The truth

Chapter sixty-five
Myra
Seriously? So, Heidi was here? I thought she left school already.
What am I even saying? Heidi is a dullard fool. There's no way she would have passed the exam. Gwen is the only brilliant one in the family of Brook. That's why they hate her so much.
Well, I made my research and I got my answers.
Since I'm also one bit. I'm going to show Heidi the stuff I'm made up.
With the look in her eyes, I'm sure she knows me. Well, I'm popular in my way. That was why I had to bear my second name and pretend to be Ryder's maid.
And that's over now, I can show myself to the world.
Ryder's contract will end in two weeks. Maybe he will be able to speak to Gwen then.
But well, I will need to warn him. So he would speak to Gwen before it was too late.
Gwen is already pushing herself to forget him. She's such a hard-minded person. Well, same as Ryder.
I don't know why those two had to fall in love.
Well, they are very much compatible unless he and Heidi.
Heidi and my brother will make the worst couple.
Well, Ryder wouldn't try shit with me. If it was Heidi he brought home, I would have taught her one or two lessons.
She wouldn't have a choice but to leave him the heck alone.
I walk to her. Gwen's eyes went wide in shock as she watch me.
I turn to Heidi, "Do we have any problem here?"
Her forehead squeezed as she slowly drops her hand, " Hi Myra," she smiles.
Such a fake person.
I scoff, "As if that smile is real."
She clears her throat and the smile has suddenly evolved into a dark frown, "Let's go," she says and turns around. She and the rest walk out without another word.
I look around at students looking at me. I guess lots of people know me here.
Well, I've once won gold for the high jump and I'm also good I'm basketball. Ryder taught me basketball and I wok severally for the ladies.
But he said I should quit it and go to school.
He thought David would love basketball too. He was looking forward to teaching him.
But heck no! He had no thought of it.
I turn to look at Gwen's confused and shocked face, "Hi darling!" I say, much aloud so people would hear. So, they will know how close I am to her, "Are you done for today?"
"Yes," she says finally, though I can still feel the shock in her.
"Ok, let's go," I hold her hand and we both walk out.
I can hear whispers and gasps as we walk out of the classroom.
I finally let go of Gwen when we were outside, "Why didn't you tell me Heidi was also your coursemate?"
She turns to look at me, " How did you know?" She chuckles, "Well, I saw her yesterday. I was surprised too."
" Well, you need to be careful around her. Don't go anywhere else in school unless to lecture rooms, ok?"
She nods and looks forward again, " And thank you so much."
I smile, "you are most welcome."
After dropping her at home, I decided to go to Ryder's house. Ryder has not been coming to the house again after everything that happened between him and Gwen.
I need to go and nudge him a little.
I have not forgotten how I had planned to matchmake these two stubborn souls.
I arrive at his house. By this time of the day, I know he will be at home.
It's Thursday, so he doesn't go to practice. And heck, spare me. He's going to be thirty-six in two weeks.
He doesn't have all the heck time in the whole world. He needs to get married and have kids.
In less than twenty years, he would be quitting.
I just hope things will work out between him and Gwen, which is why I'm currently at his house.
I walk inside. Mrs. Johnson was at the table. She still doesn't know I'm Ryder's cousin.
"Lizzy!" She calls happily. I like this woman so much that Ryder liked her.
And well, she's going to be my mother-in-law soon because I love her son as well.
"Hi," I rush to her happily, "How are you doing?"
She smiles widely, "I'm fine, and you? How about Gwen?"
" We all are fine. I just drop Gwen at home."
" You guys don't even bother coming to greet me again."
I squeeze my face as I admit to what she said, " Well, Ryder's birthday is in two weeks. We are coming home by that time."
Her eyes twinkle, " I decided to plan a surprise birthday for him. We can all come together and see how it will go."
I nod briefly, " why don't you come over to our place tomorrow so we can talk about it. Talking about it here can leak to Ryder's ears."
" Yes," she smiles, " Let's do that."
" I can hear my name!" Ryder says suddenly, his deep voice jolting me out of my thought.
I turn my head to look at my handsome brother, "What are you hearing? I only told Mrs. Johnson I saw a guy I like in school and he bears Ryder.
Ryder looks at me for a while, his eyes searching through my soul, "No! That's a lie. I know you love Mrs. Johnson's son. Damn! What his name?"
Mrs. Johnson looks at me, surprised, " How did he know?"
I laugh, " That's because he's a silly head."
Mrs. Johnson looks more surprised, " Silly head?"
Ryder walk to us and hit me on the head, "If I'm not your boss, at least I'm your brother. You are nineteen and I'm thirty-six."
" No," I pout out, " You will only be thirty-six in two weeks."
Mrs. Johnson's gaze flips from me to Ryder. She's very surprised, "Can someone let me in on what is happening here?"
"Well, Mrs. Johnson. This is Myra, my cousin. The one I told you about. I also have one that's David."
" Yes, I pretend to be his maid because I wanted to make sure he doesn't get caught breaking the contract."
Ryder looks at me quickly, " As if you can stop me," he twists my ear and I scream out loud, "Why are you even here?"
"Please, stop twisting. I will tell you."
He lets go, " Why are you here?"
I sigh, " I'm here because of Gwen."
The first thing I see is Ryder turning his head and then, he was walking back to his room. Did something bad really happen between those two?
I can't help feel it is very bad. Ryder is always eager to hear about Gwen. Why is he shutting me out now?
I turn to look at Mrs. Johnson, "I will be back."
She nods swiftly and I rush after him.
I walk inside, "What's happening, Ryder? Is there something between you two that I don't know?"
" Didn't she tell you anything?" That was the reply he gave me as he climb on the bed and take his laptop.
"Yes," I admit, "She told me something happened between you two but that was a long time ago. Have you stopped loving her because of it?"
" Step out of it Myra!" He said coldly.
" I won't!" I protest strongly, " Gwen loves you already. Why are you treating her this way when you are sure she now loves you."
" Gwen doesn't love me."
I fold my hands and watch him, " How did you know she doesn't?"
"See," he looks up at me, " You are nineteen. You don't know about relationships. Gwen told me she used to like younger guys. And then, she did tell you she doesn't love older men."
" I should stop deceiving myself. Gwen will never love older men. There will come a time in her life when she will regret ever meeting me. She might even apply for a divorce because she has found a younger guy to date."
"I squeeze in deep frustration, "You can't make this decision for her. She's in the right position to do so."
He looks away, " I'm helping her out Myra. Step out of it."
" But do you know this is also your fault? You won't even speak with her. When she went looking for you, did you give her audience? Did you hear her out? At least she's older than I am. She's twenty-two and is supposed to be able to know what she wants better than anyone else."
His eyes suddenly whip towards me, " She came looking for me? When?"
I hiss, "Don't act like you don't know. Don't act like you didn't intentionally do it."
He raises skeptical brows, " Do what?"
I study him for a moment. I don't think he's aware. Why did he now kiss Belle? I mean he clearly told me not to talk about Gwen again. He told me he didn't ever want to see him.
How come he doesn't remember?
"Myra, tell me," his face was pleading.
I let out a sigh, "On the night of the party, while you were in. Gwen called me and asked for the address. She came and said she wanted to talk to you. I came to you and told you but you ignored me. The next thing that happened was that Belle told you to go home because you were drunk. Your arms were around Belle and you were laughing as if she was funny. I sincerely don't know why you did that."
" I followed you outside thinking you would speak with Gwen but you kissed Belle instead in Gwen's presence. I watched the tears on Gwen's face as she hurried back home. Since then, she had been trying so hard to be strong but I know she's not getting it at all. She loves you."
Ryder stares for a while, his hand suddenly hits his forehead, "Gosh! Myra! Belle said it! I was drunk. Why did you allow me to go out," he looks exasperated and frustrated.
Maybe I should have done this earlier. I might have to save Gwen all the stress and the tears. Well, I just thought Ryder would do something about it but he never did. He's already letting go.
I thought he was a winner. And someone who doesn't let go easily. But now he's doing that. And seriously, I won't let him.
" No, you told me you didn't want to see her. There is no way you were drunk and still be able to answer me so correctly. You told me flatly that you didn't want to see her. And you didn't ever want to see her."
" Why? Just because she said she loved older men? Yes and so what? Can't feel change? I can hate something but love it now because of something else. You were an exception."
" Yes, she hates older men but that doesn't include you. Mrs. Johnson clearly told you everything she said. Why do you still doubt her love? What if she doubts yours, how will you feel?"
" Gosh!" He looks away, obviously disappointed and worried now, "She cried because of me? She loves me?" He looks up at me, " Are you sure of this?"
" Why don't you confront her. She had once looked for you but you weren't around to see her. It's time you do the same. Do it before it's too late."
" I won't be able to do this again. And if Gwen eventually falls out of love for you, I will never forgive you ever again. I will never forgive you for hurting her either because she's always hurting."
I turn around and walk out. I can hear him call out to me but I didn't stop. I'm so angry right now. How can he do that?
How could he have kissed Belle in front of Gwen?
Now he's claiming he was drunk and he didn't even mean to.
Gosh, I don't believe it's happening again. Will Ryder really get married?
I won't allow him. He will really get married to the woman he loves. I will ensure that.