Chapter 45 I can’t get over her
THREE YEARS LATER
Ryan’s POV
“Have you sent the essential documents to Velasquez? If you haven’t, I want you to be fast with it,” I barked into the intercom, at my new secretary before hanging up, and reclining against the swivel chair.
Alvin had resigned some years ago, to further his studies in Italy while Daphne had gotten married, and had also moved to Japan with her husband. It was as if everything in my life suddenly went upside down ever since the day I committed a heinous crime against Ophelia.
Ah, Ophelia. Not a single day goes by that her pretty smile doesn’t find a way to slip into my thoughts.
I missed her. I knew I didn’t deserve to think up such a hypocritical thought after everything I did to her.
I sighed miserably as I shook my head to enable my utmost concentration. I had to review some proposals and financial reports.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Ever since the day Ophelia left my life, I immersed myself in a great deal of work, and on rare occasions when I wasn’t working, I’d drive to a club for a drink.
Vegas’ relationship with me after he found out about what I did to Ophelia went completely downhill. How he got to know me remained a complete mystery to me. He blocked me on all social platforms and instructed his security guards to ensure I couldn’t get access to his club.
Once when I broke through his security and went to his penthouse, we had a huge scuffle that ended up with me breaking his nose, and giving him a black eye, though he also messed up my face.
Since then, we steered clear of each other.
I was shocked when he reached out to me some days ago, almost three years after our fight, inviting me to hang out with him at a club where his new girlfriend worked as an exotic dancer.
Of course, I immediately grabbed the opportunity, and currently, I was preparing to hang out with Vegas.
I hoisted myself up from the chair with a groan, stretched my tense muscles, and sighed in respite as my stiff bones and muscles cracked.
Then, I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I muttered, plopping on the chair.
My secretary trekked in with some files in his hand, and bowed, “I’m done sending the contract to Mister Velasquez, and he said he will like to meet in a week, sir,”
I nodded, “Good job. That’s great. You may leave,”
He bowed once more before he sauntered out of my office.
I gazed at the piles of files he dropped on the table and sighed deeply.
As much as I hated working, it was the only reason I lived nowadays after Ophelia suddenly wandered off the earth.
I deeply regretted acting so cowardly by dumping Ophelia at the hospital and giving her the termination contract without even bothering to check up on her.
I could have done something to salvage the remaining bits of our relationship before she left.
Some days after I had Damon send the contract to her, I decided to check in on her anonymously. I was shocked when I was told that she was discharged some days ago, and given the strict hospital policies, they couldn’t give me her address.
She blocked my number, and when I used another phone to call her, I was informed that her number was non-existent.
I searched the whole of America for Ophelia but it was just as if I was searching for a needle in a haystack.
All my efforts to find her proved abortive.
I lost hope two years later. She was better off without me anyway. I could only hope she found it in her to forgive my ruthless actions toward her.
I would never be able to forgive myself if I didn’t get her forgiveness.
+++
“Hey, man,” Vegas greeted, stretching a hand towards me.
I gazed at his stretched hand for a beat before I tentatively shook it, “How have you been, Vegas?”
We were currently at the entrance of the club, and the tension between us was very awkward.
It was like we were meeting for the first time all over again.
Vegas scoffed, “Why are you being so coy? I’m not so mad at you anymore, Ryan. You can talk to me just like you used to. I can’t deal with formalities,”
“Oh, alright. That’s great. I’m glad you’re not mad at me anymore,” I nodded stiffly as we shook hands.
“Let’s go. The show must have started, and I don’t want to miss any bit of my baby’s performance tonight,” He said, with child-like excitement twinkling in his hazel eyes.
I frowned as I sidled with him into the noisy club that was packed with sweaty bodies, loud music, and the strong stench of alcohol.
Fuck, I hated clubs. This was why I preferred private clubs with refined people not exuberant and horny teenagers.
“Are you sure this is the venue?” I asked.
“Yes of course. This isn’t the place my girlfriend performs though. She works at the VIP section, and that’s where we are headed,”
“Oh,”
“Yup,”
We soon got to our destination and I was immensely glad that it seemed less boisterous than the first club we walked into. We took our seats in the middle as a passing server stopped in front of our table.
“No, I’m okay,” I uttered, to which she nodded. Vegas took a glass of champagne from her tray though.
The place brought a huge deal of nostalgia to me. Everything inside it ranging from the perverted old men to the passing servers reminded me of the first day I met Ophelia.
How she had seemed so naive, innocent, and ethereal like the untainted virgin she was until I ruined her life.
I shook the depressing thoughts off and tried to focus on the happenings on the stage.
A pretty blonde lady was dancing sensually on the pole amidst an impressively huge pile of cash, scattered on the floor, and of course, the men in the club were still flinging wads of dollar bills at her.
“That’s my girlfriend,” Vegas muttered, with a proud smile.
I gazed at the blonde and back at Vegas with gaped eyes, “Wait, you were not joking. You are really dating someone.”
“Of course not. I really love her and I want to be with her forever. I’ll get her to stop this job as I’m planning to pop the question soon,” He winked at me.
I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy but I smiled. Regardless of my misery, I was happy for my casanova friend that he was finally settling down.
“Introduce her to me soon,” I said, to which Vegas nodded.
“You still can’t find Ophelia?” Vegas asked, moments later.
I nodded as a sigh escaped my lips, “Yes, for the past three years. I can’t find her anywhere. I checked everywhere, mortuaries, cemeteries literally everywhere but she’s nowhere to be found,”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you find her soon and make things right,” He said, squeezing my shoulder encouragingly.
“I hope so too, Vegas. I really want to right my wrongs,” I muttered.
“You will find her soon, Ryan. Just keep looking. You will get my full forgiveness after you find her,” He muttered.
I nodded and waved to a passing server before I took a glass of wine from their tray which I downed in one gulp.
Now, I was revigorated and more determined to find the love of my life, Ophelia.