Chapter 29 Drive to the airport
CHICAGO, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
THREE DAYS LATER: AT RIA ROBERT APARTMENT
Ian got out of the car and came up to Ria’s front door. They both agreed that Ian would come and pick her up to the airport instead of her taking a taxi together with the kids. With Ian Bryant’s connections in the country, he was able to get their visas ready and prepare the necessary documents they would need for the trip.
Ian had felt that Ria won’t be comfortable with men around if they took a commercial plane that was why he opted in for his private jet since it would just be few of them on board. He pressed the doorbell and the door opened.
Ma’am Elise met him with a bright smile. “Good afternoon, ma’am Elise.” He greeted.
“Good afternoon, mr Ian. I hope…” Ma’am Elise paused while her eyes did a slow crawl all over him. “You look good.” She complimented.
Ian just simply smiled in return. He was dressed in a simple blue jeans and a fitting black top that showed off his muscular chest and strong arms although they are not as big as that of a weight lifter.
“Is Ria ready?” Ian asked.
He got no response because ma’am Elise’s thoughts was somewhere else. Ian followed her gaze which was on the Limousine that brought him to Ria’s place.
“Ma’am Elise-”
She jolted out of thought. “Oh yes! Sorry.. you were saying?”
“Is Ria ready for the trip?” He asked again.
“Oh! Of course! She is fully ready to go to China with you!” Ma’am Elise coaxed with a wide grin on her face.
“Mr Ian!” The door opened wide. Phoenix threw his arms around his waist and Ian carried him up in his arms giving the little boy a high five.
Ma’am Elise was surprised by Phoenix act towards the wealthy chief executive officer. When did they get so close?
“How are you doing, little man?” Ian smiled.
“I am fine, Mr Ian.” Phoenix replied.
“Ma’am Elise, I can’t find my purse!” Ian’s heartbeat accelerated when he heard Ria’s voice from inside the apartment.
“I am coming, miss Ria! Please excuse me.” Ma’am Elise went back inside leaving Ian with Phoenix.
Ian didn’t know what to do at first. He pondered of he should go into the house to see Ria? “No! It is not right! No one invited me in. Let me just wait for her to come outside.” He concluded within.
“Mom said that she is going to China with you.” Phoenix said.
“Yes little man.”
“I am going to miss her.” Phoenix had a sober look on his face. “Eight weeks seems like eight years to me.” The little boy counted his little fingers.
Then Ian dropped him and crouched down to his size. “Do you know the reason why your mom is leaving for China?”
Phoenix shook his head. “Yes, she is leaving to undergo a surgery in China.” He answered.
“What surgery?” Ian asked.
“An eye surgery so she can be able to see the world like us.” Phoenix pouted.
“Good boy. So don’t be sad that your mom will be gone for weeks but start thinking of how beautiful your mom will look if she could see the world like us.” Ian pinched his cheeks.
“Yeah! Mr Ian, you are right! My mom would be so pretty if she can see the world!” Phoenix flashed him a cute smile.
“Can you pray, Phoenix?”
“Yes, I can pray.” Phoenix responded.
“So pray for the success of your mom’s surgery okay?”
Phoenix shook his head in understanding. “I will do just that Mr Ian! And thank you for helping my mom!”
“My pleasure.” Ian roughen the little boy’s hair.
Phoenix is a smart and cute kid. Ian stood up only to find Ria at the entrance. He didn’t even notice anyone was there while he was talking to the little boy.
“Hi Ria.” Ian greeted.
“Good morning. I didn’t want to disturb your moment with him.” Ria said perfunctorily.
Ian’s eyes did a slow crawl from her face to her feet then back to her face. Ria looked wonderful in a pair of fitting blue jeans and a black top. Is this some kind of coincidence? Ian is on a blue jeans and a black top and Ria is wearing the same.
Ma’am Elise slid a big box out of the house while Phoebe carried another smaller one. “Good day, Mr Ian.” Phoebe smiled broadly.
“Hello Phoebe.” Ian waved.
“Now Mr Ian, miss Ria is ready to leave for China.” Ma’am Elise said.
“Okay.” Ian collected the big box from ma’am Elise and he pulled it down the small stairs.
The Limousine driver was already out of the car to take the boxes to the Limo booth. Ma’am Elise led Ria down from the porch to the car while Phoenix held on to her other hand. Soon Ria stopped and crouched down to his size after tracing his face with her fingers.
“Phoebe.” Ria called and Phoebe stood beside her brother.
“I am leaving now. Remember what I told you last night.” Ria held onto their hands.
“Yes mom.” They chorused.
“Eight weeks isn’t a lifetime okay?” They nodded. “And I will be back before you know it.” She kissed their locked hands.
“Take care mom.”
“Be good mom.”
Phoebe and Phoenix hugged Ria respectively as she planted kisses on their foreheads. Ria straightened and ma’am Elise stepped right in front of her. She smoothed some strands of hair from Ria’s face.
“I know you will be fine. You are coming back to see us with those beautiful eyes.” Tears sting in ma’am Elise eyes.
Ria nodded slowly. “Please take care of Phoebe and Phoenix.”
“Sure.” Ma’am Elise embraced her.
“Please take good care of yourself too.” Ria withdrew from the embrace.
The rear door had been left open so Ian helped Ria sit inside one of the two tows of seats facing each other and then be used the seatbelt to secure Ria before doing his own in the expensive Limo.
“All set?” Ben the limo driver asked.
“All set.” Ian replied.
“Bye mom.” The children waved and Ria raised her hand up to do the same gesture.
“Take care miss Ria… and have a safe trip!” Ma’am Elise said shakily as she wiped her bleary eyes.
Ben closed the door. Ian pushed a button and out came a fully equipped bar. “Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee? Soda? Or-”
Ria interrupted him. “I am fine. Thank you.”
Another push of the button and the bar disappeared just as the engine purred to life and the limo moved away from the driveway. The car seemed to glide into motion and it was as if they were floating.
Ian was wondering what to talk about when Ria said. “How far is the drive to the airport?”
“It won’t take long. We should get there in twenty five minutes.” Ian responded.
“Okay.” Ria mumbled and they lapsed into silence.This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.