Chapter 59: Chapter 59

ARIEL POV

It would be best to describe the past few days. It was wondrous, beautiful, blissful. I can't think of the perfect adjective to describe it.

Ryan couldn't help but almost stop me from visiting his family for the weekend. He insisted he would feel lonely.

After much pleading, he accepted on the note of having some of my ready-made cooked meals as well as food recipes. It warmed my heart to know he really cared about me.

It had been day two of my visit to the Ackers home, and no doubt I longed for something.

Ryan and I had been communicating steadily on phone calls and messages. The most heart lifting one was his special love letter he promised to send throughout the weekend.

The one I read yesterday made my heart warm and joyful. The letters, words made a lot of sense, and touched me deeply. Ryan should be a writer.

"You're thinking about your hubby, aren't you?”Eva's voice jolted me out of my reverie.

She wiggled her eyebrows, prompting me to laugh.

She quickly settled beside me, as she watched me with a peculiar kind of focus.

"Don't tell me you are already anticipating my brother's love letter.”I felt my face turning crimson, as she spoke.

Ryan's smiling face bobbling in my imagination lane.

"Stop teasing me, Eva.”I mumbled.

"It's fine. You keep glowing by the way. It is obvious you are head in love with my brother.”Eva kept pulling my hands.

She wanted me to talk. So much for having a sister-in-law like her.

"Fine, you win. I like your brother a lot. I love him. He has a killer smile, a caring heart. He is an attentive husband. The best husband ever.”I stated confidently, beaming with a smile.

"Awn.”She swooned.

Just when I wanted to continue, Kathleen walked out to the sitting room, a traveling bag in her hand.

My smile suddenly drowned. I wasn't happy she was keeping me at arms length. She doesn't even acknowledge my greetings or my enthusiasm to speak to her.

I really hope one day we can be cool, all smiling, and most importantly, good friends, just like Eva and me.

"Sis, where are you going ?”Eva asked, making Kathleen halt for a while.

"Will be staying at a friend's place for the weekend. At least, she can enjoy her stay.”Her tone was mocking.

"Don't look for me, Eva.”With that said, she strutted out of the house.

I felt slightly down, but quickly faked a smile when Eva turned to my side.

"Don't mind her. She will come around. Apologies.”She pressed her palms together.

I held her wrist, gently unfolding them.

"It's fine. Nobody stays mad at me forever. Not even Ryan.”I winked, as we both shared a laugh.

"So tell me, what's popping between you and Damien?.”I asked, as her eyes widened a bit.

"Pretty good. Damien told me he was your senior in High school or College. Dunno.”

Eva had her chin resting on her middle finger, as she had an inquisitive look. I felt my heart skip, not because I had any iota of feelings for Damien, but because he has been too open about us.

"Yeah. At College. He was one of the best students.”I rambled, and I hoped we could divert our thoughts somewhere else.

"So tell me, have you ever had the tiniest crush on him?”

"What.”I almost choked on my saliva.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. The past should be kept where it was.”

I rolled my eyes, as the thought of clearing the air came to mind.

"No, I never had even the tiniest attraction to him. He is all yours. We were just good friends with boundaries.”I winked at Eva, who chuckled.

"Damien is a good guy. Just take your time to know him better. Dating is an important criterion to choosing the best marriage partner for yourself. Every so often I wish that Ryan and I dated for quite a long time before our marriage.” I explained, as she nodded.

"I understand, sister-in-law. Don't worry too much, sis. You both love each other, and that is what matters.”Eva stated, as I smiled.

I wish we both love each other. Or maybe he does, but doesn't want to acknowledge it.

"And that reminds me. Your anniversary comes up in about three months. I can't wait to celebrate.”

Eva made a small dance as I let out a laugh.

She is really a drama queen.

The thought from her words suddenly felt like cold water was poured on me. Refreshing and lovely.

Ryan made sure we never discussed his contract of letting me go after our one year as a couple. It only makes me feel like the best lady in town.

Yet, I can't help but not ignore the fact that there is still an enemy in the past. The thought alone gave me goosebumps.

Who could it probably be? And what if he or she chose to strike when we least expected?

At that moment, I could not help but remember the last set of words Damien spoke to me that very night.

""

I felt Eva's nudging arm on my shoulder, as I raised my head to meet her stare.

"You do not seem too excited about it, do you?”She asked, as I shook my head, bringing out a small smile on my face.

"I am. I am fortunate to get married to someone like Ryan.”I expressed truthfully.

Eva did a happy dance, as I burst into another round of laughter.

The doorbell rang, breaking our happy moment. Eva sauntered to the door, as I simply sat, glancing at my phone to check, but no message seemed to come from Ryan. I sighed.

I raised my head, meeting Eva's smiling face, with something in her hand.

"Guess whose love letter is here?”She grinned, as I blushed.

She gave me the letter, which was embroidered with a blue imprint with glitters on it.

I opened it to see the best set of words ever, simple, yet captivating:

“My beautiful wife. The one after my heart. Whenever I set my eyes on you, it warms my heart. You are my one and only. I can't wait for you to be in my arms again. In those beautiful embraces. I want to be with you forever. “

*******

I sat quietly, enjoying the cold air with Mum. She insisted she wanted to spend the evening with me. It was a beautiful thing to see us bonding like mother and child would.

"You and Ryan seemed to be clicking well.”A small smile crept to my lips at her words.

"Yes, we are. It has been so great,been with him.”My confession earned me a stare from my mother-in-law.

His lips broke into a wide smile. She bobbed her head to and fro. She was happy.

I still found it difficult to wrap my head on why she chose a total stranger like me to be his son's wife. It was quite weird.

"You know, I have always felt you were the right one for Ryan. Have you guys consummated?”She turned to face me, as I felt my face warm up instantly.

I nodded, trying to block the imagination of Ryan and I on the first night together.

"Great. Are you pregnant? I should be expecting my grandchildren soon”She rasped, shocking me to the bone.

"No, I'm not,mother. I had my period today.”I explained.

It was too early to get pregnant. We have only consummated twice.

She waved her hands off in the air.

"It doesn't matter. I had my periods for three months, while pregnant with Eva. Always expect the unexpected.”She spoke, as I nodded, a little shocked by her words.

The pregnancy of Eva was meant to be a surprise package, lol.

"Do you still use the diary I gave you.”She asked, as I shook my head.

I glanced around until my gaze hers. She had a surprise look on.

, "I figured out it would be best to take things slowly” I paused, as she nodded in understanding.

"That's wise. But are you sure about this?”She inquired, staring at me.

I was slowly becoming nervous. With my hands clamped together, I was ready to say more.

"I'm sure mum. I think Ryan loves me. He is just afraid to admit it due to his past with Evelyn.”I wish I could say it all.

His facial and body expression when he realized someone tampered with the brakes while we were in Australia.

He ensured I was not out of his sight. Almost every second, he wanted to be certain I wasn't nervous and anxious. It was something that really touched my heart. Knowing he really cares

.

"I really hope so. But why tho? Why are you no longer following the diary I gave you?"

I exhaled. It seemed mum wasn't giving up soon.

"Because I want Ryan to love me in his own way."

Those words rolled out of my mouth, and it was enough to convince mum.

I was really confident, but still, I could feel my inside churn with different emotions.