Blind Billionaire Bride

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AT RIA ROBERT COUTURE

“Miss Ria.” Ma’am Loretta called out as she looked for Ria around the ready made dresses section.

“Yes. I am right here.” Ria came into view. She looked up from the clothes rack she was checking out.

“Oh there you are… Elise told me that you haven’t eaten anything since the day before yesterday. Should I get you something to eat now?” Ma’am Loretta had a pitiful look on her face.

“Thanks for your concern. I am fine. And I am also not hungry.” Ria feigned a small smile.

“You look pale. I can’t see the bright color and cheerful Miss Ria that I once knew anymore.” Ma’am Loretta moved closer to her.

“I am fine. Thanks.” Ria mumbled as she led her to another visible spot.

“No. You are not looking fine to me.” Ma’am Loretta countered.

“Ma’am Loretta, we can worry about me later. For now, let us focus on having our clients dresses delivered. We don’t have much time left.” She changed the topic.

“You are right.” Ma’am Loretta heaved a sigh. Nothing is working out to make Ria Robert feel better.

“Can you help me check out the dresses on that rack? I think a hot blood outfit with a round neckline is missing.” Ria pointed to a rack at the far end of the room.

“Yeah. Sure.” Ma’am Loretta answered.

“Thank you.” Ria replied with a half smile before she walked off.

Ria wasn’t in the mood to talk to her or anyone. Somehow ma’am Elise had to tell ma’am Loretta everything when she noticed Ian didn’t come around for the usual coffee mornings or to drop Ria off at school or home.

The new driver hired turned in sick and asked for a one week leave from work. So Ethan has been the one driving Ria from home and to school and he always ensured that the door and windows are closed before leaving for his place. Ria hired a nanny who would look after of the kids while she was at the store and she only leaves whenever Ria gets back home. There had too much work to do at the store and neither ma’am Loretta nor ma’am Elise has the time to babysit.

Three days now and Ria haven’t heard from Ian. She tried calling him but he didn’t pick up his calls and she also sent him series of apology text messages but he didn’t reply. She called Mr Griffin to check on Ian later in the night on the day she visited him at the office, but he said Ian was out of the country on an emergency business trip.

Ria had no idea where he had traveled to because Mr Griffin didn’t tell her the country or how to reach him or how long it would take him to realize that his phone was ringing and when he would stop avoiding her.

Ria had envisioned this fall apart countless times but she didn’t know it would come too soon because she had planned to open up to him. It has happened so fast and she doesn’t know what to do anymore.

“Ria.”

A voice called her name few minutes later. For a moment, Ria thought she was imagining Ian’s voice in her head again.

“Ria.”

Ria turned slightly to the sound again and Ian was there. Slowly she dropped the clothes back on the rack. Was she hallucinating his presence again?

“Ria… can we talk?” He requested.

Ian Bryant was there. His hair mussed as if raked by worried fingers and his keen eyes watched her.

“Yes… sure… let us go to… my office.” Her voice was a mere rasp. Ian nodded in agreement and he followed her.

Ria didn’t wait for him to say anything when they walked into the office. “Ian -”

“I spoke with Ethan.” Ian said cutting off her intended statement.

Ria closed her eyes.

“He told me everything… and…” His voice trailed off while Ria opened her eyes. His expression held pain and no anger.

They lapsed into silence Ethan told him everything? When? Ria didn’t expect Ethan to go to Ian and talk to him. But she should have suspected it that he wanted to meet Ian after he dropped by at the store this morning.

Ethan wasn’t happy that Ria had refused to eat and talk freely with him. He got mad at her for turning down the food he bought at the fast food close to the store. He knew she wasn’t happy that Ian was away from her and in the end he left when Ria admitted to him that she was deeply in love with Ian and life without him was hopeless. Ethan didn’t say a word after that. He just left.

And with what Ian just said it was possible that Ethan went straight to Ian’s office. Ria reasoned.

“Ria, I know everything about your past now.” Ian said.

Ria felt weak beyond words and tears started to sting her eyes. “Ian… I tried to tell you. I really tried.” She murmured.

“I know.” Ian exhaled as he ran a hand roughly over his face.

“It wasn’t true… I swear.” Ria looked straight at him.

Ian came closer. “I know. Ria, I know.” He stared at her.

“I was scared. I didn’t want you to hate or leave me if you knew what I was to Lucas. I couldn’t bear that on top of everything else.” Ria tried to stop the tears but it was in vain.

“You thought I was going to leave you because of what you used to be to Lucas?” He asked.

“Yes. But still… I should have told you everything before you found out from someone else.” She cried.

Ian was close, bending over her, touching her and his hands on her cheeks wiping off the tears. “Ria.”

She looked up at him. His image blurred slightly by the tears “I am so sorry.” She said to him.

“Don’t be please. It is all my fault.” Ian replied in a tight whisper.

He was starting to blame himself. It shouldn’t be that way. Ria had admitted that it was her fault! She had kept her past from him because she didn’t want him to get caught in the mess but she was wrong!

“Ian… please don’t blame yourself for anything. It is all fault.”

Ria didn’t realize that Ian could be of help to her. Or maybe she just didn’t want to be a burden to him because he has so much to handle. She couldn’t bear the thought of him making some big sacrifice for her sake again. She thought that she was capable of dealing with Frederick alone but she totally forgot that Ian was already in her life and ready to do anything for her. She had grew fond of having him in her life.

“You couldn’t tell me about your past possibly because I didn’t prove to you that I could be someone you could trust and be a shoulder you can cry on. I was only just concerned about making your dreams come true. Trust me, I have always wanted to know why you had fears, that fear of being touched by a man and I saw that the day I met you again at the hospital. But I didn’t ask you all this time because I thought that sooner or later we would get pass that business level and you would trust me enough to tell me everything.” He paused.

“I trust you Ian and I am glad that you are concerned about me.” Ria studied his expression. He was sad and remorseful.

Ian shook his head impatiently. His tone was still when he said, “It is not just concern or me caring for you anymore. Ria…” He stopped. His fingertips brushed away the tears on her cheeks. “At this point, I have to admit that I fell in love with you the first time I met you and it didn’t matter to me if you were blind.”

Ria’s mind was spinning. Ian was in love with her. He confessed it. Her mouth twisted wryly as she studied his face.

“I didn’t mean to blurt it out that way and I understand why you look stunned. You told me just business partners and nothing more but then I was already in love with you and I want a life long commitment. I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t hide my feelings anymore. I never expected it to happen to me but there it is, Ria.” His voice was soft and calm that it sent shivers down her spine.

“Ian-”

“Now I have scared you off, haven’t I?” He shook his head.

“Ian.”

He removed strands of hair from her face. “I can’t seem to do anything right where you are concerned. Falling in love with you at first sight despite being blind and also wanting to help you in every way… this is all new to me.”

Ria sniffled. “I am sorry, Ian. It is all new to me too. This feelings. I have no idea of how this works.” She murmured.

And something in her tone seemed to give Ian a renewed hope. “Are you saying you have feelings for me too?” He asked.

Ria sighed. She couldn’t lie when asked a direct question. “This passed few days that you weren’t here with me, I felt so hopeless and helpless. I didn’t know what to do to make have you back into my life. I am crazy about you, Ian.” She added quickly.

Ian eyes closed as he drew in a deep breathe. Ria touched his face and felt reality under her fingertips. “I am in love with you too.” She whispered.

His eyes opened. He stared at her for few seconds. In a swift moment, he pulled her closer to his body and then he brought his lips down on hers. A fine tremor ran through Ria’s body at the contact. He kissed her slowly and then deeper. His rhythm was purposeful, full of intent and she met him back eagerly. He nibbled on her bottom lip and she gasped for air in between kisses.

“I am addicted to you.” Ian said.

Ria’s heart raced as adrenaline ran a marathon through her body. His slammed his lips back on her mouth apparently and he expected a response from her. Ria hesitated trying to get most important words past the lump in her throat. All of a sudden, he slowed his motion and pulled back to look at her.

“Ian.” A whimper slipped through her lips.

Ian grinned at her as his hands dropped down to her waist and then he turned serious. “Ria about being Lucas’s sex pet…” He paused. “Really none of that matter to me because it wasn’t your fault. You were a victim and I won’t hate you or leave for that reason. I only desire you. I only love you.” He admitted.

Ria stared at him with wide eyes as his words washed over her and she breathe out heavily. “How can you still love me despite everything? I really don’t deserve you.” A tear slipped down her cheek and she tried to wriggle out of his hold.

Ian held on tightly and he smoothened a strand of hair from her face. “I still love you very much. I didn’t expect it but I know I can’t live without you. Ria, if you want me in your life not just as a business partner but something more than that then I am yours.”

Ria thought she might burst from happiness. She wants him too!

“Like I said…” Ria’s voice trailed when he placed a finger on her lips.

There was a new glint of determination in his eyes. “Ria, we don’t have to make any hasty decision now.” He said still looking at her rather anxiously. “I understand that you are still trying to get over what Lucas did to you and even Frederick Robert. So while we work on putting Frederick Robert in jail, I will also work on courting you properly.” He added with an endearing smile.

“I will court you and convince you that we belong together. Ria no pressure at all but if you don’t want us to be together then be ready for me. I will wage an all out campaign to win your heart until you finally say yes to me.” His smile grew broader.

Ria believed so much in him! She took comfort in his words! Ian was assuring her that he wasn’t rushing her and that there was plenty of time for their relationship to progress before any big change as to be made. What big change?Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Ian, it means the world to me that you are always willing to do anything for me.” Ria said in a tight whisper.

“Ria, I am happy with the choice I have made so far.” He caught her hands in his now. “And I am certain of my feelings for you and nothing is going to change my mind.” He squeezed her hands tightly but gently.

Yes they still have time! Ria reminded herself. They don’t have to make the big decisions right now.

“We have a lot of talking to do now that the cards are on the table.” He pulled her into his arms to hold her tightly. “And the first of the cards is how to make Frederick Robert pay for his crimes.”

Ria clung on to him. “I will make him pay for hurting you.” Ian purred into her ears. She withdrew from the embrace and looked into his eyes. Then she leaned up and kissed him and he returned the kiss with a renewed surge of hope. No doubts and uncertainties!

“I am not going anywhere. I am not going to leave or hate you.” Ian said to Ria when he finally lifted his head. “Unless you send me away.” He added.

“I don’t think I have the courage or strength to send you away. I can’t live without you.” Ria confessed

“I love you.” He said.

It was the first time hearing those words. The first time a man confessed to her. The first time she had a true kiss; without being forced. The first time she was so desperate to taste someone. The first time a man was assuring her that he wouldn’t leave her and she meant a lot to him. The first time she accepted to be in love.

“I love you too.” Ria replied.

The words was strange and new on her lips but somehow right. It was the first time she was saying those words. And Ian seemed to be her first in everything except with her body. But-It was the best feeling; that feeling to love and be loved back.