In the world of billionaires, Ryan Mendez was a name that commanded both awe and fear. As the CEO of a global empire, his life seemed perfect....money, power, and influence at his fingertips. But beneath the polished surface lay a shadowed past, one...
We were in my place. I gave her the comfort she needed after that pathetic situation. But I was still wondering about the panic attack. I was constantly blaming myself for the same. I finally decided to interrogate. I went to the kitchen just to see her trying to find something all around. I took steps towards her and hugged her from the back, keeping my chin on her soft shoulder. She was startled but soon got relieved as she saw me. "What took you to the kitchen, cara mia? Hungry much?" I asked. "I am not, but you might be starving as it's almost 7 in the evening, so I decided to prepare dinner" she spoke in her honey cladded voice.
"Maids are hired for a reason, princess" I said. "I know my prince, but I told them to let me cook" she said and again got engrossed in preparation for dinner. "So what are you making?" I asked her, breaking the hug and leaning on the dining table. "Umm, Mac n cheese with some healthy salad and veggie burgers, but where is the peppe- oh hear it is" she found it.
All the time she was cutely chirping and I was busy admiring my birdie. But I decided to finally speak.
"Rose" I called her. "Hmm" she asked me to continue. I continued "Please tell me about th-". "Panic attack?" She spoke completing my sentence.
I gave a single nod.
"Ryan, I can't bring that up, please understand" Her forehead got curled waves.
"I-i cant tell those scenes of my life, I just want to forget everything" she said slowly
I engulfed her in my arms gently to make her feel loved and protected.
"My love, be comfortable to open up. please, tell me everything from the beginning. Why did you have that panic attack? Was it because of me? I swear, I couldn’t live with myself if I’m the one responsible for anything that caused you harm" I said.
"Ryan" her voice was broken. "I guess I should tell you as I believe you will never hurt me, nor will you judge me for my condition"
I nodded looking at her softly while a lone tear ran down her cheek.
She started.
"As a child, I grew up in a household full of tension and unpredictability. Perhaps my father had violent tendencies and severe mood swings on my mother. Though he never hurt me and paid for my school too. The atmosphere at home was constantly on edge, where small things could set off major arguments or even physical altercations. As a result, my parents divorced. I lived in a constant state of fear, never knowing what would trigger me to have an outburst. After divorce my mom was relieved and so was I. We lived and cared for each other" She paused.
I felt my throats getting heavy I gulped once.
"My father ran away somewhere, I don't know where he is now and what he does all I knkw is that he is hiding from everyone. After mom's divorce she changed her last name to her previous one and my last name is my mother's previous last name. which is obviously Campbell"
"I was responsible for caring for myself in that chaotic environment, amplifying my stress. This immense pressure and responsibility at such a young age contributed to panic attacks. Though it made me responsible and an independent person I am today"
Her eyes were red and so were mine. I didn't ask her father's name or last name as I wanted to stretch the topic more. So I kept mum so she can let out everything.
"Certain triggers, loud voices, sudden movements, or even specific situations like feeling unloved or someone pushing me away, brings back the overwhelming grief I felt as a child. These triggers cause me to have panic attacks" She sobbed. "This is the reason that when Mia kissed you, it triggered my intense emotions and because of being a sensitive person, the uncontrollable jealousy ended up taking over me" she completed with more sobs.
I hugged her more tightly not letting her escape me even for one. Each word she spoke resulted my eyes to get glossy with tears.
"I- i was not there at times my princess needed someone, though you were not hurt in those circumstances still mentally things triggered your panic attacks" I felt my eyes getting wet.
"Rey, my love, my prince. You are the comfort I always sought". She spoke.
If I was not a tough man I would have burst into tears but right now I am blinking all the tears away which are forming inside my eyes making my vision blurry.
I took a deep breath. She looked at me reading my face and I felt like she understood what was going on inside me.
"Wh-what?" I asked. She shook her head. "Princess, if you kept looking at me that way" I spoke but stopped. "You what?" She said smirking.
Is she trying to kill me?
I said "I will....". She asked "you will?....."
In a second I pecked her lips and ran away from the kitchen making her eyes go wide. She stayed there like a statue, It seemed like she saw an alien.
I came back laughing while she was smiling mischievously while her eyes were still wide open. Soon she joined my laughter
"Ryan Mendez, only by looks you are a tough guy, though you ain't" she scolded me like a teacher.
"Sorry ma'am, did I startled you?" I asked huskily. She looked into my eyes while we were just a few inches away from each. I saw her gulping down a lump of saliva. I smirked.
"Let's prepare dinner together" I spoke and she gave me a smile, the one I love so much.
I finally managed to comfort her, forgetting her past. Let me tell you one thing that both of us have a pathetic past but I don't know when I will gather courage to tell her that reality of mine.
We started to prepare dinner together happily.
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