Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)



RYAN

I have to be here a bit longer and I hate it. I hate the fact that I am being separated from my wife, I hate the fact that I am being kept away from my kids, but some things cannot be helped.

With my finger intertwined in Lily's hand, we walked through the garden, each lost in their thought. Lily didn't want to leave either, I saw it in the way she stared at her suitcase, I saw it in the way she kept sighing dejectedly whenever she stared at the date on her phone.

But none of us can do anything about it. If this was about her job, I am sure she would have ditched it and extended her stay, but this was about the boys' schools and I very much understand that she has to go back for them.

She sighed yet again, grabbing my attention. Reaching for her hand, I lifted it and planted a kiss on it. She glanced at me, then at her hand before looking away. "I hate to leave you all alone right now."

"I know," I muttered, coming to a halt. She stopped with me too. Pulling her closer, I placed a kiss on her temple. "I should round up everything here by next week, so by next week, I should be home to you and the boys."

Nodding, she stood on her tiptoe and kissed my lips softly. "We can't wait to have you home." She muttered against her lips. "and I know you need me by your side right now."

"I will be fine." Smiling, I reached and tapped her nose lightly. "It feels good to be cared about, especially from a beautiful woman."

She was about to respond when her phone vibrated in her pocket. Muttering an apology, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the phone. The moment I saw Dr. Amell on her screen, my mood dropped instantly. I do not like the frequency at which this man keeps reaching out to my wife. "Don't take it." I requested, "This is supposed to be a moment."

Glancing up at me with a surprised expression, Lily chuckled. "this could be about work." She explained, trying to give me reasons as to why she just pulled her hand away from mine and took a step away to take his call. "I am the hospital director, Ryan, I can't be ignoring the calls of my employees."

Yes, I did a good job hiding my jealousy from Lily. I do not want her to feel uncomfortable about anything at all. “This is eight in the night, Lily." I pointed it out in case she missed that point.

She nodded. “I know what the time says, Ryan.” The phone stopped ringing and I was almost glad only for it to start ringing again.

"Lily..."

Her eyes pleaded with me to be considerate. Of course, I can't say no to her and I can't be inconsiderate either. I gestured for her to take a call. She swiped the answer button and stepped away to take it, while I walked over to the molded bench to take a seat.

I watched my wife from afar as she answered his call. Her soft laugh made me wonder what he told her that earned him his laughter.

Opting not to continue watching her or wallowing in jealously, I pulled out my phone and clicked around. That was when I noticed a message from an unsaved number.

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU GRANT ME A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME FOR A MEETING TOMORROW.

Confused and lost about who I was chatting with and how the sender got my number, I typed my response. WHO IS THIS AND HOW DID YOU GET MY NUMBER?

Glancing up at Lily, I found her still engrossed in her phone call. My phone chimed, indicating a just received message.

The fact I was chatting with this person on my WhatsApp number made me very curious. I returned my gaze to my phone.

THIS IS MAYA, AND I LIVE IN YOUR FATHER'S ESTATE IN THE WEST WITH MY MOTHER. I HAVE AN URGENT MATTER TO DISCUSS WITH YOU, AND I WILL LIKE TO SEE YOU AND DISCUSS IT WITH YOU.

Something told me this could be a scam.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GOT MY NUMBER, BUT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU DON'T CHAT ME AGAIN. THIS IS ME ASKING POLITELY.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, only for it to ping again. Stifling a groan, I pulled it out again and clicked on the message.

I DON'T MEAN ANY TROUBLE. I JUST WANT TO TALK. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I blocked the number before shoving the phone back into my pocket.

"Are you okay?" Lifting my head, I saw Lily standing next to me. "why are you frowning?"

"nothing." Stretching my hand, I reached out for her and she took my hand, allowing me to pull her closer. "Just some scam number chatting me up, but I blocked it."

"What was the number talking about?" she probed.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

I shrugged. "Nothing important." I pulled her down to sit on my thighs. "So what did he want?"

"Nothing important." She replied.

My feisty lover. Of course, she is going to be sarcastic about it. Chuckling, I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Lily, more than you can ever imagine."

She giggled. "You do not know how far my imagination can go."

I so fucking love this woman. "Let's get you to bed love." Getting up with her still in

the arms, I carried her into

the bedroom through the back door, careful not to draw the attention of my kids who were keeping Mum company.

Sue me, I want to make love to my woman.

**************

The next day, I left early to the company mostly because I had an important meeting that I had been postponing due to other official matters. Just as I strolled into the reception area, ignoring the staff greeting me, I almost made it to the elevator when a lady suddenly approached me. My security quickly blocked her and she lifted her hand into surrender. "I don't mean any trouble, I just want to talk to Mr. Williams." Leaving the security to handle her, I continued my way to the elevator.

"I am Maya!" she yelled out and I halted at the name. "Please, I just want to talk about the estate."

Pinching my eyes shut, I took deep breaths before turning to her. "Come to my office."

Her lips stretched into a wide smile. "Thank you." She hurried after me as we got into the elevator. We walked into my office and I offered her a seat. "What do you want?"

"I heard rumors that you are planning on selling the estate."

Taking a seat behind my desk, I reclined and linked at her. "And why should I be discussing that with you?" I have no business in managing that estate, hence my reason for planning on selling, but I do not see the reason why have to have this discussion with her.

"If you sell that estate, you will be rendering me and my mother homeless.”

I blinked slowly at her. "I do not run a charity organization.” I deadpanned. “I will not change my decision to sell that estate just because you and your

mother live and work there."

"So it is true." She muttered.

“Yes, it is true.” I rasped. “so please stop pestering my life and focus your energy on finding a new job.”

She frowned at my words. "Why are you being mean?"

"life isn't fair." stated factly. "it comes with many ups and downs. Consider this your down." I reached for my laptop and opened it. "I wil give you and your mother two months. That should be enough to find something and move."

I expected her to stand and leave as the conversation was already over, but she remained seated. Lifting my head, I narrowed my gaze at her. "why

are you still seated?"

"This isn't fair." She muttered.

And? "I thought we already established that life isn't fair?"

"Why do you have to get everything and I have nothing with my mum?"

Dumbfounded by her reasoning, I reached for the landline and paged security. "You have two months to leave with your mum, this is me being merciful."

"Why should I be moving away from my father's house?" she demanded.

I double blinked. "I beg your pardon."

"You heard me." She deadpanned. "why should my brother be telling me to leave my father's house?"