RYAN POV
Everyday seems like I would go out of my mind any moment from now. It is really appalling to see the effect Ariel had on me. And so far so good, I have been able to make a decision if at all she ever agrees to be in my life again.
I had decided to resign from being the CEO of this company. I hadn't told anyone about this, as I was still debating on it. I wanted to be certain I really wanted that simple lifestyle I yearned for those past years.
My fingers shook as I waited patiently for Eva to text back. I had been asking her about Ariel all this while. It was safe to say I was happy she was doing fine. But, I really missed her. I felt miserable without her.
Ariel still proved to be the best as she saved food recipes for me. I cooked with them and it has been my lifesaver. I wondered what would have happened if Ariel didn't leave those recipes of hers. I would have been diagnosed with ulcer - the ailment I had battled with in the past.
Even Though I didn't thoroughly enjoy the meal like that of the ones Ariel prepared, I still managed to eat. Her absence helped me to appreciate that wives are genuinely trying. Cooking was tiring.
I sighed for the umpteenth time as I stared at the screen of my phone. I bit the bottom of my lips, trying to fight the urge to give Eva a call. According to Eva, I shouldn't call her, as she was always around Ariel - who still seemed upset with me.
I stared back at my message, which was a question whether Ariel liked my gift and the note I composed for her. My phone beeped as it revealed Eva's response.
I raised my brows at Eva's bold words to send her one thousand dollars before revealing Ariel's reaction to my gift.
"This girl is petty,”I mused as I sent her the money, sending the receipt to her instantly. She reacted with a love emoji as I rolled my eyes, each part of me itching for a response from her.
Few seconds passed, and then the message came in.
"Sister in-law likes it a lot. She hugs the teddy bear when sleeping. And the note you wrote is attached to her bedroom door. Continue sending those gifts, brother. Don't worry, she still loves you.”I read out loud, as a smile tugged to my lips.
I twirled my chair around, suddenly feeling happy. My body itches with emotions I cannot decipher. The urge to compose more love notes to her, came compelling and strong.
I took a pen and a paper, trying to fight distractions, as I smiled at the cheesy pickup line that came to my heart.
My smile was interrupted by my telephone, as I groaned before picking it.
“Boss, a man named Harold wants to see you. He is from the State Security Service.”A frown etched on my face, a thought coming to hear.
"Let him in.”I ordered, ending the call.
Few seconds later, a knock interrupted my thought. As I beckoned the Person to enter. We greeted each other warmly, shaking each other's hand.
"What brought you here, Mr. Harold?”I asked, as his stare lingered for a while before settling on mine.
"We are carrying out an investigation on Mr. Bryan Ackers for illegal drug dealing. Apparently, he has been missing for days now. We will need you to visit us later today at our headquarters for a brief interrogation.”He stated, as I nodded, anger swooning in through me.
It seems dad had many tricks in his hands. I can't believe he was involved in drugs. I shouldn't be. After all, he had been sleeping with my wife all this while.
"It's fine. I will be there.”I said, fighting the urge to inform Mr. Harold, he was possibly in a sexual position at Evelyn's place right now.
I walked Mr. Harold out, as he expressed his sympathy. He asked questions whether I knew my dad was involved with drugs, but I refuted. Maybe I would if I had checked Mr. Martin's research on his life, but I was still fighting with the verbal blow of his betrayal toward me.
As much as I would have loved to fight fire with fire, I had decided to keep calm, always chanting Ariel's wise sayings in heart to keep my anger in check.
Mr Harold and I took one final shaking of hands as he departed. I entered my car, resting my head on the steering wheel, the imagination running through my mind again.
I hissed, my mind going to the divorce letter my lawyer drafted for our marriage which I had sent to Evelyn. I'm afraid dad might have a trick to pull off since we were married. He is the devil himself.
My phone blinked, indicating a message from Evelyn. I hadn't blacklisted her number, as I badly wanted to.
My right-hand hovers my phone, as the thought of swiping away her message came to heart. I pressed on the message as my heart thumped at the message.

My head pinned, as I drove off. I called Nick, requesting for paramedics. I focused on driving faster hoping I would not get trailed by the police and in no time I got to Evelyn's apartment.
My legs took long strides as I ran in, only to meet my dad in the pool of his blood, as he looked pale. My mouth dropped open, my heart beating faster than normal.
I was tense.
I took a step but stopped at Evelyn's words.
"Don't move, or I will kill myself.”She had the blood stained knife close to her stomach.
She looked fierce, her blonde hair disheveled.
"Don't Evelyn. Just calm down. You don't have to do this.”I pleaded, even when a part of me would rather not oblige.
I wanted to vent my spleen. Likewise, I wanted to ask her to kill herself, but I couldn't. I have grown weak and weary.
She sobbed, our eyes meeting.
“Your father ruined me, Ryan.”She paused briefly as she sniffed.
"I never liked you, even when you had your eyes on me. I was an orphan who seemed unpopular, and suddenly the popular College kid is completely swept off by my charisma. It was an opportunity, so I pretended to like you.”Her words didn't hurt, as I already imagined that was what happened.
"You seemed obsessed and would do anything for me. You even made me meet your parents within a few months of dating. How noble!”She laughed, mockery laced on her words.
"Your dad and I clicked instantly. He was handsome too, even though he was older. And that's how it started. After realizing you wanted to marry me, your dad was against it, and planned it all.”My head spinned at her confession, but I let her continue, my throat getting drier by the seconds.
"The secret wedding, the fight that night, was planned. Your dad knew you would be angry if I refused you sex on our wedding night, as it was something you had been anticipating. The fire outbreak was a ploy, and you fell for it. What a pity.”She sneered, as my mouth hung open, shock coursing through me.
I rubbed my hand down the back of my hair, rubbing at the tension building in my neck.
"Evelyn. You need to stop this. You both need help.”I glanced at my dad, who was still breathing, his eyes opening and closing at intervals.
"Don't even try. I want to reveal my heart to you. Don't move.”She threatened, as I halted, my body trembling slightly.
"Grieving over me was the perfect way to carry out more of our evil plans. The doctor was bribed to carry out a fake autopsy. Your investigator was distracted, and it was all done.”
"Your dad was obsessed and would often travel to Italy to have sex with me. It was great at first but with time, I wanted to be back in your life, especially after realizing you were married.”
"And you decided to come back to my life, faking amnesia. How bold.”I said - arming those bad feelings out of the way.
I looked at her with disdain, and I just wanted this to come to an end anytime soon.
"I'm sorry, Ryan. Your father ruined me. He made me believe he loved me, and I fell for it. He was caring and loving-not forced like yours. You made it look as if you couldn't live without me.”Those words of hers stung as I facepalmed, rubbing my face.
I exhaled, as I stared on, praying Nick could be here very soon. I was getting frustrated already.
"It's fine. Just drop the knife and we can discuss this.”I said, hoping she would at least do so.
I hate the thought of seeing the knife close to her stomach. My heart was pining.
"Your dad used drugs on me in order to make me sexually active, fulfilling his sexual fantasies. Mrs Claudia's son was kidnapped so that she will act accordingly with our plan."
My brows creased as my hand edged into fists. I knew something was off with Ma'am Claudia. There were moments she wanted to tell me something but stopped.
"I've done some good things too. Like plunging a knife into this wicked man you called a dad. I've released Ma'am Claudia and her son too. I'm sorry this has to happen Ryan."
Like the speed of lightning, she plunged the knife into her stomach. My heart raced as I leaped closer, catching her as she fell on me.
With a bitter smile on her lips, she said:"Please forgive me Ryan."
Her eyelids closed, as my body trembled.
This is not happening.....