Chapter.5*I Saw Him Secretly*

I was ready to listen to Ryker. But his response was something I didn't expect.

"Kathleen, I'm sorry to hear that." He continued, keeping his eyes on me. Looking him in the eye gave me shivers down my spine.

It seemed as his eyes would only focus at one point and every other thing disappeared from his surrounding, this is how intense his gaze was.

His stare was always intense, "and Willow, if you can't understand the meaning of her simple sentence, then how do you aim at understanding fashion?" He shook his head at her lack of empathy towards others. His glare made her squirm in discomfort and focus on her fingers.

Ryker didn’t bid his time to hang onto what she had to add and began ingesting his food. Scarlet bowed her head down in her plate, cognizing her boyfriend went totally against everyone, she looked very distracted, and honestly speaking, I didn't expect that either.

"I'm sorry sir, I'll be careful next time." She lied, obviously she was going to repeat her mistakes again. Thankfully, the dinner ended before any other bad thing happened and soon everyone was off to their rooms already.

I decided to stay behind in Scarlet’s apartment to lend a hand to Monica since she was handling everything alone. I believe, there is no shame in helping your maids or servants, I mean like she must be tired too.

So, after cleaning the dishes, Monica was left behind to put out all the lights and I've already crossed the lounge to exit but I heard something really disturbing that made me cease upon my steps.

''What is wrong with you Scarlet?'' Ryker's groan was evident that he was extremely angry.

I didn't want to hear it, but automatically my steps slowed down, eavesdropper? I don't know why, but it just happened. I looked around to make sure Monica wasn’t watching me and heard the couple arguing.

“Why do are you doing this? I don’t feel the connection anymore.” His voice was filled with sadness.

''Give me some time,'' she yelled at the top of her lungs. “I told you, we can spend time but don’t expect any high school sweet love from me.” I bet something was not right in their relationship, but they looked so perfect in the public.

Maybe I was just overthinking because arguments and fights happen in every relationship. 

''Give me a reason at least?'' his voice went soft; I should not listen to their private conversation, but for some reasons, them being celebs made me, even more, intrigued to know about their problems.

“There is no reason, I wanna be with you, but that’s it, no emotions or feelings involved.” She replied very bitterly.

Their conversation sounded so strange. I should just quit before I am caught. Well, with that thought in my mind, I left for my room, changing into my comfortable clothes, I slept peacefully. 

 .....................................

 That night I made sure to sleep in time and wake up early. Luckily, I was in time for the gym. They had this beautiful huge terrace, what better way to work out and enjoy the weather as well. 

 ''Welcome back girls.'' Ryker joined us, his hands on his waist, and inspecting us like a teacher. He was in his Adidas pro tank top and black gym shorts. The three girls were standing in the front row; I was alone in the back. Basically, they left me to watch their bodies move up and down and here and there. 

 ''Three more sets, come on.'' he clapped his hands, making them start jumping like magic balls, and in my head, I was trying not to think about that broomstick instead.

I can’t imagine I touched him yesterday, if anyone ever find out I am dead.

I was trying my level best to catch up with their pace. I will be honest; I have never been to a gym before. My only workout was cleaning the little house I lived in with my brother. Ryker was walking here and there which was okay until he decided to walk all the way towards me.

My muscles tightened but I pretended to not acknowledge his presence. He stood by my side and joined us with the sets, I was watching him with the corner of my eyes. I mean, why by my side? Or maybe I was overthinking.

 He stopped and turned towards me, his hands on his waist, ''Nice!'' he commented, bringing a smile of pride on my lips. I straightened my back and gave my 100% to impress Scarlet and Ryker with my hard work.

Willow and others kept swirling their heads back to look at us, worried much ladies?

Ryker tilted his head to scan the girls getting distracted and sighed.

''What happened there?'' Ryker, rubbing his palms together, marched to stand in front of me. His eyes were at the scratch on my chin.

''A wild cat did that,'' I replied, he lowered his head and crackled a little, keeping his eyes on his shoes. Oh Damn! Did he know about our fight? Willow frowned, turning her face to me, and halted in anger.

''Must be a short one.'' He itched his eyebrow with a grin covering his lips. Steering clear of looking at me, he again walked all over in front of us. ''Okay girls, squats but remember your posture is very important.

If you don't do it right, you are breaking your back for no good.'' He joked very innocently and we pursued the exercise.

He began walking from Lacy, who was standing ahead of me, to me. He helped her with her posture by placing his damn strong hands on her back and moving them up to straighten her back. Just looking at it was sending chills down my spine. 

I wonder how she will be feeling. I kept my eyes at his hands and the way they moved over her back my body reacted along very weirdly.

 He then walked behind me. It was my time, I held my breath back and as soon as his hand touched my back, ''Ouch!'' I jumped and a very ear-splitting squeal broke out of my lips. My yell stole everyone’s attention. The girls froze and swiftly turned their necks to watch my face in bewilderment.

My skin was covered in goosebumps, I moved to the side to have a clear view of not only the girls but Ryker, who was watching me in silence.

 ''I'm so sorry.'' I hurriedly murmured, slowing down my breaths. His touch was different, the moment his hands came in contact with my skin, my body reacted differently to how I wanted to act. Imagine a hot famous model touching your back? Trust me, you will jump too.

 ''How dramatic!'' Willow, who wasn't really getting why Ryker complimented me, spoke bitterly. The frown on her face was just watchable and so was the shock and anger on Ryker's face. 

 ''Don't stop!'' his hands on his waist, but his eyes on me, he yelled. I have not only made things awkward between us but now the girls were going to mock me to hell for this incident.

 ''Carry on,'' he uttered, moving away from where I was standing. I continued the squats, feeling ashamed of what I have done. I could still feel his hands on me.

Wow! I was being thirsty.

 ''Sir is my posture okay?'' talk about thirsty, Willow’s high pitched voice filled my ears as she bit her lower lip and watched Ryker with lustful eyes. She wanted him to touch her, Of course, she did. He lowered his face and shook his head. I don't know what he was thinking, but he looked kind of embarrassed.

 ''Lacy set her posture.'' He mumbled, not even getting close to any of the girls again. It wasn't his fault, your gym instructor always guides you, but it was him, the famous model, whose touch startled me. Soon we were done and about to head out when I heard Willow actually wanting to talk to Ryker alone so she was left behind.  I watched her staying behind with him as we all made our way out of the apartment.

I took a shower and laid in bed, waiting for Scarlet’s text to notify me about the plans for the rest of the day.

Out of boredom, I checked my Instagram.

No Notification!

And then the curiosity inside me got the best of me. I opened Ryker Malarkey’s profile. All the girls were following him except for me. He had recently updated a picture by alerting his fans about finishing work out and was headed to the shower.

I scrolled down in his profile, watching every picture and then this one picture caught my attention. He was not seen in any clothes in that picture with the mercy of a lonely vase hiding what was supposed to be kept hidden.

I bit my lower lip when recalled all the encounters we had. The next thing I did was partially stupid but I still can’t think of a reason why I did that. I used my two fingers to pinch the screen to zoom in for educational purposes and that’s when I did what everybody’s worst nightmare is; I liked the picture.

My heart sank in my chest over the stupid mistake of mine. I swiftly unliked the picture and slapped my forehead when I accidentally hit like again.

“Relax girl!” I uttered under my breath. “He has millions of followers; he gets many likes in a day. There is no way he could sit through and check who liked the pictures.” I told myself to not freak out as it was obvious he wouldn’t notice I had accidentally liked his picture.

I put the phone away and laid my head on the soft pillow again. A knock on my door pulled me out of the half-sleep I was slowly drifting into; it was Willow.

 ''Sir Ryker wants to meet you.'' She said, rolling her eyes and playing with her hair. I was over here ready to doze off and she looked fresh like new.

''Why?'' I was concerned because it must be Willow, who had told him something. Did she complain against me?

''You will know once you get there. Time to pay for your arrogance.'' she curled a strand of her hair around her finger and smirked most irritatingly. I was in my sleeveless tank top and blue tight jeans that I have bought when I had turned eighteen.

''What did you tell him?'' I questioned, mentally looking for ways to make her suffer if she had plotted anything against me.

''Why don't you ask him yourself? He is angry. He will be in his room, probably listening to some music so go directly inside and ask him yourself.'' she grinned, ''oh, and by the way, do take your contract file to him, he wanna re-consider it.'' As soon as she muttered that part, my heart jumped out of my chest.

There is no way I was losing this job. I hurriedly grabbed the folder where I keep my files and began walking briskly towards his apartment.

I would just barge in and tell him straight away that Willow lied and how she hates me for no reason. I had to persuade him into believing me no matter what.

I was in a rush, I have to tell him that whatever lies she had fed him, were lies. Oh my God! I don't even know what I was thinking. I ran inside, opening the door to his room and intruding inside without knocking on the door.

What I saw next was the scariest sight for my innocent heart.

Let me explain it in simple words, he was in the process of changing clothes. My eyes couldn’t believe I was seeing the Ryker Malarkey like that right in front of my eyes. And as soon as my eyes saw the sight before them, I screamed in terror.