Chapter 60 - Sixty
A deep breath filled Suzy’s lungs as she stood outside Ryan’s study door. The polished oak glinted in the dim hallway light, adding to the air of formality, or rather, coldness, that seemed to emanate from the room itself. She had freshened up after the dance lesson, the memory of Ryan’s intense stare still lingering in her mind. Now, dressed in a simple yet elegant blue dress, she faced a new challenge – confronting Ryan in his own domain.
Suzy raised her hand, her fist hovering above the brass knocker. Hesitation gnawed at her. What did he want to discuss? Why did she feel so on edge? And why did his request feel so... ominous?
Taking a deep breath, she rapped on the door with a firm knock. The silence that followed seemed to stretch on forever. Just when she began to think he wasn’t there, a deep, emotionless voice echoed from within.
"Enter."
The single word held all the warmth of a winter blizzard. With a determined resolve, Suzy pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Ryan wasn’t at his usual desk, the one piled high with documents and maps. Instead, he sat in a plush armchair by the fireplace, a crackling fire casting flickering shadows on the walls. His posture was ramrod straight, his expression unreadable.
He gestured towards an armchair facing him, his voice cold and impersonal. "Sit."
Suzy eyed him with suspicion. This wasn’t the same Ryan she’d danced with moments ago, the one whose gaze had held a flicker of... something. This Ryan was back to his usual cold self, distant and impenetrable.
With a silent sigh, she crossed the room and settled into the armchair, her back ramrod straight. The plush cushion swallowed her petite frame, making her feel even smaller in the vastness of the room.
"You wanted to see me?" Suzy inquired, her voice barely above a whisper. The silence stretched on for a moment, the only sound the crackling fire and the frantic beat of her own heart.
Ryan remained silent for a long moment, his dark eyes locked on her face. He seemed to be scrutinizing her, searching for something, his gaze leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. Finally, he spoke, his words clipped and measured.