Blind Billionaire Bride

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AT RIA ROBERT COUTURE

“You called for me miss Ria.” Ma’am Elise said when she walked into the office.

“Yes, I called for you, ma’am Elise.” Ria stood up from the swivel chair and went to the couch. “Please sit down.”

Ma’am Elise settled on the couch adjacent to the one Ria sat on. Ria took the first easy breathe she could manage.”Are you okay?” She asked.

“I failed again. I didn’t tell Ian when he dropped by this morning. He was just so concerned about Drake Robert.” Ria answered.

Ma’am Elise stood up and went to her. “Miss Ria, just relax and don’t push it too hard. You can tell him anytime you are fully ready to face him.” She squeezed Ria’s hands gently.

Ria nodded in understanding as she breathed out heavily. “And is that the only reason why you called me?” Ma’am Elise asked.

“No.”

“So tell me what’s on your mind? Remember I am always ready to listen to you.” Ma’am Elise smiled.

“Okay. I want us to talk about some things that has been bothering me for days now.” Ria said.

“Alright. Please tell me about it.”

“Cassidy added to a group for single ladies and they have been talking about… Love.” Ria paused to study ma’am Elise Elise expression. She was attentive. “The thing is I couldn’t contribute much because I really don’t understand it. And a lady actually asked if we all believed in love at first sight? And you know -”

Ma’am Elise interrupted her. “I know you don’t believe in love let alone love at first sight.”

Ria shook her head “Yeah. You are right. But I think everything has changed now. To be honest, ma’am Elise, I feel like I am different now.”

Ma’am Elise already knew where Ria was driving at in the conversation. Ria Robert feels something for Ian Bryant but she can’t tell if she is deeply in love with him.

“Listen miss Ria, I must tell you love at first sight happens.” Ma’am Elise said.

“Okay. But what about loving someone? How can you tell if what you feel is love or mere attraction?” Ria asked.

“Can I ask you question?” Ma’am Elise asked too.

Ria nodded. “Do you like Ethan? I mean, did you like him when you were in Idaho?” She demanded.

Ria doesn’t know why ma’am Elise asked if she liked Ethan. Ria tried to think back to when she and Ethan were in Idaho. “I liked him… I like him but the feelings was kind of mutual because he was around every day. I mean, Ethan is really great, nice and ambitious. But-”

“You didn’t love him though or do you?” Ma’am Elise asked again to be sure.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Ria was silent. She wasn’t sure if what she felt back then in Idaho was love.

“I told you… that I liked him back then but it was mutual.” Ria replied finally.

“So what about now?” Ma’am Elise questioned.

Ria was confused. Meeting Ethan again made her happy and she prayed not to lose him again but at the same time the feeling was just an excitement from seeing again after all these years.

“I consider him a friend… and the big brother I never had.” Ria responded.

“I see.” Ma’am Elise mouthed.

“You see what?”

Ma’am Elise shook her head. “You would know if you are in love. Trust me, you won’t be able to think of anyone else. You wouldn’t want to be with anyone else.” She smiled slightly.

“I don’t know how you are feeling but one thing most people won’t tell you, being in love is the most uncomfortable condition in this life. You will always feel nervous. You feel crazy. You feel off balance and you will always be on edge but at the same time you don’t want it to end.”

Ria arched her eyebrows. “Well that really sounds like a condition and.. not love.” She stuttered.

“I guess it is. But when it happened to me and Leo, I didn’t care. Do you feel that way whenever Ethan is around you?” Ma’am Elise asked with a grin.

She didn’t want to ask Ria any direct question that would lead to Ian Bryant. But she knew Ria was in love with Ian. And that she needed someone to tell her about love and break down the conditions of love to her.

Ria shook her head in disagreement. “No.” She replied.

And just like what ma’am Elise just said; nervous, edgy, crazy and off balance? That certainly described the way she felt around Ian Bryant. She thought.

“I think I feel that way around -” A beeping sound interrupted Ria this time before she could finish her statement. She stood up quickly and went to her desk. It was a message from Ethan!

‘I found a detective and he wants to see you.’

“Ma’am Elise, Ethan found a detective that will work on the case!” Ria announced.

“Oh really?! That’s good! Please call him up and ask for more details.” Ma’am Elise rushed out her words.

Ria dialed Ethan’s number and he picked up immediately.

‘Hello Ethan. I got your text.’

‘Ria, are you busy right now?’

‘No. Where are you?’

‘I am with the detective. Actually, he is a friend of mine.’ Ethan replied.

‘Alright. Send me the address so I can meet up with you.’

‘Okay. But can’t I bring him to your store?’ Ethan asked.

‘No… no Ethan I don’t think that’s a good idea. Please just send me the address.’

‘Okay. I will send it as soon as I drop this call.’

Ria hummed a response before the line got disconnected.

“Ma’am Elise, I have to meet up with Ethan.” Her phone buzzed again.

“Alright. No problem. We will talk later. Please go ahead and meet up with him.” Ma’am Elise stood up from the couch and exited the office with Ria.

******************

IDAHO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AT IDAHO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

Speedy opened his eyes slowly. The beeping sound of the machine woke him up. He looked around and realized that he was in the infirmary. He coughed and Matthew went to him immediately. He is alive!

A smile formed on Matthew’s face as speedy stared at him weakly. The pains in his stomach was unbearable. “You made it man!” He exclaimed.

“Guess so.” Speedy mouthed.

“Scorpion stabbed you.” Matthew gritted.

“Yes I know. Where is he?” Speedy asked in a low tone.

“He is in the dungeon with his men.” Matthew answered.

“Come closer, Matthew.” Speedy said in a tight whisper. He waved his hand slowly and gestured to Matthew to bring his ear closer to his mouth. “Someone… want me… dead.” He said.

Matthew tensed up. “Who? Scorpion?”

“No. It… is… Frederick Robert.” His words were slow.

“That same old man!” Matthew was surprised but he stayed still just to listen to his friend’s words.

“Yes. And I am sure he won’t stop until he sees me dead.”

“But why?”

“It is a long story that I can’t tell now… and it is quite possible that I won’t be able to tell you anytime soon.” Speedy groaned in pain as he shifted slightly. “So I need your help.” He muttered.

“Okay.”

“I know you will regain your freedom very soon. So I need you to help me find someone as soon as you get out of here.” Then Speedy said the words to Matthew. How to find the person and what to give to person when the time comes.

Matthew leaned up and stared down at him with a shocking look on his face. “Promise me that you will help me. This is very important.” Speedy held Mathew’s hands.

“I promise.” Matthew replied.

The door opened and Matthew cleared his throat. “I am happy to see you alive, brother man.” He feigned a chuckle.

A nurse and a warder stood at the entrance. “Mr Kelly, it is time for your medication.” The nurse announced.

“What medication?” Matthew asked with a raised eyebrows.

“Hey, you have to return to your cell now.” The warder said to Matthew.

Matthew looked Dow at his friend. Speedy threw him a salute with a small smile on his face while Matthew replied with a short nod of his head before walking away with warder.

“Mr Kelly, how are you feeling?” The nurse asked as she prepare a needle and syringe.

Speedy cringed when he saw the expression on the nurse face. “I will be perfectly fine if you inject me and leave. That way I can have a good rest.” It was pointless trying to fight the female nurse from injecting him. He needed the peace of mind after all these years of committing so many attributes in the state. He closed his eyes when the needle penetrated his skin.

“Frederick Robert sent you right?”

Her eyes widened in shock but she tried to hide it. “I don’t know… what you are talking… about.” She replied shakily.

He chuckled softly. “Tell him I wasn’t afraid to die. I am not coward like him… and tell him that I sent my greetings too. Let him know that soon-” Speedy’s words trailed off when he felt a sharp pinch in his side.

The nurse hurried out of the room. “Soon. Soon Frederick.” He felt another pinch in his heart. This time the pain was horrid and his breathe cut. Darkness came over him.