Ryan got to his room, only to find Arianna in the same position he left her. In the same state.
He walked to her "Here" he stretched forth the cloth to her. "Change into this. You might catch a cold."
Arianna took the clothes from him without a word, or even moving her eyes from the floor. He walked to his walk-in closet to change.
As he changed his clothes, his mind drifted back to what happened a few minutes ago. Their lips constantly brushing against each other's. Her deep gaze on him. He exhaled, pressing his lips into a thin line. He felt like he had kissed her.
It wasn't an actual kiss, was it? It was just an act to save a life. He didn't kiss her. He didn't. But remembering how he pried open her mouth with his, his whole body, mind and emotions screamed.
'You kissed her, Ryan.'
"I did not" he denied.
'You kissed her. Your lips was against hers. Now tell us if it was soft or not'
"It felt soft..." He whispered, and then cursed at himself.
Kicking the thoughts away, he walked out. Arianna had already changed her clothes, sitting on the couch in that same state. 'She looks good in red'. Was the thought that came to his head. Exhaling, he walked to her. He took a chair and sat in front of her.
Arianna never moved her eyes, her deep gaze on empty space.
"Aria" In a soft tone, Ryan called her. "What happened?"
She was quiet, not able to understand.
"Please talk to me, Aria. How did you get in the pool?" Ryan questioned.
Arianna lifted her eyes and met his. Tears had clouded her vision. She blinked and they rolled down her cheeks.
"Ari..." Ryan felt his heart throbbing in pain at her tears. She began to cry, causing more pain on him. He doesn't know why, but he hated to see her tears. He hated to see her hurt. Her cries filled his eyes, tearing his heart apart.
What should he do?
He pulled her closer, enveloping her in a hug, he rubbed her hair
"It's okay" he said. Arianna cried so much that her tears wet his shirt. She was so scared, confused and hurt.
"It's okay" he said again, rubbing her hair gently. In his arms is where she thought her protection lies. The warmth it gave was soothing, a place where she felt she belonged. A place where she would always want to be.
After a while, her cries died away. Only her sniffles could be heard. Ryan pulled away gently, wiping her wet face.
"It's okay" he said again "You don't have to cry. Now tell me....how did you get in the pool?"
"I heard... I heard m-my m-mother call out to me." She said between sniffles "She asked me to come to her. I.... I wasn't behaving normally"
"How were you acting?" Ryan asked with utmost scrutiny.
"I.... I acted like someone controlled" she replied.
Someone controlled? 'Demons are after her' those words rang in his ears. Could this be their doing? She would have died if he never felt that pain. How guilty he would be if something had happened to her. What would they do next?
"I... I'm scared" he heard say. That's the worst state he could ever want someone to be in. To be afraid.
"Don't be. I'm here with you" he comforted her. He didn't take it seriously before, but now she's his responsibility. "From now on.... never... leave my sight. Understood?"
A great excuse to keep her by his side every time.
"Y-Yes " she answered, not knowing the main reason.
'I won't let anything happen to you. I promise' Ryan made a vow to himself.
"Have some sleep. It's late" he said. "I'll be back"
"Okay" Arianna said and he left. She took a deep breath. Her eyes were swollen and heavy, she felt sleepy. She remembered he didn't tell her were to sleep. She couldn't just crawl onto his bed like that. He didn't ask her to. So, she curled herself on the couch, drifting to sleep immediately.
Ryan took a walk around the house for anything suspicious, but could find nothing. He checked for over fifteen minutes but couldn't find anything to hold on. He remembered he left Arianna alone. What if something happens to her again?
Quickly, he rushed to his room, finding her curled up on the couch. He heaved a sigh of relief. But why is she sleeping on the couch? It's not comfortable.
Ryan walked to her, carrying her in his arms to the bed. He placed her gently, afraid that she would wake up. Arianna had her grip tight on his shirt, making him unable to rise up. He ended up gazing, again. His heart racing. He was just a few inches away from her face as his gaze grew deep. Her hair which had covered a part of her face, he moved it gently. To be honest, her skin was smooth like porcelain. Stopping his mind from thinking anything, he removed her grip from his shirt. Covering her with the duvet, Ryan walked to the other side and laid on the bed, facing up to the ceiling. The only thing his mind could think of at that moment, was their lips against each other's. Unknowingly his hand went to his lips and he touched it. His body shivered. His heartbeat unevened at his thoughts. Especially when her rosy scent filled his nostrils.
He should be thinking of protecting her. Why think of this? But why really do they want her dead? What is her worth? He turned his face to her, gazing intensely. Numerous questions roaming his mind.
Arianna sniffed, her lashes fluttering but her eyes never opened. She held unto the sheets tightly as if it would protect her. Her mother must be her weakness as that was what they used against her. He remembered her talking on the phone with someone. She couldn't get over her mother no matter how hard she tried. It must have hurt....so badly. He turned away, forcing sleep unto himself.