"Richard, what is wrong?" Adrienne asked.
"I just missed you so much," he said, though there was a little lie behind his words.
"Talk to me. Don't keep me in the dark," Adrienne motioned to him.
"Can't a man shed a little tear?" he joked, trying to laugh it off and stir the conversation into a different direction.
"I am not falling for it this time. You are trying to divert," Adrienne accused.
"None of this would have happened if I never chased you, you know. I'd have just stopped Michael if I didn't set up all that at the club that night. You wouldn't be living this life of worry right now. 
 You wouldn't be here trying to catch a psychopath, you wouldn't have nudes all over the Internet, and I am so sorry. It's all my fault, I know. I have caused you more sorrow than joy, I know. 
 I remember how I treated you months back and..." Richard said, his voice cracking.
"It's okay," she interrupted him.
"Really, it's okay. We've talked about this. I swear, you are the best thing that happened to me. We've had our ups and downs, there were times I hated you because you tried to control me and right now, they don't matter anymore. 
 I couldn't have imagined ending up with someone else other than you. 
 Let's put the past aside and focus on the present and on our future together," Adrienne said.
He stroked her cheeks lightly with his thumb and pulled her in for a hug.
"That aside..." Adrienne said, pulling back from the hug, "...can you tell me what's really wrong? Be honest with me, please," she said softly.
"That's it, honestly. I was just reflecting, and I can't believe I shed a tear," Richard laughed at himself.
Adrienne's senses told her there was still more to it. Her mind raced with thoughts and finally, it hit her. Juliette!
"You didn't mention Juliette at all. What happened to her? Is she okay? Did Linc release her after collecting the money from you? Is she okay?" Adrienne panicked.
"Yeah, she's fine. I took her to my mansion and she is being taken care of there," Richard said.
"Oh. That's a relief," Adrienne said, and as she heard herself, she couldn't believe those words came out of her mouth.
"Were... you worried about Juliette?" Richard asked cautiously.
"No, I was worried about you," Adrienne said. 
She still hates Juliette no matter her relationship with Richard.
"Cool. Now, where were we before I embarrassed myself?" he teased as he kissed her again. He moved to her neck, his kisses teasing and ticklish.
"Let's do it here," Richard said as his lips found hers again.
"Hey, what if Lisa sees us?" Adrienne said, tenderly rubbing his lips with her fingertips. 
"Who cares? It's your house, isn't it?" 
***
Ryan stood up and flashed a wide smile at Adrienne as she approached him at the restaurant. 
"I'm glad you made it here," he said and threw his arms around her, surprising her. She didn't like the gesture, so she shrugged him off and stepped back.
"Please sit," he said, pulling out a chair for her, and she sat.
They ordered their food and soon began digging in.
"Honestly, you have no idea how happy I am to see you. I realized how empty my life was after I sent my mom off to Norway. 
 The few friends I have, we aren't so close. Right now, you are the only woman I have in my life," Ryan confessed.
"Um, Ryan..." Adrienne wanted to talk about him saying she was the only woman in his life as she didn't want it to seem her agreeing to the dinner was also her leading him on, but he interrupted her.
"You don't have to say anything. I know that other than the two of us having a common goal of wanting to bring Lincoln down, you probably wouldn't agree to meet me. But, I want you to know that despite all that happened..."
"Ryan!" Adrienne interjected, not wanting him to go further. 
She didn't want to hear a love confession and she didn't even care if she thought wrong, like, he wasn't going to confess love.
"I came here because I have a question for you. I have been curious about it and now I just have to ask. Who was Rosa to you?" Adrienne asked.
Ryan was taken aback and he leaned back on his seat.
"Did that witch say something to you?" Ryan asked, his voice tense and angry.
"If you are referring to Annabelle, no she didn't. The last time I saw her was the day she came to my house," Adrienne lied.
"Then why are you suddenly talking about Rosa when we should be talking about us?" Ryan asked.
"I realized something a few days ago. The motive behind Rosa killing your son wasn't established, to me at least. What did she have against you?" Adrienne asked.
"Rosa and I had a little fling in Italy while I was there on a business trip. It was a one time thing and unfortunately, she got pregnant. My dad somehow found out and brought her to Nigeria and locked her up to avoid ruining our reputation.
She had a risky heart disease so she couldn't get an abortion and I couldn't get access to her either. I had no idea that my dad was using her for his pleasures, just like he did to you when he kidnapped you three years ago and..."
"That's enough. I get it now," Adrienne interrupted him and took a big gulp from her water. 
"The more I look at you, the more I hate your dad. I'm sorry," Adrienne said, looking away from Ryan.
"I understand. I look like him so my face will always remind you of him and the horrible things he did to you. I'm sorry," Ryan said.
"I think I have to leave now. I have other plans," Adrienne lied, standing up from her seat but Ryan swiftly grasped her hand.
"Don't go, Adrienne. Please. I know I messed up before, but I've changed. I've realized how much I love you and how much I need you in my life. I love you, Adrienne," Ryan pleaded, gently stroking her fingers with his thumb.
Adrienne felt a surge of disgust at Ryan's words. She couldn't believe he had the audacity to say he loved her after everything that had happened. 
They literally just talked about his dad. 
He had no right to claim her as his, especially when she had moved on with someone else. Someone who truly loved and respected her. Someone who was waiting for her at home with a ring on his finger.
She pulled her hand closer to Ryan's face, not to show affection, but to show him something else. 
"Ryan, look at this," she said, pointing to the sparkling diamond ring on her finger. 
"This is not just an accessory. This is my engagement ring. I'm getting married to someone else. Someone who is not you. Someone who is better than you in every way."
Ryan's eyes widened as he saw the ring. He felt a pang of shock and jealousy in his chest. 
He tried to ignore the ring and kissed her hand instead, hoping to win her back with his charm. 
"If you can forgive Richard, I see no reason why you can't forgive me," Ryan said.
Adrienne was repulsed. She snatched her hand away from his lips, feeling irritated.
"Get off me! I'm trying my best not to hate you, please don't make it harder.
 I'm with Richard now, and it's for life. You have no idea how much I love him! 
 He is kind, loyal, honest, and faithful! He is the father of my child and we are going to be a happy family. You are nothing to me, Ryan. Nothing. 
 I don't need your help with Linc, so please don't contact me again."
She stormed out of the restaurant, leaving Ryan stunned and speechless. 
He watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions. He felt angry, sad, confused, and heartbroken. He felt like he had lost the love of his life. 
He felt like he had made a huge mistake. He felt like he had no chance of getting her back. 
He felt like he had nothing left.
As Adrienne drove back to her house, a part of her told her she had probably overreacted at the restaurant. Another part of her told her she had done exactly what was right. 
She had to cut off Ryan for good. His face kept reminding her of Michael and it angered her that Michael had died without facing the consequences of his crimes.
When she got home, she parked her car and went inside her house.
"Richard?" She called out, but there was no reply.
Before she left, he had told her that he would wait for her in the living room until she returned.
She couldn't find him in the living room, dining room, or kitchen.
She opened her bedroom door and found a note stuck to her bedside lamp. It read:
"I'm not missing, and I wasn't kidnapped. I'm sorry, but I just had to. I'll be back in two days."
Why would Richard disappear suddenly and leave her such a cryptic message?
"He is definitely hiding something from me."