RYAN POV
It was the moment I saw my mum's number that I realized I'd fumbled. I shouldn't have trusted Kathleen when she showed me Ariel's phone. It was very disappointing on my part to not have trusted my wife.
She was and still my superwoman. Always ready to help me to do the right thing. Even with my angry nature, she treated me kindly. She lists beautiful qualities about me, that I never even realized. Reality dawned on me, as I brushed through my hair.
"You stoop so low, Kathleen. I will forgive you this time. But if this ever happens….”I glared at her, allowing her to complete my thoughts, as I darted to our bedroom.
My mouth dropped open, as I saw Ariel packing her clothes in a bag. I felt my heart suddenly heavy, as I sauntered towards her. I held her left hand, pausing her movement for a while.
"What do you think you are doing?”She jacked her hand off me, as my mouth suddenly became dry.
I had never seen Ariel this angry before. I really messed up.
"What does it look like? I am packing my clothes.” My breath hitched, as I facepalmed.
"Seriously, Ariel, you can't do this. This is your anger speaking. Just calm down. I ." She raised her hand, stopping more words from coming from my mouth.
It was weird, but I really don't feel good again.
“I am your wife, yet your sister framed me. You still chose to believe her without proper investigation. Seriously?”
I pursed my lips, as I watched her vent out. She was right. Hurt, too, but that doesn't mean I wanted her to feel that way.
It is just that the issue of Evelyn always spark up something in me.
"Ariel, I am sorry. Please forgive me.”I rested my hand on her shoulder, as she darted her eyes side way.
"I should have trusted you instead. I promise it won't repeat itself again. I don't think I want you out off my life. I just got out of the hospital. I am sorry.”
That seemed to work well, as she embraced me instantly.
"I accept your apology.”I reciprocated her hug, as I deepened the embrace. I felt my heart beat returning to his normal pace. It was weird, but I think Ariel has gotten me confused….
She released me slowly, cleaning the small pricks of tears that had made it ways to her eyes. She was the emotional kind too.
We settled on the bed, as we stared at each other.
"What are you staring at?”I simply smiled at her words.
"I'm staring at the superwoman in my life.”I replied, as she chuckled.
"Really? The contract is still there. At the end of one year, you won't see me as your superwoman.” She looked away sadly.
I shook my head, as she doesn't seem to be giving up on the matter again.
"Do not worry about it. Let just see if it will work out. You haven't made me fall in love with you yet. That is your task.”I winked at her, as she blushed.
I moved closer to her, as I held her hands.
"I am ready to tell you everything about Evelyn. You need to know. And I think it would be the best remedy to help me move on.”Her eyes widened, as I spoke.
"No. You should do that when you want to. Don't force yourself. I don't mind, okay.”I smiled, as her palms pressed on my arms.
"I really want to. I will be free to. Not now, but when I fully recover.”She forced a smile, as she nodded.
"I have a surprise for us.”I spoke, as her forehead creased slightly.
"What?”
"Our honeymoon is coming soon. You should choose the location.”She held her palm to her mouth, as she was awed.
"Wow. You can pick the country. Anywhere is okay by me.”I nodded, seeing her hesitance.
"Sure. You seemed happy.”She hummed, as she shyly looked away.
"Of course. Not only will we get to see another country, you will be free from work load. You need rest and spare time.”She stated, as I continued staring at her moving lips.
I locked eyes with her, as her face turned crimson. Seems she knew what I was up to. I leaned closer, or perhaps we leaned closer, as our lips met.
It was slow, and soft, as we kissed. I tried to savor the taste of her lips, as it tasted like syrup and cream.
The opening of the door jolted us, as we separated. My brows furrowed at the interruption.
"Sorry for interrupting. I…"
"Where are your manners, Kathleen? Learn to knock. We are a couple. What if we are naked or something. What if…" I felt Ariel's hand on mine, stopping me from saying more words.
I breathe in and out gently.
"If it is not an apology to Ariel, you can kindly leave our room.”I stated, pointing outside the room.
"I am sorry, Ariel. I shouldn't have done that.”She voiced out, as Ariel simply nodded.
Kathleen left immediately, making me wonder if Ariel had forgiven her.
"Do not mind, Kathleen. She is just being overprotective and overlooking out for me syndrome that is disturbing her.”Ariel chuckled, as she smiled.
“It is okay. I understand. If it were me, I might have done worse than that.”I rolled my eyes, at her comparison.
She is quite the opposite on that matter. I doubt if Ariel can be like Kathleen. They share a few qualities, but not really that close.
"I doubt. Meanwhile, we should continue what we started.”I drew closer, but got disappointed, as Ariel pushed me away.
She stood up, as my gaze lingered to her side.
"I need to cook. You haven't eaten this morning. You should probably rest.”She winked at me, before sauntering out of the room.
I slept on the bed, imagination of the kiss we just shared rekindling in my mind. I wanted more, but there is this force pulling me back.
I breathe out, trying to put my thoughts to rest, as I closed my eyes.
ARIEL POV
I wasn't certain why I packed my clothes, but I wasn't going anywhere. I felt guilty for trying to see if Ryan truly valued me. Even though it did work out that he was willing to amend his mistake, I was feeling thrilled.
It was a great scene to see Kathleen apologizing, even when I felt it wasn't real. She still had a lot off her cliffs.
I began to work on the vegetable soup, as I realized my pancakes were gone.
"Looking for something?”I closed my eyes, counting 1 to 10 in my mind to ease the anger I felt might come in. I can handle this,' I reassured myself.
" I never knew you were a fan of my cooking. You might want to learn how to cook those.”I replied, as she hissed, settling on one of the stools in the kitchen.
"If you were thinking too highly of yourself, you will fall.”She spat out, as I turned abruptly to face her.
“Is that suppose to be for you? Because it looks like it.”She glared at me, as she stood up angrily.
"You might want to listen to something before leaving.”I stared deeply at her, as her palms rested on the table.
I brought out my phone, playing the audio recording between Nick and me. There, he confessed he had been in a relationship with Kathleen for a while now.
"You… What are you up to?”She raised her finger at me, as she looked stressed.
"Nothing much. Just paying back in your coin. I mean, if you can frame me In front of my husband, I will also like to frame you in front of my husband.”I paused, as she just stared at me.
"Oh. That is not framing from my part. I am simply just saying the truth. I wonder how Ryan would react if he figured out that you are dating his best friend. Tsk, TSK TSK.”I clicked my tongue, taking a step forward.
"Why are you doing this?”It was my turn to have the last laugh, as I looked at my fingers, before returning my gaze to her.
"I don't know what you are up to, but never bother to interrupt my marriage life with Ryan. Leave this house, and we can pretend this never happened again. Deal or no deal?”I asked, a smile tugging at my lips.
I can't believe I was doing this, but it is what it is. She came prepared to disrupt our marriage, and I won't let that happen.
"Deal.”She rasped out, before leaving the kitchen.
I felt a tingling sensation, as It felt as if my heart beat returned to its normal pace.
The next few seconds were replaced by guilt, remembering what I did to Kathleen to make me leave.
Was I wrong?