Ryan and Raina

Chapter 4 Peace

Ryan woke up early with Raina in his arms and her head pillowed on his chest. This is something I could get used to. He thought, and gently moved her to prepare for the day. She woke up while he was showering. Raina had to fast before the usg, so he skipped it in solidarity. They booked the earliest usg so that they can have breakfast right after.

Their journey was uneventful, but Raina looked happier with the assurance that her father loves her and won't abandon her like she feared. The usg revealed that she was 6 weeks pregnant, and everything looked as it should be. They scheduled for another check up and usg at ten weeks, then went for breakfast. Ryan was glad that her appetite had returned, now that she talked to her dad. He took her to the bank and get her a credit card and opened an account for her. "You're going to need it for personal stuff" He said when she protested. They also registered for a marriage license for their wedding in two months, and bought her phone, tablet and laptop to entertain her while Ryan is working. Raina's father had called while they were shopping, and she told him her new phone number. He 'd gotten a flight for the next day and said that he'll meet them at the hotel. Then they went home. 

Raina went up to rest in their apartment while Ryan stopped at his office to work. James and Darrell immediately congregated to grill him. "So, what's with Raina?" Ryan shrugged "she'll tell you when she's ready. By the way, can I give Raina Isla's number? They're still friends right? " Darrell shrugged. "I think so, but Isla went here right after graduation, so must have been a month, two months since they last seen each other. Why?" "We're getting married in two months. Can you spare time to attend? It's at our Royal Grand Suites Bali" His two best friends stared at him. "Is Raina pregnant? " Well, the three of them were rather sharp, "like I said, she'll tell you when she's ready. " " Ryan, are you sure? I know you're fond of her but don't you think it's too hasty?" James asked. "It's not that we think Raina is only wanting you because you're rich. I'm sure she's nice, but you don't really have a relationship with her." 

Ryan leaned back on his chair. "I know that, but see, I'm the one asking, and she had to think for a while, and yeah, I know we have no relationship with each other before this, but we tried to have one before the wedding. They say love can come later. It's just that she needed someone to take care of her right now." James and Darrell exchanged looks "well, if you're sure. Congratulations, brother" Then "you know that we would take care of her too right? " He smiled at his friends. "Of course, but I'm sure of it." He waved as he pulled the papers from the Bali site in front of him.

That night, James and Darrell invited them to James' apartment to celebrate their upcoming union. Raina reconnected with Isla, Darrell's sister and made an appointment to go shopping for her wedding dress. Surprising everyone, Ryan went down on one knee and proposed again with an emerald ring he carried in his pocket. Raina cried as she accepted the proposal and he slid the engagement ring on her finger. 

They had a surprise when they went down to meet Raina's father the next morning. The elevator stopped two floors below them and the burly man was waving them on, but halted as the president of their country entered the elevator with two burly guards. "Good morning, heading down to breakfast? " He greeted. Ryan nodded politely. "Yes, we're meeting my fiancee's father in the lobby. " "Are you staying in the penthouse? I used to stay in the level below penthouse, but because one of the penthouse apartment is occupied we have to stay a level below. " The president commented. "Oh, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Yes, my two friends and I shared the three apartments at the penthouse level. I used the apartment whenever I was in the city, but rented it out if I'm not. But I'm going to be based in Surabaya, so it's no longer rented out. I'm Ryan Wijaya, CEO of RDJ Investment & Management. My friends and I managed this hotel." He shook the president's hand and offered him a name card. 

"RDJ, you owned the Grand Suites chain hotels, the Bellevue apartments and Prescott's, right? " Ryan nodded. "Yes, we do, and also a software and games development" The president fiddled with his phone. "Do you have time for a meeting with me today?" Ryan opened his own phone "yes, actually, I'm having a meeting with my partners at three in the office. Would you like to join us? Or we can meet somewhere else." The president nodded "sure, I can join you in the office, but my guards needed to do a sweeping before." "That can be arranged. I will tell my secretary Arko to expect your guards. It's in the 34th floor, RDJ Investment & Management Head Office." They shook hands again. "I'll see you two at three" He said before leaving. 

Raina was still in awe. "Did we just… ? " Ryan nodded and called both James and Darrell for the change in their plans. He was still talking to them when Raina spotted her father and run up to him. Ryan immediately turned off his phone and approached more sedately. Harry Surjadi clapped him on the shoulder as he greeted him. "Sir" "No, you're going to marry my daughter, you can call me dad." Ryan nodded "dad" He did called yesterday to ask for permission and after a serious talk, Harry had accepted his proposal for his daughter, glad that he entrusted his daughter to a good man. 

"I had a private room prepared so we can talk comfortably. " Ryan led them to a VIP room in the hotel's restaurant. Her father was rather surprised that all the staffs deferred to him. Raina explained. "Ryan is part owner in this hotel, dad. " Harry stared at his son-in-law in amazement. "I didn't know Delmar Construction do hotels." "They didn't. This is my personal investment, and my friends and I managed some hotels under RDJ group, all we owned privately" Ryan answered once they were seated and served.

"How old are you again? " Harry was amazed at the young man who make something of the Prescott's. He knew it was family owned before, but the transition to corporation had done the hotel good. "I'm twenty one, dad, but we did start at fifteen. We mostly learned management from the books and my brother Jared." They talked until the time come for Ryan head up for his meeting. "You can rest in my apartment, dad. " He said. "Oh no, no, I've already booked a room here." Harry laughed jovially, wholeheartedly approving his son-in-law to be. "Raina, are you coming with me or do you want to rest in the apartment? " He turned to his fiance. Raina smiled up at him and shook her head. "Please excuse me to Mr. President. I want to rest a bit and spend the afternoon with daddy. It's been two months since we saw each other, after all. " 

Ryan patted her head fondly. "Sure, have fun with dad. Tell the concierge if you need a car. Have dinner with me later? " His fiance and father in law nodded with a large smile. "Have a good rest" He stood up and shook his father in law's hand. "See you this evening, dad, Raina"

Harry gave his daughter a slight squeeze. "He's a good man. Too bad about his father. " Raina nodded. "He had always helped me. He introduced me to my first friend at high school and protected me from bullies. I had a crush on him then, but he graduated before it can grew into anything. " Harry stroked his daughter's hair lovingly. "I like him. He treated you well, and he's humble. Unlike Jeremy. Now, tell me about my grandchild. How are you feeling?" 

They walked up to the elevator hand in hand as they chatted happily.