I Like Ryan

The dining table was unusually quiet except for the sound of forks clinking against plates. Kris sat at one end of the table, looking surprisingly comfortable for someone who was technically just a guest.

Mikey, however, was far from comfortable. He kept staring at Kris, his eyes narrowing with every bite of his meal.

“Which is it?"

Mikey folded his arms and tilted his head. “I mean it would explain a lot of things. Like why are you always at our house?”

The question, blunt and direct, caught Kris off guard. He blinked and glanced at Amelia, who avoided his gaze by sipping her water.

“Mikey!” Amelia said, her voice firm. “Don’t be rude”

Leo, sitting beside Mikey, looked at his dad curiously. “Wait, is that true Dad? Are you always here?”

Kris shifted in his seat, unsure of how to respond. He glanced at Amelia again, silently asking for help, but she was busy glaring at Mikey. Finally, he cleared his throat.

“Well, you see, Amelia and I are getting ma…” Kris began, but Amelia quickly interjected.

“It’s a business contract,” she said, her tone steady but forced. “Kris here hired me as his personal assistant.”

Leo’s eyes widened with excitement, and he turned to his dad. “Seriously, Dad?”

Kris, momentarily confused, looked at Amelia. She gave him a subtle wink, signaling him to go along with her story. Realizing he had no choice, Kris nodded and smiled.

“Uh, yeah, I hired Amelia,” Kris said smoothly. “We didn’t want to tell you boys yet because it’s all still kind of underhand.”

Mikey snorted in disbelief, his arms still crossed. “Seems unlikely. I don't believe that”

Amelia leaned forward, her expression soft. “Mikey, have I ever lied to you?”

Mikey hesitated, the question catching him off guard. He looked at his mom for a moment before mumbling, “No, but c'mon mom all this does sounds weird.”

Kris watched the interaction closely. In his mind, he couldn’t help but think how much Amelia acted like Mikey’s mother, even though she wasn’t. She was patient and so deeply connected to the boy that it made Kris feel a twinge of something unfamiliar—maybe admiration.

Mikey finally relented with a shrug. “Fine. But what about your journalist job, Mom? Are you quitting?”

Before Amelia could answer, Kris blurted out, “She’ll be doing both.”

“Yeah I'll be doing both… wait what?!” Amelia’s eyes shot toward Kris, filled with questioning disbelief. Kris only smiled and returned to his food, ignoring her silent protests.

The tense conversation was interrupted by a sudden roar. The sound grew louder until it became unmistakable—it was a helicopter.

“What on earth?” The noise had silenced and Amelia exclaimed, looking toward the ceiling.

“Please don't tell me your helicopter just landed on my roof"

Kris casually reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses, slipping them on with a smug grin. “Just in time,” he said, pushing his chair back and standing up.

Leo grinned as he grabbed his plate. “Thanks for dinner, Ms. Amelia!”

“You’re a mad man you know that right?” Amelia muttered to Kris as she stood, glaring at him.

He smirked. “I know.”

As Kris turned to leave, Amelia whispered under her breath, “I hope you get sliced up by the blades.”

Without looking back, Kris chuckled and made his way to the rooftop, leaving Amelia shaking her head. She turned toward the kitchen, mumbling to herself, but her steps faltered when she touched her lips.

The memory of their kiss earlier made her cheeks burn. She shook the thought away and tried to focus.

“Mom, are you okay?” Mikey’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“I’m fine, sweetie,” Amelia said quickly, resuming her pace to the kitchen.

“Come help mummy clean up"

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

Later that day, Amelia and Mikey went to the supermarket to stock up on groceries. The aisles were bustling with people, and Mikey darted off to check out the candy section.

“Mikey, stay close!” Amelia called out, but he was already out of sight.

Amelia sighed, pushing her cart forward as she scanned the shelves for cereal. Just as she grabbed a box, a distant scream sent her heart racing.

Dropping the box, she rushed toward the sound, weaving through the aisles until she spotted Mikey.

He was sitting on the floor, holding his knee while a familiar figure crouched beside him.

It was Ryan.

“Ryan?” Amelia said, surprised.

Ryan looked up and smiled. “We meet again,” he said, standing up after putting a bandage on Mikey’s scrape.

Mikey quickly ran to Amelia, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Sorry, Mom. I slipped.”

Amelia knelt down, inspecting his knee before giving him a light scolding. “You shouldn’t run off like that.”

She stood and turned to Ryan. “Thank you for helping him.”

“No problem,” Ryan said, smiling. “Is this your son?”

“Yes,” Amelia said, her voice softening. “This is Mikey.”

Ryan nodded and extended a hand to Mikey. “Nice to meet you, Mikey. I’m Ryan.”

Mikey hesitated but eventually shook his hand.

Ryan turned back to Amelia. “So, uhm, a friend of mine was supposed to go with me to see a movie but he bailed. I don't know if you’re free tonig…”

Amelia shook her head, offering an apologetic smile. “I can’t leave Mikey alone.”

Ryan nodded, “That's fine. Maybe another time.”

Ryan took the groceries from Amelia's cart and headed to the checkout counter. “Let me get these for you,” he said over his shoulder.

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

Back Home

That night, Amelia tucked Mikey into bed. He yawned, his small hands clutching his favorite stuffed animal.

“Mom, I like Ryan,” Mikey said sleepily.

Amelia let out a chuckle, brushing his hair back. “He’s nice, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, nicer than Kris,” Mikey added, his words slurring as he drifted off. “Even if you guys do date, he'll never become my Dad”

Amelia’s smile faltered, but she kissed Mikey’s forehead. “I wish it were that simple, sweetheart.”

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

At the Fox Family Mansion

Kris stood in his father’s study, his fists clenched at his sides as his father’s voice thundered through the room.

“Time is running out, Kris!” his father yelled. “You haven’t even found a girlfriend, let alone a wife! Do you have any idea what’s at stake here?”

“I already have a fiancée,” Kris said, his voice calm but firm.

His father scoffed, glaring at him. “Really? And where is she? How come you've never bothered to mention her till now?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll bring her tomorrow,” Kris said confidently.

His father’s laughter was cold and mocking. “Fine. But don’t think for a second that I’ll go easy on her.”

Kris watched as his father left the room, slamming the door behind him. Taking a deep breath, Kris leaned against the desk, his mind racing.

“Amelia,” he muttered under his breath, a small smirk playing on his lips.