Ria

Episode 10

THEME:KEEPING COMPANY!?

THREE DAYS LATER

♣ RIA APARTMENT ♣

RIA POV
I stopped the machine as soon as I heard the doorbell. I stood up and walked to the door. No one was home to help me get the door. Phoebe and Phoenix are in school while Mrs Elise went to the salon to style her hair because her cousin is getting married tomorrow.

“Who is that?” I asked loudly
“Hello Miss Ria..it me Cassidy..Mr Brown’s daughter”

“Oh! Okay!” I unlocked the door and twisted the knob

“Good Morning Miss Ria” I suddenly left her arms around me. Cassidy just hugged me!
“Good morning Cassidy” I smiled when she let go. I opened the door wide for her to come in

“You are here for your dress -”
“No..no I’m not here for the dress -” she paused..if she’s not here for the dress then why is she here?

“I mean it fine if the dress is not ready”
“Your dress is ready” I cuts in
“Oh really?!” She asked in surprised tone
“Yes..actually we planned to call in the evening so you will come get it tomorrow.. But it a good thing that you’re here”
“Yeah”
“Please Sit” I gestured
“thank you” I find my way to the large table filled with dresses trying to identify Cassidy’s dress from it package. I picked one and traced the writing on it..the dress is not hers

“Should I come and help?”
“No it fine..I can find it”
I picked two other packages which didn’t read her name with the tale on it. Mrs Elise had wrote down Cassidy’s name on her clothe before heading out but i just can’t figure out where she had placed it among other dresses. Luckily for me I picked two more packages before I found Cassidy’s dress. A smile formed on my lips after I felt the letters on the tape. I made an attempt to meet Cassidy but she met me halfway
“Here you go” she collected the dress
“You can try it on and check yourself in the mirror over there” I pointed towards the direction of the mirror

“I’d love to try it” she unwrapped the package

“Are you the only one home?” She asked
“Yes”
“What about your little boy?”
“He’s gone to school”
“So are you always home alone most time?”

“No..Mrs Elise is always here with me”
I heard her scream and I became scared
“Are you okay?” I asked fearfully
“Yes! I’m just happy about the dress. It amazing! It gorgeous! And it looks good on me!”

“Okay..” I calmed..Thank God it just that..and nothing else. I thought she had slipped and fell
“I’m sorry if I scared a bit”
“No it okay..so do you like the dress?”thus
“Yes!but.. Like is an understatement.. I love it!”
“I’m happy you love it”
“But honestly Miss Ria this dress is worth more than $300”

“If you say so” I find my way back to the machine and settled on the stool

“Well Miss Ria..why do you charge lowly?”
“It not low..$300 is a lot of money”
“So what about $1000?”
“That’s a lot of money!”
We both giggled

“Well not all our prices are low..we make expensive dresses depending on the type of materials they want for the dress..and sometimes they bring in whatever clothe they wanna use for the dress”

“Also does your price have anything to do with people around?”

“Kinda…if we decide to charge higher most people won’t get a dress from us”
“Well maybe that because you don’t reside in the rich area”
Exactly..average area..everyone is just trying to survive..but we make our money from online orders”

“You sell your clothes online?”
“Yes..Mrs Elise is in charge of that”
“Wow! That amazing!”
“You can say that again my Lady” Cassidy laughed

“How do I fold the dress back in it place?”
“Bring it” she gave it to me and I folded it and then i put it in the package
“You know..I really like you Miss Ria” Cassidy’s words stopped me
“I mean I like the fact that you are talented and hardworking despite your condition”
“Thank You..I’ll just get a nylon to put this in” I stood up and went to the large box and took out a customized nylon. My logo was imprinted on it. I dropped the dress in it and gave it to Cassidy

“Thank You”
“You’re welcome and happy birthday in advance”

“Thank you once again”
I expected her to leave after that but she didn’t

“Perhaps Miss Ria..can..I stay till Mrs Elise returns?” She asked in a low tone
“I can help with some things too..like getting pieces of clothe together,fixing buttons,whipping dresses and all that..”
“You can do all that?”
“Yes..that if you let me”
“About you staying won’t your dad be worried about you?”
“No he won’t and I’m free..I don’t have classes today”
“Okay”
“Thank you Miss Ria”
She said happily
“You’re welcome”
“So what do I do now?”
“Uhmmm -”
“I can actually use the machine”
“Really?”

“Yes..just give me the pieces”
“Okay..let’s start by fixing a thread In the machine over there” I pointed to the machine next to mine
“Where is the thread?”
“It in a bowl next to the table”
“Got it!” She was silent for a while
“I fixed a black thread in it!” She clapped
“Can you help me amend an old lady’s dress?”
“Sure..where is it?”
“On the smallest couch”
“Which one?”
“She packed three in one dress -”
“Yes..i have seen it”
She dragged as stool close to the machine
“I just have to sew the side, fix a zip and…I think this last one is a bit too long for the old lady right?”

“Yes..she actually complained it was long and oversized”
“So we have it adjust it..Trim the down part.. Did you take her measurement?”
“Yes..Mrs Elise measured her”
“So where is the measurement book?”
“On that large table”
“Okay”
“What’s her name?” She asked some seconds later

“Mrs Beatrice” I heard her flipped pages
“Okay..right here. I will start by adjusting the first dress since it more easier for me” seconds clicked by and I heard the sound of the machine wheels. She can actually use the machine

“Cassidy -” I called and she stopped
“Where Did you learn to use the machine?”
“My aunt taught me..she stays in Denver and she is also a seamstress like you. I lived with her for a year..so I had no choice but to learn the trade”

“So you learnt it in a year?”
“Not really..I have known some aspect in sewing since I was a kid. I used to travel to her place during Holidays”
“Okay” we lapsed in silence only the machine wheels was heard then it stopped again

“What about you?”
“Me?”

“Yes..how Long have you been a seamstress if I may ask?..uhmmm or just tell me about yourself”

“If I tell you Cassidy then I don’t think we can work today”
“Of course we will.. You talk and I listen and ask questions if necessary”
“Okay..well I didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to be a seamstress. Sewing was the only thing I was used to when I was a kid.. It was like an option for me..and my mom who was a seamstress also inspired me”

“Oh! She taught everything?”
“Yes she did..and I just had to learn because i wanted to be useful to myself. And my mom would say…”Being disabled is not an excuse for me to be failure” you can’t say because you are disabled then you won’t make something in life..or thrive to achieve your set dreams. I worked on myself and learned a lot of things with the help of my parents. I swallowed the lump that was starting to form in my throat. Recalling how good they were to me always puts a smile on my face but i cry each time I remember how they had died..will I ever forget? The pleadings,screams, last words to me and The gunshots..
“Were you born blind or you lost your sight in car accident?”
“I was born blind”
“And have you thought of undergoing an eye surgery?”

“Yes..it what I’ve always wanted for myself… But I don’t have enough money for the surgery yet”
I waited for Cassidy to talk but I heard nothing
“What..what if someone offers to pay your bills? Will you accept such person’s offer?”
“Yes I will ..as long as that help is not from a…”

I paused and swallowed hard “…..a man” I completed

I won’t accept any help from a man. No man will help you without asking for something else in return. Lucas had spared my life but used me thinking he was doing me a great Favour. I clasped the edge of the machine to stop the screams and horrible voice of Lucas in my head. Calm! Calm! Calm! I chanted in my head. I shouldn’t let those horrible days take the best part of me but no!! It won’t stop. I shook my head from side to side
“Are you okay? Miss Ria?” I felt Cassidy hand on my shoulder
“Yes..yes..I’m fine”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes Cassidy”
“So why won’t you accept any help from a man?”

“Nothing..” I faked a smile “it just something relating to my past” I managed to say and hoped that Cassidy won’t ask anymore questions

“Well Miss Ria everyone have a story to tell..about their past”

“You have a past too?” I didn’t realize how foolish that question was until I said it..well maybe the question will stop her from asking me questions for now
“Kind off..but it nothing big. It just that I broke up with my first boyfriend two weeks ago after I found out he cheated on me with my best friend”
She replied in a sad tone
“I should be blamed for what he did actually”
“Why?”

“Jake wanted sex but I wasn’t ready for such…oh well you know how guys are..you don’t give them what they want then they get it elsewhere just to make you feel guilty”
“You still don’t have to blame yourself”
“I expected Jake to understand my decision. Even before we started dating, I told him I wasn’t ready to have sex until my wedding night and he agreed. He said he respected me for that decision. But a month later he started asking me for sex anytime I go visiting at his place…he asked me to prove to him if I truly love him but I couldn’t. I don’t have to give myself to him and go against my will just to prove that Love him. Jake intentionally slept with Betty just to hurt me”
“Let say…Jake might have thought you’d come begging him when you find he was having an affair with your best friend”
“Yes Miss Ria..I didn’t beg him…it was painful but I didn’t shed a tear because of him…someone like him doesn’t deserve my tears”

“And he doesn’t deserve a girl like you. No relationship between two people can survive oof it is based on material benefits. Don’t not give things to people with the expectation of getting something In return”
“Yes my mom said the same thing..that was why I decide to announce the breakup so he won’t feel important”
“So what about your best friend?”
“She stopped talking to me..like I care” she snorted

“Our friendship is over”
Once in my life I made such decision. I promised that i won’t defile myself until my wedding night. My Mom was still a Virgin when she met my dad..and he had cherished and respected her for being a Virgin at such age. I had thought it was going to be easy for me to maintain such stance since I was blind.. I had no where to go or any boy to meet..but I never thought of a criminal coming to take me away and defile me. It never occurred to me..Lucas took my innocence and dignity.. And now that decision is of no use.
Will I ever feel loved? Will I fall in love like any human? No! No man will ever fall for a woman who was repeatedly raped by criminals.
“Miss Ria are you having issues trusting Men?”

Cassidy’s question stunned me out of my thoughts..I didn’t respond. I don’t plan to reveal my layst to her..I don’t plan to tell anyone about it. The door bell rang. I sighed. saved by the bell

“I will get the door”
I heard Mrs Elsie exchange greetings with Cassidy

“Welcome back Mrs Elise” She kissed my cheeks
“How are you?”
“I’m fine”
“I can see you have a company”
“Yes..”

“I had to beg the stylist not to take too long cause I was worried since you’re home alone”

“You should have taken your time”
“Yes I know but I wasn’t at peace”
“Cassidy offered to stay with me anyways”
“Yes i didn’t want to leave cause she was alone”

“Oh Thank you Cassidy”
“Stop making it sound like I’m a kid who needs a Nanny”
We laughed
“So how -”

Mrs Elise was interrupted by a beeping
“That’s my phone.. Sorry” Cassidy said
“Hello..oh will be home soon” she said quickly

“Your dad?” Mrs Elise asked
“Yes..Miss Ria I’m sorry I’ve to leave now”

“It okay”
“And sorry I wasn’t able to finish up what I started”

“I understand”
“Bye” she kissed my Cheeks
“Yeah bye”

“I will accompany you to the door” Mrs Elise offered and the door clicked
“I’m almost done with your dress Mrs Elise” I said when she came back
“Was Cassidy adjusting the old lady’s dress?”

“Yes..she can use the machine”
“Really?”
“Yes..”
“Hmm she is good”

Mrs Elise exclaimed and I nodded
“She is extremely a good company. Calm and knowledgeable and it was nice to have her around”

“Good to hear that coming from you Miss Ria. That reminds me Sophia transfered the Money for her dress”

“Please Call the delivery girl”
“I already done that.. She will be here anytime soon”
“Okay”

♦♦♦
♣ LINT CORP ♣
IAN POV
“So how was it?”
“Good” Cassidy nodded
“So did you find out anything?”
“Yes.. I found some things about her”
“Tell me about it”
“She is having issues trusting men cause it something about her past”
“Past?”
“Yes..and she doesn’t want to share it”
“Are you saying Ria had issue with men in the past which led to her distrusting men?”
“I think so”
“Did you ask her about her sight?”
“She was born blind..and I asked if she has ever thought of surgery”
“What did she say?”
“She said yes..but she doesn’t have the money”

“Cassidy I’m thinking of helping her. I can foot the bills”

“Miss Ria won’t accept your offer..she told me that herself…..that she wasn’t going to accept a help from a man”
“She said that?”
“Yes..and I think it about the past”
“Cassidy you still have to help me get more information”

“Mr Ian I suggest you get close to her yourself”

“But you just said she doesn’t trust men”
“Yes..but I feel you should be straight with her..it not cool pretending to someone like her..like me going to her house to get more information about her. I want to be with her freely and learn to sew”
“You wanna learn?”
“Yes..I know about it..i even helped today”
“Cassidy I understand… I also want to be close to her..but Ria won’t allow me..I’m a man”

“You can make it work. Miss Ria might have closed heart to love..but I believe you can win her Heart..with your kindness and good nature. You love her don’t you?”
“I don’t know..but I think so”
“Miss Ria just needs someone like you. Loving nature,you are nice and cool,ready to help anyone.. And I’m sure you can make Miss Ria trust men again”

“You think so?”
“Yes”
“I wish it was that easy Cassidy”
“It easy”
“How?”
“I think I have an idea or a plan” She said with a bright smile on her face

♪♪♪♪♪♪
“I’ve been out for hours
Really it been days but I lost count
Running out of powers to go and do the things I’ve been talking about

Yeah I made plans to more than who i was from way back

But I feel like I’ve given up
And I feel like I ain’t enough
Am too hard on myself no i can’t lit up..”

Thanks for reading!

Do you all think Ian did the right thing by sending Cassidy to Ria’s place?
What about Cassidy. Did she make the right suggestions?

Don’t forget to drop some comments enough to encourage me!