Blind Billionaire Bride

BEIJING, CHINA

AT THE SUITE

The beeping sound of the alarm next to the bed woke Ian up. He groaned and rolled over the bed. Ian felt like he had only slept for one hour as he blinked rapidly and rubbed his eyes. Of course Ian had stayed up all night comforting Ria from a bad dream.

Yet another groan escaped Ian’s throat as he made his way to the bathroom for a shower. After putting on his clothes, he motioned out of the room but stopped at Ria’s bedroom door. Ian wanted to go in but he decided against it. She should get enough rest before they both leave for the eye center.

As Ian walked into the kitchen he saw Ria sitting at the table doing nothing. He looked at her with weird expression, thinking how on earth did she find her way to the kitchen since they only came in last night and he hasn’t even showed her around.

“Mr Ian, is that you?” Ria asked.

“Yes. Good morning.” His eyes scanned the area.

“Good morning. Someone came in not to long to check on us so she helped me into the kitchen.” Ria explained.

The lady is the care worker Mrs Perla Bryant had hired for Ria just to always help in changing her clothes and other personal things that Ian can’t do for Ria. “Okay. So did she prepare anything for you?” Ian asked her.

“No, I wanted coffee but I didn’t want to disturb her so I -” Ria’s voice trailed off and she cleared her throat.

“So have you had coffee?” He moved closer to her.

“No, I didn’t see anything around here and I couldn’t ask the lady earlier.” Ria answered.

“Okay. I’ll place an order for it.” Ian made an attempted to walk away.

“No… no it is fine. I don’t need the coffee anymore.” Ria stopped him.

“Are you sure?” Ian stopped on track and turned to face her.

“Yes. I drank water.” Ria nodded her head as she stood up from the stool.

“Alright.”

“Where are you?” Ria asked.

“Very close to you.” Ian walked towards her.

Ria’s hands was on the countertop to help her know where she should walk and soon she stopped right in front of him. “Thank you for last night.” She placed her hand on top of his hand accidentally.

Is she really doing this now? Ian thought.

“How do you look like?” Ria asked unexpectedly.

Ian stayed quiet with shock evident on his expression. “You want to know?” He spoke up after some seconds of silence.

“Yes.” Ria shook her head.

“But you can’t see me.” Ian said.

“You are right. I can’t see you but I can touch and feel things.” Ria replied.

Ian studied her expression and for the first time since he met this blind lady, she seemed interested in having a conversation with him.

“Will you let me?” Ria said, asking Ian whether he should let her know and feel how he looks like.

“Sure.” Ian replied.

All of a sudden, Ian jumped a little when Ria’s hand reached out to his face. Ria began to travel her hand all round his face from his right cheek to the forehead then to the left cheeks and finally to his nose.

“You have a nice nose, Mr Ian.” Ria said before pulling her hands down.

“Thank you.” Ian chuckled a bit. “I have the same nose as my mom.” These words made him sound like an idiot.

Ria held his hands and then continued “Sorry.. I just want to know how you look like before the surgery.” She added.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Is this how blind people learn how to figure how people look like?” Ian asked.

Ria touched his chest but she withdrew quickly “Yes.. it is much more easier than using the eyes. There are so many short cuts for the disabled.” She answered.

“And will you be able to recognize me after the surgery?” Ian demanded.

“Definitely.” Ria nodded.

“You really don’t act like you are blind.” Ian blurted out.

Ria stood there without saying anything but Ian noticed the change of expression on her face.

“I am sorry, I shouldn’t have said that to you.” He apologized.

“No, it is fine, Mr Ian.” Ria swallowed hard.

“Just call me Ian.” He replied.

“Okay.” Ria forced a faint smile.

“We are meeting doctor Lui by nine so the driver should be here anytime soon.” Ian announced.

“Okay. l will just change my clothes into a better one.” Ria responded.

“Let me help you to your room.” Ian offered

“No.. no you don’t have to bother yourself. The lady already helped me count the steps and I know it.” Ria declined.

Ian knew she was drawing the lines between them again. Ria walked away but almost stumbled at the door. Ian followed her quickly and slipped his arms beneath her kneels and carried her. Damn the lines she was trying to draw between them!

“Ria, it is easier this way. Always give me the chance to help anytime I want make the offer. Please.” Ian said in a tight whisper.

Ria wasn’t sure if she should have done what she did with Ian in the kitchen. “What is happening to me?” Ria thought.

She was not getting this drama that was unfolding! Her mind flashed back to yesterday night. Ian was in her room, he helped and comforted her. She felt safe and protected in his arms. Even now that he was carrying her to the room.

Everything Ian Bryant did and has ever done actually prompted Ria to want to know what he looks like for her to be able to recognize him after the surgery although his voice was already registered in her head . Ria wasn’t mad when he said she doesn’t act like a blind lady but she was unhappy with the tone he said it. Ria never wanted to be like this, getting sympathy and pity from people because she is disabled.

Ian placed Ria’s feet gently on the floor when they got to the room. He noticed the neatly arranged clothes on the bed. The care worker must have helped Ria pick a dress from her box.

“I will be waiting outside to take you to the last floor so just call me whenever you are done.”

Ria shook her head in understanding. “Okay. Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Just call my name.” Ian turned away towards the door. And Ria didn’t move from that spot until she heard the door clicked.