Blind Billionaire Bride

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

RIA ROBERT APARTMENT

IN THE NIGHT

Ian pulled up in front of the enormous steel gate but he didn’t press the spare remote control in the car to open the gate. He saw no need to drive in since he would be leaving soon. He just came around to say good night.

Ian got out of the car and punched in the password to open the small gate and it did. He motioned towards Ria’s front door and pressed the door bell. He knows the password to her home but it is not polite to press on it and just go in like that.

The door opened. Ria must have seen him from the intercom device inside. She can see and tell whoever was out here.

“Ian.” Ria greeted with a smile although she wasn’t expecting to see him tonight. She opened the door wide for him to step into the house.

“I didn’t know you would still drop by.” Ria was dressed in a blue silk robe with her hair sitting as a loosed bun on her head.

“Sorry… I am late. I was busy at work. And I dropped by at the store before driving down here.” Ian was surprised to see that it was closed. The time was 9:00 p. m and RRC closes at 10:00 p. m.

“Ian, I had called to inform you that we would close early at the store today so you won’t bother driving to the place again but you weren’t picking up your calls. So I figured you were busy at work.” Ria replied.

“Ria, I told you that I forgot my phone at home this morning because I was rushing off to get to the office for an emergency meeting.” Ian reminded.

Ria placed her hand on her forehead. “Oh Ian… I totally forgot that you left your phone at your place.” She leaned in closely.

“Okay. And I am sorry for not driving you home today. It must been stressful for you to take a taxi.” He apologized.

“It is okay. Actually Ethan was at the store when we were about to close so he drove me home.”

Ian tensed up at her words. Now Ethan knows her home!

“What was he doing at the store? And why was he there with you?” Ian demanded.

Ria raised an eyebrow. “Nothing. He just dropped by to say hi and-”

“And so he drove you home.” He completed her intended statement.

“Yes.” She nodded.

Did she invite him for a drink? He wondered. He doesn’t like Ethan one bit.

“We need to talk, Ian.” Ria whispered.

Talk? What does she want to talk about? His heartbeats rapidly. Perhaps did she want to say that she is in love with Ethan? Or she was in love with him and now she want to work on loving him again? Did Ethan confess to her?! Series of questions flooded his mind at the moment. No, it couldn’t possibly be! Ria is not in love with Ethan; he is just an old friend. Ian stop over thinking! He cautioned himself.

“What is it?” Ian asked.

“Please take a seat while I get a drink for you.” Ria was almost leaving but he grabbed her upper arm and whirled her to face him. To hell with the drink! He was more concerned about what she has to say.

“I am fine.” He said.

“Are you sure?”

Ian shook his head. “Yes. Ria, I am fine.” He settled on the couch with Ria sitting close to him. “What’s wrong?” He grabbed her hands in his large ones and squeezed it gently.

“Today… Drake Robert came to the store.”

“What?!” Ian jaw dropped slightly. “Why was he at RRC? To buy a dress?” He questioned frantically.

“He came to see me.” Ria replied.

“Why?”

Ria explained Drake’s offer to him.

“Drake Robert had so much gut! He knows that my company is partnering with you. He is fully aware that Lint Corporation textile branch supplies RRC but he still went ahead to try to make an offer to you!” Ian grimaced in anger that he was trying so hard to hide from Ria.

And Ian doesn’t think this is just making an offer of supplying at lower prices. This is unlike Drake. He has always wanted the best part of a deal!

“You don’t have to worry about it. I am turning down his offer. I don’t need his company supplying me any materials.” Ria interlocked their hands.

Ian flashed back to the dinner party. He remembered how Drake had stared at Ria. He had sensed that Drake liked what he saw and he was swept off his feet by her beauty. And Drake even asked about Ria when she left. Ian knew that he didn’t say much to him other than emphasizing that Ria was his date. He had stated it clearly so Drake 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 is up to something.” Ian said finally.

“You think so?”

Ian nodded. “Yes Ria. I feel Drake wants to get close to you.” And if that’s the case then how many men does Ian 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 his hands gently. “Ian.” She called.

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him and find out what he want from you.” He looked straight at her.

“No. Ian, it is not about -”

Ian cuts in sharply. “We can’t ignore him. And I don’t want him around you.” He sounded possessive.

“Ian-”

“Or do you want to accept his offer?” He interrupted her again.

“No!”

“Then I’ll talk to him. Let me be the one to deal with him.” Ian grounded out.

“He left his card.” Ria muttered.

“Call him up tomorrow and tell him you are not interested.” Ian instructed.

“I don’t have any plans to strike a deal with him.” Ria replied.

Ian decided that he would have to call Drake Robert tonight! He studied Ria’s expression and he noticed that it was as if she was working up courage to say what was on her mind.

Ian let go of her hand. “Are you okay?” His hand reached out to tilt her jaw to look straight at him.

Ria avoided making an eye contact. “Yes. Yes. I am.. am… fine, Ian.” She stuttered.

“Are you sure?”

Ria hummed a response.

“All right. I have to leave now.” Ian stood up and Ria did the same too. “I will give you a call when I get home. Bye.” He would have turned away from her but she called his name.

“Ian. Wait.” And Ria leaned forward silently and hugged him. “Thank you.” She said. The words coming out in a tight whisper.

Ian pulled her in closely and simply held her tightly. She was trembling and then he knew something was wrong! Ian closed his eyes tightly as he couldn’t figure out what it was! Or maybe she just wanted to thank him for everything. He mused.

Seeing her like this brought an ache to his soul but he was enduring it. Ria took in a ragged breathe. “I mean it. Thank you, Ian.” And Ian wanted nothing more than to take away her pain.

Her chin rested on bis chest. They were holding each other, and in that moment it was enough to just connect, to hold each other and be there for each other. Ian didn’t know how long they stayed just hugging before he held her back with his hands on her shoulders.

“You look perturbed. Is everything fine?” His hands lifted to frame her face as he noticed the way she swallowed hard to be able to speak again.

“Ian, I am fine.” She answered.

Ian glanced at her lips before their gazes met again. God! This woman was driving him crazy. And he knew he had to leave before he does something they would both regret tomorrow.

“Let us talk tomorrow.” Ian murmured.

Ria shook her head in agreement. “Good night.” She whispered.

Ian leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Sleep well.” He added.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Ian went out, closing the door quietly behind him. He kept thinking. And those thoughts went in confusing circles.

Ria walked off quickly back to her room and searched for her phone. When she found it on the dressing table, she dialed ma’am Elise number who picked on the second ring.

‘Hello’

‘Miss Ria.’

‘Ma’am Elise.’ Ria stiffed back tears. ‘Ian just left a while ago but I wasn’t… able to tell… him about it.’

Ma’am Elise sighed. ‘It is okay. I am sure with time you will be able to tell him everything.’

‘I don’t think so, Maam Elise.’

‘Why?’

‘I was so scared!’ Ria admitted.

Her world was upside down. Ria had only managed to survive the tightness in her throat when she was about telling him the truth. She had imagined Ian’s expressions after she told him she was Lucas’s sex pet. He got mad at her and left saying that she didn’t deserve to be with him. It was an imagination but it had looked real. If though she had imagined it, she doesn’t deserve a man like Ian Bryant.

‘Do you remember when I said you deserve the best?’ Ma’am Elise asked as if she had read her thoughts.

“Yes.’

‘It might be hard but I am sure Mr Ian will understand too.’ Ma’am Elise said.

Ria sniffled. ‘Ma’am 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. But mr Ian will understand better if it is coming from you.’ Ma’am Elise responded.

‘Okay. You are right.’ Ria muttered.

‘Don’t worry too much. For now just build up the courage to say the right words to him.’

‘Thank you, ma’am Elise.’ Ria murmured.

‘So did you tell him about Drake Robert?’ Ma’am Elise asked.

‘Yes. Ian thinks Drake has something up his sleeve too. He was angry. But we concluded that he would talk to Drake Robert.’ Ria answered.

‘That means Mr Ian doesn’t want you to partner with Drake Robert.’

“Yes. So I will call Drake tomorrow and turn down his offer.’

‘Okay. See you tomorrow.’ Ma’am Elise yawned loudly.

‘I am sorry for disturbing your sleep. Please have a good night rest.’ Ria apologized.

‘No. It is alright.’

The line dropped. Ria has to figure out what to do and how to say what she had to say. She got into bed and turned out the bed side lamp.