FIRST TIME WITH A COLD PRINCE

CHAPTER 9 - THE EX RETURNS

“You are back?” Kaya eyes widened as they rested on the tall red head who held a bouquet of roses in front of her.

“Of course, you didn’t miss me?” he smirked

“Why are you here Ryan?” she frowned wondering what gave him the boldness to think he could just waltz back into her life like nothing happened. Ryan was her first love and they had started dating the moment she graduated from college but three months into their relationship, he had suddenly moved out from the country without so much as a word to her. She had heard from his friends that he had a fiancé and was planning on getting married and here he was standing in front of her after three years.

“I know I have a lot to explain to you and I was wondering if I could do that over dinner”

“Are you being serious right now?” she didn’t want to hear anything from him, seeing him right now only opened up old wounds. “Go back into the pit you crawled out from” she snapped turning to take her leave but he caught hold off her before she could, pulling her into a hug.

“Kaya I’m sorry… I really didn’t mean to hurt you” he held her in place as she struggled to break free from him. “Kaya please just hear me out”

Successfully pushing him aside, she glared at him with her index finger pointed at him in a warning manner. “Don’t you dare touch me” her voice croaked as she struggled with so many emotions. “I know about the fiancé Ryan, I know I was just a girl you found interesting and decided to give a try so as to past time, just like the other girls.” Ryan stared stunned as she spoke. “I am just glad you didn’t get what you were truly after” the words had left her mouth when she felt a heavy lump in her chest, he didn’t get what he wanted but someone else did.

Ryan stared speechless at her for a while, his stare intense as he watched her. He shut his eyes briefly before proceeding to speak.

“I was a fool Kaya, yes at first it was all fun and games but then I started to see you different” he took a step close to her but she drew back, she wasn’t going to fall for his tricks again. “I didn’t want to hurt you Kaya and that’s why I left… but I’m back now and I’m ready to make it all up”

“It’s too late for that so you can forget about it” Kaya noted turning to leave but she was held back again, his grip tighter than the first time.

“Why? Is there someone else?” he asked confused.

“You are hurting me” Kaya winced in pain as she tried to free her wrist from his grip, as though by a sudden realization he let go of her, staring worriedly at her.

“I am sorry” he moved back, his eyes moving all over the place. “I love you Kaya, I can’t live without you” he muttered finally resting his eyes on her.

“You did so for three years” she held wrist. ‘What the hell is wrong with him?’ she thought.

“And it was torture, I can’t go on like that and that why I am here” his eyes carried a form of sincerity that she found scary.

“You think I would just let you back into my life?”

Ryan fell to his knees almost immediately and she turned around feeling uncomfortable, they were currently at the companies packing lot and she couldn’t afford to be seen in this situation.

“What are you doing? Standup” she whispered trying not to call undue attention, what she wondered was how he had found her in the first place.

“Just one dinner” he pleaded

“Fine” she replied reluctantly. “Now please stand up” he grinned moving to his feet.

“Text me your address and I’ll pick you up” he said handing her a card with his number on top.

“Not necessary, just tell me the location and I’ll meet you there.” Ryan smiled tilting his head. “well that works” pulling out a small notepad from his pocket, he scribbled the name of the restaurant on it. Tearing out the paper he handed it to her. “I look forward to seeing you” he added before turning to leave.

Kaya felt her heart racing so fast, her gaze falling to the paper she held in her hand, did she really plan to get involved with him again?

…

Fredrick McCain had established five companies in his life time. The McCain Gems, – which was a jewelry company and one of his major legacy – Cain Mall, MC hotel, Golden hands construction company and McCain cosmetics.

Retiring early due to a health issue, he had handed three of his companies to his eldest son – Leonardo (McCain Gems, Cain Mall and MC hotel)

The construction company which was still growing and struggling financially was handed to his second son due to family disagreement and the McCain Cosmetics was handed to his daughter.

Each member of the family had a share in these companies except the construction company as no one saw any future in the company. Fredrick being its founder was the only one that had a share apart from his second son and family.

Right now the McCain Gem was struggling financially due to the springing up of so many new jewelry companies with more lovely and contemporary designs and the hotel seemed to be lacking behind as well.

Fredrick wasn’t ready to see any of his companies fall to the ground and so he had decided to have this meeting with every member of his family present.

“It’s no news that the jewelry company is struggling financially and this situation needs to be sorted out” he took a brief pause. “I want to suggest a merger between McCain gems and Elegant fashion house” Corrine lifted up her head stunned. He wanted a merger with her company?

“Father!” Leonardo was the least delighted to hear that

“Do you have a better suggestion?” Fredrick took his eyes to his son.

Leonardo glared at Corrine, he wondered if she had put his father up to this. “If we can gain some shares from the construction company, we’ll be able to use the extra fund to stabilize the company”

Corrine scoffed taking a sip from the wine before her.

Fredrick took in a deep breath. “Money is not what the company needs right now, it’s ideas” he noted. He wasn’t far off, the launching they were to commence was the first one in a year now – they rarely came up with any new innovations.

Louis had told his father that they needed to let go of their current staffs and employ younger ones but he had always brushed it off.

“Darling I get what you are saying but the fact that no family member has a share in the construction company should be addressed” Margaret noted and Corrine pulled to her feet.

“The fact that neither of you have a share in the construction company is completely your fault, you refused to buy any share when my late husband suggested it and now there’s none available” she was damn not ready to let any of them reap from her husband hard work. “Father…” she continued taking her eyes to the head of the house. “… I am sorry but I have to leave now. Thank you for having us” she looked to Mikael who quickly stood to his feet. Taking a bow, he followed his mother out of the dining room.

“That ungrateful brat” Margaret spat also stepping out of the dining room.

Fredrick sighed, sorting the trouble wouldn’t be as easy. He needed to sort the problem within his family first.