#THE_BLIND_GIRL
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 53
*IN THE NIGHT*
*IAN POV*
I pulled up in front of the enormous steel gate but i didn’t press the spare remote control in my car to open the gate. I saw no need to drive in since I’d be leaving soon. I just came around to say good night.
I got out of the car and punched in the password to open the small gate and it did. I Motioned towards Ria’s front door and pressed the door bell. I know the password to her home but it’s not wise to press it and just go in like that. The door opened.. Ria must have seen me from the devise inside. She can see and tell whoever was out here.
“Hi..Come in” she greeted with a smile
She opened the door wide for me to come in. Ria was dressed in a blue silk robe with her hair up.
“sorry.. I’m late. I was busy at work. And I dropped by at the store before driving down here”
I was surprised to see that it was closed. The time was 9:00pm and RRC closes by 10:00pm
“Ian..I had called to inform you that we closed early at the store today so you won’t bother driving to the store again but you weren’t picking up your calls. But I figured you were busy at work”
“I told you i forgot my phone at home this morning”
She placed her hand on her forehead
“Oh Ian..I totally forgot you left your phone at your place”
I leaned in
“Okay..and I’m sorry for not driving you home today”
“It’s okay.. Actually Ethan was at the shop when we were about to close..so he drove me home”
I tensed up. Now Ethan knows her place!
“What was he doing at the shop?”
She raised an eyebrow “He just came to say hi”
“And so he drove you home?”
“Yes”
Did he come in? I wondered
“We need to talk Ian” she whispered
Talk? What does she wanna talk about? My heartbeats rapidly. Perhaps did she want to say that..she’s in love with Ethan? Or she was in love with him and now she want to work on loving him again? Series of questions flooded my mind at the moment. No it couldn’t possibly be! Ian stop over thinking! Ria is not in love with Ethan.. he’s just an old friend!
“What is it?”
“Please seat..while I get a drink for you”
She was almost leaving, I grabbed her upper arm and whirled her to face me. To hell with the Drink! I’m more concerned about what she has to say.
“I’m fine”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes Ria”
She nodded.
I settled on the couch..with Ria sitting close to me. I grabbed her hands in mine and squeezed it gently.
“Today.. Drake Robert came to the shop”
“What?!” My jaw dropped slightly. That Bastard! Why was he at RRC?.. To buy a dress?
“He came to see me”
“Why?”
Ria explained Drake’s reason for coming to see her. He had guts! He knew I was partnering with Ria. That my company supplies RRC but he still went ahead to try to make an offer! And I don’t think this is just making an offer of supplying at lower prices. This is unlike Drake..he always wanted the Best part of a deal!
“You don’t have to worry about it. I’m turning down his offer. I don’t need his company supplying me any materials”
I flashed back at the Dinner party..how Drake had stared at Ria. I sensed that he liked what he saw.. he was swept off his feet by her beauty. And he even asked about Ria when she left. I didn’t say much to him “she’s my date” I told him clearly..so he won’t get any idea in his silly head. Could it be that Drake felt something for Ria too? And so he wants to use this chance to get close to her.
“I don’t trust Drake Robert. And I think he’s up to something”
“You think so?”
“Yes Ria..I feel Drake wants to get close to you”
And if that is the case then How many men do I have to deal with just to have Ria?… First Ethan was in the picture..and now Drake who came all the way from Idaho just to make a lame deal. Ria rubbed my hands gently
“Ian -” she called
“Don’t worry I’ll talk to him and find out what he want?”
“No Ian it’s not about -”
“We can’t ignore him” I cut in
“I don’t want him around you” I sounded possessive. I relaxed.
“Or do you want to accept his offer?”
“No”
“Then I’ll talk to him”
“He dropped his card”
“Call him up tomorrow and tell him you’re not interested” She nodded
I will talk to Drake Robert tonight! I studied Ria’s expression. It was as if she was working up courage to say what was on her mind.
“Are you okay?” I tilted her chin to look straight at me
“Yes..yes..I’m fine Ian”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes” she nodded, And avoided my gaze
“Okay”
I stood up and Ria did the same too. I turned away from her.
“Ian -” Ria leaned forward silently and She hugged me!
“Thank You” she said the words coming out in a tight whisper.
I pulled her in closely and simply held her. She was trembling. Something was wrong! I closed my eyes tightly but I couldn’t figure out what it was! Or maybe she just wanted to Thank me for Everything.
Seeing her like this brought an ache to my soul but I was enduring. Ria took in a ragged breathe. And I wanted nothing more than to take away her pain. Her chin rested on my chest..we were holding each other, and in that moment it was enough to just connect, to hold each other and be there for each other. I don’t know how long we stayed just hugging before I held her back,my hands on her shoulders.
“You’re welcome”
My hands lifted to frame her face. I noticed the way she swallowed hard to be able to speak again.
“Ian,I…”
I glanced at her lips,then met her gaze again. I have to leave before I do something I’ll regret tomorrow
“Let’s talk tomorrow” I murmured
“Good night” she whispered
I placed a kiss on her forehead
“Sleep well” she nodded
I went out,closing the door quietly behind me. I kept thinking,and those thoughts went in confusing circles.
____
*PHONE CONVERSATION*
*RIA POV*
I walked quickly back to my room and searched for my phone. I dialed Mrs Elise Number and she picked on the second ring.
“Hello”
“Miss Ria -” I stiffed back tears
“I wasn’t.. able to tell.. Ian about it”
She sighed
“It’s okay..I’m sure with time you will be able to tell him”
” I don’t think so Mrs Elise”
“Why?”
“I was so scared…”
My world was upside down. I only managed to survive the tightness in my throat when I was about telling him the truth. I had imagined Ian’s expressions after I told him I was Lucas’s sex toy. He got mad at me and left saying that I didn’t deserve to be with him. It was an imagination but it looked real.
“Do you remember when I said you deserve the Best?” She asked as if she had read my thoughts
“Yes”
“I’m sure Mr Ian will understand too -” she paused
“Mrs Elise can’t you tell him about it for me?”
“No..if it was the best option I would have told him a long time ago. Mr Ian will understand better If it’s coming from you”
“Okay” I muttered
“Don’t worry too much.. for now just build up the courage”
“Thank You”
“So did you tell him about Drake?”
“Yes..and Ian thinks Drake want to get close to me. So he said that he will talk to Drake”
“He doesn’t want you to partner with him right?”
“Yes..I’ll call Drake tomorrow and turn down his offer”
“Okay..see you tomorrow”
“Have a good night sleep” The line dropped
I had to figure out what to do..and how to say what I had to say. I got into bed and turned out the light.
____
*IAN MANSION*
*IAN POV*
I went in search of my phone immediately I walked into my room. I found it under my pillow. 15 missed calls and two messages from Ria. She sent the first message around 8:30pm.
“Why aren’t you picking up your calls?..you’re busy at the office right?. I’ll be closing early at shop today and Ethan offered to drive me home. So you don’t have to come to the store. And I will understand if you decide to head straight home from work. Take care!”
I clicked on The second message that came in 20minutes ago.
“Are you home now?”
“Yes” I replied
My phone buzzed. She’s awake
“Okay”
“Still up?”
“Yes..I wanted to be sure if you’ve gotten home before going to bed”
“I just came in not quite long.. Thanks for waiting! And i saw the message you sent around 8:30pm and the missed calls too”
“Okay..get a good rest Ian….see you tomorrow”
“Yeah” And no message came in again.
I dialed Ramsey’s number but he didn’t pick up. I need him to forward Drake’s number to me. He left the office by 6:00pm before I finished my task around 8:30pm. I tried it again and he picked on the third ring.
“Hello”
“Hello” he yawned
“Ramsey I apologize for calling at this time”
“Oh Mr Ian!” His voice clear now
“What do yo need sir?”
“Did you go home with Lint Tablet?”
“Yes sir”
“I need Drake Robert Contact”
Lint Tablet contains all of my schedules, meetings, contacts of Business Associates and some other things about Lint Corp.
“Yes, it’s on the tablet”
“Forward it to me”
“Okay sir..and any thing else?”
I was silent
Then I recalled Ethan drove Ria home today.
“Call Ryan tell him to hire a new driver”
I don’t want Ethan driving Ria in his car. My driver will drive her anytime I’m busy at work.
“That’s all Ramsey”
“Okay sir” I hang up
My phone buzzed almost immediately. Drake’s number display on the screen. I walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower before sitting in my bed.
“Hello” Drake said on the phone
“It’s me Ian Bryant”
“Oh Ian!.. I knew you were going to call me as soon as Ria told you i dropped by at her store” I clenched my fist
“What do you want from Ria?”
He chuckled
“I also want to be her Business partner”
Jealousy replaced my anger at the moment. There was more to Drake wanting to be Ria’s Business partner
” and just that?”
“Yes..or what are you thinking?” He stopped. Followed by a deep laughter
“Oh Ian you’re still thinking I’m going to steal your date. Well…I must admit that Ria Robert is a beautiful woman and I get ideas in my head each time I set my eyes on her.. Just like today it was hard for me to think clearly cause it seemed like her beauty was casting a spell on me”
“So you are in Chicago because of Ria?”
“Isn’t that obvious.. I like Ria Robert” His words echoed in my head
“I like Ria Robert”
I fought the urge to throw my phone across the room. I knew it! That cunning son of a bitch wanted to get close to her because he liked her. I sensed it that he felt something for Ria! He wanted to use his offer to win her heart. I can’t let him win Ria’s heart! Even though Ria decided that she won’t strike a deal with Drake.. I can’t sit back and accept it. A man like Drake Robert will do all it takes to make Ria accept his offer and also win her heart in the process! I can’t let it happen!
“But Ian – you can stop me from getting close to your date” He said
I hate to bargain with this son of a bitch!
“What do you want?” I rubbed my forehead
“Agree to 25% of our deal Ian Bryant and I will stay away from Ria Robert”
“No”
“No?” He sounded shocked
“30% Drake Robert and I will sign that deal. And you will never go near Ria Robert or try to make any deal with her” He was silent
If that’s what he wants, then it’s fine by me.. As long as he doesn’t come near Ria.
“30%” he said
“Is that a deal?”
“It will be deal when you sign the documents Ian Bryant”
“Bring it to my office tomorrow”
“What time?”
“8:30am”
“8:30am..I will be there. And the deal will get canceled if i don’t see you by 8:30am” He threatened
“I’ll be expecting you” I gritted
He hang up
I swear if I see him close to Ria after signing that deal then I will teach him a great lesson.
.
.
🤣🤣 Ian..Mr Lover 🥰
Can I say that he’s madly in love with Ria?
Well let’s see if Drake will stay away from Ria even after signing the deal. 😂
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 54