"It's okay, love. You can cry if you want to. For now, that's all you can do. At least it will make you feel better." He said gently.

I buried my face on his chest and let the tears fall again. But now, I know I'm not alone. I have Ryder with me... my savior, my rock.

I must have fallen asleep. When I opened my eyes, I was resting comfortably against soft mattresses. Light is seeping through the glass doors. I can hear the soothing sound of the waves on the ocean.

I propped up my elbows and found myself lying on Ryder's soft bed, with the comforters draped over me to keep me warm. There was no sign of Ryder. I looked at my wristwatch for the time. It was already nine in the morning. I sat up from bed and found myself dressed in a big baggy shirt that I was sure was Ryder's.

I remembered that he has to take the six a.m. flight. Did he cancel his trip?

I stood up from the bed and went out of the bedroom.

"Ryder!" I called. No answer.

I went to his living room. There were keys on the table, and there was a note under them.

Ash, I hope you'll be okay while I'm gone. There's a meeting in Manhattan that I can't miss. Otherwise, I would have stayed.

Keep the keys with you until I come back. You're welcome to stay here anytime you want... in fact, I would like it if you do.

Don't worry too much. Things will fall into place soon. And if they don't, you know I'll always be here for you. You just say the word...

Call me as soon as you wake up.

By the way, you can arm and disarm the alarm system. The passcode is 278743.

Love, Ryder I read the note a couple of times. Tears rolled down my eyes again. But this time, I wasn't crying because of my parents' problems. I was crying because I miss Ryder already.

He's been an epitome of strength to me. He's been there in my darkest hours. He helped me get back on my feet. He's been too sweet, too kind. And everyday, I wish more and more that he's not a complicated man. That he was just the boy next door that I can hope to have an 'ever after' with. So I won't be scared to take a chance with him.

I dialed his number. He answered in one ring. "Good morning, love." He greeted cheerily.

"Good morning."

"Do you feel better?"

"Yeah. Except I need coffee." I said.

He laughed. "I have a coffee maker in the kitchen. Water's in the fridge."

I walked to his fridge. Its only contents are a box of milk, a liter of water, a box of orange juice and a pack of butter.

"Do you live in this place at all?" I asked giggling. "Your fridge is almost empty."

He sighed. "I can't really trust the maids to refill the fridge."

"So what do you do when you're here and you need to... eat?"

"I order out. Or I call the bar and have one of the guys to bring me food. Or I just simply go out."

"Don't you want to stock up your fridge at all? I mean, you're here at least once a week."

"Well, I just don't have the time to do the grocery."

"Oh well, would you have time for anything other than work?"

"I have time to be your fiance , don't I?"

I felt guilty. It is true. No matter how busy he was, Ryder magically finds the time to pose as my devoted fiance in front of my family.

"I'm sorry I impose on you too much."

"Why are you sorry?" He asked. "I like being your fiance."

I sighed. I wished it was true. That he really likes being my fiance ... and not just for the sake of the charade.

I broke the uncomfortable silence that followed. "I forgot to give you back your ring."

"It's your ring, Astrid." He said in a serious tone.

"Ryder... I don't want to have this argument anymore."

"Neither do I." He replied.

I held out my hand and looked at the beautiful ring on my finger.

"You don't give thirty thousand diamond rings to strangers, Ryder."

"You're not a stranger, Astrid."

"You promised you'd find a good reason. Our engagement in New York was just a make believe. So I'm compelled to give this back to you."

He laughed. "Alright. You win." He said. "Just hold on to it until I get back."

"Can't I leave it here?"

"No. Please. My safe will only be installed next week. It's more secure on your finger. I promise I'll take it back when I see you."

"When are you coming back?"

"A couple of days."

"Alright. I'll have coffee and then I'll lock up." I said.

"Hold on to the key for me." He said. "Ash..."

"Yes?"

"You can go there anytime you want."

I laughed. "Ryder, you go to another person's house to visit them. Why will I go here if you're not here?"

"Well, just in case you need a change of scene." He chuckled.

I walked over to his living room. "Hmmm... that I can use." I looked at his movie collection. "Have you watched all these movies?"

"Some." He replied. "Some I'm finding time to watch."

I read some of the titles on his huge collection. "Let's see what sort of movies Ryder Van Woodsen fancies... The Godfather, Scarface, The Godfather II, The Godfather III... you're an Al Pacino fan." I went all the way to the other side. "There you go! Notting Hill, My Best Friend's Wedding, Runaway Bride, Stepmom... you're a fan of Julia Roberts too. Hey, there's a movie I'd like to watch! Pretty Woman!"

"You haven't seen Pretty Woman?" He asked.

"In passing." I said. "My friends in college were watching it once, I was cramming for an exam the next day."

"Hmmm... you can watch it."

"One of these days, when I need to unwind, I just might treat myself to a pizza and a movie here at your place."

"You're welcome anytime. You have the keys." He said.

We chatted for another ten minutes and then I said goodbye to him. Then I finished my coffee and went off.

For the next days, I kept my mind off my parents' problems by keeping myself busy. Ryder and I have been texting each other almost every hour. He's narrating what happens to his day to me. I do the same. Every night, he would call me and we would talk until one of us would fall asleep. It's like he's not in Manhattan at all. Like, he's just right there beside me.

Chapter Nineteen.

USHERETTE:.

Their role is to make sure that your guests do not lose their way on your wedding party.

One night, Ryder called me to ask a favor.

"The maid will come tomorrow. Usually I'm there when she does. But I won't make it this week. Can you stop by my house? She doesn't have a key. Just let her in and stay there while she does her stuff."

"You want me to supervise on your maid."

"Not really. Just be there to make sure that everything's in order."

"Alright. I think I can handle that."

The next day, I went to Ryder's house. His maid was a woman in her forties named Zara. She didn't look like a maid at first, more like a diner waitress. She was chewing gum and was wearing a skirt that is way above her knees.