Chapter 61: Chapter 61

ARIEL POV

I think I would have to confess that Ryan had been a little weird today. From his embrace in front of his mum and Eva, to his constant care and attention.

It felt all kind of new to me. As if with a massive touch of more addition, more display of affection. I loved every bit of it. It was mind-blowing going on a date again.

And then it all happened swiftly:the great coincidence. Seeing Nick and Kathleen hand in hand, smiling lovingly together.

I knew Ryan was oblivious to their relationship, but was quite slow to stop him. In fact, it was as if I was hit with confusion, speechlessness, and shock. I simply stood.

And when I did recollect myself, it was late. Ryan did not have pity on the young man who happened to be his best friend and future brother-in-law. He was furious.

The only thought that came to my mind was to stand in front of him, to receive the next incoming blow. Probably stupid and immature. But that was the only thought that crept to my mind.

And there I was, standing in front of him, my eyes closed, waiting for his first two to collide with my face.

Silence enveloped. Nothing happened.

His voice came next.

"Ariel. What do you think you are doing?”He demanded.

"I'm aware of their relationship. So, I deserved to be punched too.”I confessed, as my eyes met his.

His jaw dropped as he stared angrily at me. Then, he shook his head. Taking one last glance at Nick and Kathleen, he walked out of the room.

I puffed out a breath, hoping it would settle the anxiety that was burbling in my stomach like a bad chowder.

It was a relief to see Ryan gone for a while. I turned abruptly, as Nick's lips were swollen with blood stains.

I pulled out a paper towel, as he collected it.

"I'm deeply sorry about what happened now. Nick, please.”I apologized.

It was really weird how a brother can be overly protective over a sister. I just saw a real life scene of that, and it wasn't palatable.

"Thank you, Ariel. I understand.”He mumbled, sapping his lips gently.

Kathleen came into view, as her eyes held fury. She had a frown on, as her eyes bore into mine.

"Don't try to be a saint here. Who knew whether you had something to do with this?”With venom in her voice, Kathleen spoke.

I felt my body tremble at her accusation.

"Just stop Kathleen. She has nothing to do with this.”He paused, then turned to face Kathleen.

"You know, maybe we should just take a break from this relationship.”Nick stated, bitterness emitting from his voice.

For the first time in my life, I felt I might have to witness a break-up scene. Oh, no!

Colour almost drained out of Kathleen's face, as she held Nick's hand.

"Babe, are you breaking up with me? “She asked, clinging to his hands as if her life depended on it.

Nick sighed, as he looked Kathleen in the eyes.

"I think it is for the best. Always know that I love you.”With that said, Nick released her grip as he walked out.

As if in Kathleen's shoes, I suddenly felt my heart heavy. I stared at Kathleen, who stood, just looking dumbfounded.

"No, no,no…" She wailed, as she began running to catch up with Nick.

It felt tense, and my thoughts suddenly were on fire. I was sad and unhappy.

Nick shouldn't have broken up with Kathleen. The girl loved him so much.

But what do I know? It just feels tense.

Basking with numerous thoughts, I walked out of the restaurant with a heavy mind. I was mad at Ryan, but confused.

What would I have done if I were in his shoes?

A small smile crept to my lips the moment I saw Ryan's car. He was still waiting. I thought he would have left.

I opened the passenger's seat inside, as I lunged inside.

From the rear mirror, I noticed how his brows furrowed as he frowned.

"What do you think you are doing sitting in the back seat?”He thundered, as I ignored him.

"Ariel, get back in front.”

"And if I don't?”I attacked, as he chuckled dryly.

"I learned there is a kind of love making that involves pouring out one's anger on one's partner. I think I will do just that if you don't get to the front seat now.”

His voice was firm, and extremely flirty this time around. I wasn't going to be an experiment to his weird sexual fantasy.

I found my way to the front seat, feeling more upset, I gave in to his order. He started at the car, as I folded my arms, staring outside the window.

I simply wanted nothing more than the silent treatment until he realizes the stupid mistake he made for beating up his best friend and causing them to break up.

There was pin drop silence throughout our ride alongside cramps and pain that kept shooting in my body. So much for having my period yesterday.

I kept shifting occasionally on the seat, and somehow I wished the pain would just disappear. It was much more than the previous kind of pain I had felt for the past months.

"Are you okay?”Ryan's soothing voice came yet again, as I chose to ignore him.

"The silent treatment, huh?" He gave up, and never spoke again.

As soon as we got home, I made sure to take a long bath, as I wrapped myself under a blanket. A few minutes passed before Ryan came into the room with a cup in his hand.

He sat beside me, as the smell of ginger wafted through my nostrils.

"Sit up and take this. It will help with your menstrual pain.”He tapped me gently, as my face flushed in embarrassment.

"How do you know I was in my time of the month?”I held the cup, as I asked.

"A secret. Just drink up the ginger tea. Research indicates that it contains compounds which help to reduce the production of prostaglandins which are responsible for menstrual pains.”He explained, as I was in awe at how much he knew.

Remembering I was still angry, I simply held the cup, frowning at him.

"I don't want to. You can have it.”I held the cup towards him.

He shook his head, as he leaned closer, a mischievous smirk on his lips.

I felt my breath hitch, with that look on his face.

"Fine, I will drink it. But I'm still mad at you.”I stated, stopping his forward movement.

He tried to stifle his laughter, as he ended up smiling.

"Good girl.”He commented, as I downed the cup of ginger tea.

I thought I would puke, at the taste it left in my throat. Ryan got me covered, as he gave me a candy to ease the taste on my tongue.

I lied down, and within a few minutes, I started feeling relieved. Ryan wrapped his arm around me, as that comforting sense enveloped me.

"How is writing going?”He suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Fine. Slow and steady.”I responded, trying not to freak out at the thought of him ever taking his time to read my books.

Most especially the one about our professed love story.

"Ryan.”

“Hmm”his breath grazed my ear, as I felt sensations crawling up my skin. The warmth emanating from him was enough to prevent me from thinking straight.

"You got furious today, and I dislike it.”I stated truthfully, as silence enveloped.

"Nick, really loves your sister. If I had known their relationship wasn't going to be a good one, I would have called your attention to it. You beat up your best friend.” The thought still appalled to me.

"I wish I had done more than beat him. Maybe torturing him would have been better.”I felt my heart skip a bit at Ryan's confession.

I removed his hold on me, as I made to stand up. He doesn't seem to be ready for this conversation.

"Hey. I will listen.”His hand grip my arm, stopping my forward movement.

I turned to face him, as he pulled me closer.

“I just started regretting that I hit my own best friend. It was totally out of it. I guess I was just looking out for Kathleen. Nick is a player.”

"Was. He was a player.Past tense.”I corrected.

"I've seen those two at different times and trust me when I say they love each other. Their relationship is almost a year, and you really need to trust Kathleen in choosing the right partner.”I explained as he breathed out.

"I understand. I really think I need to work on my anger. I will apologize to Nick."He said, hesitating with the last set of his words.

"Fine. Meanwhile, anger is something we can't avoid feeling, but we can always control it. I find the breathing technique very useful in helping. And most importantly, a set of words from holy writing always helped me."

His eyebrows raised a bit, as he stared at me with a weird kind of focus.

"I'm all ears,my darling."His voice rang in my ears, making my stomach churn a bit.

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger."I paused, as he tilted his head in understanding.

"Maybe I should have paused to listen to Nick's side of the story. I should not have spoken angrily either. I am definitely putting these wise sayings to heart."

I smiled, glad he was getting the point.

"Do not be quick to take offense,for the taking of offense resides in the bosom of the fools."

That seemed to get Ryan off, as he burst into laughter.

"Really? That seems quite direct, but I think I do get the point."He commented.

"Remember that uncontrolled anger can cause you to take actions you will later regret. Just let it go. It wouldn't be easy but it is possible."

Ryan let out a sigh as he kissed my forehead.

"Thank you. I won't forget these. I really don't know what I will do without you."He pressed his body against mine in a warm embrace.

Just like refreshing water, his words soothe me. All I just wanted was to be in his embrace, our love and understanding for each other growing continuously.

He is my perfect gentleman.