Chapter 232 - The Islet Mystery 48

They huddled close together when they heard a sound coming from the lift. That part of the underground level where Ryan placed all of them had no room divisions. It consisted only of one large, empty room that Ryan quickly furnished with single beds, couches, and dining table before he left. There were lots of food supplies, even enough to provide them for a month. However, they could not connect to the outside world for fear of being discovered. Even Mr. Dioko's instruction to the one he placed in charge of negotiating with the fishing company, came through Ryan. Due to his influence in maritime industries, a fishing company agreed to play the part Mr. Dioko required of them, oblivious of the details behind the fishing.

It had been a week since Ryan left. However, he kept his communication with them, updating each other about the progress of the search for Allie and Ajie. Yet that day, he did not call. He did not know about Joey, Ajie, and Allie's sudden and unexpected arrival to their hideout.

As the doorknob twisted open, everyone held their breath. Who could that be? This same question passed silently as they stared at each other, their heartbeats dubbing louder and faster than their breathing. They were not expecting Ryan to come so soon. The wedding preparation would make him busy, not to mention his discreet ways of locating his parents and his son. That did not end there, and he had some plans he could not reveal to anybody as of the moment.

Everyone broke into sighs and smiles as soon as Ryan's head popped into the small opening of the door. His gaze fell instantly at Ajie and Allie, who pressed Chloe in between the two of them.

"Allie, Ajie! How come you're here?" His surprised gaze changed into joy as soon as Allie stood up and ran to hug him. 

"Ryan, thank you for saving my family!" Allie exclaimed after she pulled away from hugging him. Ajie followed behind, hugging and thanking him as well.

"Why are you here? I thought it would take you longer," Cherry's irrelevant question pulled them off from Allie and Ajie's narration of their mindblowing experience.

"It's Shiela. She's really killing me with her stubborn head!"

All eyes fell on him, including Joey's, whose presence was still unnoticed by the host.

"I did not tell you because I was afraid that if my father's men succeeded in taking you, he would force you to tell him about Shiela's whereabouts. On that night, you were taken," he paused to look at Ajie and Allie, "I let her escape through a hired boat, and send her to my place in UAE. I took her personally to the airport to make sure she takes the flight, only to learn today that she escapes," Ryan sighed and dropped himself to the couch, resting the side of his face to his palm where his elbow rested on the armrest.

Everyone shifted their gaze between Ryan and Joey, curious about how Joey would react in knowing that his boss was in love with her daughter.

"My head is already splitting into two! How can I move when I am worrying sick again about her safety," he added, closing his eyes afterward.

"Sir, let me take care of her. Just give me your ideas," Joey stood up from the corner where he sat unnoticed, and Ryan's eyes flew wide as he heard him.

"Joey?"

"Yes, sir. I already know everything. Thank you so much."

Allie interrupted them, narrating on their behalf their whole experience to Ryan. She told him about their short exile to the house within the cove, their escape via Chara channels, and down to how his dad's men threw them into the vortex.

"I thought we would die after the whirling current caught us," Allie's tears glistened inside her eyes, as she recalled that most frightening moment.

"I'm sorry, but I'm glad dad made a stupid decision.," he said, smiling, happy that they were safe. "God sees us and guides us through it all. I believe that evil would not prevail forever."

Ryan then walked toward Joey and hugged him, "I hope you did not hate me for leaving your daughter and your grandson alone."

"You should have told me earlier."

"I also did not want to go ahead of Shiela's plan. I was still finding out some proof of dad's wickedness."

_______

"Miss Yen, I'm sorry. I just can't stay here waiting for what may happen next."

Miss Yen held her gaze, wondering what she meant. Throughout the whole week that she was here, she looked emotionally disturbed. Though she won the hearts of the staff and the entire management team easily, earning full respect as Ryan's wife, she did not look happy.

"How can I help, Miss Yu?" the general manager whom Ryan trusted Shiela's care with looked at her with sad eyes. Her failure to convince Shiela to stay made her question her sense of trustworthiness.

"Let me go, and please don't tell Ryan about this. It's for our own good."

Miss Yen scratched her head. She never expected that her boss's wife could be so stubborn.

"I promise, Miss Yen, Ryan would not blame you for my decision. I think I have to tell you the truth. Ryan is going to marry someone else. The only way to stop him is my presence by his side."

Shiela's unhappiness convinced Miss Yen. When Atty. Manloza came over to transfer the businesses to Shiela's name, she found out that she and Ryan were not married yet. However, she also honored Ryan's instruction to address her as Mrs. Yu without questions.

Miss Yen accompanied Shiela to the airport. She tried to contact Ryan, but somehow, her calls couldn't be connected. On the other hand, Shiela took her flight directly from Manila to the hotel where Andrew's group stayed. The moment she arrived, a local tabloid caught her eyes as soon as she entered her room.

"Dr. Julliene Sy and Mr. Ryan Paul Te are finally going to tie the knot this coming..."