At first, Ryder's reluctant to hug him, but ends up giving in. I am moved by the scene of reconciliation between father and son, so Charles pulls me into a collective hug. We stay this way for a few moments, so we split up.
- Your mother told me that you're brilliant and how you've been running that company, even though you haven't completely taken over. - Charles said with a hint of pride. - Your grandfather would have been happy.
Charles takes an envelope out of his pocket and gives it to Ryder.
- Ryder's very talented. - I say with pride.
Charles frowned, so as if he were noticing my presence for the first time, he smiled at me.
- May I ask who this little angel is? - he says.
I roll my eyes. Charles knew how to use words, just like Ryder, and he was gallant like his son.
- Dad, this is Brooke Evans! - says Ryder, in advance. - She's responsible for the whole turnaround in my life. He's my guardian angel, my best friend, and most of all...
He stops, kissing my hand.
- It's my soul mate!
I smile, all melted up over his words.
- It's a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Evans! - he says in a genuine way.
- It's my pleasure! - I say enchanted.
Ryder rolls his eyes.
- Brooke is a big fan of yours and a brilliant law student. - he says, proud.
- Come on! Charles smiles. - I'm flattered to have someone as beautiful as a fan.
- Hey, Dad! - says Ryder, turning his eyes.
I'll drop a laugh.
- I try several times to attend a hearing to find out what it's like, but I'm usually barred in court. - I mean in the form of regret.
Charles smiles, then takes out two papers from inside the inner pocket of his jacket.
- Present this at the next trial you wish to attend and say that you are my guest. - he answers, giving me a card. - I don't like outsiders watching the hearings, but I will make an exception for my daughter-in-law and, of course, for my son.
Ryder smiles smiling as he settles down. He delivers an envelope to Ryder.
- What's that? What's that? - he asks.
- I've passed all my actions on to your name. - he says. - Now, you own a hundred percent of the transporter.
Ryder widens his eyes.
- Besides, I rewrote the will and divided all my assets between you and your mother. - he completes. - Of course, you got most of it.
Ryder holds his breath, then opens the envelope containing the papers signed by Charles.
- Why are you doing this?
- Because, you're my only son and the most important person to me.
Ryder sighs, then hugs his father again.
- Thank you! Thank you!
Charles says goodbye to us, promising to schedule a lunch so we can talk more. Before turning around and walking to the exit, he frown in a worried expression.
- Ryder, watch out for Leila! - Alert him. - I don't know what she's capable of, but Leila tried to kill me when she found out about the will. She did not know about my knowledge of her lover, nor that I planned to divorce her. She had a fit of rage when I sent her away.
- What's that? What's that? - Ryder says, shocked. - So that's why she came with that conversation she still loved me about. She knew I'd become her only heir.
- Did she look for you?
- Yeah. A few days ago, she approached us on the street. Brooke and I got into a fight over it.
Charles sighs by passing his hands through his hair.
- Keep an eye out! - he repeats. - This girl is up to something. I feel like she's capable of anything.
- You got it! - Ryder says shaking his hand. - I'll talk to Casey about investigating her.
- That's a great idea!
Charles turns around, then moves on to the exit. Ryder ties my waist and, taking me off the ground, he kisses me passionately.
- I don't know what I'd do without you! - he says smiling and spins me around the lobby. - Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go! I have a surprise.
- All right! All right! As long as that surprise includes food, I'll be very happy.
Smiling, he takes my hand and we walk out of the theater.
***
I wake up starving to death and look, smiling, to the roof of Ryder's room. The night before we'd gone to a restaurant after the theater. During dinner, he told me there was a party waiting for me at Six. A surprise party, where all our friends were present. I couldn't remember exactly the time we went home and made love before bed, but everything indicated that it would have been too late, because, judging by the headache I was feeling, I had drunk too much the night before.
I sigh looking at my watch. It was 2:00 p.m., so I'm surprised I slept so long. I get up, go to the bathroom and take a long bath. I wear jeans, T-shirt, regatta and sneakers, then head downstairs, from where I could smell the omelets. Ryder was in the kitchen and chatting animatedly with Casey, who was sitting on one of the stools by the counter.
Casey was beautiful with his 1.70 height; short black hair, cut at the height of the ears so that
