Flashback.......Third Person Narrative
Ansel was in the car with him, Mr Colson, Riley's father. The two of them were on their way to the restaurant to convince Brayden, Riley's boyfriend, to leave the city so Riley would think Brayden simply left her and it would be easier to marry Ansel.
Ansel initially never liked the idea. He had liked Riley from the start, to him it was like love at first sight. But then Theresa, her stepmum had brought up the idea.
She had met Ansel at a party and Ansel had opened up to her later on that he needed a wife. Initially, she had told him that Riley was her stepdaughter who was single. But later on, Ansel found out she wasn't. But it was too late, he was already in love with her.
Ansel had got to know of their financial problems and was willing to help, not at any price though. But Mr Colson would only feel embarrassed so he asked Ansel if there was anything.
Ansel tried to dismiss the issue but Theresa had told Mr Colson of Ansel's feelings towards Riley. And soon the alliance was set. They also talked to Riley about it.
At first, she admitted she was pissed and stormed off, but after some convincing from her dad, she showed a little interest. Theresa was the one who thought of sending Brayden away.
Her reason was that Brayden might not be able to live with the fact that Riley was marrying someone else so what better way than to send him away for some time, with some money of course so he would at least live a much better life.
So they went ahead and spoke to Brayden but things didn't end the way he hoped. Mr Colson had told Brayden that this was what Riley wanted whereas Riley didn't know what they were doing.
Now they were heading back home and Mr Colson had a thoughtful expression. But Ansel felt he had to bring it up.
"Mr Colson, Riley doesn't know what we're doing so why'd you tell Brayden she wanted him gone?", Ansel asked. He couldn't think of any better way to put it.
"I know what I've done is wrong, but you have to believe me when I say I don't know how I'll live with this and even the embarrassing fact of what I'm doing but I'm just trying the brighter side of all this.", he paused.
Then he continued looking deeply into Ansel's eyes, "Riley cannot find out about this. I know this might be taking things too far but if you may, make sure Brayden stays wherever he goes and that he's safe of course but that he doesn't come back. Will you be able to do that my son?", Mr Colson asked.
It had been years since anyone had addressed him as their son. And that was why, even as his brain screamed no, he accepted this and decided to go along with the lie.
He kept telling himself that when the time was right he would let her know, he even made a promise that no matter what Riley must hear of this from him and only him. That was why he made sure that Brayden didn't leave the city he travelled to.
He, himself had to tell Riley.
Present Day
RILEY'S POV
It had been a month since I left. Things have been pretty quiet for me and I liked it that way. I now had a little bump and sometimes I would be talking to the little one inside me. Sadly, my mind would also wander to Ansel.
Would he also want to talk to the baby? He had respected my request and hadn't called me. Though sometimes I would be wishing he would.
Then my phone rang, it was May.
"Hey Riley, how are you doing?", she asked.
"I'm good, currently serving myself a good Sunday brunch.", I said.
"Hmm, Sunday brunch you say, you know you shouldn't be starving the little one.", she said.
She normally called the baby the little one since we didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. Though I wished it would be a girl.
"Starving! I'm sure she's loving it", I said.
"Riley, how many times do I tell you, what if you give birth to a boy, you should not be so sure that's a girl. Look at my mum's case, she wished April would be a boy and April came out a tomboy. Mothers have a great effect on their offspring you know.", she said.
"Last I checked, you were a lawyer, where's all this doctor's words coming from.", I said smiling.
"Doctor words, seriously Riley.", she started with a flat tone. "I'm giving you advice and it's now the doctor's words."
"Whatever.", I said.
There was a long silence before she spoke.
"He misses you.", she said and I'm sure even the baby knew who she was talking about.
"But he hasn't called.", I said in a small voice.
"'Cause you told him not to.", she paused. "C'mon Riley, how long before you come back? I also miss you. I know you need some time to work things out and I would never put pressure on you, but please, at least consider your child. Ansel would be heartbroken once he finds out you kept this from him."
I was now looking at the ring, it was still on my finger. I had wanted to take it off but I just didn't know how I felt anymore.
Not knowing what to say anymore, "Send my regards to Caleb and Jessie would you. Bye.", I said before hanging up.
I finished up my food and decided to head out. I went for a stroll, did a little shopping, had a nap and by evening, I was in my favourite diner.
I had made some friends here in Manchester but most were working at the diner. The closest to me was Meghan.
She was nice to me from the start, the most she knew about my situation was that I was here on a break from someone and I was pregnant for this someone. She didn't know I was married cause she thought I was wearing an engagement ring. I decided to flow with that.
She was pretty chill and had a very thick British accent. I had called her saying I wanted to talk to someone and she was okay. Now I was waiting for her as I sipped on the orange juice which I had ordered.
The bell dinged and she walked in, greeting some of the workers before walking over to my seat.
"Someone looks bubbly.", I started.
"You would never believe what just happened.", she started telling me of her trip from her house to the diner which included running into two of her high school friends who she never thought she would see again.
We talked for a while before she asked me what I wanted to talk about.
"I... I've been thinking of going back.", I started.
"That's splendid! I think you should. It would do you good to clean up you know and to patch things up. I mean you've given yourself a lot of time, one month.", she said.
"I just don't know if I'm ready.", I said looking into my now empty glass.
"Riley you would never know if you're ready until you try. So go ahead. I'm sure he would be sorry, and you've given your heart a lot of time, it should have mended.", she paused. "You know it has its healing process.", she added and I laughed.
I went back home trying not to think much about it. But I couldn't sleep because the thought kept creeping back. It was midnight, and I kept looking at my phone. I so wanted to call him and find out how he was doing.
I missed him and I was feeling so restless. How hard was it to call him? After like an hour of indecisiveness, I didn't call him and slept off.
The next day, I still had that restlessness, I even threw up a few times. It was in the evening when I was thinking of calling him when May called.
"Hey May, how's every....",
"Riley.", she started her voice sounding crooked like she had been crying.
"May what's wrong?", I asked sitting up.
"It's Ansel, h..he was in a very terrible accident, we don't know if he's gonna make it.", she said and at that moment it felt like my heart had stopped beating.
Now you guys know Ansel's side of things, do you think what Ansel did was wrong or was it Riley's dad? Let me know you're thoughts and answers on this. I was also thinking of leaving you guys on a cliffhanger but nah, I'm not so mean.
Now brace yourselves, next up,
the last chapter.
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The Sparkling Authoress
Mis-A
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