Ria

Episode 15

THEME: FEELING SAFE ?

♠ RIA APARTMENT ♠

IAN POV ?
I got out of the car and came up to Ria’s front door. We both agreed that I would come and pick her up to the airport instead of her taking a taxi together with the kids. With my family connections I was able to get our Visas ready and prepare the necessary things we needed for the trip. I felt Ria won’t be comfortable with men around if we took a commercial plane that was why I opted in for my private Jet. It will just be few of us on board. I pressed the doorbell and the door opened. Mrs Elise met me with a bright Smile.

“Good afternoon Mrs Elise”
“Afternoon Mr Ian…” She paused and grinned

“You look good”
I smiled in return
I was dressed in a simple blue jeans and a fitting black top that showed off my muscular chest and strong arms. Though they are not as big as that of a weight lifter.
“Is Ria ready?”I asked

But Mrs Elise thoughts was somewhere else. I followed her gaze which was on the Limousine that brought me to Ria’s place

” Mrs Elise -”
“Oh yes Miss Ria is ready”
“Mr Ian!” The door opened wide. Phoenix threw his arms around my waist and I carried him up in my arms giving him a high five
“How are you doing?”
“Fine Mr Ian”
“Mrs Elise I can’t find my purse!” I heard Ria’s voice from inside

“I’m coming Miss Ria” Mrs Elise left leaving me with Phoenix. I didn’t know what to do at first..should I go in? No! It not right! No one invited me in

“Mom said that she’s going to China”
“Yes man”
“I’m gonna miss her” He said soberly “six weeks seems like six years” he counted his little fingers. Then I dropped him and crouched down to his size

“Do you know the reason why your mom is leaving for China?”

“Yes..she is leaving for a surgery”
“What surgery?”
“Her eye surgery.. So she can be able to see the world like us”

“Good boy” I pinched his cheeks “so don’t be sad that your mom will be gone for weeks..just start thinking of how beautiful your mom will look if she could see the world like us”

“Yeah You’re right Mr Ian!” He gave him a cute smile

“Can you pray Phoenix?”
“Yes Sir”
“So pray for the success of the surgery okay?”

“I will do just that Mr Ian! And thanks for helping mom!”

“My pleasure” I roughen his hair. Such a smart and cute kid. I stood up only to find Ria at the entrance. Well I didn’t notice anyone was there.

“Hi” I greeted

“Good morning” She said perfunctorily. “I didn’t want to disturb your moment with him” she said

My eyes did a slow crawl from her face to her feet then back to her face. Ria looked wonderful in a pair of fitting blue jeans and a black top. Is this some kind of coincidence? I’m putting on a blue jeans and a black top..and Ria was wearing the same.

Mrs Elise slid the box out of the house while Phoebe carried another smaller one
“Good day Mr Ian”
“Hello Phoebe”
She smiled broadly

“Now Mr Ian, Miss Ria is ready to leave for China”

“Okay” I collected the box from Mrs Elise and pulled it down the small stairs. The Limousine driver took the boxes to the Limo truck. Mrs Elise led Ria down from the porch to the car. Phoenix held on to her other hand. Soon she stopped and crouched down to his size.

“Phoebe -” she called and Phoebe stood beside her brother

“I’m leaving now.. Remember what I told you last night”
“Yes mom”
“Six weeks isn’t a lifetime okay?”
They nodded

“And I will be back before you know it”
“Take care mom” they hugged her respectively as she planted kisses on their forehead. She straightened and Mrs Elise stepped right in front of her. She smoothed some strands of hair from Ria’s face
“I know you will be fine. You are coming back to see us with those beautiful eyes” Ria nodded slowly

Mrs Elise kissed her cheeks then I noticed the stray of tears in her eyes

“Please take care of the kids”
“Sure I will Miss Ria”
The rear door had been left open so I helped Ria sit inside one of the two tows of seats facing each other. And then I used the seatbelt to secure Ria before doing mine in the expensive Limo

“All set?” Ben the limo driver asked
“All set” I replied
“Bye mom..” The children waved and she did the same

“Take care miss Ria and have a safe trip”
Ben closed the door
I pushed a button and out came a fully equipped bar

“Would you like something to drink?tea? Coffee? Soda”

“I’m fine thanks”
Another push of the button and the bar disappeared,just as the engine purred to life and the limo moved away from the curb. The car seemed to glide into motion, it was like we were floating.

I was wondering what to talk about,when Ria said

“How far is the drive to the airport?”
“It won’t take a while..we’ll get there in 25 minutes”

“Okay” we lapsed into silence

♦•♦
RIA POV
Too long..25 minutes alone with Ian was a while. I thought as I realized I was going to spend that entire time one on one with Ian Bryant and those eyes of his that I sensed to be studying me. I was wondering what to talk about to distract him,when he said

“The drive will give us a chance to get to know a little about each other”

I wasn’t happy about any reference to the intimacy we share now. I don’t want to be close to Ian but at the same time I tried not to show it so he won’t feel like I don’t appreciate the fact that he is helping me.

“Can you hear me Ria?”
“Oh yes..Mr Ian..sorry I was just thinking about Mrs Elise and the kids”

“They will be fine”
“Yeah I know”
“I said we should get to know each other” I nodded shortly

“So I will start by telling you about myself”
I fiddled with my fingers on my laps
“Ian Bryant. 24 years old. Fourth child out of four and also the only son” he stopped and waited for me to talk but I didn’t say a word. Why? I don’t know!..I feel I shouldn’t be doing this with Him. I shouldn’t get to know him other than the fact that he offered to help and I want to payback.

“I don’t like the fact that I’m the last child and only boy..it so annoying” he said childishly

“Because they still think I’m a kid..especially Piper”
He spat

“Piper?” I repeated
I didn’t know when that came out
“Yes Piper is my sister..just a year older. We fight all the time..always” he paused

“What about you Ria?..any sibling?”
Well I wish I had one

“Ria Robert. 22 years old. The only child to my -”
I stopped

What if Ian insist on knowing more about my family then that will lead me to tell him about my parents and everything that has happened in my life

“To what?” He asked
“My deceased parents”
“Sorry about that -” I nodded it better i just cut him off by changing the topic

“Mr Ian are we leaving as soon as we get to the airport?”

“Hmm yes..the jet is waiting”
“Okay”

“I spoke with Doctor Lui this morning. We are meeting him by 9:00am tomorrow”
“Well can’t we meet him as soon as we arrive in China”

“No..you have to rest when we get to China cause of the stress on board”

“So how long is the flight from US to China?”
“13 hours 15 minutes.. Since we won’t be having any stop over. But 16 hours fastest one stop flight between US to China. And some could take as long as 32 hours based on the stopover destination and waiting duration for planes mostly”

“That’s long..32 hours”
“Yes it is..” Then the private jet is better
A phone beeped and I heard Ian’s voice
“Hello Mom”

His mom is calling? Wait is she aware of my presence in his life?

“How are you son?” She asked and I could hear their conversation cause his phone was on speaker

“I’m fine…”
“Is Ria there with you?”
Me?! Actually his mom knows me??
“Yes mom we are on our way to the airport. We’ll be there soon”

“Yes everything is ready. I booked a suite for you guys in China. It comfortable and you can also work from there”
“thanks mom”

What’s about the Suite?
“Perhaps can I say hi to Ria?”
What she want to talk to me?!
Ian was silent probably he was thinking of what to say to me

“Ian are you there?”
“Will you say hi to my mom?”
He whispered and I nodded slowly. Ian placed the phone on my ear and I held it in place

“Hello Ma’am”
“Is that You Ria?”
“Yes Ma’am”
“I am Perla Bryant..Ian’s mom”
“Nice to meet you Ma’am”
“My son said a lot of things about you” Ian cleared his throat
What does that mean?

What did he tell his mom about me?

“Ria I want to wish you a safe trip and successful surgery”

“Thank You Ma’am” I handed the phone back to him

“Mom I will call you as soon as we arrive in China”

“Okay Son..take care” he hang up
“I’m sorry about my mom…she just wanted to be sure if I was going to China”
“It okay… I understand”
“Thank you”

I should be the one saying “thank You”. And the rest of the drive to the airport was silent.

♦♦
“we are at the airport Ria”
He announced when the car pulled to a stop
“Let me get some things done”
I don’t know what he meant by that but I couldn’t feel his presence in the car
“Good afternoon Mr Ian”

Someone greeted and they exchanged pleasantries. Ian asked if it was time to leave and the man replied

“We’ve done the necessary things Sir. You can leave now”
“Thank You”
“Ria we can leave now” I heard his voice in the car
Okay”
“Let me help you out” he held my hand and helped me out of the car
“Careful..” He cautioned
“This way Sir…” Another person said
“Thanks Hakeem”
“Ria the jet is over there”
“Okay”

Trying to push away the thoughts on my mind. About Ian..he had a way of holding me. A way no had ever held me before. I shouldn’t be thinking like this but those thoughts won’t go away. What has he done to me?…
“Are you alright?”
“Yes..thanks”

“Just a little more” we walked and stopped. I wanted to ask him if we were close
“Just lift your leg Ria” I did and placed it on a metal..the stairs to the jet I guess
“Gently” I followed his instruction with his hand on my waist. I will take that as if he didn’t have any other choice. Something was strange! I didn’t tremble at his touch. It was as if I could feel the power in his arms…his touch was leashed into a gentleness that made me feel safe. What?! I’m starting to feel safe in a man’s arms now?! No it can’t be!

Soon we settled in the jet. Ian sat close to me as the pilot gave out safety instructions
“Are you okay?”
“Yes”

The pilot announced again. Then the jet moved and soon we were flying in air.

♪♪♪♪♪♪

“We would like to go to heaven
To feel like we’re in paradise
Cause I feel like I’m in heaven
Every time I look in your eyes”
Hello Everyone!

Now the story is getting more interesting!
I’m super excited to write something like this..a work of art that teaches morals and inspires you to do some certain things to people around you..Good things!

I hope you all enjoy this story!
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