Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Four

Two pair of eyes fell on me as the door flew open. Both were startled, wearing guilty expressions.

Adian's masked his surprise, standing up, walking towards me, with goofy grin.

"You look good," he whispered leaning down to kiss me, while Ryan sitting a few feet away, looks on in amusement.

"And you smell good to," he added, seductively.

Blushing, in embarrassment, "your father," I whispered against his lips. He didn't released me until he ensured I was given, a deep sensual kiss.

Holding my hand Adian walked me towards the sofa he was sitting on, opposite his father, who sat drinking whiskey.

Ryan offered me a casual nod with a little smile, his eyes flickering between Adian and my, entwined hands, a contented smile, hovering at the corner of his mouth.

"Are you guys okay?" I asked curiously, watching the man sitting opposite me and the one whose hand, I'm holding.

Chuckling dryly, "yeah, I'm good considering the day I've been having," he admitted, checking the Rolex on his wrist.

Leaning forward he picked up his glass and gulped the balance of his drink, before standing up.

"Are you leaving already?" I asked curiously, while Adian stood up, joining his father.

Laughing humorlessly, "uh, yes" he looks at Adian. "I'm registering at The Plaza for the weekend and see where we go from there." He enlightened me, picking up his phone lying on the table, in front of us!

"Would Gerard drop me off, I sent my driver back." He asks Adian, already making movements to leave.

"Wait! What?" I asked quickly. "Why are you going to The Plaza?" I turn to Adian, frowning.

Ryan took a deep breath, glancing briefly at Adian.

"I'm moving out," he explained, averting his eyes from mines.

"You're going to live at The Plaza?" I continued, confused. "But why?" I turned to Adian. "We have extra rooms, can't he stay here?" I sent my husband a silent plea.

With his eyes on his father, Adian laughs and tilts his head at me.

"You heard my wife," he says to Ryan. "The invitation is still open!" He invited his father softly.

Shaking his head, "thank you sweetheart, but like I told your husband, I don't want to impose on you, I'll be fine," he responded, but couldn't hide the sadness in his voice.

"NO!" I said with determination, clenching my fists, ready to argue and fight my case. "You're staying here and that's final," tugging Adian's arm, "right?" I wait for Adian to agree with me.

Still refusing my invitation, "Hailey, that won't be fair to you, especially with.." Ryan pauses, "with, what you've been through." He explained.

I still refused to accept his explanation, "I'm getting better," I told him, wrapping my hand around Adian's arm. "Adian is helping me every step of the way." I was about to start pleading with him now.

"At least stay the weekend and maybe you could use my empty penthouse, which is vacant," I suggested, his eyes widening in surprise at my invitation, then he nods slowly.

Giving us a lopsided grin, "that sounds like a plan," but again he froze. "Won't your father use the apartment when he is released?" Ryan asks curiously, but the excited gleam that first appeared in his eyes when I suggested my apartment, disappeared, at the thought of David Sullivan!

"Then stay here with us, although David Sullivan might return to the house where he lived before," I whispered, having never given thought to that mansion before.

Where is that mansion? What became of it?

"Is that mansion still standing?" I asked, clasping my hands nervously.

Ryan takes a seat in front of me once again, "Hailey do not concern yourself about these things anymore," he advised me gently. "When David is out, you can live your life stress free, putting the pain of your past behind you." He continued.

"What about my mother's murderer?" I asked, my head still down, staring at my entwined fingers.

It's like a bomb was dropped on top of us!

No one responded and no one moved.

"We'll deal with everything one step at a time," Adian says gently, from beside me.

"Uh em, I wanted to go out to the church for a short while, would Gerard take me?" Changing the subject, I lifted my eyes, masking my feelings once again, with my bright fake smile.

"Hailey!" Both Adian and Ryan said simultaneously.

Smiling, afraid that I would lock myself in my bubble once again, "let's not do this yet," I responded, standing up, "like you said, it's one step at a time." I gaze at Adian, blinking away the tears that threatens to fall.

"So since Ryan is staying with us, would Gerard be able to take me to the church?" I asked once again, aware that Adian is not comfortable with me leaving the apartment without him, but I need to do this without him.

Glancing at his watch, "yeah that could work, although we have to pick up Emmy up in half and hour," Adian frowns.

Emmy!

"Okay, we can do that afterwards," I agreed, my fake smile slowly disappearing, making way for genuine happiness.

I get to spend sometime with Emmy and make up for my negligence towards her during the past few weeks.

Adian left to make arrangement with Gerard while Ryan remained with me, but he looked on cautiously.

Folding my arms, I leaned back on the sofa, scuffing.

"You don't want her to pay, do you?" I whispered, but he heard me.

"Hailey, in order for your father to be released, she will have to pay." He says then clams up, looking at the doorway.

Did he say too much.

"I'm stronger than you think, you know?" I chuckle at Ryan's sudden change of behavior. "I won't break," I tell him, my thoughts flew to Adian whose strength and compassion, I have been leaning on since I moved in with him. "Once Adian is beside me."