Chapter 6

Ryan The sun ray shining brightly upon my face make me scowl and jolt wide awake. Opening my eyes slowly, I reached out towards the bedstand with my free hand to pick up my phone. Glancing through and seeing that there was no call nor messages from Tiana, I grumbled. “She should have at least left word if Ciara is with her. Or isn’t she?” Feeling arms tighten their hold around my waist, it was then I’d noticed Anne had woken up. “Goodmorning,” she says sweetly. “Huh? Oh, good morning” “Is something bothering you?” Anne sat upright, “It’s not—” I stand up abruptly from the bed. “I have to get to work” With that said, I make my way towards the bathroom to shower. I had a lot on my mind and the last thing I needed this morning was Anne’s tantrum. While in the bathroom; when certain that I was alone, I placed a call at Tina but she didn’t pick. “Could she be at work?” I muttered, still not giving up my attempt just yet. When it seemed like all was to no avail, I decided to put an end to my worries via a text message. ‘It’s me. I know you might be busy but did you find her? I’ll be waiting for a response’ it read. No sooner had I placed my phone down on the bath sink had the bathroom door opened; revealing Anne standing in a white towel. “What are y—” “We should bathe together,” She says as a matter of fact, “It’s not the first time, anyways” And she was right. It was going to be the first time we’d shower together but this time, it felt suffocating because she was forcing it; I wasn’t planning on turning her down though. Without taking my eyes off her, I strip out of my night gown as I climb onto the bathtub; resting my back on it’s edge. “Are you just going to stand there?” I teased with a voice that held so much invite and Anne seemed to get the message as her towel fell down the length of her body in one single swoop. With her gaze holding mine, Anne climb onto the bathtub; resting her head on my chest as her voice came out in soft whispers. “This is nice” And it would have been if my mind wasn’t preoccupied with Ciara. Like why the hell couldn’t I stop worrying about her?. I guess some part of me still regrets ending our 1year of marriage in such an ugly manner. I mean, we were friends before we were contractual lovers. I cared a great deal for her. Unable to find my voice to agree with Anne’s words, I spun her around to face me and place my lips on hers, lightly at first before deepening the kiss. This. This sexual tension was all there really was to Anne and I’s relationship. Refraining from her, I finished taking my shower, hopped out of the bathtub and out of the bathroom to dress up. While putting on my suit, Anne stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in her bathrobe; looking all disappointed. “I refuse to believe you just left me there in bathtub all alone, Ryan” Not taking my eyes off the wristwatch I was trying to latch onto my wrist, I respond. “I would love to play hooku with you but Ihl have work to go to” “You ARE the owner of your company, you could run in late a few times” “I COULD but I won’t” “That’s right. What time should I be in court today?” Now I spared her a look; quirking my brow, confused. “And why should you be in court today?” “You are going to finalize your divorce, are you not?” “Yes, I am but what about you?” Anne scoffed, insulted. “I’m going there as your girlfriend” It took every fiber of my being not to roll my eyes at her but rather, I walked towards her and patted her hair. “I know that but won’t you be frustrated being in court? Plus, you have other things to do” Anne folded her arms, “Are you trying to talk me out from coming along?” Damn, she caught me. I awkwardly smiled,”You know what? It’s not such a bad idea if you come with afterall” Anne smiled. “I thought so too. So we’ll meet at the entrance of the court after you’re done with work?” “Sure” I moved to stand Infront of the bedroom mirror; admiring my looks. When I was satisfied with my reflection, I turned to face Anne. “See you later” and with that said, I was out the door. As I drove to work, my phone beeped; it was a message from Tina. ‘She’s fine’ was all it read. I let out a short laugh. I was worried sick about Ciara and all Tina could do was leave me two words?. I decided to leave it at that rather than dragging it out because I’d be seeing Ciara later in court today. “I’ll get to talk to her myself then” Branching by my favorite hamburger restaurant, I ordered two hamburger; which I munched on softly as I made my way towards my company—REYES INVESTMENT— The company was still a growing business. I’d temporarily stopped running it after my accident but when I was better, I went back straight to the office but in the period of my break, the company had suffered some loss and till now, we were still trying to recuperate it; although I could say we were doing slightly better now. When I pulled up at my company, my secretary, Kate joined me at the entrance. “Welcome sir” “Boardroom meeting, now” I announced as she summoned all the workers as I made my way to the meeting room. When we were all seated, I started the meeting. “So what’s the update?” Jensen, the head of marketing department spoke up. “The lip and skin products we produced have sold out in 4 stores. The reviews are positive” She handled me a tab that contained the customer reviews as I glanced through it. “How may stores did we put them in?” “6 sir” 4 out of 6, that’s not such a bad number. “Keep uo the good work, Jensen and the rest of the marketing team”. I turned to face Karla, the head of fashion department. “And fashion department?” “One of our shareholders would like to set a meeting to try on the new winter coat. What should we do?” “Set the meeting anytime from today” “Yes sir” I nodded my head, satisfied with the update for today. “Alright, meeting dismissed” I moved to my office; trying to pass up time until it was time to go to the court. At exactly 2pm, I pulled out from my office. Turning to my secretary, Kate, I confirmed my schedules. “Do I have any important meetings?” She shook her head. “No sir” “Then I’ll stepping out of the office for a while. I won’t take long. Anyone that asks for me, let them know I’ll be back by 4pm” “Will do, sir” With her assurance, I made my way out of the company towards the parking lot, climbed onto my car and headed towards the court; hoping that I’d get there before Anne and Ciara would be there so that we could talk. As my car pulled up by the court, Anne’s features came to view making me heave a heavy sigh. “Shit, she’s here already” I cursed under my breathe, driving my car into the parking lot After I’d parked my car, I climbed down from it; making my way to the front of the court house where Anne welcomed me with a smile, her hands finding her way to my arms. “How was work?” She asked. Before I could reply her, Tina’s red sportscar pulled up Infront of the court house as my eyes caught Ciara. She was dressed in a white gown, her hair was neatly styled and she had makeup. She looked beautiful and as Tina had said; she looked like she was fine. But, I could see right through her shield. Although she “looked” it, I could tell she was anything but fine and that was all my fault. I was going to make things right in court today. Even though our story was ending, I didn’t want it to forever remain an ugly scar to her. They one year she’d devoted herself to caring for me deserved that much.