Chapter 142 That's My Girl
RYAN'S POV
“I was really shocked that they both came to beg for forgiveness. They literally went on their knees, something I never imagined I’d see from both of them in my lifetime,” Anna said over the speaker of the phone.
Her voice sounded calm, but I could hear the disbelief beneath it. It wasn’t every day people who once felt untouchable humbled themselves like that.
I hung up the last of my jackets and adjusted the spacing between my shirts inside the walk-in closet. Everything had to sit perfectly. I liked order, it helped me think clearly.
“There’s a first time for everything, babe,” I replied evenly. “Nobody remains the same forever.”
Anna scoffed softly on the other end. “Or they could just be doing that so they can avoid what’s coming for them. They know I’m going to make Bella’s life working here a living hell.”
I paused for a moment, then reached for another hanger. “You could be right,” I said calmly. “But you could also be wrong.”
She didn’t respond immediately, so I continued.
“Try looking at it from another angle. Maybe they’ve actually realized their wrongdoings and genuinely want your forgiveness. Nothing attached. No ulterior motive.”
The line went quiet.
I could picture her now probably sitting at her desk, brows furrowed, fingers tapping lightly against the surface as she thought about what I’d just said. Anna wasn’t impulsive. When she went quiet like this, it meant she was processing.
“I’ve lived with them for years,” she finally said. “After everything they did to me, I just find it hard to believe that they’ve changed.”
I shut the closet door gently and leaned against it, phone pressed to my ear. “And that’s understandable,” I said softly. “Anyone in your position would feel the same way.”
I took a breath before adding, “But how about you take the chance and find out whether you’re wrong or not? Be the better person. Let go of everything they did to you. You're not someone who takes revenge or enjoys watching people suffer.”
That last part was important. Anna was strong, but she wasn’t cruel. No matter what life threw at her, she always tried to rise above it.
She let out a small sigh. “Alright,” she said at last. “When they asked me to forgive them, I didn’t give them an answer. But I’ll let them know.”
A smile spread across my face. “That’s my girl.”
She laughed lightly, the sound easing something in my chest.
“And how’s the event center looking for next week?” I asked. “Is everything set?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “So far, everything is in place. I’ve sent out all the invitations already, so now we just wait till next week.”
“Good,” I said. “I know you always handle things properly.”
There was a brief pause before I spoke again. “Speaking of next week… Valentine’s Day is after the ceremony. Do you have any plans for that day?”
“Well,” she said slowly, “apart from going to the office, none at all.”
I stopped walking.
“Seriously?” I asked, turning away from the window. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to go to the office on Valentine’s Day, babe.”
“Well, yeah,” she replied casually. “It’s still a weekday. And I must show up every day for work, regardless of the fact that I’m the CEO.”
I shook my head, disbelief creeping in. “Alright, we need to talk about this.”
She hummed softly. “About what exactly?”
“I know you might still have that mentality that you’re single,” I said firmly, “but you need to get rid of it. You’re in a relationship now. You’re my girl. And I’m not going to allow you work on a day you’re meant to spend with me.”
There was silence again.
“The truth is,” she said after a moment, “I haven’t celebrated Valentine’s Day with anyone apart from my family. And they always let me go to the office because they believe Valentine’s Day is for kids and people who aren’t working their way to the top.”
That one hit harder than I expected.
I clenched my jaw slightly. How could she see love like that? How unkind must life have been to make her believe affection and ambition couldn’t coexist?
“I’ll have to disagree with you on that one, babe,” I said calmly, though my tone was firm. “That day is special. And if you’re used to working on it, things have changed now. You’re with me. We’re going somewhere special that day, just the two of us.”
She exhaled softly. “Alright,” she said. “Do you have somewhere in mind?”
A grin tugged at my lips. “That’s going to be a surprise. All I can tell you for now is that we’re leaving the country that day and coming back two days later.”
“Two days?” she asked. “Isn’t that too much?”
“No,” I replied without hesitation. “It’s perfect. You’re going to drop everything concerning work and actually have fun. Valentine’s isn’t just one day for me.”
She was about to respond when a soft knock sounded on my bedroom door.
“Hold on,” I said, pulling the phone away from my ear as I walked toward the door.
I opened it to find one of the maids standing there, hands clasped respectfully in front of her.
“Sorry to disturb you, sir,” she said, “but Mrs. Tracey is here to see you. She’s waiting in the living room.”
Tracey?
I frowned slightly.
I hadn’t asked her to come over.
So what was she doing here?
Still, if she’d come all the way here without informing me, then it had to be something important. I was sure she’d learned her lesson about showing up at my place, especially after all the misunderstandings she’d caused in the past.
“Tell her I’ll be there in a moment,” I said.
The maid nodded and quietly walked away.
I lifted the phone back to my ear. “Babe, I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
Before she could reply, I ended the call.
Sliding the phone into my pocket, I took a breath and straightened my shirt.
Let’s go see what she wants.