- But, Ryder...
I try to say something, but he starts to move in a hurry, almost running through the lobby.
- Wait! Charles screams, trying to keep up. - Ryder, my son, I need to talk to you. Don't run away from me!
Ryder lets go of my hand and turns towards his father. He emits a gloomy laugh that makes me feel chills.
- Run away from you? - he says. - I'm not running away from you, but you want me to stay as far away from me and my mother as possible.
Ignoring Charles' appeal, Ryder holds my hand tight again and pulls me towards the exit. Determined to make Ryder listen to his father, I stop abruptly and surprise him.
- What are you doing? What are you doing? - he says harshly and against my attitude.
- Ryder, stop being a child and listen to what your father has to say!
- No! - he says with a growl.
I knew Charles had been trying to contact Ryder for days, but without success. I understood his side, but I hated to see him bitter about something that happened so long ago. Just as he had talked to Leila, it was time to end that tantrum with Charles.
- Ryder, you need to talk to him! - I mean, sitting on my hands. - Like Leila, it's not good for you to hold grudges against him. Charles is your father. No matter what he's done, everyone deserves a second chance.
- Brooke... - He whispers my name between his teeth and closes his eyes.
- Besides, I don't want you guys fighting every time you meet. - I pause to sigh and hug him, then whisper in his ear. - I refuse to let our future children grow up without knowing or talking to their grandfather, just because their father hates him.
Ryder makes a face and looks at me with an expression of pain.
- He betrayed me! You betrayed my mother, Brooke!
- I know that, but it's been so long. - smiling, I take your face in my hands. - You're happy now and your mother's been over it for so long. Give yourself a chance. Don't let the sorrow you feel continue to consume it. Let him talk. I'll be here, no matter what you decide later.
He sighs hugging me.
- All right! - he says turning to Charles. - Please be brief!
Charles breathes like he's nervous. It's been a long time since they've spoken to each other. He puts his hands in his pockets in a nervous gesture while looking for the right words. He remained silent for a few moments and this gave me a chance to evaluate him.
Charles had Ryder's same blond, straight hair. He was very charming for someone your age. He looked like he was, like, 50. The eyes were of a darker brown, being the only thing that differentiated them in their facial features. Even the goddamn dimple in the cheek was there!
Charles' shoulders were wide and the skin on his face was a little less tanned than Ryder's, perhaps because he lived, all the time, behind a table, defending his career. Charles dressed elegantly in a navy blue Armani suit, with his height almost as intimidating as that of Ryder. They were fascinating to look at when they were together.
- The hard part is not reneging on a name. - says Ryder, breaking the silence. - What's really complicated is trying to hide it, when you're so similar to someone else.
I smiled when I noticed that Ryder had caught me evaluating his father. Maybe he got some expression that made that clear.
- Which is a shame! - Charles says with a sigh. - I was afraid to talk to you, but after what happened at the MET, I thought we should talk.
Ryder lets out a cold laugh.
- You deserved it! - ...he declares with rudeness, smiling with cynicism... - I don't think it was much.
- I agree! - Charles answers, making Ryder frown in confusion. - Well, I'm not here to take your time. I just wanted to ask forgiveness for everything I did, My selfish and thoughtless attitude hurt you, causing you and your mother a lot of suffering. I have ruined both their lives and I have no way of going back, but that does not stop me from repenting.
- Wait! Ryder says, exasperated and with a frown. - You mean, you're sorry you married Leila?
- Leila wasn't who I thought she was and neither did you. - Charles responds by taking a deep breath. - I should never have done what I did, but I'm glad I got rid of a greedy snake.
- I could tell when I talked to her for a few days. - Ryder sighs. - Did you love her?
- Not as I love you or your mother, but yes, I did love Leila until her mask fell off. - Charles answers. - If you give me a chance, I'd like to repair all the pain I've caused. I know it won't be easy, but I'd like to ask you to consider a rapprochement.
Ryder looks at me with his eyes glowing, like he's looking for support. Smiling sign for him. He smiles back, then faces Charles with a softer expression.
- I'm not saying I'll completely forget, but I think I can try. - he says, to Charles' relief, that he smiles.
- Thank you, son! - he says, pulling Ryder into
