Ria

Episode 20

THEME:MEETING MY FAMILY!?

RIA POV ?♀
The limousine driver that picked us at the airport pulled up in front of my house. I rushed out of the car ignoring Ian’s warning to be careful. I was anxious to see my family.. Mrs Elise, Phoebe and Phoenix. I wanted to see them!

Two kids ran out of the building and I spread out my arms to accommodate them!

“Mom!” They screamed
Phoenix was a compact little thing.. Cute with a dimple on his right cheek like mine too. His hair shimmering in the sun!

Phoebe had a short black hair packed in ponytails. Her cute brown eyes added beauty to her Heart shaped face. They are beautiful creatures!

“How are you doing mom?”
Phoenix jumped

“I’m fine” I pinched his cheeks
“Can you really see me?!”
He asked again

“Yes..my little man!”
“Miss Ria!” I looked up and Saw Mrs Elise. She was short and plump with her brown hair packed in a bun. She looked wonderful in the knee length gown.

“Oh miss Ria! -”
She hugged Me

“I’m so happy you can see now” I noticed the stray of tears on her cheeks when she released me

“Thanks for taking care of the Kids”
Phoebe and Phoenix dragged the boxes together

“Mr Ian..I don’t know how thank You for taking good care of Miss Ria”

“You don’t have to Thank Me Mrs Elise”
“God bless you. I’ll just take the boxes inside”

She dragged the big one while The kids fights over who will take the second one
“Phoenix let her do it” he let go instantly and made his way to the front door to open it.
Leaving me Alone with Ian

“So what next now?” He asked before I could think of thanking him

“I will just see the work we have on ground before deciding on what to do next”
He leaned close

“I hope that you’ll give my offer a good thought”
I nodded

“I await a good response..so just call me when you’re ready”

“Yes. So where are you heading now?”

“To the office”
“You should get enough rest after seeing to the work at the office” he nodded
Now I’m sounding like I care
“Sure”

He entered the car and waved at me before the car moved. I waved back at him.

I walked back inside only to find them searching through my stuffs.

“Is there something I need to know about the trip?” Mrs Elise asked
“What are you thinking?”
“No..nothing” she shrugged
“Wow!” Phoenix screamed when he brought out a Superman toy
“That for you little man”
“What about me?” Phoebe pouted
“I couldn’t fine the type of diary you wanted in China. But don’t worry we’ll visit the mall this weekend to buy it”
“Okay mom”

“You can pick some candy and chocolate now..and put the rest in the fridge”
“Thanks Mom!”

“So what do I get in place of goodies,toys -”
I laughed at Mrs Elise remark
“I’m sorry Mrs Elise..I didn’t know the size of shoe or the dress to buy”
She laughed

“It okay..I understand” she packed the stuffs back and closed the box
“Let me put this inside”
“Thank You Miss Elise”
I pull off my sandals and followed Mrs Elise to the room

“I guess we have a lot to talk about” Mrs Elise said

“Yes..”
“I figured that from the smile on your face”
“What smile?..I’m just happy I can see you guys now”

“Yeah I know..but I’m talking about Mr Ian”

I rolled my eyes
“Let me freshen up so we can talk” I slid down my dress and walked into the bathroom

♦••♦••♦

LINT CORP

IAN POV ?
Several of my staffs stopped to greet me as I walked in. I waved at them without saying a word. I’ve been gone for 6 weeks..away from most of my duties just tending to few files on my system. Grace and Ramsey greeted me cheerfully when I walked into their area

“How are you doing?”
“Fine Sir” they chorused
“How was your trip sir?” Grace asked
“Good”

“Mrs Bryant is waiting for you”
Ramsey informed me
“Okay”

I opened the door leading Into my office. My mom sat at the desk. I wondered how she was able to run things here with her store?
“Hi mom” she stood up and met me halfway

“Welcome son!” She kissed my cheeks

“I missed you!”
“I missed you more!” I replied with a laugh before settling on the couch and she did the same opposite me

“How was the trip?”
“Good..I’m so tired! I need a good rest”
“What about Ria?”

“She’s fine..I just dropped her off at her place before coming to the office”

“Son you don’t know how happy i was when I saw that Ria could see”

Yeah! Mom made a video call with Ria while we were in China! She wanted to be sure if Ria could really see. I thought Ria would feel pressured cause of that but she had agreed to talk to my mom.

“I’m happy too mom”
“And now you’re feeling like the happiest man on earth”

“More than being the happiest mom”
We laughed

“So what the next plan?”
“Oh mom…” I rubbed my forehead
“Just the same old plans..”
“Did you discuss it with Ria?”
“Yes I told her about my plans to setup her business…and for me to invest in it and then be partners”

“So what did she say?”
“She’s yet to give me a response mom. I’ll give her enough time to think about it”
“Ria will accept”
“How do you know that Mom?”
“My instincts”

“Just instinct mom? I’m sorry that won’t work with Ria”

“Don’t doubt the instinct of a woman..especially that of a mother”

Those times we spent together after Ria was discharged from the eye centre..they were special to me. We visited places in China. I made sure that Ria see everything..and I watched her smile during those moments. Everything had looked new to Ria when I was showing her things and also telling her about some objects in China. She was happy.. More than happy that she didn’t stopped smiling at everything she saw. We didn’t discuss personal issues..past or whatever but we talked about random things. And I never wanted those moments with her to end!
“Well I hope it works according to your instinct mom” I sighed and went to my desk
“What do we have here?”

“Ian you don’t have to start work today. Go home and rest for few days”

“Few days?”
“Yes”
“No..I’m resuming work tomorrow”
“A day or two rest won’t cause the company harm”
“Yes I know mom.. But I’m not talking about this company”

“Then what?”
“I want to start working on my plans for Ria”

“Sound determined”
“Always”

♦•••♦

RIA APARTMENT

RIA POV ?♀
I sat at the countertop in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee. I was waiting for Mrs Elise to finish washing the dishes. And ever since I came back Mrs Elsie stopped me from doing anything. She helped me arranged my clothes back in the closet. She kept saying that I should save up my energy for our discussion later in the day after the kids must have gone to bed.

“Now we can talk”
She wiped her hands clean on a napkin. She sat on a stool facing me directly
“Where do I start from?”
“Tell me what happened after you regained your sight”

“Well Ian was there..”
“Yes I know.. You told me that on phone”
“We didn’t do much in China.. Just visiting places and him showing me things. He also helped me to identify objects and colors”
So?”

“And yesterday..Ian asked what are my plans when i get back home”
“Okay..”
“You know my plans Mrs Elise.. Saving up to enrol into a fashion school and getting a space for the business”
“Yeah like having a workshop”
“Yes”

I still have a lot to learn about being a clothe designer. Wedding gowns and some other trending clothes I’ve seen. I need to learn and become a professional in this Field

“So what did he say?”
“Actually Mrs Elise..” I paused and wrapped my fingers around the cup

“Ian wants to help with sewing business”
“That a good thing”
“You think so?”
“Yes Miss Ria”
“I don’t like that idea..”
“Why?”

“You know..Ian already spent too much on that trip to China and the surgery bills. And he’s still kinda insisting that I don’t pay back whatever he spent. Now he wants to help again”

“You can partner with him. Like you can let him invest in Your business”

“But I still don’t have enough to start”
“Then I suggest you let him help you if he wants to. And from what I’ve learnt about Lint Corp..they produce textiles.. You can partner with them so they can supply with materials…”

“Yeah Ian said that too..but I still don’t feel comfortable about helping me just like that..cause I keep having this thought that..one day Ian might demand something in return”

“Perhaps did he make any advances while you were alone with him?”

“No he didn’t..”
“So what does that tell you?”
“I..i..don’t know Mrs Elise”
“Well it means that Mr Ian is different from the type of men you know. He is not in your life for sexual pleasure if I may say..like Lucas did -”

She stopped
“I want to believe that too..”
“You have to. Mr Ian is nice and he wants to be part of that great dreams of yours. He is waiting for you to let him in and help you with whatever he can”

“So what do I do?” She sighed
“Go to your room..” She stood up and collected the coffee from me

“Think about what Mr Ian told you..what we discussed.. Think deeply and make up your mind once and for all”

I think that’s what I should do. I need to have a deep thought about my life,think about Ian’s deal and make up my mind.
“Thank You Mrs Elise”

I hugged her before walking into my room.
I crashed on my bed and pulled the covers over my body.

Ian was extremely good company. He was calm.. Very intelligent. He was interesting and knowledgeable. He was interested in anything I’d to say. He could be very funny at times..And it was really nice to be with him. Not that I trusted him but I felt safe and protected. I had no idea what that means..but I could give Ian a benefit of doubt. I might learn to change my perspectives about Men through Ian.

And also allowing him to help me,I waited for a miracle..a breakthrough to fulfilling my dreams.

“It not bad to let Ian into my life”
I whispered to myself

“If I was able to stay alone with him for six weeks..without him acting funny”

then Ian might be a good man. Different from Lucas.

♪♪♪♪♪♪

“Letting go of everything
That has ever had a hold on me..

No more running when I’m scared.

Running never gets me anywhere
I used to care but now its whatever
They don’t want you to do better
They’ll get you down if you let em
Just remember,no pain is forever
I know its hard to forget, how wrong they did you

All of the s–t that you’ve been through
All of the fights you got into
Just remember that God is still with you
They want to bring me down..”

LIFE IS ONE BIG FIGHT
Theme song by Tatiana Manaois!

Now it almost time to make it Big!

Thanks for Reading!