Chapter 18: Chapter 18

ARIEL POV

Each day served as a constant reminder that my marriage with Ryan was drawing near. It is also a reminder that my stepmom was still probably after my life, and would do anything to prevent me from moving forward. She wanted me dead, or alive as a pawn to use.

Every time I leave the house, bodyguards are always stationed around secretly. No doubt it was Ryan's doing. Now that I would be in his world, I needed to be getting accustomed to a lot of things.

Things like popularity and being careful of scandals and paparazzi. Even though Ryan seemed to be someone who doesn't like his life being out in the open, he can't always escape it. The quiet and reserved life I wanted is slowly fading away.

The knock on the door prompted me to leave the novel I was reading, as I opened the door, meeting Eva standing by the door. Her wide smile almost creeping me up.

“Sister in-law, can I come in."? I rolled my eyes, standing by the left side.

I can't believe she is this welcoming. Always calling me her sister-in-law even when I am yet to marry her brother.

I closed the door. She glanced around my room, before her eyes settled on the novel I was reading.

“Seriously sis? You have been reading all day? Aren't you bored.” Our eyes met, before we bot sat on the bed.

“I never get tired of reading.” I confessed truthfully.

“Whatever.” She did an eye roll as I giggled.

She suddenly hit my hand, as if something interesting came to her mind.

“I have a date tonight. Can you go out with me for shopping? Ryan just sent me some money.” She smiled widely, holding my hands, her eyes meeting mine.

“Please.” She had puppy eyes on, staring at me.

I gathered a deep breath, before exhaling. Raising my hands in the air, I finally gave in to her demand.

“Fine. But promise to gist me about the date.” I stated.

“Sure, I will. I promise.” She smiled.

******

I stood staring at Eva, who kept changing from one dress to the other. I picked a few that, I thought, were good for her, but she doesn't seem to be ready to choose one. She kept changing and handing them back.

Now was the time I wished I never followed her for her shopping spree. I noticed a dress that caught my eyes instantly. It was a wine colored gown with a bow tie imprint at the bottom. I picked it up and requested she tried it out.

“So sorry for the disturbance.” She rushed into the changing room as I chuckled.

I should continue my search for other clothes for Eva before she comes back. Moving from one end to another, I was lost in the beautiful sets of clothes displayed on the hangers. They looked expensive, but were top-notch.

I was more interested in the simple looking ones, compared to the flashy and luxurious looking ones.

“Can I get a few of these clothes for you my lady."? My hand went still, on the clothes I was holding at the voice.

“Damien.” My eyes met his gray orbs, a smile dancing on his lips.

“How are you, Ariel?”

I cleared my throat, trying to leave as soon as possible.

I jeered to the right, but Damien was quick to block me. Letting out a sigh, I moved to the left side, but he blocked my path. He wouldn't bulge. He was the type that never gives up easily.

“Damien. Let me go.” I stated firmly.

“Okay, fine." He raised his two hands up in the air.

He let out a sigh.

"Are we enemies now? Remember how we were while in College. We were close friends.” I groaned inwardly at his statement.

It was a bad thing to be ignoring him. He had been the best person who showed me kindness unconditionally. But sadly, things have changed.

I am getting married to Ryan now, and won't also like to get his hopes high. What if Ryan's men were watching?

“I am sorry, Damien,but things have changed. I am getting married soon. I won't like my fiancé to get the wrong idea. Furthermore, I hope you understand.” I finally spoke up.

I saw his chest suddenly relaxed,but his facial expressions depicted a sad notion.

“Happy married life in advance, Ariel. Just in case of next time, don't try to avoid me. I won't cross my boundary. Have a lovely day.”

“Thanks for understanding. Have a lovely day, too.” He smiled once again, before leaving.

I continued watching him leave, my College life resurfacing again. I could still remember how I was bullied, especially for being under scholarship by other rich folks. Damien made it a duty to protect me. Not only that, he tutored me.

I saw him as my senior and friend. I never knew he saw me as something else. That was the beginning of the break in our friendship.

“Who is that handsome?” I jolted out of my thoughts at Eva's voice.

I turned to face her, as she looked dazzling in the gown. The gown did justice to all her beautiful body features were.

“You should be more concerned about your date, Eva.” I put back some of the clothes I took back on the hanger.

“Seriously sis. I don't mind having his number. I kept staring at him from that end. This is definitely love at first sight.” I burst into laughter instantly, as she made a face.

“What.” She pouted.

“Love at first sight indeed. Do you want to try another cloth?” I asked, as she rolled her eyes. She is such a drama queen.

“This is the best. I will go for this as well as the last two you picked earlier.”

“Good.” I nodded, as the attendant helped us with it.

“Who is he to you? I don't want my brother to have a competitor.” She looked at me, as I chuckled.

“Hey. He was my senior at College and also my friend. That's all.” I replied.

She stopped and peered at me.

“So you do not have a crush or attraction towards him?” She asked, making me facepalm.

“Jeez, no. I do not. It is only your brother that I have ever been in a relationship with. So calm down.” She smiled cheekily, as we both walked out of the mall.

The ride home had me thinking. My contact with Damien did nothing but contributed to me thinking about the past.

I could still remember how he asked me out on a date. I wanted to reject, but he stated it was a friendly date. However, things turned upside down when he confessed his feelings to me. I did my best to outrightly tell him off. I wasn't even attracted to him. It was the last day we ever saw. It was a night to its graduation party. We never met again, not until.....

“Ariel. We are home.” Eva's warm hand landed on my shoulder as I jolted out of my thought.

“Yeah. You can go in. I need to visit somewhere.” Eva nodded, proceeding to open the door, but stopped.

She suddenly faced me as our eyes met.

“I want you to promise me something.” My eyes widened a bit at his words.

“What is it?”

“Promise me not to give up on my brother.”

I heaved a sigh, surprised where that was coming from.

“I promise not to give up on Ryan.”

I felt my heart heavy, anxiety clouding in. Will I be able to fulfill this promise?

I watched as Eva hugged me, before leaving me and my thoughts.

“What if he was the one who gives up on me?” I mused.

Our marriage is only for a year.

At the thought of that, I couldn't help but be filled with determination to make our marriage work out.

I shook my head, as I gazed forward.

“Mr. Walter, we will be visiting somewhere. Let's go.” The car geared into life again.

Breathing in and out again, I felt determination locking in.

It was time I visited my former house.