Call It Love

Chapter4

Ryder’s POV

Five weeks earlier…

“Ryder, we are done having this conversation. You’re getting married to Sophia and that is final!” His fist collides with the wall and I flinch at his tone.

“Sophia doesn’t even want to marry me, dad. Why are you forcing two people who barely know each other to get into such a big thing? Marriage is no joke and you of all people should know that” I press on, hoping that this conversation will go better than it did the last two times.

He turns slowly towards me, his eyes piercing into mine before he takes a deep breath.

“Look, marriage isn’t what you kids think it is. It doesn’t always have to be about who you love now. You’ll grow to love each other”

He doesn’t get it. I have loved Amy since I can remember. It doesn’t feel right to get married to a complete stranger after everything!

“Son” He walks closer to me and grabs my shoulders “The Company is suffering and you’re going to take over from me in a few months. This is the only way out of debt.”

“Is this really the only way?”

“Yes. Unless you want to give up your future and the main source of the family wealth. And I know you want the business more than you want that girl.” He offers a small smile before patting my left shoulder.

It took a lot to get him to trust me enough to make me the next in line. He thought I was easily swayed and wasn’t strong enough to take over from him. In fact, he considered my younger brother, Dwayne, a better fit. It took so much effort and hard work to prove myself worthy of the position.

“Your mother and I got married for business. I didn’t love her before we got married. But things changed a few years into the marriage. She is such an intelligent woman. I wouldn’t exchange her for anything in the world.”

“Right” I nod. He’s definitely playing that card. The ‘I did it, so you should’ card.

“It’ll not be different for you. But if you decide not to marry her, you should be willing to give up your luxurious lifestyle. You have no idea what it is like living in poverty. Amy probably is beginning to feel it and I don’t think you’d want to toe that line with her, would you?” He raises a brow in anticipation for a response and I nod slowly.

“I guess not. But…”

“No buts, Ryder. There are only two options here. You can’t have it all. Not now at least” He raises his voice slightly, walking away from me and towards his desk. He says I have options but in reality, he has given me an ultimatum. He already made the decision for me.

“I have a meeting with the investors. We’ll meet at the family lunch next week.” He says, tapping my shoulder before leaving his office.

With a deep sigh, I head out of his office and towards the elevator. Things are harder than I expected. With the company on the line, I have a feeling things won’t go as I wish. But I have to find a way. I can’t disappoint my father, I can’t watch all the attention go back to Dwayne. I have to be CEO.

The ringtone of my phone disrupts my thoughts. Amy’s picture flashes through the screen and I sigh. Dad insisted on not telling her for whatever reason. I can’t bear to listen to her talk about our wedding plans knowing how things might turn out. That will be betraying her, betraying our love.

“Take me home” I say to Tyler as soon as I hop onto the back seat of my car.

“Yes, sir”

Amy’s second call comes through and I find myself answering anyway. I don’t want her getting worried unnecessarily.

“Hey” I answer on the second ring.

“Vanilla or chocolate?” Her voice comes through.

“Er…Chocolate” I chuckle

“Great! I knew you’d agree with me” She beams. She’s so adorable. I hate that things are going this way. I have to find a way to handle this.

“How is work going?” She sighs

“It’s going well. But, I’m heading home now”

“What? You never leave this early”

“Yeah. I just have a slight headache. I think I need rest” I half lie. I can’t concentrate with all this going on. It’ll definitely result in a headache and taking my frustrations out on the innocent employees.

“Sorry, babe. I tell you not to be too hard on yourself. I guess I’ll leave you then” She sighs

“I’ll rest and then call you as soon as I’m better.” I lie again.

“Alright” She says before I hang up.

As soon as I get home, I walk straight to the cabinet and take out a bottle of bourbon. On a second thought, I add another bottle.

It’s hard living a life as an Ashford where your opinions aren’t regarded. But it’s particularly harder to be Ryder Ashford because I have to do twice as much as Dwayne does to get half the recognition he gets. It’s always been that way even as kids. Dwayne has always been the favorite son, the good son who never got into any trouble. And I have always been the one who had to deal with unrealistic expectations from them just because ‘you are the first child’- which I believe is another lie to cover up for the fact that I am just not their favorite.

I drag myself to my room and slump onto the couch. My hand brings the bottle of bourbon to my lips and the burn slides down my throat, dulling the ache of my thoughts.

As I finish the first bottle, the door creaks open. My mouth lets out a frustrated sigh when I realize who it is.

“Hey” Sophia whispers, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “Your housekeeper said I’d find you here. She failed to mention that you’d be drunk”

I force a smile, trying to shake everything off.

“I’m assuming the conversation with Mr. Ashford didn’t go as expected” She settles beside me and I nod slowly.

“He’s hard to convince. He has made up his mind and I can’t change it.” I shrug, opening the second bottle.

“I guess it’s a thing about billionaire fathers” She chuckles. “I have accepted my fate”

I bring the second bottle to my lips, allowing the liquid to numb the pain inside only temporarily.

“Look, I know you love someone else but, I guess this is our new reality.” She sighs, taking my hand in hers. “Let’s just be friends in this marriage and figure things out together.”

Her eyes dig into mine and for a moment, it feels like Amy’s reassuring look.

She shifts closer, closing every gap between us. Everything feels wrong, but I don’t pull back when she brings her lips to mine. The kiss is soft yet urgent, igniting a rush of emotions within me. I should be pushing her away but I can’t.

My hand curls around the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. God, what am I doing? Her hand finds their way to my chest, pushing me back against the couch. Her body is warm against mine and I can feel the tension crackling between us. I want to protest, I want to tell her this isn’t right, but my body betrays me by wanting something else.

Her hand reaches for my waistband and I gasp in anticipation of more pleasure.

“I want you now” She whispers. That’s all it takes to flip us over and allow pleasure overtake me tonight.