The CEO's Rose

Chapter 145: No to Change

Ryan’s POV

After a hard day at work, (being the CEO of multiple companies might have been fun), but it could also be draining.

All that Ryan wanted to do was hit the gym, do some damage to yet another punching bag, shower, and then try to get as much sleep as possible. Preferably without any dreams of Vivian Rose. But instead of arriving home and immediately setting his plan in motion, Ryan found that he could not instantly set about doing all of the things that he had in mind.

Instead, he was stuck in his living room, checking his watch every few minutes, as he waited for Mark’s arrival.

Normally, his friend coming over would not have had Ryan feeling on edge. But for this particular visit, Mark had actually called ahead, and when Ryan had told him he was not in the mood, his friend had politely insisted.

He had said that what they needed to talk about was important.

Were he somebody that Ryan did not know well, he would not have budged at all. He would have dug his heels in and insisted that Mark visit him some other time. That he was busy that day.

But the fact that Mark had not only called ahead, but had also made sure to tell Ryan that they would be talking about something important. That meant that whatever it was that his best friend wanted to discuss, was not only serious, but that it was time-sensitive as well.

So even though he was tired, Ryan would not allow himself to rest just yet. He had to hear his friend out.

A few minutes later, Ryan heard movement at his door. Not wanting to waste any time by having Mark use up a few seconds keying in the code. He went to open the door himself.

"So what is it that you wanted to talk about?" He did not even have the door fully open when he asked the question. But instead of getting to the point, Mark just stood there not saying anything.

Ryan was about to ask him what was wrong when his friend moved to the side, and Ryan’s eyes widened when he realized that the other man had not come alone. He had brought along someone that Ryan had thought he would never see again.

Vivian Rose’s best friend, Amy.

***

Saying that the little meeting was awkward would have been the understatement of the century.

Despite having been the one to call and tell Ryan that they needed to talk, Mark seemed to be at a loss for words.

Instead of speaking, he kept looking at Amy. The two of them staring at each other for long uncomfortable seconds and then swiftly looking away. Ryan watched that go on for a solid two minutes before he could not take it anymore.

"Amy, as lovely as it is to see you again. There must be a reason why you have come here with my best friend. Will one of you just please come out and say it?"

The woman looked at Ryan, then her gaze slid over to Mark who was already watching her, and Ryan could not help but roll his eyes.

"Come on you two, why are you making so much eye contact? Could it be that you are-"Ryan cut himself off, taking a proper look at the two, his mind working to piece things together.

Mark had suddenly asked to meet. Then he had shown up with Vivian Rose’s best friend.

Now the two of them were having intense staring matches and could not seem to find their voices.

Could it really be?

"Are you too dating and you have come here to tell me because you do not want things to be awkward?" He asked outright.

"What?!" They cried in unison, both their cheeks flaming and Ryan raised a brow.

He had not really thought that his guess was correct. But from the way that they were reacting he was beginning to think that something might be going on between the two of them.

Was it possible that they had an arrangement similar to what Ryan and Vivian had, or at least what they used to have.

His heart hurting at the thought of Vivian Rose, Ryan refocused on the two people in the room with him and he was right on time to hear Amy’s explanation.

"That is not the case at all. There is nothing going on between the two of us. Mark simply brought me along so that I could have the chance to ask you to do something for me,"

Ryan stared at the woman. When he and Vivian had been a thing, Ryan had not really said much to Amy.

So why was the woman suddenly comfortable asking him for favors.

"And just what is it that you would like for me to do for you?"

Ryan asked, sharing a questioning look with Mark before turning back to Vivian Rose’s best friend.

"I would like you to get back together with my best friend,"

"No, absolutely not," The words came out sharper than Ryan had intended them to be and he hated how his tone made Amy flinch.

She gathered herself quickly though, and leaned forward, a challenge in her eyes.

"Why not? You two were magic together and Mark tells me you miss her just as much as she misses you,"

Oh...Vivian missed him.

Ryan’s mind shot circuited for a bit before he shook his head and forced himself to pay attention. He could not allow his emotions to rule him in this.

"Be that as it may, our arrangement fell apart at the first sign of trouble, and it had not even been real trouble Amy. If that is not a sign that we do not belong together, I do not know what is,"

Amy looked at him like she had never been more disappointed in anyone in her entire life. The look had Ryan fighting not to let his shoulders hunch in shame. freewebnσvel.cøm

Gripping her handbag tight, she spoke up again.

"Bryce has been sniffing around. He is trying to get back together with her," ƒrēewebnovel.com

I should have killed him.

The thought dropped into Ryan’s mind with all of the subtlety of a nuclear bomb. Taking a moment to blink the red out of his eyes, he breathed in and out.

Standing, he gestured for the door with one hand.

"You already have my answer, Amy. I am sorry that you came all the way here hoping for some sort of miracle. but nothing will change,"

"Ryan..."Mark began, but he cut his friend off with a look. Shaking his head in resignation, Mark stood and helped Amy to her feet.

As the two of them walked towards the door Amy turned back to him one last time.

"You are making a mistake," She said nothing more after that, she simply followed Mark out and left Ryan all alone with his thoughts.