They both arrived at the restaurant, and Arianna immediately went inside. She pushed the door open, ringing the doorbell.
"Hello, guys" she beamed, and some of the staffs moving about turned to the door.
"Anna?" One of them said "Anna!" She exclaimed.
"Hey, it's Anna!" Everyone trapped her in a hug, not giving her space to breathe.
"Ma'am So-hyeon, Anna's here!" So-hyeon immediately rushed out from her office to see if it's true.
"Anna?" She called, taking slow steps towards them. Arianna turned to her, she beamed.
"Auntie!"
So-hyeon wrapped her hands around her, enveloping her in a hug. Tears seeping from her eyes. "I thought I'd never see you again. I got so worried. Are you fine?" She pulled to check her face.
"Yes, I am" she replied "I miss you all, so much"
"We miss you too, Anna. Work felt so boring" a lady worker said.
"Yes, that's true" another said "Are you back now?" he asked.
"No. I only came to visit."
"Okay, now everyone, get back to work" So-hyeon ordered "I'll have my own time with her alone"
"That's not fair" they retorted "it's been a long time we had our usual chit chat"
"You look a little chubby Anna" So-hyeon spoke "They must have been feeding you so well"
"Is that for real?" Arianna looked at her body to be sure.
"Of course" a lady, Ju Kyeong, answered. "Being a mistress isn't so bad" she blurted, after which she received a slap on her shoulder.
"You talk too much" she told her.
The door opened which rang the bell. "Hey guys!" Jia said as she walked in "Am I missing some...." her bag dropping to the floor "....thing?" she completed. Her mouth falling a little open. "Anna?"
"Jia!" Arianna gave a smile. Jia rushed to her, and hugged her tightly. "Oh my! I can't believe I'm finally seeing you again. I miss you so much" she cried.
"Jia, you're going to make me cry" Arianna said , already at the verge of it.
"I can't help it. If only you know how I've longed to see you" They broke into tears, without disengaging from the hug.
"Even I am going to cry" Ju Kyeong said as a tear seeped from her eyes. She rubbed her nose.
Ryan just stood there, with hands crossed over his chest, he watched the drama unfolding before his eyes. Even the customers couldn't help but watch as well. They were so lost that they forgot the cold, terrifying, villian-looking man who stood by the door. His intimidating aura emanating from him.
They disengaged from the hug with wet faces. "Finally, you're no longer a prisoner" Jia blurted.
"I was never a prisoner, Jia" Arianna snapped "Auntie, make her understand."
"Ah... How did I cry so much? Hope I didn't spoil my make-up" she wiped her tears dramatically and everyone laughed. Finally, the restaurant felt lively again since the sweet Anna is here.
"I think this belongs to you" they heard a deep voice and they turned to it. Their eyes widened seeing the most handsome man they have ever seen. Though he looked frightening with his dressing, they couldn't help but gape. He was holding Jia's handbag, stretched towards her. She took it from him, with her mouth still open.
"Thank you" she said and then turned back to Arianna. "Anna, who is he?" She whispered.
"I'm Ryan. Aria's bodyguard" he gave a white lie before she could even speak. "Nice to meet you all" his lips curled up into a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
So-hyeon looked him up and down "Yes. Nice to meet you too" she said slowly. Jia turned to Arianna.
"You never told me you had a bodyguard" Arianna looked at Ryan and he blinked at her, as if telling her to go with the flow.
"Ah.... I uh...I forgot" she lied.
Jia scrutinized her face "is that so?"
"Yes" she answered.
"Oh, what's this about?" So-hyeon interrupted "You both go sit over there. Hey you! Serve them chicken ginseng soup" she ordered.
"Yes ma'am"
"Hurry up, go sit over there" she pointed at an table.
"Shall we go?" Ryan said with a tiny smile. Arianna sighed and walked to the table. She just couldn't understand why he lied. Ryan sat opposite her, that smile never leaving his face.
"Why did you lie?" She asked in a low tone.
"I like being anonymous" he replied.
Jia drew a seat and sat with them. Resting her jaw on both of her knuckles, with her elbows on the table. She gazed at Ryan.
"I'll have the same thing too" she said with a low shout to whoever heard her. Ryan felt a bit uncomfortable at her deep gaze. His cold eyes met hers and he stared back. His teeth clenched, his eyes blazed, shooting warning daggers.
"I feel you're lying" she blurted, and the glaciers in his eyes died down.
He chuckled "What makes you think I am?"
"Because.... Mr. Han doesn't employ anyone to work for his household. How comes he employed you so suddenly?"
"I'm a close friend of his" he lied again without batting an eye.
"Really? And you suddenly became Anna's close friend?"
"Huh?"
"You called her 'Aria' a few minutes ago. Only her mother calls her that. And... Mr Han also" Jia stated.
Ryan looked at Arianna, then back to Jia "Is it? I call her that way because it's sounds sweet as honey in my ears." he smiled.
"Oh....and your deadly boss did nothing about it?"
Deadly huh? "I have his blessings"
"Don't tell me....you like my Anna as well" her eyes grew wide, demanding answers.
"Is it a crime?" he asked
Arianna just stared at the duo, not knowing what to say. How could he like this? She thought he doesn't like lies?
The dish was served for the three of them . "Can we eat?" Arianna spoke,but her words fell on deaf ears.
Jia leaned forward "Just tell me if you're Mr Han. I want tell anyone"
"I'm not" he said "I am just her bodyguard"
"Ah...I see. I just wanted the thank him for always saving he, you see. Even taking her away from that he'll she was in. I'm really happy that she's happy with him" she sighed.
"Hmm... It so yummy. Yah, Ju Kyeong! Give me another plate" Arianna spoke. Clearly, she wasn't paying attention to them. She never heard what they said. She was only focused on the delicious food. She lifted her eyes and caught them staring at her.
"What? Did I miss anything?" She asked as she chewed on the meat in her mouth. A light chuckle escaped his lips. She's so, so cute.