Chapter 16: Chapter 16

RYAN POV

I allowed my eyes to hover over her from head to toe. She looked simple, but the expression on her face was priceless. Maybe, it really was true what Damien said yesterday. Were they getting back together behind my back?

“Since you are my fiancé, I will spill the beans.” She let out a sigh of relief, before resting on my chair.

“Go on.” I gestured.

“Damien was my senior while I was in College. We were both studying Business Administration. There has not been any romantic relationship between the both of us. We were close, but not really close.” She fiddled with her fingers as she spoke, her gaze meeting with mine.

My eyebrows creased. I don't even know why I was bothered.

“Whatever.” I huffed, shaking my head to distract my thoughts. It was still difficult for me to accept that it was true. Or just perhaps, Damien was simply doing that deliberately to piss me off.

“Am I pardoned?” Her eyes raised a bit, as she peered at me.

“Yes, as long as you do not have any dealing with the opposite sex for the next one year, we will be getting married. I hate rumors. And if you have observed me closely, I love my life rather than being low-key.”

“Understood.” She nodded.

“Have you eaten?” I felt the words come out of my mouth before I could control it.

I saw her eyes brighten up a bit, but my sudden cold stare prompted her to look sideway.

“No. I haven't. But you should eat first.” She quickly said, bringing out the food.

I held her as she had dropped one of the small plastics containing the food. Our eyes met, as I felt warmth at the contact with her skin.

I cleared my throat, removing my hand.

“Sorry I scared you. Let us eat together on the couch.” I stood up, as she nodded.

I pulled one of the small tables to where the couch was, as I beckoned her to sit. I excused myself to wash my hands.

While in the restroom, I find myself staring at the mirror for a while. I mumbled some words that didn't seem to rhyme.

A flash crossed to my mind, making me remember my one and only. I could still remember how she would make food to appease me from getting angry. After accepting her apology, she will get angry because I got angry. I won't have any other choice but to apologize, thereby making us even.

I sunk my head forward, my chest suddenly becoming heavy. I can't believe she is gone. 'I miss you, Evelyn.' I mused.

I allowed myself to rest for a few seconds before going back to my office. Ariel had set the plates with our food on the table.I sat down, the sight of the food making my stomach growled. Ariel faced the other side, and I felt slightly embarrassed. Now, she knows I was hungry and was just playing hard to get because I was angry about yesterday's incident.

We began to eat in silence and I must confess her cooking style was spectacular. I could not help but moan when I tasted the scrambled eggs. It tasted well.

I loved it, and it was really the best I've tasted in over two years. At that moment, I found myself imagining Ariel in an apron cooking for me every day.

The sound of the fork she dropped jolted me out of my imaginary world.

'Curse my code of imagination.' I cussed inwardly. What the hell was wrong with me?

We finished eating as I got back to work after eating as she packed the plates she brought. She was about to leave, when a thought came to my mind.

“Thanks to you for the meal, Ariel.” I appreciated it, as she smiled.

“You are welcome. Thanks for taking care of me last night. I don't really know why I get unconscious these days.” Her sad voice emanated.

That was because you have been poisoned. I wanted to tell her that, but I simply shook the thoughts away. It seemed her step mum was not taking the hint. It was only a matter of time before I brought her company down.

“No worries except that taking care of you yesterday cost me money, time, and energy. I'm afraid you will have to repay.” I kept a straight face.

Her countenance changed a bit.

“Oh. How much is the money? I have some money saved from writing.” She said, making me surprised.

Wow, she writes?

That will be another discussion for another day.

“You do not have to pay me. But you need to do something else.” Her eyebrows creased slightly, as her brown eyes pierced into mine.

“Make me breakfast every morning. You can send them through Mr. Walter.” She looked surprised, as she burst into laughter.

What is funny?

I felt my cheeks heat up. It was slightly embarrassing.

“Is that all?” She said,

“Yes.” I quickly said.

“Noted. Meanwhile, I will be waiting downstairs for some time.” I was wondering why she wanted to stay downstairs.

“Sure. Goodbye.” She left, the door shutting behind her as I let out some breath.

I slapped my head twice, wondering what was going on with me. Ariel was getting to me, which was weird. I've never felt this kind of pull, especially an attraction to the opposite sex after Evelyn.

I buried myself into work for the next few hours, before I got interrupted again. The door to my office opened revealing Nick and my secretary who were running after him.

“Sir, you can't enter.” She said to Nick, running behind Nick, who doesn't seem to care.

She suddenly turned to look at me, fidgeting.

“Sir, he didn't listen when I told him he wasn't allowed in.” She spoke.

“Never mind. You can go back to your cubicle.” She nodded, sending a glare towards Nick, who chuckled.

“And Chloe.”

“Sir.” She turned to face me.

“Next time, allow him in without my permission. As well as my fiancée. They have free access to my office anytime.”

“Noted sir.” She replied, before leaving.

Nick sat on the chair with a mischievous smile on his face.

“I thought you would still be angry at me.” He glanced around for a while before his gaze landed on me.

“Why should I be angry? My anger towards you vanished immediately after you left that day. But next time you pull that kind of stunt, I won't hesitate to cut your head off.”

“He-he. At least my mistake led you to your fiancée. I saw the kiss.It went viral.” He winked, as my face flushed.

I let out a groan, as he laughed.

“Tell me. Was that a mistake?” He peeked his head forward.

“Come a little closer. I promise not to kill you.” He moved back instantly, jeering into laughter.

“But what is new, bro? Do you like her?”

I shook my head. I only like her cooking, but likeness is something too far from my sense of thought.

“I do not like her the way you think.” I said.

His brown eyes twinkled, as he smiled softly.

“Well, what about attraction? Are you attracted to her?” He asked with a raised eyebrow as he gave me a cursory glance.

Of course, I'm attracted to her? Who wouldn't be? Ariel was an epitome of beauty. She always looked gorgeous. I admit.

“Yeah.” I simply answered.

“Aww.” He swooned, smiling cheekily.

I shook my head. Telling Nick about this was a mistake.

“It is just an attraction. It will fade away.” I refuted, trying to put off the claim in his mind.

“You know what they say?” He rested his elbows on the table.

“Attraction is based on what you see. Crush or Infatuation is based on what you feel. But true love is based on what you feel.” I raised my eyebrows, wondering what all his speech was about.

“It is a gradual process. Attraction to crush, then to love.” I let out a laugh at his ridiculous thinking.

“Get your mind out of that silly thought. Evelyn will continue to be my one and only true love.” I stated, firmly, against his debased statement.

He leaned closer, and I knew he was not giving up on convincing me.

“Why are you getting married then?”

“I'm only doing this to please mum. At the end of one year, if it doesn't work out between Ariel and me, we get a divorce.”

“What if it works out between you too.”

“It can never happen.” I scoffed, spinning the pen in my hand.

“Let's have a bet.” Nick said.

“Seriously bro. It won't happen.” I said, with a straight face.

"If it happens, you will grant me any wish."

"Okay. If it doesn't happen, you will grant me any wish too."I refuted.

"Deal."He stretched his hand towards me, and for a second, I realized Nick was serious about it.

I shook his hand, as we both smiled warmly.

I can't wait for one year to come to an end. And then we will know the winner.