
*MRS ELISE POV*
I alighted from the taxi and looked up at massive outer part of Lint Corp. Two armed men dressed in uniforms stood at the huge glass door leading into Lint Corp. And where is the person sent to bring me to Mr Ian?. A handsome looking man emerged from the entrance, he looked around. Is he looking for me? Guess so! I met him halfway.
“Are..are you the one Mr Ian sent to bring me to his office?”
“Yes…are you Mrs Elise?”
“Oh yes..I am Mrs Elise and you are -” I waited for him to fill in his name
“Ramsey”
“Nice to meet you”
“Same here” he smiled brightly “please this way”
The armed men opened the door and we walked in. Wow! I gasped! I’ve never been here seen a building as big as Lint Corp! So damn Massive! Some greeted Ramsey on the way. We got to an office where a young woman sat at a huge desk and Ramsey stopped to open another door.
“Go in ma’am” he gestured to me
“Thank You” I nodded and stepped into the large office. There Ian sat at the desk and then Cassidy was on a big couch. Why is she here?
“Take a seat Mrs Elise” he motioned to me to sit on the couch. I couldn’t stop glancing around, taking in the beauty of his office until my gaze fell on the glassy object on the desk. “IAN BRYANT CEO OF LINT CORP”. I gasped in shock as I look back up at Mr Ian. He is the CEO! Unbelievable! Why didn’t I realize that when he had said he works in Lint Corp?!. Mr Ian stood up from his desk and sat on the couch And i repositioned myself.
“Mr Ian..I didn’t know you are the CEO of Lint Corp”
He itched the back of his neck
“Yes I am the CEO.. And I’m sorry for not telling you that..”
“No..no you don’t have to be sorry..I mean it okay” I let out a handful of breathe to fill my lungs
“How are you doing Mrs Elise?”
“I’m fine”
“And..what about Ria?” I met his gaze when he asked in a concerned tone
“Miss Ria is fine”
“Is she home alone or the kids are with her?”
“The kids are in school..and Yes Miss Ria is alone at home..but I was home with her before you called me”
“Will she be fine alone?”
“Yes..she is always home alone anytime I’m at work or the store buying materials. And the kids are always with her during weekends”
We lapsed in silence. Mr Ian lost in thought. He said that he wants to make a dress for his niece but I don’t see any 9years old kid around. Mr Ian cleared his throat. A phone beeped and well exchanged glances. That was my phone!
“Sorry.. it’s mine”
I searched my bag. Miss Ria was calling with the home line
“Hello Miss Ria”
“Mrs Elise are you on your way home now?”
“No..no Miss Ria..I just got to Lint Corp now”
“Have you met him?..I mean Mr Ian?” She asked and I looked up at him
“Oh yes..he is here”
“Okay”
“Do you need anything?”
“Yes..I can’t find the linens you brought in yesterday”
“Linen?” I said trying yo remember where I placed the nylon last night
“Yes Linens..I want to sew Calista dress but I can’t find it”
“Are you done with your eyes exercises?”
“Yes”
“Okay..oh Miss Ria I’m just trying to recall where I dropped it last night…ah! Yes! Yes! It’s on the pressing table!”
“The pressing table right?”
“Yes..and I’m sorry for not placing it in the right place”
“Its okay Mrs Elise. Thank You”
“Take care”
“Mrs Elsie -”
“Yes”
“I don’t know if you have enough money with you”
“Is there anything you need?”
“I just need you to help me drop by at the restaurant to buy cupcakes for the children”
“Yes I will..do you want the big size?”
“No..no the six in one is better”
“Okay”
“And a bowl of ice cream”
“I will get everything”
“Thank You Mrs Elise!”
The line dropped
“I’m sorry…”
“No no its okay” Mr Ian replied
“So where is the little girl you wanna make a dress for?. i brought some of our collections and I’m sure you will like it”
“Actually..Miss Elise I won’t be the one picking out the dress but I called her mom who is my sister..lemme just say they will come over to your place”
“O..okay” I nodded slowly. Seriously I wasn’t expecting such response. Why did he called me when the girl in question isn’t present?
“Mrs Elise remember I said we have to discuss business…”
“Oh yeah”
“So firstly I just want to ask some few questions about Ria”
“Pardon?” I raised an eyebrow
“Mrs Elise..Mr Ian wants to help Miss Ria” Cassidy spoke up for the first time. And what does she mean by that?
“How?”
“Look Mrs Elise I don’t know how to tell you this but -” he stopped. Well I hope Mr Ian’s expression is not what it means to me. He continued
“Ever since I set my eyes on Ria at the park… I haven’t been at rest. And Thank God I met her again and also thanks to you for giving me her card”
Well to be sincere, I didn’t give Miss Ria’s card for him to make a dress but it was for him to get closer to her. I saw how concerned he was and also happy when Miss Ria was talking to Phoenix. He had looked at her differently, like he felt something for her. If only Miss Ria could see him then his look would have swept her off her feet.
“Mrs Elise I will really appreciate if you tell me few things about Ria”
“Huh?!” I stunned out of my thought. Now he wants to know about her…what do I say? There is a lot to know about Miss Ria
“I don’t want you to think I’m trying to dig into her personal life..but I just want to know..not all but few”
“I will leave you two to talk” Cassidy stood up
“Thank you Cassidy.. And please try calling the Baker again”
“Sure” She left
“Are you in love with Miss Ria?” I asked unexpectedly. His eyes widened at the question. What was that Spark?
“No..no” he stuttered
“I don’t want you to think like that Mrs Elise… I’m just concerned about Ria”
Concerned? But not in love. Sure he is in love and also concerned but he is denying it while his countenance says the opposite. I stared intensely at him and nodded slowly. I got what I wanted from those sparkling eyes. He loves her! I tried blink back tears. Someone loves Miss Ria but it so sad such doesn’t exist for her. She doesn’t care about his existence or even his kind. I’m sure if Miss Ria was asked to take away one thing from the world.. It would be Men!. Yeah i know it because of what happened..but would things have been different in her life now if she didn’t go through those horrible experiences. And sometimes i used to wonder if she will ever fall in love? I sighed out loud. It’s not bad to let this young man in anyways.
#THE_BLIND_GIRL
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 16
*LINT CORP*
*MRS ELISE POV continues*
Concerned? But not in love. Sure he is in love and also concerned but he is denying it while his countenance says the opposite. I stared intensely at him and nodded slowly. I got what I wanted from those sparkling eyes. He loves her! I tried blink back tears. Someone loves Miss Ria but it so sad such doesn’t exist for her. She doesn’t care about his existence or even his kind. I’m sure if Miss Ria was asked to take away one thing from the world.. It would be Men!. Yeah i know it because of what happened..but would things have been different in her life now if she didn’t go through those horrible experiences. And sometimes i used to wonder if she will ever fall in love? I sighed out loud. It not bad to let this young man in anyways.
“What exactly do you want to know about Miss Ria?”
“Uhmmm can you tell why she behaves unusual anytime a man is around?”
“Mr Ian…I really want to tell you about Miss Ria..but what you just asked is too personal. I can’t tell you about it”
“Is it about her past?”
“Yes..and she doesn’t want to share it with anyone…but maybe if you get close to her she might tell you about it”
“No..I doubt if Ria will ever allow me close to her”
“I must tell you it won’t be easy but you can give it a try -” I paused “Mr Ian please don’t get close to her for that reason”
“Yes I know Mrs Elise.. I don’t want to be friends with her because of that. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know about it” I nodded.. quiet sensible
“How old is she?”
“22”
“About the kids..are they her biological children?”
“No”
“No?”
“Miss Ria adopted them few months ago..and she is ready to raise them as her own” I shrugged
“Yeah I noticed her likeness for them at the park and hospital. What about the blindness?”
“She was born blind” he rubbed his palms together
“As she looked into getting eyes surgery?”
“Yes! Severally!. Even when she was little her parents had accepted an offer that led to their death. So sad! Even Miss Ria had tried saving up but something ends up happening to her savings.
Yes Mr Ian but you know eye surgery is expensive. She doesn’t have that huge amount of money. We planned to take on a loan from the bank to foot medical bills”
“A loan?”
“Yes..and we are starting the process next week” he stared at me
“I want to help Ria” he blurted without looking away from me
“I can pay the bills Mrs Elise”
“Really?” Oh yes! I know he can..he is the CEO of a great industry. But the problem is Miss Ria will turn him down
“I’m willing and ready to do it for Ria”
“You see Mr Ian I don’t have any problem with you paying the bills..but Miss Ria won’t accept your help”
“But why?”
“Hmm lets just say she doesn’t trust your kind”
“You can help me Mrs Elise. Try to persuade her..it for her good. It will be a good thing if she can see again”
“I suggest you just loan the money to her?”
“No I don’t want that. If I do that it’s like I’m adding more to her problems”
“Okay I will try to talk to her”
“Well Mrs Elise if she doesn’t want to see me then you tell her Lauren Bryant heard of her case and so she wants to help her”
“No..no we don’t have to tell her a different story”
“I just thought that will make her accept my offer”
“No I will explain in a right way. And thanks for offering to help us”
“You’re welcome”
We stood up and walked out of the office
“Ramsey” he called the young man at the desk
“Yes CEO”
“Set up a meeting with Doctor Hawn”
“Okay sir”
“I will discuss with the doctor to know how we go about the surgery” He said to me on our way to the elevator
“Okay”
“Say me hi to the kids”
Soon we stepped out to the opening where staffs bowed as they pass by. He hail down a taxi when we came out of the company. I entered and waved at him and he did the same before the cab moved.
“Bing restaurant” I said to the driver
“Okay Ma’am” I thought of everything I discussed with Mr Ian. He was willing to help but I still doubt if Miss Ria will ever accept such help. How do I convince her?. Images flashed through my mind…they were the most horrible moments of my life but it all in the past now. why now? Sounds like a good way to talk to Miss Ria.
_______________
*RIA APARTMENT*
*AUTHOR’S POV*
Mrs Elise walked in using her own keys. Ria ears stood at alert when she heard the door click but she relaxed when she heard Mrs Elise humming a solemn gospel song.
“Welcome back Mrs Elise”
“Oh thanks Miss Ria”
She dropped her bag on the couch. “I will be right back..lemme put this ice cream and cake in the fridge”
“Okay”
She made her way to the kitchen and came back almost immediately and flopped down on the couch
“Miss Ria -” she called in a low tone and Ria stopped the wheels
“What is it Mrs Elise?”
“Can we talk?..no I mean We need to talk”
“Okay I’m listening”
“No you have to stop the machine and listen to me”
“Mrs Elise you clearly know that the owner of this dress is coming in two days time”
“I know Miss Ria..but don’t worry we’ll finish up before that day. I just need your full attention Miss Ria”
“Okay” she threw her hands up in a surrender
“I went to Mr Ian’s office”
“Yeah I know you’re just coming from his office”
Ria leaned closer to the machine and rest her chin on her raised elbow
“And guess what Miss Ria?”
“I can’t guess anything Mrs Elise..just go straight to the point”
“Okay! Well today, I found out Mr Ian is the son of Jack Bryant. And he is even the CEO of Lint Corp”
“Good for him” Ria replied and Mrs Elise smiled dropped
“You’re not surprised that the guy that retrieved your purse is the popular Ian Bryant?”
“I simply don’t care..and I won’t even be surprised if his father owns the world or if he owns the whole of USA”
“The world has no other owner than God and for now USA is partly owned by the president” she paused
“And you also don’t care that he wants to make a dress for his niece?”
“Mrs Elise -”
“Ian Bryant offered to help you with the eyes surgery” she rushed out her words
“What?!”
“Mr Ian told me that he is ready to pay your surgery bills”
“Did he set a meeting just to talk about me?..”
“Kinda..”
“Oh so you discussed about me with that guy”
“No Miss Ria..I swear I didn’t tell him anything other than the fact that you were born blind and Phoebe and Phoenix are your adopted kids”
“Mrs Elise -”
“I’m sorry” She cuts in. “But I just had to tell him”
Ria sighed trying to control the fury within her
“Okay..tell Mr Ian that he doesn’t have to foot my bills. I don’t need his help.. I’d rather get a loan from the bank to get my surgery done”
“A loan? No Miss Ria we don’t know what the bank will ask for them to loan us such amount of money..even if they do how do you intend to pay back coupled with bills and rent on ground”
Ria was silent
“Let’s just accept Mr Ian’s offer since he is willing to help without a refund”
“And that is exactly what I don’t want!” Ria screamed suddenly and Mrs Elise jumped
“There is no man in this world that will give you one thing without asking for another in return! And I’m not ready to give any man anything! I vowed never to put myself In a situation whereby I would feel obliged to do anything because I feel indebted to someone!”
“Yes I know…Miss Ria you ought to know that in a same token, when people give you things it does not necessarily mean they want something in return” she grabbed a stool and sat in front of Ria. Mrs Elise noticed the tears at the corners of Ria’s eyes. She knew why Ria was overreacting to what she said but talking to Ria in a gentle manner is the only way to win over her.
“I understand why you’re rejecting this great help”
“Then please…don’t convince me to accept it” Ria stood up and slowly made her way to her bedroom
“Listen to me Miss Ria” Mrs Elsie followed closely behind
“From what I’ve seen, Mr Ian is a good person”
“And there is no good man” Ria said but Mrs Elise continued
“Remember your dreams..” She said slowly
“…your mother’s dying wish which is for you to fulfill those dreams of becoming a renowned clothe designer” those tears dropped down her cheeks. Mrs Elise swerved in her pathway and leaned closer holding Ria’s hands.
“What will happen to that dream if you don’t get a surgery done soon?. You waited this long Miss Ria and here is it…waiting for you to embrace it. This is a miracle Miss Ria”
“No..my miracle shouldn’t be from a man..”
“But it is and you have to accept it..”
“No”
“You have to Miss Ria. And I know you want to but that deep hatred is taking the best of you. That fear, those memories is holding you back but don’t let that make too lose someone you can’t replace. Don’t be too quick to push Mr Ian away”
“No Mrs Elise you just don’t understand”
“I do..and I know how you feel – I know what it feels to be abused and raped by a man”
Mrs Elsie said shakily. Ria tried to make sense of her sentence.
“I was abused by my step dad when I was thirteen”
“Your step dad raped you at 13?”
“Yes..but I couldn’t tell my mom about it because he threatened to kill me. And I was scared of what he would do to me”
“Why didn’t you tell all this while?”
“My step dad forced himself on me whenever my mom was away at work. She was quiet busy as a doctor. I don’t want to remember those horrible days Miss Ria. Cause I realized it would destroy me completely. When I couldn’t take it anymore I left home..at 15 and survived on the street.. I begged,moved from cities to cities so my parents won’t find me. My suffering ended when I met this woman…i explained to her and she took me in and raised me”
“You never saw your mom?”
“Never.. I have no idea if she is still alive. My hope succeeded in changing my perspectives about men and truly I found out all men are not the same. I learned to love”
“Mrs Elise..are you framing a story just to Make me accept Ian’s offer” Mrs Elise sniffed
“No..Miss Ria why would I make up something like this?.. It’s my story..I can’t lie to you” She wiped Ria’s tears
“Let Mr Ian help us…so we can fulfill those wonderful dreams”
“But…Mrs Elise.. I’m scared”
“Don’t worry you’ll be fine” Mrs Elise hugged her
“I’m here for you…No one will hurt you again I promise”
“Okay”
“Should I call him?”
Ria nodded slowly
“Thank You”
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 17