CHAPTER 45. COME STAY WITH ME
RYDER
“Do you know the woman in the video?!“ The first question was thrown at me.
The aggressive camera flashes would be frightening to someone who wasn't used to it, but I was. Standing on the podium, I tried to maintain a poker face.
“Yes, I do,“ My reply slid right out. It was hard to keep the emotions out of my words.
“What's your relationship with the woman in the video?!“
As much as I wanted the whole world to know that Hara was my mate, I knew more than anyone that this wasn't the right time to say that.
“You'll find out soon,“ That was my reply instead, and it seemed to tick them off.
“Does that mean the claims made by Ma'am Ciara are true?!“
“Are you really bewitched?! Is that why you're after her even though she's pregnant for another?!“
“Is she the reason behind the flood?!“
Their questions came rapidly, leaving me no room to reply. They all had something to say, and it's worse that they seem to be believing Ciara's trash.
“It seems your relationship with this woman puts your engagement to Ma'am Ciara at risk. What can you say about that?“
“I would like you all to know that Ciara and I already called off our engagement. And it has nothing to do with the woman in the video. We just had a mutual agreement to end things…“
“Are you serious?! There will be no wedding? “
“Are you gonna be getting engaged to someone else?! Is it the woman in the video?!“
“Who's the Father of her unborn child?!“
“Is she the reason behind the tragedy we're facing?!“
“No, she's not!“ I replied vehemently, “And that's the reason I called you all here. I wanna clear that issue up once and for all. The woman in the video has nothing to do with the flood.“
“But Ma'am Ciara said…“
“Whatever Ciara said is just one of her many lies. And if there's anyone to be blamed for the flood and the tragedy it brought, it should be Me. Until now, I'm yet to figure out the reason behind it. I sincerely apologize. Sooner or later, I'm gonna come up with a solution to this problem. But I'll really appreciate it if everyone stops blaming an innocent person. I want the videos on the internet to be taken down. The woman is innocent. This was all just a huge misunderstanding.“
I felt someone trying to mind-link me and that's why I rushed my words. Who didn't get the memo that I was in a goddamn press conference?!
“What is it?“ I snapped.
“Ryder,“ Darius called. “There's an angry mob outside Hara's apartment. She's gonna get hurt,“
“Not on my watch. Tell Jay to bring her here. There's no avoiding it anymore. She's safer with me here in the palace than out there. And try not to let any more videos leak.“
“Sure,“
Leaving the press conference would be downright rude and aggravating, so I sat through it all. Answering the same questions over and over again.
*
The press conference ended in an hour and I was more than eager to leave the hall. Out in the hallway, Darius ran up to me.
“Where are the others?“ I asked briskly heading to my room. Had to deal with Ciara.
“Giveon is watching Ciara,“
“And Jason?“
“I don't know, man. He just vanished. Ryder, there's a problem,“
“What is it?“
”Hara wouldn't come with the guys.“
“Yeah, was gonna ask what's taking so long,“ I sighed, rubbing my temples. I hope I don't get wrinkles from all these problems.
“The guys are wondering if they should forcefully bring her here,“
My brows arched, “Forcefully? Are they nuts?!“
“But Ryder–“
“Have Jay on the phone. I'll talk to her myself.“ Mind-linking her was not an option. Not when she's this mad at me.
The brief moment of silence was spent in my raging thoughts. Where the hell was Jason? We needed to talk. He had a lot of explanations to do.
“Here, Jay's on the line,“ Darius stretched out the phone to me. I took it.
“Hand the phone over to Hara,“
“Sure,“
The silence that followed had her soft breathing in it. I took a few steps away from Darius, turning my back to him. I was always at my lowest when it had to do with Hara. The only person I felt comfortable seeing me in that state was Jason. With the other guys, I try to maintain my stoic personality. I can't afford to be seen as weak by them.
“Hey,“ My voice came out softer than I thought it could be.
”I don't wanna live in the same house with you. I don't wanna give people more reasons to hate me. I don't want your fainceé to come after me again…“ She was sobbing. Has she been crying since I left?
“I already broke the engagement. Ciara means nothing to me now,“
“Is that supposed to make me happy?“
”No, I'm just letting you know.“ She was silent, and I continued, “Listen, Hara, all I want is for you to be safe, okay? Come stay here. I promise I'm gonna give you the space you're asking for. But I just wanna keep you in sight.“
“But, your people–”
“Damn the people!“ I snapped. “Your safety is my priority. Or would you rather I come live with you there?“
“What?“
“Yeah, that could work too. The plan is to keep an eye on you, it shouldn't matter where, right? I could come stay in your apartment if you can't come here. Let's see what the people would say when they find out I left the palace to go squat with my 'supposed' enchantress.“
Another silence and I heard a very low “Okay“, from her.
“So you coming then?“
“Yes,“
“Cool. I'll wait for you.“ I ended the call. One down, two to go.
I hurried to my room with Darius trailing behind me. Ciara was tied up on a seat and her mouth was sealed with duct tape. I couldn't help the chuckle that left me.
The guys understood the concept of making her 'very uncomfortable'.
Her eyes shot fire at me and she was squirming again, her muffled words going on and on.
“Get the tape off her mouth. I wanna hear everything she has to say.“