The Big Secret

Chapter Four

Rox, it has been two days ever since Ryan came back and you haven't made time to see him, is there anything wrong"?  Cassie questions me.

Incase you haven't noticed, he hasn't made time for me either.

"Oh no, there's nothing wrong, just have been busy but I promise to come to dinner". I feed her curiosity falsely.
"You better, see you later" she says smiling and we path ways.

                                 _______

"Roxanne, I can't make it to dinner, I have something to take care off.  Would you please send my greetings to the Smith family"? My mom pleads.

How am I going to cope without my mom? Its gonna be weird  seeing Ryan for the first time after quite a long time.  

"Sure mom, no problem, I will be ready in thirty minutes, you can drop me there"  I accept.
"Okay sweetheart".

I rush to my room, open my closet and I see nothing to wear, something that never happens to me. I am am a very organised person.
Who am I trying to look good for anyways!  I roll my eyes.  Finally I get something.

A long gray overcoat with black leather mini skirt, a white shirt and short summer boots.   That totally defines simplicity. I like, I like.
I put on a nude lipstick and my hair straightened which compliments my overall look.

"Mom am ready, let's go".I tell her.
"You look quite nice" she says with a smile and I nod.  I hope its not too much.

*Two minutes away* I text Cassie.
*We can't wait* she text back.

We at Cassie's house now.  I say goodbye to my mom and  walk my way to the front door.  I knock and within a second,  Cassie opens.

"Hey doll, where is your mom"?   She asks.
"Can you let me in first" I roll my eyes.
"Come in Ms" she teases.

She leads the way to the dinning room, where we find her mom busy settling the table.

"By the way you look beautiful friend" Cassie compliments me.  "Like you don't say that everyday" I say smiling.

We reach the  dinning table and her mom welcomes me with a warm hug.  "Hey honey, how are you"?
I am good thanks, my mom sent her greetings, she apologizes  for not making it." I do as told.
"Its not a problem, Cassie's dad is also at work" Mrs Smith says and she sits back down.

We are seated when Ryan finally comes downstairs.  That's after he's mom had called him more than three times.

" Sorry for keeping you waiting, Hey Rox" he says opening his arms. I stand up from my sit, searching him, from head to toe.  He's a bit taller than he was when he left, he is wearing a vest easily showing his muscles, and a tattoo on his left hand.  A TATTOO!!  He's black eyes are still the same as they were the last day I saw him, the day of his arrest."HIDDEN" I still don't see further, he's not allowing me too.   His lips are pale but doesn't really change much.

I lean in for a hug, it's a very short hug, but so tight and unfamiliar. Feels new, but its wramth is still the same. He smells so good, I would swear he took a bath two minutes ago, I would say more but my thoughts are distracted when he presses he's pale lips on my cheek and let's go. "I missed you" he adds.
Without knowing what to say I smile and say the same to him.

How can something so small have such an effect on me?

We all sit around the table.  Cassie next to her mom and Ryan next to me.  The table is set and as I look through, I see a delicious looking collection of vegetables, rice and slices of roasted chicken. 

Eyes wide open and nostrils flaring, my mouth immediately floods with saliva as I gaze at the appetizing view.
I can't wait to dig in!

Prepped with plates and napkins I take a fork and knife in my hand, dish up all that am interested in, everything in my plate, I cut a small piece of chicken and put it in my mouth.  The crust outside is nice, the meat is tender and succulent inside. The chicken soup is abounding with vegetables and herbs with spices that are tickling my mouth as they dance with my tongue.

"Ryan is a Private Investigator now" his mom tells me.  I look at him surprised.  Didn't he want to be a writer?
"Yeah, I finished my college degree at Springs In New York" he clarifies.

Does this mean that all this time he has been on New York?

"That's nice" is all I say.
I have so many questions for him.  I don't know if I  should  be happy he is back or be mad we have been so  worried about him whilst he has been getting his life settled.

The rest of the evening goes with normal conversation especially between me and my friend.

After we eat, I offer to help Cassie wash the dishes but she refuses.

*Hey sweetheart, ask Cassie to take you back home, am running late* I read a text from my mom.
I tell Cassie about it and she asks Ryan instead.

"Alright, I have to go to Emma's house, I will drop her then" he accepts the offer.

I thank Mrs Smith for dinner.
"See you tomorrow Cassie" I hug her good bye.

Ryan leads me to his truck and opens the door for me.

"You know, we have a lot to talk about" he says.
My heart starts to beats faster.
"Not really, just glad you're okay" I say.

Ryan receives a call.  I don't know from who.
"I will be right there" he says before hanging up and putting his phone away.

"Rox, there's an emergency at work, I have to get there now, would you mind  if we go together"?

I definitely don't want to crowd him.

"Its not necessary, you have to go to Emmas too, look I'll just walk, besides we only a block away"
Before he says anything I block him.  "Don't worry, I will call you when I get home, you go to work". 

"You sure Rox"?  He looks into my eyes.
I try to look convincing and I nod.
"Thanks, I will make it up to you" he promises.
I smile and get out of his truck.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.
I wonder what will happen next.  Well you gotta keep on reading. 😜😂

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