"Yago..." Arianna mumbled. The man carrying her can't even keep count anymore of how many times she had called his name since they left the restaurant. She wasn't saying anything. She just repeatedly called his name.
"We're already here in your room." he said as he carefully put her down on the bed and pulled the blanket to cover her up. "Be good." he added as he tucked her to sleep.
Instead of being obedient, when Arianna saw Yago leaned closer to spread the blanket, she reached out and put her arms around his neck.
"Yago, please don't leave me... please..." she begged with teary eyes.
Yago sighed. He rarely see Arianna like this. Weak and helpless. Was this how she lived her life after that incident? Was this how she relieved her sorrow?
"Alright. I'm going to stay with you." he replied, laying down beside her. "It's fine. Go to sleep now." he reassured her as he caress her silky hair.
Arianna turned to him and hugged his waist. "I'm sorry... I'm very sorry." she murmured as she buried her face on his chest. "So sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?" he said while he tapped on her back gently. "You don't have to say that."
"I regret it. I regret all of it."
Yago felt his shirt getting wet with her tears. He didn't understand most of her ramblings, but her behavior was enough to break his heart. He hugged her tighter trying to comfort her much more.
"I regret letting you go. I wish I stopped you. I wish I accepted you. I wish I was able to tell you how much I love you..."
Yago's heartbeat went out of control when he heard Arianna's last sentence. He didn't know that hearing it from her is much more overwhelming than just knowing it himself. She just said she loves him! How great is that!
"Then tell me now... I am here..." he whispered to her ear. He just wants to hear it again!
Arianna looked up to him and stared at his face. "I love you, Yago."
Yago smiled and cupped her cheek. He stared at her lovingly for a while, before pulling her close to have a taste of her lips. "I love you much more, Rian..." he said before closing in for another kiss. Arianna was definitely drunk, but she kissed very well. She tasted sweet and was very responsive. Yago almost lost himself for a moment. If he could, he would take her there and then.
***
Ellaine stared at the man who was having lunch with her. He was eating without even lifting his head to look at her. A few hours ago, they agreed that Vier should move in with her in his mansion. He promised to treat her better, but his cold demeanor still remains.
When Vier heard Ellaine sighing, he instinctively turned to her with curious eyes. "What's the matter?" he asked.
They were having their lunch outside under a wooden pergola with flowers hanging above their head. Was the place not to her liking?
"You don't like eating here?"
"It's not that." she answered.
"Then, was it the food? I'm sorry, I didn't ask your preferences." he explained.
Instead of answering his question, Ellaine looked down at her plate, contemplating about something.
"Vier, what do you think about our engagement?" she asked with a straight face. "You agreed with this. Do you understand what you agreed upon?"
Vier put down his cutlery and leaned on his chair's back rest.
"That's quite an interesting topic. Alright, let's talk about that." he said as he straightened his back. "I never dated anyone before because of one thing. That is... I didn't expect to live long enough to get married. I was sick since I was a child so it was normal for me to think that way right?" he paused for a while waiting for Ellaine to say something but she remained silent. "Now that my health is getting better, there's nothing for me to worry about anymore, yes?"
"You didn't answer my question." Ellaine stated with furrowed brows.
"Yes I did! Now, what about you? You're the one who kept running away from this engagement. You've been doing that for so many years. Why did you give in?" Vier asked with an arrogant smile.
Why, he asked? Yeah. Why? She didn't know too, but she must give him an answer right now.
"The reason I refused the engagement was because... I liked someone else. We had been together for many years, before breaking up last spring."
Vier raised his brows in amusement.
"So, it turns out that we overcame our obstacles within the same year. Don't you think it's destiny?" he said, trying to tease her fiancee.
Ellaine answered with a sneer.
"I don't know about that. I think we are both here because we are following our parents' wishes. I hope our relationship won't turn to something disastrous in the end."
Vier shook his head in response.
"Your thinking too much. What disaster could ruin us?" he said nonchalantly.
"I don't know.... Maybe something related to your virgin heart?" Ellaine teased back with a laugh. "You've never fallen in love before, right? What if you meet someone interesting later? Maybe we should wait til you meet your first love."
"First love huh." Vier smiled as he stood up. He walked closer to Ellaine's seat and leaned close to her ear. "Maybe you should make me fall in love with you. Then you can be my first love." he whispered and watched as Ellaine's ears turned red.
***
"Yago..." Arianna whispered as she slowly open her eyes. The sun was already shining bright outside and the bright light was hurting her eyes. She can feel a slight headache that might be a result of drinking too much last night. She was trying to get up when she realized a pair of arms hugging her waist! Someone was spooning her on the bed! She immediately turned around only to find a man sleeping soundly beside her!
Arianna's eyes widened in shock! What did she do again this time?!
Slowly, the man's eyes opened,and when he saw Arianna staring at him, he quickly sat up and hurriedly moved farther.
"Sorry. I planned to get up at daybreak but I slept in." he tried to explain. "Don't worry. We didn't do anything! I only stayed because you won't let go, and you were crying..."
Didn't do anything? Why did she remember kissing him so passionately then? How stupid can she get when she's drunk? Maybe she should just forget about drinking again.
Arianna was silent the whole time. She just stared at Yago with a dazed expression. Did she turn dumb because of too much shock?
"Arianna, please talk to me! I'm really, really sorry." Hearing him apologizing repeatedly, Arianna finally came back to her senses. She shook her head as if to wake herself up.
"I thought you were him." she mumbled as she looked away. Memories of last night's incident flooded her mind. It was both sad and sweet. She wished it was real.
"Forget about it. It was my fault. I was weak..."