Chapter Seven

Anne watched as Ryan kept heaving as he sipped on the cup of coffee he had on his hand. For days she had noticed him drifting away constantly, hardly saying a word. He was going into deep thoughts more and it bothered her so much. Knowing his health status, thinking would do him no good. Observing his posture, her heart soared at how good looking he still was despite his age.

Since, Erica; her friend died years back, and she had acted as a mother to her children and almost like a wife to Ryan. Her love for the family had grown so much, she found herself yearning for his attention. However, Ryan seemed attached to his dead wife so much he had never looked out at anyone else.

Over the years, she had hoped and wished he would find her worthy enough of being his; to her disappointment it’s been the same look and nothing has changed. Even though they have been able to establish a really nice friendship between them, and they talk to each other about whatever it is bothering them.

Sighing she wrapped up her work hurriedly in the kitchen and went to meet him, standing behind him Anne cleared her throat lightly. “Do you mind if I join you?” she asked, giving half smile.

Ryan smiled, gesturing towards the seat next to him, “of course you can, and you know it’s always welcoming to have you.” He told her, watching as she took her seat looking everywhere but him. Anne had always been a shy woman, he wondered if it was because she felt some type of way towards him or just because she was naturally timid. He only saw her get overtly hyped when with the boys.

It’s not like she has any choice given the way the boys make her come out of her shell with their disturbance. They loved Anne like she was their mother; Eric did the most. He loved her like he would have loved his own biological mother.

Ryan had noted that he wasn’t just spending most of his time and sharing his worries with her because he needed to, but because he was in love with her.

Still, it feared him to express himself to her. He didn’t want to be rejected, seeing how much she cared for his sons it would be selfish on his part to not think of what it might do to the boys if things become awkward between them both.

Rather, he watches her from afar hoping a day might come when he would be more expressive about how he feels. He knows for certain Erica would have wanted him to move on.

“Do you mind telling me;what’s on your mind?” Anne said breaking the silence.

Clearing his throat, Ryan sat up directing his attention to the coffee cup he had on hand. “I am just worried. I feel like I might be pushing this boys too far, most especially Cedric.”

“Why would you say that?”

Taking a deep breath, he took a sip of the already cold coffee. “I made a deal to take away their inheritance if they don’t get a wife.”

Anne gave him a long irritating look, Ryan was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He could note her disapproval immediately, he blamed himself for not telling her before taking such decision.

For every decision he made since the death of his wife he had always informed her, but he intended to be discreet this time around. But he was beginning to regret it.

Wrapping his hands together like a child caught stealing, Ryan murmured. “Please Anne say something.”

Closing her eyes, Anne counted ten backwards to avoid exploding at him. Sometimes she tries not to prioritize her place in their life too much, to avoid stepping on their toes. “You know that is a really absurd thing to do.” She finally said.

Ryan nodded in approval, “I guess so.”

Anne snickered, “sure,you did guess. Have you forgotten about Cedric’s encounter so soon?”

Scratching his head lightly, “I know.”

“I doubt if you do old man. Have you not noticed him immersing himself in work too much and practically turned himself into a fuck boy?”

“I did notice.” Ryan muttered. Sighing into resolve, “what do you think I should do now?”

“Probably reconsider your decision.” Anne offered.

“Nah, that won’t be possible I can’t let them off the hook like that. Those boys act too smart.” Ryan said.

They both stayed silent for a while, each of them lost in thought. All of a sudden Anne snapped her fingers, “how about we find him a wife?”

Ryan eyes bulged out of their socket, “That’s an arranged marriage! Cedric would have my head.”

“I don’t mean it that way; you would only find a lady you think is worthy enough to be your daughter in law and make her get closer to him. Maybe, just maybe they might fall in love with each other. It doesn’t seem like the best thing to do, but it might work.”

Rummaging through his head; trying to process Anne’s suggestion. If he would be getting any woman to open up Cedric’s closed heart to love, then she would have to be a naturally sweet and good person.

Which is surely hard to find, considering how much people get carried away with a life of luxury without loving the person providing it. It was obvious considering what Pasha had done to his poor son.

Cedric had always been a sweet kid, despite his rugged and handsome look since his teen he was more of finding love like his father.

He had inherited his mother’s soft heart. It was no surprise he had fallen for Pasha; the one who made him the uncaring and cold hearted man he was today.

It’s been thirteen years, one would have expected him to get over it. Instead Cedric seems unconcerned with anything that has to do with falling in love or being with a woman. He sleeps around and pay them off like he is disposing trash.

“How do we go about this?” Ryan questioned Anne.

“We would walk through it open mindedly. And I believe the right one will come.” Anne assured.