6 Everytime it hurts

RYAN

I paused as soon as I saw the person seated on the white plush couch in my living room.

She turned around just as I paused and a smile appeared on her face. She got on her feet, facing me.

“You are back,” She called softly.

“What are you doing here?“

The smile fell off her face and she sighed and began to walk up to me.

“We are getting married soon. You should stop these acts,”

“Standing me up for our date today? That's not very gentlemanly of you,”

Right, I hadn't meant to, but as soon as I saw Sophia, I lost track of every plan I had made. I had told her to wait, I had little expectations but I really didn't expect her to leave. She was determined to permanently erase me from her life, but she should know that I wouldn't let that happen.

I had let eight years pass by because I wanted her to stop hating me, but even now, I don't think she'd stop anytime soon. Unless I took a bold step.

Every time she looked at me coldly, pulled away when I tried to hold her or called me formally, it hit me way harder than I wanted. It's so bad that when she finally called me by my name I got deja vu. I'm determined to go back to those times, but there's a bit of a problem. She hates me and Adriana is now in the picture.

“Did you forget I'm standing here?“ Adriana's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

I looked down at the brunette woman in front of me, a frown on her face.

Don't get me wrong. I do not hate Adriana but this sham of a marriage.

“Something came up. I texted you that I wouldn't make it,”

With that I walked past her, I hadn't taken more than four steps when she spoke, making me pause.

“Yeah, was that when you saw Sophia Adams or after?“

I turned around to look at her, my brows raised.

“After,”

She snickered. “You are not over her yet, is that it?“

I wouldn't be a coward or deny it. I wasn't done loving Sophie. I don't think I could ever be.

“You know the answer, Ana,”

She scoffed and stepped closer. “Well, that's a you problem, Ryan. It doesn't matter the conditions of this marriage but we are in it now,”

“And it won't be a wise move for you to back out now,”

I nodded. “I would find a way out of this. To benefit both of us,”

Her frown deepened and I turned around, walking away immediately. I toned out her words of disagreement as I walked away from her and towards my bedroom.

A few hours later…

“Inform me if there's any good news concerning her,” I said to my assistant over the video call.

“Yes sir,”

“Also Mr Hills requested a meeting with you tomorrow,”

I sighed.

Why did I agree to this? I should have known it would never end well.

“Thank you for informing me. That would be all for today,”

“Yes sir. Have a good night,”

I ended the call and as soon as I did, my phone began ringing. I picked it up when I saw my sister's name on the screen.

“Are you back home now?“ She asked.

I snickered. “I left hours ago, are you really asking now?“

She scoffed and I could picture her rolling her eyes too. “You should be glad I'm even calling. Goodnight dumbass,”

“Wait!“ I exclaimed before she hung up.

“What?“

“Is Sophie with you right now?“

“No. I think she's gone to sleep already. We are touring LA tomorrow,”

I leaned back on the chair. “Why touring?“

“I suggested it. I don't want her to stay home all the time. She's bound to get bored and think about everything that happened,”

I nodded. “For the first time, you are using your brain,”

She ignored my sarcasm. “I heard you earlier. You are still in love with Sophia,”

“You still look at her like you always do,”

“Why do I think you both lied about why you separated?“

“How could it be that you couldn't make things work out yet both of you were miserable after the break-up?“

Because it was a lie. It was far more than not being able to make things work.

“Things happen, Zara”

“You are avoiding my questions again,”

“Are you going to cancel the wedding then?“

“I'm planning to,” I replied.

She sighed audibly. “You'll need all the luck you can get,”

“Yeah, goodnight,”

As I ended the call I received a text message from Adriana.

( We are having Lunch with Dad tomorrow. You better not stand us up for her again)

I shook my head and turned off my phone.

I indeed would need luck for whatever step I'd take. Marrying Adriana Hills was never one of my plans. In fact, it wasn't hers too, until recently. Of course, this marriage was an arranged marriage set up by her parents. A contract had been signed even before we knew each other and her parents had the higher hand. My parent's business depended on me and the only thing I could do to help was accept the marriage. I agreed to it at first only because I knew Sophie was getting married and I had no hope, but she was back now, and that little hope that was quenched had now been restored.

I know I might be making a wrong decision or taking a risky path, but I was determined to make things work without having to ruin my parent's hard work for my selfish desires.

The Next Day…

Noon…

The door opened just as I lifted my head. I frowned when I saw Narin walk in, holding a piece of paper and a disturbed look on her face.

I raised a brow. “Is there something wrong?“

“Ms Brown tendered her resignation letter this morning and left without anyone knowing. I saw this on my table when I came in,” she said and stretched out the letter to me.

I sighed, taking it from her.

I read the heading of the letter, confirming it was a resignation letter, and didn't bother to read through it. I handed it back to her.

“Well, we can't begin developing the game without someone in her position. Open up a vacancy for her spot,”

“We have no time to whine about it “

She nodded. “Yes sir,” Turning around she walked out of the office.

I sighed and picked up my phone. I dialed Zara's line and she picked up after a few rings.

“Hey where are you?“

“Work. Why?“

I narrowed my eyes.

“Didn't you say you were going out with Sophie?“

She sighed. “I did, but an urgent work suddenly came up. I'm about to go into the meeting room,”

“I feel so bad right now but I don't have a choice,”

An idea popped into my head.

“I will go with her then.“

“What? No! She'll kill me,”

“Good riddance,” I clicked my tongue.

“Hahaha, very funny,”

“Don't go to my house. I'll hit you if I see you there,”

I snickered. “Have a nice day at work,”

I hung up and got on my feet. I grabbed my suit and walked out of the office. Narin was heading up to me and she glanced at me in surprise.

“Sir, your meeting with Mr Hills is in thirty minutes. Are you leaving now?“

“I won't be available today. Refer the message to him,”

“But sir-”

I was out of her sight before she could complete her statement.