The meet again

BLIND BILLIONAIRE BRIDE

(They call it madness but he calls it love)

EPISODE TEN

THEME: The meet again

         CHICAGO, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

                AINSLEY HOSPITAL

                    IN WARD 206

Phoebe coughed as she was about to fall asleep again. "Are you okay Phoebe?" Ria asked.

Phoebe cleared her itchy throat. "Yes mom." But she coughed.

"Hold on, let me get water." Ria stood up from the bed.

"There is no water in the room.” Phoebe mumbled.

Ria stood on a spot as she tried to figure a way to get water for Phoebe. There was only one way to get water for her which is going back to the reception and ask the nurse at the desk for help.

"I will be right back.” Ria said.

"But how will you get water?" Phoebe asked sleepily.

"I will retrace my steps back to the reception and ask the nurse for help.” Ria replied.

"No, don’t worry I will be fine mom." Phoebe coughed again.

“You should drink water. I counted my steps on our way here so I can go back to the reception by myself. I will be back soon..just relax.” Ria held the rails of the bed and she managed to find her way to the door.

Ria was able to remember the steps she had counted on her way to the room with Mrs Elise guiding her. She held on to the walking stick tightly and also using the wall as support to count her steps properly. One, two, three, four..and she counted seventy steps to make it to a corner down the long hallway. Mrs Elise has mentioned the long hallway earlier.

Ria smiled at herself that she was getting close to the reception. Where is everyone? Ria wondered as she didn't sense anyone passing by so she could ask for help.

Some seconds later, a nurse stepping out of a ward sighted her. "Are okay miss?" Ria heard a soft voice whispered in front of her. It was a female voice so she relaxed. "What do you need miss?" The nurse asked carefully studying Ria.

"Can you help me with something?" Ria requested.

"What is it?" The nurse asked.

"My daughter is in ward two hundred and six and she needs water.” Ria answered.

"Oh! Please sit here while I get a bottle of water for you.” The nurse enthused.

"Thank you very much.” Ria said to the nurse that led her to the bench nearby.

"I will be right back.” And with that the nurse rushed off while Ria waited patiently for her return.

                ***************************************

Immediately Ian stepped out of the ward his phone pinged. He rolled his eyes when he saw the caller’s ID. “Fish Face.” Lorna is the fish face! Ian declined the call and resumed walking. Some seconds clicked by and it beeped again but he decided to ignore it.

Ian passed by series of wards in a long hallway leading to the reception but soon stopped on track when he saw the figure sitting on the bench. His heart beat accelerated after he realized who the feminine figure was.

Over two months has passed and Ian has tried to tell himself to forget about her but it was easier said than done. He hasn't been able to concentrate on work. He hasn't been interested in any play. He has had a big trouble having a good sleep. Even when he was so swamped with work that he could hardly think straight, the blind lady had still popped into his thought over and over again.

She was a compact little thing only about 5feet4 inches with tight rear and flat stomach. Her legs were long despite her height. She has breasts that were just big enough to make a man look twice. To be honest, Ian can't believe he had stared at them so many times that day.

Ian liked the way, her long brown hair swept over one shoulder. It was carefree and cute. Silver patch was over each eye with long lashes. Her nose was an artwork framed with an incredible cheek bone structure. Her heart shaped lips with a dimple just over the side of her mouth made her look adorable and her skin was nothing less than luminous. Everything about her had left Ian mesmerized the moment he had looked at her that day.

Ian had searched and visited the park thinking he would see her but it had seemed like he would never see her again which made anything he tasted not feel too good. Ian had been out of the country and the trip he initially intended to last three weeks had stretched to six weeks. And even though the blind lady had still been on his mind Ian had come to a conclusion that too much time had passed and he would never see her again. He had thought that the single day he had met her was destined to be the only day he would just have to savor her existence.

But then here she was sitting down with her walk stick in her hands reminding Ian of just how beautiful she was. Fate has managed to bring him to see her again. And Ian was quick to figure that it might be fate telling him something. It was still hard to believe. Being that awestruck by any woman was an experience Ian never had before and he also found himself wanting to care for her.

Ian jerked back to life then he saw her talking to a nurse. He moved closer enough to hear what they were saying.

"Miss, here is the water you requested." The nurse handed her a bottle of water.

"Thank you, miss—“ Ria waited for the nurse to fill in her name.

"Emily." The nurse smiled.

"I am Ria.” She said.

“Ria? Her name is Ria!” Ian mumbled to himself as he watched her smile at the nurse.

"Nice to meet you, miss Ria.” The nurse giggled.

"Same here nurse Emily.” Ria replied.

"Do you need me to escort you back to your ward? I can help you." Nurse Emily offered.

"No..no I am fine. I can find my way back. Thank you. You have done enough for me.” Ria stood up balancing her walk stick.

Ian eyes did a slow crawl on her. She was dressed in a fitting pants and top. “She is beautiful.” He mumbled.

Nurse Emily said her goodbyes before walking away. How did she intend to find her way? What is she doing at the hospital? Is she sick? Series of questions flooded his mind until he heard a giggling sounds that snapped him out of my thought. Two children in hospital uniforms ran beside him down the hallway. He heard a sharp thud too.

“Damn it!” He uttered a profanity. The children had bumped into Ria causing the bottle of water to fall off from her hand.

Ian moved closer while Ria bent down trying to find the bottle of water. "Where did it go?" Ria said.

Ian rushed towards her and picked up the bottle which was not too far from her. "Sorry miss.” He cleared his throat. "Here is your bottle of water.”

Ria stood up, straightened her back and a frown formed on her face and she tended up too. She stepped back trying to make sense of Ian’s words.

"Two kids bumped into you and the bottle of water dropped." Ian tried to explain. Well she should know that by now. He paused only to notice the liquid on her forehead. Are those sweats? Why is she sweating all of a sudden? Ian took a step forward to have a closer look and yes—She was sweating! "Are you okay?" He demanded in a concerned tone.

Ria didn't reply but she held on to her stick tightly like in a defensive stance! Ian was quick to remember Mr Griffin’s words about disabled people. “She is blind so she might be thinking I want to harm her. Maybe I should do a proper introduction.” He thought within.

"Hi..I am Ian.” He introduced himself.

Ria’s forehead creased. "And I just helped you pick up your bottle of water that fell on the floor after some kids bumped into your way." Ian took her other hand and put the bottle in it.

Ria tried to pull back from him as if he had burned her with fire. The bottle of water dropped to the ground. And then Ian realize she was trembling and her eyes were filled with just one word—fear! He screwed up his face when the realization hit him. Ria was a happy person when she was talking to Emily but she was so different now. There was the look of fear now! It can’t be what he is thinking. Could it be the fear of being touched by a male? Ian can't believe it!

“What has my kind done to her?!” He bantered within. He hated it to see her this way. He yearned to know more but he stepped away from her and far enough to make her feel relaxed.

"I am sorry for touching you that way. Believe me, I really mean no harm to you.” Ian picked the bottle of water and stretched it out so the edge was reaching her hand.

Ria took the bottle of water and she held it to her chest. "Miss Ria! Mommy!"

Ian turned towards the direction of where the voices came from. Phoenix came running with his arms wide to hug his mom and in no time he was between them hugging Ria so tightly. Ma’am Elise was surprised to see a man with Ria so she walked faster to reach their side. The first thing she did was hold Ria’s walk stick and gently pulled her away from Ian. Her eyes watched Ian trying to figure out his identity and why he was with her.

 “Are you alright?” Ma’am Elise sounded worried.

“Yes. But why are you here Phoenix?" Ria asked.

"His teacher called me and said he won't stop crying because of his sister. So I had to go and pick him up at school.” Ma’am Elise replied.

"Is that true Phoenix?" Ria asked shakily. Ian’s presence was still making her feel uncomfortable. Ian contemplated if he should leave or stay back? If he leaves then he may never get to see her again.

"Yes mom..I was worried about Phoebe.” Phoenix pouted.

“A mother of two? Is she married?! What a silly question to ask. She has two kids and I am still asking myself if she is married.” Ian pondered.

"Huh?! It is you again!”  Ian looked down at Phoenix who pointed his finger at him. “Yes! It is you! I recognize you! From the park!” Phoenix jumped in excitement.

"Do you know him?" Ma’am Elise demanded.

"Yes..yes..ma’am Elise he is the man that got my mom’s purse back the day we went to the park!" Obviously this boy never forgets a face.

"Oh really?" Ma’am Elise shot him a surprised look.

"Yes..let us take him to the ward so Phoebe can also tell if he is the one.” Phoenix said excitedly.

"Sir, are you the one that retrieved her purse snatched by a thief at the park?" Ma’am Elise managed a smile on her face.

Ian scratched the back of the neck. "Yes Ma'am.”

"Oh! That’s amazing! Good to see you! I am Elise.” She stretched out her hands towards him.

"I am Ian." He shook hands with her.

"I will just go back to the ward..to give Phoebe water. She really needs it badly.” Ria said finally.

"Yes mom! I want to see Phoebe!" Phoenix held her free hand.

"Let us go." Ria and Phoenix walked away.

"Mom..how many steps do we count from here to the ward?" Phoenix asked.

"Seventy steps I think..Phoenix.” Ria explained the directions to him.

"Why aren't you sure of the number of steps?" He asked again.

"I lost count.”

Ian heard her say to the little boy. Phoenix counted the steps while guiding Ria. Ian watched them as they walked away until Ma’am Elise clearing her throat disrupted the moment.

"Thank you for helping Miss Ria.” Ma’am Elise smiled.

"No please don’t thank me. I am glad that I was able to help.” Ian replied.

"I should thank you. And I have always wanted to meet you in person because the children didn't stop talking about you when they came back from the park. You are like a hero to them.” Ma’am Elise laughed.

Ian thought of asking this woman a few things about Ria but he discarded the thought. "I am glad to meet you too.” He gave her a small smile.

Ian’s phone beeped Lorna was calling again but he wasn’t ready to talk to her not now that he has found what he has been looking for months.

"Take this Mr Ian.” Ma’am Elise gave him a card.

"It is Miss Ria's business card. So just in case you need a seamstress to make a dress for your mom, sisters and maybe a wife we make the perfect dresses. So please call these numbers or follow this address to find us.” Ma’am Elise smile was so bright as if she just hit a jackpot. Mere looking at Ian, she knew he was an epitome of wealth. She already sized him up, the suit, gold wrist watch and designer shoes. He is rich.

"Okay. I’ll definitely give you a call.” Ian grinned.

"Bye Mr Ian.” Ma’am Elise raced off leaving Ian behind to stare at the card in his hands.

Luck is really on his side today! He met Ria again and just when he was thinking of how to see her again someone has given him her business card with a contact information and address!

“I will surely make out time out of my busy schedules to see her!” Ian looked around and when he saw no one he screamed. "Yes!" He jumped with more happiness welling up inside of him.

Ian studied the card as he walked on. "Ria Robert Couture.” It was boldly written on the card.

As if he wasn’t listening when Ma’am Elise had mentioned her profession, his eyes widened in shock. “Couture? This is about clothing. Oh my goodness! She is a seamstress?! A blind lady is a seamstress?!” Ian cocked his eyebrows and moved his head from side to side. He is finding it hard to believe that someone like her can be a seamstress.