5. It has to be HER

RYAN'S POV

I sighed as I stood up from the floor and stared after her retreating figure. I almost couldn't believe I had knelt down to beg her to be my substitute.

Well, considering what I already found out about her, it would be crazy of me to think she would easily accept this deal.

A few moments after she was gone, I walked out of the private cafe and into the hallway that led to my office.

Several employees greeted me as I walked past and some made comments as well.

"Mr. Rivers, congratulations on announcing your marriage with Ms. Richardson."

"Yes. We your employees always assumed you were married but we never knew who your wife was. It is amazing that you have allowed the public know about her now."

"You guys look good together."

"Of course. Anita Richardson is a beautiful and top model. She fits perfectly with Mr. Rivers' image."

"Thank you everyone." I said, faking a smile at them. "This doesn't mean we should slack off our respective duties, alright?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Of course, Mr. Rivers. The company must thrive regardless and this is even a better opportunity to expand more."

"Sure. The PR team has been getting a lot of calls since the reveal of your relationship with Anita Richardson. Many reporters want to have an interview with you both." A lady excitedly said and I paused on my strides.

"Some are pleading for them to have an exclusive interview with you." Another female employee said with a giggle.

"Everyone, listen up." I said and they all gathered around to hear me, staring quietly at me. "For now, inform the reporters that we would have no interviews. They should understand that this is our private life and we would want to keep it as that, for now. Alright?"

"Yes, Mr. Rivers."

"Yes, Sir."

They chorused and I nodded. "Our focus must remain on our artists and stars. We must continue striving for the best for them without any second's distraction. Okay?"

"Certainly, Sir." They answered again.

I nodded and walked into my office, sighing as the door closed afterwards.

"Oh my! You must feel super stressed right now." A familiar voice said and I almost jumped.

My office chair swiveled around to reveal none other than, Milton, my friend.

"Gosh! You have no idea." I sighed again and went on to collapse into a couch, dropping my jacket on the armrest.

"My, my," He stood up from the swivel chair and came to sit with me on the opposite couch.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You, when did you get here?"

"Not quite long ago. I was informed you were having an important meeting with someone. My guess..." He raised his gaze to meet mine. "Anita Richardson, right? Did you ask her to be a substitute wife for you?" He continued.

"Man," I sighed.

"You did." He chuckled. "And my guess is that you got rejected."

I nodded as a response, burying my face in my palms.

"So, who told you to cause another uproar by tagging her as your wife, when it's clear to you both she wasn't? What were you thinking?" He scolded.

"Well, I decided to make good use of the opportunity. Afterall, I was involved in her scandal and partially responsible as well. If I hadn't gotten somewhat intimate with her by accident, this wouldn't have happened."

"You're right." He nodded.

I continued. "Besides, her management reached out to me first to help resolve her scandal by getting her a temporal deal with Opulence. However, I decided to save her in my own way." He raised a brow at me.

"You're finally considering getting a substitute." He stated in a way that I knew it wasn't a question but a fact. "That's fine. But why does it have to be her?" Milton questioned. I leaned back on the couch and shrugged.

"I don't really know. There's just something about her that makes me want to save her."

"Huh?" His jaw dropped as he stared at me like I had gone crazy.

"You won't understand. But I keep feeling that way." I said and stared into space. "If I need to have a substitute to replace Yun, then no one else seems more suitable for the role than, Anita Richardson."

Milton scoffed. "You've lost your mind." He said in disbelief but I wouldn't blame him. "Just few days ago, you were crying over Yun. But now, you seemed to be different. What went wrong within you? Don't you want Yun back? Don't you miss her again?"

"Obviously I do miss Yun. She's the love of my life. If it was possible to get her to return to me then that would be awesome. But as it stands, it's clear that she wouldn't. And I can't hold back from being married again - even if it's not real this time. At least for some months, and you of all people know the reason why."

Milton sighed and shook his head. "Of course, I do. But only you understand why you want it to be Anita." He shrugged. "Well, let's just hope she comes around."

"I believe she would." I said, my lips curving in a smirk just as my phone beeped.

I retrieved it from my pants pocket and stared at the notifications on the screen.

I had two text messages.

*Ryan, don't forget to come for the family dinner.*

*Mr. Rivers, your kids won't stop crying for their mom and eat.*

I mentally ignored the first one from Kaia, my cousin.

However, my eyelids twitched at the sight of the second one.

"I have to go," I said to Milton as I hurriedly grabbed my jacket from the couch's armrest.