Chapter 8
I waited until ten–still no reply. I gave up and called him–no answer.
I tried reaching his assistant, but all I had was his work number. No response there either, not at this hour.
I really couldn’t get in touch with Ryan.
A strange anxiety crept up in my chest, but there was nothing I could do. I tossed and turned all night and woke up with dark circles under
my eyes,
It wasn’t until the next morning that I finally got a message from his
assistant.
“So sorry, Ms. Sanchez. I forgot to charge the work phone last night and didn’t see your message.
“As for Mr. Harland, he didn’t seem in a good mood last night and told me not to contact him. But as far as I know, his car’s parked at home.
“Is it something urgent?”
I replied quickly, “Not that urgent. Can you just send me his home address?”
He sent it right away. I didn’t overthink it–I just got up, threw myself together, and grabbed a cab.
Ryan’s house was amazing, stand–alone, and super fancy.
Just as I was about to ring the bell, I realized the gate wasn’t even
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locked–it swung open with a push.
I texted him as I slowly stepped inside.
I had barely reached the front door when I heard a voice inside, full of frustration.
“Man, are you messing with me? Seriously? You’re Ryan!“.
Then came another voice, cracked and emotional.
“So what? I’m still human, right? Humans have feelings. Humans get hurt…”
I recognized it instantly. It was Ryan. Only now, his voice had a tipsy, broken edge to it.
The other guy sighed. “You came on so strong, talking about marriage right away. Isn’t it normal for her to hesitate a little?”
Ryan’s voice cracked even more, almost crying.
“But she used to keep saying she wanted to marry that Tim guy. Why is it different when it’s me?
“And if I hadn’t sent her that video of that psycho Tim flipping out, she wouldn’t have even gone on the blind date with me…
“Maybe she’s just using me as a distraction. If I don’t tie her to me with something like marriage, what if she suddenly runs off again? Like last night, she saw him again…
“Man, it’s been seven years. I have to take this chance.”
I stood frozen.
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Was that anonymous video Ryan’s doing?
The other guy went quiet for a long time.
“So you got drunk out of your mind in the middle of the night and slept through 50 calls?
“You realize you single–handedly emptied half the liquor cabinet? Just because she wasn’t sure yet?”
Ryan didn’t answer. He just kept sobbing. The guy sighed, helpless and amused.
“Man, I’ve never seen you like this.
“You just need to be yourself. No woman wouldn’t fall for you. And if they don’t right away, it’s just a matter of time, okay?”
Ryan looked wronged. “Then why doesn’t Odie love me?”
His friend gritted his teeth. “I said it’s a matter of time, you idiot!”
I’d been quietly eavesdropping behind the wall for a while and couldn’t help but laugh.
Unfortunately, that laugh gave me away.
“Who’s out there?“.
A tall, handsome guy walked out–definitely looked like he came from another powerful family, too.
I looked at his face and thought, “Of course. Good–looking guys only hang out with other good–looking guys. Rich boys run in packs.”
Before I could say anything, he recognized me instantly.
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“Hey aren’t you Odette? Are you here to see Ryan?” He spoke fast.
I nodded slowly. “Uh, yeah.”
“Great–come in!” He lit up like he’d just seen his last lifeline. “You have no idea what hell he’s put me through this morning…”
He dragged me inside without waiting for a word.
The house was a mess. Bottles and cans everywhere. Ryan was slumped in a corner, hair a mess, eyes glassy.
His shirt was half–soaked, half–buttoned, hanging loosely off his shoulder, showing off toned muscles and a bit of chest.
I stared. Hard. The rich boy glanced between us, eyes gleaming.
“Alright, I’ll let you two have a private talk. I’m starving. Gonna grab breakfast…”
And with that, he ran out–didn’t even let me say a word.
Now it was just me and Ryan, alone in the massive living room, staring at each other.
After a long pause, I spoke carefully. “You… you okay?”
His dazed eyes lit up halfway. He blinked in disbelief. “Odie? Is it really you?”
He looked so heartbreakingly vulnerable, I walked over and crouched beside him.
“It’s me. I came to find you, Ryan.”
He tilted his head, eyes scanning me from head to toe.
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Once he was sure it was really me, he quickly lowered his head to fix
his hair, then scrambled to button up his shirt.
“You… came to find me?
“For what?”
I winked.
“To marry you.
“Is that okay?”
