#THE_BLIND_GIRL
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 58
*^^^^^ IDAHO ^^^^^*
*AUTHOR POV*
He sat in his room thinking back to why he was jobless, why he had moved in to the slum, why his love had left him since he couldn’t get a well paid job. He had wanted Justice for that Family and he turned in enough evidence to summon the culprit and they accepted it but he got fired the very next day. And ever since then his life had been miserable… for six years now.
Derrick wiped his tears as he gathered the paper works to burn them in a small fire place. It was pointless keeping evidences he put together six years ago. The real prove which they fabricated. He knew the truth but he couldn’t do anything about it. And The case was closed. He was about dropping the papers in the small fire place in his home when he heard a knock on his door.
Who could it be?
He wondered. He closed his eyes as he thought of his landlord standing outside his door with thugs ready to throw out his load.
The knock came again. He stopped to think of what to do but then he realized that the knock was soft. The landlord doesn’t knock gently. He dropped the papers back in the box, wiped his face before going to the door. He peered through the small hole on the door. It wasn’t the landlord. He saw a figure on hood. He stepped backward and grabbed a mop and went back to the door. He peered again,the figure was still there.
“Detective Derrick.. I know you are in there” the voice whispered
“Open up i don’t have much time..we need to talk”
He knocked again.
Derrick relaxed a bit when he didn’t sense danger. He grabbed the knob and waited for few seconds before opening the door. No one walked in. Derrick looked out and saw a guy there with his hands up in the air. He meant no harm.
“Can I come in?” He asked
Derrick studied him and nodded slowly. Derrick closed the door and locked it when he walked in.
“Who are you?” Derrick asked the guy who was scanning the room. He turned to Derrick.
“An ex convict” he replied removing his hood in the process
“No name?” Derrick asked
He stared at Derrick
“Matthew Alley” He answered
Then Derrick settled on the old couch.
“Why are you here?” He asked
“To give you something” Derrick raised his eyebrow
“What?”
Matthew tucked his hands in the hood pocket and waited for Derrick to offer him a seat. Derrick gestured for him to sit down feeling a bit embarrassed at the condition of the couches in his small apartment.
Matthew brought out a devise from his pocket and explained things to Derrick. He waited for a response after he finished .
“I’m sorry I can’t help you. I’m not a detective anymore”
“I made a promised to my late friend that i would find you and deliver it to you -” he stood up and dropped the device and a note on the table.
“You can throw it out” Matthew said before walking out of Derrick’s house.
He was lost in thought
Another evidence. The real evidence from the horse mouth enough to reveal the truth. But there was nothing he could do about it. The case has been closed for six years now.
He pressed the button on the devise and it played. He listened to it.
She was alive?!
He whispered
And everything he heard echoed in his head. He almost threw it in the fire but held back.
“This is the only chance to make him pay for his crimes”
A voice whispered at the back of his mind.
He can’t give it to anyone.. They will kill him if he turned it in to the police. So he would wait for her to find him.
He stood up and dropped the stuffs in the box. Derrick grabbed his jacket and made his way out of the house. He would find out if that girl is truly alive.
________________
*RIA ROBERT COUTURE*
*RIA POV*
“Miss Ria -” Loretta called me as I looked up from the clothes rack I was checking out.
“Yes Mrs Loretta”
“Elise told me that you haven’t eaten anything since last night”
“I’m not hungry”
She moved closer
“You look pale”
“I’m fine. Thanks”
“No -”
“Can you help me check out the clothes on that rack?” I pointed to a rack at the far end of the room. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to her or anyone. Somehow Elise told Loretta everything when she noticed Ian didn’t come around for coffee Mornings or to drop me off at school or home. Ethan has been the one driving me home and to school and he ensured that my door and windows are closed before leaving for his place. I hired a nanny who will look after the kids while I’m at the store. She leaves whenever I get back home.
Three days now and I haven’t heard from Ian. I called him but he didn’t pick up his calls and I also sent him an apology text but he didn’t reply. I called Mr Griffin to check on Ian the day before but he said Ian was out of the country on a business trip. I’d no idea where he’d gone cause Mr Griffin didn’t tell me the country he travelled to or how to reach him or how long it would take him to realise his phone was ringing and When he would stop avoiding me?
I never expected this to unfold between us naturally.
“Yeah..sure” Loretta answered
“Thanks” I replied with a half smile before she walked off.
“Ria -”
A voice called my name few minutes later and I thought I was imagining Ian’s voice in my head again. I turned slightly to the sound again and Ian was there. Slowly I dropped the clothes back on the rack.
“Ria..can we talk?”
He was there..his hair mussed as if raked by worried fingers. Ian eyes watching me.
“Yes” my voice was a mere rasp
I didn’t wait for him to say anything when we walked into my office.
“Ian -”
“I talked to Ethan” he said cutting off my intended statement. I closed my eyes
“He told me everything -”
His voice trailed and I opened my eyes
His eyes held pain, no anger.
We lapsed Into silence
Ethan told him everything? When?
I didn’t expect Ethan to go to Ian and talk to him. But I should have suspected it that he wanted to tell Ian after he dropped by at the store this morning. He wasn’t happy that I refused to eat and talk freely with him. He got mad at me for turning down the food he bought at the fast food close to the store. He knew I wasn’t happy that Ian was away from me and Ethan left when I admitted to him that I was in love with Ian. He didn’t say a word after that.. He just left.
And with what Ian just said it was possible that Ethan went straight to Ian’s office.
I felt weak beyond words. Tears starting to sting my eyes.
“Ian..I tried to tell you – i tried” I said
“I know” he exhaled as he ran a hand roughly over his face.
“It wasn’t true..I swear”
He came closer
“I know..Ria I know”
He stared at me
“But I was scared. I didn’t want you to hate or leave me if you knew what I was to Lucas. I couldn’t bear that on top of everything else” I tried to stop the tears but I couldn’t.
“You thought I was going to leave you because of that ?” He asked.
“Yes but still..I should have told you everything”
Ian was close, bending over me, touching me, his hands on my cheeks wiping my tears.
“Ria -”
I looked up at him, his image blurred slightly by the tears
“I’m so sorry” I said to him
“Don’t be please.. It all my fault”
He was starting to blame himself. It shouldn’t be! I was at fault! I kept my past from him! I didn’t want him to get caught in the mess but I was wrong! I didn’t realize that Ian could be of help to me. Or maybe I didn’t want to add to his burden. I couldn’t bear the thought of him making some big sacrifice for my sake again. I thought I was capable of dealing with Frederick but I totally forgot that Ian was already in my life ready to do anything for me that I had grown to having him in my life.
“You couldn’t tell me because I didn’t prove to you that I could be someone you could trust and be a shoulder you can cry on. I was just concerned about making your dreams come true. But I’ve always wanted to know why you had fears.. that fear of being touched by a man – and I saw that the day I met you again at the hospital but I didn’t ask you all this time because I thought that sooner or later we would get pass that business level and you would trust me enough to tell me everything” He paused.
“I trust you Ian and I’m glad that you are concerned about me” I studied his expression.
He shook his head impatiently,his tone was still when he said….
“It not just concern.. Or me caring for you Ria -” he paused
His fingertips brushed away the tears on my cheeks.
“I think I fell in love with you the first time I met you and it didn’t mater to me if you were blind”
My mind was spinning. Ian was in love with me! My mouth twisted wryly as I studied his face.
“I didn’t mean to blurt it out that way. And I understand why you look stunned. You told me just Business partners and nothing more but then I was already in love with you and I wanted a life long commitment. I never expected it to happen to me but there it is Ria”
“Ian –
” now I’ve scared you off, haven’t I ?”
He shook his head
“I can’t seem to do anything right where you’re concerned. Falling in love with you at first sight despite being blind and also wanting to help you in every way..this is all new to me”
“I’m sorry Ian..it’s all new to me too. You have no idea -” I murmured.
And something in my tone seemed to give Ian a renewed hope.
“Are you saying you have feelings for me too?” He asked and I sighed
I couldn’t lie when asked a direct question.
“I’m crazy about you Ian” I added quickly
Ian eyes closed as he drew in a deep breathe. I touched his face and felt reality under my fingertips
“I’m in love with you too” I whispered
His eyes opened. He stared at me for few seconds.
Then he slowly brought his lips on mine. A fine tremor ran through my body at the contact. He kissed me slowly and then deeper. His rhythm was purposeful, full of intent and I met him back eagerly.
He nibbled on my bottom lip and I gasped for air in between kisses.
“I’m addicted to you” he said
My heart raced as adrenaline ran a Marathon through my body. His tongue slid back into my mouth apparently not expecting a response from me. I hesitated trying to get most important words past the lump in my throat.
He suddenly slowed his motion and pulled back to look at me.
“Ian -” a whimper slipped through my lips
He grinned at me as his hands dropped down to my waist and then he turned serious.
“Ria about being Lucas’s sex machine -” he paused.
“Really none of that matter to me because it wasn’t your fault. You were a victim and I won’t hate you or leave for that..I only desire you. I only love you”
I stared at him with wide eyes as his words washed over me and I breathe
“You love me?”
He smoothened a strand of hair from my face and said.
“Very much.. I didn’t expect it but I know i can’t live without you. Ria if you want me In your life not just as a business partner but something more than that..then I am yours”
I thought I might burst from happiness. I want him too!
“Like I said -” my voice trailed when he placed a finger on my lips.
There was a new glint of determination in his eyes.
“We don’t have to make any hasty decision now Ria”
He said still looking at me rather anxiously.
“I understand that you are still trying to get over what Lucas did to you and even Frederick Robert. So while we work on putting Frederick in jail..I will also work on courting you properly” he added with an endearing smile.
“To convince you that we belong together. Ria no pressure at all but if you don’t want us to be together then be ready for me. I will wage all out campaign to win your heart”
I believed him!
I took comfort in his words!
He was assuring me that he wasn’t rushing me, that there was plenty of time for our relationship to progress before any big change as to be made.
What big change?
“Ian it means the world to me that you’re always willing to do anything for me”
“Ria I’m happy with the choice I’ve made -”
He caught my hands in his now.
“And I’m certain of my feelings for you and nothing is going to change my mind” he squeezed my hands tightly but gently.
Yes we still have time!
I reminded myself
We don’t have to make the big decisions right now.
“We have a lot of talking to do now that the cards are on the table”
He pulled me into his arms to hold me tightly
“And the first of the cards is how to make Frederick pay for his crimes”
I clung to him
Then Ian kissed me and I returned the kiss with a renewed surge of hope.
No doubts and uncertainties!
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to leave or hate you”
He told me when he finally lifted his head.
“Unless you send me away”
“I don’t think i have the courage or strength to send you away”
I confessed
I can’t live without him!
“I love you” He said
It was the first time hearing those words.
The first time a man confessed to me.
The first time I had a true kiss..without being forced.
The first time I was desperate to taste someone.
The first time a man was assuring me that he wouldn’t leave me.
The first time I accepted to be in love.
“I love you too” I said
The words was strange and new on my lips but somehow right.
The first I was saying those words.
And Ian seemed to be my first in everything except with my body.
It was the best feeling – that feeling to love and be loved back.
.
.
Fredrick, get ready for war…
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 59