Chapter 8 Attraction

• RYAN POV
• There was something about Ariel's presence that I can't really put my head around. She looked beautiful, no doubt, simple, just the way I liked it.
• I looked at the picture of my ex-wife and Ariel, not sure why I was contrasting the two together. It felt so good and bad to be attracted to the opposite sex after so long.
• I felt as if I was betraying my first love. Filling my cheeks with air, I exhaled it in a puffing sound. She was the perfect one meant to me, but death took her away. My throat suddenly went dry, as I cleaned the tears which were beginning to brim down my eyes.
• I decided to focus on the picture of Ariel. There had to be something captivating about her that kept me drowning in the pool of attraction I was beginning to have for her. Even when I wouldn't say it to her face or anyone's face, I felt she was my gateway to moving on from the late love of my life.
• I couldn't forget the glitter of happiness that I felt when our brims brushed against each other. I could not help but reminisce about her soft, plump lips touching mine. Roughly over a week after she decided to be with my family, her image kept lingering in my head.
• Whipping my head towards the door because of the knock, I gently placed the pictures in my drawers. I cleared my throat and requested for the person by the door to come in.
• Chloe walked in with some files in her hands, as she handed it over to me.
• “The business deal with Mr. Hawthorne was successful. This is the contract for you to review.” She stated.
• Scanning through the files, I picked my pen to sign, but stopped when a thought came to my mind.
• “Yeah, thanks Chloe. Meanwhile, I want to ask you a question and would need your honest response.”
• She smiled, nodding for me to go on.
• “There is this lady who visited me over a week ago. Do you still remember?”
• “Yes. I know her.” She replied, and for a second, I noticed her slight change in her countenance.
• “I want your honest view about her.” She looked slightly shocked at my words.
• If there was someone I trust in this work space, it would be Chloe. She has been working here for close to five years. Evelyn and her had a close bond.
• “I… I” I nodded my head, giving her a go ahead.
• “I hope you won't be angry if I mention my standpoint about her.”
• “Sure. I trust you. So please go on.” I folded my hands, resting on the table.
• “According to my perspective, she is from a middle-class family. And might only want to stick with you because you are rich. Just be careful, sir.”
• I stared into space at her words. Can Ariel truly be a gold digger? Mum chose her, and it occurred to me that I hadn't had her investigated. Obviously, I am stupid. Getting married to a stranger?
• I groaned inwardly, putting the tip of my last finger in my mouth. Something I commonly do when I am in deep thought.
• “Sir. I didn't mean to imply that.” I raised my head, meeting Chloe gaze.
• Oh! She was still here.
• “Chloe. No worries. Thanks for telling me your thoughts. I won't hold it against you, if it is either true or false.” She nodded, before turning to leave.
• At the closing of the door, I picked up my phone to call someone. He picked at the second ring.
• “Good day, Mr. Ackers.”
• “Good day, Mr. Mains. I need your help with something.”
• “Shoot.” He replied.
• “I want you to investigate Ariel Peterson. I will send her pictures and some of her details via email.”
• I ended the call, as I rested on my seat. I smiled, as a thought crept to my mind. ' A contract'. I will have Ariel sign a contract. Even if she happened to have an ulterior motive, she would be at the receiving end.
• I guessed my attraction for her was beginning to blind me. But not anymore. I needed to know who Ariel Peterson really was.
• I signed the contract, after going through it. I gently allow my seat to turn around.
• ARIEL POV
• It has been over a week at the Ackers mansion and I must confess that it had been like the vacation I had been craving for. Mrs. Selina or MUM, as she had requested, I called her, treated me as if I were her daughter.
• Kathleen and Eva were still staying around, and Eva did her best in spending most of her time with me. As much as I felt it was off staying at my future in-law's home, I knew in my heart that I had nowhere to go.
• I would have hunted for jobs online, but my Résumé and other necessary documents are still at my former home. I can't go on with my search for a job. The phone Ryan gave me had been my companion, and I had used that opportunity to write one of my stories I was previously working on.
• Being a story writer has been part of my dreams, and I am so glad about my baby steps. Every time I am on the phone, I often have the constant urge to message Ryan. His handsome face, and the first kiss I had with him, always made me flustered.
• It was a Friday and almost everyone was not around. I decided to use that opportunity to tour the manor. The maids around kept busy with their work, as they greeted me. I asked one of the maids where Ryan's room was before he decided to live alone.
• I was able to get to the place, curiosity dawning on me. I walked across the corridors which were well tiled, with a beautiful blue and white paint on the wall. Standing in front of Ryan's former room, I felt like I was trespassing.
• I held the door knob, but stopped at the whispers I was getting from the other room. I braced myself, stepping closer to the door opposite. That was definitely Ryan's dad's voice.
• “Don't you dare tell my wife about this. We were only having fun.”
• “Yes, I slept with you and so what? We both enjoyed it, didn't we?"
• I felt my heart race at the realization in front of me. My forehead creased into a frown. Ryan's dad was cheating on Mrs. Selina. The beep sound indicated the end of their discussion, as I turned to leave. I walked into my room, closing the door behind me.
• Now, I could deduce why Ryan was not in a good pace with his dad. He probably figured it out. And Mrs. Selina is oblivious about this?
• I kept pacing to and fro my room. Should I inform mum, that is Mrs. Selina, about this? I puffed out the air I inhaled. Minutes passed, and hours passed with my thoughts, and not finally reaching a conclusion.
• It was around evening when I opened my door to see Mrs. Selina with some fruits. I allowed her in, trying to block the constricting thoughts I was having. I was still unable to decide on whether to inform her about Ryan's dad or not. I should mind my business, right? Ruining what they had built for so many years will be cruel on my part. No woman would forget a cheating husband, talkless of not breaking the relationship.
• “Hello darling. Let's talk, shall we?” I smiled, as we both sat down on my medium-sized bed.
• She picked up an apple and I also did the same. We munched on it for a while, before she spoke.
• “Ryan hasn't contacted you after his previous visit here.” I nodded, a biter smile on my lips.
• Mrs. Selina patted me, as I looked at her. I could not help but wonder why she decided to choose me for her son. Wasn't she afraid I might be a gold digger or after my own personal interest?
• “Ryan will come around. I can tell from his look that he is getting attracted to you.”
• My eyes flickered with curiosity, as I raised my brow. Is Ryan attracted to me? I doubt it.
• He-he
• “Yes, he does.” She reaffirmed, as if sensing my doubt.
• “Before your marriage together, I will give you a small diary. It will help you win the heart of Ryan.”
• Now, I was having trouble thinking straight. She really does trust me with her son's heart. Whoa! I'm amazed.
• “Umm, I feel overwhelmed already. Are you sure about this, ma'am.” I blinked, confusion brimming in me.
• “Sure. I trust you, Ariel Peterson. I have to go now. I will have your food sent to you.” She proceeded to leave, but stopped before turning to face me.
• “Are you not going to tell me something?" Her gaze fixated on mine, prompting my throat to almost go dry.
• Does she know about my discovery about Ryan's father?
• "I... I heard.."Words got stuck in my throat, my mind went into a frenzy. I simply looked downward.
• "Ryan's dad has always been like that. Womanizing is his hobby."My eyes widened in shock, as my heart skipped a bit.
• She looked sad. It was all in her eyes.
• She knows. That was weird. But why was she taking it with levity? And if Ryan's dad was such a womanizer, does that mean Ryan likes to sleep around?
• "For your information,Ryan isn't like his father. Ryan is probably a virgin."
• Another shocker. I pressed my lips together under her scrutinizing gaze.
• She walked out, more questions and riddles probing my brain.
• Billionaire families are weird.