Ryan's POV
"Ryan please put me down" She said again in her sweetest voice.
But I know why you are using that sweet voice with me right now love and surely it would have worked like a magic on me only if the situation have had been different...but not now love.
I won't let you go.
"Sure sweetheart..." I paused reaching out to open the car's door before gently putting her down in it.
"Whatever you say" I continued with a grin which I know would surely piss her off.
"Ryan..." I heard her muffed voice since the door and the window were both closed. I walked around to the other side and quickly got inside too.
"Ryan I'm telling you if you don't let me go right now then I'll..." She paused glaring at me as if giving me a warning.
Well you don't look dangerous at all sweetheart. Rather you look too adorable while saying that.
"You'll what, love" I asked plainly as her lips slightly parted as if she was about to say something but then they closed again.
"Let's go Michael" I added to my driver before leaning my head back against the seat and closing my eyes, I sighed in relief.
For half of the ride she kept talking or rather should I say warning me about letting her go but I just remained calm and composed to her cute threats and I know that was really driving her crazy.
"How can he even be so calm and relaxed" I heard her murmur.
"I'm calm and relaxed because now I know that you are sitting right next to me" I replied without opening my eyes, and that's true I'm so relaxed and relieved now knowing that she's right by my side.
"Stop staring love, it's considered as bad manners" I murmured as I felt her constant gaze on me.
"Ryan don't you even think for a second that I'll let you relax like that while I'm going crazy over here" She said or rather should I say warned me.
"Oh trust me love nothing sounds more tempting than the idea of you 'not letting me relax'. But just to remind you, we have some company right now. So I'll take up your offer of 'not letting me relax' later" I replied with a smirk.
"And just so you know, even with my eyes closed I can tell that you are blushing right now" I added after a moment of silence between us.
"Shut up Ryan" She said in a low voice as after a moment I opened my eyes and peeked at her wondering why wasn't she saying anything, only to see that she was looking out of the window...which can also be phrased as she was avoiding looking at me.
I sighed.
Now I'm sure she won't say anything else at least until this ride lasts, I thought shaking my head with an inner chuckle before closing my eyes again.
But my relaxation didn't last too long as my phone buzzed in my pocket, it flashed David's name on the screen as I grabbed it.
"Yes" I said coming straight to the point without any greetings.
"It's a bad news man. There was a short-circuit back at the mansion...in your room and study and since you weren't there so they both were locked so the guys didn't got to know about the short-circuit until it resulted into a fire" He replied as I sensed seriousness in his voice.
"What" I exclaimed in utter shock because just last month we got all the wirings checked just to make sure everything was running fine and in fact it was, so I don't think a short-circuit can take place unless someone has purposely done it.
"Yeah I know it's quite shocking. I know what you might be thinking right now and I agree with you...it's not just an accident Ryan, someone purposely did it. I don't think it's just a coincidence that it happened just in your study and your room...these are the two places where you spend most of your time when you are home" He said.
"Do we have any other information about it" I asked not wanting to talk further about how 'it's not an accident' and all that since Vienna is sitting next to me and I don't want to discuss all of this in front of her.
I don't want her to panic while she already wishes to leave me and this news will give her further more reasons to do so.
"No Ryan. Not yet. I'm sure we'll find out soon but one thing is clear that all this was planned to trap you into the fire but fortunately you weren't there. I guess whoever did this had no idea about your trip" He replied.
"Okay. Do you think they know about..." I paused as I was about to take Vienna's name but stopped knowing that if she knows that I'm discussing about her with someone than she won't drop this topic until she finds out what it was about.
I glanced at her as until now she was staring at me but as soon as I looked towards her she moved her eyes away...back to the window.
"About...you know" I continued hesitantly with a shrug, hoping that he would just understand whom I'm talking about without me having to take her name.
Though I know it was a question that made zero sense because we still don't know who was behind this fire then how is it possible for him to tell if they know about Vienna or not.
But I just couldn't help but ask since that was the only thing I was worried about right now.
If my enemies know about her than it's going to get messy...they'll just make her a target to get back at me. And trust me people can be really cruel when it comes to revenge, I know that much.
But I swear on my love that I'll never ever let any of them get anywhere near her, let alone hurt her...until I'm alive.
I promise love.
I'll keep you safe...I'll protect you.
Always.
Until my last breath.
But right now what I'm worried about is that if they got into the mansion once under such tight security, then there's no doubt that they can get inside again since we don't know who it is yet.
Maybe they'll attack again in some other way probably because by now they might how got the news that I'm alive and their plan failed miserably.
Taking Vienna back to the mansion right now is not a good idea...it's a risk that I'm not willing to take.
Actually I'm not willing to take any kinds of risk when it comes to her so I'm definitely not going to take her back at the mansion...we'll have to stay somewhere else for a few days until we figure out who was behind this fire and do something about it.
Maybe I can take her to my family's place...yeah I should take her there, though I'm not saying that it's the safest place on earth for her but it won't be the first target of my enemies, since most of them know that I don't visit there much and some of them don't even know where my family lives.
Yeah so I guess it's a great idea.
My mother would be delighted to see me or rather should I say she would be delighted to see Vienna after like a year and a half maybe...well I don't exactly remember the last time Vienna met my family.
But it's safe to say that Vienna and my family got along really well. My mother used to say and I quote 'This girl, my dear is the best one for you and you'll never find another one like her...so don't ever let her go'.
I know mom what you said was right. I knew it back then too...when I left her and disappeared out of her life just like that...it was the worst decision of my life but you know why I did that.
But now that I have her right by my side once again...I'll never repeat the same mistake ever again...I'll never let her go.
"Ryan. Are you still there" David's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I hummed a response indicating him to continue.
"So I was saying that no, I don't know for sure if they know about Vienna yet or not. I mean it's quite difficult to tell right now but we can't take the risk of taking her back to the mansion at this moment. I think you should take her to your family's place..." He paused.
"And it'll also be a change for you both. Maybe you both can sort things out between you two" He continued as I agreed with him.
Until now I was just thinking about her safety when I decided to go to my family's place rather...but I didn't think of it in this way, David is right.
I know that Vienna loves my family and vice versa...maybe there she'll be in a good mood and she'll be willing to hear me out...maybe she'll understand that how much I love her and that's why I just can't let her go.
Maybe there we can really sort things out...in a different environment.
"Yeah I think that's a good idea. I was thinking about doing the same" I replied snapping out of my thoughts once again.
"Okay then and I have done what you asked me to, so I'll directly see you at the airport then" He said as I hang up without replying, I know he won't mind because he knows that I'm not a very chatty person over the phone calls.
"Do you want to go back to your apartment to..." I asked a moment later as she glanced back at me.
"Why? Changed your mind about taking me with you? If yes then I would be more than happy to go" She said interrupting me as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her silly question.
"Absolutely not. Haven't changed my mind. Not planning to do that ever" I replied leaving no space for any further arguments as she stared at me speechless.
"I was saying that we can head back to your apartment if you want any of your belongings since we have a few hours to spare now" I added after a moment of silence as she moved her gaze back towards the window without saying anything.
Well I knew that, that's the exact reaction I'll be receiving...because I know she's too mad at me to accept anything from me at the moment.
"Well okay then I take that as a no. I'll buy you whatever you'll need anyways" I said nodding to myself a little as I watched her leaning her head against the glass of the window.
I sighed before grabbing my phone and going through some stuff and a few minutes later as I was still scrolling through some emails I felt some movements beside me.
A small smile curved up on my lips as I gazed at the sleeping beauty beside me, who has now turned towards me resting her head on my shoulder and grabbing my arm into a tight grip...using it as her pillow.
God! She looks so damn innocent while sleeping.
But no one could even guess that the moment she wakes up...she can even make the most powerful...the most feared person go crazy.
By running away from him, if I might add.
"My sleeping beauty" I murmured as I caressed her rosy cheek.
Well only if she was awake right now, she would have literally slapped my hand away, I chuckled at the thought.
It's funny and adorable at the same time that how everyone fears me but she doesn't.
Actually she doesn't even has to because to her I'm still the guy she fell in love with years ago...to her I'm still the guy who would sneak up to her room through the balcony just because we had a little fight over a phone call and then she hung up on me...and I just couldn't let her go to sleep while she was still upset with me.
And I was also a little pissed since she hung up on me and that was also a reason why I snuck up to her room without informing her. But anyways it's a different thing that we both didn't sleep that night.
But only if she would let me show her that I'm still the same guy...that nothing has changed.
Soon we arrived at the airport but since we had like a few more hours to spare so I didn't wake Vienna up as she looked too tired and it seemed like she could use these hours to get a power nap.
A few minutes later Michael left and joined the other guys...without me having to tell him.
"Well now look at you, sleeping so innocently like a baby...after creating a havoc in my life...after giving me sleepless nights. You don't even realize how worried I was for you" I spoke to her sleeping form.
"But the thing is that I love you anyways...even if you give me tough times" I whispered before placing a kiss on her head and resting my head against hers.
"Wake up love" I whispered softly as it was time for our flight.
"We need to leave" I whispered again tucking a few hair strands behind her ear, that were falling over her cheek.
"Hey..." I said again as she interrupted me.
"No" She mumbled stubbornly snuggling more into me as she tighten her grip on my arm as I couldn't help but chuckle at her childish behaviour.
Well love only if you knew that it's not a pillow but me whom you are snuggling into, your sleep would fly out of the window.
And I guess that's exactly what happened as she slowly looked up at me while still sitting in the same position and our eyes met.
Damn!
I love her so much.
I just couldn't help but lean down towards her lips because her eyes said it all...loud and clear that she wanted it too but just as our lips were about to touch she moved away...letting go off my arm.
Well now what can I say...it's like she was under some kinda spell and suddenly the spell broke and bomb we are back to the reality...where she's still mad at me and wants to run away from me.
"Ryan..." She spoke as I didn't let her complete.
"Yeah go on blame it on me but let me tell you, you were the one who turned towards me in your sleep. I didn't do anything" I said raising my hands up in surrender, just to lighten her mood as I know she might be feeling awkward after our 'almost kiss'.
"Not that I'm complaining though" I added teasingly.
"I was going to ask how long have I been asleep" She replied.
"We reached here almost two hours ago but since you were sleeping like a baby I didn't have the heart to wake you up and since we had a few hours to spare so I thought I could let you rest for a while...you looked tired" I said as she glanced around looking deep in thoughts.
"Back to earth love, we need to leave" I said cutting in her thoughts before getting out of the car and opening the door for her.
"Come on baby, we are getting late" I added stretching my hand out for her as she stared at it for a second before accepting it.
"Ryan..." I heard her calling out for me as I glanced at her, humming a response since I was having a conversation with one of my business colleagues over a phone call, as we walked inside the airport.
"Thank you" She murmured as I frowned at her confused.
Why is she thanking me?
I wondered.
•••
Hey guys,
Sorry I know this chapter is a bit late.
But lately I didn't feel like writing as I'm really upset with all the things that are happening around the entire world lately.
Everyone is suffering and it's just so disheartening.
Anyways,
Please vote, comment and share.
Until next time.
Love,
Crystal ❤️