Chapter 63: Chapter 63

RYAN POV

I wasn't convinced if I felt my thoughts were straight for the past few days. Anxiety, pain, and the throbbing past kept haunting me like a storm.

Every time I tried to keep calm, but I am not certain how long I could keep up. I was scared, tired at the same time. Just like a comet, I felt those emotions I have managed to hold on coming back to life. Those emotions I thought I had buried suddenly resurrected.

And just when I thought I was going to avoid him, he was always close to me. That proximity breeds nothing but deep hatred.

I thought I had forgiven him, but it was false. How could I?

The car door opened, as my dad entered, a smile on his lips. I looked to the other side, wishing I had arranged to be in a different car.

The car started moving and there was silence between us. It didn't help much as the inside of me craved to voice out. I had been holding it for too long. I thought it didn't matter, but my heart was still heavy.

"Son. We should talk.” His voice came rather in a whisper, as I turned to face him.

I was stunned, but happy. He took the bait and spoke. How great.

"Yes, we should.” I smirked.

He deflated with a deep breath.

"The investors think we are not on good terms. Can we at least for the next one-day put away everything in the past and act like father and son?” I sputtered a humorless laugh.

I should have known this wasn't from his heart. He only wanted to talk to his son for selfish reasons. Just for business.

His forehead creased, as I frowned.

"Forget everything about the past, you say. The beatings you give to the woman who loved you. Or the fact that you slept around, dishonoring your matrimonial bed, right until now.” I voiced out, as my chest kept heaving.

" Stop already. You do not want him knowing about it. I thought we had grown past this.” He stated, referring to the driver,as he sighed.

"It doesn't matter. I think it makes a lot of sense if others know about your past. You were nothing but a selfish father and husband. You never valued the woman who loved you. Mum gave you her all, but you kept cheating around.” I thundered, relieve sweeping past me for a while.

I needed to say more

“Stop Ryan. I have changed.” He raised his hand, dismissively.

"Oh really? Then what were you doing at that hotel last week. Business or banging those whores.” His eyes widened a bit, and I was glad I hit a nerve.

“You are a stupid child. Women are meant to be used. But no, you always fall in love. Where has it led you? Your wife died on your wedding night, leaving you with pain and sadness.”

I felt my heart ripped at his words, and the great urge to flung my fist on his face came stronger than usual.

But just then, Ariel lecture came to hear. I needed to be calm. He was spewing nonsense.

"You are quite delusional with your thoughts. I wish you were never my father.”

"But just don't forget that whatever goes around comes. You will reap what you sow.”

Suddenly, he chuckled. His low chuckle races across, and it tickles the anger in me.

"Says who? Tell me you are joking.” He moved.

I decided not to say more words, but still my body felt light a bit. I was surprised he hadn't changed a bit, neither was he ready to.

I rested my head on the chair, my childhood imagination spinning more than usual.

His monstrous act made me fear falling in love. I almost had his delusional thoughts as well. He was a cheat, beater, and selfish human being.

The car stopped, as I hopped out of it. Taking long strides, I wasn't ready to wait any longer. Every breath I took reminded me of his lewd and inhumane acts and words.

He shouldn't be my father.

"Ryan, stop right there.” He ordered, prompting me to halt.

I turned abruptly as he approached me, his eyes boring into mine.

"Don't do anything stupid this evening. We are meeting with one of our important investors. Don't fuck this up.” He stated sternly.

I rolled my eyes, my hands forming into fists.

He hissed, leaving my angry self.

I should have known better, the reason he called me. It was just for his selfish reasons.

He was always selfish.

I performed a breathing exercise, trying to calm my nerves. It was always difficult to control my anger around him.

I wished Ariel was with me. Her soothing and comfortable words always made me better.

I released my breath, as I paced around for a while. I decided it was best to be calm before coming face to face with that man again.

I walked into the mini bar or perhaps a restaurant, as it seemed to bubble with people dancing together, males and females.

I forced my way through, constantly irritated, my dad fixed an appointment with some investors here. It looked more like a clubhouse.

My gaze lingered as it settled on a familiar figure. Just like a flash, the picture of him hugging Ariel spanned through my imaginary lane. I stood just like that, suddenly feeling unstable.

It seemed he was determined to get Ariel. I wanted to get angry at him, most especially for wrapping his hands around a married woman. But, I was thankful to him.

If not for him, Ariel might have been hit that very night.

I sighed, and then noticed his eyes on me. He stood up as he began walking towards me.

"Mr. Ryan Ackers. Good to see you.” He raised his voice over the loud music booming.

I simply gave a curt nod as I proceeded to leave. His hand held my wrist, stopping my forward movement. Our eyes bore into each other. I wasn't sure what he felt, but I didn't feel angry at his bold attempt.

"We should talk outside.” With that said, he took strides outside. I followed along as we ended up close to the parkway, which was decently quiet.

"I hope this is worth it.” I seethed, as he smiled.

"Be patient. I am here to make peace with you.” He voiced out, gently leaning on a car.

I raised my brows, as I thought back. Oh! He had been angry with me since I got one of the endorsement by a top company in the United States. He stayed I cheated and wanted to teach me a lesson.

"You accused me wrongly. I don't cheat to get contracts.” I stated, as he nodded.

"Yes, you didn't. I made some research. Apparently, it wasn't really fair and square, as one of your distant relatives made sure the contract was yours.”

My curiosity was suddenly hitting the high level with his confession. Apparently, I am oblivious to whoever it was.

"You should ask your dad. He knows better.” He patted me gently on the shoulder.

And those words of his almost heightened my anger, but I wasn't ready to give in to it.

"Thank you. I won't like to dig deeper. It is weird, I don't even know any of my distant relatives there.” I stated, trying to think through, but my mind seemed unsettled.

"It is fine. I apologize for holding a grudge against you. So, are we good.” He stretched his hand forward, as I watched it sternly.

“I won't like to take a handshake from my rival. I do not hold any grudge against you again.”

He put his outstretched hand back in his pocket, as he smiled.

"I am not your rival. Just some silly high school crush I had on your wife while in high school.” He paused, as I grimaced.

“I only wanted to be certain Ariel was in a safe hand. “

"And obviously, she is. She is in love with me.” I stated, a smear of confidence clouding me.

"Really? Well, she would have died if I didn't save her after you angrily left her at the restaurant the day you saw me. What about the night she almost knocked down by a car? You really need to keep your eyes on your wife”

I frowned at his words. I gritted my teeth. I knew he was right, but that didn't mean I liked what he was saying.

"Yet, you protected her without having feelings for her. Unbelievable.” I spat out, as he chuckled.

"I like someone else. It was all because of my revenge plan that made me make a move on her. Nothing else”

We stared deeply at each other, as I tried to find answers in his eyes. Maybe he was saying the truth or not, but deeply I still felt a sense of appreciation for him.

He saved Ariel twice, if not more than.

"Treat your wife well. I can't resist it if she ask for help. Be careful Ryan."He enuciated his words calmly, leaving me in a pool of thoughts.

I spent few minutes outside trying to calm my self of Damien's words. I made my way to the private part of the restaurant where my dad was. I stopped as a scene caught my eyes.

A man was sexually harassing a waiter, who was trying hard to stop him. I was beyond furious, as I just stared from a short distance..

The waitress dress, which was a short gown and a veil covering her face. Her clothes was tampered with, as the burqa covering her face was removed.

The pervert wouldn't stop as he advanced closer to the lady. I don't know why but the scene happening looked familiar, and that was more than enough to make my blood boil.

"Leave her."I thundered as the man yanked his hand off her. She fell to the ground.

The lady rose to her feet, as she ran towards me, holding on to my clothes.

As if hit with a comet, my eyes bore into her. My heart plummeted and I thought I was in a trance.

Her eyes started feeling numb as she fell, but thankfully I was quick to hold her from falling.

"Please, save me."She whispered as she fainted, an eerie silence enveloping, tension filling everywhere.

I was stupefied.....

This is not real. Definitely not......