Chapter 159 Going Out
Ryan’s apartment was filled with a different kind of energy. Unlike Amelia’s room, which had been chaotic with uncertainty, Ryan’s space was controlled, but not without signs of hesitation.
His bed was neatly made, but several shirts were laid out across it, each one carefully chosen and then reconsidered.
He stood in front of his mirror, adjusting the collar of a fitted black shirt before stepping back slightly to study his reflection.
He looked good.
Sharp, put together and effortlessly confident.
But even he couldn’t deny the small edge of anticipation beneath it all.
For someone who was usually composed, calculated, and rarely caught off guard, this… felt new and different.
He was about to meet the girl he always looked forward to chatting with. A girl he'd clicked with even without knowing what she looked like.
He couldn't believe a guy like him could actually stay put and didn't pressure her into meeting when they were obviously in the same city.
What was she going to look like? Was she light skinned or pale skinned? Did she have long black hair or blonde? Was her lips full or heart shaped?
He exhaled lightly, running a hand through his hair before picking up his watch from the dresser.
"Relax," he muttered under his breath. "It’s just a date."
But even as he said it, a small smile tugged at his lips.
Just a date… right. If it was, then why was he so worked up, anticipating and looking forward to it?
This was more than a date. It was also a medium to see how he'd connect with her physically too.
He smiled sheepishly. How could a thirty four year old man like him behave like a teenager falling in love for the first time just because he was meeting her for the first time?
He shook his head in amusement, telling himself he needed to dress up and get to the place as soon as possible so that he'd be more relaxed before she arrived.
He was just about to reach for his jacket when his phone rang.
Ryan glanced at the screen.
Derek.
The faint smile on his face faded slightly, replaced with something more neutral, more familiar.
He picked up the phone before answering the call.
"What now?" he said, his tone already carrying a hint of impatience.
On the other end, Derek didn’t waste time.
"Ryan, I need your help."
Ryan rolled his eyes slightly, already expecting this.
"Of course you do."
Derek exhaled heavily.
"I’m serious," he said. "I don’t know what else to do."
Ryan walked over to the chair, picking up his jacket as he listened.
"For the past week, I’ve been sending her flowers… notes… anything I can think of, Derek continued. "She still won’t see me. I’ve gone to her house twice, she avoids me every time."
Ryan slipped one arm into his jacket, his expression unimpressed.
"And?" he said flatly.
"And I don’t know what I’m doing wrong," Derek admitted, frustration clear in his voice. "I thought if I showed her I was serious that she would accept me back."
Ryan let out a short, dry laugh, cutting him off.
"You are serious now," he said. "After everything."
Derek went quiet for a second.
Ryan adjusted his sleeve, his tone sharpening slightly.
"You really want advice?" he continued. "Start by remembering that I didn’t send you on all those things you did."
Derek sighed.
"Ryan...."
"No," Ryan cut in, his voice firmer now. "I warned you. Repeatedly if you can remember correctly."
He picked up his keys from the table.
"I told you Celia was trouble. I told you to set boundaries. But no you kept going back, kept entertaining her like it wouldn’t cost you anything."
There was a pause.
Then Derek spoke again, quieter this time.
"I know."
Ryan shook his head, though Derek couldn’t see him.
"And now you’re surprised Rebecca doesn’t want to see you?" he added. "You’re lucky she hasn’t blocked you completely."
Derek didn’t respond immediately.
For a moment, the only sound on the line was his breathing.
Then.
"I just… I need to fix this," Derek said, his voice lower now, more honest. "I can’t lose her, Ryan."
Ryan’s expression softened just slightly.
But only slightly, he loved Derek, but at the moment he just wanted to be done with him so he can finish dressing up.
"Then stop thinking flowers and notes are going to fix it," he said. "You broke her trust. That’s not something you patch up in a week or two with flowers and gifts."
Derek ran a hand through his hair on the other end.
"So what do I do?" he asked. "Because clearly what I’m doing isn’t enough." He said, he wanted to continue but suddenly paused, something wasn't right.
"Wait, why do you sound that way?" he asked suddenly.
Ryan frowned slightly.
"What way?"
"Like you can't wait to be done with me and this conversation," Derek said. "There’s something else there."
Ryan stilled for a second.
"And don’t try to deny it," Derek added. "I know you. There’s something going on."
Ryan let out a small breath, almost amused.
"You’re unbelievable," he muttered.
"I’m serious," Derek pressed. "What is it?"
Ryan hesitated briefly… then a small, genuine smile crept back onto his face, one he didn’t bother hiding this time.
"I’m going out," he said simply.
Derek went quiet for a second.
"…You?" he asked, surprised. "Going out?"
"Yes, me," Ryan replied dryly. "Is that so shocking?"
"A little," Derek admitted. "You hate going out unless it’s work-related or with me."
Ryan smirked slightly.
"Not tonight."
There was a brief pause.
Then Derek asked, more curious now—
"Okay. With who?"
"A woman," he said.
Derek scoffed lightly.
"I assumed that part." then it suddenly clicked in his mind "Wait, are you going out with your mystery lady?" He asked.
Ryan glanced at his reflection in the mirror again, adjusting his collar one last time.
"Well, yes. We finally agreed to meet today." He replied.
Derek went completely silent.
There was a brief pause after Ryan’s last words, the line still connected, as if neither of them was quite ready to hang up just yet, like there were still things left unsaid, thoughts lingering just beneath the surface, waiting for an opening.
Then Derek spoke again, his tone shifting slightly, curiosity creeping in.
"That's good but let me ask you something," he said slowly. "What if you meet her… and you don’t like her? What if she is not everything she portrayed online?"