Unrequited love

 Episode 22

*Thompson industries 🏢

        

  "What?... he's not here?" Alex asked in disbelief.

        

 " Am sorry miss Alex but boss didn't come to work today" tlyer replied and left. 

        

" That's odd, why isn't he here...is he at home then" she wondered then picked her phone to call him.

        

" Come on answer" she muttered. The phone rang but he didn't pick up.

        

 " Hmm, should I surprise him" she smiled and rushed out.

        

" Are you done miss Alex?" Dan asked

        

 " No, give me the key you can go back to the company" she said and collected it from him.

        

  " Huh? Where are you going?" He asked

        

" To Ryan's place... don't wait for me okay" she smiled and kicked off the engine leaving him behind.

        

" tskk tskk I wonder why she never gives up, oh well this means I have a day off" he smiled and walked away.

        

××××××××××

 Ryan's House

Ryan sat in the bathtub, the warm water and wine easing his tense muscles. But his mind was still racing, replaying Emily's words like a broken record.

*Because I know someone like you will always want something in return*

         *Even when you people donate money you still call it investment so*

                 

He couldn't help but smile, feeling a twinge of admiration for her directness. She had called him out, plain and simple.

He thought about her gray eyes, piercing and intense, as if they could see into his very soul. He had never met anyone like her before - someone who didn't seem to care about his wealth or status.

He took a sip of his wine,She had accused him of only doing things if they benefited him. And maybe she was right.

He's eyes narrowed. He would prove her wrong. He would show her that he was capable of kindness without expecting anything in return.

       "Emily... Wilson, you're...quite interesting" he said with a sly smile. He had just poured himself a glass of wine and was taking a sip when he heard Alex's voice outside the door.

    " Ryan, are you taking a bath?"

*What's she doing here now* 

                  he thought rolling his eyes. He finshed and came out of the bathroom with a frown. Alex's eyes widened in surprise. She gasped, her mouth hanging open as she took in the sight of him.

Ryan stood before her, his robe hanging open to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of his chest. His broad shoulders and chiseled abs were on full display, and his hair was perfectly messy. His eyes seemed to bore into her soul, and his full lips were simply divine. The dim light of the room highlighted the sharp planes of his face, making him look like a sculpted work of art. Alex's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Alex's eyes were fixed on Ryan's chest, her face already pink. But Ryan, oblivious to her gaze, simply tightened his robe and asked, 

        "So, what's up? You came here for a reason, right?"

Alex's eyes snapped back to his face, 

"Uh, yeah I was um ..I mean, I went to your office today but they said you didn't come so...i came to check up on you Incase you were sick." she stammered.

       

  "Don't need to worry, am not sick just took a day off" he said and she nodded.

        

"Wait outside am going to change" Ryan said entering his dressing room.

      

He was trying to change into a fresh shirt, when Alex snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was taken aback, his hands freezing on the buttons of his shirt.

"Alex, what are you doing?" he asked, 

Alex didn't answer, she just held him tight, her face pressed against his back. Ryan could feel her warm breath through his shirt, and her arms were surprisingly strong.

 "What are you doing, Alex? Let go now"

Alex smiled mischievously

 "I just wanted a hug. Can't I do that?"

Ryan rolled his eyes

, "Not when I'm half-naked, you can't. Let go. I need to change."

But Alex didn't let go. Instead, she stretched her neck and smiled cunningly. "Or should I help you?"

Ryan's eyes widened in alarm as he realized Alex's intentions. He quickly removed her hands from his waist and pushed her out of his dressing room, saying, "No, you definitely should not help me."

He sighed and dialed Ethan's number, and after a few rings, his friend answered, his voice loud and clear despite the background noise of the club.

"Yo, what's up?" Ethan yelled into the phone.

He could hear the thumping music and laughter behind him. 

        "Dude, Alex is at my place, and I need you to come get her."

   " why , What's wrong ?"

He sighed, rubbing his temples. 

        "She She showed up unannounced, hugged me half-naked, and won't leave me alone. I need you to come get her before things get any weirder."

Ethan burst out laughing. "Half-naked, huh? Sounds like Alex is finally making her move!"

Ryan groaned. "It's not funny, Ethan. Just get here, please."

"Dude, I'm not coming to get her. You're on your own," Ethan said, his tone unapologetic.

Ryan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What do you mean? You're her brother, it's your job to deal with her!"

Ethan chuckled. "Yeah, well, I'm passing the buck to you this time. You're the one who's always been able to handle her quirks. Besides, I'm in the middle of something important... like my beer."

Ryan groaned, feeling abandoned. 

     "Bro,you're a big boy. You can handle Alex. Besides, maybe it's time you two had a heart-to-heart. You've been avoiding her feelings for years."

Ryan's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

But Ethan just laughed and said, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Later, dude."

And with that, the line went dead.

" Jerk, he never helps you when you need him" he muttered.

        

*

*

Ryan sat in the sitting room, typing away on his laptop, trying to focus on his work. Alex was sat on the couch beside him, 

"Hey, let's go get some ice cream," she said.

Ryan didn't look up. "I'm busy, Alex."

Alex got up and walked over to Ryan's desk. "Come on, it'll be fun! We can go to that new place downtown and we can even make it a picnic."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "A picnic? In the middle of the day?"

Alex nodded enthusiastically. "Why not? It'll be romantic."

Ryan's eyes narrowed. "Alex, I'm not going on a romantic picnic with you."

Alex frowned a little before remembering something. She smiled sweetly and pulled out a script from behind the couch cushion. "then, can you help me practice my lines for this new drama I got a role in?"

Ryan raised an eyebrow,

     "What's the drama about?"

She shrugged. "Just a romantic comedy. But I need someone to practice with."

Ryan sighed and took the script from her. "Fine, but just for a little bit."

They began to run through the lines, Alex playing the lead female role and Ryan playing the lead male. They reached a particularly romantic Kissing scene 

As they reached the line, Alex leaned in close, her lips few inches from Ryan's, but he dodges at the last second, and she ends up kissing his cheek instead)

 "What was that about?!"he asked with a deep frown and stood up.

 "I just wanted to practice the kiss, okay? Don't be such a baby." She scoffed

" You should start going home." He said rubbing his template

        Alex Clenched her hands angrily.

" Why! Why do you want me to go home!"

        

 " Because am busy..."

        

 " Liar! You're clearly avoiding me" she cut him off

        

" Why do you keep avoiding me Ryan huh, can't you see you're hurting me" she asked already crying, he ruffled his hair frustrated

" Am not avoiding you Alex..."

        

 " You're!, You clearly know my feelings for you... Ryan but you keep pushing me away. I've liked you for so many years now can't you see that" she asked her tears not stopping. Ryan sighed and faced her with a straight face

        

  " What ever you feel for me Alex, just kill it because I'll never see you as a woman. You're my best friend sister and I also see you as my sister ..."

        

  " But am not your sister!! So don't see me as one!" She shouted angrily. Ryan nodded and grabbed her bag putting it in her hand. He opened the door for her.

        

 " You should go now" he said calmly, Alex glared at him for a few seconds before coming closer.

        

 " I'll never give up on you Ryan remember that and...if I can't have you, then no other woman can" she said and walked out angrily. Ryan sighed and closed the door.

        

    Tbc...