Ria Episode 39 by Ademide

Ria Episode 39 by Ademide

THEME: doom! ?
°°°°°°°°° IDAHO °°°°°°°°
ROBERT MANSION
FREDERICK POV ?
“Darling -” my wife Vivian called at me when she stepped Into our luxurious living room
“What is it Vivian?”
I asked with my newspaper high up in the air.
“I think I’ll travel to Chicago” she said
I dropped the newspaper and stared at her in shock
“When?.. Why? -“
I paused
I studied her expression
Vivian hardly request to go on a vacation outside Idaho. Not that she hasn’t been out of Idaho to other states or countries..but she doesn’t fancy travelling all around the world.
She’d rather stay back at home or spend time with her friends having dinners.
“I know you’re wondering why I wanna travel to Chicago?”
She said
I cleared my throat
“Yes..I’m not saying you can’t travel.. But I’m only disputing the fact that you chose Chicago. There are better places to go on vacation”
“I’m not going on a vacation. Or have you forgotten I said that I would consider going on one after I must have seen a grand child”
Oh yes! She always say that anytime I ask her to go on a vacation with me.
I gave her a nod
Thank Goodness we are having a grandchild soon!
“At Dinner my friends didn’t stop taking about this new clothe store in Chicago.. And some of them went to the launch. I watched it online. Darling you need to see those stunning dresses in that store! Even the designer is currently famous on National Tv,billboards…”
I listened to Vivian as rattles on about the clothe Designer and her store.
How on earth is that my concern?
She came closer and settled beside me.
She placed her iPad on her palm
“Watch this”
Vivian clicked on the screen and played a video.
I saw a big building with a designer brand engraved at the entrance “RRC”.
It was beautiful! Whoever owns this business must be rich!
The inside was crowded
“This was the launching of the Store. It took place three days ago”
“Isn’t that Ian Bryant?”
I pointed to Jack’s son when I saw him
“Yes..he is partnering with the designer”
“Well maybe because he’s running a textile company”
“I guess so. Perla was there too”
“Really?”
“Yes..and some other famous people in Chicago”
Then I saw Perla talking to a group of women
“What is RRC?” I asked
It was engraved on the walls and windows and they even showed it on a dress a woman was holding
“It Means Ria Robert Couture”
“Ria Robert Couture?” I repeated
“Look at her!” Vivian screamed as she points to a lady.
She was walking up a podium
I swallowed hard
“She’s a beauty goddess!” Vivian exclaimed
I shifted uncomfortably on the couch.
I stared at the image of the Lady smiling on the phone
“Ria Robert”
The name echoed in my head
She looked like someone I used to know..but I’m trying not to think she’s the one!
“This lady has been through a lot in life”
“How do you know?”
“She shared her life experience on national TV and..even In This video… listen -“
Vivian increased the volume and clicked to forward the Video
The clapping ended abruptly and the lady called Ria continued
“I used to be a blind lady with a dream of becoming a clothe designer”
My heart beats rapidly at her words
“She used to be blind”
“She was blind but she still held on To those dreams. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Vivian asked
But I didn’t respond
My head was trying to put two and two together
This Ria Robert used to be blind but now she can see.
I know of just one Ria Robert in my entire life..she was a little blind girl.
My step brother’s child.. Didn’t know much about her though.
It can’t be that..this Ria Robert is the same Ria I got rid of years back.
“I want to meet her”
She blurted as she stare at the devise.
I heard just clapping from the crowd now.
I didn’t pay attention to what she had said..I was lost in my own thought.
And I realized that I was sweating when I placed my palm on my forehead.
“Are you okay darling?”
“Yes..yes..I’m fine”
“Are those sweats?”
“Yes..I’m feeling hot. It must be the weather”
I stood up from the couch
“But it not sunny today?”
“I’ll just take a shower and rest”
“Okay..but can I go to Chicago?”
“For what?”
“I want to get dresses for myself,Bay and her mom”
“We’ll discuss it later”
“Why not now?”
She frowned
“Are really going to do this to me?”
I raised my hands up to silence her
Vivian stamps her feet on The floor like a child as I motioned towards my room.
It not a good idea for her to meet Ria Robert.
If this so called clothe designer is the same Ria Robert then there is a big problem!
But it can’t be!
I remember Lucas said that he’d fun with the little girl in his car and threw her off a cliff.
Ria Robert is Dead!
But..what if Lucas had spared her life but lied to me?
No..no she’s dead!
But even if it that I can’t sit back,now that I know there’s another Ria Robert in Chicago!
And looking at her closely..she looks like Madison..Ria’s mother. And that her vibrant Aquamarine eyes look like that of my step mother’s!
I have to do something before things gets out of hand!
I need to find the truth!
But how?
Then it struck me that there was only one way to find out the truth about what happened six years ago.
♦••♦••♦••♦••♦••♦
LIMOS COMPANY
DRAKE POV ??
I sat at my desk. This time I wasn’t handling any task neither was I signing deals. I was staring at an image on my System.
The image of Ria Robert!
I met her at the BMW party and it was hard for me to take my eyes off her the moment my gaze fell on her.
She was beautiful!
And I haven’t seen any woman as beautiful as Ria Robert!
At that moment I would have made my Move but I couldn’t cause she was with Ian Bryant.
She was his date?
I searched the room for Ian as I greeted some business associates in Chicago..and all thanks to Harvey Wesley who told me where I could find Ian in the part of the crowded room but he didn’t warn me that I was going to see a beauty goddess with Ian so I won’t have drooled when I saw Ria Robert.
And at first l felt happiness within me when I introduced myself to Ria. My first impression about her was that she was a business woman who was just talking to Ian..then I thought I’d take the chance when she said Ria Robert.
Something was strange about her.
I studied her carefully.
Her smile disappeared the moment Ian introduced me properly to Ria.
Even though she’d tried to maintain equanimity…but she failed at it.
She knew who my father was..no she said that she heard about him.
She excused herself..and that was lame to me. Wanting to visit the toilet after introduction and leaving at a close run.
Was it what I said?
No I didn’t say anything.. Just my name and position.
Maybe it was the way I stared at her.
I shouldn’t have stared too much.. But I couldn’t control it.
Ria must be the type of woman who doesn’t like men staring at her and taking in her beauty.
But that’s impossible!
She was irresistible!
And her beauty was enough to cause traffic on highway!
Ian didn’t tell me much about Ria when I asked who she was
“She’s my date”
He had clarified..and he also sounded like he was warning me to back off and not get silly ideas in my head.
FLASHBACK TO BMW PARTY
“You’d have a beautiful date Ian”
“Thanks” he replied with a frown
“Come one Ian I’m not going to steal your date away”
But well I could steal Ria Robert from him if I wanted to.
Ian didn’t respond
But I didn’t attend this party to steal anyone’s date.
I came to Chicago for Business!
“Well I’m yet to get a response on the technological deal”
“40%” he said
I followed his gaze
It was on a Lady. She was dressed in a skimpy red cocktail dress. Her chest was large enough to drive any man insane except me. I hate ladies with too big boobs!
Ian came with his date but was still staring at another Lady. I wonder how Ria would feel if she saw him staring at another lady..bad I guess.
If I were Ian I would be faithful like an old dog to Ria Robert.
I wouldn’t need another woman if she was with me.
“And why are you insisting on 40%?”
“Why are you insisting on giving 25%?”
He looked back at me
“Would you have accepted 25% if you were in my shoes?”
“No”
I replied sincerely
“But you Ian Bryant can accept 25%..your industry won’t go bankrupt because of that 15%” I said
And that was true!
If Ian could give out a Million dollars for just one night..and millions to a Charity home then he could spare me that 15% too
“I don’t run my Industry -“
“Hello”
A soft voice interrupted Ian
I turned towards the voice and saw that lady Ian was staring at earlier. I’m sure the Lady must have noticed him staring at her..that was why she came to us.
Now I think someone is going to steal Ian from Ria Robert.
If that happens maybe I can go home with Ria..just for tonight… I’m willing to take Ian’s place.
“Valerisa Diaz” she introduced
I shook hands with her
“Drake Robert”
“It’s a pleasure”
She flashed me a seductive smile before turning to face Ian who now wore a concerned look on his face.
He was distant with his gaze at the entrance
“Where is your date Ian?” She asked
“Excuse me I’ll just go ahead and find my date” he said to me
And he was almost leaving when I grabbed his upper arm
“We aren’t done talking”
“Let’s talk later”
He jerked free and walked away
“Still a bad ass” Valerisa muttered
She looked angry
Well calling him a bad ass..I sense some connection between them
“Perhaps do you know -“
“Yes we used to date”
She said before I completed my statement
She now replied with a bright smile..like she was proud to be his Ex.
Now I know!
Ian wasn’t staring at her because he liked what he saw.
“I met his date tonight and I told her about us”
Oh that’s bad!
He wasn’t happy Valerisa introduced herself to Ria Robert.
“So what about you?” She asked
“Did you come with anyone?”
“No..I’m here to meet Ian”
But now she ruined everything!
We were discussing business before she joined in. I was sure her presence made him leave. Now he didn’t agree as planned even though it seemed like he was about to give in.
“Same here”
She opened her purse and brought out her card
“You know – we can hook up some other time” she said with an alluring smile
“Sure”
I just don’t want to be rude by rejecting her card.
So I accepted it.
She wasn’t bad too but not as pretty like Ria.
She leaned in
“I’ll be expecting”
She whispered into my ear before kissing my cheek.
I managed to stiff in a laugh.
What was she thinking?
“Bye”
She walked away
That I would hook up with her?
Never! She isn’t my type!
Definitely far from from my ideal type of women.
I hate women making the first move.
But,
I can always call her up to warm my bed anytime I’m in Chicago.
I waited to see if Ian would return back to the party but he didn’t.
I tossed Valerisa card into the waste bin on my way out of the room.
I concluded that i don’t need her!
I have too many problems to deal with and I don’t want anyone showing up at my parents home with a baby.
She is not my type so there is no need to hook up!
I was angry that this night didn’t turn out the way I planned it. I should have stick to my plans to enticing Ian or doing some background check on him.
FLASHFORWARD
A beeping sound on my desk snapped me out of thought.
It was my phone!
I looked down at it “my mom” was the caller ID
“Hello Mom”
“Son how are you?”
“I’m fine – what’s wrong?”I asked when she didn’t sound like her usual self
“It’s your Dad” she sniffed
“Tell me about it”
“He won’t let me go to Chicago”
“Chicago?”
“Yes. I want to get some dresses in Chicago”
“Mom you can get them here in Idaho”
“No I want the dresses from Ria Robert Couture her designs are beautiful!. And some of my friends already visited the place while some went to the launch”
Oh! I never knew my mom was aware of RRC. I also watched the launching on YouTube after I heard my staffs talking about this new couture in Chicago. I typed RRC Launching and It turned out to be for Ria Robert. And I wished I was there at the launching of RRC but I wasn’t even aware Ria was a clothe designer until I watched some clips about her and even the interview on National TV.
“Have you heard about her too?”
“Yes and I’ve met her once”
“Really?!”
“We met at BMW party in Chicago”
“She was at the party too?”
“Yes mom..she came with Ian Bryant”
And I didn’t get to see Ian till I left Chicago after a week.
I tried all my best to see him but it either he was in conference meeting or emergency meeting with board of directors or that he didn’t show up at work.
It was as if Ian purposely avoided me.
And he was making a big issue out of this deal.
I should have considered partnering with another company but partnering Lint corps will fetch me more money.
A whole lot of money that with increase my company fund if he agrees to 25%. The deal would be profitable if I have the 75%.
“Yes son. She’s partnering with Ian Bryant. And it seems like Ian is her backbone cause she confessed that he helped her a lot”
“Yes I know mom”
No wonder she turned up as his date!
“So mom why did dad refused to allow you go to Chicago?”
“He didn’t say anything”
“Give him time Mom. Maybe dad is thinking that he would be alone at home.. But don’t worry I’m sure he will let you go”
“You think so?”
“Yes and I will talk to him”
“Thank You son – have you talked to Bay?”
“Yes we spoke earlier this morning. She’s fine”
“I want to get a dress for her too. Isn’t that a good idea?”
“It is mom”
“Okay”
“Bye” i hang up
I tapped on my desk softly
Then an idea popped up in my head
The best way to get Ian to sign the deal.
Limos produces the best fabrics in USA. I can offer to supply Ria at lower prices. I can bear the cost for the time being.
I will make a deal with Ria!
If Ian sees me with her I’m sure he won’t like that.
He will feel insecure with me around Ria and he will have to sign the deal to make me stay away from Ria Robert.
Yes! Yes! It perfect!
I just need to have a perfect plan on how to reach Ria and talk to her.
I will act on it!
♦••• ♦
What goes around comes around Karma!
??
Always having plans!
And I think Ria would be glad to meet the Roberts.
And easy way to make them pay for Fredrick’s crime even though they are innocent!
What do you all think?
Lemme know via comment