Chapter 4: RYDER

“It's been a week now since I last saw that cute officer Kyle, I kinda miss him" sighs!

Knock knock!!!

A knock on the office door brings my soul back from my reverie.

“Come in!” oh, It's Riley.

“Hey Ryd, it's almost lunchtime, wanna go eat outside, cafeteria, or food delivery?" Riley asked while walking towards my desk. Ryd is my nickname given by my friends to shorten my name.

“Let's eat outside and take a walk after, I feel suffocated sitting here all day,” I said while stretching my limbs and my neck.

“Ok, I'll call for table reservations now," Riley then dialed the restaurant number for reservation. "Mn,'' I nod.

At the Restaurant,

"Good day sir, how may I help you?" The usher greeted us upon entering the restaurant. “We have a reserved table for two," replied Riley.

"Please follow me, sirs," the usher then motioned her hand and ushered us to our reserved table.

"Hey Ryd, Luke called me earlier, he said he has something important to tell us. “About what?” I asked

"He didn't mention anything. He said to gather at the Headquarters tonight.

"Mn, I think it's really important, let's go there tonight.

"Did you inform Marius?

"Yeah, I already called them." Riley and I were in the middle of talking when the food was served.

"Let's eat first, I'm starving," I said, interrupting him. He just nods and chuckles.

Right before shoving a spoonful of food into my mouth, I saw a very familiar face approaching the next table. The cute face I have been missing for a week now. He has a stoic face and emits a cold aura that looks intimidating. But not for me, for me, he is as cute as a puppy. Ah, I have this urge to tame that stoic face of him, hahaha…! I'm laughing internally from my wild imagination. I grin before I start to dig in my food, it seems like he doesn't notice me yet.

I keep on glancing at him from time to time ignoring Riley who keeps talking of who knows whatever he's blabbering as I am not interested in whatever he said. I'm busy stealing glances at my baby boy. Yes, my baby boy. I have decided to make him my baby boy.

A few moments later, it seemed like he finally noticed my presence. Our eyes met and locked to each other for a few seconds. Thus I gave him an enticing and very seductive winked smile. I laughed again internally seeing how he instantly averted his gaze and picked up a glass of water and drank it in one go.

It's fun teasing him, I thought and I chuckled a little. His reaction is so cute, I feel like I want to tease him for the rest of his life.

I continue eating while Riley is still blabbering something. Thankfully he's looking down at his plate and seems like he didn't catch a glimpse of what is happening around him.

“So, Ryd, what do you think?" Riley asked, then lifted his head to look at me. “Mn...what? Think about what?” I asked. I don't understand what he was asking. Oh, well, I didn't listen to him since my mind is full of weird thoughts.

Riley waves his hand before my face. “Hey, are you even listening, man?"

"Yes...yes, I was listening, so what did you say just now?” I asked and Riley's jaws dropped.

"Come on dude, ” he looked at me in disbelief. “You're obviously not listening to me, what's wrong?”

“Nothing, I am just thinking about some things... So what about the things you're asking just now?

"It's about the anniversary of the company next month, what's your plan?

"Let's talk about that next time, not now, we're eating man!

After we finished our meal, I asked Riley to stroll around the nearby park for a bit before going back to the office.

While passing officer Kyle's table, I didn't forget to give him another smile and of course, my very seductive winked winked...

He is with someone that looks familiar to me too, but I shrugged it off, maybe one of his colleagues I think...

Later at night at the headquarters,

"So what is that very important thing you have to announce, that you ask to gather all us here?" I asked Luke

“Marius and Dylan are on their way, let's wait for a little while, okay? By the way, I have developed a new game, and it's already on the app store. Wanna try, guys?

"Oh come on, I'm sure that was another brain-wrecking game again, no thanks. I don't want to have a mental breakdown, I still want to live and get married and have children and grandchildren and travel free after I retire." Riley said without a pause

“???” Luke and I frowned with mouths agape. “Fftt!!! Puuhahahha…! We glance at each other and burst into laughter.

"Gosh Riley, if you don't like it just say no, '' Luke said while wiping his tears because of too much laughter.

"Right, right," I said, getting up as I rolled down while laughing.

"You're so hilarious Riley, You know that," Luke said

"Ugh, Whatever! I'm fine playing Candy Crush!" He rolled his eyes and

stomped his feet towards the kitchen and prepared for dinner.

A few minutes later, Marius And Dylan arrived. "Hey, guys Wazzup?!" Marius

"Still the same man, still handsome," I said while stroking my jawline.

"So full of yourself, huh?" Marius with his signature rolling eyes.

"So what is happening here, Luke?" Dylan asked, slumping his butt on the couch.

"Aiya, let's have dinner first guys," Riley.

After dinner, we head down to the basement, as per Luke's instruction.

“So Here's that thing, guys. I went for a walk early this morning. And guess who I saw? The person who isn't supposed to be here. I followed him until I saw him entering the Police Chief's office.

"And? Who is that person?" Dylan asked

It's detective Jaxon Wang, remember the detective from Shanghai that kept on following Black Rose and Fox back then?" Luke stated.

"So what is his mission here in Beijing?" I asked

"I found out after entering the police branch website. He is going to work here and will team up with officer Kyle. But what is more shocking is they're going to team up to capture Black Rose."

"Well, what could we do? Let's see about that," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Just be careful, you know thousands of people's lives out there will be affected once they find out the truth," said Marius.

"I know, don't worry. After I finish my last mission I will quit and focus on the business. I had a promise that was meant to be fulfilled, until then I won't stop.” I said with my head hanging low.

"Well, that's good," Marius, Riley, Luke, and Dylan said in unison.

"It's late guys, I want to go home now," I said as I don't want to ruin everyone's mood.

"I'll drive you home,” Riley said.

"No need, it's fine, I can manage. You go home too, just pick me up early tomorrow.

"Okay as you wish," replied Riley.

"Bye guys, good night," I said upon opening the car.

"Hey, man, be careful when driving," Marius said and I just gave him a thumbs up.

"Good night," the gang said in unison

"I just waved my hand, entered the car, and drove home.

Author's POV

Marius, Luke, Riley, and Dylan just have a sigh after Zhan has left.

"No one can stop him," Marius shook his head.

"You can't blame him," we all know what he had been through," said Luke.

"All we can do is to support him, that's what he needs," added Riley.

Dylan just heaves another sigh and shakes his head. He knew Ryder very well and he only wished for him to be happy again just like before when they were still young.

Ryder drives until he reaches The Xiao mansion, the Butler greets him upon entering the broad main door of the mansion and the maids greet him.

“Good evening young master, welcome home." Butler Charles while taking off Ryder's coat.

“Welcome home young master," the maids in unison.

"Thanks, good evening as well, you all can go back and rest now. Haven't I told you guys already? you don't have to wait for me when it's already this late?"

"How can we do that when our master is still outside?" Said the elderly maid with a gentle smile.

"Ah, here we go again,” I'm a bit tired today, you all can go and rest now.”

“Yes, Master," the maids in unison.

The butler motions to the maids to go and rest while he stares at Ryder who is climbing the stairs to his room.

Despite Ryder's status in life, he is a very humble and down-to-earth person. Hey may look like an iceberg outside, but he is a very warm and caring person. He treats people equally as long as they are good citizens. He refused to have bodyguards as he can protect himself and he doesn't like to catch too much attention. He is satisfied with Riley being at his side as a best friend, assistant, business helper, driver, and so on. As well as his best friends Dylan, Luke, and Marius.

Ryder was sitting on his bed while staring at the portrait that hangs on the wall. He got up and trudged into the front of it.

"Mom, Dad, I promise to give you the Justice that you deserved, I won't stop until I find them. I will make them pay for their sins a hundredfold. Until then, please guide me from up there." Ryder mumbles, he didn't realize his tears were streaming down his eyes.

Wiping his tears away, his eyes shifted to the smaller frame. “Shin," Ryder mumbles while his memory drifted into the past 18 years ago...