"I fell in the pool....which was mysterious"
Jia's brows furrowed "How?"
"I heard mum's voice. She was asking me to come to her." Arianna said "Jia, I'm so confused. I acted possessed."
"This is strange. But how did you get out? I know you can't swim"
"Mr Han.....saved me " she replied in a low tone. Not wanting him to hear it. But if only she knew.
Jia heaved a sigh "He's such a hero. I should meet him and thank him for always saving you. What do you think?"
A tiny insecure feeling coursed through her. If Jia meets him, she'll fall for him at first glance. "Whatever" she brushed it off.
"Do you think I'm going crazy?"
"No Anna, don't think that way. You're perfectly fine" she assured not to make her worried.
"I miss you " Arianna said.
"I miss you too. Everyone misses you a lot" Jia smiled.
Arianna made a gallant attempt to force her tears back in. Just mere thinking about them caused her tears. "I wish I could go out" she said "but.... I don't now how to ask Mr Han for permission"
"Why? Isn't he treating you nicely?"
"He does but...I don't know how to ask him"
So they're not friends yet? "It's fine. You'll be okay"
Arianna let out a long sigh, missing the city's fresh air and noise.
"Oh! Mr Han took Hayden's artwork, and he got paid handsomely" Jia shifted the topic.
"I know. His painting was good. Oppa did a nice work"
"He wanted everyone to celebrate on his achievement, but remembered you weren't around so he changed his mind." Jia said
"Why? It's not like I'll feel bad." Arianna twitched her lips "He even remembered me"
"He didn't forget you either"
"He did. He forgot me. He doesn't call me at all" Arianna grumbled. "It's been like forever since I last saw him."
"Don't vent your annoyance on me" Jia warned "besides he's a workaholic. The last time he came you were already taking"
"He ignored my calls" she grumbled.
"Let me call you back Anna. I have serious work" Jia said
"Unlike us you have been deprived" she said under her breath "okay"
The call ended and she sighed. Going back in became something difficult. She couldn't bear to see his face again. Just the thought of his words made her cheeks burn.
"Aria..." Ryan called, seeing she's not coming in.
Oh God! Would her day ever be better? She walked in and stood beside him, fidgeting her fingers. Ryan tapped the space beside him, gesturing for her to sit. Sighing, she sat beside him reluctantly.
"Should I read you a book, Ari?" Ryan asked, surprising the latter. He wants to read her a book now? What has gotten into him? Also how is he going to read his kind of books to her?
"Your books are boring" she grumbled.
"They are? But you took one" he said.
"That one was a little romantic. That's why" she said. All this while, she never looked at him.
Oh, she likes romantic books. "Okay then, would you play a game with me?" he asked. Arianna was stunned. So he's really considering them as friends? This a big start.
"Okay" she agreed and a smile crept to his face "So what are we playing?"
"Let's play cards. Can you?"
"Of course I can" she beamed, because it's been a long time. Those times she plays with Hayden until he no longer had her time.
"Okay" Ryan smiled. He stood up to get the cards. Once he was back his phone rang. He lifted the call, annoyed at the intrusion.
"What is it?" His voice came.
"Sir, I--I just wanted to remind you of the meeting in...less than fifteen minutes" his secretary spoke.
"What?" he roared "You never said I had a meeting."
"I... I told you yesterday sir." he reminded
"Oh... Now you're saying I have short-term memory?"
What the! "N-No sir. I never said that" what's wrong with his boss? Does he know what it means? He would never say that to his boss. He silently cried.
"Cancel the meeting if it's not important" Ryan said.
"Sorry to say sir, but it's very important"
Ryan's jaws clenched. How great to spoil his day. "Alright" he said "Prepare everything immediately"
"Yes sir"
"Get off my phone" he yelled and hung up.
"What's wrong?" Arianna asked.
He turned with a tiny smile "Let's shift the game to next time okay? I have a meeting to attend"
"Oh" was her short reply.
"We'll play when I'm done. Is that okay with you?"
"Hmm" she nodded.
With a smile he walked to his closet and changed. After a while, the door opened, and rugged footsteps echoed through the walls. Her eyes lifted and that was it. Dressed in a custom black suit that embraced his sturdy built, he was a real definition for a hot creature. His cologne was neither soft nor strong, she could perceive the manly flowery scent. His chiselled jaw and broad shoulders, his muscular body, made her ogle. His hair this time was swept back, with a few stray strands on his forehead, giving another manly look. His sharp clear eyes gleamed in delight, so alluring. His faint red lips was a catchy feature. He was so manly and... hot.
"How do I look, Ari?" His voice came, causing a lump in her throat. She gulped it down. Her heart thumped at his smile, she could barely find her voice.
"Good" was her short answer. Truth be told, she can never describe his looks completely. Was he a Greek god?
"Thanks darling" he smiled, for he knew her thoughts.
Arianna moved her eyes away, biting her lips to stop her racing heart. What did he just call her?
"Be my assistant, would you?" He asked.
"Huh?" Her voice was barely heard.
"Assist me today" he said.
Is he offering her job? No, this is torture. She would drool more and her heart would race to its death. She was about to decline
"You have no choice" he said.
"Fine" she agreed.
She noticed something in his hand. A mask. "What is that?" She asked
"My identity" he said and took steps out. She followed him to his study and helped him in arranging his laptop as he told, connecting it to the meeting.
He sent a message to his secretary to begin the meeting. He put on the mask and the meeting begun.
In the enormous hall, a man appeared on the screen. He was sited on his couch, with one leg cross over the other and his arms spread over its arm. His kingly aura could be perceived from here. Women drooled, men envied. Tension not failing to fill the air.
"Good day ladies and gentlemen. Sorry for the delay"