A kiss for Ree

Chapter 38

.....

I followed Ludwig back in his car, leaving his father behind. He was all over the legal team with arguments when we left.

I was over myself with panic, is this really happening?!. Will I really be set free?.

Or will Ludwig's father be able to convince them to still sign the contract!.

"What's going to happen now?" I asked Ludwig in the car.

"He's not going to get them to give in, I'm pretty sure of it. You're off your dad's hook and you're almost 18. What do you think you can do?."

"Whatever it takes to keep my inheritance!" I said boldly.

"I know you see me as the enemy but we can work together—without getting married. You're very smart and all but you don't really know anything about business yet or even about your inheritance. But I do, I've been working since 15. And I have ideas, if you're willing to listen" he said, polite, not controlling like usual.

He was right!. I don't have a full knowledge about the inheritance, heck I don't even know what's there or how to run it and I didn't have any family support.

"I'm listening" I stated.

"You can get Lila to be your legal guardian while you go to uni, she knows about how to run a business. You could get a degree in business if you please, then when you're done, take full ownership of everything."

I settled into the seat with a sigh, that wasn't such a bad idea. I trusted Lila, I sure did.

But I wasn't so sure about still working with Ludwig!. Although he's smart and knows the onions, he could still try to deceive me.

But for now, I had to get to Omar, Lila and my mom's lawyer.

"Take me to Omar" I told him. I couldn't spend one more night in that white house that robbed me of my freedom.

*****

By the next morning, the world had set itself on fire.

My name trended on every platform, tied to hashtags I never imagined would exist:

#JusticeForRee
#ReemarBlog
#RichGirlBreaksChains

I watched it unfold on the flat-screen TV in a guesthouse Ludwig had quietly brought me to overnight, away from his dad's chaos. Away from the vultures I.e aunty Gold and Mr Bolade. I was wearing one of my hoodies that he bought for me.

The news anchors kept replaying the video.

People were outraged. Furious. The comments under the reposts were endless.

“This is disgusting. That man needs to rot in jail.”
“She’s so brave. The way she stood her ground—I’m crying.”

“Whoever Omar is, give him a medal. That cousin is a legend.”

The world knew our names now. Talk about overnight popularity. Omar. My stubborn, brilliant little cousin, I owed him everything. And Ludwig too, if he hadn't sent the video I'd be married right now.

A soft knock pulled me from the screen. The door creaked open.

It was Ludwig.

I sat up straighter, heart doing that ridiculous flutter. He looked tired and bruised, like he’d taken blows I didn’t see. But he was still him—still unreadable, until his eyes met mine.

He shut the door gently and leaned against it, saying nothing.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked first. “That you were going to send it to Omar after all?”

He exhaled, long and slow. “I like a little surprise" he said for cockily.

Silence fell between us.

Then he took slow steps forward and sat down on an armchair, "I didn’t want to be your hero, Ree. I just wanted to stop being your villain.”

Tears stung my eyes before I even realized they’d come. I looked down, biting my lip.

“You deserved better from all of us. From me. I was a controlling coward. But I’m not going to pretend anymore. I sent the video. I let the world see the truth.”

“Why?” I whispered. “Why now?”

“Because I love you,” he said, voice cracking slightly. “And I knew I’d lose you forever if I didn’t burn everything down.”

I didn’t say anything. We sat there like that, breathing in. A moment where time dared not interrupt.

He loves me?.

"You love me" I repeated his words, slightly avoiding his eyes.

"I do" he said, voice solidly.

"Not because of the inheritance or anything attached or because your dad's going down!" I looked into his eyes as I said those words.

"No. Because you're brave, Ree. Because you're strong and smart."

I didn't want to believe him. Although he sounded sincere, I still had Jax in my heart.

---

A few hours later, I was in a black hoodie and sunglasses, nervously bouncing in the seat of Ludwig’s car as we pulled up to a quiet café on the other side of town.

I barely got the door open before someone launched at me.

“REE!”

“Ow—Lila, I can’t breathe!”

Lila crushed me in a hug, half-laughing, half-crying. “You drama queen! I saw the story Omar put up!. You're free! I can finally see you again.”

Behind her, Levi stood grinning, Omar beside him with a smug look that didn’t even try to be humble.

“Guess who got a hundred thousand followers in 24 hours?” Omar beamed. “Me.”

I ran to him and hugged him tight, whispering, “You saved me. Thank you.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal. “Of course I did. I’m Omar.”

I hugged Levi next, sniffing in that perfume that I've missed so much.

Ludwig stood at a distance, hands in his pockets, watching us like someone who didn’t know if he was allowed to join.

I turned and beckoned him over. Levi narrowed his eyes but didn’t say a word—for once.

He stepped into the circle, and for the first time in forever, we all did one big hug, like one big family.

And tomorrow, I turn 18. New age, new family, new break through, new life!. Not at all like I've planned but I'm sure whatever that age is about to bring, I can counter it with these people by my side.

And I mean including Ludwig. Although I'm still wary about his confession, I'm still keeping him by my side, he's going to be really helpful to me, I'm sure.