Riding the Ryders

CHAPTER 1

I never knew I could hate watching someone pace about so badly, until now.

Until I had spent two hours standing at the corner of his 11th floor executive office watching Nathan stomp his feet up and down and up and down like a child whose candy had been stolen from him. His fists were balled up so tight and his face was flushed so red, I could swear he would blow up at any moment.

“Babe, you need to calm down.” I finally spoke, rubbing the side of my temples with two fingers, hoping to soothe the headache I had begun to feel.

Instantly, he shot me a glare so cold you would think I just threatened his life. “Calm down?!” He yelled and slammed his fists hard on the mahogany table, a few hairline cracks appeared along the edges.

I didn’t flinch, I was used to this by now. Nathan’s tantrums.

His gaze intensified. “Whose side are you on?”

I raised my eyebrows at him, “Babe?” I crossed the room to reach him in a matter of seconds, cupping his face in my hands and pouting my lips just enough for him to see how hurt I was.

“You know I’m always on your side. Why would you even ask me that?”

His features softened and I could tell he was calming down. “You’re right. I’m sorry” He spoke with a gentler voice. “This is all just too much for me.”

It was kind of sweet to know that two years later, I still had the same effect on him. ‘The calm in his storm’ as he had always said. My hands dropped from his face and hung over his neck, pulling him even closer. “I would do anything to make this better if I could, I hate seeing you like this.”

“Anything?” Nathan asked, his eyes filled with the sort of hope that already had me regretting my earlier statement. I simply smiled, and nodded my head slightly in response.

“Then talk to him, convince him that he’s making a mistake. He always listens to you.”

My arms fell away as soon as he spoke those words, but he caught them mid-air and drew me in even more. “This isn’t just for me my love, it’s for both of us.”

“I know.” I muttered, my eyes fixed to the glass floor. I rummaged through my brain for a way out. “But I’m just an employee, I would be crossing a line discussing his personal matters…”

“Come onnnn Serena.” Nathan interrupted, rolling his eyes, clearly not buying it. “You’re the head of the company’s operations, and we both know how much that old man trusts you and your decisions.”

I opened my mouth to protest again. Not like I actually had any point to make. He was right, but this was too huge of an ask, even for him.

“Please Serena.” He begged desperately, his arms gripping me tighter. “Please.”

I exhaled and closed my eyes, embracing the realization that there was no way I would win this. “Okay.” I finally succumbed. His face did this instant shift from desperate crybaby to excited schoolboy. “Really?” He asked, acting like he had not just forced my hand. “I will try.” I pointed a warning finger at him. “But no promises.”

He lifted me up a few inches off the ground and planted a short kiss on my lips. “This is why I love you.” I tried to give the most convincing smile I could muster. “I love you too.”

He then glanced over his watch and widened his eyes like he was just now being aware of the time. “I have a client meeting on the other side of Washington in an hour.” He made for his table and shut down his laptop, packing up some files as well. “I should get going.”

Client meeting? I almost laughed at the carelessness of his lie. Nathan had always said that he was an executive official and had no concern with small things like client consultations and management. Still, I played along. “Ohh, we have a new client? What company? You know what, never mind.” I waved my hands in his face, turning towards the door. “I’ll go get my things so we can go together.”

I was halfway through the door when his voice came again. “Se…Serena.” He moved towards me urgently. “It’s kind of far and I’d probably be back late. They’re talking about going for drinks after. You know how we men can get.”

I was trying so hard to understand his poor excuse for a story that I didn’t even realize he was walking me to the door. “I have a better idea. My dad closes up in about 30mins.” He pinched up his face like he was trying to take a wild guess. Like he didn’t already know that his father left the building at 5:30 every day. “That’s just enough time for a talk. So you go meet him, and I’ll go for my meeting and after we can go for dinner.”

He pulled his phone from his pocket and began typing something I had no clue about. “There’s this new three-star Michelin restaurant that just opened up.” He said casually as he kept tapping his screen. Then his fingers did one final click and he looked at me. “I just booked the entire place tonight. How does that sound?”

I repeated the same fake smile. “Perfect darling.”

Suddenly, I was standing outside the door with Nathan leaning by the door frame but from the inside. “Good luck baby.” He planted another kiss, this time on my forehead. Then he closed the door, leaving me standing there with an assignment I knew I just couldn’t do.