Dario_5

Chapter five

Dario closed his eyes and focused on clearing his head, he sat with his brother Ronnie who had come on an unannounced visit to his office. He didn't know why he couldn't get the red hair off his mind, why he offered her a job, why he even considered finding out what the problem was, why he didn't snap at her for insulting and mocking him or for rejecting his offer.

His jaw ticked with internal rage, he boiled with a vast amount of anger, why was he thinking about her, he was dishonouring Caitlin memory.

"Dario," he heard his brothers voice bring him out of his thought. He looked towards him and raised a brow. "What's wrong?"

Ronnie stared at Dario with full concern etched on his face. He wondered why he looked like he wanted to kill someone a minute ago and he also wanted to know how long Dario had actually tuned him out.

"It's nothing." He said and swirled his chair to face the large frame glass.

He loved the great view it gave, he could see the standing skyscrapers of companies that New York had to offer, companies that he planned on conquering.

"Dario..." Ronnie was cut off by Dario.

"I said I'm fine Ronnie, you don't have to keep on looking at me with that pity face or trying to help me, I don't need that!" He screamed which left him heaving up and down like he had ran marathon.

The door burst open same time he finished his ranting, he could see Elaine trying to ward off someone but the person kept pushing.

"I told you I need to see him, it's urgent." He heard the melodious voice, Diane. He didn't need to see the red hair to know she was the one.

"What's all this raucous in your office brother." Ronnie harden his face displeased.

"I just told you he's in a meeting." Elaine replied sassily.

Dario massaged his temples and gritted his teeth, why couldn't he just get an atom of peace.

"Elaine!" his voice boomed and resonance.

Elaine immediately halted and turned to look at Dario. "Yes sir." She replied meekly, a character he didn't think she possessed.

"Let her in and leave." He ordered. She was about to interfere but he cut her off with a sharp glare, she huffed and left angrily with the clicking sound of her heels following her.

Diane stood at the door, eyes red from crying, hair disheveled and she clutched her bag tight like she was using it for support. She met the piercing gaze of Dario lips trembling like she was about to start another round of tears.

"Ronnie would you please give us some minutes?" He spoke in a hoarse throaty voice.

Ronnie nodded, stood up and left not before checking out the girl who stood there. He was surprised Ronnie heard what he said considering the tone it came. He felt a hard jab in his chest as he assessed her face, she looked like she had been crying.

"I accept your proposal." She said with trembling lips.

He stood up from his chair and walked towards her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Diane, what happened?" He was surprised at the sincerity and concern words that rolled off his tongue.

It was like that was the question she needed as a break through because she bawled uncontrollable as she hugged him. She was surprised this wasn't her, she never ever depends on a guy again and here she is crying out her life on his chest.

He let her cry on his chest but he didn't give her comfort, he wanted to but couldn't. His hands just couldn't move from where they were, from his sides. He cleared his throat when he became too uncomfortable with her petite form hugging him and crying.

She finally did let go off him and he immediately gave a wide distance between them, a distance that he would notice her trying to get to him before she gives him a minor heart attack with another hug.

He waited for her to speak but she didn't, she just kept her head low.

"Diane," he called cautiously looking for words to use that won't trigger another round of eye shower.

She looked up and met his eyes, she couldn't still believe she took comfort in him, the arrogant jerk of all time according to Elena.

"I accept your proposal." She repeated again.

"I heard that. Why? Last time you seemed so bent on not getting married to me."

"Do you want this or not?" she snapped. Okay she's actually being a beggar with command.

He looked at her strangely but nodded slowly. He didn't know why he did that but she looked in so much pain.

"I don't have the documents here and we need witnesses maybe you'll stop by the office tomorrow with a witness and we can sign the contract."

She nodded. "Can I get part of the money now?" She asked hopefully

"We've not signed it yet, Diane." He said but looking at her face, the hope slipping away, he pulled open the table drawer and brought out a bundle of money, "this should be a hundred thousand dollars or more." He handed her the money and her face lit up a little.

"Thanks." She turned and left.

____________________________________

Heading back to the hospital she took time to think about what happened, what she did after Andrew phone call.

Flashback

Elena pulled her out of the house, she still couldn't believe her baby was in the hospital.

"You can't do this right now, Diane. We need to get to Ruby." Elena said once we were in a cab.

Diane came out of her trance and nodded her head, she cleaned her tears, she had to be strong for Ruby.

They got to the hospital quickly asked the receptionist for Ruby and she directed them to the ER. They met Andrew pacing back and forth. When Andrew sighted them, relief washed over his face.

"Diane, thank God you're here." He said as he ran his hands through his hair.

"My baby," she croaked.

"Undergoing surgery right now"

The tears she tried to hold back all through her journey here bursted out, she bawled out her eyes. Her hands to her hair as she as she cried, she could hear the consoling words of Elena but couldn't place what she was saying.

Elena pulled her to a hug, whispering, "it's gonna be fine, she'll be fine and back to the Ruby you and I know."

"Diane," Andrew called. "Ruby is going to be fine."

She snapped her head towards him in anger. He is the cause of what Ruby is going through, the cause of her predicament, he put her through all this and still has the audacity to call her, to tell her Ruby's going to be fine.

She stood up and stalked him slowly eyes filled with rage. "How dare you? Who do you think you are to utter my baby's name..."

"Diane, listen to me..."

"Don't!" She halted his words" I should listen to you, my baby is lying in there battling with her life and you're trying to explain to me, to get me listen to all your bullshits!" She yelled.

"Diane, calm down, we're in the hospital." Lena tried to reason with her

She glared at Lena, shutting her up and then turned to Andrew, "out!" She pointed towards the exit.

Andrew was in consternation. He tried to speak but Diane shut him up with her hard glare. "Leave now and never come back, I don't want to see your face ever again, I don't want to see you anywhere near my daughter. God bless your soul I catch you five feet from my daughter, I'll skin you alive."

"Diane, you can't do that to him." Lena pleaded.

"I can and I've already done so." She stood with hands akimbo burning with rage.

"I'm so sorry Diane, I'm sorry for everything." Andrew said and walked out.

The doctor walked out of the ER minutes later, he told them Ruby was out of danger just a broken rib and a broken arm and also told her the bills.

She couldn't afford the bills, she needed money, Lena had to convince her to take Dario's offer, to save her daughter by signing the contract.

Flashback ends

She wondered if what she did to Andrew was right, did she speak in rage? Did she let her anger cloud her judgement? She sighed and ran her hand through her hair, what matters to her now is Ruby and she was already out of danger and on her way to getting a good life.