“Sofia,” Ryan said, pausing at the entrance to his sitting room.“I wasn’t expecting to find you here,” he added, approaching. According to schedule, he was supposed to be airbone right now, nearing the French Rivera for the Cannes film festival, tagged ‘This Is It,’ in his honor.She got up with a tired smile.“We never know what to expect with life,” she said and hugged him.Ryan hugged her as well, but he had this confused look on his face. Even more, after she held on.“I’m sorry,” Sofia finally said, stepping back from him.“I got carried away,” she added, unable to look him in the eye.“Hey, hey. It’s fine,” Ryan said, touching her jaw to turn her gaze to meet his.“It’s not. In five days-” she sighed, unable to complete the statement.“You’ll be fine, love,” he spoke gently.“I love you, Ryan.” The words tumbled from her lips.“Sofia-”“-No, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t lie to myself, James, or anyone else. I still look at you and wonder how I would feel in your arms. I sti

After the photoshoots and interviews, there was an open press conference for the cast of Heart of Stone—Ryan’s last film.Amanda was in attendance as well and took the seat on Ryan’s left side, clinging to him at every opportunity she got and acting overly emotional.Sofia had never been one to hide her feelings so she was visibly irritated by Amanda’s antics. Everyone shared their thoughts, emotions, and feelings on the series and working with Ryan, seated around a table on a stage while the audience watched, with most sobbing.The man playing Niko’s adviser suggested that Niko die too in the film because no one else could fulfill the role.After the press conference, two hosts from the organizers joined them to discuss the film, Ryan’s career, and his special recognition at Cannes while a short film showcasing his career played on a large screen behind them.When all was said and done, Ryan took Sofia straight to his chateau, and having called ahead, everything was already put toge

After Sofia left, closely followed by James, Amanda crept to where Ryan still knelt, sitting on his calves. Tears rolled down his face but he wasn’t making any sound and his eyes were closed.“Ryan?” She called tentatively.He opened his eyes and got to his feet with the deepest frown she had ever seen on him.“Get the f*ck out of here now,” he growled.Amanda backed away, shocked.“My things are-”“Remain at the gate if you need them.”“Someone’s bringing them?” She asked but she didn’t get an answer as he walked towards the house.***Ryan was sitting on the steps to his porch with a bottle of root beer in his hands and a six-pack with five bottles left, in an ice bucket next to him when he saw the cab stop at the gate and Rico dropped from it.He remained there, drowning his sorrows in alcohol until Rico got to him.Ryan took a long draw as Rico sat next to him and helped himself to a bottle.“You look a mess,” he said.“You don’t look too good yourself,” Rico countered and put th

“What happened?” “I have no idea. I just heard a thud and then silence.” “Think she’s coming back here?” Michaelson asked. “Either on my jet or on the next flight,” Rico replied with absolute conviction. *** “Alicia,” Trish called, as Tye and Alicia alighted from the cab. “Thank God I caught you before you’d disappear behind your door for the rest of the day,” she added, as she approached them. Alicia sighed but didn’t reply. “Hey, Tye. How are you?” Trish smiled at the kid. “I’m alright,” he replied eagerly, busy with his triple scoop of ice cream, and Trish nodded. “I see that,” she said. “Come on, you’re never going to forgive us?” She asked, turning her attention to Alicia. “Honestly, I have no problems with any of you,” Alicia replied. “At the same time, it’s going to take a while for things to return to how they were. If that even happens at some point.” “I understand,” Trish said. “Anyways, that wasn’t why I called you. I believe you’ve seen the news about Ryan, r

The cafe bells jingled as she followed Tyler through the door.A slight feeling of nostalgia hit, and she swallowed slowly, praying that perhaps he didn’t come to work today.But there he was, on counter duty.There was no avoiding him, especially now Tyler had suddenly disappeared and reappeared at Kim’s table.Their gazes met briefly, and Fred returned to what he was doing.Ouch, she thought, and taking one deep breath, she picked up the courage to walk to him.“What can I get you, ma’am?” Fred asked, rearranging the rolls.“Fred-”“-Alfred Duperly, to you, ma’am,” he cut in.“That’s how we’re playing it?”“There is no we here, Ms. Mercano. Do you have an order to place or not?”There were little teardrops forming in her eyes. She kept blinking them away, but she was always the softest in the room, and they kept pushing until she had to use her hands.“I’m sorry, Fred.”Her voice sounded so fragile; it could have broken at a feather’s touch.“Don’t you think it’s too late for that?”