Love In Ink And Gold

Ryder sat silently, hoping the lawyer would get to the actual bit he had been waiting for throughout the week following the burial of his father. The whole room was silent, all the vultures excited to hear what the late Mr. Ashford had left for them. The family lawyer took his sweet time outlining how the assets would be divided and the future of his father’s companies, which was is top priority. Charles sat there, beaming from ear to ear with the little estates he thought Ryder cared for, which he did not. “And lastly,” the lawyer said, adjusting his glasses, “Mr. Ashford seems to have added a condition to the full transfer of all Ashford Enterprises’ assets to the Ryder Ashton, his first born son.” Ryder’s attention peaked, his gaze narrowing. What was is father playing at? Even beyond the grave, he still made it is business to make his life a living hell. Whatever the condition was, he knew he would not like it even one bit. “To endure the company’s stability and reflect his values, Mr. Ashford stipulated that Ryder be married before he can take over,” the lawyer said nervously, feeling the whole room grow cold from Ryder’s anger. Ryder heard his i***t half-brother’s chuckle from across the room as the lawyer continued, “You are to be married by the new established date of the handover, which is three months from today or else the company will be passed on to Charles Ashton.” “Well, well big bro, you can just handover right now,” Charles said, looking a too proud of himself. Ryder and Charles had disliked each from the moment the little s**t was moved into their home, Ryder’s mother finding out about her husband’s infidelity when his mother dropped him off with just his backpack and a note that said, “You take care of him, I’m leaving!” He had not cared about any of them, hiding under the façade of an obedient son, just as long as their father made sure he had money, the latest gadgets and grand houses while they were still in high school, claiming that he had gotten used to taking care of himself. Ryder had seen through all that, but is father just lapped it up, trying to make up for not being there for him. “Don’t worry your-sweet-self little bro, I am already engaged,” Ryder said, shocking everyone in the room, himself included. Where the f**k did that come from? All he knew was that he would do anything to protect his father’s empire, especially introduced me Enterprises since it was so close to him and their father’s heart. Mary, his mother, who had been silent throughout the whole meeting, shot him a small thankful smile. “Ry, that’s great news my baby. Why haven’t you introduced me?” Charles knitted his brow, knowing fully well that his brother was lying to everyone, but also not so sure on how to refute him. Why had he dug himself into this whole? Where would he get a woman who would be willing to get married to him in less than three months? He was known as one of the most cruel businessmen in the whole country, what insane woman would want to marry him when they barely know each other? “We were not ready to go public yet mom, you know how my life is always in the limelight. I wanted this part of us to be private, you know?” God, his act deserved a Grammy award, even Charles seemed to buy his whole act. The lawyer, who had been listening closely to everything going on in the room, stood up and closed his briefcase with a resounding thud, and he was able to grab everyone’s attention yet again. “This is great news sir. All we need is for the wedding to be legalized before the three months is over and we will proceed with the handover.’’ Yara had left her shift earlier tonight, wanting to surprise Chris. they could cuddle up till late, maybe have crazy anniversary s*x until they both could not move from their bed. It had been a crazy two years and she thought she had seen what looked suspiciously like a ring box, which was what had added on to her excitement. Her mind reeled with ideas for the perfect breakfast in bed for the love of her life, as she rummaged her bag for their apartment keys. “Babe, I’m home-” she stopped mid-sentence wanting to make sure she heard correctly. It sounded like people were f*****g, and it sounded like it was coming from their bedroom. She walked closer, hoping to God what she was hearing was Chris watching porn, like any normal man would when he was alone in his house. But as soon as she opened the door, she was met with the most grotesque image she almost threw up. There was her boyfriend, with a woman she did not recognize at all, fully naked. They were facing the door, so as soon as she opened the door, she locked eyes with him. “f**k, babe, it’s not what you think,” he said, jumping off their bed to Yara who a turned back to leave. She had no idea where she would go, but she knew she had to get out of there immediately before she lost her mind. Her heart thudded painfully, feeling like it was being yanked out of her chest. She swore she was close to a cardiac arrest, but nothing came, not even measly tears. The only reason this dimwit was even running after her was because she had been taking care of him. He was a bum who would not get a job even though he saw how much Yara was struggling with putting Lily through college as well. He knew if she walked away, he would never find another woman willing to put up with his s**t. “Yara baby please, I am so sorry,” he said, running to close the front door in an attempt to make her stay. “This was by far the biggest mistake of my life, hurting you like this-” “Oh stop f*****g lying to her and just be a man for once,” Yara heard the blonde girl say from behind her. In an attempt to stay a calm as possible, decided she would not turn around, in the fear that she might hurt her. “We have been together for six months now and we are pregnant.” The revelation hit her like a ton of bricks, but still no tears came. Her inside was screaming at her to run out of here before she made mistakes, but just for a short while, her legs could not carry her out, she needed closure. “The ring I saw Chris, who was it for?” Before he could answer her with what she was sure would be another lie, the blonde placed her hand on his shoulder, so the ring was at perfect display for her. She stumbled a bit, feeling another rush of nausea but composed herself as she pushed him out of her way. “Ivy, I know it’s late and I haven’t called or texted for a while, but I have no one and I just need you to pick me up, please.” Ivy was Yara’s oldest friend, whom she had lost contact with while she had her head stuck in Chris’s ass. He had alienated her from almost everyone around her, the only one he knew she would never let out of her sight being Lily. But Ivy, like the great person she was, left the party she had hosted and came to her rescue.