Chapter 7

ROSE

Next morning, Ryder came just in time. Annie immediately ran to hug him, and he pulled her up and played with her while she laughed heartily. I looked away, trying to quickly arrange the things I needed into my bag. Ryder handed me a bag containing things he had brought for Annie to stay during the time I was at the hospital. We did not talk much. He helped me dress Annie while I dressed up in another room, of course. I was still feeling awkward around him. Last night and everything that happened was still running through my mind, and I felt my cheeks heating up anytime I felt he was staring at me.

Tomorrow was going to be different. Before he came, I would be ready and waiting, I sang to myself. I did not know he was going to come early anyway. I was expecting him by 8 a.m., but at 6:30, he had already arrived. He was my boss now, or should I say soon-to-be boss? We might have been lovers from years ago, still trying to figure out what the hell we were doing right now, but allowing my boss to wait for me, I considered inappropriate. He was already offering to drive me, and that was enough.

"Put everything she needs in a separate bag," he said.

I just nodded. He did not want her to disturb me at work. Maybe there was a separate part where the kids of the workers stayed until their parents closed. I was not sure, but I was relieved. I did not have to think about how I would manage her for the time being.

I allowed Annie in between us. Ryder did not ask any questions, not that there was anything I was expecting. He pulled over outside a building. Nursery school, I read the inscription. I wondered what we were doing here. He had said the job was at his clubhouse, I still remembered. I finally realized what was happening.

"Annie will school here. It's the best around here."

He did not wait for me to even say a word. He took Annie into the building, acting like her father despite the circumstance. It brought tears to my eyelids, and I quickly wiped them away. I found my eyes move to his hip as he walked toward the building. It was swaying sideways, and then he disappeared.

He appeared a few minutes later. "She closes by 3," he informed me. It finally became real. I was thinking of doing that in a month's time after getting my salary.

"Thank you. Just give me the bill. I will pay little by little from my salary," I mouthed.

He did not respond, but his side eyes twitched and his mouth smiled, though it all disappeared within seconds. He got back on his bike, and my body started to heat up. I swallowed to calm myself. The ride was quiet. He just drove.

He stopped outside a building. R.R Motorcycle, the signpost read. Did he use my name and his? I pushed the thought away. If anything, the building was definitely more than a year old. I just got back, so there was no way he had changed the name overnight or even a week ago. But to be honest, I did not know why, but a part of me wanted the thought to be true. It would mean he never forgot me all the time I was away. It still made me feel guilty, but it was not my fault I left. I reminded myself.

He took my bag from me, and I did not have time to protest.

"It's a motorcycle shop. We revive dead motorcycles here."

I looked at the entrance wall. Motorbike clinic. I nodded and smiled. The room was calm, with blazing AC, cute, but blinding light.

"We have another section. It's a club where we handle private businesses," he explained while showing me around the motorcycle shop. "It's too dangerous over there. You will work here as a receptionist. It shouldn't be too much work. Answer calls, record, schedule, you know, appointments. Don't overwork yourself. You are not fully healed."

He explained, and I just nodded like a child being instructed on what to do by her father. I moved toward the receptionist cabin and started to check the logbook.

"We haven't had a receptionist before. You are the first."

He looked away like someone who did not want his eyes to be seen. I blushed. He just wanted me to get employed.

"I need to check something real quick. I will be right back," he said, then hurried out through a door at the back.

I was able to catch his expression before he disappeared. He looked embarrassed. I did not think he wanted me to find out he created this position because he wanted me employed and close to him. I guessed the door he took led to the back or something.

As I tried to arrange the desk, I smiled, realizing everything on the reception desk was brand new. I just could not help but wonder how he did that, considering he had just offered me the job in less than twenty-four hours.

The entrance was pushed open, and I turned to look, wondering how Ryder had turned all the way around in just a few seconds. I felt my heart jump at who I saw. Ryder's best friend, Lison. What was he doing here? He did not look at my side. With what Ryder said, I did not think he should be expecting anyone at the receptionist desk, not to even think about it being me.

"Man, where are you? Where is the new person you employed? I should interview him."

He added a small laugh as he spoke. I stood after mustering some courage. He finally saw me, and his demeanor changed at once. He shot me a glare that could have killed me before turning to Ryder, who just walked into the room.

"She is the one you employed? You specifically gave an order. No women are allowed here. She left you. She suddenly returns as a single mother, and you allow her? Ryder, you almost died when she fucking left you!"

My feet almost gave way as Ryder barked next. "Don't you dare talk to her that way!"

I grabbed my bag, my hands shaking. "I will leave."

"I never gave you permission to leave, Rose Asher."

I stopped in my tracks, heart heaving.