Chapter 77: Chapter 77

RYAN POV

One of the bedrocks of marriage lives is the sexual part. It plays an important role, often as a means to express love among couples. It is mutual and loving, especially when enjoyed by both marriage partners.

Last night happened to be the best I had with Ariel. It was phenomenal, and words alone can't explain it. Her hands lingering at the right places, coupled with her soft moans filling the air. Our bodies moved in rhythm as we consummated.

I twirled around on my chair, imagining the scene from yesterday.

I left the house early this morning, while watching Ariel sleep soundly, her hair plastered on her face, making her look like a sleeping beauty.

The knock on my door jolted me out of my numerous thoughts on Ariel's ravishing body. I stared down, realizing I had a throbbing down there. I groaned slightly, dissuading off my thoughts, as I leaned close to my table.

"Come in.”I spoke, as my gaze fell on the person appearing through the door.

Her stare cut to mine for a split second, as she looked away, her hands clamped to a white envelope.

I tapped on my phone, putting it on recording.

"Sir, I…"

"Please sit.”I requested, prompting her to raise her head, surprise boldly written on her face.

She took steps closer, as she stretched her hand over the table.

"I'm here to render my resigning letter. I apologize for the bad acts of mine. I hope you forgive me. It wasn't intentional. I." She rambled, as I waved my hand off, stopping her from saying more.

I had kept quiet about my secretary screwing around with my dad, but that doesn't mean I wasn't angry. I was irritated. I just wanted Chloe to speak up about it.

"How long have you been sleeping with my dad?”I asked, as her eyes widened a bit.

"It happened some weeks ago. It was a mistake. I was not in my right state of mind. I tried stopping him, but he threatened me with videos of the sex between us. That was when you saw us then. I'm deeply sorry, boss.”

I sighed, staring at her, as her eyes brimmed with tears. I put my hand forward as she handed the envelope to me. I gave it a quick check, before raising my eyes to meet hers.

"I do not hold any grudge against you. I will have the account manager transfer some amount of money to you. You have been the best secretary who ever worked with me, so I will let you go Scot free. Meanwhile, I hope this never happens again. If you are being threatened by my dad, reach out to me.”I stated, a sour taste on my tongue.

I was ashamed of calling him my dad. He isn't worthy of being a father. At that moment, I wondered how many of my female workers he was screwing.

Sometimes, I wonder why my mum didn't divorce him.

"Thank you sir. I would like to take my leave now.”

I nodded, as she left. I rested my chin on the back of my palms, trying to think.

Did I do the right thing by letting it go?

If Ariel was here, would she be proud of me?

A smile crept to my lips at the thought of Ariel.

The next thing on my agenda was to find a new secretary.

*******

"Ariel, please “I begged as she flung her hand off my grip.

Evelyn held on to me, as I kept looking at Ariel. She was furious.

"You either choose me or her?”She raised her hand at me.

I was confused as my gaze lingered from Evelyn to Ariel.

"Please, don't do this, Ariel. She is my wife too. You are my wife too. I can't choose between you two.”

I watched as her face went pale, as her gaze bored into me with fury, that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand.

"Then it is settled…" Her voice trailed off, as she deflated with a sharp breath.

"Goodbye Ryan.”

The words drifted into my ears after the night had already swallowed her whole. I exhaled a rough breath and shook off the pinpricks of electricity dotting my skin.

Evelyn was still hung to me, as the silhouette of Ariel was no longer in view….

I have lost her…

.....

Sleep deserted me abruptly, leaving me with panicked confusion. I pried myself off my desk, as I kept breathing in and out, the horror of my dream leaving my heart pounding so hard I felt it in my throat, my stomach, my toes. I felt it in every inch of me.

I stood up, shaking off my thoughts, as I quickly took my phone to dial Ariel's number. My hands shook, as my hands were slowly getting numb.

The door flung open, as Nick entered.

"Happy anniversary.”He raised the basket in his hand up in the air, as he approached me.

What? Anniversary?

Oh, my! How the hell did I forget, today makes it one year since my marriage with Ariel.

The flash of my dream recurred in my mind as I shook my head.

"Nick, thank you for remembering. It really means a lot to me.”I quickly said, setting my phone on the table.

He rolled his eyes, as he sat.

"Well, I didn't remember, not until I collected this basket from your driver. It was from Ariel, and has the label of Happy anniversary. Instantly, I remembered it was already one year. Wow., How time flies.”He commented, as he handed over the basket to me.

I felt guilty, forgetting such a special day. The basket labeled with pink and blue flower imprints of 'HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE' brought a gigantic smile to my lips.

It also robbed off the thought of Ariel leaving me, regarding the weird dreams I had some minutes ago.

"Sister in-law must have put in great effort into that. Let check it out. And I hope you have something special for her?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, and I was pretty sure I looked uncharacteristically flustered.

"Let's check this out.”I said instead, bringing out the sets of plastic in the basket, each containing snacks and food. Cake. Pastries, and my three-favorite meals.

"Wow. They looked tantalizing.”Nick said, as he made to pick one of the meals.

I hit his hand, as he groaned.

"At least, share. I guess it would be right to eat, right?”Nick asked, as I passed him some plastics.

We made to settle at the other side of the office as we ate to satisfaction. My heart warmed with gratitude as Nick praised my wife.

It was truly a blessing having her as my better half. She is my one and only. My mind wandered to the gift I could give her, as I remembered a set of jewelries my mother gave me before getting married to Ariel.

It was a special set based on to her by her mother-in-law. I decided to gift it to her, alongside something else, something special.

We rested for a few minutes, as I shared the remaining set of snacks with some of my workers. It couldn't carry round, but it was still better.

"Do you love her?” Anxiety buzzed within me, at Nick's question.

The truth was that I didn't know. I was confused.

"I don't know.”I gritted, guilt plaguing me at my words.

"It's fine. Close your eyes, Ryan.”He stated, as I did.

What was Nick up to?

"Imagine a life without Ariel.”His voice tickles my ears.

At that instant, my imagination came into power, the dream I had rushing through me again.

'No meal, no peace of mind, no happiness with her absence.'

I opened my eyes instantly.

"I can't. It's not good. I can't imagine a life without Ariel.”I stated truthfully, as Nick gave me a small life.

I let out a puff of my breath.

"I love Ariel. I always did, but it was difficult to tell it to myself.”

That was the truth, and somehow I felt a gust of relief flush through me at that moment.

I finally confessed it.

"Excellent. I guess you owe me something, “Nick said, taking the last bite of cake.

"What?”My brows raised a bit.

"If you fall in love with Ariel, you will grant whatever I wish for.”

Reality dawned on me at Nick's words, prompting me to remember.

"What do you want, Nick?”I asked, as he chuckled.

"I want to get married to your sister.”

I stared at Nick for the longest seconds ever. His feet moved, as he was trying to back away from me. Such a scaredy-cat.

"You and Kathleen have my blessings.”I finally spoke as tspoke as the excitement on his face was priceless.

He jumped on me, as we embraced for a while.

It was really weird he had to save that wish so that I could accept him as my sister's groom.

"Thank you bro. But you are missing something."

Um,what?" My movement stopped a bit, as I found him watching me with a peculiar kind of focus.

"Ariel. Today is your anniversary bro. You should be off work today."Nick held my shoulders, as he shook me.

Right.

I stood instantly picking my car keys as I sauntered towards the door. I halted, as I turned abruptly.

"Thank you Nick. You are the best."I confessed, as he smiled at me.

"But be careful with my sister or else...."Giving him a quick stern look and a devious smile, I darted out of my office.

Like a bubbling child, I hummed love songs as I rode home. I was grateful there wasn't traffic and it was really breathtaking to know I had loved Ariel all this while, but was scared to admit it.

I dashed into the house, as I called out Ariel. I checked the kitchen as it was quiet. I geared to the bedroom as it had no sign of Ariel.

I took steps closer to the closet as a paper was plastered on it.

A swarm of emotions crashed on me, as a drop of sweat trickled down my nape.

And that was when it hit me

' Ariel had left me.'