Chapter 41: Chapter 41

ARIEL POV

There was a burst of happiness when the doctor discharged Ryan. I listened patiently to all the do's and don't in regard to his medication and his food.

Gently climbing off the car, I appreciated Mr. Walter who drove us here. It was nighttime and a bit cold for the night.

"Thank you, Mr. Walter. See you tomorrow.”I waved at him, as he smiled.

"Mr. Walter, see you tomorrow morning,”Ryan said.

I almost rolled my eyes, wondering why he couldn't say a thank you to him.

"Okay boss. Take care.”A small smile tugged at the lips of Ryan as we began to leave.

“Aren't you missing something, Ariel?”I turned abruptly at his voice, my face creasing a bit.

"I still need you to help me to walk in. I would like to lean on you.”His face was unreadable as he spoke.

I could not help but feel he was up to something. Typical Ryan.

My mind went back to how he constantly made sure I fed him at the hospital. And to receive the injection,he would request for me to kiss him to ease the pain.

"Thinking about something.”His warm breath grazed my ear as I took a step forward, bumping into him instead.

Oh! jeez. My heart didn't just flip, it pined. Wrong thought at the wrong time,' I reprimanded my inner self.

"Nothing. Just trying to inform you we are home now, and you can drop the act,”I darted my eyes away, after speaking.

All his lovey-dovey simply reminded me that everything was just an illusion. If he doesn't fall in love with me within a year of our marriage, we will have to annul the marriage. And I can't help but confess, I was already liking him already.

His hand grasped mine, as we began walking inside. My inside churned as I realized I must have hurt his feelings. But I was simply stating the truth, right? I do not want this to end in premium tears.

As we got into the living room, he faced me, holding my two hands, as he stared at me.

"I appreciate your support in my life since we got married. You are the best.” His voice was low and calm.

"And you do not have to say what you said outside. It doesn't matter if I showed affection to you in our home or outside.”I simply nodded, as silence broke in.

During the brief moment of silence, a deluge of apprehension fought for dominance in my forebrain. I felt Ryan was being weird.

"It's alright. The words came out wrong. I was just looking out for the both of us. The feelings? The one year contract?”I wasn't convinced if I was making sense with my broken set of words, but I had to let him know.

His lips pulled into a gigantic smile, as he lowered his head for a second, before brushing my hair with his hand. Softly and slowly.

"Don't worry too much about that.”He winked at me.

I bit my lips and lowered my head to hide my blushing.

He lifted my chin, as he stared at me.

"I've been wanting to kiss you since this afternoon.”He rasped out, as my face turned crimson.

Butterflies in my stomach, my mouth went dry, my heart beating. I felt a bust of something, at his voice, and the way those words spewed out from his mouth- a wish, desire, dread sent jingling sensations outward from my chest and limbs.

He began leaning closer, as I began closing my eyes, already imaging the touch of his lips on mine. His breath fanned my nose, and I was sure he was getting closer.

"You guys should get a room.”I jolted out of my imagination, almost stumbling back, if not for Ryan's hand pulling me back.

"What the hell, Kathleen? What are you doing here?”Ryan was a bit pissed as he stared at me for a second before looking intently at his sister.

“What do you mean? I want to spend a few weeks with you. I care for you, brother. And my workplace is closer to your home. Who knows if I would be staying here for a long time.”She walked closer, making herself comfortable on the cushion.

Ryan made to walk to her side, but I held his hand. Our eyes communicated, as he breathed out, before sitting on the chair opposite Kathleen.

Kathleen gaze met mine, as she had a mischievous smirk on the corner of her lips. At that moment, there was no doubt she was going to be the villain in our story.

I shook my head, trying not to dwell too much on the matter. I just needed to figure out how to make her leave, in the good Christian way. Most especially, without violence.

"Can I get a bottle of water, Mi Amor?”Reality dawned on me, as I made to leave for the kitchen, but Kathleen beat me to it.

She came back, as she handed over the bottle to Ryan.

"Here, brother, you need water.”

He collected it as he gulped down almost all the content.

Realizing they might need a brother-sister talk, I decided to leave for the room.

My phone began ringing, as mum was calling. I picked the line, as I excused myself, as I spoke to mum, who asked about Ryan's welfare.

She wouldn't stop mentioning how Ryan was mesmerized by me throughout our stay at the hospital. She also insisted Ryan shouldn't go to work throughout that week.

As she made to hang up, a question came to my mind, as we spoke.

"Mum, what if I failed to make Ryan love me?”I heard a chuckle, making me stunned a bit.

"I know my son well. I didn't choose you out of boredom. I selected you for him because you are the right one for him. It is not about falling in love. It is about staying in love. You will be surprised before your first anniversary. All the best.”

All her enunciated words felt like poems that required understanding, as it rhymed. As the call ended, I took the small diary she gave me, as I opened to the next chapter.

I needed to strike while the iron was hot. We need not to only fall in love. We need to stay in love. Locking the diary in the locker beside the bed, I slumped into the bed, with my million thoughts roving about, as the night slowly took me away.

#THE NEXT MORNING

I hummed, as I fried the last set of pancakes. I couldn't keep my mouth off it, as I had tasted a few. It was yummy as usual, as I decided to keep them for myself while I cooked another dish for Ryan and Kathleen.

She is still around, and obviously sitting idly in the living room.

“ARIEL…" My hands almost shook at the sound of my name, as I turned off the gas cooker before darting outside the kitchen.

My eyes met with Ryan's angry look, making my heart skip a bit.

"Why do you still insist on finding out about Evelyn?”My eyes widened, as I was confused and shocked.

"What… Wha.. What do you mean?”I stuttered.

He showed the screen of my phone to me as it revealed a title INVESTIGATOR, with the number hidden.

"She is obviously researching Evelyn right under your nose. It seems she doesn't know her place.”I frowned at Kathleen, as it dawned on me that she was pulling a string.

"Ryan… I do not know anything about this. You need to calm down and…"

"Don't tell me to calm down. I don't like it when people meddle into my business.”

I felt hurt by his statement. I was nothing special. Just a random person. What was I even thinking, placing a level of importance in Ryan's life.

"Call that number and put it on the loudspeaker. I'm interested in knowing who that investigator is.”I stared deeply at Kathleen, as she suddenly looked nervous.

"She is playing mind games here, don't listen to her.”Kathleen spoke up, as she made to move closer.

I sauntered forward, as she took steps backward.

"I want you to call that number, Ryan. If, truly, you are right about me investigating your ex-wife, then I will leave this house and never come back again.”

I felt Ryan blink as his gaze was on me.

"This is another trick of hers.”I glared at Kathleen, as she did the same.

Ryan clicked on the number, as his eyes widened. Probably the number seemed familiar to him now.

"Ariel dear, how are you?.”Mrs Selina's voice came out.

"Fine mum. Trust you are good too. I want to ask a question.”I replied, as everywhere was silent.

"Please go on.”

"Have I ever asked you about Ryan's ex-wife Evelyn?”I asked as I stared at Ryan, whose facial expression had suddenly quieten down.

"Not at all. Why do you ask?”My stare cut to that of Kathleen, as she looked nervous.

I wondered how it would feel to report her.

"Nothing mother. Just need some clarification."I quickly spoke.

"Alright. Meanwhile, you need to remain patient with Ryan. I am pretty sure he will tell you about her at the right time."She advised me.

"Sure, I will put that in mind. Bye ma."I collected my phone from Ryan's hand as I glared slightly at him.

I ended the call, as I forced a smile to my lips.

"I know what to do."With that statement, I began walking to the bedroom.

I fell to the bed, as tears began streaming down my face.

Ryan never trusted me. My heart aches with sadness.