#THE_BLIND_GIRL
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 20
*RIA POV*
I traced my steps to the porch and searched for the keys in my purse. I found it and twisted the knob and walked in. I sat on the couch to rest. But when I thought I was going to take a nap Ian Bryant popped up in my mind. A strong desire to know how he look like surged through me. What’s wrong with me? I shouldn’t be concerned about how he looked.. but what is this desire of knowing him too?.
Our earlier conversation at the hospital occupied my mind. He offered to pay the bills without a refund.. but who does that? Or what does that mean?. I will surely refund his money as soon as i get my surgery done.. If not all but little by little i will be pay so i won’t feel indebted to him.
Ian want to be a care worker and… Even leave his duties at work and go with me to China.. does that mean he’s being Nice? Or is that how Philanthropist behaves towards those they help? Or should i really call this a Miracle?.. the kind I hate now offered to help me. I let out a huge sigh of frustration and slapped my forehead at the thought of having a change of view about men.
“Don’t think about that Ria Robert. Don’t keep Ian on your mind.. Remember Men are not trustworthy. They are horrible”
I chanted and turned on my side to sleep. Soon I drifted into sleep
________
*BRYANT MANSION*
I turned the SUV off the main road onto the private Driveway. The driveway in my family home was lined on both sides by Red oak trees. I came out of the car and made my way to the main entrance. My mom said she wanted to see me for some important issues. I wondered what the issue is that she can’t talk about it on phone. Wait up.. Maybe Lorna called already to inform her what happened at my office. I hope they don’t believe that I’m sleeping with Grace.
On stepping into the house I was met with several gazes.. Family meeting I guess? Everyone was present in the big living room
“Son” my mom met me halfway and kissed my cheeks
“How are you mom?”
“I’m fine”
“Ma’am the food is ready” a maid announced with her head bowed
“Oh! We’ll be right there Lea”
My mom replied with a smile
“Let all move to the dinning table” she said again and the rest stood up and did as mom instructed
“What’s the emergency?”
She shook her head slowly
“Whatever we discussed today.. I want you to know that I will always support you in whatever decision you make okay?”
I managed to nod. But her sentence didn’t give me the right answer to my question. We all settled at the dinning and waited for the maids to serve us. I sat next to Josie, while Lauren sat next to Piper on the other side that we sat facing ourselves. Our parents sat at far ends. We all ate in silence for minutes until dad cleared his throat
“Ian -” he called and I looked up
“Yes dad”
“What happened between you and Lorna?”
I knew it..this meeting was because of Lorna
“She called you”
“No, her father called me”
“Good then”
“Are you truly having an affair with your secretary?” He asked out of blues. The champagne in Piper mouth sputtered messing the whole table
“Sorry..” Her eyes widened slightly showing her surprise. Then she began to laugh. Lauren and Josie stared at me in disbelief. The maids came around the table to clean up Piper’s mess. I didn’t respond until they were done packing
“Tell us kiddy ..is that true?” Piper asked giving me a disgusting look.
“And do you think I can do that?” I asked no one in particular but my mom answered
“I know you can’t do such.. Sleeping with your employee is not your thing. I told your dad that Lorna was mistaken”
“But he didn’t deny it” dad said in a deep voice
“Yes I didn’t deny it because I wanted to put Lorna in her place”
“By accepting such nonsense” he barked
“That was the only way Dad, Lorna thinks she’s above any orders. Not only that, she came into my office and beat up my Secretary”
“Really…she did that?” My dad asked
“Yes”
“But her dad didn’t mention anything like that”
“She slapped Grace and threatened some workers when they wanted to save Grace. Lorna caused such serious fuss because Grace didn’t let her into my office”
“You gave the order right?”
“Yes mom..I was too busy so I instructed Grace no to let anyone in”
“Can you hear that Jack?…why is it so hard for Lorna to follow his orders?”
“But.. You should have left the task and attend to your wife to be” Piper teased me
“Piper!” My mom screamed at her
“What mom? Am i wrong? No I’m not! Lorna is his wife to be”
“Says who?”
“Are you asking me? Kiddy Dad already stamped it. You are getting married to Lorna so stop wasting time and take your bride to the altar” Piper laughed and I clenched my fist under the table. She knows that the only thing that can piss me off. I won’t let her go just like that..
“Is what about you big sis?” I snorted
“Won’t you get married?.. Let’s see according to what I heard, two of your friends got married last month.. But you are almost hitting thirty and you are still home alone…”
“Hmm I have a boyfriend -”
“I see.. A boyfriend not even a fiancé” I managed to laugh just to hurt her with my words
“That’s what you’re good at.. having series of boyfriends but failing at bringing in company’s reports”
“Ian -” Josie placed her hand on my laps
“That’s enough” she commanded and i obeyed
“1-1 Bro.. But you aren’t going to beat me..”
“Piper” Lauren called at her but she don’t stop
“At least my current boyfriend is a notable person in the state…he is better off than a blind one” She laughed out loud. A wicked one. A blind one? Where did she get that from?
“Blind?” I repeated. How did she find out?. I looked up again and saw no evident of surprise on their faces. They all know about Ria.
“So what’s the goal now…? I win!” Piper tapped the table. She passed her cellphone to me. I saw a picture of me and Ria at the hospital.. Just our back view..from the outfit it was yesterday’s picture. I swiped and saw four more pictures.
“How long have you been spying on me Piper?”
“No..not spying exactly..I just saw you with her. Come on don’t give me that look Kiddy. I should have called you when I saw you at the hospital with the Lady.. But I don’t want to disturb your sweet moment with her so I just took pictures instead”
“Who is she son?” My mom asked
What should I say to them? How do I explain things now? In a way that they will understand. I didn’t think that they would find out about Ria soon.
“Remember what I told you son” mom added
“Her name is Ria” I said slowly
“And she is blind?” Josie asked and I gave a short nod
“So what were you doing with a blind Lady?” My dad asked and I hated the look on his face
“She is my new investment”
Piper clapped her hands but was soon silenced by a glare from my mom
“What do you mean son?”
“I..I want to partner with Ria”
“Partner?” They gasped
“With a blind lady?” my dad asked with a deep frown on his face
“Yes..Ria is not just a blind Lady”
“Then what is she?”
“Ria is a seamstress”
“How is that even possible?” Josie raised an eyebrow at me
“Wait up Ian..is she the same seamstress that made Cassidy’s dress?” Lauren asked
“Yes” oh yeah! Thank God I already told someone about Ria
“Unbelievable” she gasped in shock
I sent Cassidy to Lauren’s place when she insisted that she wanted to make a dress for Cassidy too. I instructed Cassidy to go with the dress Ria made for her to convince Lauren that the seamstress was good. Though leaving the detail that Ria was blind cause I knew Lauren might not want to make that dress. She had liked the dress Ria made and even promised to make one for her child Mia. That was my plan before Mrs Elise helped me
“Just a seamstress..” My dad chuckled
“Ria is blind but she Make dresses”
“You shouldn’t partner with irrelevant people” he grounded. Anger wailed up inside of me. I stood up from my chair. I can’t sit back and watch him talk shit about Ria. There is no point In telling him anything about Ria or my plans for her since he regarded her as a nobody cause she is blind
“Son” my mom called. I stopped beside my dad’s chair on my way out
“Ria is relevant.. Never judge a book by it cover”
Then I walked away.. Out of the house to the driveway
“Ian!”
I was almost in my car when I saw my mom
“Ian..wait up” I stopped and waited for her to meet up
“Mom..I’m not changing about Ria”
“Yes..yes I know.. And I’m not here to change your mind. Let’s talk”
We entered my car and settled in. I waited for her to talk but she didn’t for a few seconds
“Tell me about this lady..Ria. I know you never go after something that is irrelevant. You’ve partnered with great people.. Ones with good dreams and those who believe in hard work. And that has made you a good CEO”
Our hands locked as she waited for me to talk
“I want to know about Ria too”
I sighed and told her about Ria, her sight and our plans to travel to China for the surgery. She wasn’t mad at me for planning to leave the country without informing her.. My mom listened without any interruption.. One of the reason why I love her. She has always been to support me and listen to me even when the whole world seem to be against me.
“So..have you paid the bills?”
“Yes..mom I already called my bank manager to get the transaction done…but -”
“But what?”
“Ria wants to refund all the money we’ll spend on the trip to China”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure about the reason Mom”
“Then let her refund it if she wants”
“No.. it’s a whole lot of money”
“I know…listen Ian some people don’t like to Be indebted to others.. so you have to do what she want”
“I don’t want her to refund it”
“Then do something about it”
“Yeah you’re right mom”
“So what about partnering with Ria?”
“Nothing much..haven’t come up with the best idea.. Just simple plans of enlarging her sewing business once she regain her sight”
“And you think Ria will allow you do that for her? Actually she won’t mom…so I will tell her I want to partner with her. Help her get the necessary things for the sewing business and we strike a deal after. The textile company can always supply her with quality materials. Does that sound like partnership?”
“Yes.. it’s a good idea..And I’m sure with that..Ria won’t turn you down”
“Well I hope so”
“Uhmmm so..is this whole things just about partnership and investing in her business?..or you feel something for her?”
“Oh mom..there you go again”
“Always” we chuckled
“You know mom.. The same thought had been going through my mind since the minutes I’d left the park..”
“So you like her?” She cuts me off
“Yes mom.. but don’t get me wrong. I’m not doing all this to win her heart.. I just want to help her”
My mom sighed
“What about Lorna?”
“I don’t love her mom.. I never even liked in such way..just as Friends..just friends and I told her that in her 18th birthday that nothing can work between us”
“I knew it.. But you don’t have to worry about her now.. or your dad. I will make sure that he doesn’t pressure you to marrying Lorna”
“You will do that for me?
“Of course! Now that I know you love someone”
I hugged her immediately
“Thank you Mom…You’re the best!”
I kissed her forehead before letting her go
“I will help at the company while you are in China.. like visiting from time to time and make sure that the necessary files are sent to your system”
“Thank You”
“Anything for you”
She winked and I giggled like a child
.
.
Give this woman a name.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 21