Chapter 4 Four

'We should do this more often.' Lynn says when they walk us to the door

I roll my eyes, we are here every other month and yet she wants us to be here more.

'I am serious Ryan, with the baby coming up it will be really nice for you to bond with him.'

'Um um, that is your baby. Don't involve me in raising it.' I say getting to the car

She makes a face

'What sort of an uncle are you?'

'Don't worry, he will be over him when he finally arrives.' Rob says joining me in the car

'Don't even raise your hopes.' I argue

They laugh

'You guys drive safely and let us know when you get home.' Joe says

We drive off, honestly even if I can't say it to their faces I always enjoy these dinner dates.

'So who is Paula?' Rob asks

I was really hoping she wouldn't ask me later but here we are now.

'No one.'

She eyes me from the corner of her eye

'Honestly she is no one important.'

She laughs

'She is not no one if she has you worked up.'

I sigh, I guess there is no point in hiding it because sooner or later she will find out.

'The new owner of FMedia, apparently she has taken after her father and might not be giving us the contract we have been trying so hard to get.'

'That sounds like a bummer.'

'I know, and worse off Tricia sold me off.'

She sits upright to face me

'You were still paying Tricia to get you information?'

'Paying her and a little more than that.'

'What the hell Ryan? You know Tricia is loose, how could you?'

'I was desperate, you know how important that contract is.'

'More reason why you were supposed to use the right chanel.'

I eye her

'Rob I am Ryan Chileshe and I get everything I want no matter the cost.'

'Even if it's putting your reputation on the line?' she fires back

'Tricia wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my reputation.'

'How sure are you that she is not telling people that she has been having all this with you?'

'We had a none disclosure agreement.'

'That is some Christian grey nonsense! You think this is a joke to you right? Ryan you are not some character in a book or movie. This is reality and you have got to put your life in order.'

Her words have hit a nerve, only Rob has that power.

We get home and I park in my spot without switching off the engine.

'Aren't you coming inside?'

I shake my head, not wanting to speak.

'And where are you going?'

'Rob I a your elder brother, I don't owe you explanations.'

She sighs in defeat, getting gout of the car but turns to look at me when she has closed the door.

'How many pieces of yourself will you give out before you finally decide to put your life in order?'

I open my voice to speak but decide against it

'Ryan I understand that mum's death hit you harder than it did all of us, but how many years has it been? You need to let go.'

'I will see you later.' I tell her

She looks at me sympathetically before walking away from the car

I connect my phone to the speaker and start playing Slap Dee's Take me Back, I hate that Rob is right. Just maybe it's high time I let go of the pain but somehow I can't forgive my mother for leaving when we all needed her the most. My father took it out on the job, he literally became absent in our lives and dedicated all his energies in his work.

Thinking about is always a kill joy so I brush it off

'If it isn't my favorite man.' Saint tells me when I enter Champs

He is a friend owns the place, I have featured him in our magazine once. I usually just come here for those desperate women who come looking for the next man who will be their meal ticket. They will sit in a group of three ladies and buy a round of drinks that has to last them the whole night hoping some man will show up and pick one of them. They always have their makeup well done, with nice clothes that still have tags o and my guess is one of them either has connections with a bouquet and they have to be returned in the morning. The live band is another reason I come through too, the food not so much because I hate that they don't have platters. So I usually just come here for the music, drinks and women then go to keg for the food. I might have all the money in the world but I still prefer the simpler things.

'How are you doing?' I ask him as we hug in a manly way

'I would be better if it wasn't for your silence.'

'Oh come on, you know I could be busy sometimes.' I say as he leads me to my favorite table

We find a couple seated there, but come on – I am Ryan Chileshe. Saint makes them leave the table for me.

'So how is work? Anything interesting in the fashion world?'

'Right now, I just want something strong to drink, let us talk about work on Monday.' I say trying not to be pressured with the thoughts of work.

He pats my back when a waitress brings me my beer, I spot a table with a group of three ladies that look like my target for the night.

I notice how they keep looking around the place obviously trying to see which man will be buying them drinks for the night.

'Call me the one with the velvet dress.' I tell the waitress

Minutes later she comes through, looking very happy obviously to have been first to be picked for the night.

'Estelle.' She says extending her hand

Ryan.' I respond shaking it

Her eyes are flirting with me, this one won't even be hard to get under my sheets.

'You want to get out of here?' she asks surprising me, that's a first.

'After you.' I say picking up my beer

I text Saint and ask him to send me the bill.