"How's your arm?" "Been better," he chuckled, scratching an eyebrow. She smiled wanly. It was tough finding something to break the ice, "I'm sorry," she said. "For your arm," she added for clarification. Ryan nodded, "It's alright. Sorry for what I said to you. Somehow, I feel that's even worse." Another wan smile appeared across her lips. She wondered what she'd been scared of. Here they were, acting like a couple of teenagers. She nodded, "Apo-" "-Damn it all," Ryan muttered, taking off his shades. "What-" She started to say but Ryan covered the distance between them, and captured her lips in a warm kiss. Sofia froze for a moment before her body took over, and she responded, deepening the contact. He was on one knee, his right arm caressed the side of her face and she angled her head toward it, giving his tongue more room to explore. It was as if their minds had shut down, leaving control to the innate desires of their bodies, and the kiss expressed emotions words could do no
"What the heck was that about?" Michaelson growled at Ryan, as he walked up to them. "Hey don't put that on me," Ryan defended. "There was nothing I could do. Her mind was made up." Michaelson sighed, "You messed up with the signing Rico, this is Hollywood. You don't give a newbie that much power, they start getting ideas." Rico sighed, "Truthfully, I didn't see this coming. When she said it, I was thinking of things like employer-employee relations. Like how we'd treat her. I knew these were not a problem. Besides, with the two of them looking like Romeo and Juliet, who'd have expected this?" "Go get rid of the press," Michaelson said dismissively, "I need another Cognac," he added, walking away. "It's gonna be a long day guys," he waved over his shoulder. "This press conference is over. No more questions," Rico said into one of the mics on the table. "Mr. Suarez? Mr. Suarez?" Different reporters called on him, trying to get him to answer their questions. But he remained mut
The both of them looked up."Amanda?" Ryan was surprised that even she knew about the kiss. How?"Not now Amanda," Rico whispered forcefully.She made to speak but Ryan urged her to read the room with his eyes,"Not now," he said.There were phones everywhere focusing on the three of them. However, Amanda had already lost it. "Why can't you see that I'm the only one who won't leave you?" She asked, completely unmindful that she was probably on some live streams already."I've always been there Ryan. And I'll always be there. But you're killing me with all of these women who don't deserve you. Who have no idea how to treat you. Look what's happened with the roadside chick now huh, who'd have seen that coming? But I told you. I warned you. And now I'm still here for you. And all you have to do," she came closer, and both men tried to warn her with their eyes but she wasn't listening or rather seeing...She stopped just short of his face, and both of them released the breath they'd been
Back in LA, Bel Air, James was sitting down to dinner at home. His mansion looked ultramodern and utilitarian. Still, there was the subtle touch of extravagance.His butler stood next to him, the remote control in hand. He kept switching channels on a smart TV suspended by a retractable arm that extended from the ceiling.It was a normal routine of theirs. He would keep changing the channel until James found something suitable to watch.He got to E-NEWS and was about to change but James held up his arm to stop him.It was the news on Sofia at the orphanage.He dropped his fork and focused on the screen. Then he spotted the kid. He shot to his feet immediately, his face suddenly darkened and his brows knotted together at a steep angle."No fucking way," he muttered, clenching his jaw. There was no way. Of all the orphanages in the world, of all the ones in the U.S. even. She picked him? Out of all the other kids?"Fuck!" He screamed, slamming a clenched fist onto the table like a gave
"Coming!" Alicia called out, padding out to the sitting room. She was barefoot, and clad in a nightshirt over her underwear. "Who's there?" She asked."It's -uh Ted." He puffed, out of breath. "Is this-"She quickly opened the door. He stood there, with a strained smile, and Tanya, who was sound asleep on his back.She froze, her mouth dropped, and her eyebrows hung mid air."So... Can I come in?" His voice was strained too."Yeah, of course," she gushed, getting a hold of herself. "Let me give you a hand," she offered as he came in."I got it," he huffed. Alicia nodded, and followed close behind, directing him to Tanya's room.He shuffled into the room, and his feet caught in one of Tanya's thongs lying about. He fell—face first onto the bed and passed out immediately.Tanya muttered inaudibly, rolled off him, and snuggled against her pillow.Alicia sighed tiredly, resting both arms on her waist. She didn't even know where to start. She took the thong off Ted's feet, and took his shoe
"Hey," Alicia smiled, walking into the kitchen. She was wearing a beige off-shoulder corset top over a tank top and dark pants.Fred looked up at her, "It's a surprise to see you without Josh around, nowadays," he spoke drily, returning his attention to the nachos."It's not like that, Fred. You know it." She neared him as she spoke, but he flinched from her."But I don't, Alicia. I don't. You're always together. I understand that you're in college, but if you're beginning to rethink this, then tell me. So I know what to expect.""I told you, Fred." She took his face in her hands, coming in for a kiss. *I choose you, alwa-"The cafe door slamming shut cut her short."Alicia!"They glanced at each other, and she led the way out.There was a blonde girl in a pink halter crop top over white shorts the size of a postcard. She scowled immediately Alicia came into view.She walked over and sized her up."What's up, Casey?" Alicia crossed her arms.Casey glanced at Fred, "And what? You're her
"You've got Mr. Richards on on line 2, sir." Pam announced from the doorway."Thanks, Pam. Grab me a cup of coffee. Two cubes. Be generous with the cream," he took the telephone from its cradle, and reclined. "Close the door," he said to her retreating figure."Miss DelaCruz is back. Have you seen?" David Richards asked quickly.James knitted his eyebrows, "No, when?""Today," Richards replied. "And she didn't come back alone," he added, chuckling drily.James sat up suddenly, his eyes widened; he was gripping the phone so much, his knuckles looked white. "The boy from the orphanage?" He asked slowly, trying to keep calm. It could not be. Of all the... No, he did not want to imagine that scenario."I see you're well informed," David Richards smiled, on the other end, serving him the disappointment with utter unawareness of his partner's thoughts.James slammed the phone in its receiver, and rushed to his feet, grabbing his jacket on his way out. He opened the door, and Pam was standin
*What will you do, when you find her?* James thought within himself, manoeuvring his steering wheel as he turned past the curve. The streetlights illuminated the road in a soft amber sheen.And James was just now realizing that he didn't think this through. He was so lost in thought he almost didn't see the familiar Aventador parked along the curb. *Wasn't that Ryan?* He looked at the house on the other side of the road, and noticed there was a party going on.It had to be Sofia's.He parked along the curb, careful to avoid double parking, and got down, buttoning his jacket.As he approached the house, the driver's door on the Aventador swung open, and Ryan jumped out.Meanwhile, the housewarming party was in full swing as Sofia celebrated her new home with friends and loved ones. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the excitement was through the roof as they engaged in some in-house games. Unbeknownst to Sofia, tensions were simmering just outside her new home.Their gazes locke