Chapter 6: My Cinderella

*Ryan* The weeks gone by have been awfully bleak. I have searched, as discreetly as a businessman can, for Amber every single day. Her name is all she left me with, before escaping my hotel room in the early hours of the morning. That and the bracelet safely kept in my front left pocket, close to my heart. I found it that morning, underneath the pillows. It must have slipped off during our... interaction. The said interaction I have been unable to get out of my head. Finding her has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated. I have gone back to the club a number of times and asked around, to no avail. I won't stop searching until I find her. It is why I'm seated in this office. This is my last resort at finding the woman who stole my heart. I lean back in my chair, lips tilting into a smile that has my jaw aching. I do not like interviews much, but being born into a family like mine gives you little choices and escaping interviews isn't one of them. Today, however, I am taking advantage of it. "It is hard to believe that a man such as yourself isn't in a relationship," the host, Avery Cooper, coos, eyes bright with excitement. "Do you have plans on getting married any time soon?" I laugh, reaching for the bracelet in my pocket. "Perhaps." Her eyes widen with false surprise as she gasps and looks at the camera. "Would you take a look at that? It would seem Ryan Holden is finally off the market." She gives a dramatic pause before turning back to me. "Please tell us more about your... partner? We're all curious." My blush isn't entirely faked. My insides twist as I remember her bright green eyes that held delight in them when I held her; her plump lips that had roamed my skin, parting ways to my soul and leaving tender marks in it; her fingers— I swallow, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Avery smiles, noting my reaction to the topic. "You must really like this person a lot." I take out her bracelet from my pocket. "It's a complicated story. My Cinderella has run away from me, taking my heart with her, and I need to find her." Avery arches a brow, gaze darting from me to the feminine bracelet in my grasp. "Your Cinderella?" I smile at her puzzled expression. "I dubbed her that, after she ran and left this behind on our first meeting." I hold out the bracelet. Avery releases a wistful sigh and looks toward the camera again. "How magical. Would you like to leave a message for her?" "Yes," I say, and look directly into the camera, imagining she is out there, watching me from her TV screen. I think of her eyes as I say, "I need you, Amber. Please find me." **** I bite my lips nervously, heart sinking into my stomach. July is a bit late, but I could use the time to gather my thoughts and— How do you tell a man you've only met once that he is going to be a father? Definitely not over the phone. I did try. After surfing the internet for hours, I got a hold of his official line. It took great effort not to shit myself as I placed the call. But a woman picked up, chirpy and peachy—his secretary?—and I hung up without a word. That was yesterday. Today, July is taking me all the way to Infinity Groups to meet Ryan Holden, father of my child. I haven't been this anxious in my entire life. What will he say? Will he accept the child? Hell, will he even recognize me? It's almost been a month since that night. What do I tell him? "'Sup Ryan, we're having a baby, marry me?" Ugh. Needing to calm my nerves, I turn on the TV. I really should stop watching TV. It's like I've been placed under a geass and everytime I turn it on, something bad happens. The news comes on, and the TV screen is divided in two. On one side is a photo of Ryan. He looks dashing in a maroon suit, but he isn't smiling for the camera like most celebs do. If anything, one would think he was scowling. He looks hot all the same. I can already feel my heart racing with stupid excitement. On the other side is a hot supermodel, Jenna Smith. The headline on the bottom of the screen reads: "Jenna Smith Falsifies Pregnancy Reports To Trap Holden Heir." "It has been a rampant occurrence," the host says. "Many women seem to want a piece of Ryan Holden, and it would seem some more than others would go to the extreme to achieve this. Now we've learned that Jenna—" I turn off the TV, vowing never to turn on the news again. Seriously? Of all stories. I slump back in my chair. This is the universe's way of saying, "Fuck you, Amber." If I go to him now, I will only be viewed as one of the many women vying for his wealth and attention. My eyes sting and I blink back the tears as I place July on dial. She picks up on the first ring and chirps into the phone, "Hey, Amby. I'm almost there." I swallow. "I can't tell him, July." "We've been over this a thousand times, Amber..." I hang up. She calls back a few seconds later and there is a slight pause when I pick up before she says, "Are you alright?" My heart squeezes at the worry in her voice and a tear slides down my cheek as I quip, "Yeah." Thankfully, she doesn't ask questions and promises to meet me later tonight with a bowl of ice cream. Usually, that might have thrown me out of my terrible mood, but all I can think of is... How am I going to raise a child alone?