Chapter 52: Chapter 52

RYAN POV

I felt a wave of emotion the moment Ariel mumbled those words. She kept saying those words for a few seconds, and stopped.

I turned away, as I tried to busy myself with some work matters. But still, it couldn't stop my waging thoughts. I still couldn't get over the fact that I felt seduced by Ariel. Her eyes, lips, the way she trailed her hand on my earlobes, only sent a tingling sensation down my body.

I wanted more than that… Her lips locked on mine, our body against each other in the most passionate way ever. She looked so beautiful and gorgeous.

My phone vibrated, jolting me out of my fantasies about my wife. I swallowed, before taking my phone to check the caller. It was Eva.

I smiled. Just the perfect person to take me off my misery.

I picked it up instantly as her face came on the screen.

"Hey brother, I never thought you will pick.”She waved at me, giggling like a baby.

"And why is that?”My brows raised a bit, as I stared at her.

"You know. It is nighttime in Melbourne. You might want to do the couple thing.”

My face flushed instantly, as I just kept looking completely speechless.

"And how is that your business?”I found my voice, as Eva rolled her eyes.

She was the perfect photocopy of mum and dad. But definitely mum's sassiness.

"Seriously? Can you stop being grumpy?"

I simply hummed, not replying.

"I woke up early enough to call you, but you are already bullying me.”I sighed, completely dazzled by this young sister of mine.

"Eva, I haven't started bullying. I wonder whether it would be called bullying if I stopped sending you your monthly allowance." I rested on my chair, with a small smile on my lips.

Her fingers touched her neck, dismay painted all over her features. My smile was getting wider.

She wasn't the only one good at this game.

"So much for being a big brother. Just scrap out everything I said. I love you so much, bro.” I bite my bottom lip, trying to stop myself from grinning, but I did.

"You are one hell of a girl, Eva.”I chuckled.

"I got if from you. Anyway, where is my sister-in-law?”I turned abruptly to glance at Ariel, who was still sleeping soundly.

My gaze shifted back to Eva.

"She is sleeping.”I simply said.

“Ohhh. Why aren't you sleeping? I thought after the whole thing, you both will..." I raised my hand, stopping her from spilling more words.

"Can you please take your mind off the gutter? Do you have a boyfriend yet?”Her face turned crimson instantly.

I guess she has a boyfriend already.

"Great, you have. Have you tried what you are thinking with him?”I asked, as she shook her head.

"No. We wanted to remain celibate until after our marriage.”I nodded, appreciating her honesty.

"That's good. Meanwhile, you need to stop saying those dirty things. My sex life with my wife is none of your business, Eva.”Her mouth dropped open slightly, as I hoped my tone wasn't harsh.

"Aye Aye, captain. Roger that. Take care of her well. Enjoy your honeymoon.” She smiled widely, as I reciprocated.

"Sure, we will.”

"I have to go now. Work calls, ."

"Wait. I need to ask you something.”She stopped, as she dropped her hand, from ending the call.

"Sure, shoot.”She encouraged, as a thought came to mind.

"Did Ariel ever mention something about me to you?” I asked, my heart suddenly spinning.

Her index hand is in her mouth. She always does that whenever she is having a deep thought.

That moment felt like standing still. My heart beat, as I yearned for what Eva wanted to reveal.

"Nothing much. She just says she likes the way you have been treating her. Even though you were busy, you always made time for her. Sister-in-law doesn't like revealing much.”She stated, as I nodded.

"Thanks for calling. I really appreciate. My greetings to mother.”

She waved and ended the call, as I breathed out gently.

I wasn't certain why I even asked her the question. Her response only made my heart heavy, especially for not reciprocating Ariel's love for me.

I felt guilty. I complimented, hugged and kissed her, without setting a good ground on our relationship. It made me feel like I conned her.

How do I love her? Can I ever feel love again?

I facepalmed,as I groaned.

Those were the thoughts I was battling with, not until I heard someone knocking on the door.

I stood up instantly, as I took long strides to the door. I opened it only to see the least person I never expected in front of me.

"Is my sister fine?”She asked in a low voice.

"Yes, she is. She is sleeping.”I tried to be calm, since Ariel now seems to have a good relationship with her.

"That's good. Thanks for taking care of her.”She appreciated.

"Yeah. All thanks to you, she got drunk. What is your motive, Lucille Deloroza?”I demanded, my expression cold.

She took a step backward, as she looked frightened.

I covered my mouth, letting out a sigh. Was my voice too loud?

"I do not have any bad motive. Can we talk outside? Probably the balcony.”She requested, as I nodded.

I glanced quickly at Ariel, before stepping out.

"Isn't your husband going to be worried about you?”I asked, as I followed her.

"We lodged here, and I already informed him about visiting you.”She explained, as I remained silent.

I wondered what she wanted to talk about. I just hope it is worth it.

Just when we reached the balcony, she spoke.

"My sister seems to be in love with you, but you don't love her. Why?”

I halted, shocked she knew.

Did Ariel tell her?

"And Ariel didn't tell me. I figured it out. The way she looked at you with affection was different from how you look at her.”She rested on the rail, staring at the sky.

"And why do you seem bothered? You dislike Ariel anyway. I wonder why she still keeps up with you.”I voiced out, standing a few meters away, as I rested on the wall.

"Ariel is a special gem. I never treated her well and I regret it. You should treat her well.”She turned abruptly, her gaze landing on me.

"I will. You don't need to remind me.”I replied, as she simply stared at the sky.

"For the past twenty-four years, I thought she was always stealing the spotlight. But now, I realized she was meant to turn heads wherever she goes.”

I tapped my fingers on my arms, wondering where this conversation was going.

"Ariel loved too much, trusted too much but ended up getting hurt the most.”She spurned, as she looked in my direction.

"Promise me not to hurt her or make her feel pain. Don't let her regret getting married to you..”She requested, a stern look plastered on her face.

"I promise. Is that all?”

"Yeah. Kindly give this to her.”I raised my brows, as I collected the brown envelope.

"Guess you know Ariel well enough. Goodnight.”Her tone displeased as she began to leave.

I took a few steps, but stopped.

"Wait. I need to ask something.”She halted, not turning.

"What is that one thing Ariel will never forgive me for?”

That question had been on my mind for a while now. Not because I love Ariel, but because a part of me was not willing to let her go.

That was why I never mentioned anything about our one-year contract.

"Ariel once said...”Lucille paused, as I sauntered towards her.

"I can forgive anything about my future husband, except a husband who cheats on me.” My mouth drops in awe at my discovery.

Lucille didn't wait any longer, as she left.

She knew Ariel well.

I couldn't stop thinking about why Ariel would love someone like me. I wasn't the perfect husband. Not only that, but I struggle with anger issues, and sometimes gave her cold shoulders. I threatened her the very first day we met. She should have disliked me. Yet, she chose to love me.

Wow

I'm still lost.

I wanted to open the envelope and look at what was inside, but I quickly discarded the thought, placing the envelope in the drawer close to our bed.

I had mixed emotions that night. I stared at Ariel, who was sleeping soundly. Her bare face looking beautiful, her hair partly on her face.

I drew her close to me that very night, hugging her tightly as if my life depended on it. I took in the scent eluding from her body, her hair.

It was as if Ariel's scent had filled the bed. Besides, her body was so soft that it was much more comfortable than a pillow. I did not want to let her go.

Even among waging reasons that night, I held fast to one thought in mind.

'To love this beautiful damsel.'