9 Chap 9: Sacrifice
Ryan
I entered the party only when I knew it was time for my speech. When I went on the stage my eyes looked for her. As soon as I saw her my mind relaxed and my heart felt alive, she looked gorgeous. Her eyes were at the food counter and she looked hungry. I controlled my emotions and looked away from her. When I spoke on the stage, I knew she saw me because her eyes went huge. She looked confused, shocked, and hurt. Her mind rambled on how I was the founder when there was no mention of Ryan. On the company site, it was James and Rick the founders, and only Rick's photos were public because the media knew him more than me. I liked my privacy and I didn't want people to know how many zeroes my account balance had. What I did for a living was known by very few.
JR had two founders, one was silent and the other the spokesperson. I did all the meetings and Rick handled the media, but today I wanted to be here. I wanted to see Mia, so I told Rick to do my work. When my speech was over, I had to cut the ribbon and had to meet a few delegates before I could talk to her. After what felt like an eternity even though it took just 10 mins, I immediately looked for her but I couldn't find her,
"Leah where is our new intern?" I asked in a hurry,
"Mia?" she looked surprised, she never expected I would ask about Mia,
"How many interns do we have?" I looked at her with irritation because she wasted my time.
"I am sorry sir. She left not too long ago. Do you wish to meet her, I shall let her know" she rushed,
"No" I smiled at her and before she could say anything I rushed towards her hostel in my car.
The whole two months my mind was consumed with Mia. I forever want to be a part of her life, and there was no doubt in my heart that I would do anything for her happiness even if I had to screw mine, even if I had to come out in public and reveal myself.
The moment I arrived at the hostel gate she was about to pay the cab driver. I got off my car and rushed towards her, "Mia" I called her out, and the moment she saw me she froze.
"What are you doing here" she crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked me in the eye,
"Please let me explain" I walked towards her, to close the distance between us
"James is my middle name, but I am Ryan for my friends and family" I said to her,
"Cool" she said and walked towards the gate, but I held her hand and pulled her towards me
"Ryan!" she flinched and I released her hand.
"I am sorry," I said because this was the last thing I wanted from her.
"Listen to me, Please" I begged and she looked away.
"I don't do public Mia and I don't want people to know the real me"
"you don't need to give me any explanation" she said and looked at the sideways, "I admit I was a little shocked but I am fine with it" she said with confidence to me.
"but can I ask you something," she asked as she looked into my eye with curiosity "honest reply?" she asked,
"Yea sure" afraid to know her question but I think I knew what she was about to ask
"Did you know that I applied to your company" she questioned like she was afraid to hear the answer. I wanted to say no but I couldn't, she wanted an honest reply and I had to give it to her.
"Yeah" with hesitation I replied.
"and you purposely got me accepted?" she stumbled and I knew she wouldn't like the answer of this one too.
"Mia..." I looked everywhere but at her
"Why did you do it ? When your company doesn't hire interns why did you hire me?" She accused me but looked unhappy,
"Because I heard you weren't getting any internship so I told them to hire you." I looked at her and tried to reason with her but she looked hurt.
"Mia I..I just " I couldn't finish the sentence,
"Thanks Ryan, I really appreciate it. But next time don't go against the protocol of your company" she said with hurt and anger.
"I am the founder and I make the protocols, I think I can change it,"
"I am honoured. Thank you" and she turned away from me and walked towards her hostel
"Mia..I am.." she cut me in, turned around and sauntered towards me
"Can I ask you something more?" I didn't like these questions anymore, I hesitated but she jumped the gun,
"How do you know things about me?" I knew exactly what she meant but I pretended like I didn't
"What things?" I mumbled
"How did you know I wasn't getting any internship?" she wanted a sincere reply,
"John" I lied.
"Don't John me Ryan, I want a honest reply?" she exclaimed
"Mia...I just know things" I said in a defeated tone. I didn't want to tell her about how I knew everything.
"How?" she cried,
"Mia!" I didn't want to tell her because I had no clue how she would react.
"Fine, don't answer." She looked exhausted and gave a half-hearted smile and left me on the road alone. I didn't run behind her because I was afraid to lose her, I stared at her back for more than I could imagine. I had already planned to hire her as an intern way back before she even started to apply to the companies. I knew she needed help with her internship on the first day I met her and so I wanted to help her silently. As for now, she doesn't need to know why she couldn't get calls from other companies and why I purposely sent her the acceptance mail just 2 days before her deadline.
"What crazy things I have been doing to keep you around". I said to myself while I sat in my car and drove home. For now untill Mia is in office I have taken Rick's place and he has taken mine but there will be no media, no interviews and no public acknowledgement for 3 months.
Mia
After a long tiring day at work, when I got to my hostel, it was completely dark. When I asked around, the janitor of the hostel informed us that the electricity room had caught fire and the wires were severely damaged. So I and 2 more guys were told to vacate and look for a hotel to stay in for a week. The next day I got to my office late but I was surprised when Ryan called for me at his office which was on the 13th floor. I knew Ryan hardly stayed at the company because he loved to do business deals and loved to travel to countries. He made appearances in the company only when Rick couldn't handle the situation. But since after the party, Rick wasn't around and employees got to see a lot of James work. I knocked on his door and he invited me in and requested me to sit,
"Do you want anything to drink?" he asked, while he concentrated only on his laptop.
After the party, we hadn't see each other for a whole 5 days. To look at him made me nervous and I wondered back to the time when he tried to kiss me at Nina's birthday party.
"No, thank you" I said and I tried to not to stare at his beautiful face.
"I heared about your dorm incident so where are you staying?" he asked while he looked at his laptop. I was shocked, how did he know? none in the company knew about it.
"I know the dean" he said and continued to work on his laptop
"Oh, I am staying at KK hotel"
"I will pick you up at 6:30 from the hotel"
"Excuse me"
"I will pick you up at 6:30"
"Why?" He looked at me and gave me the same stern expression when ever I have questioned him
"You will stay at my apartment either on the first floor or with me." he retorted and got back to his laptop. I got up from my seat and looked at him like he said something horrific
"What?!!! It's unnecessary, I am only staying at the hotel for three max four days" I beseeched, I had his attention and looked at me with calmness,
"Will go back home together" He didn't consider anything what I said.
"I am perfectly fine staying at a hotel" I enunciated each word unable to comprehend how things were moving between us.
"Trust me when I say that you need to stay with me. Your dorm is not going to be repaired for another 3 weeks" he said out loud,
"But why would it take 3 weeks? That's unnecessary long" I scoffed in confusion,
"You can't really do anything, So you moving in with me tonight and I will meet you at 6:30" he said in authority like I had no choice but to agree with him,
"No, I am going to stay at the hotel" I said with confidence, he got upset and got up from his seat.
"Mia!! the money you are getting is for you to repay the loans" he said out loud and walked towards me, "Don't waste it on something when you can get It for free" he stood one feet away from me and looked at me like I had no choice but to agree.
"I need some time"
"No, I will pick you up at 6:30 from the hotel with your luggage" he refuted. He walked towards the cabin door and opened it for me to head out, like this was the end of discussion. He could be authoritative when he needed to be and that's why he was so good in negotiations and business deals.
"I have a lot in my plate today, so can you please go back to your assigned desk?" he said like he didn't want any more argument from me
"I am sorry, Sir" and I walked out of his cabin,
By 6:30 my luggage was in the suitcase, and I headed downstairs towards the reception
"The bill please?" I asked the receptionist of the hotel after I handed the keys of my room to him.
"It's been paid Ma'am " he said and smiled
"Paid? By whom?" I was surprised,
"Your friend who is waiting outside for you" I saw where the receptionist pointed and I noticed Ryan on the phone,
"Thank you" I smiled at the receptionist and I exit the hotel door, Ryan saw me, cut the phone and immediately approached to take the luggage from my hand.
"Why?" I asked but he ignored and continued to walk towards the car
"I could have paid" I said as I followed him.
"I know but I didn't want you to" he opened the passenger door and put the luggage inside the car,
"You don't have to be so nice to me Ryan" I looked at him and wondered why he felt responsible for me,
"I am not being nice to you. Trust me I am doing this for myself" he said and looked at me after he shut the door,
"What are you gaining out of all this?"
"I don't do things to gain something Mia. I just do it for myself." He looked at me and said,
"I don't want people to know, not even our friends that I am staying with you" I said and he looked fine with my proposal,
"That's ok" he said,
"I will travel myself back and forth from house to office" I said and he looked like I said something stupid,
"Negative" he said "we both have the same destination riding alone is stupid and no fun" he tried to reason with my proposal,
"What if my colleagues see us together, it will create a bad impression"
"I can pick you up and drop you near the Bank which is only 400 meters away from the office. That way no one will notice" he walked ahead and opened the front passenger door for me while I contemplated if it was a good idea or a bad one,
"It's done" he motioned me to get in,
"Wow, you really know how to control someone" I said while I got inside his car,
"I am not controlling angel, I am just making sure that you are safe" He said and looked at me with tender eyes. His eyes always looked intense especially when he said stuff which he shouldn't say to someone's girlfriend. I ended our eye contact and shut the door of my side. He came around and sat at his side and we drove to his house. Ryan supported me first with the internship, the salary and now with the room.
"I hope I am not creating any trouble for you" I asked and hoped to see some truth in his face that I might be a troublesome to him.
"Mia!! You are not troublesome." he looked at me as if I said something gibberish. The truth I looked for in his face didn't show up at all. It seemed he was more than happy to have me trouble him.
"Why did you say that?" he asked.
"I don't know"
"Mia, you make me happy. Don't think too much. Ok?" he asked tenderly and smiled.
