"What is going on here?" he asked. His voice was filled with pure darkness, sending chills down spines. The air went cold, their stomachs churned. His appearance right now was like a calm devil from hell. His eyes seemed to have gone darker as he stared at their faces. They could hardly speak.
"I asked. What is going on... here?" he repeated, somewhat darker this time.
"Ah...young master. It's Anna birthday...today" Leonel replied. Why is he even stuttering? He's supposed to know. Ryan's eyes moved slowly and it landed on Arianna. She gulped down the lump in her throat, sweat broke on her forehead.
"It's...your birthday?" he asked, and she nodded slowly.
"Y-yes" she saw his teeth clench, and the red lights made him more scary.
"How come no one told me of this?" he asked, keeping his darkened gaze steady on her as he felt insignificant at that moment. And she could only lower her eyes. She thought he knew. She thought Ms Jung must have spoken about it.
"We... thought you knew young master" Zariel answered "Were sorry" they apologized. But the man didn't look at them. He was just looking at her, clenching his teeth. He also squeezed the envelope in his hand, feeling so...angry. Realising he was squeezing the envelope, he sighed and released his hand.
"Meet me upstairs" he told her and then walked away. They watched him leave and when he was out of sight, the duo let out a breath they've been holding for so long.
"Is he angry at me?" Arianna asked, her lips pursed.
"He might not be. But hurry up and go meet him before things get worse" Zariel told her, and she hurriedly went after him. With racing heart. She saw him enter his study, so she followed.
Aria opened the door slowly and walked in like she was scared to. He was standing by the window, gazing through with a dark gaze. She came to stand beside him, fidgeting with her fingers. He didn't say a word, so she tugged his shirt.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked, he didn't reply but instead faced her and continued staring with arms crossed over his chest. She lowered her eyes, her lips pursed. Ryan lifted his hand towards her and she shrank in fear, thinking he was going to punish her or something. His hand which had hung mid air, landed on her head gently, and he brushed her hair. Aria lifted her eyes and looked at him, his dark aura was going back to normal.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked calmly.
"I'm sorry. I thought Ms Jung or chairman Park told you. And besides, you didn't ask" she answered, and he stopped brushing her hair, dipping his hand into his pockets. Right, now it's his fault. Ms Jung and Chairman Park asked that's why they knew. And they couldn't even tell him. How loyal!
"I see.." he said and turned back to face the window. He stayed quiet for a few seconds, and then said "I got something for you, but since it's your birthday, we'll make it your birthday gift"
Her eyes lit up "What is that?" she asked. Ryan picked the envelope from the table and gave it to her. She hesitantly took it, and opened it, bringing out the paper from inside. The first thing her eyes caught was 'Hanguk University' written in bold. She lifted her eyes and looked at him, and then to the paper. Her eyes began to sting and tears brewed in them as she read.
"I...got you registered. I already prepared everything, so you can start when you're ready" Ryan spoke. She lifted her clouded eyes and looked at him, her lips seem to tremble. She could hardly form a word in her mouth.
Ryan bit his lips, and then he said, "Happy birthday, sweetheart". The next moment, she jumped on him and hugged him tightly. Her tears streamed down her face, and she began to cry. He held her, his brows creased slightly. Why is she crying?
"Thank you, Ryan. Thank you" she cried, tightening her hold around him. "Thank you so much."
"Why are you crying, Aria? You're supposed to be smiling, right?" he was really anticipating her smiles. But here she is, crying.
"I'm happy. This is the best gift ever" she released him, hiccuping even. Ryan wiped her tears gently, not wanting to see a single drop.
"You shouldn't be crying on your birthday" he told her.
"Thank you" she said again, but that's not what he wanted. He wanted her to smile, he wanted to see her dazzling eyes but this one's clouded with tears.
"I won't accept your gratitude if you keep crying like this. Now smile, that's what I want" he told her.
Aria forced herself to smile, but at this moment, she just couldn't. More tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled.
"Jeez" Ryan said. What's with the tears. Aria hugged him again. She just couldn't stop herself from crying. The joy was too much. She pulled away and kissed him, cutting him off guard. Ryan blinked twice , thrice, before he kissed her back. He could taste her tears in his mouth. It's tastes sweet though. But he really didn't like that she was crying. It pained him.
Finally, she pulled away, sniffing as she wiped her wet face.
"I'm so happy" she said "Thank you so much, Ryan"
"Oh, what's this? There's no need to thank me, okay? As your boyfriend, I am meant to do this for you"
"You're the best" she finally smiled, and his lips curled up. Aria hugged him again. God, thank you for giving me this wonderful boyfriend. She smiled silly, biting her lips in process. Gosh, this is the best birthday ever!!
Ryan pulled away from the hug and brushed her hair lovingly. "Hurry up and go. You still have to cut the cake, right?" he told her.
"Ah..yes. I'll go now, but aren't you coming?"
"I will. But I have to attend to something now" Ryan said.
"Okay" she agreed, though her lips were pursed. And quickly, she left. Feeling so happy than ever.