After going through so many fluctuations, Rhea decided to let everything go for a while and spend some quality time in Anchorage.
As usual, Rhea was welcomed by her dad. Her dad, who had always been busy with his business, doesn't seem so busy when it comes to Rhea nowadays. He seemed worried to be precise since the day she left for China. Besides, Flynn was there as well. He had already completed his degree and now working. He always seemed to stay with his uncle so he too followed his uncle to the airport.
Unlike the many other times, Rhea was so broken this time. When she saw these two she was on the verge of crying. She tried her best to stay composed. Rhea was worried. She didn't want her family to know anything related to the issues with Ryan.
In the following days, started to focus on her book. Thus, she shut down all her social media accounts for a while. Her dad stayed with her the whole vacation and didn't bother to go to the office. Flynn took care of the business on behalf of Mr. Frank.
On the first day of her return, Rhea had to somehow manage to answer the dubious questions from her dad.
"Rhea, is the food there not good? Why are you so thin?", Mr. Frank complained.
"It's so good dad. It's just that I'm on a diet" she lied.
"What about your education? Do you have enough time to rest? Your eyes are a little puffy"
"It's going well, dad. I've stayed awake since I had my exams this month. I've done the exam well"
"Then, when are you going to permanently come back?", Flynn asked.
"There's still two more years and you know that very well" Rhea replied. Although Mr. Frank and Flynn knew this, they never stopped asking her this question whenever Rhea visited home. Maybe they missed her more than she expected.
After this, they didn't ask more about her life in Shanghai. A week passed harmoniously without so many events.
It had always been this way. Rhea's life is not an eventful one. She only faced so many ups and downs when she got involved with Ryan. If she stayed away, life seemed smooth.
Rhea continued to stay in contact with her friends during this time. Especially Mei Xing. That was because she was indebted to Mei Xing. Mei Xing was the one who helped her the most in what she did. Without her, it would have been impossible for Rhea to save Ryan. Rhea regretted not being able to find the perfect situation for Mei Xing to meet Ryan. Rhea always wanted to make them meet but since she was too involved in the Ying Yue's business, she couldn't get them to meet. Now she is not sure whether it's possible or not.
So Rhea just called Mei Xing and casually talked about the editing work Mei Xing had been doing. Mei Xing had a lot of work to do since they had planned to publish the book by the end of that month. She talked to Rhea in a groggy voice. after pulling an all-nighter the day before. Rhea now felt guiltier as she had always been a bad friend to Mei Xing. So she couldn't hesitate any more and called Liam to ask for one last request.
Liam picked up the call and was happy since it was from Rhea. He wanted to inquire about her vacation spend in the Maldives. But Rhea jumped into the conversation before he could ask anything since she expected him to ask such questions. She asked him to help her to arrange a meeting with Ryan. She told that she wanted to introduce Mei Xing to him.
Liam, Yuan Yu, and Ryan knew the fact that Rhea came to Ryan's rescue that day from her friend's house. So Liam agreed to her request without any questions. After this, Liam didn't call her. She thought he'll give her the date when she get back.
Other than this, she was having a happy time with Flynn and her dad.
Flynn did ask her about Ryan most of the time. Rhea only told him that Ryan is fine and everyone is doing good.
Rhea spent the vacation on her book which is to be published the next month. She and Xie Ming had translated it as well. So Rhea had nothing much other than reading it again.
It was the third week of her stay in Anchorage.
That week Rhea had arranged a small party in a hotel to publish the book there in the states. It was not much of a big party like her father hold.
Since Rhea was not a girl who enjoys being the center of attention, she choose to only invite a few friends. It was just a simple dinner party. Still, she had to get dressed well as the hostess so she took care of her as well.
The party was going fine. When all her guests started to eat their dinner, suddenly a man in his forties opened the door of the party hall and entered with a flower bouquet.
Rhea wondered since she had never known this person. Also, all the guests she had invited were already there. Besides, there is no way one can enter this hall without an invitation.
As she was pondering over this the man walked straight to her. He looked very decent Flynn stepped forward to protect her. He stopped a little far away from them and introduced himself first.
Hello, Ms. Rhea. I'm the head of the management of this hotel.
It was indeed surprising since it was not normal for a manager to be there at that time. This hotel is comparatively huge and it's the assistant managers that usually deal with the clients. Sometimes the managers of each section will be present.
It is normal for the head of the management to come if the party was organized by her dad. This time it was Rhea so this is indeed surprising. Judging from Flynn's expression he too didn't seem to know anything. Rhea stepped forward and replied, "Nice to meet you"
"Ms. Rhea, one of our major shareholders sent you this. Please accept this!", he said.
A major shareholder? Rhea wondered. Even though her dad owned so many businesses in Anchorage, he is not related to this hotel in any way. Also, they don't have shares in any hotels or restaurants.
"May I know who is the person?", Rhea hesitated to accept the bouquet. Of course, she doesn't know any shareholder from here.
The man stepped forward towards Rhea. Flynn intentionally stepped and blocked him from moving further. The man smiled and handed over a white envelope.
Flynn snatched it and curiously read from whom it was. As he read the name his frown disappeared. He smirked then stepped back and let the man move forward with a humble hand gesture and smile as if he is there to welcome him.
The man handed her the document and Rhea had asked him to have dinner. He humbly denied. Then gestured Flynn to hand over the envelope.
He reached and gave her the envelope still the smile.
"What are you smiling for?", she complained.
He was still smiling when he handed over the envelope and waited for her to read it standing beside her. Of course, he wanted to read too. Rhea looked at him dubiously and opened the envelope.
The envelope carried the most unexpected name, Ryan.
It was from Ryan!!!
Rhea opened the letter with a frown. The letter went this way.
-Dear friend,
This is a request from me to start as your friend. I would like to consider you as my friend so that we can continue to talk just like we did before.
This is a small present from your friend.
I would appreciate it if you accept this apology and request and give me a call-
The two of them turned to see each other with wide eyes.
"Friends?" Rhea asked since she was so amazed.
"Friends?" Flynn repeated but his tone was a little more amazed and disappointed at the same time.
Rhea shook her head and asked him, "Is this your prank, Flynn?"
"Why would I do this? Also, if I did it, I wouldn't have mentioned him as your friend!"
That's right! Flynn would have done something like, 'You boyfriend Ryan' or something like that.
'Is it Ryan, then?', Rhea kept wondering. All she had to do is to make a phone call.
But before she could do so a group of girls surrounded her.
"Rhea, don't tell me you have a boyfriend?"
"Yes! You should have told us"
"Yes... See. He how beautiful the bouquet is?"
"Yes. They're all tulips right?"
"Yesss! Tulips. We all know what does that means", the girls continued to giggle around Rhea. It took a while for Rhea to explain that it was from a 'friend'. They continued to ask if it was a boyfriend. Finally, Flynn had to step in and chase away the girls. He was also curious what Ryan was up to. So he curiously prompted her to call him.
Rhea felt confused for more than one reason. Besides Ryan's so-called surprise, she had also received another surprise of him being the shareholder of that star hotel in anchorage. Not to mention the fact that the man said he is one of the major shareholders.
Rhea was so confused for a reason.
This same hotel has a branch in Fairbanks too. Also, in many other parts of the states. So being the major shareholder meant that he could have arranged a room for his stay when he was in Alaska. Rhea clearly remembered that he had told her that he has no idea where to stay and told her to arrange the place two years ago. Had he been playing with her all this while?
His lie made her wonder if he had been seeing her as his plaything. This exponentially angered her. She wanted to know what was all these about.
Rhea didn't call him from her phone since she was not sure if it was Ryan or not. She used Flynn's phone and dialed Ryan's phone number.
Once the phone started to ring, Rhea wondered how to start the conversation. What if it was not from him?
He picked up the call in two rings.
"Hello!", he spoke.
"..." Rhea kept silent. She wasn't sure if she should talk and expose it to him that it's her. What if this bouquet was not really from him? Where will she hide her face then?
"Hello!" he spoke again.
Rhea maintained her composure since Flynn was closely observing her.
"Rhea, ..... Is that you?", he finally directly asked her. But how did he know it was her.
She wondered then almost banged the phone on her forehead. He would know from the country code that it was her. Ryan's phone number is given to only a few friends.
Now what she should do?. She was going to end the call, but Ryan spoke again, "I was waiting for your call!"
Rhea frowned and brought back the phone to her ears.
"Did you receive the bouquet?"
".....Yes! So it was really you?" She asked.
"Who else could it be? So, you've already read my request letter too"
"Is...Is that a request letter?"
"Yes. It is", he immediately responded.
"So, do you accept my request?"
"But why do you want me as a friend all of a sudden?"
"Because I want you"
"W..Wh...What?"
"I told you earlier. I'm used to your presence. Just like how you had an obsession and wanted to stay with me, I'm obsessed in another way and want to keep you beside me"
"This is..."
"Insane?"
"No"
"Stupid?"
"....."
"Whatever it is. This is me and I want you, so come back early!"
"I've told you about...."
"Yes!"
"So what you are asking doesn't feel right. I can't do that Mr. Ryan"
"Well, there seems to be the second clause in our contract, and you seemed to have agreed to be my assistant.
"The shooting is over!"
"Yes. But I've signed a new film and I need my assistant back"
"What? But I..."
"The period for you being in my assistant is not mentioned in the clause. Thus, you'll be my assistant as long as I go for a shooting"
"What?"
"What?", he replied.
"I..."
"Yes. You. I want you!", he repeated "as my assistant" and continued with a smirk which Rhea couldn't see through the phone.
"Mr. Ryan. Don't be overbearing"
"Mn? Why are you so reluctant Rhea? You are scared that you won't forget me if you stay with me?"
"....No"
"Then as a woman of words, you should come back"
"Let... Let me think about it"
"Before that, I would like to know when will you be back here"
Of course, she could keep silent. But he would say something weirder to get her response. So Rhea just gave in.
Although Rhea wanted to ask him about being the shareholder, she couldn't find the words then. She too didn't want everything to be just his game. So she has decided to ask him when she meets him.
"Next week"
"The exact date and time Rhea"
Rhea was already exhausted because of the conversation and surprises Ryan gave her that day. So she didn't argue over it and gave him the date and time. He seemed content with that and end the call with a goodbye and good luck.
He ended the call. Rhea couldn't help but sigh.
He couldn't love her, nor could he let her go. What's wrong with him?
She turned to see a confused Flynn. Of course, she should ask him what to do now.
"Flynn, someone who knows that you love them, but is not ready to return your love wants to keep you with them. What does this mean?"
"This, means they are a saidst"
Rhea was left open-mouthed because of his reply.
"I never expected Ryan to be one!", he continued.
"No. No, I wasn't talking about him"
Flynn looked at her reluctantly.
Also, Rhea had been wondering
Rhea didn't try to argue on they left the area to talk to the guests again.
But when she once again saw the bunch of girls, something started to bother her again.
Her gaze fell on the tulips bouquet. 'What do tulips mean?'
She tugged Flynn's sleeve twice "Flynn... Flynn", still focusing on the bouquet.
"Yes. What's up?", he casually asked.
"What do tulips mean?"
"Ah?", he turned towards her with a frown.
"I mean, they said that it has meaning. so..."
Flynn sighed. Give me your phone!"
She was ready to hand over her phone. Suddenly halted "Wait are you going to call him?"
"No just give it to me"
She silently handed him.
Flynn silently googled 'what do tulips mean?'
He smiled then handed over the phone back to her.
-Perfect and deep love-
Rhea's eyes widened. She almost believed it, then suddenly remembered. Of course, she had already made every stupid decision she could ever make. She shook her head and came back to reality.
Flynn noticed her being dazed. He patted her head twice then moved away to take care of the guests.
But Rhea still continued to powder over all the events. What Ryan had asked her continued to torment her. How could she continue to be his assistant? She even proposed to him since she thought it will be the last time they meet. But now, he wants her to be his assistant and friend at the same time.
Is it possible?
This confusion made Rhea wonder whether she should go back or stay in Anchorage. But finally, she decided to reject Ryan. That'll be the best for everyone. But she never expected that when she get back to Shanghai, she would never be able to reject him.