Arianna was almost done when her eyes caught a book she had been longing to read. But.... It was almost at the very top of the floor-to-ceiling shelf. She heaved a sigh in disappointment. Why does it have to be there?
Looking around her eyes caught a stool ladder and her face beamed. She walked to it, dragging it to the shelf. Ryan's brows creased, wondering what she's up to. The books at the top weren't scattered so there was no need for that.
Arianna balance the stool ladder properly on the shelf before climbing. But still, her hands couldn't reach. She had to tiptoe. Ryan watched her amusingly, seeing how the book refused to be taken by her. What so important in the book she wants?
Arianna tried harder, lifting her legs even more. But the book was so stubborn. It would let her touch it and then slip away.
As she tried and tried, she slipped and she was falling. She closed her eyes ready to receive the pain the moment her back hit the floor.
Like a gush of wind, Ryan moved, catching her before she fell. Arianna realised instead of the hard cold floor, she fell into warm embrace. She opened her eyes slowly, only to meet the dark pools of Ryan's. His gaze got deep, and her heart raced. The more he gazed, the more he thought her eyes to be a star, shimmering in the night.
Her heart kept thumping wildly at his deep intense gaze. Why does this always happen? She bit her lower lip.
"Why aren't you ever careful?" Ryan asked finally.
"I'm sorry" she said, almost in a whisper. "I....was just trying to get the book"
"You should have asked for help" Ryan said.
"I didn't want to disturb you " she said. Well she just did. Her eyes fluttered as she spoke, and his heart went uneven for a second. He let go of her, then help her take the book.
"Thank you" she said.
Why does her voice sound that way? It sounds melodious all the time. And also as smooth and sweet as honey. Or is that he's just thinking it to be that way? He walked to his seat, taking the papers and working on them.
Her eyes.....why are they so enchanting? He looked at his hands that held her. Why do you always have to hold her? He clenched his hands and teeth. Lifting his eyes, he looked at her. She had this warm smile as she flipped through the pages of the book. That same smile that drew him to her. His gaze was getting intense which he found so irksome.
Look away! Look away, Ryan! But no. His eyes wouldn't move. Arianna bit her lips at the excitement of having this book in her her hands.
*Ba Dum*
"Mr. Han...."
*Ba Dum*
"....can I borrow this book please?" Arianna asked.
Ryan moved his eyes away, gulping hardly. "Y-Yes" he answered awkwardly and she squealed in excitement.
"Thank you" she smiled
*Ba Dum*
Ryan gritted his teeth. Something is wrong with him. These are not his emotions. They're not his emotions!
Not able to concentrate further, he stood up, walking out of the room. Arianna noticed he was leaving so she followed.
Ryan walked into his room. He wanted a shower so he could clear his mind. So, he started unbuttoning his shirt, forgetting Arianna's presence in the room.
Arianna gulped. Why is he undressing in front of her? Ryan pulled the shirt down his arm, turning around in the process, he met Arianna's gaze. His strong tightened muscles and broad shoulders made her cheeks burn. She wanted to look away from him, but then her eyes fell on his chest.
Such a sturdy built, but why such a wound? Her legs moved and she was walking to him, stopping an inch away.
"Mr. Han....." her hands lifted, moving towards his chest. At that moment she was so curious and concerned. "....how did you get this wound?" she touched it and Ryan grasped her wrist. Arianna lifted her eyes and met his gaze which was piercing and also containing a questioning look. Such guts!
"How did you get hurt?" she asked, but Ryan was quiet. Is she worried about him? Her eyes shows it. He inched forward to her, searching in her eyes to be sure she was really worried. Still he couldn't believe it.
"Are you... worried about me?" Ryan asked, finally finding his voice.
"I am" she replied "How did you get hurt?" Still Ryan found it surprising for her to be worried. He was at loss of words.
At that moment a knock came on the door, after which it opened. Both turned their eyes towards it.
"Goodness!" Zariel exclaimed while walking. Such a sight to behold. Arianna inched away immediately.
"Ms. Jung" she said, lowering her eyes.
Composing herself not to laugh and tease them at that moment, she said "You're here. I've been looking for you"
"Me?" Arianna asked.
"Yes" she answered
"Why?" Ryan asked this time.
"I needed a helpmate in the garden" Zariel replied, forcing her smiles in. She knew Ryan didn't want Arianna to leave, even if he doesn't know that.
"There's a garden in this house?" Arianna asked, astonished. She had never came across it while roaming the compound. Though she hasn't fully roamed everywhere.
"You don't know? Come, I'll show you" Zariel said.
"Okay" Arianna said with excitement, dropping the book unknowingly on the bed. Zariel held her hand and they both walked out. Ryan stood there, watching the door close.
It's a good thing that Zariel came or else..... he exhaled. Zayden, what did you do?
Ever since that day he had been having series of thoughts. What she really smell like..... Is it intoxicating? Is it vanilla? No it's not. Does her smile melt his heart? Is her skin like porcelain? And so many other thoughts running in his head. He felt like banging his head on the wall to stop those thoughts. It was like Zayden knew he would end up thinking about it, so he purposefully said those words.
He walked into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, he let the cold water rain on him.