One Dump Word
1042 Words
Alex tightened his grip on Ryan's shoulder and kept on spewing more threatening words.Ryan did not respond,he was more focused on keeping his breathing steady enough to hold out well.
“It seems you two youngsters have missed the good old days”.
Ryan's father's voice made Alex draw back in retreat.He plastered a pleasant smile on his face awaiting the old man showing his face in the room.
“Thank you for having me over Mr Connor,Ryan and I have been reminiscing over the good old days”.
“Good old days!” Ryan scoffed inwardly.He exchanged knowing looks with his father who looked away instantly avoiding his piercing gaze,he knew it had been intentional.Inviting Alex Crane into his space was his way of trying to toughen him up.
Ryan walked out on both of them and made for his closet.He picked up some casual clothes and shoes and came back to the room.Still ignoring the disapproving look on his father's face and annoying amusing smirk Alex had on he managed to keep his temper in check.
“If you will excuse me, I have an important appointment to grace, you both can reminisce over the good old days”, he said sarcastically and walked out.
“Rude jerk!” His father thundered as he watched his departing back.
“Don't be angry Mr Connor, Ryan's pretentious nonchalantly is in fact laced with genuine fondness”.
Ryan felt a sense of instant relief the moment he walked out of the mansion.He got into his car and sped off.Being back in front of Emma's office made him laugh like a maniac.The big closed sign on the door was enough as a warning to keep people like him away.
What had he expected on a Sunday? he thought dejectedly.
He had to be in the office the next day, which was Monday,but booking for Tuesday was wiser,the earlier the better now that Alex Crane,his alter ego, is back in town.
He took his phone and dialed the official line and Jane picked up in a jiffy.He hadn't requested for booking before she blurted out that they were totally booked for the week.Ryan dropped the call with a heavy heart.
Was Emma Hale avoiding him like a plague now?
He went back to the hotel room and booked for the day. The next morning,he returned home and got dressed for the office. Thankfully,his father had left and so had Alex.
Ryan went to work that week with an heavy heart as everything seems to irritate him.Thankfully Alex didn't bug him,he has been keeping tabs of his movement from clubs to clubs drinking and womanizing which Ryan didn't care about.The week ended and he attempted to book another appointment but Jane refused again.
“It is obvious she is avoiding me”, he muttered to himself.
***
Emma watched the glint in Mr Crane’s eyes and it irritated her.Getting cajoled into attending the family’s welcome party for their obnoxious looking son was Michael’s way of showing off the cordial relationship he holds with the family.
“Mr and Mrs Hale,it is a pleasure having you here, please do come in”.
“The pleasure is ours Mr Crane”
Michael ‘s hasty response and exaggerated smile made her roll her eyes inwardly.He would do anything to create an illusion of perfect friendliness.
Emma just bowed slightly and smiled warmly like a doll just as Michael had expected of her.They walked in and were offered seats.
An unpleasant coincidence occured when the occupant of the seat next to Emma turned out to be none other than Ryan Connor.The very man she had been desperately trying to avoid.
“I see we got to see again,what a pleasant surprise”.
The sarcasm that Ryan's words carried got Emma stuck in her seat.She didn't know how to respond,what emotion to put forward and how to handle it.
“Thank you for the other day Mr Connor”.
She figured an appreciation was her best bet.Her eyes followed Ryan's vision and he looked disdainfully at Michael whose attention was fully focused on trying to please the Crane.
“You two know each other?”
Alex's deep voice interjected.He had been staring intently at Ryan since he walked in.His father had forced him to attend the welcome party and avoid unnecessary speculations about his relationship with Alex Crane.They used to be inseparable in their younger days.
All heads turned in their direction including Michael as Alex asked the question innocently.
“We..………” Emma started.
“She is my therapist, “ Ryan responded sharply.
Emma closed her eyes, obviously,Ryan Connor has no intention of letting her be.
“Really! You must be good,for Ryan to book sessions with you,I guess I will like to stop by your office sometime”, Alex said teasingly and everyone laughed it off but Ryan got the dark message behind it.
“That wouldn't be possible Alex, Mrs Hale is always fully booked,even I haven't been able to see her in weeks,I guess attending your welcome party finally bore its fruit”.
Alex laughed heartily hiding the insult embedded in Ryan's word.Emma could sense the tension in the room too,she knew she had to quench it as the subject matter.
“Mr Connor,I am sorry about putting off your bookings,my busy schedule caused that,My secretary will reach out to you once we clear the present overflowing schedules”.
Ryan gave her a knowing look and smiled devilishly,his dimples evident on his milky skin.The nonchalant Micheal was getting uncomfortable with the long discussion between his wife and those charming men that turned out as her patients.
Does she get to spend private time with them with the excuse of therapy? Or probably he should call Jane later,she must have answers to that.
“I must say Ryan, you chose a very stunning psychologist”.
Michael felt his hand tremble as the drink he just swallowed tasted bitter that moment,what was happening here? Rumor has it that the Crane’s heir Alex is a chronic womanizer and an asshole.
“Are you hitting on my wife Mr Crane?” Michael questioned with a raised brow.
- Writer
