Chapter Four- Reflections Of Regret

Ryan O’Connor Edwards 

I stepped out of the plane, took of my shades and inhaled the air in New York, bringing back so much regret and pain in my heart. I push all that aside and focus on the business meeting I was here for. I put on my shades and walked ahead and entered my car and the driver zoomed off to the location of the meeting. 

We arrived at Denzol corporation, the biggest multinational pipeline and energy company in New York city. I was about to strike a deal to buy ninety percent of the shares of the company. I walked into the building and I was received well by the employees there, they led me to the company’s meeting room. 

As I entered the meeting room, the executives of Denzol Corporation greeted me with polite smiles and firm handshakes. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as we settled into our seats around the sleek, mahogany table. 

I wasted no time in getting down to business, outlining my proposal for the acquisition of the company's shares. I spoke with confidence and conviction, my words laced with the promise of lucrative opportunities and mutual benefits. 

The executives listened attentively, their expressions a mix of curiosity and calculation as they weighed the potential advantages of my offer against the risks of relinquishing control. 

As the meeting progressed, I found myself drawn into the familiar rhythm of negotiations I had acquired over the years, my mind focused solely on the task at hand. The meeting drew to a close and the executives expressed their interest in my proposal. I signaled to my personal assistant, who was also my best friend to hand them the documents my lawyers had drawn up to sign. When he did, they read it and all four executives penned their signatures on the required places and passed the documents back to me. 

With a sense of determination, I looked at the signed documents and shook hands with the executives, sealing the agreement with a firm handshake and a promise of future collaboration. As I left Denzol Corporation, I handed over the firm to my personal assistant, who was also my best friend to manage and told him to book the next flight to Nashville because I couldn’t handle the regret and pain that came with this city. 

I told the driver to stop at a food restaurant that happened to be close to a play ground. As I stepped out of the car and walked towards the restaurant a little girl approached me; her eyes wide with curiosity and innocence. She couldn't have been more than eight or nine years old, her chubby cheeks flushed with excitement. 

"Excuse me, mister," she said, tugging on the hem of my jacket. "Are you a superhero?" 

I couldn't help but chuckle at her question, charmed by her youthful enthusiasm. "No, sweetheart, I'm not a superhero," I replied with a warm smile. "I'm just a regular guy." 

Her face fell slightly at my response, but she quickly perked up, undeterred by my lack of superhuman abilities. "Oh, okay," she said brightly. "Well, can you push me on the swings? Please?" 

I glanced towards the nearby playground and saw a row of empty swings swaying gently in the breeze. 

"Of course, I'd be happy to," I said, crouching down to her eye level. "Lead the way." 

The little girl's eyes lit up with delight as she took my hand and led me towards the playground. She reminded me of someone I left in this city years back which still brings regret to my heart. As we reached the swings, the little girl climbed onto one of them and looked up at me expectantly. I gave her a gentle push, marveling at the sheer joy radiating from her as she soared through the air. 

As we talked to each other, I got to know that her name was Isabella. I told her my name but she had difficulty pronouncing it. 

“Don’t worry, you can call me Riri” I said 

“Ok then, uncle Riri can you please take me home, my mommy must be waiting for me” she said expectantly 

I couldn’t resist her cute face and her plea so I agreed. I dismissed my driver and took a cab while she directed the cab driver to her place. Once we reached her house, she found out her mommy wasn’t around and I didn't have it in me to just leave her at home so I hung out with her on the porch. She was really fun to be with. 

Moments later, her eyes left mine and looked behind me and she ran towards someone. As I turned around I was completely shocked to my marrow, my heart skipped a beat as I saw her – Lily, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. Time seemed to stand still as our eyes met, a flood of memories crashing over me like a tidal wave. 

“Mommy look! I found someone to help me” her daughter’s voice drawing me back to the present. 

She squatted to her daughter’s height and gave her a hug and sent her inside to go do her homework. After her daughter was out of earshot, she whispered my name and I said her name too and started babbling apologies to her. I watched her expression slowly change from surprise to anger as she ordered me out of her house. I guess her daughter heard her and came out, she asked her mother if I could stay or dinner but as expected her mother said I couldn’t. after Isabella wailed and cried, she finally agreed for me to stay. I helped her to set the tables. 

During dinner, I could help but smile at all the stories Isabella told me. I also noticed how much Lily had grown over the years, she was so much more beautiful and her smile was captivating, I had to force myself not to stare at her. After dinner, she tucked Isabella in and ordered me out of her house and her life. Before I left her house, I told her how much I enjoyed her daughter’s company and thanked her for dinner. 

Chasing me from her house was easy but chasing me from her life will certainly not be as simple. I called my driver to come pick me up. After I ended the call with my driver, ten minutes later he got there with Theodore, my personal assistant and bestfriend and picked me up 

During the ride, I asked Theo to cancel the flight to Nashville and find me a small suitable low budget apartment and a well furnished penthouse in New York. The expression on Theo’s face was to kill for 

“Hold up, hold up Ryan,” Theo said, looking totally confused. “First of all, you want to cancel the flight to Nashville? I thought you said you didn’t want to stay in New York because it made you remember a lot of things that cause you pain, what changed and second, what’s with the low budget apartment and a pent house?” 

“Ok, so I changed my mind, I do want to stay in New York, I have some unfinished business I have to take care of and as for the low budget apartment and the penthouse, just trust me and do what I say, I’ll let you in on the details later” I said, hoping Theo will understand 

"Ryan, are you sure about this?" Theodore asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I mean, what about your business in Nashville? And what about your plans for the future?" 

"I’m pretty sure. As for the business in Nashville, hand it over to the Manager there and check in from time to time to see how he is handling it. And also, I need you to find out something about someone for me”