Simplify & Solve

Chapter 13: That Damn TV Remote

Bella's POV

Ryder invited me over to his Grandpa's mansion today. I guess I'm kinda nervous since it's a member of Ryder's family. Putting on a nice sundress and sandals seems to be the way to go for this occasion. After I've gotten ready I grab a bag and put my necessities in it. Skipping down the stairs and into the kitchen is the first thing to do on my list. Picking up a croissant and an Arizona tea completes my plans for breakfast. Walking outside I see Greg waiting for me. He's standing next to a black car with the back door open ready for me. Walking over I greet him and give him a big grin. Once I'm in the car he closes the door before getting into the driver's seat.

"Where to today Bella?" he asks while adjusting the mirrors and turning on the engine. 

"Here please" I say handing him a piece of paper with Ryder's Grandpa's address on it. When I've done my seat belt I look up and see Greg staring at the piece of paper and frowning at it.

"Greg?" I ask poking his shoulder. That seems to have snapped him out of his daze as he looks up and puts his hands on the wheel. 

"Just out of curiosity, but why are you going to this house?" he asks while backing out of the driveway.

"My boyfriend is staying there right now. It's his Grandpa's place" I say. Greg pulls at his collar nervously and I can see sweat start to form on his skin. I wonder what that's about. Nodding his head in understanding he focuses back on the road. Sitting back in my seat I stare at the back of Greg's head, curious and utterly confused. Why does he seem so nervous about me visiting Ryder? There's got to be a bigger picture here that I'm not getting. Releasing a sigh I look out the window. There's no point in stressing about it since it might not even be about me. 

After a while in the car I see a mansion slowly appear in front of us. When Greg parks the car in front of a fountain I get out. The mansion is looming over me in all it's white stone glory. I suddenly feel under dressed. Walking up to the door I press the extravagant golden doorbell. A thief could probably steal this doorbell and become rich if it were real. I think it's real. I mean this place doesn't look like it would have fake...anything. 

Only seconds after I've rung the doorbell it is opened and an old man in a suit pops his head out from behind the door. 

"Hello, Bella I assume?" he asks opening the door a little wider.

"Yes, how do you know my name?" I ask.

"Sir Ryder told me to expect your arrival" he says opening the door all the way and gesturing for me to come inside. Taking tentative steps I walk into the house. I am in awe the second I look around. The inside is as grand as the outside, it not more. There is a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling with a heaps of little diamonds on it. There are two stair cases on each side of the room that is connected at the top with a little balcony that looks down on the foyer area. 

"Sir Ryder told me to bring you upstairs to his game room" the man said before starting to walk towards the stairs. I think he's the butler or something. Following him I walk up the stairs as well. After a few minutes he reach a big door. When the butler knocks on the door it opens to reveal Ryder. He's looking down at his phone when he opens the door. 

"What is it Jeremy" he said still looking at his phone. "I'm trying to text Bella to see if she's coming"

"Sir Ryder, you have a guest" Jeremy said, an amused smile on his face. Ryder snaps his head up when  Jeremy said that. When he realizes that it's me a smile breaks across his face. Opening the door wider he tells me to come in. When I've stepped inside he says a quick thank you to Jeremy before he closes the door and turns to face me.

This room has more gaming system's then I've seen my entire life. There's a massive flat screen TV on one wall and a computer in a corner. A big comfy looking couch is sat in front of the TV. Just as I'm about to walk over and sit down my phone beeps signaling a new text. Pulling out my phone I check it and smile at what I see. It's a text from Ryder asking about when I'm gonna get here which was sent a minute ago. Laughing I turn to face him and hold up my phone.

"I got your text, I'm going to get here now" I say chuckling at him. Blushing he rubs the back of his neck.

"Sorry, I couldn't wait to see you" he says walking closer to me.

"What are you apologizing for? I think it's cute you were excited to see me" I say pinching his cheek. Slapping my hand away gently he pouts at me. 

"I though I was hot?" he whines.

"You are, but you're cute as well" I say laughing.

"Well cute isn't manly enough" he mutters. Rolling my eyes I go to sit on the couch which looks really comfortable right now. Once I'm seated on this cloud couch Ryder lays down on it, putting his head on my lap. Smiling down at him I run my fingers through his hair which makes him visibly relax and close his eyes. 

"How's your stay with your Grandpa?" he asks with his eyes still closed.

"It's been good, but I havn't talked to anyone my own age in a while" I reply looking up at the TV. Seeing a remote next to me I pick it up at point it at the TV while pressing the power button. After a few presses nothing happens and I start to get a little frustrated. Ryder, who seems to sense my frustration, opens his eyes and looks at what I'm doing. He stares at me for a second before he bursts out laughing. Not appreciating this I shove him off the couch and pout. Ryder lands on the ground still laughing his ass off which really annoys me.

"Why are you laughing at me?" I whine. 

"Bella, baby, that's the AC remote" he says still laughing.

Oh. Well that explains why the TV didn't turn on. Walking over to the TV I pick up another remote that's right in front of it. Clicking the power button on this remote seems to not work as well. Sighing I turn to face Ryder with an annoyed scowl on my face.

"What's this remote for?" I say in a flat tone.

"That's the DVD player remote" he replies, staring at me with amused eyes. Huffing I cross my arms over my chest.

"I knew that"

"Sure you did Bella" Ryder says chuckling at me. 

20 minutes later...

"I FOUND IT!" I scream in victory. I have just wasted all this time trying to find the stupid TV remote. I went through all the remotes and none of the was the TV one. Turns out it was under a couch cushion. You will not believe the frustration I am feeling right now. I fell back onto that cushion in frustration so many times but I didn't find the damn remote until the end. I think Ryder knew it was there as well because he just sat there looking at me smugly the entire time. He didn't even look surprised when I finally found it. That asshole. 

We sit down calmly to watch some TV like normal civilized people. It lasts for a while when we hear the sounds of stomping feet come up the stairs. The footsteps become closer and Ryder turns to face the door. I turn around to see the door just as it bursts open and an old man in a suit is revealed. I instantly know who he is. Even though he is old I can tell he was handsome in his younger days. His features are strong and even though his face is in a frown I would recognize those features anywhere. Good looks must run in the family. 

It's Ryder's Grandpa.