Ryder's Plaything

CHAPTER FOUR: My boy was broken Ava.

Ava's POV

I felt like I was hit by a speeding vehicle and all my bones were crushed into fine powder. I could only imagine what Ryder must be going through all by himself.

As soon as Marie told me what happened to Ryder and his innocent young family, I could say nothing in response. I could only go to her by the window and hug her so tight, I imagined she would have a few crushed bones.

The Santos had been nice and good to everyone I've known, all their staffs in the mansion and from the various branches of their companies could confirm that they were nice people.

Why was life stealing so much from them. First it was the Don's heart attacks, now its Ryder's family all dying in a car crash.

What a cruel world we live in. Giving Marie a hug was the only thing I could possibly give to her grieving heart. No words can sooth the wounds she must have now. How can she console and take care of two men by herself.

Now she was crying silently on my shoulders, I could feel the tears soak through my dress.

‘’My boy was broken Ava. My sweet boy was crushed'’. Her voice was muffled because her head was on my shoulder but I did make out the words clearly.

I understood her state of mind perfectly. I'm not a stranger to this. I've cried with and consoled several families before, who lost their loved ones.

With those I knew what to do or say, but with Marie I was completely clueless. I was grieving as much as she was, her pain was undoubtedly my pain.

We have stood for several minutes and I was sure fatigue could set in and add to her distress. I had to do something.

Because I was a head taller than her, I gently removed myself from the embrace while placing a kiss on her forehead.

Carefully, I guided her to the bed where she now sat. I wanted her to get back in bed so she could get her strength back. Even though I knew sleeping would be the last thing she'll be thinking of.

I know I can't just convince her to get some sleep, so I switched into professional nurse mode. I used the most gentle voice I could muster.

‘’You need to get some rest Marie, we don't want to get your blood pressure rising through the roof of this Mansion you see'’.

I was glad she cracked a smile at my lame attempt of a joke. I smiled too and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

After I covered her up in bed and made sure she was alright. ‘’I'll have Juanita bring you your lunch alright'’. She nodded her head like a second grader eager to obey his teacher. I smiled too, a weak one.

When I was sure she was ok, I gently went over to her table where I had placed her breakfast earlier and picked up the tray. Done with that I quietly walked out of the room, she was already asleep before I left.

In my brief career as a nurse, I've never met or encountered someone that had been hit with double loss. So now I'm a little worried about how I can help my own family.

I didn't quite picture the day to go like this. I came down the stairs from Marie's room, the smell of Juanita's delicious cooking did not hold the appeal it had on me half an hour ago.

I just went straight to my room. The thought of Ryder Santos battling his depression by drinking and spending all his money in clubs was heavy on my mind.

Maybe it'll do him good to come back home where he's loved and will be taken care of. I tried to shake it off and get some other things done, like finishing my morning assessment report on my patient.

But I could not get my mind to concentrate. Even as I sat on my desk in my room. I was wondering how far gone into constant drinking he had gone.

Pain and grief can break the strongest man in the world for a fact. I imagine him drunk and passed out on a busy walkway. I imagine his faithful assistant coming to pick him up and getting him home every single time.

I found it a difficult pill to swallow honestly. After the accident, Ryder lost his mind. Stricken with grief and guilt, he cut everyone off even his parents. It was his assistant that was in contact with his parents back home.

He blamed himself for his family's death because he was the one driving that faithful day. It has almost been a year now since the car crash.

It was the Don who sent words to his assistant and asked him to bring him home to the US.

Sitting at my desk was doing me no good and not helping my imaginative mind. I stood up and decided to go down to the garden at the back of the mansion. Maybe the smell of Marie's rosemary and lavender will ease my damp mood.

In the garden, I found relief in the midst of the beautiful flowers around me and my anxiety reduced. Why was I anxious anyway, I didn't know. I know I was probably just stressing myself over nothing.

I'm sure Marie would get the best therapists and doctors who could help Ryder.

You're only a nurse for crying out loud Ava!

In the distant meandering road that led up to the hill of the Santos Estate, I see a black Cadillac snaking it's way in the direction of the Mansion.

Wondering who could be visiting, as the Don's nurse I knew he had no appointment whatsoever today or this week. I mentally checked if I knew Marie was expecting anyone to call on her either.

So I stood in the garden just wondering and waiting until the car pulled into the driveway after an eternity.

The chauffeur came down and went to open the door for his passenger. One foot came out first and then it hit me like a rock in the head.

‘’Ryder Santos was back'’.