| |
An hour went by and the ladies were doing a last sweep to make sure they got all of their belongings.
“I don’t want to leave,” Isla cried.
“None of us do. Despite all of the bs that went on while we were here. I can honestly say that I’m relaxed. I don’t have that tension in my shoulders that I had when I got here,” Ryan stated.
“That doesn’t have anything to do with the trip,” Randi answered peeping from around the counter.
“Shut up,” Ryan laughed.
“Well you know it doesn’t.”
“You don’t know anything.”
Mia was trying not to have a panic attack as she noticed their departure time getting closer. I know I should be calm but I haven’t been alone in a long time. This doesn’t feel right, even though I know it’s the right thing to do. She tried to take deep breaths as she rolled her luggage bags to the front door.
Liam paced the floor of his condo, debating with himself on how to approach Ryan before she left town. His driver was sitting on the couch in the living room when Liam came walking in.
“Aye man. Do you think I should show up at the house and offer the ladies a ride to the airport?”
His driver was concerned. This was the first time Liam had addressed the situation since she rejected him that day.
“Listen, I’m no relationship expert but I feel like you should let her go. I mean she’s going back home.”
“I understand that but I can’t let this one go.”
“I’m not stupid either. She’s not the one for you. I’m sure she’s going back home to her man. And that man is not you.”
“You might be right but I’m still thinking about it.”
“Liam I don’t think I can be the one to take you over there. It’s not going to set right with my spirit.”
“You don’t have a spirit or conscience. Weren’t you cheating on your wife with your girlfriend before?”
“Don’t try to bring up my past. That’s in the past.”
“Man that was a few months ago. It’s not that much of a past,” Liam answered.
“I still don’t think it’s right. At least call her first and then show up. I can’t see you like that again. Shit had me tore up for real.”
“I’m good man. I always bounce back.”
“You weren’t saying shit yesterday Mr. Bounce Back.”
“Forget you, Spence.”
“That’s what she said,” he laughed.
“You aren’t lying about that.”
“Just call her. If she answers and wants to see you I don’t mind if not you’re on your own. You will be driving your damn self.”
“That’s why I pay you though. Don’t be like that,” Liam stated.
“That’s not in my contract. I know what it says. It says nothing about driving you to get humiliated by someone else.”
“If she doesn’t want to talk to me. I’ll just leave like the last time.”
“That last time still has you scarred. I’m not falling for it.”
“I’m tired of arguing with you. Are you ready?”
“Hell no I’m not ready. I’m not going,” Spence stated crossing his arms.
“Throw me the keys then. I’ll drive my damn self.”
Spence got up because Liam already knew how he felt about him being alone. Liam was a well known millionaire that had several businesses.
“All this pussy in the world and you want this one. Let’s go,” he answered.
“That’s more like it,” Liam laughed.
“I still don’t think this is going to end well.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion. Just a ride.”
“And that’s why you make me sick,” Spence laughed closing the door behind them.
The ride to the house was quiet. Liam was nervous. “I hope I’m not too late,” he whispered staring out of the window.
“I hope you aren’t either or this is going to be a double charge,” Spence laughed.
“Man, forget you. I pay you well.”
“I didn’t say that. The double is for the stress you caused me.”
“You aren’t stressed.”
“Yes, I am. This has been a nerve wrecking experience.”
“Shut up,” Liam laughed.
Spence started laughing. “Looks like the door is open and all of their bags are at the door.”
“How are you seeing all of that? I can’t see anything from back here.”
“I have great vision. Plus you’re in the back and aren’t looking in the right direction.”
Spence stopped in front of the door and he was right. Their bags were waiting.
“We’re just in time,” Liam smiled.
Spence parked the car. “That still doesn’t mean that she wants to see you.”
“True. But I can always try. Don’t leave,” he answered jumping out of the car.
Mia was standing in view to see any cars that were pulling into the yard, when she noticed the same truck from before. She couldn’t put her finger on his name but she knew it was him when he particularly ran to the door and knocked.
She peeped from around the corner. “Who is it?” she asked.
“It’s Liam.”
“It’s who?” she yelled.
“It’s Liam,” he repeated. I know she sees me, he thought to himself getting irritated.
“Oh hey, Liam.” Mia said answering the door.
“Is Ryan here?”
“What do you need her for? We’re about to leave,” she stated crossing her arms over her shoulders.
“I know that. I need to speak to her for a minute please,” he begged.
“Ryan! Liam is here to see you.”
Ryan paused. “I know good and well that I didn’t ask him to come and see me.”
Isla sped walked to the door with Emery and Randi behind her.
“Well, well. Liam what do we owe this visit?” Randi asked.
“I actually came to give you ladies a ride to the airport.”
“Does Ryan know about this?” Mia asked.
“Umm. No but I mean all of you are here now. So what do you think?” he asked.
“You came to see, Ryan. So the decision is up to her. We can’t make that call,” Isla added.
“I mean. I understand that,” he nodded and backed away from the entrance.
“You can come in,” Mia answered. “No need to stand in the heat.”
“Are y’all sure? Y’all are watching me like blood hounds,” he laughed.
“We’re sure. We have to watch out for our girl. Can’t let anything happen to her.”
“You said Liam was here?” she asked coming from upstairs.
“Yes ma’am. He’s right here,” Emery answered stepping to the side so she could see him. Ryan’s face was one of confusion.
“I got it now ladies.”
“We only about 15 minutes before we need to be heading out. Don’t take too long.”
“Yes mother,” Ryan laughed.
“Whatever,” Mia answered rolling her eyes.
The ladies left the two alone.
“Yes, what can I help you with?”
“I wanted to see if y’all needed a ride to the airport?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she answered shaking her head.
“I’m only trying to make sure you get to the airport safely. I don’t want anything else but to share a few moments in the car with you.”
“I don’t believe it. Did you run it by the ladies?” she asked.
“Yes he did,” Randi answered.
Ryan started laughing. She knew the ladies weren’t going to go to far away. “And what did y’all say, Randi?”
“We told him it was up to you.”
“Okay. Thanks. You can leave the room now,” she laughed.
“I don’t want to. I have to make sure he doesn’t try anything.”
“Randi trust me I got it. If not I know what do to,” she laughed.
Randi and Isla both walked away. The other two ladies were still triple checking everything.
“You know I can’t continue this affair right?” she whispered.
“We never had an affair. What we had was a friendship that went a little too far.”
Ryan chuckled.
“I’m serious. Is that what you call all of your affairs?” she asked.
“I don’t have affairs. I’m single. I can’t cheat when I’m single.”
“I’m married though. So what do you call that?”
“A misunderstanding,” he laughed.
“A straight fool. That’s why you’re laughing. It’s not funny. I have to go back home with this.”
“You act like this is new. I’m not asking you to leave him, just make time for me.”
“I can’t do that. That’s what I’m telling you now. I want to be faithful now,” she confessed.
“What caused this?”
“When I got married. I married for better or for worse. My husband doesn’t deserve this.”
“I didn’t say he did. I’m trying to understand what’s going on because it is sudden.”
“I know. This trip. I need to see if I can work through the problems if not, I need to be single for a while. I don’t want to jump right into another relationship. I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.”
“You remember telling me that your husband wasn’t adding to your happiness?”
“I remember.”
“What has he done in the last few days to add to it?”
“Nothing. But I want to try,” she answered. “I’m not being fair taking my unhappiness to fix with another person. That’s not fair to him or to you. I know this is a lot especially after the night we shared but I rather leave here without any more doubts in my mind. I don’t want you waiting for me.”
“But I will wait regardless.”
“That’s on you,” she stated. “I’m going to call us a ride. I don’t think you taking us is a great idea,” she confessed.
“You might be right about that. I’ll call another one of my drivers to drop you ladies off. It won’t take too long.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind at all. I can’t turn my feelings off that fast. I appreciate you letting me spend some time with you while you were here. I’ll never forget you,” he stated.
“Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“I’m sure you’ll bounce back,” he stated.
Liam walked to the door and didn’t look back. “Give the driver about 5 minutes,” he called over his shoulder.
“Thanks!” she yelled but it was too late. Ryan stared out of the window as Liam ran to the car.
“Oh shit. I told you not to come here,” Spence stated.
“Drive. I’ll be alright,” Liam answered. “She wasn’t mine to claim and I failed myself for thinking I could win her over.”
“Her loss,” Spence.
“I don’t know. It might be mine. Her husband is a lucky man. He better make sure to hold on tight to her,” Liam whispered.
Spence didn’t say anything else. He saw the look of defeat in the rearview mirror on Liam’s face. He knew that told you so wasn’t a good move.
“We have another ride coming,” Ryan stated walking into the living room.
“You dropped him off right. Not too hard and not too soft,” Randi reassured her.
“Why did it feel like I was breaking up with my lover?”
“Because you did. But you needed to,” Emery answered.
“I still don’t like this feeling,” she answered looking down at the wedding ring that she placed on this morning. This was the first time she wore it in months, she realized turning it around her finger.
“You still have us,” Isla smiled.
“And I love each of you,” she smiled back.