His breathing filled the air and Ariana was slowly finding it harder to breathe as each second passed. What could she say as a defence? What could she do? How did this even happen?
"Come here," He said in a husky voice but Ariana was so deep in her thoughts of doom that she didn't hear Calhoun's voice.
She didn't even notice when he got up from the bed and moved to where he had left her on the vanity table. His cold fingers ran along her jawline and that was when she jumped realising that he was right in front of her.
"I know you didn't do anything... why are you thinking so much?" His voice was pained and Ariana thought she would melt by this amount of love.
Her throat was tight and her lungs heaved. She was overwhelmed with emotions.
"I woke up by the sound of your voice and when I came down, I didn't lock up the door, I just pulled it close I think. I don't know... and when I came to meet you, I don't know how he got here..." she rambled.
Calhoun caught her mouth in a smooth kiss. He kissed her passionately running his tongue over her lips and sucking it gently like she was a flavour he was testing for the first time. He then pulled back and leaned his head on her forehead.
"You don't have to explain anything, my love. I know how Matt and his mother think. I also know the amount of trouble they have been given you, Elsie told me everything.." He trailed off as he pulled her into him.
Ariana was not even mad at Aunt Elsie for telling Calhoun about everything that happen. She was grateful she had for she couldn't imagine if this thing had just happened suddenly what Calhoun would have thought of her. She would have lost the love of her life just like that.
"Hey," he whispered pulling her again so that she was now facing him. "I know that there are a lot of things in your mind... but I had asked Elsie to look after you for me and I believe she did a wonderful job. Look at you, you are glowing!" He exclaimed softly.
"I can never get into a fight with you Ariana. Your beauty is too much for my body and my heart to shut out for too long..." he whispered as he placed a peck on her lips.
Ariana couldn't even speak. Her heart rose with excitement and her emotions caused tears to well up in her eyes. She couldn't contain herself. She wondered what good she had done in her life that someone like Calhoun could love her so unconditionally.
"I wanted to make this special. I wanted to have this moment alone with you but since Matt had decided to ruin it... I think we should end this. Go freshen up first. We need to go talk to grandfather. This madness has to end." Calhoun spoke with so much authority and power in his voice just like the first night they met.
Ariana nodded and slowly moved away from him. She went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. When she stepped out, Calhoun was still standing in the same position she left him. He nodded at her and went into the bathroom after her. From his expression, she could tell he was about to blow up on his grandfather and the former didn't seem like someone who would let go easily. It was truly going to be a battle of elephants and she is the innocent and that would be caught in between.
Ariana picked up a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She packed her hair into a ponytail and waited for Calhoun to step out of the bathroom. When he finally got out, he was already dressed. She furrowed her brows wondering when he got clothes.
"I had it in there. It is my old room remember?" He asked wiggling his brows playfully. Ariana only smiled as she walked closer to him.
"Do not worry. Everything would be alright," he whispered to her as he held her hand.
It was already time for breakfast and the family members were settling down for their morning meal already. Calhoun would have preferred to speak to his grandfather in his office but since they were already going for their meal and he couldn't wait, he changed direction and idea.
"Aren't we going to study anymore?" Ariana asked as she noticed they were no longer beading to the office.
"No, we are going to dinning. I will just speak to him there. This place is too toxic. I can't wait to get you out." He stated as he held her hand tighter.
"My boy!" Grandmother exclaimed as they intercepted on the way to the dining Hall. She walked to him and hugged him. "When did you get back? Last night?" She asked.
"This morning," he said with the smallest of smiles.
"Ah, I am so glad to have you back," she said caressing his cheek lovingly. She then turned to Ariana and her wise eyes softened. "And Ariana here is truly a gem. You have made the right choice my boy."
Ariana could not believe her grandmother would have something nice to say about her despite all their fights. She nodded politely and thanked her but even as they moved to the dining, she still heard the words in her head.
Grandmother was a soap opera person and she barely spent time with the rest of the family except when they had meals like this and the few times Lily had caused trouble, grandmother was simply an observer.
"I just hope your grandfather had seen this too." She rubbed her hand on Ariana's back before moving to her seat.
Aunt Bianca and Elsie didn't look too surprised to see Calhoun, it was like they knew already. They just passed kisses to his cheek and Ariana's before taking their seat. Soon it was time for uncle Thomas and his wife to walk in and as usual, no one paid attention except Ariana.
"Good morning Uncle Thomas."