Owned By The Playboy Billionaire

04: A Storm of Emotions

ELARA’S POV

I just went straight until I got out of the hotel. The hotel staff even tried to chase after me, but I didn't stop. I just hailed a taxi to get home, and while in the car, I couldn't stop crying. I didn't even know whom I should tell about what happened and how I would go about filing a case because I knew for sure that I would be the only one implicated if I did.

I know my parents will be furious when they find out, and worse yet, Ryder's mom might curse me and not allow our wedding to proceed. Even Ryder—I don't know how he'll react to what happened. I know they won't forgive me. Because I can't even forgive myself.

"Ma'am, we're here." The driver said this to me, and only then did I become aware of my surroundings. I just paid and got out, heading straight into our house. Mom and Dad were in the living room, and even though I didn't look at them, I knew they were surprised by my arrival.

"Oh, Elara, I thought you'd be there until tonight," Mom greeted me, but I didn't respond and just went straight to my room.

"Mom, if Ryder asks if I went to the hotel, tell him no, okay?" I said without enthusiasm because she followed me into my room.

"Why?" she asked, puzzled.

"Just because they didn't come home on time, and I don't want him to think I wasted my time going to the hotel," I reasoned with her, and even though she was confused, she just nodded at what I said. "And Ryder's mom might say I was too eager to see her son."

"Right, you're right, dear. You shouldn't let them know you're overly excited about seeing their son," she agreed. "Alright, go rest for a bit; you look like you haven't slept all night," she said, quickly leaving my room.

As soon as she left, I started crying again. I didn't know, because I knew I was also at fault for what happened. I was careless. And no matter what I do, I can't bring back what I lost.

I spent the whole day sulking in my room, not even able to go out to eat. I had no appetite in my life, so I had no appetite to eat. My phone rang several times because of Ryder's calls, but I didn't answer them.

After some time, Mom knocked again, and with the door unlocked, she entered. When she found me, I was just leaning against my bed's headboard, hugging my knees.

"Dear, Ryder's here, looking for you." He's been calling you for a while, but you're not answering," Mom said as she entered. "I'll let him in, okay?" she asked, but I really didn't feel like responding. Shortly after my mom left, Ryder came in too.

"Love, I know you're mad at me," he said softly. Yes, I was upset with him, but I was even angrier at myself now, so I couldn't express how I felt. "Hey, love," he insisted on calling me, but I still didn't look at him.

I was afraid to look at him because he might read that I was hiding something, and I suddenly burst into tears. "I'm just not feeling well right now, Ryder," I said without enthusiasm. Afterward, he glanced at me and quickly took my hand.

"Yeah, why do you look so pale? And your hands are so cold," he said worriedly, seemingly forgetting the fact that he didn't show up for our 10th anniversary. It was also partly his fault for what happened.

If only he had come on time, I wouldn't have ended up getting drunk alone. If he had used Ryder Saunders and not Ryder Hayes Saunders to book the room, I wouldn't have ended up in a different room.

"Love, please cheer up," he continued to plead with me. "Oh, here, to make you less mad. This was supposed to be a surprise for you," he said as he quickly took out a small box and opened it in front of me. "This is my gift for our 10th anniversary, and I've also talked to Dad about our upcoming engagement party," he said excitedly.

However, I couldn't feel any excitement in what he said because I felt even guiltier about what happened. "Do I deserve this, Ryder?" As he put the engagement ring on my finger, I couldn't help but ask him. Because, honestly, I felt like such a dirty person.

"Of course!" he quickly replied. "I want our engagement party to be very special, and it will take place at our Peninsula Hotel next month on my birthday." Earlier, I also reserved the biggest venue there. I found out that you didn't go to the room last night, so I knew you were upset with me, so I had to tell you about my plan," he said, somewhat embarrassed.

"Why is it at the Peninsula Hotel again?" I couldn't help but ask him, as that was the only thing that registered in my mind among all that he said.

"Oh, uh, because Dad will have a business partnership with the Sanders', and he wants us to have some experience with their services, so Dad won't have a hard time getting his business proposal approved. No worries, I will soon introduce you to Mr. River Sanders."

The last name he mentioned hit me like a bomb.