The snow was showering all over the hotel. It was a snow squall. If it's a normal day Rhea would have enjoyed the view even if it's cold. But that day she couldn't!
All the guests had gone to rest.
But Rhea was still tossing and turning on her bed at the dead of the night.
"I'll let you know what I want tomorrow" the words had been haunting her!
It was a wakeful night for Rhea.
'What will he ask tomorrow?' the same question popped up in her head the 999th time.
Everything that happened to her that day, was unexpected! Her original plan miserably failed. She had crossed swords with Ryan! She had become a dense girl in his eyes. That's not his fault. Of course, she was mindless. She even blurted 'I like you' then somehow grappled the situation! Her instinct told her, there is yet to come! How could she sleep?
The next day, Rhea got out of her room heavy-eyed. She used the stairs to go down. Her luggage had been taken away to the bus by one of her assistants. So Rhea's only responsibility was to carry herself to the bus. With her dizzy eyes, it almost seemed impossible!
She trailed down the banister with her hands, focusing only on the stairs. When she almost reached the curtail step, an attractive veiny arm that was holding the volute fell on her peripheral view.
She looked up at the person.
It was the owner of the voice, which haunted her the last night!
Though Rhea was a step above him, he was still towering over her!
'How come I didn't notice this 'skyscraper' standing here?' she wondered.
He was partially leaned towards the baluster and conversing with Yuan Yu, who was just in front of him.
He was not wearing a winter jacket! The temperature inside the hotel was maintained at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit so a winter jacket is not essentially required. But it was still cold. He was wearing a hooded black and grey striped sweatshirt. The sleeves were almost tugged to his elbows.
He was fresh and cool as a cucumber. But Rhea... She was still dizzy and her head ached a lot. Isn't it because of him?
Yuan Yu was the first one to spot Rhea.
"Good morning!" she smiled.
"Good morning!" Rhea's groggy voice replied.
When she returned her gaze to Ryan, she ended up confronting him.
He took his time, studied her face. Her insomnolence was apparent.
"Good morning, panda bear!" he greeted.
'Panda bear?'
At first, Yuan Yu was surprised to see him being kittenish with Rhea.
Then she looked at Rhea. Of course, she looked like a panda with big dark circles around her eyes!
"Rhea, didn't you sleep last night?" Yuan Yu exclaimed.
Ryan was still scrutinizing her. Maybe about the reason for her sleeplessness.
"I couldn't because it's a new place" Rhea concealed the truth.
She was nervous to stand beside him. So she bowed, then sped up towards the bus.
She got on the bus. After a while, she peeked out of the window to see what's going on with others, outside the bus. Some of them were loading the luggage and some others were conversing with each other.
Ryan was also conversing, but it was with Lilly Chen. Rhea snooped a little, out of curiosity!
Lilly Chen seemed to query him. He maintained his disdainful attitude of yesterday. After a few minutes, he stopped replying to her. He turned his head away from her seemingly displeased.
'Maybe they are not what I presumed' Rhea thought, yet still not sure.
As she was pondering over them, Ryan's gaze happened to fall on her.
His eyes sparkled, lips curled up. He raised his left eyebrow and slightly tilted his head, with suspicion in his eyes.
He had caught her prying them!!!
Lilly Chen noticed Ryan's sudden thrill. She followed his gaze, espied Rhea!
This time, Rhea's brainpower didn't evaporate like before. She promptly found a way out!
With a frown, she signaled him with her hand to move away then hoisted herself up, looked behind him, as if she was staring at something behind him!!
Will he believe her pretense?
He didn't.....
He turned back to check!
Rhea's luck which forsook her yesterday found her once again.
A man who was walking his cute Alaskan Malamute just a few meters away from Ryan fell on her sight in the direction she glanced!
'A winter walk! This is rare'. Rhea wholeheartedly thanked the almighty.
Now Ryan turned, pointed the dog with his thump, with an ambivalent expression.
'Were you looking at the dog?', that's what he meant by his gesture. Rhea nodded once, while steadily closing and opening her eyes, pursing her lips.
Her rejoinder made him smile. He turned and accompanied her in gazing at the doggo.
Both of them had forgotten Lilly Chen already!
The fluffy puppy was bouncing once in a while wagging its tail and staring at its owner with loving eyes!
Lilly Chen was pissed. She gave a murderous glare at Rhea then got on the bus, alone.
As for Rhea, she didn't care about Lilly Chen's mood. But she was worried over something else.
There is a saying, 'Luck is loaned, not owned'. The doggo appearing seemed to be a lucky event, extremely lucky. Doesn't that mean she will be equally unlucky soon? There is love forever. Have you heard of luck forever? One person cannot stay lucky or unlucky for a long time!
From that moment she avoided being nosy. She can't always expect an Alaskan Malamute to save her.
After that, Rhea didn't dare to have any confrontation with Ryan so she circumvented him the whole day!
The night fell soon.
They were going to watch aurora that day. They had traveled far to escape the city lights to the spot which was chosen based on the forecast. The sky was clear, perfect for the watch.
Northern Lights!
Most of them were from Shanghai. So it was a new experience for them. They excitedly got out of the bus to witness the wonder of nature. Within a short time, they were all fascinated by the view there.
Rhea who had often watched aurorae for eighteen years stayed a little away from the crowd. But her nemesis had already found her in the gloom!
"Rhea!"
She knew who it was. He was just a few feet behind her. She tightly closed her eyes once in agitation. Then turned towards him.
"You are not honest, are you?"
She couldn't comprehend. 'Is he talking about the Alaskan Malamute incident?'
She stared at him with confusion.
"Aren't you evading your claimant?"
"Claimant?"
"Me! You still got to make amends"
Yeah! The reason for her sleeplessness!
She hadn't forgotten anything. But she couldn't still figure out what he could want from her. So she had finally decided that he was just poking fun at her.
But right now, his expression told her a different story!
She kept waiting for him to say what he wanted.
He also firmly kept quiet with an intense stare as if it was her turn to give up her silence.
"What can I do for you?" she politely asked him, faking a smile!
With a glint in his eyes, he said, "Be my tour guide!
Rhea couldn't seize what he meant.
She is already a tour guide now and the tour will come to an end tomorrow. She was staring at him with uncertainty.
"I'm going to stay here three more days. Be my tour guide"
'Wait! Does he wants me to be his tour guide, a few more days?'
Isn't it an amazing opportunity for a diehard fan like her?
Even though the 'compensation' he asked for is a little unreasonable, Rhea couldn't help being overjoyed.
When she tried to reply, he stepped forward. Leaned towards her face.
She looked up at him. He was gazing down at her. His face was few centimeters away from hers.
She couldn't move. She was transfixed!
He stretched his hands towards her, pulled the crimson red scarf which she was wearing around her neck, to her face, covering her nose and mouth with it. Then cupped her face in his hands!!
"You can't say no! This is your punishment!"
Punishment? Really?
Rhea's heart was all chaotic. She was blown away.
Shock crossed her eyes. Her eyes impulsively widened.
He was intractable to her, from the beginning. She couldn't apprehend what his actions meant.
He continued to stir her mind and thoughts from the very beginning. Rhea couldn't help being swayed by him!
She was going to say 'I would love to' but now, she was stupefied.
She continued to goggle him in a stupor.
Ryan had observed her being oblivion.
"Rhea" he called her name, gently trying to revive her.
She was fractionally revived!
He was still holding her face. Her face is still half-covered with her scarf.
She started to mumble under her scarf.
"I'll do this"
Ryan could see the movement of her lips under her scarf but couldn't hear anything clearly!
Now he was worried.
'Did I scare her?'
Rhea who would retaliate for his every word was now quiet. Her quietude distressed him.
He pulled his hands back, retreated a few steps.
Rhea's scarf fell back in place. She felt her face, which was half-covered by the scarf, and his palms a moment ago, losing the warmth. It made her snap back to reality.
The man in front of her looked concerned, gazing at her awaiting something. Probably a response!
She turned aside, looked up at the sky.
"The sky is beautiful, isn't it?" she asked out of the blue.
At first, Ryan was confused. Then he walked closer, stood next to her then looked up.
Yes, it was beautiful. Extremely beautiful!
There were colorful shimmers all over the sky. Most of the shimmers were green in color. They slowly shifted exhibiting the artistry of nature. It was magical.
"Aurora Borealis" Rhea whispered.
It's one of the most beautiful Latin phrases she had come across. A beautiful phrase to describe the beautiful panorama.
Ryan could hear her whisper. He glanced down at her.
She was lost in the enticing beauty of nature. Still, she could feel his gaze.
Her gaze drifted from the sky to him.
He was also enticing. As a matter of fact, Rhea felt that Ryan was a lot more enticing! He looked celestial, as aurora backgrounded him.
Despite her efforts to conceal it, a smile bloomed on her face because of her admiration. It warmed Ryan's eyes.
'She had regressed to her lively self'
He smiled back affectionately!
"Will Lilly Chen also accompany you?" She didn't want to be a third wheel if his answer is Yes.
"Never!", Rhea got an immediate response.
After a little consideration, he continued. "I have hired a bodyguard for us!"
'For us' that meant a lot for Rhea. She was glad.
He didn't say more as he was anticipating her reply.
"Can I bring someone too?" she asked. After a pause, she continued, "My dad will be worried to send me alone"
Yes her dad! He'll never let her go alone with a stranger. The hidden reason behind appointing assistants for her in this tour was to ensure her safety! Though they were not directly given the job, they had already got many calls from Mr.Frank concerning Rhea.
Rhea had listened to their conversation a few times, yesterday.
Every time, he would ask "Is she doing well?" They would reply "Yes", then he'll end the call.
But her assistants were not spies or bodyguards. So Rhea was still unrestrained!
"You can," he said.
After a few seconds, Ryan spoke again.
"I just extended the plan. I haven't booked any hotels or transportation. I don't have a plan where to go, what to do. Can you arrange them all?"
Rhea didn't know who will ask for a tour like this. He even didn't know where he wanted to go! It was quite funny and surprising to her. But she replied positively.
"Yes I can"
"Day after tomorrow morning, pick me up around ten"
The sun would rise around nine O'clock on winter days. So ten would be a favorable time for them.
"Ok"
"Aren't you thinking of me as a freeloader?"
Why would she? She really felt this opportunity as a privilege. But, she wanted to tease him back this time.
"I am"
"I know you would say that!"
'He knew? Well, that's unexpected!'
"You are the weirdest fan ever Rhea!" he continued, which made her smile wider.
"Why are you always sassy with me?"
"Huh?" Rhea was shocked.
"You are quite friendly and patient with others!"
Rhea suddenly remembered him, being a tease around her.
"You are the same" she replied.
"That's because you are a lot younger than me. I'm twenty-six, You know?"
Of course, she knows. But what if she is young? Does that give him the chance to tease her?
"And also" he continued, "you give me baby bugaboo vibes."
Rhea was startled. What is he thinking of me?
'Baby Bugaboo?'
At first, he called her troublesome, then called her dense. Today morning he called her a panda! And now calling her a Baby Bugaboo?
She was infuriated.
Her face flushed, nose flared.
Ryan could see her expressions. His lips curled with satisfaction.
"Your turn. Tell me why you always fight back? Tell me why are you a baby bugaboo?" he repeated the word purposely.
"Maybe the same goes for me! Because you're a big baby bugaboo who is too old" she furiously replied.
This time Ryan was startled. He stared at her for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Here you go again!" he said.
Seeing him laugh, her lips curled up and turned into a smile!
Once he finished laughing both of them looked up at the sky again with smiles on their faces.
For some reason, Rhea felt like the sky looked its best.
The next morning, Rhea had to bid goodbye to the crew.
Some of them thanked Rhea and her father for the lovely experience. Yuan Yu appreciated Rhea. Rhea and Yuan Yu had already exchanged their email addresses. Yuan Yu insisted to keep in touch with her, to which Rhea gladly agreed.
While all these things were happening, Rhea's attention revolved around Ryan. Maybe he is her center of attention!
When Ryan was about to leave, Rhea went to him with a 'notebook' in her hand.
"Can you give me an autograph?"
He received the book, tried to see the previous pages but she stopped him.
"That's personal," she said.
He squinted his eyes at her, then with a smile signed on the new page.
"Goodbye!" he said while handing the diary back. Then left in a car.
Rhea also got into her dad's car. As the car departed, she opened her diary to see his autograph.
'Ryan J', his signature was there.
Just above it, there was a message for her!
-I'll be waiting-
Her lips curled into a smile.