Ariana returned home from her ice cream trip with Lisa and moved sluggishly to her bedroom. All she wanted was to sleep and maybe she would forget all about her problems. The ice cream helped a bit but as soon as she got home and Lisa's supportive voice wasn't there she felt like the world was caving in on her and she had no one to save her.
Literally she had no one. Her parents had stopped calling seeing that she had refused to pick their calls. She sometimes missed her father but she had to punish them for lying to her like that. She was working hard to make a living for herself and they were back there milking money from her like she was a slave.
Ariana pulled off her sandals and changed into comfortable clothes. Not knowing what next to do she slumped on the bed hoping to sleep. She closed her eyes and tried to keep her mind blank. But each time images of Calhoun floated into her head. She stirred and turned around about sleep refused to come. Somehow she started getting images of the time he had made love to her on her bed. That was when she found out he was Calhoun Lawson the multi billionaire and not the sex worker she thought he was.
She got up from the bed and picked up her phone. Maybe she should check what was happening on social media. Scrolling through several bright images always made her sleepy. She went to her Instagram account, but after a few pictures she got bored. She was seeing the images but her mind wasn't on them. She moved to her messages and sent a text to Lisa to check if she was home and resting.
"Get some sleep lover girl. Your man loves you!" Lisa replied back.
Ariana smiled and texted her again. "Okay. I love you."
"Tell that to Calhoun. Night night!" Lisa sent and went offline.
Ariana checked on Zion as well but she didn't get any reply from him. The rest of her contacts where people she knew in through Sofia. There was no point talking to them. They were all fake friends.
Frustrated she got up from her bed and walked out of the room. Maybe she needed to take a hot glass of milk to feel better. The house was dark but she knew her way around.
As she got to her living room, the scent of fresh mint hit her nose and she closed her eyes.
Her heart relaxed and she almost moaned as the sweet scent woke up her sensitive buds. This was the cologne Calhoun always used...
As the thought came into her head, her eyes flew open immediately. What would Calhoun be doing here?
Her heart started racing and she turned around in the dark. Her mind must be playing tricks on her. She must have thought about it so much that she could now smell him everywhere!
She folded her hands into fists and made to walk to the kitchen but her heart refused to stop beating so fast.
"He is not here Aria," She whispered, trying to convince her aching heart but it refused to believe her. There was only one thing to do, she had to show it.
"Stubborn heart!" She mumbled as she marched to the light switch by the wall.
As she got there she turned the switch on and her eyes went to the foyer right opposite her. As her eyes settled on it, she shrieked in surprise.
"Calhoun!"
He was sitting there with his three piece expensive suit watching her like a predator.
"Hey, beautiful," he said with a large grin OK his face.
Ariana couldn't find her voice anymore as she stared at him with her mouth hitting the floor. How did he get in? When did he even let him? By this time of the night, nonresidents were not allowed into the apartment building. Yet, Calhoun was sitting right in front of her like a gift from Santa.
"The security guy was more than happy to let me in and I sort of remember your pass word. I let myself in," he said looking at her from where he sat.
It was as if he could see the questions swimming around Aria's head.
He got up from the seat and moved to where she stood frozen. He got close enough and pulled her into his arms.
Ariana could feel the beat of his racing heart against hers. His aura changed and he seemed like a different person. A gentle person. A person in love.
"I missed you, Ariana. I am sorry I couldn't call. I was offshore. There was no network there and I couldn't fly out without completing the transaction. I am so sorry." He whispered to her.
Ariana remembered there was a document on oil and gas she had seen in the files Sarah gave to her. He wasn't lying to her. she had just been worried for nothing.
"I couldn't concentrate knowing you will be so worried about me... I have never done this you see..." He pulled her away from him but still held her as he stared into her eyes. "I have never been in an actual relationship before. So I don't know how any of these works. I forgot to tell you about it... I am sorry Ariana."
His cheeks were pinkish under the shadow effect the light behind him from flashing. He looked like a cute bear and Ariana didn't even know how she was supposed to be angry at a person like this for long.
"I promise to learn..." He added.
Ariana hugged him. Her own heart melting against his. This was the real ice cream she needed. This was her peace. Being this close to him made her feel like no one could harm her. He was going to be there to protect her.
"I missed you too," she whispered.
Calhoun pulled her back again and this time he raised her head to his face and met their lips together. Their lips danced together in a rhythm of love.