Leonel barged into Ryan's study, ignoring to rule to knock
"Young master, did you..."
"I heard" Ryan cut him off. Lifting his head, his icy cold eyes met Leonel's, giving him an icy glare for the intrusion.
"You've heard. Then, what do we do?" he asked, tension filled his voice.
"We?!" Ryan tilted his head to the side "Whose job was it to keep my properties safe?"
Leonel lowered his eyes "Mine" he said reluctantly
"In that case... you fix it" Ryan said sternly.
"But, how...."
"You have less than 24 hours, chairman Park. Less than 24 hours to bring me the culprit, or else... you'll have your heart in your hands." He said menacingly, through clenched teeth.
Leonel gulped down his heart "Yes, young master" he bowed and walked out. What a great day! Now he just have to find whoever that bastard is in just twenty four hours! Taking a deep breath, he set out to find the culprit. It might be an easy yet difficult task to accomplish with just a little time.
*...*....*....*....*.....*.....*.....*...*.....*....
The night came and everyone had dinner, retiring to their rooms thereafter. Arianna was busy reading, oblivion to the world outside her door. She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot to eat properly.
Then, something happened. She looked at the bed head and then rose up, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her eyes were on the floor, her head blank.
"Aria..." she heard, almost in a whisper "Aria.... Where are you?"
Arianna stood up, walking out of the room slowly like a possessed being.
"Aria.... Come to me" She followed the voice, down the stairs.
"Aria...."
"Mum...." She whispered as she walked.
"Mummy's home. Where are you?"
"Mum..." Her voice was barely heard, her steps were slow like she was counting them, her eyes only facing forward. Her legs led her the pool room, a little away but still attached to the main house. She stood at the very edge, gazing at the water that awaited her presence.
"Aria..."
"Mum...."
"Come to me" Her right leg moved, and she dropped herself in the water.
*...*.....*...*....*
Ryan laid on his bed, tired. He closed his eyes to sleep, but her face popped up in his eyes. He would have gone to see her now and tease her, but he was tired. He was slowly drifting away, when needles pierced his heart. His eyes flung open, burning in pain. He rose up, sweat breaking on his forehead. His heart was aching so much, but he couldn't hear any voice. No one is crying for help, so why the pain. He listened, but still there was no voice. At that moment, the first thing that came to his mind, was Arianna. Is she okay?
He dashed out of the room to hers. Knocking once and getting no response, he pushed open the door. But no one was in.
"Aria?" He called, rushing to the bathroom and opening it. Still, no one.
"Aria?!" He called again, increasing his volume this time, but still no one answered him. He called and called, searching the entire house, but still couldn't find her. Where did she go?
With all his calls on the top of his lungs, Zariel and Leonel never heard. They slept like they were drugged, oblivion to the other world.
Calling her repeatedly and searching everywhere, not a trace of her was found. Ryan gulped as fear clutched his heart. Fear of the unknown. He stood there breathing heavily, wondering where she is. Then his mind drifted to the pool room where he hadn't checked. Having a little hope, he rushed there. His heart ached when he found her in the pool, her eyes closed.
*....*.....*.....*....*....*
The moment Arianna fell in the water, her senses came back. But it was too late as she was already inside. She couldn't swim, what would she do?
She tried to get out using her hands and legs, but the water was not in her favour. Something seemed to pull her deeper inside. She wanted to scream for help, but couldn't. She tried with everything in her to get out, but it was impossible. The calm roaring pool didn't wait before devouring her slowly. Her body weakened as the surface got farther away from her.
Is this the end of life for her? Is this how she would die, leaving everything she loved behind? But, at least she'll get to see her mother again. Her eyes closed, and she gave away.
*....*.....*
"Ari!" Ryan called out to her. She laid unmoving in the water, holding unto the rope of life and death. Quickly, he dived in , bringing her out as fast as he could.
He laid her gently on the floor, patting her cheeks lightly "Aria! Aria!" he called. His chest was going up and down, he feared she would leave. He started compression, increasing pressure by the second. But still there was no response from her.
He tried again, pressing harder "Aria please... open your eyes" he said but still nothing. He tried four more times but she never responded.
He was drowned in fear, breathing heavily like a part of him was long gone. An idea struck him. He bit his lips at what he was about to do. Leaning downwards, he closed her nose. Opened her mouth with his, he breathed air into her. His lips pressing against hers.
Leaning back for air, he leaned down again, breathing more air.
Arianna coughed at the third trial, water gushing out of her mouth, her eyes fluttered open.
"Aria..." Arianna looked at him. No words could leave her mouth, she only gazed. All that her head sang was 'he saved me, for the third time'. "Are you okay?" Ryan asked but she still gazed.
He lifted her up in his arms, her hands wrapping around his neck, gazing deeply into his eyes.
Ryan moved his eyes away from hers, facing forward, he walked ahead. All Arianna did was gaze , until they arrived his room. He placed her gently on a chair, crouching so she could look down at him.
Finally her gaze was shifted from him to the floor. Her mind thoughtless.
"Are...are you okay?" Ryan asked again, worried. She was still quiet. Her eyes enjoying the show of the floor that she hardly blinked.
"Wait here, I'll be back" he stood up and left the room. Going into her room, he walked to the walk-in closet. Just what would he get her?
His eyes scanned through her clothes and he picked a red woolly sweater that reached her knees. Walking out, he headed to his room