He stood by the window in his study, hands crossed behind his back and clenched into fists. He didn't look scary but he was. He turned slowly and looked at Leonel.
"Who did he say sent him?"
"Seo In Gang" he replied nonchalantly.
"That punk again? Seriously, what problem does he have with me?" he was annoyed.
"You're an enemy. A competitor" Leonel said.
Ryan stared with a dark gaze, his teeth clenching. "How?" he wondered "Han group has been there for decades. How are we a competitor against him"
"I wonder too. But it seems...he has personal issues with you" he pointed out.
"Ha!" a dark chuckle left his lips "Personal issues, huh..."
"I suggest we meet him today. You've been ignoring him since the beginning"
Ryan stared, knowing Leonel was right. But then he remembered his sweetheart was attending school today, and his brows raised. "You go" he then said.
"Why should I? I am the 'Chairman' here. Not your stand-in CEO" he made it clear.
"Hmm.... Maybe I should make you the stand-in CEO then. I'm getting old. Then later we can think of a successor" Ryan nodded to himself as he spoke.
"Lazy. Very lazy, that's what you are"
"I'm lazy? I've been working diligently for the past days, sometimes not even giving attention to my Ari, and you call me lazy? Wow...I should punish you for this."
Leonel shook his head. What a young master. "I apologize" he said "But we're still going to see him, you're not escaping this" he told him firmly.
Ryan stood akimbo and pushed his chest forward "And what would do if I don't comply?"
"How about hiding your sweet Ari from you? Zariel is an expert in that. Your sweet Ari would be in our hands while you would never be able to see her" he spoke with crimson red eyes, and Ryan dropped his hands. Just then Zariel walked in with a taunting smile. Did she hear? No! She can't take his Ari from him.
"Breakfast is served, young master." She said.
"O-okay" he nodded.
"And... It would be a pleasure to keep Anna by my side until you become less lazy, young master" she smiled at him. It was her turn now.
"You wouldn't dare. I'm your boss" he warned.
"Should I try?"
"How about I block your credit card again?" he spoke and her smile disappeared "I know you like shopping a lot. Let's see how you'll shop this time. Ah... even if Ari begs on your behalf, I won't unblock it" Zariel glared hard. Why does he always win?!
"Still want to take my Ari from me?" he questioned, and she feigned a smile. He nodded, glared at Leonel, before leaving the study.
*...*...*..*
Arianna was dressing up in her room. Even up till now she hadn't moved her things to Ryan's room. It was her room, and she still liked it. She was so excited that the day was here. She can't believe this is happening. Feels like a dream. She wore a black high neck shirt that left her arms bare. And then she wore blue jeans. She just wanted to look simple and not attract attention on her first day. Just when she was about to wear her overcoat, her eyes fell on the drawer. She dropped the coat on the bed and slowly opened the drawer. Her heart thudded slightly as she brought out a picture of Amaya from the drawer. It had been so long since she looked at her mother's picture, and today she suddenly remembered that. She wanted to see her mother's beautiful smile again.
"Mum..." she voiced out while smiling, though she felt sad "How are you? Are you doing fine? I'm very fine here. I have a boyfriend now, and he loves me very much. So, wherever you are.... don't worry about me. I'm happy. I'm very happy" she smiled sadly. Tracing her fingers on the picture. Just then Ryan opened the door....
"Aria, are you done?" She turned and looked at him, he saw her eyes weren't as bright as usual. "What's wrong?" he asked as he walked towards her. Arianna shook her head.
"Nothing, I'm fine. I was just looking at mum" she said. Hearing that, Ryan lowered his eyes to the picture in her hand. He took it from her to see the woman that bore his Ari. His eyes grew a bit wide when he saw Amaya. He remembers her very well. How would he ever forget someone who asked him to protect a person he has never met. Just like that.
"Who's this?" he blurted, to clear confusions.
"My mother" she answered, wondering if he didn't hear when she said it the first time. Ryan lifted his head and looked at her.
"What?!"
"She's my mother. Lee Amaya" she said.
"She...she's your mother?"
"Yes. I'm as beautiful as her, right?" she was smiling but the man wasn't. He gazed with shock and confusion. If she's her daughter then.... His eyes wandered around while his brows were creased. And then his gaze fell on her left shoulder. He grabbed her arm harshly, causing her to gasp.
"What's this?" He asked, his gaze fixed on the mark. Arianna looked at her shoulder and back at him.
"It's a birth mark" she answered. He lifted his eyes to her.
"A.. a birth mark?" His heart thudded. No way....
"Yes. That's what mother told me. She said.... I'm special that's why the mark looks like this. It also explains why I started seeing ghosts since I was three. I wonder what it means"
"You...you were born with this mark?"
"Yes"
His eyes were wide with shock, staring straight into hers. No way... He let go of her hand slowly, his legs taking him backwards in staggered steps. No way... His lashes fluttered, his lips parted and close. Arianna stared with creased brows. What is wrong with him?
"Is something wrong?" she asked, and Ryan immediately found his composure.
"No there's... There's nothing wrong. I'm just.... shocked" he said, and she asked "Why?"
Ryan looked away, not knowing how to say it. "Ms Jung, has served breakfast. Let's go and eat or you'll be late" he took her hand but she she stayed rooted to her spot.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes" he was quick to say "I'll...tell you later" he smiled faintly at her and then pulled her out.
Throughout breakfast, he kept staring at her. And would avert his gaze when she looks at him. He didn't know what he was feeling. His heart was beating so wildly. He felt his blood boil in what he couldn't understand. Was he happy or was he....? He doesn't even know. All this while.... she had been here. And he's just knowing. He's just knowing... that the... only woman he ever fell in love with...was the one destined to set him free from all his longed pain. He should be happy. But he could hardly smile. All he did was stare in shock.