Lily’s Pov.
I am so angry at him.
But why? He was not the one who was clinging to her.
But he was also not the one taking her arms away from him and also had lunch with her.
But it was just some business meeting. My mind says.
But the way Hazel said she was going seduce Ryan. What about that?
But when he came back he looked fine. Not one hair was astray and I think he is already in relationship with you.
I am biting my nails by the time, I reach my place. He is not going to be here today as he has to attend family dinner tomorrow and his brothers have came here to meet him. I also told him that I would be out with my family too.
As I have left early, I make call to order for pizza and chocolate chip cake from bakery. I go down and take my delivery after paying them. I wave at the building guard who lives with his wife in another room at ground floor.
As I am watching TV, I text Emma that I would spend Saturday with them. I get changed after eating and cleaning up and go to sleep but the thoughts of Ryan make me stay awake all night.
I thought everything was going fine but sometimes I feel like Ryan is holding himself back because of me and I feel like I am at fault somehow. Am I not making enough efforts in this relationship? Am I being too shy?
I have to ask for advice from Emma. She could help me understand what to do as I really like Ryan but don’t know how to express it. I decide for time being let Ryan enjoy his family time and not text or call him that much that someone gets suspicious.
I only get four hours sleep and get up and get ready in top, jeans and jacket. I wear sports shoes and pack an overnight bag. I buy everyone’s favourite ice creams and reach there at around 10.
I have fun with Ethan as I play with him and we watch movies. After Lucas takes him upstairs to sleep, Emma says, “Grab your ice cream and come out. By the look on your face I think you want some advice.”
“How do you know that?” I ask as I help her sit on the chair.
“Well you were not here last weekend and didn’t even texted or called us that much but now you are here and has not touched your phone so there must be something.” She says and I tell her my situation without revealing Ryan’s name or anything related to him.
“Am I still in frigid zone?” I ask with a pout as I eat ice cream.
“First of all. Congratulations on perfect first kiss.” Emma teases me.
“Emma!” I exclaim.
“Okay. Okay fine. Look from what I understand from your story is that you are not making any effort rather than blushing or being too cautious. Relationship doesn’t work like that dear. You have to be bit forward. He can’t be the only to making all the moves. He can’t always hold your hand or kiss you or come for you. You have to do it too otherwise he would feel he is pushing you to do all those things.” Emma says.
“But how can I?” I ask as I look down.
“First of all you have stop shying away from things. It is good to be shy but too much of it feels like you are in your personal emotional jail. Free yourself and think what you like to do with him. I am not telling you to be bold or something just do what your heart wants to do and throw cautions to the air. Enjoy your relationship.” Emma says.
“But how can I do something and not think if he likes it or not?” I ask.
“Well you won’t know until you try it. And what if he likes it? Hold his hand, hug him or kiss him whenever you like, just like he does. Don’t you like it when he does something like that with you?” Emma asks.
“I do.” I say as I realise something.
“Then how come he wouldn’t like it.” Emma says.
I remember his look when he said that I won’t be working in his office after one week and then we would be free to do whatever we want but I said we are not. I was sad at that time by the thought of not spending enough time after my contract ends.
That we would only see or meet with each other after office hours and sometimes not that much. I am so used to seeing him all the time that the thought of not seeing him on daily bases made me upset.
I was right. I am at fault somehow. I have to be bit forward in my emotion and not always be so cautious. I have to show the emotions which I actually feel for him and have to do what I feel right.
I am shy about some things but not stupid. I have always got what I wanted because my heart was in it fully and I don’t back down from showing my enthusiasm in it. I have to make Ryan know that I am invested in this relationship as much as he is.
I think he would be back by tomorrow evening. So maybe I can ask him for dinner at my place. I can do that. I will make a simple but good dinner for us and we will have great time. With that thought in my mind I finally get good sleep with a exciting smile on my face.
Next day, I get call from Mia one of my college friend when I start going to my place at afternoon. She asks me to meet her at the cafe nearby and I decide to go to grocery store after meeting her.
I wear my white halter neck top with high waist ligh blue jeans and jacket. I wear shoes and tie my hairs in high ponytail. After kissing everyone goodbye and nodding thanks at Emma, I leave.
“Congratulations.” I say as soon as I hear that Mia is ready to marry Kylie who was our senior and is right now working with famous fashion designer.
“I don’t need your congratulations. I want you to be there on my wedding and be my bridesmaid. I would not hear any excuses as I want you to be part of the wedding as you played major role in our relationship.” Mia says.
“How come?” I ask as I take sip of my coffee and look away
“Come on don’t be shy. You were the one who gave the secret love letter I wrote for her at the farewell party and she read it aloud in front of others embarrassing me. But then she is kissed me when I was at the verge of crying. You knew somehow that she liked me.” Mia says.
“Well I used to see her looking at you as she used pass by our classes and she protected you once when someone tried to bully you. So I thought to just… I am sorry I am still embarrassed about it.” I say as I chuckle.
“Well my parents at first were against it but then they were happy when they met Kylie. My mom literally has accepted her as second daughter and my dad has always wanted me to be happy. So here is your invitation card?” Mia says as she gives me the card.
“It is on the 23rd May. When do I have to be there as bridesmaid?” I ask.
“A week or five days before.” I hear a voice behind me and I turn around to see Kylie.
I hug her and ask, “How are you?”
“I am fine. How are you?” Kylie asks and I see Davis with her.
“I am fine. Davis.” I say and he smiles and hugs me too.
Well that was odd, Davis never hugged me before but I let it go making it not that much of a big deal. I tell them that I would be there a week before as I have some prior commitments and they agree after some pleading.
I get text from Ryan that we would dinner together as we come out of the cafe but before I could reply I get push from behind and my phone falls down and it is dead. I have to rush back to my apartment with groceries before Ryan comes.
“Let me drop you.” Davis says.
“No. There is no need. I have to go grocery store.” I say as I put my broken phone in my bag.
“Well I have to buy something too then I will drop you. I also want some ideas related to their wedding as I am the groomsmen.” He says and I just nod as I am in hurry.
Davis is Kylie’s cousin and was in our batch of first year. He was good friend of mine at that time. But then I was too busy with my other friends and we kind of lost contact. We catch up with each other and have a good talk.
I buy the stuff for things I want to make. I am thinking about making soup and cheese sandwiches and also baked ziti. I buy the things and check at the counter while Davis waits for me. He insisted on paying for me but I politely denied. I also go nearby wine shop and but as I have no knowledge about it the owner helps me choose and I end up buying Pinot Nior.
We discuss about the color theme and other things and soon reach in front of my apartment. I take the bags without Davis’s help and keep it just inside the building door and turn to say him thanks.
“Thanks for your help.” I say with a smile.
“Your welcome. So… would you mind if I ask you a question?” He asks.
“No.” I say confused by sudden change in hin demeanor.
“Would you like to go in that wedding as my date as you are bridesmaid and I am groomsmen?” He asks with sweet smile.
“Davis… I am sorry but I can’t” I try to say.
“Don’t tell me you are seeing someone?” He asks with wide eyes.
“I am actually.” I say and he makes cringey expression.
“I am sorry. If I only I have asked you before…” Davis says.
“I am sorry to say but even though I would not have been seeing anyone still I won’t be going with you.” I say politely so he won’t have any idea of us.
“Well he is the lucky guy.” He says and I smile.
He turns to go but then he suddenly hugs me and I feel nothing and the hug feels more like sad. I realise that Ryan is the only one who makes me feel alive and he is different than others. I lightly push Davis away.
“I am sorry. I won’t bother you anymore.” Davis says with sad smile and leaves from there.
I sigh with relief and remeber that I have to make dinner and make contact with Ryan. I turn to go inside but see Ryan in front of his car. I thought that if I don’t reply him faster he would not come but he is here.
I smile and walk towards him fastly as I missed him so much. He comes towards me and we both meet halfway. I kiss him intensely taking control of him. I never felt this alive in my life.
After we break the kiss, I lay my head on his chest and hug him. I have never really hugged him. He smells so nice like this. I stay there for few minutes with my eyes closed and hear his heartbeats.
“So you missed me and not angry with me at all?” Ryan asks.
I look up at him, my chin on his chest and ask, “Why would I be angry? And of course I missed you.”
I lay down my head on his chest again then he says, “Are we going to stay like this for whole night or do you want to go out for dinner? And why didn’t you replied to my text?”
I come out of his arm and say, “My phone fell down and got broke. I have to see if it gets repaired and if not then I have to buy new one soon. I also have to restore it’s data too.”
“Show me.” He says and I give him my phone he looks at it carefully then says, “You have to buy new one but your data could be restored as it is in cloud, right?”
“Yes. I totally forgot.” I say.
“Let’s have dinner first then I will buy you a new one for you.” He says as he starts to take me to his car but I stop him.
“No.” I say.
“Why? What happened?” He asks.
“We are having dinner at my place today and about phone don’t take stress I will buy it tomorrow.” I say as I hold his arm and take him inside.
“Okay, as you say madam.” He says and follow me.
When I take the bag from ground, he takes it from me and tells me head first. The security of the building is nice but the cameras are broke for a while now. Soon Richard is going to change it and Ryan’s coming here would get restricted. But I will tell him about it later, right now we will just have romantic dinner.
I open the door and get inside. Ryan puts the stuff on coffee table and helps me remove my jacket. He removes his jacket and puts it on chair with mine as I take the groceries inside. for a minute I see him looking around with impressed look.
“Do you need any help?” He ask as I arrange the things I need.
“Do you know how to cook?” I ask with smirk.
“Yes.” He says and rolls up the sleeves of his henley.
“Okay. Do you know how to make grilled cheese sandwich?” I say with teasing smile.
“Yes. I know that as it was my favourite meal when I was eight.” He says as he take one of my apron and ties it around his waist.
“Okay you make that I will do other things.” I say as I wear another apron.
I first put wine in refridgerator then start boiling pasta in one vessel while I start chopping for tomato soup and Italian salad. After fifteen minutes of frying pasta with vegetables, I put them in a container and put it in oven to bake. I start making soup and while it shimmers my salad is ready.
“So what else should I help you with?” Ryan whispers suddenly from behind me in my ears and I put my hand on my heart as I sigh.
“You scared me.” I say then smile, “Well just give me five more minutes and then we are ready to eat.”
“Well I have to nothing to do but do this then.” He says as he kisses behind my ears softly and I shiver.
He turns of the stove as the soup is ready then he bends his head in my neck and peppers kisses all over my neck. I tighten my grip around his arm which is around my waist and move my neck to side to give him better access.
He turns me around suddenly and kisses me. We are so lost in each other that we suddenly come part when we hear door bell ring. We both look at each other in confusion then I walk to the door only to see through peephole, our worst fear.
Richard Anderson.