Ring, Rang and I'll Run with You

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: It’s Max

"Wait, is that Luke?" Amanda jest.

I sucked out of breath.

For a minute I thought it was Luke in the flesh, yet Amanda pointed out my phone ringing, showing Luke’s name.

“Goodness gracious,” I muttered in a hurried voice.

“What’s the reaction?” Amanda chuckled. I rolled my eyes at her.

“Well, I can’t afford it if Luke is literally here. I’m such a mess,” I ranted at her before finally answering Luke’s call.

“You are always excited about Luke, even when you look like a mess,” she commented as a matter of fact. I raised an eyebrow at her honest remark.

“How insulting,” I made a face.

“Sorry, but it’s true,” a visible smirk was evident on her face. I frowned at her, and she laughed uproariously.

I glance at my ringing phone immediately, as I swipe to answer. I slightly withdrew from Amanda’s presence and faked a cough to erase any nervosity in my voice.

I saw Amanda following me from behind before slightly fixing my hair in a consoling way, as she pointed toward the computer in front of us. She sat on the chair and typed something, probably doing what I told her.

“Hey, darling.” His voice is sweet as always. I never thought an opening line could ever be as enthralling as his. I find comfort in his voice. If I could just hear him talk all day, I would.

His voice is clear and deep, in layman’s terms, manly.

“Hello,” I said shyly.

I saw Fred moving toward the desk. Fred also works in the hotel. He is a helper, carrying and moving baggage items. Fred speaks French, so he has a unique accent, every tone seems hard.

“Are the rooms ready?” He quietly mouthed to me. Fred and Amanda are like dogs and cats. He’s probably ignoring Amanda even when he clearly sees her working at the desk. I never once found them talking nicely to each other, just arguing.

“Yes, all good,” I mouthed back as I took a glance at Amanda, who had fierceness in her eyes for Fred. I don’t know what’s happening between the two, gladly I’m not part of it.

“Is everything fine in there?” He said slowly, with his British accent. It sounded pretty calm. Luke is part of high society. Honestly, I’m not surprised at everything he can do. However, the way he asked me got me wanting to talk about the missing engagement ring. My eyes turned hot, and I felt suffocated by the mere thought of it. I look up at the grand chandelier in the lobby, it has an eccentric touch and a modern twist, and glinting crystals are everywhere. It’s one of the first brilliant things you will see when entering the lobby. I tried to look up at the chandelier and find anything interesting in my surroundings. Maybe I can find something to think about more than the lost ring.

“Uhm, yeah, I’m just, you know, pretty busy,” I tried to divert my attention so I could focus on having a conversation with him.

“Oh, I’m sorry is this bad timing?” He politely asked right after.

“No–no, terribly no. In fact, I find comfort in your voice,” I replied truthfully. We have been together for a year now, and I have known him for 2 years. I can still remember how, at every time of crisis he is always there to help me.

Luke is 7 years older than me. He knows a lot about money and business. Also, he is very talented, he knows how to play instruments, he knows how to ride horses, he plays golf. And above all? He is trustworthy.

A moment had passed before he said, “I miss you.”

I heard him breathing heavily.

“And I miss you too,” I replied so quickly.

“I want to see you,” he said firmly. All of a sudden, the problem came back to life, again. The diversion doesn’t have its effect on me anymore. Luke has always been adamant when he wants to see me. If he says he will do it, he will. I cannot afford Luke’s disappointed face when he finds out. Especially because he always holds my left hand whenever we spend time together. If I wear gloves in the middle of spring, what would he say about me?

“Why? Is there a problem?” I asked his question back. Sometimes, I could feel like Luke had a bad day. I would ask him, but he never told me the gist of the story. He will just have dinner dates with me or walk with me in the park, and that’s it.

“The problem is…” he started. There was a long silence.

And I waited.

“I miss you so badly,” he finished. I can hear his voice being restrained. However, I laughed at how he said it. He is in his early thirties, yet to me, he seems like a child sometimes.

Amanda looks back at me, pointing at yet another problem. I mouthed, wait I’ll end the call.

“Hey, Mister, please know that I love you, and I feel the same. But I have to go. I’m at work. Sorry.” I said the last word quietly. “Hope you understand,” I added.

“Of course, I do,” he replied.

“Please know that I love you too, alright? Call me if you have a problem,” he retorted. His voice became serious now, the mask of inflicting pain he was facing was gone.

“Okay, bye!” I said enthusiastically before I ended the call.

“That was a long call,” Amanda rolled her eyes at me.

“No, it wasn’t,” I smirked. “So, what’s the problem again?” I added.

She shifted her chair slightly to the side as she handed me the monitor. "Oh, Fred already handled this one," I said, but she didn't trust me. "You can ask him yourself if you want," I said confidently. I'm sure she wouldn't want to speak with Fred though. She tried to fake a laugh, but it didn’t work well for me.

“No need, I believe you.” She replied tepidly.

Amanda has moved to another computer while I conduct the necessary recording work. For three hours straight, all I did was greet the visitor and answer any questions they had. My back is starting to ache.

By 5 pm my work had come to an end.

And the start of finding a treasured ring.

"Rory, are you coming with me? Or do you have a date?" Amanda said as she adjusted her purse on her shoulder. We arrived at the locker room. She's finished primping in the mirror, but I want to seem as fresh as possible.

I chuckled.

"No, Luke has not yet arrived. He is in Singapore for business. "I'm sure he's busy, as are we," I thought for a second. Oh, he might have an issue with breaking the deal. Or he’s homesick.

“He’s never been busy for you, he even called you in the middle of the day,” she said as she tried to act dreamily. “So, tell me, how did you find someone like Luke?” She asked with eyes wide open.

"I already told you, Amanda, I didn't find him,” I said, turning to face her. “He found me," I added, before giving her my most beautiful smile. Even though I believe her, I have no idea why or how Luke wants to marry me. I graduated from college, but I lack an extensive list of accomplishments.

“No, I guess, because you are pretty,” she said, shaking her head as she grinned and stepped aside.

“Wow, for the first time you have 20/20 vision,” I retorted and laughed at her remark. She rolled her eyes and smiled genuinely.

“Blah-blah-blah, let’s go.” She pushed me to the door.

After I and Amanda bid our silly goodbyes, I went inside and hurriedly walked through the elevator. As far as I remember, there were 4 floors that I have been to; the 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 15th floors.

With my coat on, and bag on my shoulders, I shouted, “Wait, hold on!” because the elevator door was closing. The scene suddenly goes in slow motion where I can hear the clock ticking, and the doors closing, as I run my life for it.

Ping!

It closed. s**t.

And, depending on the statistics, I might have to wait a while for a lift. I let out a sigh. I have to be home by 8 pm. I'm hungry, and I want to eat ramen. Instead, I shrug and consider the ring. I should be concentrating on finding the ring, so I suppress any thoughts of food in my head.

With that in mind, I might as well take the stairways. I turned around and started my lame walk.

But I thought I heard the elevator door ping again. I look back.

Suddenly, the closed door reopens itself. My lips formed a big smile before turning frigid when my gaze was drawn to his. Because I recognized the man who pressed the button that reopened the doors.

It’s Max.