"Isn't that my sister?" he looked at him with a questionable gaze.
"What?" His voice was barely heard.
Hayden cursed underneath "I once told I have a sister. And you've been going out with her?"
Shin woo chuckled "Stop pulling my legs, Hayden"
"Right" he breathed. Taking out his cellphone, he showed a picture of the whole family. Of course, Jia was in it. Shin woo's eyes were widely open. His jaws dropping slowly. Hayden took back his phone, turning his face away.
Shin woo was dumbfounded. Is this for real?
"You know... the main reason why my fist isn't on your jaw now is because you're a friend, and I like you" Hayden stated and Shin woo stared.
"You're the kind of person I wanted for my sister. So I give you my blessings" he grinned. Shin woo was dumbstruck at his words. Just like that?
"But... You hurt my sister, I'll forget long years of friendship" he said with a grin, which was menacing. He patted his shoulder and walked away.
Shin woo stood there with a raised brow. Is he in support of their relationship? For real?
He wanted to scream in joy, bit he held it in. Sucking in the joy brewing in his heart. Though he had met her mother, he was still waiting to meet her brother. Who would have thought that same brother was his friend? He grinned widely.
*.....*.....*.....*...*....*....*....*.....*....*.....*
Arianna's eyes fluttered open. Rubbing her eyes, she lifted her head a little. Only to find herself on Ryan's bed. How did she get here? Must he always bring her to his room?
Turning her head to the right, she saw Ryan, dressed and black. He was staring at his hands or so. She looked at the bathroom door, wanting to run away from him as the morning event was still fresh in her memory.
Slowly and stealthily, she got down from the bed without making a sound. Immediately she got down, Ryan turned, crossing his hands behind his back and clenching it into fists. He gazed at her, piercing right through her soul.
"Did you sleep well?" He finally asked.
Why does he always ask her that question? "Yes" she replied, still gazing at him.
"Do you feel alright?" he asked again.
"I...do" she replied. He walked to her, his deep gaze not breaking.
"Why do you always bring me to your room?" she asked "I have a room"
"Is it a crime?" he threw the question at her.
"No, but I have a room" she said.
"From now on this is where you'll sleep. You can move your things here too" he said.
"Why?"
"For safekeeping" was all he said.
"Tch" she looked at the floor with her lips twitched.
"I'm going out for a while." He said "I'll be back by dusk"
"Can I... come with you?" She asked with hope.
"You can't" he said after a moment of silence "it's risky"
She twitched her lips again as her hopes got shattered. Ryan gazed at her. He didn't want to leave her, but he had no choice. The pain in his heart was so hurtful. He was trying not to show that he was in pain in front of her.
His hand lifted slowly and it fell on her head. He brushed her hair gently with care. Arianna stared at him, her head tilted a little to the side. Her lips parted but no words came out. He took back his hand and buried it in his pocket.
"What did you just do?" she asked, almost in a whisper.
"I just brushed your hair" he said.
Arianna stared at him, dumbstruck. She had nothing in mind to say, she only wondered. Closing the gap between them, Ryan pulled her into his arms. Her heart skipped a beat, and another. Numerous beats.
"Take care of yourself while I'm away." he said while holding unto her tightly "Make sure to eat. Have your lunch and dinner, do not skip any one."
Her face flushed, her heart raced at his warm hug.
"Don't hurt yourself, alright?"
"Ha...." Was the sound she could make.
Ryan pulled away, and it was like a part of her was gone.
"I'll come back soon." he rubbed her hair again. Giving a smile, he walked out.
Arianna dropped herself on the bed, her chest going up and down, her face tinted red. She held unto her chest, trying to calm her unevened heart.
Why did he do that? Why make her feel this way? Also he had asked if she was alright. Why ask her that?
During that terrifying dream, she felt someone holding her, saying it was okay. Was it him?
She gasped. This is not the first time he comforted her and held her close. What if...what if she keeps liking him because of this? What if he begins to like her? Does he see her as a woman?
Ryan walked down the stairs, heading to the door.
"Young master" Zariel stopped him. He turned to her without a word.
"I wanted to apologize for my careless behaviour earlier." She said.
"It's been two days Ms Jung. And you're just apologizing?" He asked.
"You never gave me a face, remember?"
"Oh, now it's my fault?" He demanded
"Are you going somewhere?" She shifted the topic
"I am" he replied fiercely "I leave Ari in your care. Anything happens to her.... you're dead" he said through clenched teeth.
"Nothing would happen to her. Don't be such a bully" she said "Be safe, okay"
"Hmm" he made his way to the door, leaving the house.
"Aigu! Someone's worried over a woman" she said in a low tone, a smile visible on her face. She walked back up the stairs to get something.