ARIEL POV
Today's episode was enough to make me to ugly cry, emotionally down and stuck with overthinking, but here I am here folding the clothes of the man who hurt me this morning.
His words, like daggers, pierced my inner self. I was shocked and utterly bewildered. I thought we were husband and wife. Where was the trust?
I packed the last set of his clothes into the closet. I turned abruptly, a little stunned at the presence of Ryan. I turned left, trying my possible best to ignore him.
He reached out to me, as his hand gripped mine, not roughly but lightly. I felt a wave of sensation down my body at the contact, his warm hand doing justice to blocking how angry I was.
"Milady, I know you are angry at me, but can you at least look at me?”
As if I were under a spell, I was still in the same position. His palm grazed my chin, lifting it up, as our eyes met. I blinked, trying not to give way to tears.
All my previous decisions to ignore him went down the drain, as the urge to voice out my thoughts ended abruptly.
"I am sorry. I intentionally got angry with you this morning.”My brows raised a bit at his confession, wondering if he was telling the truth.
"Really? But why?”I finally got my voice as I spoke.
"I wanted to know the real Evelyn. The truth is revealing little by little. She is a little mentally unstable.”He spoke, touching his nose out of exasperation.
He looked tired and confused.
"It's fine. I understand. Have you eaten?”I asked, taking off his waistcoat.
I could feel his gaze boring in my direction, but I wasn't going to be affected.
"Babe, you are no longer angry, are you?”
That hit me, as I simply smiled.
"I wasn't angry, just disappointed.”I replied, wasting no time in dropping his waistcoat in the laundry basket.
I helped with his shirt, as he held my hands, and just like a flash he kissed me, his tongue swiveling in my mouth, taking control of mine.
I felt hot, as a moan escaped my lips. He released my lips, his face resting on mine, as we both breathed.
"I promise you that regardless of what happens between Evelyn and me, I will never leave you. I….”He paused, and somehow I felt relieved and, in the same time, bitter because he hadn't confessed he loved me.
"You should be careful, Ryan, especially with Evelyn.”
"I promise.”He bit my nose, as I chuckled. I took steps backward.
His hand rounded my waist, pulling me closer to himself. I snuggled closer, as our body moved in rhythm, his mouth snuggled closer, kissing my neck.
"Ryan.”I mumbled.
"MMM"He moaned, as he stopped, his stare cut to mine.
"If I do something majorly because of my interest, will you be mad at me?”
His lips moved side way, as he slowly released me from his grip. He held my hand, as he led me to the bed.
"I've been selfish for a while now, yet with your heart of gold, you forgave me. Trust me when I say I wouldn't be mad even if you cheat on me now.”
My heart hammered, his voice reaching my ears, and my whole body.
"Hey, I love you so much to cheat on you. Plus, you are a handsome man.” He smiled at my confession.
I could feel heat on my cheeks, and I was sure they must have reddened already.
He pulled me into a hug, his breath fanning my neck, that I almost squirm.
"As long as you don't leave me, I will always forgive you. I can't do without you.”
His slow, heartwarming words were enough to stir up different emotions. I felt happy that he said those words, but then a part of me felt weak, as I already decided that he might not be happy with.
But it is for the best. Maybe, or possibly not......
*********
Few weeks to Ryan and I anniversary, yet every moment reminded me of how lonely I was most of the time. It was either Ryan visiting Evelyn or staying at his office for long hours.
It was as if he were trying to avoid me. He now sleeps in the other room. The distance between us as a married couple was something that stirred up the inner part of me.
Even when I tried to discuss it, he changed the topic. It was saddening, and slowly I was wishing I was not married to him. I felt his words to me that other evening were just words, without action.
I sighed for the umpteenth time as I stared at my laptop screen. It was really difficult to come up with something to write about. My whole mind seemed messed up, literally making my imagination wander like a lost item in the sea. Writing had been difficult.
My thoughts were interrupted at the sound of the doorbell, as I reluctantly stood up. It was 11am in the morning, who could that be?' I thought.
Just like a flash, a weird thought eroded my mind.
'What if it was Evelyn?'
I scoffed at my ridiculous thinking. Maybe it was Ryan.
I reached for the door, my eyes meeting with the two persons I least expected.
Eva rushed in, pulling me into a hug, that I thought brain almost froze. I couldn't breathe for some seconds.
"Eva, please release her out of your grip already. You are suffocating her.”Kathleen cautioned, as she released me, her face filled with worry.
I breathe in and out gently, pushing my hands back and forth. It almost felt like Eva came in with a different energy today.
"Apologies sister-in-law. I was just excited to see you.”I smiled warmly, giving her a thumbs up.
"It's fine. I missed you too.”I said truthfully, holding their hands as I made them settle on the cushion chair in the living room.
"I miss you more.”That was Kathleen's voice, and it gladdens me we are getting better in terms of friendship ever since her breakup with Nick.
Glad they are back together now.
"I smell lies from my sister's words. I'm pretty sure she misses Nick more.” Eva voiced out, as I stared at Kathleen, her face turning crimson.
"Aww"I swooned, as Kathleen rolled her eyes, blushing heavily.
"We came here for something serious, Eva. Be focused please.”Her voice denoted seriousness as Eva groaned.
"So, what's up?”
I was more than curious to know what brought them here, aside to checking up on me.
"The news of Evelyn is all over, at least within the family.” Eva started, as I swallowed, trying not to show how nervous I was, or maybe disappointed at Ryan for being a chameleon.
"And we just wanted to reassure you that we appreciated you so much for being part of the family. Ryan has changed a lot since he got married to you. You helped him change well.”
My heart pounded, as I was filled with happiness. I was glad this was coming from Kathleen, former arch enemy or the proposed villain of Ryan and I love the story. I guess Evelyn was actually the real villain.
Eva clamped her palm with mine, as I gave her a smile.
"We really hope you will bear with, my brother. He is perplexed at the moment. He needs time and I can tell he really loves you.” Eva stated, her words slow and steady.
Love? I am not sure if he does. If he does, maybe he would be sure of what he has, ME.
I nodded slightly, trying not to erase Eva's words completely from my heart.
And then, Kathleen's warm hand rested on my shoulder, prompting me to look at her.
"We will support you down to the end. We want you, not Evelyn. Even though she was my best friend, how sure I am she hasn't changed. Ariel, we want you to be Ryan's wife forever and ever.”
My smile stretches so wide, the corner of my mouth touching my earlobes. I felt comforted at that moment.
I was troubled and in an overthinking phase before they came in, but somehow I felt a gush of relief, the anxiety clouding me, suddenly leaving.
"Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate your words. You are really friends in time of distress.”
They had a hug smile on their faces, as we hugged.
"Mum sends regards. Apparently, she was angry with Ryan that she slapped him hard.”
My body trembled slightly as my eyes widened.
Kathleen reached towards Eva, as she pinched her.
"Why are you always a killjoy. Must you spill the beans?"Kathleen frowned at Eva, as they slowly pushed away from our embrace.
"It's fine. I was just surprised, that's all. My greetings to mother.."
They nodded and with time, we were locked in an embrace, silence enveloping, each one listening to the other heartbeat.
I had just a thought in mind:
'That Ryan will make the right decision soon.'