“What's going on here?”.
That was Vanessa. Everyone turned to the direction of her voice. She clutched a bunch of shopping bags in her hands, while trying to balance her purse under her armpit. “Where are you coming from Vanessa?” Flora asked, concerned for their image. “That's none of your business mom, I am a grown woman” she spat. Vanessa looked around to see everyone staring at them. Then she spotted Ryan and instantly knew nothing good had happened. “Ryan, let's go” she commanded, dumping all the shopping bags on him. Ryan followed after her, wondering why she had saved him from the situation. He sensed that it was not merely to hold her shopping bags. It was completely unlike her. “Put down the bags in my closet and come join me in bed” Vanessa instructed. Ryan paused. “Huh?” He asked, surprised. “Don't make me repeat myself Ryan” she answered, dragging her words. Ryan did as instructed and returned to see her laying down, her legs spread out across the large bed. Ryan sighed, finally realizing that she had been completely drunk all these while. He arranged the sheets, leaning in to cover her up. She pulled him in suddenly, smashing her lips against his. Ryan was shocked, as they had never been this intimate before. Her hands wandered around, as she suddenly came alive, sitting on his laps and caressing his mustache. “What are you doing, Vanessa?” Ryan asked, breaking the kiss. He didn't want to take advantage of her in her drunken state. Vanessa did not answer him as she got out of bed and took off all her clothes, standing buck naked in front of him. “Trying to please you, Mr. Sexy ” she answered in her most attractive voice. Before Ryan could say anything more, she tugged at his clothes, peeling them off one by one. Vanessa dragged Ryan back into her bed, pulling up the covers as they pleasured themselves throughout the rest of the night. … “What the fuck!” Vanessa screamed. Ryan jumped out of her bed immediately, fearing the worst. “What's the problem, Vanessa?” He asked, ignorant. “You! You are the problem, you idiot! What are you doing in my bed?!” She screamed, holding the covers over her chest. Ryan sighed, placing his hand on his head. He began to recall everything that had happened the night before. “I promise, you were drunk. I didn't do anything to you, you dragged me into bed” Ryan explained, scampering around the room for his clothes. “God, how could I be so stupid?! To…with you? Ewww! Get out of my room!” Vanessa screamed again, visibly irritated. “Yeah…yes…on it” Ryan stuttered, almost out of breath. He quickly put on his clothes and dashed out of her room. … “So how was the party?” Kale asked, brushing past him. Ryan despised Kale more than anybody else in that moment, but he had to have his bath and a change of clothes before anyone would put two and two together. He rushed past Kale and down the short flight of stairs to the storeroom in the basement. Slouching against the wall, Ryan heaved a sigh of relief. He could not still process what had happened between him and Vanessa, but he had a feeling that their relationship would change for the worse. … “Get up you filthy, lazy thing!” Flora yelled with disgust, emptying a bowl of ice packs on him. Ryan jumped up, shivering slightly. He had been too deep in thought and had not realized when he fell asleep for the second time. “Why are you sleeping when you should be cleaning up?” Flora questioned. “I…I'm…I'll get to that” Ryan replied, confused. His clothes were now wet from the ice and he was more broken down than usual. Flora stopped him, grabbing the neck of his shirt and peering straight into his eyes. “Always be reminded of your place in our lives and this place. You will never be anything more than the marriage partner to our daughter that we were very unfortunate to house and feed. So don't even try to act smart at any point or try to bring disgrace to my family, got it?” she spat, with building irritation. Ryan nodded, facing the floor. Flora stormed out of the storeroom, yelling instructions at the other servants. Ryan rushed to take a bath and change his clothes so he could join the other servants for the day. He had learnt not to dwell on the constant insults he received from the Jordan's. It was the only thing that kept him going, especially as he could not afford to be anywhere else. A MONTH LATER “I was at the doctor's office today and he confirmed it. I am just so frustrated!” Vanessa cried. Ryan stopped in his tracks. He leaned close to the door to listen to the rest of the conversation. He knew it was strange that Hans and Flora exchanged glances and asked him to leave, the minute Vanessa got home. “Let me see the test results” he heard Hans say. Vanessa sounded like she was tense as her breathing was awfully loud. “No! No, no, no, Vanessa. How could you be so damn careless?!” Hans yelled. “This is exactly why you listen to your parents, miss grown woman!” Flora yelled, supporting Hans. “I…I don't know what happened mom. This is a horrible mistake” Vanessa responded, bursting into tears. “And you're very sure it belongs to Ryan?” Hans asked, breaking into a whisper. Ryan froze. What was his? “Yes, dad. Very sure. He was the only person I've been with since the marriage date” Vanessa replied, between sniffles. “Then we have to get rid of it” Hans said, without emotion. “No! Of course not! I'm not putting my body in potential danger for the baby of that idiot!” Vanessa exclaimed. “I support her. There has to be another way” Flora spoke. “Well, whatever you end up coming up with, just make sure that worthless bastard does not have any knowledge about this” Hans said. Tears ran down Ryan's cheeks. He was used to being the worthless son-in-law, and now he was considered too worthless to even be a father to his child. He could deal with Vanessa treating him like nothing, but she was not going to keep his child from him. Ryan felt a sudden push through the door. He turned back. Kale snickered, dashing to the kitchen. His fists curled up in a ball in anger. “Were you listening to our conversation?!” Hans snapped. Ryan turned. He fell to his knees. It was too late to pretend like he didn't know what was going on. “Please don't keep my child from me. I beg you!” Ryan pleaded like his life depended on it. “That decision is not up to you! You can't even take care of yourself as a full blown adult, talk more of a child!” Flora told him. “I promise I'll work anywhere. I'll take care of the child. Vanessa can stay here and I'll be out in the streets contributing every dime I make to the child” Ryan pleaded further, his eyes welling up with tears. “You are a big shame to my family, Ryan. Vanessa made a horrific mistake and we will be sure to fix it. I will make sure you never come an inch closer to her or this child until we decide what's best for the situation" Hans spoke with a straight face. “Please! Vanessa, please! I beg of you all! I'm willing to try…”. “I'm giving you just a day's grace and by this time tomorrow, you should be out of this residence, Ryan. I can not afford any more slip-ups from you” Hans interrupted, walking out of the room. Flora led Vanessa out of the room immediately. Ryan sat on the floor in shock. Hans' last statement only meant one thing. His life was practically over.Ryan put his few clothes into a bag in preparation for his new life wherever he would find himself. “Going for a trip?” Kale teased. Ryan stared at him with the deepest anger in his eyes. Kale couldn't care less. “This…isn't…over, Kale. I will pay you back for all you've done to me, I promise” Ryan threatened, fighting back the tears in his eyes. “You're not even man enough to be a husband to your wife, and you want to face me? Haha!” Kale laughed. Ryan's eyes widened. "You thought I wouldn't figure it out? Your presence here always seemed suspicious. Have a nice life, loser" Kale added, walking away. Ryan clenched his fists. "Ryan! Mr. Jordan wants to see you” the head servant mentioned. Ryan dropped his fists by his side and adjusted the bag on his shoulder. It was time for him to leave. “It's good that you're ready to leave. From today, you and Vanessa are no longer married. You can return to the streets where you truly belong” Hans exclaimed, smiling wide.
"I know you may have several questions and I assure Serena will be there to answer them all. That's all, Ryan. I need to go and lay down now. I love you my son, always have, always will" Bethany concluded. The video ended. Ryan's eyes remained widened. "And that's where I come in" Serena jumped in, shutting her laptop. Ryan remained speechless. "Look, I know you had a rough childhood and all and I sympathise with you. If it makes you feel any better, she always mentioned your name in her happy moments, talking about how she wished you were with her...". "What's your purpose?" Ryan cut in sharply, his face devoid of any emotion. "Pardon?". "Why are you here?" Ryan repeated. Serena was confused, opening her mouth but no words came out. "Is it to appeal to my sympathy or get me to buy into this little seeking redemption act that my mother came up with?" Ryan posed. "Wha...". "Save it! I don't need you, my mother's or my goddamn father's sympathy for that m
Ryan walked into the bar with confidence, adjusting his tie. He spotted a few people sipping their drinks and engaged in different conversations. All of a sudden, they paused to stare at him. Ryan was confused. He had never had such an effect on anyone. It had to be his makeover. Ryan took the opportunity to wink at one of the few ladies who were obviously ogling at him. He felt like a god at that moment. He was invincible… “Excuse me, are you here to order anything or look for someone?” A voice asked. Ryan turned and his eyes met the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. “Oh no, I'm actually here to apply for a job. Is your boss in?” Ryan asked. “Oh, that's a wild assumption. I'm definitely not the boss, but he's my brother. I'm not a worker here” She answered with a straight face. “Thank you. Your eyes are beautiful though” Ryan blurted, staring at her enchanting green eyes. He had always been a firm believer in genuine compliments even if he had not received a lot of th
A WEEK LATER Ryan sat behind the counter at Danny's Bar, his new workplace. He had quickly become a favorite in the bar as a result of his brushed-up bartending skills. His reformed look earned him a special spot as the eye-candy for the groups of female friends who usually came around the bar to hang out. His coworkers, the other servers who worked away from his designated spot, quickly fell in love with his wit and free personality and began to enjoy his company and show him the ropes around his new job. It was safe to say that his first week at Danny's Bar was great enough especially since he had been used to the hatred and disgusted looks he had gotten most of his life. Ryan's life was starting to look up a little. It was not the best fresh start but he was just thankful to be free. Everything was going well at the bar until Ryan saw HIM. The same man who he had seen appear with Vanessa on different television talk shows and interviews, the supposed father of her unbor
“What do you want, Dahlia?!” Daniel lowered his voice. Ryan stopped to listen. He had come down to ask Daniel for something but it seemed like he was attending to something very private. “I want nothing else to do with you brother, believe me. I just need the money you owe me!” A female voice came on. “I don't have it! I already told you countless times that I don't have it! Why do you even need it so much? Seems like you were perfectly fine faking your wealthy status!” Daniel responded. “It's my bloody inheritance Daniel! Just because it was kept in your care and you ended up making very poor life choices does not give you the right to ask questions about MY inheritance!” She spilled. Daniel remained mute. “When can I have my money, Daniel?” She asked. “Soon. I'm working on something really huge at the moment so just…please bare with me Dahlia” Daniel said. “Good”. “And tear down this shack so you can focus on something that'll actually give you the kind of money you n
Daniel had been asked to cater alongside the more professional and popular planners who had been contracted to cater for the wedding between Vanessa and Nathan, since Nathan enjoyed his company. So by association, Ryan was also going to be at the wedding. As much as he despised the idea, he couldn't afford to lose his job and arouse any inch of suspicion. … Working at his ex's wedding was not something Ryan could have imagined after all her and her family had done to him. He still had a lowly reputation to maintain, after all. “The wedding is in a week, people! We need to make sure we make a great presentation” Daniel addressed. “Aren't there going to be much more professional and well recognized bartenders at the wedding scene?” One of the workers mentioned. “Well…we may be the smallest out of all of them but we hold a special spot in the groom's heart, so we have to give it our all” Daniel answered, reassuring them. “Plus, we have Ryan! Our best bartender since I got in
“Good morning” Serena greeted, her eyes hovering above his face. Ryan opened his eyes and sat up on the bed, watching Serena draw the curtains in his room open. “What are you doing in my room?” Ryan asked her. "Again, a simple thank you would suffice" Serena chuckled. She sat on the chair in the room. “ Well if you must know, I happen to be your designated saviour because I keep finding you everywhere but at a safe spot" she joked “Shit” Ryan cussed, the events from the wedding party coming back to his memory. “Work issues?" Serena probed. "What?". "Whatever got you so drunk and passed out at a bar that the owner had to go through your contacts and call me" She explained. “I wasn't…I wasn't drunk” Ryan pushed. “You don't need to lie, Ryan. I brought you back here, I saw the state you were in" Serena countered, her voice lacking empathy. “I'd rather not talk about it, Serena” Ryan responded. “You know that old saying that goes 'a problem shared is a…”. “I
Ryan remained fixed to the spot he had been standing on. He had fought to get away from the enemy, while being unable to see that his greatest enemy was right in front of him. He sat down on the sofa slowly, bending his head and covering his face. He was completely overwhelmed. The woman who had been in the room with Tony, appeared, using her hair to cover her face in shame. Tony had probably threatened her to get into bed with him. Ryan felt complete pity for her. “You may leave. I'm sorry for whatever this creep did to you” Ryan sympathized.The woman muttered a ‘thank you’ and slipped out of the apartment with tears in her eyes. Tony stood at a corner of the room, watching everything unfold. Ryan fixed his gaze at him with complete fury in his eyes. “Don't think about getting in a physical fight because I'd hurt you badly. I have several years of training. Just a friendly warning” Tony mentioned. “You're a monster” Ryan commented. “You're not the first person to say that, R