19 The Engagement Ring

After leaving Alicia in the hotel,Ryu did not go home but went to the office.There he opened the bottom locked drawer and took out a small box.He kept the red velvet box on his desk and sat there contemplating the events of today.

He had married his ex wife because of his mentor.Leona was a perfect example of the saying 'Don't judge a book by it's cover.' Leona was master's god daughter.She had not been his ideal woman but to return his master's kindness over the years he had agreed to date her and eventually marry her.He had hoped to have a woman in his life who would bring back laughter and fun in his life..things he had lost on the fateful night when his parents had died.A woman like his mother whose gentle smile would take away the hurts..and he had fooled himself into thinking that Leona was that woman.He had closed his eyes and ears to his brothers' repeated warnings of her character but he had selfishly moved forward.His selfishness had almost cost him his brothers.He could only be grateful that the ugly relationship had not affected his brothers in anyway.One selfish move and all his sacrifices and struggles would have been for nothing.

When his parents passed away,he had known next to nothing about business.He had been a high school student with passable interest in business managent and more in athletics and sports...

Master was the one who had taken him under his wing while protecting him from the power hungry wolves who had smelt blood and were eager to tear him and his family apart.Ryu's eyes hardened when he came to this thought.He had assumed that master had helped him out of kindness but it was only later he came to know about his hidden motives.Master had seen his potential early on and known that he would not lose to those wolves,with or without help which is why he had supported him.Master had wanted to keep Ryu obligated to him so that he could manipulate him in the future.He had used him as bait to lure his god daughter back to the countrt...But Ryu would have been fine if that was the extent of his master's betrayal.The worst betrayal was that his master had known about Leona's sadistic tendencies and still used him ..knowing that she would ruin him..and this is something he would never forgive..It was a good thing that man was already buried when Ryu came to know the truth or Ryu himself would have killed him....

Directing his thoughts to the present,Ryu smiled as he thought about the kiss.He had been dying for a taste of her lips since he first saw her and he now knew what they tasted like..Her taste was addictive, making him crave more.Never before had he ever had such a strong reaction to a woman.He couldn't wait to be able to get to know her more.He opened the box on his table, took out his phone clicked a picture of the ring inside and sent a picture to the group called Bros on his wechat.This group had only 4 nos. and the interaction between this group was negligible..However,the moment the pic was delivered,the replies were instantaneous:

Neil:👍👍👍

Matt:Mom will be very happy...

The box contained a simple white gold ring with a heart in the middle and 2 small diamonds on each side..This ring was of a simple design and not very costly.His father had cofessed to his mother with this ring.He remembered,when his father had given a ring with a bigger diamond to her for their 10th anniversary,she had kept away this ring telling him that she would safeguard it to give it as a gift to his wife..Though it was not intended as an engagement ring,he would feel that with this ring they would also receive his parent's blessings.

He closed the box gently and putting it in his pocket he rose to leave for home.The ring was going to find a new owner and he hoped it would come to represent a love similar to his parents'.

As he was walking towards the elevator,his phone rang.He looked at the caller id and answered with a "hmm?"

On the other end Neil answered.."We need to talk.I am waiting at your place"

Ryu:Did you send her home safely?

A short pause later Neil answered "Yes"..He was not expecting his brother to already care for his new fiance..But he should have...his brother would never disappoint..