Ever growing 2

Chapter 57 Ryan's POV

Walking in here feels strange and a bit intimidating. Ella and I are both hiding under black hoodies and sunglasses as we're taken to a private room. Sometimes having money gives you some privileges. The monster is sitting down already, he looks old and frail. Ella's hand holds mine, her fingers laced through my fingers never letting go even when we sit in the chairs in front of him.

"I'm so happy to see you son! Your wife is beautiful," He says. Ella being polite as usual says thank you with a smile. "Yes, she is, in and out. You should thank her, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her." My voice is cold. He smiles at her thanking her, again, she politely smiles. My brain is messy, I don't know what to tell him. "I'm proud of you!" he says after a minute of silence. "Robert and mum did a great job raising me and I've been blessed by a lot of success both professionally and in my personal life with Ella," I spit in his face. Part of me wants him to know I did better than him, getting help instead of fucking up people's lives as he did. A somber expression appears on his face. I'm getting angrier telling him how I was acting before I pulled myself together for Ella's sake. I don't know why but I suddenly tell him about Ella losing the baby and how it made me feel guilty just like he felt guilty for Mindy. Tears roll down his cheeks before he starts apologizing and asking for forgiveness. He turns to Ella and tells her she would have been a great mother. Ella says thank you once more but then she looks down, I know she doesn't know how to react to his kindness. Suddenly I can't seem to be able to control myself, I try to launch at him across the table but Ella's other hand goes to my arm holding me back, she looks frightened. I hate it when she gets scared of me even if she knows it's not directed at her. I sit back on the chair still shaking in anger.

"Do you mind if I ask him a question?" she says softly, I tell her to go ahead.

"What's your biggest accomplishment since you've been in prison?" she asks.

"Aside from being sober, I'm now helping the new guys that are coming in, guiding them making sure they don't hang out with the wrong people. I've done a lot of therapy and they figured I would benefit from helping others as well," he gives Ella a small smile.

"I'm happy for you," She has such a big heart.

"I fucked up son, really bad. You don't have to forgive me. I can clearly see the bond between you two, you're meant for each other and it makes me happy that you found love."

"I appreciate it but Mindy didn't deserve to die the way she did!" I spit out.

I can see he's different, he's worked on himself but my resentment for him isn't going to disintegrate so easily. Again tears appear in his eyes and again it makes me angrier. How dare he cry when he caused her death. Ella's hands are still holding my hand and arm, I know she feels my wrath. I take a deep breath telling him I'm done talking for now. He nods. I stand up and lead Ella out of the room.

I have one last shoot to do before we fly out to Vancouver where I'm shooting some commercials for a new perfume. I made sure to book the same hotel we stayed at when we met, the same room. I figured it'd be nice to relive the memory, she doesn't know.

We do a lot of different poses, locations, and outfits on my shoot today. After a while, they ask if Ella can be in some pictures with me. I see her being hesitant saying her hair and makeup aren't even done properly. I know she's making excuses because she's shy, she also asks me how I feel about it. I'm thrilled! We've never done a professional photo shoot together. She caves in when they offer to doll her up quickly. They dressed her in a purple bodycon dress, black booties, her hair falling down her back. I'm in jeans with a white shirt also wearing boots. I laugh at her when they bring a stool for her to step on. She's 5 feet and I'm 6'2, the height difference makes it hard for some poses. She's nervous at first not knowing how to stand or what to do but I help her and after a while, she seems to enjoy herself.

Right after the shoot, we rushed to the airport. Max meets us there with our suitcases. He and Cooper have been doing an amazing job for us since we hired them. All four of us sit around a table having a quick snack before our flight. Although we keep a professional approach most of the time, Ella insists that we also allow them to relax around us. She feels weird bossing them around or eating in front of them without offering to join us. She has a kind soul. Both of them are single and I can tell they envy me sometimes. Of course, Ella is so oblivious to the effect she has on men.

She lays her head on my shoulder and sleeps like a baby as soon as we take off. I review today's events now that I've had time to cool down. Seeing my dad was a good idea after all. I'm still angry about Mindy but it was nice to see he's not the drunk man I knew from my childhood anymore. I always thought he would be arrogant and nasty but he cried and didn't even flinch when I was about to punch him as if he'd welcome it for all the pain he's caused. Ella told me I should find it within me to forgive him not for his sake but mine. She says I shouldn't carry the bad energy. She'd be a great therapist. I look at her sleeping so peacefully, I run my fingers on her cheek. She cuddles in even closer wrapping both arms around mine as her head lays on my shoulder.