Roland Cares?

Roland Cares?
Riley's Point of View:

I was tired of the cold atmosphere, and I just wanted to leave. I had just gotten off a call with Alexander, and he sounded really anxious. According to him, Quinoa had called to inform him that she was having a dinner date with my family, along with her brother, Roland.

I knew Alexander had some kind of history with Roland, but I wasn't sure of what actually transpired between them. Some said they had a love triangle, while others said they had a rivalry war. But no one really knew what actually happened, and I wasn't sure that I wanted to know.

“Can we please meet up? Since Quinoa is around your family, anything can happen, and her big mouth might tell your parents that we are married!” Alex informed me immediately after I picked up the call.

“Hey, baby, how are you doing?” I replied, not wanting to reveal what I was discussing. I pouted my lips and formed a baby face.

Alexander immediately knew what was going on. “Fuck, you must still be at the family dinner! Anyway, I will contact the news agencies who are covering our stories, and I will pay them to take it all down. We have to play it safe, Quinoa mustn't find out!”

I furrowed my brows, wondering why he had suddenly changed his mind. A few hours ago, he wanted to tell the whole world that we were getting married, but now he sounded worried. Something didn't add up, and because I was in the midst of people, I didn't want to push any further, so I simply nodded in agreement.

“Let's meet up! Also, be careful around Roland!” Alex sounded jealous, but I thought it was my ear that was hearing things.

“Fine, alright. Good night.” I replied and hung up the call with a smile on my face.

While I was on the call, Roland kept looking at me suspiciously. He had been monitoring my plate of food, and I knew he was starting to suspect something.

“He just knows me too well!” I sighed, frustrated. If we were on good terms, this would have made me happy, but it didn't. I wanted to bury my secrets with me. It would be too risky if Roland found out.

“Sweetie, please, pick our calls when we call you. Also, come to the company next Monday, your father and I have decided to give you your former position,” my mother informed me, and I arched my brows.

“Just like that?” Daniel and my conscience asked cordially. Daniel looked like a hot knife had been put into his asshole, and as for the other members of my family, they looked like they weren't expecting such news.

Aunty Fiber, twisted her face, trying to suppress her anger. “Marie, I know you genuinely love your daughter, but isn't this a little too much? I mean you shouldn't trust just anyone!” She said to my mother, and my cousins nodded in agreement.

“We will talk about this later, Fiber! But I will let you know that it has been arranged!” My father said before my mother could respond.

Lucien and her husband were boiling in their seats! They looked like they had just seen a ghost.

“Well, congratulations!” Quinoa wished me. She looked bored of our family drama, I was also tired of it.

“Thanks, Quinoa,” I appreciated her, and stood up, ready to take my leave.

“Thank you very much for dinner! But I would like to take my leave now,” I informed my parents with a soft voice and bowed my head.

Roland immediately stood up, and I furrowed a brow at him, wondering if something was wrong.

Roland's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of concern. But it was quickly replaced by his usual unreadable expression.

"I'll walk you out," he said, his deep voice low and even. I chuckled, then shook my head.

“No, don't bother, I will walk myself out!” I replied. I wasn't ready to have a private discussion with Roland. I wasn't fully healed, and talking to him might reopen my wound.

Roland's eyes dropped but he quickly covered his disappointment. “Please, I insist.”

I wanted to refuse, but my mother responded before I could.

“Come on, Riley, let Roland walk you out. It's the least you can do as an appreciation to him for coming," she said with a smile, but I could sense a hint of annoyance beneath her words.

I sighed inwardly, knowing I had no choice but to accept Roland's offer. "Fine," I said, trying to sound casual. "Let's go, Roland."

Roland's expression remained neutral, but I could sense a flicker of triumph in his eyes. He gestured for me to lead the way, and I did, feeling a sense of apprehension as we walked out of the dining room together.

As we stepped into the foyer, Roland closed the door behind us, and we were alone. The sudden silence between us felt oppressive, and I could sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

I knew Roland had questions for me, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to answer them. But as I looked up at him, I saw a glimmer of concern in his eyes, and my defenses began to crumble.

"What's going on, Riley?" Roland asked, his voice low and gentle. "You look...different. And what's with the sudden engagement?"

I took a deep breath. To be honest, it felt nice to see someone who knew that something was wrong with me, and although I wanted to talk to him, I wasn't sure if I could trust him with my secret. The last secret I told him made my parents disown me, and I wasn't ready for such an ordeal.

“Why do you care?” I replied with a scowl. “Do you think I have forgotten about what you did? Do you think I have forgiven you?” I added, determined to irk him.

Roland sighed, and his eyes dropped. “I'm not here to ask for your forgiveness, Riley. I came because I care. I know something isn't right, I just want to know if there's any way I can help!” He had a genuine look on his face, but I knew better than to fall for him.

“No, I don't need your help! I doubt I ever will. As for my engagement, don't worry, I will send an invitation card to you. I wouldn't treat you the same way you treated me,” I said, my voice filled with bitterness, and without waiting for his response, I turned to leave.

“That wasn't a nice thing to say,” my conscience moaned softly. I knew she was right. I also didn't like the way I addressed Roland, but that was the only way to discourage him from caring about me. That was how I could bury my secret with me.