Ria

Episode 32

THEME:BE MY DATE

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°°°° RIA APARTMENT °°°°

AUTHOR POV
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Ria frowned at the bedside watch when she heard the doorbell. It was 9:30pm getting ready to sleep after the long day work at the Foundation. She lazily hopped out of bed.
She made her way towards the door and peered through the small gap on it.

It was Ian!

He stood outside her door,a half smile on his lips when she opened the door.

A searching look in his eyes.

“I hope I’m not coming at a bad time? – like it late”

“No of course not”
She stepped aside for him to come in. Suddenly feeling a bit weak in the knees when his body brushed hers. A ridiculous overreaction of seeing him.

But there it was happiness hitting her straight in the heart at his presence.

“I just finished my work at the office” He said
Ria moistened her lips as she shut the door.
“You..you should have head home to rest -”
“And check in tomorrow” Ian completed her intended statement.

She heard him draw a deep breathe as if he were working up courage for what he was about to say.

“I can’t do that”
Her fingers tightened around her nightgown
“Listen Ria – I stood you up today by not driving you to the Foundation. And I won’t be able to forgive myself if I head home without seeing you today”

She swallowed hard trying to get her whirling emotion under control so she could think clearly. Ria couldn’t imagine why she was reacting so dramatically to his words.

Maybe she was just tired than she had realized.
“Okay” she said

The answer was immediate and a bit husky
“Where is Mrs Elise?”
He asked looking around the small apartment
“She went to her place. I told her have a good rest before we start working on the uniforms”
Ian moved and dropped on the couch. Suddenly feeling tired and hungry.

“The kids?”
“They are asleep” he nodded
“How was the visit to-” a growl from his stomach interrupted him

Ria glanced around trying to make out the sound.
“..to the foundation”
He completed

“It was fine” she said
His stomach growled again
“Are you hungry?” She asked him
“Huh?…no-” Ian made a purse when he heard the growling sound again.

This time it was loud.

Then he recalled that he hasn’t eaten anything good all day..except for the Bacon and Eggs Mr Griffin dished him around 7:00am when he was about leaving for work.

He sounded resigned when he said
“Yes”

Ria couldn’t help but smile a little at his tone
He was starving and there’s nothing in the fridge except Custard,Yogurt, noodles and one lonely egg.

They’ve been too busy to get down to the grocery store.

But maybe the Noddles will do.
“Would you like to have Noddles?”
“I think I can do better with that”
A laugh was in his voice when he said to her.
Ria nodded and jumped to her feet.
She motioned towards the kitchen but stopped and turned back at him

“You can join me in the kitchen”
He followed her

She gestured to him to seat on a chair in her small open kitchen.

“I should make some tea.. I have some in the -”

“I’d love some tea” he interrupted gently
“Okay” she prepared tea for him before cooking the Noddles.

They discussed about the Foundation. But Ria didn’t tell him about the Story she shared with Melissa Just the work they did at the foundation.

Eventually, he got around to eating. Sitting at her table wearing only his jeans and unbuttoned T-shirt revealing his white singlet under neath.
Ian scooped Noddle with fork and ate them while admiring Ria as she enjoyed her yogurt and crackers. Her hair was around her fresh -scrubbed face and she wore a black silk robe. She looked so beautiful it was hard to concentrate on the food.

“I wasn’t sure if you would be glad to see me tonight?” He confessed

Ria glanced meaningfully at their state of near undress.

They haven’t been this close to undress even in China. She had made sure that she wore good clothes around him..and getting fully dress before seeing him in the morning. No night robe wearing with him.

“Well I hope I manage to reassure you on that count”

Thinking back over the past minutes he smiled
“Yeah”

Her little giggle made him grin before he filled his mouth with another bite of noodles. He was relieved the food was good. He would have depended on directions found on his phone or the food pack to prepare noodles cause he wasn’t good at cooking.

“Do you still have your business cards?” He asked

“Yes”
“Like 50?”
She nodded

“Why?
“mom requested for it. She said Madam Charity loved those dresses you made and will like to give out your cards at the event”
“Really?”
He shook his head

“I have enough Cards” she said after only a momentary pause.
He nodded

Ian shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he recalled that he’d planned to ask Ria to go with him to the Party as his date.

Ria studied his face,and it was hard to tell what he was thinking.
“Thanks for the food”
He pointed to his now empty plate.

Ria stood up and took the plate to the sink. She washed it.

Then She turned to see Ian staring at her.
Ria knew that he was working up his courage to say what was on his mind.

Ria went on studying him with those blue eyes that were so intense.

Ian cleared his throat.

He stood up and went to her.

“There’s.. Hmm..” He paused
Ria eyes drew him to her,as if they were casting a spell over him.

Ian drew in a deep breathe
It now or never!

“I belong to this association for business men and women…BMW and the party is in three weeks time. Will you go with me? As my date”
Ria jaw dropped

“Oh..I..I don’t know if that’s such a good idea”

She said in reaction to the word “date”
Even as a little voice in the back of her mind said
‘I think it’s a good idea’
Ian persisted

But going with him to the party full of rich and classy people isn’t a very good idea to Ria cause she had started to feel inferior.

Ria shook her head,but before she could say anything,
He said

“Come on Ria..I want to be there with you…I want you to be there with me..No games”
“I shouldn’t” she whispered, a denial that made it clear that she was going to anyways.

“Yes,you should”

“But..I don’t belong to the Association”
“You don’t have to belong to the Association to attend the party. People come around to meet new Business Partners”

And then he did one thing that put her completely over the edge.

He touched her.

He reached a big capable hand to the side of her neck and rubbed it with tender brush of his fingertips.

“Ria… say you’ll come”
He went on studying her with those eyes that were so intense. Ria knew no color of pallet could do them justice. And as much as she didn’t want them to, his eyes still Drew her to him.

Ria thought she might have the weakest will of anyone in the world because that was all it took for her to say..

“Okay”
It made him smile, a slow pleased smile without a trace of self satisfaction.

But purely a smile that said that she’d make him a Happy and joyful man.

“Thank You” he whispered
Ria shook her head

“I should get going” he said And then,as If it were perfectly natural.

He leaned in closely and bent over to kiss her. On the Cheeks! ?

“Prepare the cards. I’ll send Ramsey to get them tomorrow”

He smiled down at her again
“Good night”

He said sliding his hand away from her neck and leaving that spot naked for the loss.

Ria didn’t say anything. It took her a moment to realize what just happened. A moment in which she just stood there,Stunned!

Ian kissed her! And she’d allowed it!

Ian stepped backward and made his way out of the kitchen.

She stunned out of thought and followed him.
She can’t just keep standing like that!

“Ian -” she called at him
Ian stopped at the door and turned to her.
“Have a good rest” she said in a low tone.
He nodded and opened the door.

The door clicked closed and then all Ria wanted was to go out there and throw herself into Ian’s arms.

She walked back to her room after locking the door.

And she wondered if it was possible that she was more attracted to him now than she thought. Because that was almost how it seemed.

Of course, it didn’t help matters that Ian was simply the nicest and sexiest man she’d ever encountered or that something about him Drew her to him.

And not that it made any difference because she wasn’t going to act on it.

But the way things were shaping up – it was going to be it.
Ria doubted!

She thought of it!

And she didn’t want to think things like wanting him to Kiss her..full on the lips and get lost in the taste of him.

It wasn’t going to happen. She swore to herself that it wasn’t. Because she realized that Ian was too good for her.

And she doesn’t deserve someone like him.

Ian deserve a better woman!

Definitely not someone like her!
She concluded as she rolled over her bed!
She wiped a tear that already strayed down her cheek at the thought.

But soon she drifted into sleep.

♪♪♪♪♪♪

“I don’t want to be alone
Cause i hate my thoughts my own
And I hate to be in this hole but as soon as leave I feel cold..

Why do I feel so much pain now
Please don’t go tell me you’ll stay”
Hello Everyone!

Hmm Hullalala..Ian kissed Ria! I think their love story is about to kick start!

What do you think?!