The Richling's Trip-Married To Mr. Rich Jerk 2

4. Show.

"Not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever." - via (Quotes 'nd Notes), Pinterest.

CHAPTER-4.

RYDEN PARKER'S POV:

It's the wonderful time of the year, that's what Mom likes to address. I settle myself on the big couch travelling my gaze everywhere. I can only see the mansion being highlighted with the scented candles and other attractive lights, and in the corner, there was a Christmas tree.

Although, these things do not amuse me anymore. Was it because I stopped showing my interest or was it because I was no longer a kid, but either way, I can't seem to enthuse myself for this big day. However, a small smile added up to my lips, thinking about past Christmas years, particularly childhood. I remember fighting with Rachel to open my gift first. And the belief that someone nonexistent placed it under the tree really leaves me amazed and delightful at the same time. Later, around my third grade or something, Nana told me the reality behind it. I found myself chuckling for my stupidity. Later, when I disclosed the truth behind those gifts to Rachel, she turned hysterical and refused to eat for a full week, saying she was being cheated. Again, a small laugh escaped my mouth.

Thinking about it brought several memories and I started missing Nana. He gave me my best memories and taught me several things. He was so close to my people, especially Mom. She always says that he played a major part in their lives. I haven't met anyone as positive and full of energy as him.

"Look who's finally here!" I was snapped out of my thoughts by Rachel's mockery as she stood there folding her arms and raising her brows occasionally. "Its big baby Mom," she screamed smirking at me.

I stared at her cross-eyed, "You are not getting enough attention or what?" I backfired as she rolled her eyes and then sat beside me.

"I'm getting big brother but not from you." She mocked but soon added, "Anyway, Merry Christmas." With that, she suddenly hugged me as she kissed my cheek leaving me to cringe. She giggled twisting my cheek lightly, "You are in fact adorable, Ryden, but I hate you when you don't make it to my birthday." She complained; narrowing her eyes in displeasure.

"You're complaining like you're 5. Grow up. Birthdays come and go. No big deal." I muttered taking out my phone. The next moment, she grabbed it away, "You are so impossible."

"Give it back to me," I warned. "Not before you promise to attend my birthday this time." She refused making me give her a look of disbelief.

"You are unbelievable. Just give me back..." I was cut off in the middle.

"Oh stop you both," I heard Dad's voice from behind as he settled himself on the couch adjacent to us. He stared at us disbelievingly with a slight tint of annoyance, "You guys fight like kids. Grow up. It's normal for children, not grown-ups like you." He twisted his brows as he poured himself a glass of wine.

Rachel rolled her eyes as she got up to probably leave.

"Lady, stay there. Where do you think you're going?" He interfered as she gave him a bored look.

"I'll be right back. I remembered I got to ring someone. It's important."

Before she could carry on, he soon added with a frown, "Who? Are you seeing anyone?" Ah, there we go. Not again Dad. "Rachel, I've told you a thousand times. You can't date yet. You're not..."

"Dad, I'm 22 already." Her voice rose in octave and that certainly made him stop as he stared at her cross-eyed. "And I'm not seeing anyone yet. But I might." Saying so, she turned and left me alone with our old guy.

"Don't you think you should prevent her from dating those irresponsible guys? You're his brother Ryden." Dad said making me shot him a stare of disbelief. He wouldn't leave this. Will he? According to him, she cannot date any guys. I mean, come on. "How long do you expect her to stop seeing guys? She can take her decisions. Stop worrying about her and start thinking about something else." His brows curled up, yet he managed to give me a questioning look the next instant.

"Mr. Willow acknowledged me few things about your ignorance these past weeks." I forwarded my glass asking him to pour the drink into my glass. He raised his brow, "What do you mean, Ryden?" He objected as I settled back after getting my glass filled.

"I recognized you were ignoring your borrowing powers?" I questioned taking my first sip.

"Oh, that!" He shrugged as I nodded. He settled towards his back more as he started off in a casual tone, "Son, they're irredeemable." His statement left me peeved. He was the same man always asking me to be tough.

"Dad, you can't decide that." I practically scolded him only to get a low laugh from his side. "They were completely aware of what they had been getting themselves into. You just can't ignore." My voice again turned a bit louder as he chuckled and that only gave me a reason to give him an intent stare.

"Ryden, calm it son." He shifted for a refill making me the glare. He's too fast. Mom wouldn't like it if she knows about it. My attention soon shifted toward his words. "We offered an extension for few agencies and for the rest, we foreclosed their assets. So no point of all this." He dismissed taking the last sip of his second drink.

"I'm not convinced. I may study and spend my time on it deeply." I expressed as he placed his now empty glass on the table in front of us. He smirked, "Of course son. As you like it." He shrugged pouring another refill. Before he could attack, I stopped him from grabbing the glass, "Dinner is probably awaiting us. It's enough for the night."

Dad's lips twisted in a slight displeasure as he gave me a targeted stare, "Stop acting like your mother. I expect a bit casualty from you my son. Come on pass that my way." He said as I smirked.

"No way. Dinner's ready. You may grab that later Ryan." Mom jumped as she suddenly faced my way. Her eyes held grumble and a bit of disapproval. "And it is Rachel special today. You like her dishes, don't you, love?" She finished as her eyes landed upon mine, eventually.

I pursed my lips as I instantly got up, "Merry Christmas Mom." I wished as I leaned to land a small kiss on her cheek.

"What!" I exclaimed when she just glared at me.

"Don't you dare what me Ryden Parker? You disappoint me all the time." She expressed her dejection as she sighed. I glanced at Dad for help but he already shrugged refusing to guide.

"Its festive time and you show up at night. Holidays are for family and vacationing. Not to work in your office room." She further added as I smiled at her. I know it would certainly work. She was pissed.

"I'm just figuring few things out. I apologize." I expressed as she smiled it off.

"Fine. And as a punishment, you have no other choice but to attend our next family dinner or any other occasion." She dismissed as I nodded. "Now let's head over it. Rachel already started digging." She giggled as we walked in.

Dad coughed grabbing our attention "Somebody's being neglectful and not acknowledging my presence."

"You can for sure join us, Mr. Parker, we won't mind, do we darling?" She jested glancing my way as I smirked at him.

"Of course not." I played along.

"You are not the only man in Mrs. Parker's life old man." I tapped my father's cheek in tease as he carried a playful glare making the both of us laugh a bit.

+++++

"So, I think it's a wrap now," I announced getting up from my seat as I informed tilting my head sideways glancing over my assistant, Lucy. "I want the final reports of this meeting as soon as possible on my desk. Also, don't forget to place the agencies list that I asked earlier." And with that, I strode out of the room without waiting for her response.

I landed on my armchair carelessly closing my eyes and leaning back more. I feel so worked up. I hardly managed to get this meeting done. I was emotionally lifeless and the deal was so important too.

Shirley's angelic smile appeared in front of the eyes.

"So, rich guy, what are you up to?" Shirley bantered through the phone as I let out a low growl. She knew how I hated to be called by that, yet she chooses to tease me all the time.

But I love her.

"So I called to jog your memory that you have to be here for dinner. Keith has been continuously asking about you. He's eager to meet you." She cheered and automatically, a smile crept over my lips.

"Of course, I remember it," I replied. "No, you don't." She said in an obvious tone and I chuckled "Yes. I don't actually."

°°°°°

"So you're the rich guy which my sister is smitten and talking about all the time huh!?" Keith questioned as I felt slightly intimidated.

"Keith," Shirley warned him and he laughed it off. "He's messing with you." She soon added glancing my way as I smiled a little.

"Of course I am." He admitted as Shirley served me a bowl of gazpacho.

"Thanks, sweetheart, I'll take it by myself from here," I say as she smiled taking her seat beside me. He seemed quite nice and friendly. I thought about him otherwise.

"So Ryden," he starts to say glancing at me. He no longer looked easy and his expression turned stern, "Do you really plan on getting married to my sister or you are just..." before he finishes, I cut him off.

"Of course I do, sir." I interfered, "I really love your sister." I replied truthfully. He gave me a curt nod as he continued eating.

Shirley held my hand as she smiled making me smile too.

°°°°°

"So, yesterday you refused to meet my family because you thought you were not dressed well." I started as she narrowed her gaze at me. "So, I can't wait to make you mine. Be ready." I grinned kissing her cheek. She was walking me out after the wonderful evening with her brother.

It was actually my fault to keep such thing a secret from her. I thought she would go all nervous and it's better to tell her after reaching my place but she found out anyhow and as expected, she refused instantly saying she was in her casual shorts.

Yeah. I don't find it unattractive though, but no one meets their boyfriend's family in shorts I guess.

Not yet.

She interlinked her arm with mine bringing me to life. My gaze landed on her finger which had no ring. Of course, I haven't proposed to her yet. I would do that after her meeting with Mom and Dad. It would glisten around her finger just like her.

+++++

Getting up from my seat, I advanced towards my big window. I gazed at the landscapes and other huge buildings. It's like she never leaves my heart and brain.

I still find it hard to believe the fact that it was me. I can't prevent myself from thinking about it. After that dinner with Keith, the following weekend, I lead her to meet Mom and Dad. Mom and Shirley got along really well. I already pictured their bond as their personalities, outlook to life and views quite matched.

There was something in her that attracted me deeply. She was not like other girls, who changed themselves just to please me. She was being herself. That is what always I love about her. She did not try to impress me. I still remember a time in high school, when Sandra, a spoilt brat tried to abuse and insult her, warning her to stay away and the girl effortlessly obliged just because she did not want to deal with such desperate blondes on daily basis. Later, I had to work harder to make her mine.

On the other hand, Rachel, they had already bonded well. I unintentionally smiled thinking about that day. But soon the smile faded thinking about the day of our accident.

Remorse again managed to crawl up my mind thinking about the day where I had seen her sweet smile for the last time and it was also the last time where she had responded to my kiss. The memory of her and that unfortunate day again clouded my mind.

We completed three years together and Shirley took me somewhere. I forgot about it totally, of course. I hardly remember dates and that's the thing Mom always complains about. So did Shirley. But she never nagged me about it like those expecting and typical girlfriends and fiancées. She was the perfect girl a man could ever wish.

I wish everything was different now. I wish I could have managed to save her from the accident. I wish I was the one who was lying lifeless on that hospital bed and not her. I wish I could change everything.

I just wish...

I should not have let her drive. She was a good driver but, I should have been extra vigilant while she was with me. I was there with her but defenseless and crippled. And when I was finally feeling and sentient, she already went to a deep sleep that even to this day; she isn't planning to wake up.

A knock disturbed me.

"Sir, a man is being so loud and aggressive to meet you. He doesn't have an appointment though," it was Lucy, my assistant as she peeks through the door. She glances momentarily on her notepad as she proficiently announces, "And he calls himself as Keith Pereira."

Huge amounts of distress and uneasiness spread within me as he sprinted inside; his face expressing the exact amounts of rage and wrath. He stood there ignoring me as he waited for Lucy to leave the room. I signalled her to leave us alone.

I could already feel the air that filled with tension around us. A heavy and deep sigh escaped my mouth as I stood there as if I was some criminal and is already found guilty. I advanced my steps as I viewed his expressions. No need to mention, his face was indicating the silence that warns before the storm arrives.

His jaw was clenched and I could witness the vein that popped out at his neck reminding me about his ill temper. Settling myself in my armchair, I tried to form my words in order to initiate a decent conversation with him, but before that he erupted like a volcano.

"Before you show your fake concern or whatever you call, let me tell you, you can no longer see my sister." He outraged getting up and banging his palms on my desk.

"Keith, calm down," I uttered as calmly as possible only to get a dirty look from him. "I know you feel I'm responsible for all that but please, believe me..." I was stopped by his roar.

"Enough done and enough said, Ryden Parker." He enraged again. "I don't want to deal with you anymore and I swear I'm not going to let you forget about your incapability of taking care of my sister for the rest of your life. You will always find me in your way, making you remember your mistakes." He bellowed.

Before I could think of something to hit back, he was there again, "I curse the moment she fell for someone like you. It had cost her, her life." I shook frantically but when his sentence completely hit my brain, I could feel nothing but only shock.

What does he mean?

"What do you mean?" I stammered; my will going against me as he continued staring at me with a fierce gaze. His eyes suddenly turned glassy. No, this is not the good thing. I have not seen him breaking this way.

"I won't forget this!" Kieth enraged again, "This would have never happened if she wouldn't fell for you." His words were full of hatred and even though they were just venom, I couldn't care less about his conduct. I could only manage the triggering meaning behind his words. My heart raced inside my chest and I can't feel the ground beneath me anymore.

"Don't forget that my sister never came back to me because of you and don't you ever stop being guilty." He gritted with animosity; his voice showing off his miserable state and I finally gave up. I collapsed.

If there wasn't my armchair, then I would have met the cold floor. Keith continued giving me a heated stare, waiting for my response, but all I could think was about Shirley, my love. I waited for her to wake up, for what seemed like an entire lifetime to me and waited for her to talk to me, telling me that she missed me and I would tell the same but all I could hear is that she's no more. She decided to go and leave me forever with only this guilt that resided deep within me. I promised her to take care of her until my last breath and now she is not here with me.

I feel terrible. This cannot be happening. I don't know what was happening to me. I prayed all the time in her life. I feel like screaming out loud.

I hate myself. I didn't realize until Lucy walked into my cabin.

"Sir, are you alright?" She inquired probably noticing my state as she poured me a glass of water. I refused to take. I was thirsty but I didn't feel like drinking water. Deep down, I was aware of my own exposure, but nothing made sense to me right now. I should not be showing myself like this, yet, I could not help but let it out, whatever I felt at the very moment.

I want to shout, so loud until my pain washes away. Suddenly, something hit my brain. I need to see her. She can't leave me. She would definitely wake up hearing my voice.

She has to. f**k! I feel so hollow, hopeless and nonsensical.

Is that all?

**********