Lily’s POV.
I look at Freya as she has lunch sitting beside Ryan and I don’t know, rather to glare at her or Ryan. But I don’t glare at him as his appetite has seemed to vanish just like mine. I hear the ping of my phone and look at it to see Ryan’s message.
‘Please eat. If not for me then for our little bun.’
‘Okay. But only for you. Please, you eat something too then meet me in the library. I really want to know how she knows about the baby.’ I text back.
I have some chicken noodle soup which Ryan had ordered for the chef to make for me earlier and see some relief in his eyes. He starts to eat too.
When Freya whispered those words in my ears I was shocked but didn’t show it on my face. If she is here it is confirmed that she wants to spoil our mood and night and also our surprise. I hate when she smiles like that.
After lunch, we send everyone out for a walk and I go to the study swim room to wait for Ryan. I walk from one end to another and think about how she got the news about us so easily even though we were always careful.
“Why is she here? And how come she knows about the baby? Does she also know about our engagement?” I ask as soon as Ryan enters the room.
“No, she does not know about engagement. But she does know about the baby and how, I don’t know. But I know what her intentions are.” Ryan says.
“What?” I ask.
“She asked me while you were gone that as Richard is expecting me to propose to her I should do that and she will not tell anyone about us to anyone. In short she wants me to keep you as my mistress and she won’t mind it.” Ryan says.
“And if you don’t?” I ask.
“Then she will release the news with proof that I was cheating on her with you. This will create a huge scandal and it will benefit her more than us.” Ryan says as he runs fingers in his hairs.
“How?” I ask as I put my hand on his arm to calm him a bit.
He takes me in a circle of his arms and says, “If this news gets out like this, we can lose some major deals and Freya as victim will get a lot of sympathy which also means she will get support from not only others but also from Richard as to make up for my mistake.” Ryan says and I can see hurt look in his eyes at the mention of his father’s suffering.
“Then maybe we should not-” I start to say but Ryan shakes his head.
“I have made my decision, Lily. Freya took many advantages from me and I was lenient towards her because her father is my father’s friend. But no more. I will do what I think is right, now.” Ryan says and leaves the room.
I look at walking away with worry as I have never seen Ryan this angry. I sit down on a chair and look out at the blue sea as I bite my nails. Everything was going so well and now I don’t know what will happen in the evening.
I get back to my work of looking after the arrangements of security. The media already thinks something big is about to happen at this event and is standing outside. I don’t see Ryan the whole day and I feel jittery from inside. I don’t know why but I feel like Ryan is up to something. I trust Ryan more than before and I hope that everything goes well.
At 5, I start getting ready and get showered to relax. I wear a-line long-sleeved, high neck golden sequin full length dress with a slit on one side. The dress hides my belly perfectly and also is very comfortable to move around. I put my hair in an elegant high bun and leave some strands to frame my face.
I go down and meet Vance, Kathy and my family who have just arrived by chopper that Ryan said he will send for them. I take them aside and tell them everything when Vance tells me that the media are allowed inside the mansion for some special announcement.
“That bit-” Kathy was going to say but stopped when she saw Ethan not far from us, “Once this is over. I will not spare her for sure.”
“Right now, we need to calm down. If Ryan had said that he would handle this in his own way then we should trust him. Because believe me he must have some plan. Now why don’t we all just get ready and go down, okay?” Vance says and everybody nods.
I take a look at the arrangement one last time as they get ready. I look around for Ryan but he is nowhere to be found. I hope everything goes well. This wait is killing me and making me even a bit dizzy. I drink a glass of water and see Freya entering the ballroom but I am in the mood to greet her.
After Theo joins me, we welcome the guests that start joining the party. I take Richard and Heather to sit at the family table where I was supposed to sit too but as Freya and her father take the seat, I gesture at a staff member and tell him to rearrange my sitting with Williams and Scott’s table which is next to them.
“Thank God, you understood in time that you are out of the circle. Today is a very big day for me so I won’t say anything more to you other than one thing that you should reconsider keeping that thing as Ryan won’t be there for you both. For him his family comes first and you are just a secret mistake.” Freya whispers to me with a poisonous smile and I want to throw the drink on her face.
“You should take your seat as the show will start soon. I don’t know what would happen today but I know one thing for sure that Ryan would protect his family.” I say and leave from her toxic company as I know Ryan’s family now includes our son and me too.
The ballroom has a stage at one end where a band is playing in one corner and a screen is put on the stage wall. In front of it are tables and the rest of the floor is left for dancing. The buffet dinner is arranged on one wall with an open bar and opposite that wall is balcony doors with a view of the sea.
Ryan enters the room with determination in his eyes. He comes towards me as I stand near the bar and raises his brow and I roll my eyes at him.
“I am not here to drink, just to see if everything is okay.” I say.
“Where is the ring?” He asks.
“In my purse. Why?” I ask.
“Give it to me.” Ryan says.
“Okay.” I say as I give it to him without any question.
He walks away after that and I turn around to see Freya smirking at me. I roll my eyes and sit at our table. Sarah is on our table too with a dashing gentleman who she introduces to us as her husband.
“I hope Ryan does not break your heart otherwise he will be giving me permission to break his bones.” Lucas says from beside me.
“Calm down, Lucas.” Emma says.
“Do you trust me?” I ask Lucas as I put my hand on his.
“What kind of stupid question is that? Of course, I trust you.” He answers without thinking twice.
“Then trust him.” I say and he takes a harsh breath then nods.
Ryan nods at Theo when he goes up on stage and gets the mic from a table nearby. I take a deep breath and try to relax as he commences the evening with a smile and I cross my fingers under the table for everything to go well.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we all gathered here to celebrate the 28th wedding anniversary of Richard and Heather Anderson, who are parents of three young and handsome men. Though Mom doesn’t look old, I can’t say the same for you Dad.” Ryan says with a smirk and Richard glares at him while Heather smiles.
“Glare all you want Dad but I love Mom more and you love that about me more too.” Ryan says and Richard shrugs, “We are gathered here to not only celebrate their anniversary but also their love which has stood strong for all these years. They have set quite an example for us.”
“This screen behind is not for some meeting or history lessons but it is here to show you people that love can conquer anything. My dad, who made his own fortune with his steely resolve, lost one day to a woman when they fought an auction for land. But later won that woman’s heart over and made her his wife. And that woman, my Mom who won once against that Dad never let him fail ever again in life, not even in love.” Ryan says as the screen shows young Richard and Heather’s engagement day then wedding day.
“Then after marriage there came us three musketeers one by one. But I take special credit because I was first and also I spoiled my parents’ late honeymoon plan. Sorry, but not sorry Mom. Maybe because I am happy that I was early and also I kind of stole my Dad’s attention.” Ryan says and winks at the couple as the picture of Heather holding Ryan comes and we see Richard in the distance sulking and we laugh.
“But I also remember him bribing me and also holding me when I used to miss Mom. You stood so strong for us, Dad. I love you Mom. Count that for you too Dad because it would get too cheesy if I will say that to you too. Then my days of attention were over and Dad and I teamed up against our mutual nemesis, Theo.” Ryan says and another picture of them all comes where Ryan is shown sulking.
“Well but still thanks for giving me such a charming brother who won over me in no time. Then came Noah whose silence let us talk more. And our family was complete but then what?” Ryan says.
“Then still life goes on and so does their love for each other. Mom, Dad, your love for each other made me want the same thing for me too. I thought that it is quite a far-fetched theory to fall in love with someone at first sight but I was so wrong and how glad I am for that.” Ryan says and then the screen shows the picture taken by paparazzi that no one realises is mine.
“Exactly five months ago, a relationship was born in secret with fear of walking down the aisle but I have no fear of it now. I don’t have fear of anything anymore.” Ryan says as he looks at Freya who looks away.
“When I started this relationship I didn’t know that it would get this far and the feelings I would have for that person would grow this fast in my heart. I never thought that… that person would become such a part of my life without whom I won’t be able to live at all. Lily.” Ryan says as he looks at me with a loving smile and I smile with tears in my eyes as I see our pictures on the screen.
“We have come so close in such a short time and we have come so far along in our relationship so fast. But everything feels so right that I don’t doubt my feelings for you at all. I just love this feeling of being in love with you with my whole being. You make me so happy.” Ryan says as the picture shows us in which I am in Ryan’s arm with my left hand on his chest showing off the ring.
He walks down the stage and bends down on one knee one more time and says, “I made you wear this ring once and I want you to wear it again and never ever remove it. Because now we don’t need to fear anything. Because from now on we are an official couple. When I first took your hand, I held it tight and promised to not let it go and I never will. So, Lily Rose Scott would you be proud to flaunt me around? Will you make me not only your husband but also officially make me father of our baby?” Ryan asks and I hear gasps around me but I don’t care about it. I only care about the person on his knees in front of me with a ring in his hand.
“I will gladly say yes again.” I say and kiss him sweetly.
“Then never take this off.” Ryan says as he makes me wear the ring and I hug him while smiling.
I open my eyes and look at Richard behind him who has anger in his eyes but is smiling for others benefit as the media is also present. Ryan looks at his father then at Freya.
“Also I would like to thank Freya who helped me with my secret. She is a true friend.” Ryan says and I see Freya’s expression change in a second from anger to sweet smile.
I try to hold back my smile and hear Richard whisper to Ryan, “We need to talk, son.”
“In time, Dad. We have guests. Let me distract them so we can have all the talk you want.” Ryan says.
“It is such a boring party. Let’s make this party fun and everybody must dance including some of our extra guests and please do enjoy the feast.” Theo says.
“Please excuse us for a few minutes as my parents want a bit of time to enjoy this news in private and also to make plans for the wedding.” Ryan says with a wink and takes his parents towards a far door.
“You all sit tight. I am going with Ryan.” I say and turn to follow them.
“No. Richard is angry. Let Ryan handle it.” Vance says.
“No. Ryan handled everything so far. We are two people in this relationship so we both have to make efforts. I won’t leave him alone not anymore. He needs me and I am going.” I say to stop anyone from arguing.
I open the door of the small parlor room and the music blasting outside covers Richard’s angry questions.
“What is all this, Ryan?” Richard asks.