Episode6
1364 Words
“I… I didn’t mean… I…” I stuttered, trying to find a way out. But my brain had abandoned me.
Ryan’s tattoo was on his left breast, very close to his n****e. You can only see it if you’ve seen him shirtless or naked.
And well,
I sighed, giving up. There was no escape.
Ryan nodded slowly with a mischievous smile. “What else is cool apart from my tattoo?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Well, you know,” he shrugged lightly, “Since you’re speaking from experience…”
I bit my lower lip. “Shut up.” I grinned, and he laughed for the second time tonight. And somehow that felt like an achievement.
I fanned my cheeks dramatically.
“Stop laughing. You’re making this worse.”
“Oh, I’m enjoying this.”
I rolled my eyes, “Of course you are.”
The smile on his face softened as he looked at me.
For a brief moment, the noise around us died down.
The chatter, laughter, music. Everything faded.
It was just me and him.
His eyes dropped to my lips for a second before returning to my eyes.
My heart raced, like it does whenever his eyes caught mine.
“Funny,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“You spend a lot of time and effort pretending you don’t remember me.”
My breath seized.
The teasing smile was still there, it also held something softer.
Before I could think of a response, his hand moved.
Just slightly.
His fingers brushed against a loose strand of hair near my face.
The touch barely lasted a second, yet the part he touched seemed like the most sensitive part of my body.
“You should stop doing that,” I murmured.
“Doing what?”
Damn. The innocence in his eyes.
“Looking at me like that.”
His lips twitched, “Like what?”
I opened my mouth. Then closed it.
Because honestly? I didn’t know.
Or maybe I knew exactly what I meant and was too scared to say it.
“Mr. Ryan.” The voice shattered the moment instantly.
Great. Absolutely wonderful and perfect timing.
We both turned to the tall man.
“Let’s go. It’s upstairs,” he said, nudging towards the second floor.
Ryan turned to me looking unsure, “I need to go upstairs for some minutes, will you be fine on your own?”
I glanced toward the staircase, several men were heading up there.
Was there some sort of VIP section?
A secret meeting?
I pushed my curiosity aside. Ryan stared at me like something would snatch me away the moment he turned his back.
“Of course. I’ll be fine.” I smiled, trying to sound cool.
Like it’s okay to take a lady to a party and leave her with a bunch of strangers.
His eyes narrowed slightly, “Will you?”
“Ryan.”
“What?”
“You hired me, not adopted me.”
The corner of his mouth lifted, “Fair point.”
“Byeeee.” I sang.
He nodded slowly, “I’ll be back sooner than you expect.” With that, he left.
“Thank you.” I smiled at a passing waiter as I picked a drink from his tray.
I got bored sitting by myself.
I stood and moved around quietly. Everyone smelled like money. Not notes, but massive stash of crazy money.
It’s giving, ‘Buy an island for fun’ kinda vibe.
Some faces were familiar, I’ve seen them on T. V, magazines or billboards.
I passed a group of elegantly dressed women.
“Oh! My husband surprised me with it last month.”
One woman proudly showed off a diamond necklace that probably cost more than my apartment.
The others gasped dramatically.
I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous.
I was envious of their life. They were definitely born into wealth and never had to worry about anything in life. Bills, rent, feeding, survival… nothing.
The beginning of my life was also like that. We lived in a fancy house growing up, our parents had luxurious cars and we attended a big private school.
But after their deaths, everything changed like we were thrown into a nightmare. Our fancy life died with them. I and Landon went through so much.
Sometimes I wonder how life would be if they didn’t die. Maybe I’d be traveling round the world, stealing attention on social media with new designer bags and shoes, or posting vacation pictures from Greece.
And maybe Landon would still be alive.
“Hey! What’s a beautiful lady like yourself doing all alone?” A voice said beside me, a handsome guy probably two or three years younger than me. He held a cocktail and wore a royal blue suit.
“Who says I’m alone.” I returned his sweet smile.
“Doesn’t matter. Can I have a dance please?” He offered his hand. His smile made it impossible to decline.
“Sure. Anything for a polite gentleman.” We dropped our drinks and joined a few people on the dance floor.
“I’m Nathan. Just call me Nath,” he introduced.
“Amelia, Amy works too.” We both laughed.
“So tell me,” he said as we swayed gently to the music. “Which of these rich bastards brought an angel here just to leave her wandering alone?”
I chuckled at his comment as we danced slowly to the music.
“I wasn’t wandering,” I defended.
“Yeah right.” He nodded with a grin.
You don’t believe me.”
“Not even a little.” I laughed.
“And who else has such audacity except Ryan Blackwood.” I laughed again but he didn’t.
His expression turned solemn, his hands froze and he stopped dancing.
“Is something wrong?” I was worried he was having some kind of medical problem.
“Did you say Ryan Blackwood? The Ryan Blackwood?” His tone was low now.
“Ummm, yes. What’s wrong?” I was confused. His eyes widened like I mentioned a demon’s name.
“Everything girl, are you his girlfriend or wife?”
“Neither.”
“Good. I can still live.” He shook his head, gently pushing me aside.
“C'mon now, stop playing pranks.” I gave him a weird look.
“You do know that guy murders people for fun, right?”
“Stop messing with me.” I tried to laugh even though his expression made it clear he didn’t find anything funny.
“Oh! No I’m not. I’m not about to be beheaded over a misunderstanding. I have a long life ahead.”
“Nath—“
“Goodbye, Amy.” Just like that, he disappeared, leaving me completely confused and lost.
What the hell just happened?
How can a man’s name make another man tremble so badly? I replayed his words as I walked back to the table.
There has to be more than I already know. Just how bad can Ryan be?
Ryan returned shortly after, his clothes slightly rumpled, his sleeves rolled up and blood dripped from his knuckles.
“What—“ I didn’t know the questions to ask.
“Let’s go.” His voice and eyes were cold, it almost made me shiver.
I rose slowly and followed him outside.
The moment we stepped into the driveway, sirens rang, and an ambulance came rushing through the gates.
I watched as paramedics rushed into the hall with a stretcher and emergency kits.
What the hell happened upstairs?
Did Ryan beat someone to death?
His driver pressed on the horn to get my attention. They were both sitting and waiting for me to get in.
With shaky hands, I opened the car door and leaned as far away as possible from Ryan.
Not because I was scared of him. I was angry, furious and very confused.
Different scenes of what might have happened played in my head.
The blood, the ambulance, the shock on Nath’s face at the mention of his name…, they all connected.
Gosh! Ryan Blackwood is a monster.
- Writer
