Ria

Episode 30

THEME:THIS FEELING

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°°°°°°° 10 DAYS LATER °°°°°°°

RIA POV ?♀
“Don’t forget to get the hand towels too!” Mrs Elise reminded loudly from the kitchen
“OH yes!” Cassidy exclaimed and then rushed to the large table to grab the pack of towels.

Mrs Loretta sat on the couch arranging clothes into the Big Paper Bags.

10 Days passed since they supplied the materials and we were able to finish 30 Dresses!

I must admit that it wasn’t an easy task but we did it anyways!

Mrs Elise,Mrs Loretta,Cassidy,Phoebe and Phoenix and I!

During those periods, Mrs Loretta and Cassidy spent most of their time at my place..they even slept over at some point so that we could finish before the Amber Foundation Date.

The Five – Day Event starts tomorrow so we are taking the Dresses to The Foundation.

“All set” Mrs Loretta said with a sigh
The door bell rang

“That should be Mr Ian. I’ll get it” Cassidy said as she made her way to the door.

Yesterday on phone,Ian said that he would be the one to Drive me to Foundation.

“Good Morning Ma’am”
I heard someone say at the door. It was a familiar voice but not Ian’s. I turned and saw his driver Ben.

“Where is Mr Ian?” Cassidy asked him
“Mr Ian is quite busy at the office so he sent me to drive Miss Ria to the Foundation instead”

Wave of disappointment hit me.

Why didn’t he just call to inform me that he couldn’t make it before sending his driver.

I was already anticipating my company with Ian. I had been pinning for his company cause i haven’t seen him since the past two days.

Now offended that he couldn’t make it here when he had insisted that he would go with me.

Why am I so mad because he didn’t show up?

“Please take this to the car”

Loretta gave few of the bags to Ben. It was filled with clothes which we already packed and taped each kids name on it.

“Okay Ma’am” Ben replied
“Let me help with the rest” Cassidy went back to the couch to get the remaining bags to the car.

I shouldn’t be disappointed!

It occurred to me that of the two of us,I was behaving a whole lot more unbusinesslike than Ian.

He spend most of his time at work,calling me once or twice in a day to check up on me and coming over to say Hi just once or twice a week while I on otherhand was expecting more. Part of me wanted things to be different. Wanting more than just calling once a day and seeing him once in a while.

He’s keeping things Businesslike!

While I’m pinning for his company all day and offended that he didn’t show up today!
Which meant that I needed to practice what I preached!

Strictly Business!

Beginning immediately, by putting a stop to the latest disappointment that was running rampant in me. But getting rid of that disappointment was easier said than done. Because no matter how hard i tried,I couldn’t seem to stop wishing that he was here to drive Me to Amber Foundation.

“Drink this before leaving” Mrs Elise gave me a glass of apple juice.

“Thank You” I said and gave It back to her after I drank little from it

“You might need this too” Loretta handed me a bottle of water

“Everything is set” Cassidy announced with her hands folded at the door

“Let her go with you” Mrs Elise suggested
Our initial plan was that Ian and I will move the dresses to the Foundation while Mrs Elise and Cassidy will go and see Principal Brenda. I Already made the sample of uniform along the line of Amber Works. And I told her Mrs Elise will bring it today. Mrs Loretta will stay back at home and rest.

“Cassidy will you go to the Foundation?” Loretta asked

“Yes!yes!” She replied happily
“Okay then Elise and I will go to Owen” Loretta said

“Hmm Mrs Loretta you can stay back at home and rest”

“No..no I will go with Elise. And please don’t turn me to an old Lady” we laughed
“Okay see you later” I said to them before leaving with Cassidy to the car.

I settled in the backseat while Cassidy sat beside Ben at the front space.

My phone binged.

A message from Ian.

“I’m sorry for not meeting up as planned. Something came up at the office so i had to stay back and attention to it. I’ll make it up to you whenever I’m less Busy! Take care”
“Ben what’s Mr Ian doing at work?” Cassidy asked

“He should be in the meeting with the Board of Directors now”

“Okay..but how do you know?”

“Mr Ian told me that himself before i left the office” Ben responded
“Okay”

What should I send to him?

“Okay I understand” I typed but I deleted it
It sounds too simple and Ian might think I’m mad at him.

“We’re on our way to the Foundation now. Thanks for sending Ben!” I sent it
Cassidy and Ben are now engrossed in a conversation.

My phone vibrated. Message from Ian
Is he typing in the Meeting?

“You’re welcome. Send me a text when you arrive at the Foundation”
“Okay” I replied

And waited for another response from him which never came.

♦••♦••♦••♦••♦••♦

AMBER FOUNDATION
The SUV turned off the main road onto a private driveway. The driveway was lined on both sides by Red oak trees,the Branches reaching out to each other to form an arc overhead that blocked most of the sun scorching rays. Amber Foundation was a three storey mansion. When the building came into view,i could hardly believe my eyes. It was beautiful and well decorated for the event. I noticed the people in the Big Garden..they were all dressed in the same uniform setting up the Garden for the event.

Cassidy and i came out of the car.

I looked on and saw Mrs Perla. She smiled immediately when our gaze met.

Cassidy spun towards her to hug her as if she were greeting her mother or her favourite aunt. Cassidy is actually free with anyone..and I love that spirit.

“Ria”
Mrs Perla came to me with a plump older woman with extremely gray hair, very red cheeks and nose.

“Mrs Russell meet Ria Robert. Ria this is mrs Russell. She runs things around here whenever Madam Charity isn’t around”
I held out my hands to her
“It’s nice to meet you Ma’am”
“Likewise” she replied
“The dresses are in the car”
“Oh! Please bring it in. The kids are anxious about their dresses” Mrs Russell said with a bright smile.

Cassidy went back to the car.

She and Ben brought the bags to us.

“What about Ian? He told me that he would be here with you”
Mrs Perla said as we made our way to the Mansion.

“He is busy at work”
“Okay”

Then she helped with the door..allowing Ben and Cassidy to go in first then Mrs Russell before we both stepped in.

“Miss Ria!” The children screamed when we got to the waiting section.

“They’ve been really waiting to try their dresses” Mrs Perla said

“Hello Children” I greeted cheerfully
“Hi Miss Ria!” They chorused
I noticed Cassidy waving at the little girl she liked we came to measure them.

♦••♦••♦••♦••♦••♦
LINT CORP ?

IAN POV ?
I sat at my desk handling the hundreds of Mundane tasks that running my industry required. My thought on Ria.

I just ended the meeting with the Board of Director.

And I was so eager to finish up and see Ria.
My phone binged.

I looked down. It was Harvey Wesley! My old Friend. We attended the same high school and college. He owns the Best construction company in Chicago.

“Hello” l said

“Hey! Long time Buddy!” He said

“Yeah dude.. It been a while” we both laughed

“So how are you Man?”
“I’m cool Harvey. And it really nice to hear to you”

“I sincerely apologize for not calling to check up on you Man” Harvey said
“Likewise dude”
“What’s up with you?”
He added and I chuckled
“Harvey…just work” I responded
“Yeah I know it work great CEO”
“You’re no different Harvey”
“Of course! I’m different! I run just one company while you’re running an industry. That’s big! Great work! and I must say that you barely have time to hang out or any free time..just work”

“Hey man.. come on!”
“But it the truth buddy”

“No”
“You seem too busy to me..too work oriented ever since you became a CEO. I know how you used to be Ian”

“Yeah..i know Harvey. But you must also know that I’m not really all work and no play”

“Really?”
“Yes Harvey”
“Hmm but I still can’t see where you have time for a wife and kids”

“Wife and kids? There you go against Harvey!” we laughed

“Did you call to remind me that I’m yet to get married”

“No!” He coaxed
And we laughed again
“Don’t mind me buddy”
Yeah! I don’t have to take his words seriously. That who Harvey is,he could be very funny..and also annoying with his words whenever he teases you. Harvey is a family man,father of two and married to one of the top most models in USA.

But he doesn’t have to remind me that I’m yet to start a family.

“Well I called to invite you to a party”
“what party?”

“Oh My God! Now he doesn’t remember”
“Please tell me Harvey”
“BMW association party”
“Oh!”

“Now you know”
“Yes..yes..when is it?”

“In three weeks time. We had to set things that way because of Amber Foundation Party. 3weeks is enough to rest and prepare”

“Yes”
“So will you be there?”
“I don’t -”

“Make out time Ian.. Who knows you might find your heartthrob at the party” we rolled into laughter

“Harvey I don’t need to find an heartthrob at the party”

I have someone…who my heart beats for.. Ria.
“So are you coming with someone this time around?”

I was silent

Thinking of Ria..will she agree to go with me to the party if i ask her to be my date?
“Are you there?”
“Yes Harvey”

“Look man if you aren’t sure..just tell me I can hook you up with someone before that day”

“No thanks Harvey”
I won’t be hooking up with any other Lady!
“Okay I will send you the invitation then”
“Okay”
“And we could grab a drink before that day too”
“I will give you a call Harvey”
“Okay”
“Bye” I hang
Harvey is the current Deputy of the Association. The BMW is an association for Businessmen and women in Chicago. The party is more or less for the all rich people in the state and beyond.

It a time when you get to meet new people and probably make new Business partners. It a Day Event.. Mostly held on a Saturday evening..more like a Dinner Party with Media houses storming the whole Place.

I have to be there to represent my industry.
But I don’t want Harvey hooking me up with any lady like last year.

He introduced this Lady to me at the party. Her name was Valerisa and she is a Jeweler like my mom.

We flowed freely that night and somehow we ended up at a hotel. For me it was nothing but a fling and a moment of enjoyment.

But two weeks after i met Valerisa,she started pestering me to introduce her to my family. Like she wanted something more than just spending good time together. She wanted commitment and I wasn’t ready for such which I already too her about it since the party.

So in the end Valerisa got mad at me when she sensed that we couldn’t work.
I’m not a saint! I’ve been with women in past..not to many but few.

But i never felt anything this strong with them like how i feel for Ria.

And I honestly don’t know why it like that.
Why I can’t get her out of my mind.
I looked forward to seeing her and sometimes I can’t seems to concentrate on work if I haven’t given her a call.
So many thing I wanna do with Ria.. but she only sees me as a business Partner.
Maybe it the Best thing to do.
Acting as a Business partner as gotten me closer to Ria than I expected.

She is exceptional among all the women I’ve met.

My heart beat rapidly whenever I’m with her and I get this flutter in my belly anytime i watch her smile and laugh. I love that inexplicable thing about her that made me come alive..more than I’ve ever been with any woman.TX
I love Ria.

But does she feel the same way I do?
I doubt it!

That fear I saw months back was still evident in her eyes.

No love in her eyes – only Fear – fear of being touched by a Male.

And i hated it! I sense it each time I lean close to Ria..too close and sometimes when I try to touch her.

What could it be? What could have made her that way?

I’m aware that Ria is only trying to act calm and cool around me. She’s not settled yet. Like she isn’t convinced that i mean no harm to her.

I just want to make her happy.
I wanna be the reason behind her smile.
But that fear..about her past..

What does it entails?

Could it be that someone took advantage of her?

I shouldn’t try to find out if Ria doesn’t want me to know about it.

But Whatever it is..it must be really Bad.

I just wished that Ria could open up to me so we can conquer those fears together.

But I can’t do anything since she doesn’t want me to know or maybe I don’t deserve to know.

So I will just let it slide and not bother about her past. I’ll focus on Ria. If she’s having issue trusting me then I will work on myself. I only have to prove to her that I’m worth a chance.

Her past doesn’t matter to me!
I will make sure Ria trust men again!
And I’m sure as time goes on she will be free with me and open up to me about it!
A knock sounded on my door.
“Come in”
Ramsey popped his head in
“Sir the designers just called”
“What did they say?”
“They are moving in the furniture today”
“Okay”
“Do you need anything Sir?”
“Yes Ramsey please get the contact of the best Advertising agency in the state”
“Okay Sir” he closed the door
Ria’s place is almost set!
And as a matter of fact I’m pretty impressed with the designers works!

♪♪♪♪♪♪

“I waited for you my whole life
You don’t know what you mean to me!”
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This feeling is so strong!?
I’m always excited to write about them!??
I like Ian! A man of patience! And he’s not ready to pressure Ria about anything!
Men of these days!can’t be like Ian!
They give you something and expect your body In return! ?

Ladies be wise!
Go into a symbiotic Relationship! A prolong mutual relationship regardless of benefits!
Is that possible?!
Lols!??

Please help Ian to make Ria trust men again..Our Love Doctor!?