Blind Billionaire Bride

CHICAGO, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

NEXT MORNING: IN RIA’S APARTMENT

Ian pointed his finger at a building. “That’s her house.” He said.

Mr Griffin looked sideways. “Which one of them?” His eyes tried to follow the direction of Ian’s fingers.

“The brown one.” Ian specified.

“Oh okay! Over there.” Mr Griffin shook his head in acknowledgment.

“Yes, Mr Griffin. All you need to do is just go in there and work according to our plans.” Ian said.

Mr Griffin nodded. “I think we are still missing something.”

Ian arched his eyebrows. “What are we missing?” He asked.

“What about her fear towards men?” Mr Griffin stated.

Ian rolled his eyes. “That’s why I am doing this with you. And moreover you are an old man and you have a cool face so Ria won’t mind you.”

Mr Griffin screwed up his face. “Cool face? How on earth can she see that when she is blind?” He demanded.

“Ria will sense it. She is a special human.” Ian answered.

“But-”

Ian cuts him off. “Mr Griffin no more but please just do this for me.” His voice pleaded with the old man.

“Okay. Okay. But I won’t go back in there again if she hits me with a walking stick. Is that clear?”

“Noted. Just be careful.” Ian saluted.

“Good.” Mr Griffin opened the car door.

“Wait.. wait.. Mr Griffin the bug!” Ian took it out from his suit pocket.

Mr Griffin collected it from him and fixed it in his pocket. The bug device is meant for him to listen to whatever they discuss inside. And the plan will only work out if Ria will be comfortable with Mr Griffin’s presence.

“Good luck, Mr Griffin.” Ian waved as the old man made his way towards Ria’s entrance.

Ian wind up the glass and heaved a loud sigh. “I hope this works out.” He position his own device properly in his ears.

Mr Griffin relaxed before pressing the door bell and few seconds later Ian could see ma’am Elise smiling at him.

“Good morning, sir.” Ma’am Elise greeted with a bright smile on her face.

“Good… morning.” Mr Griffin stuttered.

“How may I help you, sir?” Ma’am Elise requested.

Mr Griffin cleared his throat. “I don’t know if I am in the right place.” He brought out the business card Ian had given to him at home. “Perhaps, is this Ria Robert workplace?” He asked.

“Oh yes! You are in the right place sir! Thank you for coming!” Ma’am Elise coaxed with the smile still plastered to her lips.

Well Mr Griffin knew the building was Ria’s home but he was just working according to Ian’s crazy plan of getting to know the blind lady. And the old man has no clear understanding of why Ian Bryant was still insisting on knowing Ria Robert.

“Good.. I am Mr Brown.” Mr Griffin introduced briefly.

The old man had to lie because he doesn’t want to get his name dragged along this whole situation in case it doesn’t work out.

“I am Elise.” Ma’am Elise replied.

“Actually a friend of mine gave me this card when I told him I needed a seamstress to make a dress for my daughter. So-”

Ma’am Elise interrupted him. “Yes! Yes! This is the best place for you! Ria Robert is the best seamstress to make a perfect dress for your daughter. Please come in sir. You are welcome to our workplace.” She ushered him into the house.

Ian watched closely from his car and he heaved a sigh of relief. “This has to work out.” His fingers tapped on the wheels.

The house was well arranged. The big room that would have served as sitting room was now a workplace with two couches for the visitors, three sewing machines, a large table and several other things.

“Miss Ria, we have a new customer waiting here.” Ma’am Elise called out.

“Okay, I will be there soon.” Ria replied from somewhere around the house.

“Don’t stay too long.” Ma’am Elise said.

“I just need to get a cup of coffee.” Ria replied again.

“Okay. Pease come and have your seat, Mr Brown.” Ma’am Elise directed him to a couch.

“Please don’t mind the fact that everywhere is a bit messy we are very busy with lots of dresses.” Ma’am Elise apologized.

“No problem.” Mr Brown faked a smile.

The area wasn’t all that messy but just pieces of clothes around the sewing area. “Ma’am Elise, we are done with our home works.” Phoebe and Phoebe said in unison as they walked into the sitting room.

“Phoenix. Phoebe. Wow! You finished up so fast. Are you sure you did the home works well?” Ma’am Elise asked.

Mr Griffin eyes was fixated on her. He liked the fact that she has a very good welcoming spirit which could pass for a good customer service. If you don’t want to get a dress from the blind lady, ma’am Elise cheerful personality would make you have a change of mind.

“Yes, I had to finish up so I can help mom.” Phoebe replied.

“Same here.” Phoenix added.

And Mr Griffin got the picture. Phoebe and Phoenix must be Ria’s children that Ian spoke about. Why on earth is he lurking around a mother of two? Mr Griffin pondered.

“Let me help you with that mom.” Phoebe stood up from the couch and rushed off to meet Ria.

Mr Griffin turned towards the direction of where the little girl went and his jaw dropped slightly when he saw the blind lady approaching-Ria! She was walking perfectly with a tray in her hands that one could hardly believe that she was blind.

“Now I see the reason why Ian doesn’t want to back off. Ria is a beautiful woman!” Mr Griffin bantered within.

“Careful mom.” Phoebe said when she got to where Ria stood.

“Don’t worry I am fine, Phoebe.” Ria said.

“Let me help you.” Phoebe collected the tray from Ria and dropped it on the small coffee table close to the couches.

“Phoenix, are you done with your assignment?” Ria demanded.

“Yes mom. I finished on time so I could help with work.” Phoenix answered.

“And did you do it well?” Ria asked again.

“Absolutely. Phoebe helped me out with it.” Phoenix shook his head with a cute smile that revealed a missing front teeth. All of a sudden he looked at Mr Griffin.

“Why is he looking at me? Is he trying to send me a warning signal?” Mr Griffin wondered as he watched the little boy look back at Ria and then towards him again.

“Please have some coffee.” Ma’am Elise pointed to the coffee on the table.

“Thank you, I am fine.” Mr Griffin replied with his eyes on the blind lady.

Ria stiffened immediately she heard a man’s voice. “Well maybe some introductory will do the magic. I am mr Brown. No.. it can’t work that way!” Mr Griffin bantered internally.

“Miss Ria, Mr Brown is here to make a dress for -”

Ria interrupted her. “Ma’am Elise.. didn’t you tell Mr Brown.. that we don’t major in male dresses?” She stuttered with a deep frown on her face.

Ria managed to find her way to one of the machines. “He is here to-” She cuts ma’am Elise off when she was about to talk again.

“Mr Brown, I am sorry we don’t make male dresses here so please leave.” Ria grounded out without bothering to know the reason why he was at her workplace. Ria just hated the presence of a man near here and even in her house and she wanted him to leave as soon as possible.

Mr Griffin noticed that Ria was clenching her fist. “She want me out without giving me a chance to explain what type of dress I want to make. No doubt, this blind lady is afraid of men. I didn’t even go close to her but just my voice made her worked up and tensed.” He mused.

Ma’am Elise stood up and went to Ria. She held her fists with the hope that Mr Griffin doesn’t get to see them but it was already too late. Mr Griffin studied the expression on Ria’s face and he found it. Ian Bryant was right. Ria must have developed a phobia for men.

“Relax Miss Ria. Mr Brown is here to get a dress for his daughter.” Ma’am Elise said in a low tone.

Ria calmed a bit and coincidentally she stared towards his direction as if she could see him. “Good morning, Miss Ria. I really mean no harm. I am just here to get a dress for my daughter. A friend shared your business card with me so I decided to check into this place.” Mr Griffin explained in a calm tone.

Ma’am Elise gave her hands a small squeeze trying to help her calm her trembling body. “Ok. Okay.” She breathed out heavily. “I am sorry.” Ria muttered

“No, it is fine.” Mr Griffin heaved a sigh of relief. This plan has to work out for Ian’s sake.

And a smile broke out on ma’am Elise face again. “What’s the occasion sir?” She asked.

“Birthday. She clocks eighteen soon.” Mr Griffin replied.

Ma’am Elise passed a notepad to Phoebe to jolt down what he just said. “So what sort of dress do you want for her? Is it a short dress or long one?” She asked again.

Mr Griffin cleared his throat. “The truth is I am not so familiar with ladies wear. But can I get a catalogue or something to let me make a better choice?” He requested.

“Yes, we have some.” Ma’am Elise went in search of it.

Ria was silent with her face in her palms. Seconds clicked by and ma’am Elise came back with two small catalogues. “These are some of the collections of Ria Robert dresses.” She handed him the catalogues.

“Wow!” Mr Griffin muttered under his breath as he flipped through pages in the catalogue. He was amazed to see pretty dresses even if he has no idea about lady’s wears.

“I like this one. This would really suit my daughter.” He pointed at a long blue gown.

Ma’am Elise checked out the design he picked. “Oh miss Ria, he picked the first dress you made for Mrs Eliza.”

“Okay.” Ria managed to say.

“Is blue your daughter’s favorite color?” Ma’am Elise questioned.

“Yes, blue is her favorite color.” Mr Griffin feigned a smile on his face.

“Good. Mr Brown, since we have all the details now all you have to do is bring your daughter over so we can get her measurement.” Ma’am Elise closed the catalogue.

“That’s not a problem. How much do I pay for the dress?” Mr Griffin asked.

“We will talk about that when you bring her around because your daughter might not like the one you picked. So there is a big chance for her to make her choice. You know how teens are when it comes to stuffs like this.. they can be very picky.” Ma’am Elise giggled.

“Oh yeah you are right. So is that all?” Mr Griffin questioned.

“Yes for now.” Ma’am Elise answered.

“Okay.” Mr Griffin stood up from the couch to leave.

“I will walk you to the door.” Ma’am Elise offered.

“Thank you.” Mr Griffin grinned widely.

“Bye, Mr Brown.” The children waved and Mr Griffin did the same. Ma’am Elise accompanied him to the door and they both stepped out of the house.

“I am sorry about how Miss Ria acted towards you earlier.” Ma’am Elise said in an apologetic tone.

“Is she okay?” Mr Griffin asked hoping that this woman would say some important things that concerns Ria.

“Oh yes! She is absolutely fine. It is just that -” Ma’am Elise paused. “Never mind.” she continued.

“She was about to say something but she just held back her words.” Mr Griffin said within.

“Goodbye, Mr Brown.” Ma’am Elise hurried back into the house while he walked back to the car.

“You heard everything?” Mr Griffin asked Ian when he got back into the car.

“Yes Mr Griffin.” Ian nodded.

“Elise didn’t disclose anything about Ria but she was about to anyways. And as for me I think Ria has a psychological problem and I suggest therapy for her.” Mr Griffin mumbled.

“What do I do?” Ian said.

“About?” Mr Griffin asked.

“Ria. There is absolutely no way for me if she is having such problem. I wish I knew what made her that way. I am craving desperately for more information about her.” Ian stopped and continued after a moment of silence.

“Well what did you noticed in there?” He demanded.

“Her home is good and every one of them have their roles in the business.” Mr Griffin answered.

“The kids are home too right?” Ian asked again.

“Yes.. but I don’t think those children belong to Ria.” Mr Griffin scrunched up his face.

“Why?” Ian asked.

“She looks too young to have such kids of that ages.” Mr Griffin replied with a shrug.

“I think Ria and I should be about the same age. At the same time, it is quite possible, remember Lauren had her first child when she was eighteen. So maybe Ria had hers when she was younger too. Look Mr Griffin, I know Ria needs help and I am ready to help her.” Ian said seriously.

“And you think she will accept your help?” Mr Griffin glanced at the entrance of the house.

“I will make her accept my help by all means.” He sounded determined.

“Oh! Ian Bryant gets what Ian wants.” Mr Griffin nodded.

“Exactly!” Ian snapped his fingers.

“Sir Ian, at this point I think you should be concerned about getting an eighteen years old girl who would be my daughter because I promised to bring her over tomorrow to do her measurement.” Mr Griffin cleared his throat afterwards.

“Mr Griffin, find that yourself.” Ian started the car.

“What?! How do you expect me to do that?” Mr Griffin questioned frantically.

Ian looked at the old man. “Okay. Don’t worry, I’ll find someone since this is all my plan.” The car roared into life and he drove off.

“Good.” Mr Griffin muttered.