Chương 4: Chapter 4: ‘O’ is for Obsessed

Ryan paced in his cosmopolitan office. He had just gotten off the phone with the company lawyer. The attorney was adding unnecessary pressure for him to get married. The last time he checked, he still had time; granted, not much time, but the deadline was still a few months away.

The door opened, and Kelly waltzed in followed closely by his PA.

“I am sorry, sir. I tried to stop her,” his PA said apologetically.

“It’s alright, Nandi. You can go back to your desk.” His PA nodded, gave Kelly a frustrated glance, and left.

“You should teach that girl some manners, darling,” Kelly piped as she flipped her red long hair.

“What do you want, Kelly?” Ryan barked impatiently.

“Oh, darling! Is that how you greet the love of your life? Your future wife?”

Ryan stopped in his tracks and looked at her puzzled. Had she just called herself his ‘future wife’?

“Aw don’t look so shocked boo-boo bear. I know you need a wife; you don’t even have to ask me to marry you ‘cause my answer is a big yes. Just buy me a ring to make it official,” she cooed as she went towards him and rested her well-manicured fingers on his chest.

“I know showing emotions and proposing is difficult for you, so I decided to make the whole process easier for you,” she continued.

“You are assuming that I wanted to ask YOU to marry me?” Ryan quizzed, eyebrows raised.

“I don’t assume. I know I am so gorgeous that most men find me intimidating. Thus, you might be a little scared. Our families have always been close, and our parents always thought we would end up together. We can’t let anyone else take our company, darling.”

Had she just called his company, ‘our’ company? Before he could get a word in, Kelly was talking again.

“I already chose the engagement ring I want. I will send you a link to the jewelers’ shop and a picture of the ring. I was thinking a big wedding; Kelly does not do mediocre…”

“Kelly, I don’t know how you heard about me needing a wife, but I am busy right now,” Ryan cut her off.

“Oh, yes, darling. Forgive me. Daddy has to make some money. I am meeting some girlfriends for a dress fitting. Then afterwards, I have a meeting with the wedding planner. They say she is the best in her field. I will see you later. So many wedding details to get sorted out. Toodle-oo, darling,” she said as she gave a wave and pouted her lips towards Ryan, in an air-kissing motion.

Ryan stared after her as she violently swung her hips exiting his office.

Kelly had lost her marbles. Did she think he would marry her? She was going dress shopping, meaning she had already told her friends she was getting married. Ryan shook his head in amusement at the craziness.

There was a knock at the door, and his PA entered.

“Sir, have you seen the latest celebrity news updates? They are saying rumor has it you are getting married. Is this true, sir?”

Ryan looked at his PA. He took a deep breath, his muscular chest outline, visible through his crisp shirt material.

Kelly! He thought angrily.

“Does the article mention who I am getting married to?” he asked his PA.

“No, sir. Just states that you are getting married soon.”

“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet, Nandi.”

*****

In the meantime, Lia sat at a table in the Nash Global cafeteria across from Bobby.

“I don’t think he recognizes me, Bobby,” Lia told her friend.

“Well, that’s peculiar,” her friend replied glancing nervously at the security guard standing next to them like the queen’s guard.

Lia followed her friend’s line of sight. She cleared her throat, “Hello, Mr. Human-surveillance. Could you stand guard somewhere over there?” She pointed some distance away from them.

The security guard showed no sign of moving. “Mr. Human-surveillance, we need privacy. Your job is to make sure I don’t run, not to be an annoying eavesdropper,” Lia remarked annoyed.

Grudgingly, the security guard took a few steps away from them. He was still in earshot, but Lia was willing to take the small win.

“I was at one point the center of his world…oh so I thought. How is it he seems to not recognize me? It’s only been eight years. Tell me friend have I really changed that much?”

Bobby looked at her and rolled his eyes. “I told you long time ago, the guy is not right in the head. Who would live a rare diamond like you, to start with. Now he has amnesia?”

“Or maybe it’s too many years working in their family company’s oil plants. He probably inhaled too many toxic fumes, and they messed with his brain.” Lia sighed loudly.

“No friend. Ryan is just a d*mb a**! Always has been one. I have no idea what you ever saw in him.” Bobby stated.

“So what do you think? Should I take the deal or go to jail? I am too tiny for a prison, friend. Jokes and my goofiness would not help me survive jail life.” She scrunched up her face in mock weeping.

“I am already the black sheep of my family. The biggest disappointment. Going to jail, would just be another one for my rap-sheet of disappointments, and shame I have brought to my family.”

“Take the deal. He doesn’t know who you are. He said it’s no strings attached. It’s just for a year, and I won’t have to speak to you through some glass for the next ten years,” Bobby said as he reached out to pat Lia’s hand.

“He neither recognizes nor remembers me, but I remember him. Everything that happened between us, the sweet memories he soiled with the contempt he showed me in the end. The humiliation and the end of the great life and future I had, thanks to his selfishness,” Lia shifted in her chair nervously.

“How do I marry him after all is said and done?”

“Treat it like the business deal it is. You win your freedom, and he wins his company. Simple.”

Everything seemed simple enough, but how was Lia to make the world believe she and the man she hated were a real couple?

She had, at one time, imagined herself as Mrs. Nash. She had pictured their wedding day.

Power of the mind was real, she chuckled. She had brought her visual imagery to the physical. Next time, she should imagine herself becoming Wonder Woman. It was clear she was a master at bringing her imagination into reality.

She was going to marry the man who ruined her life. She was to marry the man she hated and was indisputably still attracted to. Why was her life so complicated?

If this was some computer programming she would just create a ferocious virus to just wipe the whole system.

“Ok, friend. I will go tell him that I will sign the stupid contract. Meet the imitation future Mrs. Nash,” she laughed.

“Umm, I would rather we just call you future Mrs. Nash. There is nothing ‘imitation’ about the woman I am looking at.” Lia jumped as she turned to see Ryan speaking from behind her, a sexy smile on his hunky face.

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