"Mr. Wilder, can you comment on your inheritance to overtake Ashford Group?"Then, someone else shouted, "Are you surprised that the shareholders are behind your nomination to take over the company?"Ryan faltered a step, sparking a shutter of flashes as he gripped Violet's shoulder more tightly at what he just heard. "What?"Arms clutching recorders immediately shot towards his mouth. With a vacant look in his eyes at the barrage of cameras inching ever closer, he glanced around as if someone would explain the meaning of this nonsense about him taking over the company.The more he remained silent, the more the reporters pressed the same questions over and over again like a broken record. Was he going to take over the Ashford Group?How did he feel about his father's death?Was he ever close to his father?"No comment," Ryan grudgingly spoke.And there he was, thinking that all of these clamoring reporters were here for Violet'

That noon, Ryan spent his time sleeping.As opposed to what he said earlier, sleep quickly claimed him when he entered his old bedroom. A small place he called home for the last two years and a half since he was brought here by Violet’s late grandfather.No one bothered him there.Cinos had come earlier and begged him to drive the Spider again. Ryan let that boy run around with that expensive fast car, let the reporters chase Cinos for once, thinking it was him. Then, Bill came around and said he’d prepare some meal later, but he wasn’t that hungry.Liz didn’t say hi, but she peeked at him from Bill’s shoulder and nodded once. Remembering their first meeting, Ryan would call it progress.After that, he was left alone with his thoughts, and then he fell asleep. It was a good nap, he must say. After his hated father’s funeral and the final goodbye he delivered, his energy was spent. He had slept well the night befo

That afteroon, in their new home, Violet saw Ryan by the side of the pool.It was one of the defining feature that made her want to have this particular estate as a home. A swimming pool on the second floor, right beside the patio she loved so much. She could see the beach and vast sea in front of her, soft waves rushing here and there like a romantic painting. Turning her blue eyes from that dreamy sight, Violet looked around them and back at him again. “Anyway, what are you doing here, laying like a lazy seal?”Ryan averted his gaze away, a bit shy. “I’m, ugh…”Fine. He was embarrassed.Must he say it in front of her?Violet looked down at him, waiting with an impatient tap of her foot against the floor.He sighed and looked at the soft current of the swimming pool that overlooked the Orchard beach, spreading wide in front of them.Ryan never thought he'd say something alon

The sky was blue. Vast, with floating white clouds saying hello to the people of the Earth.And Ryan had no damn care for that.His sight was full of black spots. He could still see the spots mocking him behind if he closed his eyes. Sadly, that wasn't the only problem he had."Hah!"The air seemed to refuse, filling his lungs fast enough. He couldn't breathe. Ragged, with his heart pounding in his chest, constricting wildly to pump the blood through his veins.He couldn't move a muscle."Oh, my…"Violet peered at him from her sitting position by the pool. Her feet were inside the water, leaving her knees dry. She leaned back on her palm and once again mocked him with her eyes."You're so done already after five repetitive sit ups? Come on, talks about getting stronger and you can't even catch up with my daily exercise yet?"Ryan let her be.Well, what choice did he have anyway? Even breathing was hard, let

The sky was still bright, with lazy floating white clouds high above, and salty breeze from the open sea in front of them. Ryan brought his folded arms on the edge of their private pool, mirroring Violet who was in the same position as him. They shared this comfortable silence for once, feeling relaxed even when they were still in the middle of a shitstorm. Just for this while, they forget about all of the rioting media out there, choosing to enjoy this moment while they can. Because, like it or not, they must be back in the public eye. It was something they couldn’t escape from, except for a short respite. The pool’s water was cool against their skin. Soft, small currents from the bottom of the pool made them sway with buoyancy. Today was especially hot, so hanging out here felt the best. Furthermore, so with his wife by his side. “So… I have several names for our production house,” Violet declared, picking Ryan’s attention. He glanced at her with a smile on his face, “That’s qu