Riley's POV
Rye is right when he said that the food isn't great here. The presentation is good though.
We took a lot of pictures in every corner. I want to post it and brag, but let's just wait for our label first before doing so.
He sent me home and reminded me not to talk to Ace. I don't have the reason to talk to him though.
I was already lying on my bed when Rye mentioned me in a tweet.
I blushed and screamed.
I didn't know that he was looking at me that way. It was Sir Ira who took our picture.
Here we go with the rose counting again. It's just an emojis. There will be no meaning. 1,2,3,4.....38, 39.
For sure this has no meaning.
There's no harm in checking, though.
"You are my world." I found the meaning.
"Aaahhhh"
I screamed.
Be still, my heart.
I just noticed his header too. That's my photo. How can Rye be this loud?
It equates to announcing that I am his boyfriend. I visited his liked tweets. Mostly are from me and his sister's tweets. I regretted scrolling down.
I know it is normal for him to like her photos before. She is Rye's ex-girlfriend. Of course, Rye will heart all her posts too.
I checked Elaine's Tweets. Mostly are pictures of material things given to him by Rye. The last tweet was two weeks ago. This stupid guy showered that bitch with gifts. Why is Rye acting like a sugar daddy before? I am lost for words. That girl seems so proud bragging too. Some of her tweets were in the mansion's car park. She acts like she owns the Kirigun cars.
Pathetic.
I called Rye. No answer. I tried again. Still no answer.
Are you cheating on me?
Just kidding.
Maybe he is taking a bath.
Someone is calling me using a different number.
I rejected it. It must be one of my admirers again. Riley Beautiful Cameron. I need to change my name to this.
I still have time to read while waiting for Rye. I grabbed a new release of BL story. This one is a very good story. It's the love between a bodyguard and his boss. I was blushing the whole time while reading steamy scenes. When will I experience breaking a table while being fucked too? Do it to me, Rye. Break everything, even my bones. At least I will die satisfied.
A loud knock disturbed my concentration.
"Hey, your boyfriend is outside." It was my cousin who was so red.
"Rye?"
"Do you have another boyfriend aside from that Kirigun? Care to share?" She chuckled.
We are not close. This girl hates me too. I can feel it. The feeling is mutual but it's not to the point where we will fight with each other.
I immediately ran downstairs.
"Why are you here?"
"I guess I dropped my phone somewhere in the house. I can't find it. Did you message me?" He asked.
"That explains why you are not answering my call."
"I am trying to call using Kiro's phone but you are not picking up. I am just worried that you will overthink." Rye scratches his nape.
"I ignored it because I don't know whose number is it. Did you come here just to say this?"
"No, I want to do this as well." He kissed the top of my head. "Good night, Ri. I will search for my phone first and will message you. Sleep early." He touched my cheeks one more time before leaving.
What was that?
He drove here just to inform that he can't find his phone in their house?
Oh, well. I can't blame him. I am totally different person when I am mad.
I am talking to my friends in our GC. I asked them if I can bring Rye to Abi's birthday out-of-country trip.
Cielo: I am sorry, Riley. You can't. Didn't we talk about this? I've tried asking you before too about bringing my bf but you never allow it.
Abi: Just call him during the night. He can understand.
He won't.
Maru: Tell him to go to Bali too. He can't join us, though. Just pretend that you are together. I am so smart.
It's just four days away. I need to convince Rye again.
Cielo: This will be unfair. I thought we organized this so we four, can bond together. We should have just gone to the bar if you will just bring other guys. I am out if you bring him. Let's just celebrate in your house, Abi.
Ahhhh!!!!
Riley: No, we will be in Bali.
The next day. I tried asking Rye again. He is against it because it's far from Bangkok.
I messaged the three. "I am sorry. I deserved to be punished. I'll accept it. I can't go."
Rye was just concerned to me. I let out a deep breath before facing Maru.
"Whatever, bijj. Is Rye your boyfriend now? Are you keeping a secret from me?" Maru asked.
"Cielo is ignoring me."
"Deserve." Maru smirked.
I felt bad. I swear. I am just too crazy for Rye. I don't want us to keep fighting about this. For sure they are thinking that I am choosing a guy over my best friends. They know that I am the most excited about making itineraries every time we have a vacation like this.
"I am sorry."
"Bijj, I am kidding. You know I love you so much. You have to understand Cielo too. You always restrict him from tagging his boyfriend along before. I know how much you like Rye but I don't want to see you being a pushover. My friend is not like that. Let's just organize a fabulous party for Abi."
I hugged him. I still feel bad.
The next day, I accidentally saw a condom in Rye's wallet. I borrowed his cafeteria card because I forgot to load mine. He asked me to take it from his wallet. As an overthinker, I thought of Elaine again. Why would he keep a condom in his wallet? He is always prepared whenever Elaine asks it, that is why he has that all the time.
"Got the card, baby?" He asked
Got it, cheater.
"Yeah. I'll load mine later."
"You can always use that."
Shut up, Rye. Explain to me why you have a condom in your wallet.
Or maybe he has plans of bringing me to their hotel tonight. Shit!
"Beautiful." He uttered.
I heard it multiple thousand times. Come on.
"Me?"
"Yes, especially when you are smiling like this." His lips...it is so close to mine...save me...my knees are failing me big time.
I know he won't kiss me since we are in the middle of the cafeteria.
*Chup*
What in the world?!
Rye kissed me on my lips.
I am going to faint.
"So they would know that you are mine," Rye said before returning to our table while I am dragging my feet to the juice station.
"Cucumber juice, small." I said to the lady.
I handed her Rye's cafeteria card.
She smiled at me. "It's free."
Woah.
"Anyway, on weekend, come with us to our vacation house. We will leave on Friday evening and will return on Sunday afternoon. I can ask permission from your parents." Of course, they will agree if he asks.
Our planned vacation with Abi will start on Saturday and will return on Tuesday. I wish I could go. I can actually go but I don't want to argue with Rye again.
My mistake is for allowing him to decide for me when he is not officially my boyfriend yet.
I just smiled in return. I want to bond with his family too.
We went to their home as he promised to help me study for my test tomorrow.
I am on the third floor again.
I saw his mom and dad cuddling on the couch, they stopped when they realized that we are in front of them already.
The triplets arrived from school too.
"Hi, Riley!" Sky greeted me before kissing her parents followed by the two.
"SS." Rain uttered.
What is SS? Fuck! Am I that dumb?
"He meant to stay strong to both of you." Cloud smiled at me.
Rain seems not in the mood.
Rye asked me to sit on the couch while waiting for him to change clothes.
I feel awkward here.
Sky and Cloud joined us in the living room after they changed.
Rye sat beside me too and handed me juice while watching an action movie.
Given their state of living, it's nice to see a family still bonding like this. Maybe this is the secret why Sir Aidan remains to be the wealthiest man in the country.
We heard the elevator open. It was Nigel. Rye's mom stands up immediately to welcome him. Wow! Great!
"I am sorry, I was busy earlier. I only finished the brownies. I'll make another dessert later at dinner, mommy." Nigel told sir Reese. The bonding that they have is strong. Nigel really belongs here.
"Oh, hi, Riley. How are you?"
"I am fine." I tried not to be awkward.
"Wait, where is Kiro? He keeps sending me his girlfriend's photo." Nigel placed the box on the table.
"Blueberry cheesecake later, please." Sir Reese told him.
"Sure, mommy." He politely answered.
I noticed that he carries a huge bag too.
"Gel!!!" It was Kiro. "Did you see it? Are you staying here for good? Yes!" Kiro exclaimed.
The fuck, Riley.
Nigel is not doing anything bad to you. How dare you be jealous?
I should have brought food or something too. I am so dumb.
It is sinking in now, I don't think I belong here. I hate myself for having competitive thoughts with Nigel. I am the worst case.
"I just brought clothes so I could stop borrowing clothes from Cloud whenever I have a sleepover." He looked at sir Reese. "I'll go and see my sulking baby first." He went straight to Aki's room.
"Baby, are you okay?"
I am.
The next day, he brought me there again. Nigel invited me to go planting with them. I don't know how to plant.
I refused and I think I was wrong there. The four of them along with Sir Ira, Miles and Reese returned in the evening after planting. It seems fun because they are all laughing on the way back.
"You should join us next time." Sir Miles told me.
"Yeah, baby, join them plant and watch how all of their seeds never grow." Rye joked.
"I don't know how to plant."
"Don't worry, they don't know too." Sir Kian laughed.
"What are you good at then?" Sky asked me a million-dollar question.
I am not good with anything.
I don't know how to plant.
I don't know how to cook.
I don't know how to bake.
I don't know any chores.
I suck in all subjects.
I can't sing.
I can't dance.
I am not good at everything.
Maybe, good in pretending...
Good at being confident even though I don't know anything.
Good in pretending not to be stupid.
As my grandfather told me, I am all looks but I am useless.
That's why they allow me to drink and party all the time because it contributes to our business. They think I am trying to expand my circle to gain more customers in our pubs. They want me to promote it by bringing VIP young adults to our business. That's not the reason though. I just want friends and to have fun. Our home was never warm. I don't remember sitting with my mom and dad in the living room while watching a movie like Rye's family.
Yes, I am Riley Useless Cameron.
"Nothing." They turned quiet. Did I say something wrong? I just want to be with Rye and feel accepted too.
"When you are free, you can teach me to make pastries." I told Nigel.
Shit! Why am I feeling sad? They are kind to me, but why am I feeling this?
Am I too greedy for wanting to be treated like how they treat Nigel?
Or maybe they want Elaine more than me? She is smart and pretty.
After dinner, I went outside for a walk with Sky. Rye said he will follow after he washed the dishes.
Cloud was behind us too.
While Sky was talking on the phone, Cloud approached me.
"You are fine. You are doing well."
"What do you mean?"
"Nigel is always in the mansion since he was five. It's given that he is close to anyone. You are not Rye's boyfriend yet, but soon you will forget about this awkwardness. My family is very welcoming."
How did he notice this? Am I that easy to read? That's why since yesterday, Cloud would always ask if I am okay.
How can he see through me?
"I suck, right?"
"You don't. And about earlier...when you said you are good in nothing. It's a lie. You are good at connecting with people. You are good at making everyone around you smile. Don't think lowly of yourself. Be confident. You are Riley, the best in rejecting admirers." Cloud laughed.
Wow! I can't believe the one I am calling kid can talk to me like this. I felt better somehow.
I felt someone hug me from behind. "I finished washing the dishes. Let me bring you to my studio."
It's the first time I am seeing his paintings. He is really talented. He has everything.
Should I just say 'be confident, Riley, you are pretty?'
Is this enough?
"You don't draw people?"
"I tried but I am not good at it, maybe I need to practice more," Rye told me.
"Can you be my first model?"
So you never drew Elaine, that's good to hear.
"Sure."
"Settled then. Uhm, Riley. Are we okay? You seem to be different earlier and yesterday. Was it because of your trip? Did you feel bad? I am selfish, right? Can I ask them to let me come with you? I am not going to disturb you. Should I talk to Abi? Or can you just do it somewhere near where I can go right away when there's a problem?"
"Stop thinking about that. We decided to just have a party at their home. You can come with me there."
"Yes! I will ." Rye's face brightened.
Handsome.
He brought me to his room. He said he needs to change before sending me home.
His room is so big and beautiful. It's very neat.
He is changing inside his restroom.
"Rye, is this your closet?" There's a door inside his room.
"Yeah, you can go inside. You will see my shoe collection there."
I entered and was amazed by how many his collection is.
I saw a kicks definitely for a size of a woman. It must be Elaine's. There's a bigger pair for the same design. Couple shoes indeed. Why it is still here?
I walked around. You will really know what kind of person Rye is. This is so organized.
What is this?
I regretted opening it. A lot of dresses were still hanging here, folded woman's shirts and brand new pairs of underwear.
Why are these still here?
Is he still expecting Elaine to return here? What is my place to him then?
I can accept him for restricting me to parties and going out with my friends.
But this?
It's a slap to my face. I am not smart but I can totally understand what is this.
He is not over with Elaine yet.
"Baby, let's go?" He is walking towards here. "Are you done?" He smiled.
Why, Rye?
Are you just pretending that you like me because I confessed to you first?
I acted normal.
I can't make a scene in his territory.
We arrived at my place. He walked me in front of our house. He was about to enter when I stopped him.
"Uhm, Rye!" I flashed a weak smile.
"Stop it now."
"Stop what, baby?"
"Just come to me again if you moved on fully with your past relationship."
"What? You have nothing to be worried about. She is just nobody to me now. Why would you suddenly mention this?"
"I can't do this. I like you so much but I won't allow anyone to treat me like I am just a temporary replacement. The clothes in your closet. All of them are Elaine's right?"
"I didn't notice it. I would throw away everything tomorrow. I promise. I am sorry about..."
"You have nothing to be sorry about. It's my fault too. Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything, baby. Just tell me I would fix everything."
"Stop courting me now. Have a good night."