Ria

Episode 11

THEME: TAKING A LOAN!

TWO DAYS LATER
LINT CORP

IAN POV
“Cassidy do you think the idea is gonna work?”

I asked Cassidy who sat on the small couch with her eyes glued to her phone
“We just have to give it a try”
“Well..what if she refuses to come?”
“Then let hope she shows up…and work according to plan”

That not the answer to my question
“O..okay”

I looked away from Cassidy and glanced down at Ria’s card on my desk
“Go on and call her”
Cassidy urged me
“Which of these numbers belongs to Mrs Elise?”

“The first belong to Miss Ria herself. The second is the home line and then the third one is for Mrs Elise”
“Why didn’t you just go straight and tell me that the this one is for her?”
“Well….I was just thinking you might need to call Miss Ria someday….” She shrugged
“That enough..” I sighed…this going to be hard but I hope it works

“Okay..I just hope she agrees to meet up”
“Yeah..let hope she does”
I dialed Mrs Elise Number and she picked on the second ring
“Hello”
“Good Afternoon”
“Uhmmm Mrs Elise?”
“Yes..yes..Mrs Elise on the line..”she paused and continued ” who am I unto?”
“Ian”

“Ian?” She repeated in a low tone. What was she trying to do? Remember where she heard that name from?
“We met at Ainsley -”
“Oh! Ainsley Hospital!” She completed
“Yes Ma’am”
“And you’re the man that retrieved Miss Ria’s purse from that thief!”

“Exactly”
“Why didn’t you come and get a dress done for your wife?…. After all I gave you that card for that..and I was expecting you to give us a call”

“Oh really sorry for not calling ever since you gave me the card… And Mrs Elise -”

“Yes”
“I..I don’t have a wife”
“Oh you don’t?”
“Yes”
“But…you have sisters..aunts and female friends?”
“I do actually”
“So why haven’t you patronized us.. Get a dress at our place… Mr Ian..a trial will convince you”
Now the conversation is heading to another direction entirely…I didn’t call to have someone persuade me to get a dress.
“Mrs Elise I gave the card to a friend who wanted to make a dress for his daughter…”
I took the cellphone away from my ear to whisper to Cassidy

“What was that Name Mr Griffin told Them?”
“Mr brown”
“Oh yes Mrs Elise his name is Mr Brown”
“Oh!! Oh My God! You directed Mr Brown to our workplace!”
“Yes”
“Thank You Mr Ian. We already gave Cassidy her dress the day before yesterday..and she like it!”
“Yeah I saw the dress..it was stunning”
Wait am I supposed to say that…No! It might blow the secret!
“Thank you once again Mr Ian”
“You’re welcome.. So Mrs Elise I was thinking..of setting up a meeting for just me and you. So we can discuss some things about -”

“Do you want to get dress?”
I looked up at Cassidy who was now close to my desk. “This is not gonna work” I wrote down in a pad and she replied
“Yes Mrs Elise I want to get a dress for…”
“Niece” Cassidy Whispered
“My niece…yes niece she is 9years old”
“We make dresses for kids too”
“Go straight to the point now” Cassidy jolt down on the pad
“And not only about making a dress for my niece.. We talk about some other things too..hmm business”
“Business?..okay! I love that Mr Ian”
“Yeah..so when should we meet up”
“I’m less busy now…we don’t have much work at hand”
“What about now?”
“Fine by me”
“I work at Lint Corp”
“Lint Corp Industry?”
“Yes”
“Which of them?”
“The main office.. Someone will be waiting outside to bring you to my office”
“Okay I will be there soon”
“I will be expecting” she hang up
“Plans working?”
I sighed out loud when I dropped the phone on my desk

“Yes..i just have to call Lauren and inform her I want to get a dress for Mia”
“please do so while I talk to Mr Griffin”
“Okay and please call me Ramsey”
“Sure” Cassidy exited the room

RIA APARTMENT

RIA POV
“Miss Ria”
Mrs Elise called on her way out of the kitchen.
“Miss Ria”

She called again and sometimes just hearing her talk makes me happy
“Yes..Mrs Elise”
I answered from the couch I sat on trying to do my eye exercises. Eye exercises is mainly meant for me to recognize things normal human could see. I learnt to recognize things when my parents enrolled me into a school for the Blind. The teachers spent their time teaching us how to do things on our own,how to read and write without anyone’s help. And I remember my dad had gotten a private teacher to help me identify things..visual images and some other things i needed to know easily but I was a bit slow in learning how to do things on my own. Then my mom had thought me how to identify materials..clothes materials actually,by it textures, quality and designs. The exercise and lessons had help me learned to do things myself..like I know every part of my apartment, I can cook and find things as long as no one moved it from it initial place. When Andrea died,I had to start going to stores myself..it wasn’t easy..the year Andrea died was very tough cause..I had to learn to do the things she used to do for me..like going to the grocery store and others..but one thing I couldn’t do was use the phone to check out orders from customers. It was her job…but after she died no one was there to help…but all the same thanks to Andrea who helped me counts steps along the way..from our home to everywhere we visited…I have them noted in my diary..the steps… all of them.

And then after her demise I had to leave alone and survive.. ‘Surviving’ it actually what I’ve been doing right since when I was born. It was a good thing i met Elise..she became my Andrea,my eyes and my Angel. Things got back to normal the moment she stepped into my life. She is a blessing. She helped me,her good communication skill brings more people to us. Mrs Elise works as a babysitters aside my sewing business. To be honest I truly don’t know what would have become of me if she wasn’t in my life now..maybe I wouldn’t have survived or maybe I would have in more hard way..who knows probably I would have given up. But all I see in my Life is that God has been so good to me. He always has this way of bringing good people into my life the moment I needed one…but it just so sad that they always end up leaving me behind – Death.. So cruel! Taking away good people and leaving the bad ones to live on the earth. And at some point, I started thinking if I was a bad luck.. A jinx perhaps. Or maybe I’m not! Cause this little voice keeps whispering into my mind that “You’re not a bad luck”.. And guess what? I claimed it in my head and mind. ” I’m not a Bad luck”. Not only that.. I even did a rhyme for myself which I taught Phoebe and Phoenix

“I am a blessed child
I am destined to be great
I am not giving up on my dreams”
And lastly which I didn’t add to the rhyme I taught the kids. “I will never give in to the thought of suicide”

Suicide i say?…yes! I’ve tried to commit suicide once when Andrea was alive after we came to Chicago. I started feeling like I was a burden to Andrea cause she worked two jobs at a time to fend for us. Hmm Thank God she came in from work before I stabbed myself. She talked some sense into my head and I never thought my death would cause Andrea trouble. And I keep praying nothing happens to Mrs Elise and my kids.

“Miss Ria I’m heading out”
“Huh?”
“I want to go out now”
“Yes i heard that..but you said no outing this morning”

“Yes”
“Are you seeing someone Mrs Elise?”
She bursted into laughter
“Miss Ria..well I wish I am seeing someone..but anyways I’m not”
“Okay so where are you off to?”
“Mr Ian just called..he wants to see me”
“Who is Mr Ian?”
“Ian..you don’t remember?”
“I don’t…”

“The man that got your purse back from a thief..i mean the guy we saw at the hospital”
“Okay..but why does he want to see you?”
“He wants to make a dress for 9years old niece. And I think he doesn’t want to come here with her because of -” she stopped
“Me right?”
“I didn’t say that..” She said in a low tone
“Okay”
“Can I?”
“Sure”
“I’ll go ahead then”
“Bye”
“Take care” she kissed my cheeks

LINT CORP

MRS ELISE POV
I alighted from the taxi and looked up at massive outer part of Lint Corp. Two armed men dressed in uniforms stood at the huge glass door leading into Lint Corp. And where is the person sent to bring to bring me to Mr Ian?. A handsome looking man emerged from the entrance,he looked around. Is he looking for me? Guess so! I met him halfway
“Are..are you the one Mt Ian sent to bring me to his office?”

“Yes…are you Mrs Elise?”
“Oh yes..I am Mrs Elise and you are -” I waited for him to fill in his name
“Ramsey”
“Nice to meet you”
“Same here” he smiled brightly “please this way”

The armed men opened the door and we walked in. Wow! I gasped! I’ve never been here seen a building as big as Lint Corp! So d–n Massive! Some greeted Ramsey on the way. We got to an office where a young woman sat at a huge desk and Ramsey stopped to open another door.

“Go in ma’am” he gestured to me
“Thank You” I nodded and stepped into the large office. There Ian sat at the desk and then Cassidy was on a big couch. Why is she here?
“Take a seat Mrs Elise” he motioned to me to sit on the couch. I couldn’t stop glancing around, taking in the beauty of his office until my gaze fell on the glassy object on the desk. “IAN BRYANT CEO OF LINT CORP”. I gasped in shock as I look back up at Mr Ian. He is the CEO! Unbelievable! Why didn’t I realize that when he had said he works in Lint Corp?!. Mr Ian stood up from his desk and sat on the couch And i repositioned myself.
“Mr Ian..I didn’t know you are the CEO of Lint Corp”

He itched the back of his neck
“Yes I am the CEO.. And I’m sorry for not telling you that..”

“No..no you don’t have to be sorry..I mean it okay” I let oy a handful of breathe to fill my lungs

“How are you doing Mrs Elise?”
“I’m fine”
“And..what about Ria?” I met his gaze when he asked in a concerned tone
“Miss Ria is fine”
“Is she home alone or the kids are with her?”

“The kids are in school..and Yes Miss Ria is alone at home..but I was home with her before you called me”
“Will she be fine alone?”
“Yes..she is always home alone anytime I’m at work or the store buying materials. And the kids are always with her during weekends”
We lapsed in silence. Mr Ian lost in thought. He said that he wants to make a dress for his niece but I don’t see any 9years old kid around. Mr Ian cleared his throat. A phone beeped and well exchanged glances. That was my phone!
“Sorry..it mine”

I searched my bag. Miss Ria was calling with the home line
“Hello Miss Ria”
“Mrs Elise are you on your way home now?”
“No..no Miss Ria..I just got to Lint Corp now”
“Have you met him?..I mean Mr Ian?” She asked and I looked up at him

“Oh yes..he is here”
“Okay”
“Do you need anything?”
“Yes..I can’t find the linens you brought in yesterday”

“Linen?” I said trying yo remember where I placed the nylon last night
“Yes Linens..I want to sew Calista dress but I can’t find it”

“Are you done with your eyes exercises?”

“Yes”
“Okay..oh Miss Ria I’m just trying to recall where I dropped it last night…ah! Yes! Yes! It on the pressing table!”

“The pressing table right?”
“Yes..and I’m sorry for not placing it in the right place”

“It okay Mrs Elise. Thank You”
“Take care”
“Mrs Elsie -”
“Yes”

“I don’t know if you have enough money with you”

“Is there anything you need?”
“I just need you to help me drop by at the restaurant to buy cupcakes for the children”
“Yes I will..do you want the big size?”
“No..no the six in one is better”

“Okay”
“And a bowl of ice cream”
“I will get everything”
“Thank You Mrs Elise!”
The line dropped
“I’m sorry…”

“No no it okay” Mr Ian replied
“So where is the little girl you wanna make a dress for?. i brought some of our collections and I’m sure you will like it”
“Actually..Miss Elise I won’t be the one picking out the dress but I called her mom who is my sister..lemme just say they will come over to your place”

“O..okay” I nodded slowly. Seriously I wasn’t expecting such response. Why did he called me when the girl in question isn’t present?

“Mrs Elise remember I said we have to discuss business…”

“Oh yeah”
“So firstly I just want to ask some few questions about Ria”
“Pardon?” I raised an eyebrow
“Mrs Elise..Mr Ian wants to help Miss Ria” Cassidy spoke up for the first time. And what does she mean by that?

“How?”
“Look Mrs Elise I don’t know how to tell to this but -” he stopped. Well I hope Mr Ian’s expression is not what it means to me. He continued

“Ever since I set my eyes on Ria at the park… I haven’t been at rest. And Thank God met her again and also thanks to you for giving me her card”

Well to be sincere, I didn’t give Miss Ria’s card for him to make a dress but it was for him to get closer to her. I saw how concerned he was and also happy when Miss Ria was talking to Phoenix. He had looked at her differently,like he felt something for her. If only Miss Ria could see him then his look would have swept her off her feet.
“Mrs Elise I will really appreciate if you tell me few things about Ria”

“Huh?!” I stunned out of my thought. Now he wants to know about her…what do I say? There is a lot to know about Miss Ria
“I don’t want you to think I’m trying to dig into her personal life..but I just want to know..not all but few”

“I will leave you two to talk” Cassidy stood up

“Thank you Cassidy.. And please try calling the Baker again”
“Sure”
She left

“Are you in love with Miss Ria?” I asked unexpectedly. His eyes widened at the question. What was that Spark?
“No..no” he stuttered
“I don’t want you to think like that Mrs Elise… I’m just concerned about Ria”
Concerned? But not in love. Sure he is in love and also concerned but he is denying it while his countenance says the opposite. I stared intensely at him and nodded slowly. I got what I wanted from those sparkling eyes. He loves her! I tried blink back tears. Someone loves Miss Ria but it so sad such doesn’t exist for her. She doesn’t care about his existence or even his kind. I’m sure if Miss Ria was asked to take away one thing from the world.. It would be Men!. Yeah i know it because of what happened..but would things have been different in her life now if she didn’t go through those horrible experiences. And sometimes i used to wonder if she will every fall in love? I sighed out loud. It not bad to let this young man in anyways
“What exactly do you want to know about Miss Ria?”

“Uhmmm can you tell why she behaves unusual anytime a man is around?”
“Mr Ian…I really want to tell about Miss Ria..but what you just asked is too personal. I can’t tell you about it”
“Is it about her past?”
“Yes..and she doesn’t want to share it with anyone…but maybe if you get close to her she might tell about it”

“No..I doubt if Ria will ever allow me close to her”

“I must tell you it won’t be easy but you can give it a try -” I paused “Mr Ian please don’t get close to her for that reason”
“Yes I know Mrs Elise.. I don’t want to be friends with her because of that. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know about it” I nodded..quiet sensible

“How old is she?”
“22”

“About the kids..are they are her biological children?”

“No”
“No?”
“Miss Ria adopted them few months ago..and she is ready to raise them as her own” I shrugged

“Yeah I noticed her likeness for them at the park and hospital. What about the blindness?”

“She was born blind” he rubbed his palms together

“As she looked into getting eyes surgery?”
Yes! Severally!. Even when she was little her parents had accepted an offer that led to their death. So sad! Even Miss Ria had tried saving up but something ends up happening to her savings.

“Yes Mr Ian but you know eye surgery is expensive. She doesn’t have that huge amount of money. We planned to take on a loan from the bank to foot medical bills”

“A loan?”
“Yes..and we are starting the process next week” he stared at me
“I want to help Ria” he blurted without looking away from me
“I can pay the bills Mrs Elise”
“Really?” Oh yes! I know he can..he is the CEO of a great industry. But the problem is Miss Ria will turn him down
“I’m willing and ready to do it for Ria”
“You see Mr Ian I don’t have any problem with you paying the bills..but Miss Ria won’t accept your help”

“But why?”
“Hmm lets just say she doesn’t trust your kind”

“You can help me Mrs Elise. Try to persuade her..it for her good. It will be a good thing if she can see again”

“I suggest you just loan the money to her?”
“No I don’t want that. If I do that it like I’m adding more to her problems”
“Okay I will try to talk to her”
“Well Mrs Elise if she doesn’t want to see me then you tell her Lauren Bryant heard of her case and so she wants ti help her”
“No..no we don’t have to tell her a different story”
“I just thought that will make her accept my offer”
“No I will explain in a right way. And thanks for offering to help us”
“You’re welcome”

We stood up and walked out of the office
“Ramsey” he called the young man at the desk
“Yes CEO”
“Set up a meeting with Doctor Hawn”
“Okay sir”
“I will discuss with the doctor to knoe how we go about the surgery”
He said to me on our way to the elevator
“Okay”

“Say me hi to the kids”
Soon we stepped out to the opening where staffs bowed as they pass by. He hail down a taxi when we came out of the company. I entered and waved at him and he did the same before the cab moved
“Bing restaurant” I said to the driver
“Okay Ma’am” I thought of everything I discussed with Mr Ian. He was willing to help but I still doubt if Miss Ria will ever accept such help. How do I convince her?. Images flashed through my mind…they were the most horrible moments of my life but it all in the past now. why now? Sounds like a good way to talk to Miss Ria.

♪♪♪♪♪

“What do you do when you can’t let go?
What do you say when you just don’t know how feel?

And you know nobody knows how you feel
Cause everybody gat their own D–n problem!
So Everybody tryna find their way
And day by day is the struggle
In this world you know you have to hustle
Just know you are not alone
You don’t always have to be strong all by yourself

I said it okay to ask for help…”