Chapter 60 This Feeling Of Love
CHICAGO, UNITED STATE OF AMERICAContent protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
AT LINT CORPORATION
The meeting with the board of director has ended. Ian Bryant sat at the desk handling the hundreds of mundane tasks that running the corporation required. His thought was on Ria and he was so eager to finish up and go and see her.
Ian’s looked away from the paper he was about to sign when his cellphone binged. He checked the caller’s ID hoping it was Ria but it turned out to Harvey Wesley! An old friend. They both attended the same high school and college and Harvey Wesley owns the best construction company in Chicago.
Ian sighed and picked up the call. “Hello Harvey.” He said.
“Hey Ian! Long time buddy!” Harvey’s voice boomed over the phone that Ian had to shift the device away from his ear.
Ian turned on the speaker and placed the phone on the desk. “Yeah dude. It has been a while.” They both laughed.
“Yeah. So how are you man?” Harvey asked.
“I am cool, Harvey. And it is really nice to hear to you again.” Ian replied.
“I sincerely apologize for not calling to check up on you man.” Harvey chuckled deeply.
“Likewise dude.” Ian said.
“So what’s up with you? I mean.. what have you been up to lately?” Harvey added.
Ian chuckled. “Harvey, it has been just work and loads of paperwork.” He responded.
“I expected this response from you. I know it is a great work to run a corporation as large as your family’s own. And I guess being a CEO is tiring.”
“You are no different, Harvey.” Ian replied.
“Don’t try to compare us. I am different! I run just one company while you are running a whole corporation that has several branches. Man… that’s big and great work! And I must say that you would barely have time to hang out or any free time but just work, work and work.” Harvey countered.
“Hey man. Come on Harvey, it is not that bad!” Ian chuckled.
“But it is the truth buddy.” Harvey retorted.
“No.” Ian argued.
“You seem too busy to me. Ian, you became work oriented ever since you became a chief executive officer. I mean… you are not the Ian I used to know.”
“Yeah. I changed Harvey. I have so much responsibilities but you must also know that I am not really all work and no play.” Ian replied.
“Really?” Harvey croaked out.
“Yes Harvey.”
“Who is all work and no play? Ian Bryant! Eighty percent of the American population knows this fact about you. And I can’t see where you will have time for a wife and kids.” Harvey did the tsk tsk sound.
“Wife and kids? There you go against Harvey!” They both laughed. “Did you call to remind me that I am yet to get married.” Ian demanded after a hard laugh.
“Yes! This is a reminder!” Harvey coaxed. And Ian laughed again. “Don’t mind me buddy.” Harvey said.
Yeah! Ian doesn’t have to take his words seriously because that’s Harvey Wesley’s personality. He could be very funny and also annoying with his words whenever he teases someone. Harvey is a family man, a father of two and married to one of the top most models in the United State of America. But Harvey doesn’t have to remind Ian that he was yet to start a family.
“Well I called to invite you to a party.” Harvey said.
“What party?” Ian questioned.
“Oh my goodness! Now he doesn’t remember.” Harvey feigned a gasp.
“Please tell me about it, Harvey.” Ian requested.
“BMW ASSOCIATION PARTY!” Harvey grounded out.
“Oh!” Ian mouthed.
“Now you know.” Harvey added.
“Of course! Thanks for the reminder. So when and where is it holding?” Ian demanded.
“In about three weeks time. We had to set things that way because of Amber foundation’s annual party. Three weeks is enough time for everyone to rest and prepare for the big day.” Harvey explained.
“Yes, you are right. That’s so thoughtful of the board.” Ian agreed.
“So will you be there?” Harvey asked.
“I don’t -”
Harvey interrupted him. “Your presence at the party is really important so make out time Ian. Who knows you might find your heartthrob at the party this year.” They rolled into laughter again.
“Harvey, stop the teasing game already. I don’t need to find an heartthrob at the party.” Ian chuckled. Well he has someone whom his heart beats for-Ria Robert.
“You sound different. Formally, you would have agreed to come to the party immediately without me persuading you. Tell me what’s going on?! Are you coming with someone this time around? A woman you are madly in love with?” Harvey demanded.
Ian was silent. He was thinking about Ria. Would Ria agree to go with Ian to the party if he ask her to be his date?
“Ian, are you there?” Harvey called out.
“Yes Harvey.” He replied.
“Look man, if you aren’t sure about anything yet just beep me so I can hook you up with someone before that day.” Harvey offered in a concerned tone.
“No thanks Harvey. I’ll attend the party.” Ian responded. He won’t be hooking up with another lady when Ria is already in his life.
“Okay. I will send you the invitation soon.” Harvey sighed in resignation.
“Alright.” Ian replied.
“And we could grab a drink before that day too.” Harvey suggested.
“I will give you a call, Harvey.” Ian said.
“Okay. Bye, Ian Bryant.” Harvey disconnected the call before Ian could utter his goodbye response.
Harvey Weasley is the current deputy president of the association. The BMW means BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN. It is an association for popular and wealthy businessmen and women in America. The party is more or less for the all rich people in the state and beyond.
The annual party is a time when you get to meet new people and probably make new business partners and connections. Unlike Amber Foundation annual party, it is a day event and mostly held on a Sunday evening. The event is more like a dinner party with media houses storming the whole place.
Ian Bryant has to be there to represent his corporation. He doesn’t want Harvey to hook him up with any lady like last year. At the last one, Harvey had introduced a lady to Ian at the party. Her name was Valeria and she was a Jeweler like his mother.
Ian and Valeria had flowed freely that night and somehow they ended up spending more time at the hotel. To Ian Bryant, it was nothing but a fling and a moment of enjoyment. But three weeks after Ian met Valeria and the connection was still there she started pestering him to introduce her to his family members especially his mother. It was so obvious that she wanted something more than just spending good time together. Valeria wanted commitment and Ian wasn’t ready for such which he already stated since the night of the party. So in the end, Valeria got mad at Ian when she also sensed that nothing would work out between them.
Ian Bryant is not a saint! He has been with women in past and not too many but a few. And the truth remains that, he has never felt anything this strong with any of those women like how he feels for Ria Robert.
Honestly, Ian doesn’t know why he has been acting differently since he met Ria. He doesn’t know why he can’t seem to get her out of his mind until he followed his heart to help her out of misery.
Ian looked forward to seeing Ria and sometimes he can’t seem to concentrate on work if he hasn’t given her a call or text in a day. There are so many things Ian wants to do with Ria but she only sees him as a business partner. Maybe it is the best thing to do. Acting as a business partner has gotten Ian closer to Ria than he ever expected. She is exceptional among all the women he has met.
Ian’s heart beat rapidly whenever he is with her and he gets this flutter in his belly anytime he watch her smile and laugh. Ian Bryant loves that inexplicable thing about Ria that made him come alive and more happy than he has ever been with any woman.
Ian Bryant loves Ria Robert but does she feel the same way for him? Ian is doubting if Ria would ever fall in love with him. That fear he saw months back was still evident in her eyes. There was no love in her eyes but only fear. The fear of being touched by a man.
And Ian hated it! He always sense it each time he leaned close to Ria, too close and sometimes when he tried to touch her like just holding hands with her.
What could it be? What could have made her that way? Ian pondered deeply. Ian is aware that Ria is only trying to act calm and cool around him. She is not settled yet. He knew Ria isn’t convinced that he mean no harm to her.
Ian just wants to make her happy. He want to be the reason behind her smile. But that fear about her past was hindering him from inching closer to her heart. What does it entails? Could it be that someone took advantage of her? He mused.
And whatever her past entails must be really bad. He just wished that Ria could open up to him so they can conquer those fears together. But he can’t do anything since she doesn’t want him to know or maybe he doesn’t deserve to know. Ian concluded that he shouldn’t try to find out if Ria doesn’t want him to know about it. He should focus on the present and possible future. So he would just let it slide and not bother about her past.
Ian decided that he would only focus on Ria. If she is having issue trusting men then he would work on himself until he is able to prove to her that he is worth a chance.
“Her past doesn’t matter to me. I will make sure Ria trust men again. And I am sure as time goes on she will be free with me and open up to me about it.” Ian concluded.
A knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
Ramsey popped his head in. “Sir, the designers just called.” He stepped into the office.
“What did they say?” Ian asked.
“They are moving in the furniture today.” Ramsey answered.
“Alright.” Ian shook his head in understanding.
“Sir, do you need anything?” Ramsey requested.
“Yes Ramsey. Please get the contact of the best advertising agency in the state.” Ian ordered.
“Okay sir.” Ramsey bowed slightly before he exited the office.
Ria’s workplace is almost set! And as a matter of fact Ian Bryant is pretty impressed with the designers works! They have carved out the exact designs he had envisioned in his mind from the moment he decided to establish Ria’s sewing business.