The night rains continued through to the next day. The two love birds kept clinging to each other on their bed. Ariana slipped away carefully from Calhoun and walked bare-bottom to the wardrobe.
She got out one of his shirts and put it on. It was oversized but fitted somewhat cutely and sexy.
Ariana got to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. She couldn't help smiling all along as she broke the eggs to make the omelette. She was in love.
It wasn't like with Ethan. This was different. Calhoun made her feel special. He always wanted her to be safe and didn't want anything to harm her.
But she was afraid. It all seemed too good to be true. How sure was she that Calhoun wouldn't turn out to be another Ethan?
After all, he's got a lot of money. He could get any girl in the world if he wanted. Not one, but many. What was so special about her that he wouldn't look elsewhere?
Ariana didn't want to give in her whole heart just yet. She didn't want it to get broken. But she loved Calhoun. She really did. It was the most realest feeling she's ever had.
She could feel her heart longing for him whenever he was not around. Like a young flower longing for rain. Or better still sunshine. Because to Ariana, Calhoun was her sunshine. He brightened her day. Whenever she was moody, he had a way of taking the worries all away.
Ariana remembered the park. How he professed his love. Her heart sank in excruciating joy as he said those words. She knew he meant it. She could see it in his eyes. It was magical.
"Hey angel," Calhoun approached from behind. His voice was husky. He came over and kissed her.
"You're up already?" Ariana blushed.
"Couldn't help feeling bored in your absence," Calhoun kissed her again and then went for the fridge. He took out some milk. Looked for a glass and poured in.
Calhoun loved the feeling of having Ariana around. It was more refreshing than the cold white liquid going down his throat. He knew she had doubts. Ariana had expressed her doubts the first time Ethan had threatened to kill himself for her sake.
Calhoun knew Ethan was a fool but he didn't guess the guy would actually pull through with his threat. That alone almost caused Calhoun his relationship with Ariana. But it didn't.
Nothing ever will.
Watching her from behind, as she was now frying some bacon, Calhoun's only wish was to get married to Ariana. He couldn't wait to have her all to himself. But first, he's got to get his family on his side.
That wouldn't be a problem. Even though grandfather was proving stubborn. Calhoun would definitely find a way to convince him that Ariana was the best woman for him.
Ariana walked over and gently pushed a bit of bacon and egg into Calhoun's mouth.
"Hmmm..." Calhoun smiled as he munched on it. "You're good as much in bed as you are in the kitchen."
Ariana's cheeks pinked.
"Sit, let's eat," she managed to say.
They sat and Ariana served them. They were barely into the breakfast when a call came in. It was Calhoun's phone.
Ariana couldn't tell who it was. Calhoun spoke strangely.
"Okay, Inform me if you've got any more information." Calhoun dropped the call.
"Anything I should know about?" Ariana asked, not trying to sound like a detective.
"Nothing you should worry yourself about my love," Calhoun assured. Despite the fact that he could sense that he didn't sound convincing.
"Let me take you out today. Let's go shopping."
"But how about..."
"Shhhh..." Calhoun gestured with his index finger upon his lips, "I'll call in to tell them you're not coming in today."
"Is that right?" Ariana objected.
Calhoun stood up and went over to her. He began to massage her shoulders. "Everything's right with you my love."
Ariana still couldn't believe it. How could this man still be in love with her after all he's known about her and about her parents?
By now news have been making the rounds and people were already cooking up parts of the story that didn't add up or were in fact not factual. A colleague at work had called Ariana to say it was the topic of discussion in the office. Everyone's saying she was a gold digger.
Calhoun had already heard of it. More reason why he didn't want to let her go to work today. He needed her mind to be taken off the troubles.
"You've made me breakfast," Calhoun began loosening the buttons on the shirt Ariana was wearing, "it's my turn to make you desert."
Later that day, they went shopping. Calhoun watched as Ariana tried on different dresses and shoes. She looked beautiful in all of them. They spent hours going over everything, from hats to bags to jewelries.
Calhoun disappeared on one or two occasions as if answering a private business call or going to use the restroom.
Getting home, they were both exhausted. Although Ariana was thrilled by the many things they got. She's never shopped these many things before. Calhoun was really spoiling her too much.
Ariana set the things down and made to keep the groceries in the kitchen store.
"Let me help you get that," Calhoun offered and collected the bags from her.
"I hope you're not thinking of cooking us dinner?"
"Of course," Ariana chuckled, "that's the reason why we went grocery shopping isn't it? You don't expect us to starve tonight do you?"
Calhoun dropped the bags and faced her, "no one's cooking tonight. No one's starving either. We're going out."
"Where?" Ariana was puzzled.
"You worry too much," Calhoun teased. "Just relax. It's a surprise," he said and kissed her. He left her in the kitchen still looking confused.
"Get dressed, my love," Calhoun sounded dramatic, like some Camelot knight announcing about a great Royal banquet.
Ariana laughed as she made to leave the kitchen. She never knew the ruthless and cold young president could be this playful.