Chapter 9: Darling, Dearest

Lia, nervously wrapped her arms around the older woman.

“Excuse us, dear. I am going to steal Lia, for a walk in the garden.”

“No, Mom,” Ryan argued.

“We need to have a little girls’ chat. Don’t worry. I will return her in one piece.” Debbie took Lia’s hand and led her through an assortment of corridors and out of a back door into a beautiful rose garden.

The fragrance that hung in the air, calmed Lia’s nerves. The garden had different rose colors that looked like an expert florist arrangement.

Lia cleared her throat. “I am so sorry that I did not dress properly for the meeting. To be honest, I had no idea that I would be meeting you.” She fidgeted, unsure where to place her hands.

“Are you kidding me?” Debbie stated. She lifted her long robe dress to reveal a pair of sneakers and sweat-pants underneath it.

“When I heard you were on your way, I rushed to put on all this. For your benefit. I thought you were one of those over the top ladies my son usually hangs around.” The other woman raised and waved her arm around.

“I was so happy to see you are just a simple woman. I am a, sneaker-and-jeans-type of old girl myself,” Debbie chuckled.

Lia felt herself calm down. Debbie was quite endearing. An old girl, after her own heart.

“When I first met Robert, Ryan’s dad, I remember, I was wearing what we called bell-bottoms and a faded t-shirt. I was busy digging through a trashcan after mistakenly throwing away a receipt alongside some money. I remember him offering to buy me lunch, assuming I was homeless and digging through the trash for food,” she laughed.

“I had to try explain to that handsome fellow, standing in front of me with a look of pity in his eyes, how I was not digging for food. The whole scene was hilarious.” She smiled.

“Tell me, Lia. How did you and Ryan meet?”

Lia found herself choking on air. She did not know what to say.

“Didn’t Ryan tell you?” She posed a question as a response.

“No! Men rarely speak about details like that. You tell me, Lia. I am certain it’s a beautiful, romantic story.”

Suddenly, Ryan approached from behind them. He placed his hand, on the small of Lia’s back.

“Are you ok?” he asked her. She nodded.

“Oh, sweet! My son can’t bear a mere five minutes away from his future bride.” His mom beamed.

“What are the two of you talking about?” Ryan asked.

“Well, ‘baby’. Your mom, wanted to know how we met. I think, you tell the story better than I do. So, go ahead.” Lia snickered at him.

Ryan looked at Lia and smiled stiffly. He turned to face his mother.

“Mom, there is plenty of time for storytelling. Lia is probably tired, and needs to freshen up.”

With that, he took Lia’s hand, and led her to the house.

Lia surveyed their bedroom. It looked like a picture out of a modern Victorian Magazine. She found herself tracing her finger on the textured gold wall.

“Is this real gold?” Lia asked.

“You are always asking whether everything you see is real, Lia,” he responded.

“Everything is fake lately. My upcoming wedding. This relationship. I feel so horrible, having to lie to your mom. She is such a wonderful woman,.” Lia retorted.

“I think we should get our story straight though, Ryan. How did we meet? People will keep asking, you know?”

“Ummm, let’s just tell them we met at an art gallery. You were one of the artist there,” Ryan said.

Lia frowned. “I don’t know anything about art. What if they question me about my art or want to delve deeper into art topics? I will be a stuttering fool then.”

“You’re right. How about part truth? We’ll say we met when you were freelancing as Nash Global’s IT consultant. If anybody asks you about IT, that is your forte,” he reasoned.

“How about we tell them that we met eight years ago. And your family shipped you overseas? Then you decided to dump me because I suddenly was not good enough for you! And when we met a few days ago, you black mailed me into marrying you. Or else go to prison for taking my revenge on your selfish, deserving a**? Am I your type now, Ryan? Do I suddenly fit into your world now?” she wanted to scream, but instead took a steadying breath.

“Yes, that makes better sense, Ryan.”

“Get washed up and dressed in something nice. We have guests coming over for the engagement party,” Ryan announced.

“What engagement party?” Lia was lost.

“Our engagement party. Remember, we have to make the whole process believable,” he stated, matter-of -factly.

“If it is ‘our’ engagement party, why couldn’t I have been part of the planning?” she retorted.

“Did you really want to plan the whole party?” He raised a brow.

Lia shook her head. “Not really.”

“Then, what is your problem? Besides, I also had no idea my mom was organizing an engagement party. I got you some new clothes to add to yours. They are in the closet. Now take a shower. Don’t worry, we removed any taps that will outshine you and make you dance a jig. I made sure that they installed good old fashioned, turn-the-knob types. So, you are safe.” He sneered at her, and left the room.

*****

Ryan stood at the base of the stairs and gawked at the beautiful woman walking down the stairs towards him. Lia wore the long, flowy green gown, he had personally bought her. It showed off her wasp-waistline and petite curves. Her once curly hair, that she always had in a bun, was straightened and let loose.

He had never realized how long her brown hair actually was. It bounced gracefully, and glistened in the soft glow of the yellow light coming from the multiple stairway sconces.

She raised her eyes, and they met his. He found himself being drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. He noted how she wore no make-up, except a shimmering pink lip gloss that made her lips look juicy enough to eat.

Yet, her natural beauty radiated. All the guests stopped what they were doing, and they too were drawn towards the image of the gorgeous siren coming down the stairs. She looked like a dream.

She smiled nervously at him as he extended his hand. She took it with a slight nod. Suddenly, she froze. Her eyes opened wide in pure shock, and he noted hints of fear. Ryan looked at what she had caught her attention. It was a couple that was standing at the entrance of the ballroom, where all guests were gathered.

“Mama…Papa!” she choked.