The lack of care on Ryan's mother's face tells me everything I needed to know. An actress, the woman is not, so maybe she didn't have anything to do with my attack this afternoon.
I had stopped talking as I tried to read the woman's expression to see if she was guilty, those perfectly put-together features squeezed with an impatient look, as if to say, 'and so?' So, I continued my tale, making sure she understood that nothing of the sort she had imagined was going on between her son and me.
"Your son saved me, but because of the rain, it was a little dangerous to be alone, so he brought me here."
I expected her to look proud of her son, for his generosity and chivalry—any good mother would— but she merely looked annoyed, as if saying, " Why would her son bother saving someone of no consequence."
"Why didn't you take her to the police and let them deal with her?" She snaps, glaring at her son, at the same time acting as if I were invisible.
"That is because I can't let the police protect the woman—"
My eyes grow wide at the start of Ryan's words.
What the hell is he doing?! I quickly cut him off before he gets us into more trouble than we already are.
"We couldn't because the men were after us. We needed to lose them," I hurriedly interjected. Ryan flung me a look of irritation for cutting him off, but I ignored him, while his mother looked unimpressed.
She stares at us suspiciously as if she suspects more is going on than we are telling her.
The woman has a hawk's eyes.
Damn, so sharp.
I kept my expression sweetly innocent while Ryan continued to look at me with a pout on his face.
His mother notices her son's angry look in my direction and turns to him, her expression inquisitive.
"Is there a problem, son?"
If he dares to tell his mother anything except what I have just said, I am going to kill him.
I turn as well.
"Is there a problem, boss?" I blinked innocently at him, holding back a smile when his glare intensified. He knew I called him boss to irritate him.
He rolled his eyes—how cute—and turned to his mother. "No problem, Mum, it is as my assistant said." He smiled stiffly at his mother.
The blonde turned to face me, her sharp blue eyes dissecting my face. "So, you didn't go to the police, but brought the danger to my son?"
I guess no matter what, the woman is determined to find fault with me.
I looked down at her words, with no smart reply to give her. She is right. Being here with Ryan puts him in danger, and selfishly, I didn't even think about it.
Bravely, I looked at the woman and admitted my mistake. "You are right, ma. I will leave."
"You are not going anywhere," Ryan countered immediately, his tone firm.
His possessive response undid everything we had tried to hide over the past few minutes.
"Ryan!" His mother scolds sharply, reminding him of his place, but Ryan faced his mother with that stubborn look that I have seen several times when he is trying to get his way.
Hopefully, he doesn't say some possessive shit again, that would get us in trouble.
"Mum, you can't mean to send her out in the rain at this time of the day, knowing that her life could be in danger," Ryan tells his mother, trying to appeal to her humanity.
But the question is, does the woman have a heart? Or is she just a zombie with no emotions?
My money is on the latter.
"Alright, son. She can stay." The woman surprises the fuck out of me. "But she is out of here as soon as the sun is up. We do not want Melissa to misunderstand the situation. She already thinks you have a mistress called Santana."
I blinked, holding back another laugh. It is just hilarious how Ryan's ex-fiancée can't seem to get my name right. But at least it saved me the headache of having to defend myself to Ryan's mother again.
"What is that all about?" The woman finally takes a seat. "Who is this Satana that you are in love with? How come we know nothing of this? Who is she? Who are her parents? Are they rich? In the same social circle?"
At the barrage of questions from his mother, Ryan looked like he wanted to pull his hair out.
He too takes a seat, and with a patient expression on his face, laced with the frustration he is trying to hide, he tries to explain things to his mother.
I listen with my heart hanging in my throat. Ryan's love for honesty could be a damn risk right now.
"There is no Santana. I do not know anyone called Santana. I called off the engagement because I do not love Melissa. I don't think I ever did. I went along with this because of you and Father, but Mum, I want a marriage with someone I love, not a business arrangement."
Ryan's mother snorted at his words, her expression suggesting he was being immature with his ideology of love marriage.
"Honey, don't be silly. People in our world rarely marry for love. We marry for the connections, to make the family stronger. You are our first son, the heir to the Dynasty. Of course, you have to marry someone suitable to bear the Blackwell's name, and Melissa fits that bill. Her family is rich, and they are our family friends—a match made in heaven. Say you don't love her now, I am sure you love her as the years go by. That is what happened between your father and me."
The blonde grinned at her son, showing off her perfect white teeth, feeling very satisfied with herself for having sorted everything out.
"But Mum," Ryan tried to argue, but his mother shushed him immediately.
"Enough, darling, Mummy knows best, and you should listen to me. I love you and will never steer you wrong."
She gets to her feet, with her attention still on her son, she says. "Now that everything is settled, I will inform Melissa that she has nothing to worry about. That my son has no mistress called Selena. So the wedding is back on track," she grinned widely. "Maybe I would do one better, fix a date for the wedding."
She heads for the door, locked in her happy bubble. Ryan tried to get her attention by calling out to her several times, but she ignored him and left.
After his mother left, Ryan collapsed on the couch with a bewildered look on his face, while I could only manage a three-letter word.
"Wow!"
If I didn't see it with my eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. This is a perfect example of bulldozing someone.
"I guess you are getting married now," I mumbled, not sure how I felt about this new development. Am I angry or relieved?
I guess I am split. A part of me feels relieved because it means I can do whatever I want to do with a clear conscience, but another part of me feels sad to lose Ryan. I guess he has grown on me.
"No, I am not," Ryan says emphatically, causing my eyes to snap up to meet his gaze. He looks very serious. "I told you I love you, and that hasn't changed. The only reason I didn't tell my mother is that you looked very uneasy at the idea, so I respected your feelings. But make no mistake, it is you I am going to marry."
My heart quivered, and I felt my eyes sting with tears. Why did he have to be the same guy who wrecked my life years ago? He is so perfect that I could fall in love with him, but our past taints our present, and I am not sure if I can let go.
"Don't say that. Your mother is right about something."
Ryan looked at me curiously, so I explained.
"Someone like you can't marry anyone you like. I am not suitable for you."
I looked down at my hands on my lap, feeling so inadequate and unqualified.
Ryan reached across and took my hand. He tugged me to my feet, then pulled me towards him. He doesn't stop until I sit down on his leg.
It was a little uncomfortable because I had never sat in a man's lap before. I sat very stiff, with my hands held tightly on my lap, and my gaze averted to the ground.
"Look at me," Ryan requested softly, but I shook my head, denying him. I thought he would force the issue, but he shocked me when he said.
"Please!"
The sound of him begging rocked me to the core, and my eyes flew to meet his gaze. The look in his eyes made my whole body shiver with emotion.
He is staring at me as if I were the most important thing in his world right now. The wholesome look in his eyes melted every wall around my heart, leaving it open and vulnerable.
"I didn't fall in love with you because you are the most beautiful woman in the world, or because you are perfect on paper. I fell in love with you because my heart recognized you."