With her looks and intoxicating soothing smell, Ryan found her cute. Her cheerfulness, her presence, her smile.... it's soothing.
Ryan's smile disappeared the moment he realised his thoughts. Why is he thinking this way? What is wrong with him?
Hastily, he got down from the bed, walking out of the room. Gazing at her continuously would not be good for him. He shouldn't be thinking about this stuffs. Why is she affecting him this much?
After a while, Arianna stirred in her sleep. She checked the side which Ryan had laid by moving her hands with her eyes still closed. She realised that space was empty, and her brows furrowed.
"Mum?" She voiced and then her eyes flung open. Checking her surroundings, Arianna jerked the moment she realised it was Ryan's room.
It was a dream. It was just a dream. She held no one. Some hours ago she had thought she held her mother, but now she realised it was just a dream. The sides of her lips tilted downwards, showing her sadness.
Later, it dawned on her, Ryan wasn't in. Did he wake before her? How could she sleep so deep?
Hastily she got down, walking briskly to the door. Her hands reached the knob, but then the door opened, and on the other side stood Ryan. She inched backwards as he walked in. His deep gaze on her.
"You're awake" he said, closing the door. "Did you sleep well?" He asked with a smirk.
The event of the previous night flashed before her eyes, and how he had teased her, her cheeks grew red. Does he want to tease her now?
"I... did" she stuttered. He knew she was lying, he could feel her sadness. He knew she doesn't know what she did hours ago, but it would be nice to let the cat remain in the bag.
She had her eyes lowered, not wanting to look at him. The thought of it makes her face flush. Would he just let her be today without teasing her?
Ryan walked to her slowly, her eyes looking everywhere on the floor. It was rather interesting to look at it rather than him.
His hands went to her chin and he lifted her face up.
"Do not lower your eyes in front me" he said. He rather like her cheerfulness and boldness rather than her being timid. All she did was nod her head.
"Join me for breakfast, would you?" Ryan said with a tiny smile.
"Okay" she agreed. "Can I ...go now?" She gulped down the heart in her throat.
Why does she always want to leave his sight? Can't she just stay beside him?
"You can" he walked passed her, feeling down that she's fleeing from his presence. At the same time cursing himself for feeling that way.
"Thank you" Arianna said and the next moment her hands were reaching the knob.
"Take the book with you" she heard him say. She had totally forgotten about the main reason she came into his room. If it wasn't for that damn book, she wouldn't be in such a state.
"Ah...okay" she walked to the bedside table, took the book and left immediately. Once she was out, she let out a deep exhale.
The room felt empty after she left, but her scent still lingered around. How can she smell like things he loved? Why does she affect him? Just how much would he get tormented this way?
He doesn't want a woman. All he wants was to find her and make her break the curse. Loving the so called bride is not even part of his plan. But, here he is... distracted by her. Why is she attractive all the time?!
Ryan clenched his teeth and hands. He took of his clothes then walked to the pool room. Today was another workout to swim fifty laps in thirty minutes. A daily routine to keep his sturdy physique, before having breakfast. He has a roaster of what to do every morning. From archery, to martial arts and even swordmanship with Leonel. Maybe this today would help free his mind a little.
After they had a quite breakfast, he went up to his study immediately and Arianna was a bit glad he didn't ask her to follow.
*....*.....*.....*HOURS LATER*.....*....*.....*
Ryan's phone buzzed on his desk while he worked. He lifted the call, placing on his ear.
"S-Sir, forgive me for what I'm about to say" the man stuttered. His heart in his mouth. Ryan didn't say anything which was a sign to continue and that his head might be on the line.
"T-The truck w-which took your g-goods...." he paused. His chest going up and down "...it... It has been s-stolen" he finally completed his speech.
"What did you say?" Ryan asked calmly, a very frightening manner to speak in.
"Your goods sir...." he gulped "...it has been s-stolen"
"You mean to say... the goods I ordered have been stolen?"
"Y-Yes sir"
"And... My million dollar portrait from Los Angeles... also stolen?"
"Y-Yes"
"And...my glorious Celadon.... Stolen too?"
"Y-Yes sir" he answered. Why is his boss listing them?
Ryan leaned back on his seat. Why does it have to be those three important things? He wanted the portrait in Han gallery, while the celadon in his gallery.
"What else was stolen?" he asked.
"E-Everything sir?" he replied with unevened breath.
Ryan stayed quiet. Then after what seemed like hours, he finally spoke. "24 hours. Nothing more, nothing less" with that he hung up.
That alone was enough to tell him his job was on the line. And perhaps his life as well. He gulped in fear, sweating bullets.
Ryan sat, twirling a pen restlessly in his hand. Who had such guts to steal his goods? He should torture that person and make a belt from his skin. That would fit his white trouser perfectly. The thought disappeared when he remembered hurting them is something he shouldn't do, rather protect them. But he won't let this one slide. In the middle of his boiling anger he thought of someone.
He lifted his phone and made a call. When the other person picked it, he said
"Send her in" and then he hung up.