Ryan looked serious as he scanned through the paper in his hand, twirling a pen in the other. He lifted his left hand, resting his fingers on his temple.
Arianna looked at him. Now's the perfect time to really admire him. Everything about him was beautiful. His lustrous dark brown hair, which somehow looked black, was quite long, covering half the nape of his neck. But he did well to keep his curtain bangs in length slightly beneath his brows, parted at the right side of his forehead. His lashes were long and smooth, slightly curved upwards. His lips were red. His skin was a little pale. His muscular hand, and body beneath his shirt. His sharp jaw.....sharp eyes.... thick sharp brows.....
Arianna was dumbfounded at his beauty. His beauty alone could make someone commit a sin. She had been gazing at him for minutes. How can a man be so beautiful?
"Am I that handsome that you cannot look away" Ryan spoke and lifted his eyes to her. A dark and dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. Immediately she averted her gaze. She had been caught in the act.
"Forgive me" she said "I--I didn't mean to stare"
Ryan didn't say a word. He just gazed at her. She lifted her eyes and met his dark gaze, and immediately she lowered them. The way he gazed at her sent chills running down her spine. Her cheeks burned from embarrassment, her heart raced, she bit her lower lip.
Ryan found that act cute, his lips stretching into something that looks like a smile. But it was still so cold, and it screamed danger to anyone who saw it.
"Get something to do rather than to stare" he said.
"Can I....go join Ms. Jung in doing the work?" She asked, not wanting to look at him.
"You want to leave?" Sounds like a statement not a question.
"Yes" she replied.
He sighed "Alright. You can leave"
"Thank you" she stood up and left. Once she was out, she leaned against the door, letting out a breath she never knew she was holding.
Is he that terrifying that she cannot stand his presence? She so badly wanted to leave. Why can't she just stay and keep him company?
Wait....why is he thinking this way? This cannot be him thinking.
"Damnit!" he cursed, stamping his hand on the table. Exhaling, he continued working.
*....*....*.....*.....*.....*.....*...*...*.....*
Hello, Ms. Jung " Arianna greeted as she came forward.
"Ah.. Arianna, how are you?" Zariel asked.
"I'm fine " she replied
"So, why are you here?" she asked "You should be resting in your room"
"I was hoping I could help you with anything. Besides I was so bored earlier" she replied.
"That's nice of you. But you don't have to. Besides I'm done with all" she said with a smile.
"Oh" Arianna breathed.
"Since you were feeling bored, we could talk over coffee"
Arianna's face beamed "Really?!"
"Yes"
"Thank you"
"There's no need to thank me"
Zariel went to the coffee maker and brewed some into two cups. After which they went to the shade outside.
"I was wondering why they are no maids and servants around" Arianna said "For a wealthy man like Mr. Han, it's weird."
Zariel took a sip of her coffee "There's something about young master others shouldn't see. Maybe during your stay here you'll find out "
What exactly is that?
"Doesn't he have any family? I've never seen any other person entering this house" Arianna said
"He does. But they are very far away." Zariel replied "Usually his younger brother and sister come her every three years. They should be here by next year"
"Ah...I see "
"So, why did your parents give you away so easily?" Zariel asked. She was so curious about her.
"They are not my parents" she said "I mean....one of them isn't. When I was was eight my mother died . I didn't know my father because she never said anything about him. No matter how much I asked. After her death, I was forced to live her younger sister. They never treated me nicely even for a day. I was able to finish middle school only because my mother's friend offered to train me. And high school, I went on my own" she paused and took a sip.
"Recently, I got to know that my aunt's husband was actually my father..."
"Goodness" Zariel's hand flew over her mouth.
"And that was the same day he give me away"
"How can someone be so cruel?" Zariel said in a fit of anger "It must have hurt so badly"
"It did. And it still does" Arianna said
Zariel rubbed her arm "Don't feel bad at all" she said "If there's anything bothering you, you can tell me. I may not be your mother, but you can lean on me"
Arianna peered into her eyes "Thank you" she said
There was silence for a while, before Zariel broke it.
"I don't want you to hate young master at all"
"N-No, I don't hate him" Arianna said.
"It's okay to hate someone who made you his mistress on business. But do not hate him, please" Zariel said "People say he's cold and cruel. But deep down inside, he's a sweet soul. He gone through a lot in many years of living, that's why he acts that way"
"What happened to him?" Arianna asked.
"You'll find out later" she said. "Also, he lost his mother too" she couldn't help but tell her.
Arianna's eyes grew wide upon hearing that.
"You got to spend eight years with your mother, but he only spent a week with her. And every time he blames himself, saying she died because of him."
"What about his father?"
"His father loved him so much. More than the others. But he so much wanted his mother's love." she said "Each day he would beg the heavens to bring her back so he could see her. But his wish was never granted."
Arianna felt his pain. She knows what it feels like to be without a mother. But at least she had an opportunity to be with hers for eight years.
"So...why doesn't he go to the company?" She asked.
"There's something much more important than the company which he has to attend to, or it could cost him his life."
Arianna looked at her. What could that be?
"Don't worry, I'll tell you more about him some other time." She stood, patted Arianna's head and left. Leaving her in wonder.
His story is mysterious. Maybe if she gets to be friends with him she'll find out more. But he doesn't look friendly. She cried within. How would be friends with him?