Sinful Paths

Chapter Four

As Parris glared at Ian, her fury palpable, Ian stood beside Andrew with a blank expression, seemingly unfazed by the storm brewing in the kitchen.
“What are you doing here, Parris?” Ian asked, his tone casual, as if the tension was merely a passing cloud.
“WHAT AM I DOING HERE?!” Parris shot back, her voice rising sharply, startling Andrew, who stood frozen between them.
“WHO’S HE?! WHAT’S HE DOING HERE?!” she demanded, her eyes darting between Ian and Andrew, the anger radiating from her.
“He’s my new accountant,” Ian replied, his voice steady, but there was an edge to his calm demeanor.
Parris’s expression shifted to one of surprise, confusion flickering across her face as she processed his words. Andrew, sensing the rising tension, glanced at Ian. “Sh- should I go, Mr. Ryder?” he stammered, unsure of how to navigate the situation.
“Yes, please do,” Parris interjected sharply, her anger reigniting as she directed her ire at Andrew.
Ian’s surprise morphed into anger, his voice cutting through the air. “PARRIS.”
For a brief moment, Parris looked taken aback, fear flashing in her eyes. “You go home,” Ian commanded, his tone brokering no argument.
“Baby..” Parris’s voice trembled, tears welling up as her bravado began to crumble.
“GO, GODDAMMIT!” Ian yelled, the aggression in his voice making it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any more defiance.
With that, Parris hurried out of the house, leaving Andrew shocked and the air thick with unspoken words. The kitchen fell silent, the weight of the confrontation lingering like a heavy fog.

Andrew stood awkwardly in Ian’s room, his eyes darting around as he gathered his thoughts. “Her.. er.. Mr. Ryder..” he stammered, unsure of how to proceed.
Ian reclined in his lounge chair across the room, a relaxed demeanor masking the tension that had just unfolded. “You do know that you can call me Ian, right?” he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Andrew began to walk toward him, his mind racing. Yes, I know. But I would much rather annoy you, he thought, stopping just in front of Ian. “Mr. Ryder, who was that woman?” he asked, trying to keep his tone steady.
“Sit down,” Ian commanded, his tone surprising Andrew into silence for a moment.
“Come on, sit,” Ian urged again, and Andrew complied, moving to sit on Ian’s lap.
“I didn’t mean on my lap, Andrew Lilac..” Ian said, a smile breaking through his earlier seriousness.
“S- SORRY! I- I’ll move!” Andrew exclaimed, panic rising as he started to shift away, but Ian pulled him back.
“No no, get back here, strawberry shortcake,” Ian said, his face shifting to a more serious expression. “Anyways, to answer your question, that woman is my ‘girlfriend.’”
Andrew’s eyes widened in disbelief as he jumped to his feet. “Wait–what?! Okay, I’m sorry.. I–I’m gonna go to bed,” he blurted, the shock propelling him toward the door.
As he hurried out of the room, Ian sat there, momentarily surprised, before his expression turned blank. Dear god, he thought, shaking his head at the unexpected turn of events.

Andrew sat at his cluttered desk, rifling through a stack of papers that seemed to multiply overnight. He paused for a moment, the weight of exhaustion settling on his shoulders as he set the papers down with a sigh. Man, I’m tired. Wait.. what’s the time?
He fished his phone out of his pocket, squinting at the screen as the numbers came into focus. Shock washed over him. “IT'S 10 AM ALREADY?!” he exclaimed, his heart racing. Shoot, I’m late!
Without another thought, Andrew sprang to his feet, the chair scraping against the floor as he buried out of his room, a whirlwind of urgency and disbelief propelling him forward.

Andrew dashed through the living room, his heart pounding as he passed Cohen lounging on the couch. Ian, busy on the phone and juggling a stack of papers, barely glanced up.
“Andrew Lilac, where are you going?” Ian’s voice cut through the chaos.
Andrew skidded to a halt, turning to face Ian. “I–I’m meeting up with my friends.. I’m kinda late,” he replied, urgency lacing his words.
Ian shifted his attention to Cohen. “Cohen.”
Cohen rose from the couch and approached Ian, his expression attentive. “Yes, sir?”
“Please may you remain by Andrew Lilac’s side today,” Ian instructed, a hint of authority in his tone.
Andrew’s surprise was palpable. “Wait, what?”
“Yes, sir,” Cohen affirmed, beginning to leave the room.
“I don’t need a bodyguard,” Andrew snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface.
Ian, still on the phone, continued sorting through his papers. “You work for me now, making you a target.”
Andrew’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait, what?! Seriously?!”
“Yes. I’m being very serious,” Ian replied, his tone unwavering.
Fury ignited within Andrew. “YOU KNEW AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME!” he shouted, the words spilling out in a rush.
Ian set his papers down, his gaze steady on Andrew. “Andrew Lilac, listen–”
But Andrew was already storming out of the room, cutting Ian off, and leaving a frustrated Ian in his wake.
“ANDREW LILAC!” Ian called after him, but Andrew was already gone, his anger propelling him forward.